Colleen Moore's Amazing FairyTale Dollhouse

I have always loved dollhouses since I was a little girl. I have owned many dollhouses, and I have made a few myself, but I have never seen a dollhouse as beautiful as the dollhouse made by Colleen Moore. This is a doll house that should be known by all dollhouse enthusiasts worldwide.

 

My favorite dollhouse is a fairy castle made by Colleen Moore; it is an amazing creation that was created from "1928 -1935," and "over 100 people" helped to create this masterpiece (Finnegan, 1999, p. 63). This castle is a beautifully constructed work of art that I fell in love with the moment I looked upon it. It measures over "nine square feet," and it cost about "500,000" dollars to create (Finnegan, 1999, p 63).

This fairy tale castle is made up of many amazing little details. One of my favorite details is the use of Moore's "mother's engagement ring"; the ring is set into the cathedral as a sunburst pattern (Finnegan, 1999, p. 64). This gesture shows the love that Moore had for this work, and it inspires me and makes me feel less foolish to be truly excited to create a beautiful little dollhouse.

This dollhouse incorporates many fairy tale themes into it. The pictures of Cinderella, the Queen of Hearts, and Alice in Wonderland are painted, carved, and stenciled throughout the castle (Finnegan, 1999). There are no actual dolls that reside in this masterpiece, but many of the rooms are themed to suit a fairy tale story. The great dining hall is modeled after the King Arthur story and Robin Hood, and the princess' bedroom is modeled after the story of sleeping beauty; the bed is even covered in a spider web style blanket (Finnegan, 1999).

This doll house is extremely intriguing and has many amazing aspects. I particularly love the weeping willow tree that actually cries, the mother of pearl floor in the bedroom, and the organ that actually plays in the cathedral (Finnegan, 1999). This doll house is amazingly beautiful and encompasses a fantastical array of details that make it unforgettable.

I am amazed by this dollhouse. Every little detail is so precise and thought out. There is so much time and love put into this dollhouse that it is practically unbelievable. I am enamored by the use of fairytales and personal memories to create this piece, and I am sure anyone else who has ever viewed it would be also!

Reference:

Finnegan, S. (1999). The doll house book. New York, NY: Black Dog & Leventhal.

Beginner Jewelry Craft Projects for Mother's Day

 

Making jewelry craft projects for Mother's Day is easy even for beginners. Mother's will love receiving jewelry made especially for them. This article will explain how to make beginner jewelry craft projects for your mom on her special day.

Beaded Dangle Earrings

Earrings are easy to make and a perfect project for the beginner. To make this jewelry item you will need wire, a wire cutter, pliers, two jump rings, two medium sized beads, four small beads, and two earring hooks.

Start by cutting a piece of wire about two inches long. Then use the pliers to bend the bottom of the wire into a small circle. Add a small bead, medium bead, and another small bead to the wire. Then twist the other side of the wire to secure all of the beads in place and create another small circle.

Finally attach the earring post or hook using a jump ring. Simply stretch the ring open with the pliers, then add the circle on the end of the beaded wire and the earring hook. Close the jump ring with the pliers and repeat the process to make the other earring for the pair.

Beach Glass Bracelet

Another great beginner's jewelry project for Mother's Day is a beach glass bracelet. For this jewelry craft you will need some pretty beach glass beads, hemp or other thin cord, scissors, and a safety pin. Start by cutting 3 pieces of cord about a foot and a half long.

Then tie the cords together at the end to make a tight knot. Make a second knot slightly lower than the first knot; there should be enough room for a bead to slip past the two knots. Then start braiding the cords together. After a few links, add a bead to one strand of cord. Make another link and add another bead. Keep adding beads until you are almost done with the bracelet. Then add a few more braids and a final bead to the end of the bracelet. The final bead, when slipped through the knots on the other end, function as a clasp.

These beginner jewelry craft ideas make unique and pretty Mother's Day gifts. Make sure to buy custom beads to suit your mother's tastes, and your mom will be ecstatic to wear her new gifts.

Art Class Lesson Plan for Elementary School Students for Mother's Day

 

Mother's Day is a great holiday for students to create gifts for their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and all the other women in their lives. There is no better gift than one made by the giver, and anyone would love these miniature flower bouquets. This lesson plan is easy and can be enjoyed by all elementary students.

The materials needed for this lesson include empty spools of thread; the students can bring these in from home, or the teacher can provide them. Pieces of wire are also a required material; paper clips can be unbent and used for this project. Scissors, acrylic paint, beads, pieces of felt, brushes, scraps of ribbon, buttons, clay, and glue are also necessary materials that will be needed for this project. All of these items can be found around the house, and many of these items can be brought in by th teacher or student, or they can be purchased for very low prices.

To begin your project, fill the hole in each spool with a little ball of clay. Next have the students paint each spool with the acrylic or tempera paint. Remember to lay newspaper down on the table in order to keep the paint off of the tables. Have the students paint the spools whatever color they like, and set the spool aside to dry.

Now cut the wire into 2 or 3 inch pieces, or unbend the paper clips and cut them to size. These pieces of wire will be the flower stems. Next use the beads, glue, and felt pieces to create little flowers. The students can just glue the beads onto the wire, or they can wrap little strips of felt around the end of the wire to create flowers. Buttons can also be used to create cute little flowers, and remember to make many of them. Glue little diamond shaped scraps of green felt onto the wire in order to create leaves.

When the spool and the flowers are completely dry the piece can be composed. Have the students stick the little flowers into the clay that is inside the hole of the spool, and make the students arrange these flowers however they like. The final step is to tie a scrap of ribbon around the spool.

These miniature flower boutiques are perfect for Mother's Day, and many other holidays. They can be given as gifts or placed randomly around the home so that they bring a little happy surprise to the person receiving them!

