INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use a pencil to lightly trace your desired design onto the leather. Do not press too hard, as this will indent the leather. The paint is also semi-transparent, so any bold lines beneath the paint may show through. Using a paintbrush, fill in your design with the desired colors. Try to avoid creating thick layers of paint. A thick layer of paint will be more likely to crack over time. If your design has multiple colors, let each color dry before moving on to the next to avoid smudging the paint. Be sure to clean your brushes each time you select a new paint color to work with. Keep a small cup of water next to your workstation. Dip the paintbrush in the water before placing it into another color. If you make a mistake while painting, use a small amount of acetone on a cotton ball or cotton swab to gently lift away the paint. Once the paint is successfully removed and the area has dried, you can continue painting. When you have finished painting your design, put it aside and let it air dry. The item should be secured in a safe place where it won’t be damaged or disturbed. The paint should dry within 15 to 20 minutes.

SUMMARY: Trace a design onto the surface. Fill in the design. Clean up mistakes with acetone. Let it dry.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: while you’re reading. Keep a notebook next to you while you read so you can jot down your thoughts. Taking notes as you read will allow you to record things correctly. This will create less work for you than if you try to go back and check on details later.  It might be a good idea to keep several different pieces of paper next to you for notes. One can be for general impressions and quick thoughts, another can be for lists of characters and events, and one more for recording the book’s major themes and ideas. You can also take notes to keep track of words you don’t recognize. Use a dictionary to look these up as you go, and then write down the definitions. Underlining and highlighting the book will not only permanently damage it, but it also won’t help you keep track of specific details. Write down the main characters’ names and a brief description of their personalities or major characteristics. Include a line or two about each of the main characters’ desires and goals. Use these notes to think about how the characters illustrate the main themes of the book. You can also make a timeline of the major events that occur in the book, especially if the chronology is complicated or confusing. Keep multiple timelines if the story jumps back and forth between different plotlines. To keep yourself from getting overwhelmed, think about the book in three parts. The story will have a beginning, middle, and end. Organize your notes based on these sections.  The beginning will be focused on introducing the major characters and establishing the setting of the story. The middle will explore the major “problem” of the book, whether it’s a fight between good and evil or a murder mystery. The end will resolve the book’s major problem. Each section should have a specific theme and purpose. Think about what the author spends the most time on in each section. Be sure to also consider how the sections relate to one another. As you’re reading, think about what lesson the book is trying to teach. Notice what theme comes up again and again. It might be something that the characters always talk about, or a fatal flaw in people that causes problem after problem.  For example, the author may want to show readers that pride leads people to make bad decisions. To demonstrate this, the main character keeps getting themselves into situations that are above their head because they’re prideful and arrogant. If you’re reading a nonfiction book, the main idea might be something about history or society. Maybe the author wants to show readers that fast food is unhealthy, and the book brings up lots of examples to prove that point.

SUMMARY: Write notes Keep a running list of the main characters. Break the book down into sections. Identify the main point of each section. Determine the book’s one key idea.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Follow the specific recipe you are using, including ingredient amounts, utensils and baking dishes, steps or instructions, oven temperatures, and baking times. Using a damp knife, cut the cake in sections or quarters. This allows the insides of the cake to cool down faster, rather than having the cake cool down from the outside in. When the cake pieces has reached room temperature or warm to handle, use your hands to crumble the cake in a large mixing bowl. You will want to break down any chunks, especially any hard corners. Start off with 1/4 cup of icing in the bowl. Use a wooden spoon to thoroughly incorporate the cake crumbs and icing together until you achieve a consistency of dough, as if you're making cookie dough. Add additional icing, if needed. Having the mixture chilled makes it easier for you to roll it into balls.

SUMMARY: Bake the cake. Slice the cake. Crumble the cake. Add the icing. Refrigerate the mixture.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Most privacy door knobs, also known as "bed and bath" door knobs, either have a pushbutton or twisting lock mechanism on the inside Doorknob.  The outside Doorknob will have a small round hole in the center that is intended to allow for emergency access.    If possible, ascertain which kind of lock mechanism (push button or twisting) you are dealing with. If the outside Doorknob has a keyhole instead of a hole, you will need to proceed to the method for picking a locked entry door. You need to find a long, thin object that is small enough to fit into the hole, but sturdy enough to put pressure on the locking mechanism.  Ideal choices include a small screwdriver or hex wrench, a hair pin, or a heavy-duty paperclip.  You can even use a bamboo skewer from the kitchen, or a cotton swab with the fluff removed from one end.  If using a hair pin or paper clip, first bend it open so you have a long, straight bit of metal. If you are having trouble finding a suitable object, get creative. Open up a ball-point pen and use the ink cartridge, or check the bottom of your purse for a toothpick.  You can almost always find something that will work!

SUMMARY:
Identify the type of lock you are dealing with. Find a suitable object for picking the lock.