Items :)

Things to acquire:



Tools:

soldering iron

iron

wire strippers (optional)

wire cutters (optional)



Parts:

perfboard (small)

Arduino (Duemilanove)

LEDS (42, any color)



Other:

soldering skills

arduino programming enviorment

Now you take all of your LEDS and arrange them as shown in the pictorial below.  The circles represent the LEDS the arrow on top represents all of the positive leads of the LEDS in one direction, and the arrow on the left represents all of the negative LED leads connected together.  The purple numbered boxes represent the digital pins on the arduino duemilanove.  Leave pin 6 empty, solder all of the leads together and MAKE SURE THAT THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE LEADS DO NO TOUCH AT ALL!!!!!!!!

Then use wires and solder all of the leads with wires to the appropriate pins.  Do NOT actually solder on the arduino just stick the wires in.