How Similar Personalities Can Affect the Workplace

 

Similar personalities can affect the workforce in several ways. There are many benefits and problems that can occur due to similar personalities in the workplace. It is important to understand the benefits and problems that can occur do to similar personalities if you want your business to run efficiently. This article will discuss how similar personalities can affect the workplace.

It is common for similar personalities to become evident in any workplace. This is known as organizational culture, and it can happen accidentally or purposefully. Some businesses choose to hire employees with similar personalities because they would like to instill and maintain an organizational culture. This practice has many benefits, but it also brings about some problems.

Working in a group with similar personalities can be a beneficial because a sense of community, unity, and family can occur. Similar personalities can also provide smooth working conditions and transitions. Another benefit of a workforce with similar personalities is efficiency. People with similar personalities may work similarly, and this can make the work efficient; it can also mean there is less need for discussion because people are on the same page. Similar personalities can bring a positive attitude into a group which is productive. An organizational culture can be easily instilled in a business by hiring employees with similar personality. This allows the company culture to be inherent in the workplace, but there are also problems that come along with this.

Problems can also easily occur do to similar personalities in a workforce. Some problems can occur because if people are similar they may not be able to think of solutions to problems because they do not have the difference of opinion, knowledge, or way of thinking. Another problem can be that similar personalities can sometimes cause conflict. If there are a group of people who all like to lead then this is an issue that can cause stress.

Similar personalities can be helpful in an organization, but it can also be detrimental because of the lack of innovation possible. If an organization is going to choose people with similar personalities, I think it is important to choose personality traits that are beneficial to the company such as strong work ethic and optimism. Having differences are also important to cover all bases.

Many companies choose to support organizational cultures by hiring people with similar personalities to the ethics of a company. This can positive in many ways, and it is important to understand the downfall of this method in order to avoid any problems this type of hiring can produce.

Homemade Green Decorations for an Earth Day Party

 

You can make homemade green decorations for your Earth Day party. This article will show you how to make a soda bottle garland, tin can centerpiece, collage place card holders, and a lid banner.

Soda Bottle Garland

For this green Earth Day decoration you will need several soda bottles, a box cutter, scissors, yarn, paint, paintbrushes, and a hole puncher.

Start this party craft by cutting the soda bottles into three or four pieces. Use the razor to cut to the top and bottom off first. When you have several soda bottle pieces you can paint them however you like, or you can leave them plain. Then cut three long pieces of yarn and braid them together.

Punch holes into different parts of the bottles and start composing your garland by string the bottles onto the yarn. You can also tie the yarn braid around the mouth of bottles to make a flower like garland. When the entire braid is full your Earth Day party decoration is ready to be hung for your party.

Tin Can Centerpiece

For this green party decoration you will need a couple of tin cans, paint, paintbrushes, and glue. Start by arranging the tin cans in a circle. Use the glue to secure them together. You can also tie a ribbon around them if you like.

Then use the paint to paint a message or image on the tops of the cans. Happy Earth Day is a nice message to incorporate into your green party decoration. When the paint has dried your centerpiece is ready for your party.

Collage Place Card Holder

For this green party decoration you will need old wine corks, old magazines, scissors, a knife, and glue. You will also need small cards with your guests' name written on them.

Start this green Earth Day party decoration by using the knife to cut a slit in the length of the wine cork. Slice a small sliver off the length of the wine cork on the opposite side of the wine cork from the slice. Cut several images from magazines and glue them onto the entire wine cork to cover it.

When the glue is dry the wine cork will hold a place card for your Earth Day party. These decorations are also great party favors; guests can use them as note and photo holders in remembrance of your Earth Day party.

Lid Banner

You can make a lid banner for your Earth Day party by using old lids, paint, a hole puncher, ribbon, and paintbrushes.

Start making this decoration by arranging all of the lids in a line. Paint the words you would like on the lids by paint a single letter on each lid. Use the hole puncher to punch a hole in bot connecting sides of each lid.

Use small pieces of ribbon or yarn to tie the lids together in the correct order. Add ribbon to the ends of your banner and your Earth Day decoration is done.

These homemade decorations can be made for the party, but they are also a fun party activity for kids and adults. So try these homemade green decorations for your Earth Day party.

Interior Decorating Ideas to Increase Happiness

 

Life can sometimes keep even the happiest person down, but here are some interior decorating ideas to increase happiness on an everyday basis. Interior decorating can often be overlooked, but many people spend a lot of time in their homes looking at their interior decoration. This article will discuss several fun interior decorating ideas to increase your happiness.

Paint Your Walls Happy

Decorating your home starts with paint, and interior decorating for happiness can also start with simply painting your walls a different color. Yellow, green, and red are the most common colors associated with happiness, and all of these colors can make a great addition to your interior decorating. Painting a single wall, add colorful curtains, or new throw pillows in any one of these colors will increase your happiness every time you see it. Simple color fixes can be the interior decorating change you need to increase your happiness.

Adding Happy Thoughts

Another idea to increase happiness through interior decorating is adding a happy thought. Everyone has heard a quote or a song lyric that made them smile. If you haven't heard one before try doing a quick search on the Internet. Then using contact paper, a box cutter, and a pencil create a happy thought border for your wall. Start by writing the quote on the paper. Then outline the words so they are large enough to cut out. Remember to keep in mind that the sticky side will attach to the wall. You do not want the finished quote to be backwards. Vinyl wall decor is a great interior decorating technique that adds fun while not being permanent. Try adding a happy thought to your wall, and this interior decorating idea will provide you with inspiration for happiness.

