Crafty Ways to Create Fun Sculptures Out of Trash

I love to make stuff out of recycled materials, and I am always looking for inspiration in everything. If you are like me you love art, and you hate to waste stuff. If you are like me you will love these projects because they are some crafty ways to use your garbage for good.

A great sculpture project that can you can make using stuff found around the house is a book sculpture. All you will need for this project is an old book, a pen knife, some markers, some paint, a piece of newspaper, and random fun stuff found around your home. All you will need to do stand the book up and open it so that some of the pages are grouped together. Now take the paint and spread it thickly over the book. I like to use paint that you would paint the walls in your house with. I find that this paint is thick enough to hold the pages together in the position you like. After the book has dried you can use your pen knife to cut holes or windows into the book. You can also use the markers to draw on the book or add fun details and patterns. Now glue the found items and you have a fun book sculpture that can be personalized with pictures and other memorabilia.

Another fun project is making a junk mobile. This is a lot of fun, and you can utilize all different things found around the house. The base of this mobile can be made using hanger or similar object that can be bent into a ring. Shape the hanger into a ring after you undo the twist in it. Next find some wire or fishing line. Dental floss also works very well for this project. Next find some fun things to hang from your mobile. I like to use old silverware, screws, bolts, and any other nice charms that will sound nice banging together. Remember to add beads if you like, and you can also bend the utensils into interesting shapes. This mobile is totally customizable, and it makes use of junk that is lying around the house.

A great sculpture project that uses found items is the dish shelf, and this project requires several different dishes such as cups, bowls, and plates, glue, paint pens, and different found items. I like to use different color dishes that have different patterns and designs. All you need to do with this project is stack the dishes on top of each other. Remember to start with the largest plate at the bottom. Next add a cup or a bowl to create height, and add another plate or bowl to create another level. You can stack these dishes as high or as wide as you like, but remember to glue them well, and make sure the shelf is sturdy. Once your shelf is created you can add details to it using found items and paint pens. Remember you can also incorporate tin cans and other interesting items found around your home to create levels of your shelf, and remember the more personal the better.

Creating sculptures are a lot of fun, and creating sculptures that are personal are even better. Remember it is better to make something awesome and useful instead of just throwing away your trash so think creatively not wastefully.

Compassionate Communication

Compassionate communication is a beautiful and amazing way to express yourself, and many more people should try it. It has amazing powers of accomplishing what you need and what the other person needs in a positive, loving way that leaves both parties happy and satisfied.

There are five basic components of compassionate communication, and it is important to speak to others in this way in order to achieve a common goal of happiness and satisfaction. This method of communication is really very beneficial, and I urge everyone to try it.

Okay to the basics, observing with judging simply means observing the situation, how it makes you feel, what particularly made you feel this way, what could stop these feelings, and why these actions are occurring.
Distinguishing between feelings and non feelings are important many people speak in description and not feelings. You are likely to say your boss sucks, but not my boss makes me upset when he acts a certain way. It is important to speak in terms of actual feelings, and if more people did so the world would be a better place.

Taking responsibility for your feelings is extremely important, and this means recognizing why an action makes you feel a certain way. People act the way they do, but everyone has certain beliefs that cause them to feel certain ways towards other people's actions. Taking responsibility for your feelings means accepting that it is your beliefs that cause these feelings.

Requesting what we need simply means asking for what you need in order to feel good.

Receiving empathetically means receiving in a way that gives respect to the feelings of others and is thankful and understanding of the sacrifices others are making to fulfill your needs.

When trying to resolve a conflict you must employ all of these factors; you must state what is bothering you, how you feel, what about you makes you feel that way, what you need to feel better, and your understanding of what this request means to the person you are asking it of. For example, if you were having a conflict at work you instead of saying your boss sucks, you could say when your boss yells it makes you feel intimidated, and since you need to feel secure it would be helpful to you if your boss could try not to yell even though you realize that your boss is stressed out.

I am not saying this is always going to work, and I know I can't expect other people to try to communicate this way, but I can listen for how they are feeling and use that to try to communicate in a way that utilizes compassion. If someone approaches you in a manner that is not compassionate ask yourself how does this person feel, and why do they feel this way before you reply. This will allow you to reply in a matter that addresses what it is that they need to feel okay.

