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Perhaps you’ve taken a year of Spanish, and you feel comfortable enough in your language skills to finally take that vacation to a Spanish speaking country. While you may be intimidated, if you have the basics down, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Spanish is Your Amigo is here to teach you ten key phrases that are great to begin a conversation, or to interject when you don’t know what else to say. Master these, and no one will guess that Spanish isn’t your native language.

A thesis statement is the first and most important piece of any essay—whether you call it a controlling idea or a unifying concept, your paper must have one. But a thesis doesn’t just state your position on whatever matter you are writing about; it also provides a road map for constructing the body of your essay, an outline for you to follow. In this lesson from David Taylor, learn a simple formula to create a thesis; once you have a solid thesis, your paper will be a delight to write.

Now that your granite countertop has been cut and polished, learn how to score and cut out the circular sink and faucet holes. In this third and final installment of the series from Paul’s Toolbox, learn how to finish creating your own custom granite countertop, as well as how to avoid costly and unsightly errors frequently made while cutting curved lines. Once your holes are cut and resealed, simply drop in in your sink and faucet, and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

Looking for a new jewelry making technique? Learn how to locker hook beautiful handmade bracelets out of yarn, ribbon, recycled silk, and fabric. In this lesson, Theresa Pulido will share tips and tricks from her most recent book on locker hooking, Locking Loops. A cross between needlework, crochet, and latch hook, locker hooking is a unique needlecraft that is equally fun for kids and adults.

Knowing how to handle a chef’s knife is an important culinary skill. All too often the slicing and dicing of ingredients is considered a challenge or a chore, discouraging many from making home-cooked meals. In this lesson, you’ll learn chef knife safety and how to use the rolling and up-and-down techniques effectively. Take on new recipes and culinary adventures with confidence!

Do you love the film, characters, and soundtrack of “Frozen”? Then try learning Idina Menzel’s version of “Let It Go” on guitar, taught by Smiley Mo! This intermediate guitar lesson covers all the chords you need to know to play this song through and through, from the intro to the last note. Practice the strumming patterns and perform your new song for friends and family!

Everything's coming up roses when you make these gorgeous crêpe ribbon flowers! Part one of two, this lesson from craft addict Erin Bassett teaches you how to fold, sew, and paint your ribbon. Select a patterned crêpe ribbon that is thin, flexible, and delicate, then fold and sew the ribbon into a circle with needle and thread to create your flower’s petals. Paint the ribbon's edges, and then spray your whole flower with glitter mist and add color accents.

Painted in 1533, Hans Holbein’s “The Ambassadors” is a double portrait of two French Ambassadors, who were apparently successful in all aspects of life, evidenced by the items they are painted with. But an anamorphic skull in the bottom half of the portrait requires an entirely different perspective to view it, and not the men and their accomplishments. How and why did Holbein incorporate this skull into the painting? Amor Sciendi is here to help explain this metaphorical image.

Why wile away your days when you can tile them away? Part 1 of 3, this lesson from Tommy's Trade Secrets teaches you how to tile a bathroom or kitchen floor. Learn how to plan your tile arrangement and mark your room accordingly - and the best practices for sealing your floor with PVA glue, spacing your tiles, and laying tile on an uneven surface. Continue with the series to learn how to cut tile for corners, edges, and doorways - and how to grout and finish your tiling project.

Want to look and feel better? Strengthen your core and expand your horizons by exploring this introductory Pilates workout! The exercises in this lesson from Sean Vigue of Motley Fitness can be performed anywhere, and include: the Pilates 100 warm-up; back and spine stretches; on-the-back movements; the sphinx pose, dart pose, and child's pose; and side bends and stretches. This lesson also shows how to improve your form and breathing - perfect for the Pilates beginner.

Grab your bike and hit the trail - without biting the dirt - by making use of these tips for cornering on a mountain bike. Art's Cyclery will teach you the tricks of the trade, including: how to tilt your bike into turns, how to keep your body vertical, how to maintain a low attack position and center of gravity, how to drop your heels, and how to look through your turns. With these tips you'll be racing up (and better yet, down!) mountains in no time!

Maybe you aren’t a graphic artist yet, but do you dream of one day animating a Disney Pixar blockbuster? If you are interested in digital animation, but have zero experience in the field, start with the basics. In this introduction to the 3ds Max series, Jerry Gonzalez gives you a quick overview of his series on animating in the program—follow each tutorial closely and put in practice time, and you’ll be creating complex models and 3D animations (and maybe the next blockbuster) in no time!