Remember the Good Times

Many people post their photos to social networking sites. To increase happiness through interior decorating, try hanging your photos around your home. Remembering the good times can make you happy on the not-so-good days. Find photos from the year's gone buy and arrange them in photo collages, or place them in single frames. Either way hanging photos of happy memories where you can see them on a daily basis are a guaranteed way to increase your happiness through interior decorating.

Interior decorating has a lot to do with the mood we are in everyday. A key way to increase your happiness is to use interior decorating ideas that will make you happy. Try these ideas, and you will be smiling as soon as you walk in your home.Life can sometimes can even the happiest person down, but here are some interior decorating ideas to increase happiness on an everyday basis. Interior decorating can often be overlooked, but many people spend a lot of time in their homes looking at their interior decoration. This article will discuss several fun interior decorating ideas to increase your happiness.

Observational Studies for Determining the Productivity of an Assembly Line

 

Specific observational studies should be used to determine the productivity of an assembly line. Productivity can not always be measured easily, but understanding the types of observational studies that will work in an assembly line study will help you choose what type of study to use for your research. This article will discuss the use of nonverbal behavioral studies and product and activity analysis as an observational study method for assembly line productivity research.

When conducting observational studies, to determine the productivity of an assembly line, you should consider both quantitative and qualitative research. A nonverbal study is qualitative and informs a researcher about the deeper meaning of behavior in relation to productivity. A qualitative study such as product and activity analysis is also necessary to measure the actual productivity on the assembly now.

A nonverbal behavioral study is a type of observational study that can be made to determine productivity of an assembly line. This type of study would notice the movement and physical actions of the employees on an assembly line. This study would analyze productivity through motion, action, and behavior. The movements and physical expressions could easily reflect and be influenced by productivity, and productivity can also be influenced by nonverbal behavior. A simple nonverbal behavior is smiling at your neighbor. This may be part of an observational study on productivity because employees might be more productive when they are happy or smiling. I believe this hypothesis is a qualitative type of research question.

Product and activity analysis is another form of observational study that can be used to determine the productivity of an assembly line. This study would be more quantitative because it would measure in more specific means. The productivity being measured would be in figures of quantity or quality. This type of study is more effective for determining the productivity of an assembly line, but a nonverbal behavioral study is an effective study for determining the reasons behind productivity levels of an assembly line.

When attempting to determine the productivity of an assembly line it is important to consider using nonverbal behavioral studies as well as product and activity analysis studies. These research methods will provide you with helpful insights into the productivity of an assembly line.

Both of these observational studies deal with understanding productivity, but they are of different natures, and they answer different questions about the productivity of an assembly line.

The Star: Understanding the Tarot

 

The major arcana of the tarot tells a story as it goes on, and some cards are menacing, and some cards are joyful, but all the cards have important meanings that many lessons can be learned from. Understanding the tarot is a means of better understanding yourself and the world. This article will give a detailed description of the tarot card the star.

The start is depicted by a maiden drawing water from a pond and a bright star in the background that is surrounded by many other stars. This maiden is drawing water from a pond, but she is also pouring water with her other hand onto the land to form a river. The symbols that illustrate this card represent the meaning of this card as well, and this card means hope, inspiration, kindness, giving and peace. This is shown by the transfer of water in the picture of this card.

The star is usually looked at in a hopeful manner and this is appropriate because it represents hope and positive thinking. This card suggests a positive way of thinking, and an optimistic outlook on the future. The star suggests looking forward to accomplishments and completions of goals. You are aware of the positive things in your life, and you are looking to the positive events in the future.

Inspiration is a reflection of this card, and it implies a renewed inner strength. Motivation and will power is strong, and creativity is flowing. A high level of stimulation is apparent when this card is present, and inspiration and productive creativity is abundant. You can see the path for your success clearly, and are motivated to follow it.

Kindness and sharing is recommended and apparent with this card. Love flows abundantly and without restrictions. Giving back is a strong suggestion of this card, and the star represents sharing wealth, emotions, ideas, and knowledge. Generosity is everywhere, and the desire to share with no pretenses is plentiful and overflowing.

Another implication of the star card is peace; and it is represented well by the peaceful flow of water in the symbols of this card. This is a time of serenity and calm. The star card recommends finding stillness and relaxation. It is a time for harmony, and peace even if there are troubles abound. It is no wonder that this card follows the tower, which represents a sudden upheaval, because it is the calm after the storm that this card symbolizes.

The star is a time of giving, a time of relaxation, hope, and creativity. This is a promising card that should be inspirational.

Unique Holiday Crafts for Kids in May

 

May is a great month for celebrating unique holidays with your kids. Craft projects provide fun and excitement for kids on holidays. Here you will find crafts you can do with kids for the unique holidays in May.

Colorful Socks

A unique holiday in May is Lost Sock Memorial Day, and in honor of this holiday your kids can make colorful socks. For this craft you will need fabric paint in a variety of colors, paper plates, sponges, socks, and scissors. You should also cover the work area with newspaper and have a place where socks can dry.

Then squeeze some paint onto the plates. Help kids cut the sponges into smaller pieces and shapes. Then assist kids as they paint the sock using the sponge. Help them by showing them how to dip the sponge in the paint and dab it on the plate to avoid excess paint. Pressing the sponge to the sock in a variety of ways can also provide different results. Have fun with your kids by making unique socks for this fun May holiday

Lucky Penny Favors

Lucky Penny Day is another holiday that can be fun for crafts. For this project you will need some pennies, crayons, paper, markers, and scissors. You can also use other coins if you like, and larger fake coins also work well with younger kids.

Start this holiday craft by help kids do a rubbing of the coins. Demonstrate this technique to kids by placing the coin under the paper. Then rub the side of a crayon gently over the paper where the coin is located. Applying the right amount of pressure will replicate the image of the coin.

Then let kids write lucky coin or penny somewhere on the coin. To celebrate this holiday you can also help your kids make many lucky pennies and give them away to people for fun.

Tours of the World

National Tourism Day is also in May, and this holiday provides a lot of fun craft ideas for kids. An easy project requires only, paper, crayons, and pictures of places around the world. Have fun looking at places around the world with your kids. Then decide on a couple of places and help your child draw the place; the more imaginative the better. Place the drawings in a scrapbook or frames to remember your tour of the world with your kids.

These crafts are easy and fun to create with your kids in May. Fond memories and laughs are guaranteed when you celebrate these unique holidays.

Quick Art Therapy Exercises for Beginners

 

Art therapy is a new practice that increases health and wellness; this natural medicine helps people identify their emotions, build confidence, and increase awareness. Art is a productive way to deal with trauma and emotions. Sometimes people may not feel confident about their artistic abilities, and this may lead them to avoid the benefits that art therapy can provide, but this article will give you three quick exercises that an help you break the ice with art therapy.

For the first exercise you will need a piece of paper and some crayons; this exercise is a good way to gain self awareness and perspective. Before you start this piece think about how you feel because this will be an energy drawing. Choose a color that is appropriate to how you feel, and scribble on the paper. Make any type of lines you want; they can be jagged, round, or broken. Feel your emotions and scribble; you can add more colors is you like. When you are done examine the picture and see how your feelings were portrayed in this piece. This exercise is a guide that can help you understand how you are feeling, and this understanding will allow you to move on or change your mood.

Another quick and fun art therapy project is the emotion wheel; this project will help you understand your emotions, and it will also help you recognize emotions in others. To stat this project you will need a piece of paper; you can cut it into a circle if you like, or you can draw a circle onto it with a plate or bowl. Now make several small circles around your original circle. These circles will be faces; so draw expressions on all of these faces. Remember to not make one face alike, and use details to express emotions. If you want you can write the name of the emotion under the face. This fun project can help you later identify feelings.

A self-confidence building exercise starts with your name. Simply draw your name in the middle of a piece of paper, and think about all of your positive traits. Now use images to symbolize these traits. If you are good at basketball, draw a bouncing ball; if you are a gardener, draw some flowers. Really let your imagination take over with this project. Remember to use your favorite colors when creating this name piece, and keep it hung close by to remind yourself of how wonderful you really are.

Art therapy has the ability to help many people; I hope these exercises can open you up to the idea of art therapy because it has wonderful benefits.

Dark and Stormy Night: Painting with Watercolors for Beginners

 

Watercolors a lot of fun to paint with, and there are many different styles and techniques that can be employed when using watercolors. Watercolors a lot of fun to work with for many reasons, they can be made thicker or thinner, they blend differently than most paints, and they are inexpensive. Some people like to use a dry canvas when working with water colors, and some people like to use a completely wet canvas when working with watercolors, but I have found that a combination of both is a lot more interesting and fun to work with. If you would like to learn more about wet ad dry canvas techniques this article is for you; it will teach you how to create your own personal dark and stormy night using watercolor paint and techniques.

For this project you will need watercolor paper or a canvas. I prefer watercolor paper because the texture adds to the effect of the painting. You will also need several different paintbrushes that you feel comfortable using. A cup with water, a pallet, and a rag for cleaning and drying the brush are also useful. For this project you can use tubes of watercolor paints, but you can also use the dry trays of paint that you can buy very inexpensively.

Okay now this is where the dry and wet canvas technique really comes into play. To create a dark and stormy night start by adding clean water to your paintbrush and wetting areas of the watercolor paper with it. The areas that are wet will be used for blending, and the dry areas will remain white. Keep in mind that the white areas of the paper will be areas in your picture that you want to remain white, or they will be areas that you want a different color than the sky. The white areas can make nice cloud shapes and lightning bolts. The white area could even be the moon.

Next add some water to a dark blue or purple color paint. This will be the color of your sky; you can add black or white to the color to add a darker or lighter tone to the sky in this painting. When you have added some paint to the brush lightly drop a little paint on the wet area of the canvas. You will see a burst of color as the water pulls the paint. Play with this effect to create a beautiful night sky, and when you are satisfied allow the painting to dry. Remember if you do not like the way something came out you can always use a piece of paper towel to blot some of the paint off of the picture.

After the background has dried feel free to add your details. You can paint a mountain landscape by making several hump shapes across the horizon of the painting. To make the mountains look more realistic add smaller sized humps in the back. When you color these in remember to have the mountains in the background be lighter because this will add depth.

There are many different scenes that can be added to your stormy night sky, and the wet and dry canvas technique is a lot of fun to play with. You can create many different things using this style, and you can create many different layers of color by letting these levels dry in between. So bust out your paint brushes and have fun!

Tree Spirit Ritual Crafts: Alder

 

Nature is a mystical and mysterious thing, but if you pay attention and tribute to nature it can reveal itself to you in many ways. Trees are powerful and strong creatures with and so are the spirits that reside within them. The alder tree spirit is a protective and prophetic spirit, and it responds well to mirrors and water. These crafts are a perfect ritual to commune with the spirit of the alder tree, and they make nice garden decorations as well.

Wind Chime

When communing with the spirit of the alder tree the use of mirrors and water is effective; for this craft you will need glass bottles, wire, fishing line, water, and pieces of mirror. Start by finding the alder tree you are wishing to share your ritual with. Examine the branches and the width and strength of the alder tree.

Then cut long pieces of fishing line and tie the pieces of mirror to the ends of them. Remember to pay attention to the light reflected by the mirrors, and the abstract images focused in them. Tie the long pieces of line to the branches of the alder tree, and notice the pattern and texture of the tree bark.

Take some time to look into the water and notice its crystal clear quality. Think about the life giving and healing quality of the water, and fill the glass bottles with water. Fold a piece of wire in half and tie the folded end of the wire around the lip of the bottle. Hang the bottles from branches near the mirror. As you focus on the light, reflections, and clarity the spirit of the alder tree will provide you with vision and protective light.

Reflective Pool

Contacting the spirit of the alder tree can be done through rituals and crafts, and this ritual craft uses a wide glass jar or bowl, water, glue, mirror tiles or sequins, and a small hand mirror. Begin this ritual by finding the alder tree you would like to commune with. Then look at the trunk; imagine its age and wisdom. Find a nice spot at the base of the tree; look long enough and the place will reveal itself to you.

Start by sitting down and placing the mirrors in front of you. Watch the light flick and glimmer off of the mirrors; watch the reflections pass through the glass. Use the glue to attach the tiny mirrors to the inside rim of the bowl, and place the hand mirror inside. All the while work with the light, and see it for what it is.

Place the bowl on the ground in front of the alder tree and place the mirror inside. Fill the bowl with water and watch the light; touch the water and watch the ripples reflect. This simple craft makes a lovely rain catcher and reflective pool for your ritual.Communing with the alder tree spirit can prove to be a source of wisdom and understanding. The light and water are both nourishing and healing; these ritual crafts will help you gain strength from the spirit of the alder tree.

Natural Ways to Revive Stressed Out Skin

 

Skin can easily become dull looking when you are stressed out. Many things diminish the strength of your skin; sun exposure, bad eating habits, using products that are not suited for your skin and your own personal stress affect the condition of your skin. This article will teach you how to increase the look, feel and general health of your skin.

Many of us love to sun bath and spend time outdoors when it is nice out, and I am definitely one of those people, but I do admit that the sun can take a toll on my skin. When you plan on being in the sun make sure to wear sunscreen, and keep your skin moisturized. If you do happen to spend too much time in the sun you must also make sure to moisturize your skin often, and if you have a sun burn rub aloe on your skin. You can also rub whole milk on your burn to comfort and moisturize your skin.

Your eating habits have a strong effect on the condition of your skin as well. A diet that includes a lot of dark green vegetables like kale and spinach is very good for your skin because they contain a high amount of vitamin A. Other good foods to eat are dark orange vegetables like carrots and squash; these veggies also contain a lot of vitamin a. Fish and fish oil supplements are ideal for skin, and nuts that contain vitamin e are also very important in reviving stressed out skin.

Using to many skin products can also cause skin overload, and you should cut back to treat this problem. Stressed out skin should only be cleansed gently once a day. If your skin needs to be revived do not use a toner; this product will only do the opposite of helping your problem. If your skin is not looking healthy try using natural methods of healing instead of products that contain several synthetic ingredients.

Your own personal stress can cause your skin to be dry, dull, or irritated. In order to sooth your mind and skin try some natural skin care treatments. Making a solution of green tea and chamomile is a nice way to relieve irritation. You can also add these herbs, rose petals, and some essential oil of lavender to a bath to soothe stressed out skin. Another natural and easy skin remedy contains only papaya. Simply peel and deseed a papaya. Next mash or blend the papaya in a food processer. Apply this to skin in a rubbing circular motion. Rinse in a shower for a healthy glow.

Stressed out skin is a problem that we all face, but these simple remedies can help you revive your skin!

Recycled Spring Coffee Can Crafts for Kids

 

Spring is a wonderful and refreshing time, and during your spring cleaning you may realize you have a lot of old coffee cans. Instead of throwing away these priceless items you can create fun spring crafts with your kids. These spring coffee can craft ideas will provide you with all the necessary information to complete several spring coffee can crafts with your kids.

Drum

With the spring comes backyard fire pits, and there is not better place for a drum circle than a fire pit. Kids can make turn recycled coffee cans into drums. For this craft you will need a coffee can, paint, and some small metal objects such as screws, nuts, or bottle caps.

Start by helping kids paint the entire coffee can; and remind kids to take the lid off and paint it separately so it doesn't get stuck to the can. When the coffee can has dried place the metal items inside it and seal it shut. You can also apply tape around the lid if your kids want to use the drum as a shaker instrument. This spring craft is a great way to use recycled items with your kid.

Lantern

A fun and easy recycled spring coffee can craft for kids is a lantern. For this spring craft you will need a coffee can, a marker, a hammer, a screw driver, and a candle. You may also want to place a little water in the bottom of the can before you place the candle in it to make it safer.

Help kids use the marker to draw a pattern on the coffee can, but remember to only use dots for your pattern. Then use the screw driver and the hammer to bang holes into the coffee can; it is helpful to have the coffee can held in a clamp or braced between to heavy items so it does not move.

After you have punched all of the holes into the can you can put a candle in it and watch it glow! This recycled coffee can craft is a fun way to make lawn decorations with your kids; and spring is the perfect time to start decorating your lawn.

Birdhouse

Coffee cans should be recycled into spring birdhouses. This easy craft is a great way to introduce kids into wildlife and birds. For this spring craft you will need a coffee can, paint, wire, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, a knife, and some tree bark.

Start this craft by helping kids paint the coffee can water color they like. Then cut a hole in the lid of the coffee can that is big enough for a bird. Tie the can with wire and glue the tree bark to the top of the can like a roof. Replace the lid and the recycled coffee can has become a birdhouse perfect for spring.Spring crafts are fun to do with kids, and recycled coffee cans should be the medium for many kid's crafts. Try these spring inspired craft ideas with your kids.

Mother's Day Crafts for Preschoolers with Recycled Items

 

Using recycled items to create Mother's Day crafts with preschoolers is inexpensive and creative. Using recycled items will show your preschoolers that recycling can be fun; these projects will also provide moms with wonderful gifts. Here you find detailed instructions on turning recycled items in Mother's Day crafts that preschoolers will love.

Soda Bottle Vase and Rose

Mother's Day always comes with flowers for your mom, and this preschooler craft uses recycled items and will last longer than fresh flowers. For this craft project you will need a soda bottle, paint, paintbrushes, a green pipe cleaner, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, scissors, and some junk mail. You will also need newspaper or other junk paper to cover the work area.

Start by helping preschoolers cut the junk mail into teardrop or heart shapes. Then place the shapes on the news paper. Help kids paint both sides of the pieces. While the petals are drying help kids paint the soda bottle. A fun way to do this is by getting a lot of paint on the brush and applying it to the top of the bottle. Let the paint drip down the sides of the bottle for a fun look.

When the paint has dried on the cutouts, you can help preschoolers assemble them to create a flower. Simply wrap a single petal around the top of the pipe cleaner and glue in place. Keep wrapping more and more petals in this fashion until a full rose is created. This Mother's Day craft is easy and fun to create with preschoolers and the result is lovely.

Photo Key Chain

A photo key chain is easy to make using recycled items as well, and mothers will cherish the lovely gift. For this craft you will need some cardboard, scissors, a photo, paint, ribbon, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, and clear plastic. Several items come packaged in clear plastic which is great to use for this project. Newspaper or other recycled paper should also be placed on the work surface for easy cleanup.

Start the project by helping preschoolers select a photo. Then cut the cardboard into 2 even oval shapes. Then cut a smaller oval out of one of the shapes. Let preschoolers paint the front of both of the cardboard shapes.

When the paint has dried, glue the clear plastic to the back of the oval picture frame piece. Then glue the picture to the unpainted side of the other oval. Then cut a piece of ribbon and tie the ends to make a loop. Glue the knot to the top of the oval with the picture glued to it. Then glue the frame to the photo. Make sure to cut away the excess plastic and photo as well to finish this craft.

Preschoolers will be proud to present their moms with these gifts made from recycled items on Mother's Day. Moms will enjoy these gifts for years to come, and recycling is a great way to create inexpensive crafts with preschoolers.

May Day Party Ideas on a Budget

 

May Day is a great holiday for celebrating the coming of spring, and you can share this excitement with your friends and family by throwing a May Day party on a budget. This article describes several ideas for throwing a party for May Day party without going off budget.

Invitations

Invitations are fun and easy to make by hand. For this invitation you will need index cards, spring patterned scrapbook paper, markers, glue, scissors, and some May Day inspired stickers such as flowers or butterflies.

Start by writing out the information that is important about your party on the blank side of an index card. Then measure the card against the scrapbook paper. Cut a piece slightly larger than the index card so the patterned paper creates a border. Then glue the cards together, add the stickers, and mail them to your party guests.

Games

Some fun May Day games should include spring ideas such as an outdoor scavenger hunt. Provide guests with lists and bags to place their items in. For adults you can add riddles to make the game more exciting. You can also play blindfolded game of guessing smells and tastes of spring. Try fresh fruit, scented oils, and other things that remind you of spring. Everyone who guesses right can get points or prizes. These games are great for your budget because they use things found around the home.

Food

May Day food should include fresh vegetables and fruits that become available in spring. For this May Day party it is also nice to add herbal teas and fruit punches to bring the bounty of spring to the party. Light fare is appropriate and budget friendly for your party, and inexpensive appetizers of crackers and nuts complement the fruit and vegetables of spring.

Decorations

Decorations are also easy and inexpensive for a May Day party. Gather fresh or flake flowers, pine cones, acorns, and other nature items. Make garlands, wreaths, and centerpieces using this spring treats. Fresh fruits and vegetables and herbs also add to the May Day decorations and they can also feed your guests.

Throwing a May Day party is perhaps the best way to get everyone excited about the new season. It is also a great way to have fun with the people you care about without spending a fortune.

How to Promote Expressive Language in Early Childhood Education

 

It is important to know how to promote expressive language in early childhood education because it will help develop literacy in children. Expressive language can easily be promoted through many experiences and activities. This article will discuss several methods on how to promote expressive language in early childhood education.

It is important to provide children with opportunities to use expressive language in early childhood education classrooms. Expressive language should be stimulated in a nurturing environment, and children should be encouraged to communicate. Patience, acceptance, and respect are important factors in teaching early childhood children how to use expressive language (Wortham, 2005). Here are some tips on how to promote expressive language in early childhood education.

1. Help children pronounce words appropriately and help increase vocabularies of early childhood students. Increasing vocabulary can be achieved by introducing students to new words regularly.

2. Encourage students to use complete sentences when speaking (Wortham, 2005). This includes the use of adjectives, adverbs, propositions, and clauses.

3. Promote expressive language by encouraging students to continue communication with each other until they are accurately understood.

4. Help students learn how to use language in an expressive manner by interpreting emotions and motivations. Also help early childhood students figure out problems by suggesting hypothesis, relating events, and predicting possible outcomes (Wortham, 2005).

5. Using expressive language is not limited to emotion. Students should be taught to use language to describe sizes and amounts. The use of adjectives to make comparisons and contrasts is also recommended when intending to promote expressive language in early childhood education.

6. Allow children to use expressive language in many different settings and with a variety of people (Wortham, 2005).

7. Classroom arrangement should allow students to have areas where communication is necessary and used often. Playing and discussing activities is an excellent way for early childhood children to learn how to use expressive language. These activities will promote expressive language development, and teachers should encourage this use by being in constant communication with the students (Wortham, 2005).

8. Pretend is a very important part of learning how to promote expressive language in early childhood education. When children use their imagination to create play themes in the classrooms they must use an extensive amount of expressive language to communicate their ideas to peers. This method of using expressive language should be promoted in the early childhood education classroom.

9. Teachers can also promote expressive language by discussing previous and future activities with students. Dramatic reenactments of events or stories are also an excellent way of encouraging expressive language in early childhood education.

Teachers must know how to promote expressive language in early childhood education. This type of language will increase a child's reading comprehension and literacy.

Reference:

Wortham, S. C. (2005). Early Childhood Curriculum: Developmental Bases for Learning and Teaching (4th Edition) (4 ed.). Alexandria, VA: Prentice Hall.

Free Mother's Day Gift Ideas

 

Mother's Day is right around the corner and there are lots of free gifts you can give your mom that convey your appreciation. Free gifts can come from the heart in special ways that store bought items do not, and Mother's Day is the perfect holiday for these types of gifts. This article will supply you with several free ideas for gifts for your mom on her special day.

Letter

A letter is a special and sweet way to show your mom how much you appreciate her. You can print your letter off of the computer, but handwritten letters are much more personal. Start by brainstorming to make sure you say everything you want to say in our letter. It is also a good idea to write a rough draft of your letter before you create the final gift for your mother.

Collage

Another fun and free gift for your mom is a collage. For this Mother's Day gift it is good to consider a theme for your collage. Use free items such as magazines, photos, and other appropriate items you have around the home for this collage. You can also use old newspapers of magazines to write a sweet saying in the middle of the collage. Glue all the items to a heavy piece of cardboard, and your mom will love all the thought you put into this free gift for Mother's Day.

Photo Frame

Photos are always a good gift idea for Mother's Day, and you can make your mom a unique photo frame to display your family photos. For this gift you will need cardboard, old magazines or junk mail, scissors, and glue. Simply cut the cardboard into a rectangle and cut a smaller rectangle in the center of the first one. The smaller rectangle should easily fit a photo.

Then decide on a nice saying for your frame, and cut out the appropriate letters from the magazine or mail. Also cut out large pieces of paper with pretty colors. Then cut the colored papers into strips. Glue them to the edge of the frame, and remember to overlap the edges to leave no area uncovered. Finally glue the letters to the frame and add a photo to finish this free gift idea.

Mother's Day is a special holiday for moms, and these special gifts will show your mom just how much you mean to her. Free Mother's Day gifts show your mom how important she really is; so try these ideas this holiday.

Can Quicksand Really Hurt You?

 

Everyone has seem quicksand in movies, and you always cringe when the hero of the story or his love interest falls into quicksand and is rapidly sinking, but is this scenario realistic? Does quicksand suck you in until you are completely covered? These are some of the questions I have been having lately after watching one of my favorite action flicks so I have done some research and I am going to share what have found out with you.

So what exactly is quicksand composed of? It is actually a "light, loose sand that is mixed up with water," or it can be " any type of "loose soil, a mixture of sand and mud, or a kind of pebbly mud" (Leokum, 1986, p.19). Quicksand is interesting because although it is different from regular sand or dirt; it looks just like it. The difference between quicksand and regular sand is the grains. The grains of regular sand are "sharp and angular," but the grains of quicksand are "round and smooth," and this allows "water to get between the grains" (Leokum, 1986, p.19). The water flows around the grains and allows them to move and shift. This is why quicksand is something you sink in; it is constantly moving like water, and that makes it unable to support heavy objects.

Quicksand is usually found near water. It occurs naturally near " the mouths of large rivers and on flat shores were there is a layer of stiff clay underneath the sand", and this "clay keeps the water from draining away" from the sand (Leokum, 1986, p.19). Water is the key factor that makes quicksand what it is, but can quicksand hurt you?

No, quicksand can not hurt you as long as you know what to do when you step into quicksand. Since quicksand is mostly comprised of water you will float in quicksand. In fact since quicksand is "heavier than water, people can float higher in quicksand than they do in water" (Leokum, 1986, p.19). The important thing to remember when you approach quicksand is to move slowly. If you move slowly like you would in a pool the quicksand will act just like water, and you will be able to move freely.

Quicksand is life threatening in movies, and in real life it may be a little nerve wrecking, but it is something that you should not be afraid of.

Reference:
Leokum, A. (1986). The Big book of tell me why. New York, NY: Grosset and Dunlap.

10 Easy Ways to Add Lace to Your Wedding Decorations

 

Lace is beautiful and adds romance and charm to any wedding. You can purchase lace cheaply and in a variety of colors and patterns at local craft stores. This article will provide you with 10 easy ways to add lace to your wedding decorations.

1. A lace table runner is easy to make; just cut the lace to suit the length and width you will need. This will add texture and detail to your wedding table while also bring in an extra color from your wedding scheme.

2. A lace banner is easy enough to make. Just cut lace into rectangles and paint letters on each one with fabric paint. Then glue or tie the letters to a long cord so you can hang it wherever you need some style at your wedding venue.

3. Fabric flowers are very popular and they are easy to make with lace. Simply cut circles of lace in varying sizes. Then layer them on top of each other and sew a pearl into the center. You can then hot glue a wire to the back of the flower and add it to your wedding decorations.

4. Pew bows can be made with a variety of lace. Lace ribbon and lace fabric are both suitable for this project. You can make a simple two loop bow using a large piece of lace, or you can make a more complicated many loop bow using lace ribbon and wire.

5. Placemats can be made directly using lace because it does not fray on the ends. Simply cut the lace into the appropriate size and shape. You can also use lace ribbon to dress up simple place mats.

6. There are many pretty garlands that can be made using lace. Garland is a great wedding decoration because it can be hung or draped anywhere there is space. To make a simple lace garland you can cut strips out of lace and loop them around a long cord. This is accomplished by folding a strip in half and slipping the cut ends through the loop while keeping the cord inside the knot.

8. Card boxes are a fun way to store cards for easy access and reply later, and they are a fun element to decorate for your wedding. Creating a card box is as easy as wrapping a present. Just remember to leave a small slot in the top so the cards can slide in. Add some lace ribbon around the box using glue or glue on some lace appliques.

9. Using ruffle lace to border the bottom edge of place cards is another really charming way to add delight to your wedding.

10. Table number signs can easily be overlooked, but they provide an opportunity to show you DIY skills. Simply use a stencil to trace numbers onto a piece of lace and glue it to a piece of card stock that has been folded in half. Using contrasting lace and paper will make the number stand out, and folding the paper will make the table number sign stand up.

These simple tips and projects make it easy to add lace to any wedding decoration. Subtle details like these provide big impact on your big day!

The History, Use and Cultivation of Aconite

 

Aconite is a beautiful flower with a strong history. It is a perennial with a "smooth, round, and leafy stem" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.1). The flowers of the aconite are a purplish blue in color, and it bears 5 petals in the late summer and fall. The flowers are slightly bell shaped. This plant is located in "the mountains of France, Switzerland, and Germany," and it is "widely cultivated in Europe and North America" (Kowalchick, 1987, p.1). These plants are lovely, but they are also poisonous.

Aconite is very prevalent in Greek mythology. It is said that the plant became poisonous because it "grew on the hill of Aconitus," and this hill is where "Cerberus, the three headed dog that guards the gates to hell" fought with Hercules; it is said that saliva fell from the dogs mouth onto the plant causing it to be deadly (Kowalchik, 1987, p.1). Aconite seems to have been a choice plant for poisoning people in Greek mythology as well. "Hectate" was said to have used this plant to poison her father, and "Medea" also poisoned "Theseus" with this deadly plant (Kowalchik, 1987, p.1). This plants poison is very toxic.

This plant is harmful, and has been used by many different groups for medicinal purposes, but I believe this plant is best left for show. Witches in the middle ages would mix the poison from this plant with belladonna, which is another poisonous plant, to create a potion for flying. I believe that their reaction to this mixture made them hallucinate and believe they were flying, but too much would surely kill them.

Aconite is a powerful plant, and although Chinese herbalists believe in the benefits of this plant, I believe it is too dangerous to be meddled with. This plant will cause "the heart to slow, decrease in blood pressure, and sweating;" it is also used topically as a pain reliever because when applied it is "absorbed into the skin and produces a warm and tingling sensation followed by numbness" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.2). This is dangerous because such a tiny amount of this plant will cause poisoning.

Although this plant is deadly it does make a beautiful addition to your garden It can be grown from seed and sown in April. It is a hardy plant, but it takes 2 to 3 years to flower. The best method of propagation for Aconite is through the roots. Every four years dig up the plant and break off the small roots that have grown around the old root. Plant these baby roots about a foot and a half away from the mother.

This plant is lovely, but be aware of its chemical properties. It can harm and even kill you if absorbed internally or by the skin.

Reference:
Kowalchik, C. (Ed.). (1987). Rodale's encyclopedia of herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale.

How to Draw a Tree

 

Trees are beautiful and amazing parts of nature, and I feel very drawn to trees. I have found that over the course of years that I have been drawing, which is most of my life, that I tend to always come back to drawing trees. Maybe I love nature, or maybe the age and wisdom that a tree suggests is what brings me back to trees all of the time; either way trees are great subjects for any artist, and this article will teach you how to draw a tree in a few simple steps.

First you will need a pencil and paper. Any paper will do, and you can use canvas for this project if you plan on painting it afterwards. Gather your tools and find a peaceful place to relax; if you can try to sit out side so you can be inspired by your surroundings.

Start your drawing by creating a horizon line; this line will help you find the place where your tree will live. Your horizon line can span the horizontal length of the paper, or it can trail off to suggest a mountain or hillside. Next decide what season it will be because the different seasons will add a different touch to your tree.

Now start by drawing the trunk; this is accomplished easily by starting with a line a little below your horizon line. Taper this line in a little bit up from the bottom, follow through in a straight line upward, and have your line branch outward at an obtuse angle. It is okay if your line does not stay completely straight because most trees are not completely straight. Next draw a similar line on the opposite of the line to create the other side of the tree.

If you are creating a tree full of leaves you will not need to make many branches so start out by adding another line to the branches that have extended out of the top of the tree trunk. These lines should be parallel to the first lines, and they should form slender branches. When you reach where your trunk ends create a V shape by drawing a line going back upward. This line does not have to be as high as the first lines. Add another V shape in the middle to show more branches, and fill in smaller v shapes in areas that look empty.

If you are planning to make a leafless tree follow the same method as you did to create the branches on either side of the trunk with the branches on the inside. In order to finish the branches you will have to create smaller V shapes at the end to show tinier branches. It is amazing how many v shapes make up a tree.

If your tree exists in the spring time you can add leaves very simply; all you need to do is start at one side of the tree branches and make a squiggly line. Continue with this line until you have made an oval shape. This part will be the leaves. Now you can make smaller overlapping diamond shapes to add individual leaf details. Remember to round some of the edges because not all leaves will be completely pointy.

To add details to the tree trunk you can add some more lines of varying lengths to the inside of the trunk. These lines should be parallel to the trunk itself. You can also add an oval that is filled with smaller oval shapes to add character to the tree. This is a spot where an owl would live.

I hope this article has taught you the basics of tree drawing, and I hope it inspires you to draw!