This type of communicating is a life long practice that I have been trying to employ, and I have found that it can really help in my personal and business relationships. It has also helped me moderate many conflicts. It is not easy, but acting with love is not always easy; it is usually hard.

Caterpillar Crafts: Fun Summer Art Projects for Kids

Summer is the time when there are all sorts of bugs creeping around, and you can turn those creepy crawlies into great ideas for summer crafts that your kids will love. These caterpillar crafts are easy to create, and they do not cost a lot of money; in fact most of these ideas can be completed using things found around your home. Here are some fun, crafty ways to create caterpillars that your kids will enjoy!

Caterpillars can be made easy from old paper towel rolls. Simple gather a bunch of toilet paper rolls and cut them into three tubes. Next paint them green or whatever color you would like your caterpillar to be, and poke holes in both sides of each tube. Using thread or yarn tie the tubes together in a long chain, and paint the first one with a face. You can also use wiggly eyes if they are available. Add some cardboard or pipe cleaners to the head for antenna and your caterpillar is complete!

Paper chain caterpillars are great and they can be made using left over pieces of junk mail and magazines. Simply paint the paper you are going to use and cut it into strips that are 2 inches wide and 5 inches long. Next make a circle with the first strip and glue it together. Using the next strip loop it through the first and make another circle. Continue until you have a long chain. Next glue wiggly eyes onto the last circle and curled pieces of paper or pipe cleaners, and you will have an awesome caterpillar to hang around your house.

Egg cartons also make great caterpillars and this is a perfect way to recycle the egg carton instead of throwing it away. To make this caterpillar just cut a straight strip off of your egg carton and paint it green. Add a face on one end and some pipe cleaners for antennas and your caterpillar is ready for fun.

Pompoms make great fuzzy caterpillars and these caterpillars can be attached to barrettes or key chains. All you need is some green pompoms, but you can also use other colors if you like. Wiggly eyes and some round sequins are nice for this project, and some pipe cleaners are perfect for legs. Glue the pompoms together in a chain so that they form a body, and cut tiny pieces of pipe cleaners for legs. Bend the legs into L shapes so they have feet and attach them to the body of the caterpillar. Next glue the sequins to the head and the eyes on to so that the sequins looks like eye lashes. Add antennas and this fuzzy friend can be attached to all sorts of things.

Making caterpillars with your kids is a fun way to keep them occupied during the summer, and it will make them familiar with nature's wonders.

Butterfly Pendants: Polymer Clay Crafts

Polymer clay is an awesome medium for making all sorts of things. Polymer clay can be used to make jewelry, pins, sculptures, and beads. I love to use polymer clay in all my projects. You can make many animals, insects out of polymer clay using simple shapes and easy instructions. This article will teach you how to make a pretty polymer clay butterfly pendant.

First you will need a large ball of purple colored clay and a medium ball of brown clay; you will also need a pin, a toothpick, a paintbrush, and some acrylic paint. You do not need to use purple clay; you can use any other color you like, but I like to use purple.

To make the wings of this butterfly break the purple clay into four pieces; two of the pieces should be larger than the other two. Roll these pieces into balls and flatten them out to look like disks. Next pinch the side of each of the wings so that they can attach evenly to the body.

Next use the brown clay to create the body. Roll a small ball of this clay to form a head, and long cylinder to form a body. Attach the head to the body, and taper the end of the body without the head to a point. After the head and body is attached use the pin to poke eyes into the head; you can also add a smile using the pin.

You will need to use the toothpick to create a hole to hang the pendant from. Put the body in the refrigerator for a few minutes so it can get hard. Stick the toothpick through the head after it is cold enough to keep its shape.

Next attach the wings to the body by pressing the wings against the body. Bake the butterfly for 15 minutes in the oven at the suggested temperature on the package. After it has cooled you can remove the toothpick.

When the butterfly has cooled you can add details using the acrylic paint. Start by painting a circle in the top corner of the top butterfly wings. Next make two smaller circles below the big circle, and do the same thing to the bottom wing. Remember that no matter what you do to one wing you must paint a symmetrical pattern on the other wing to match the first one.

After the paint has dried you can add some glitter if you like, but either way all you will need to do is string it on some ribbon and wear it!

Problems, Solutions, and Responsibility: How to Live in a Positive Manner

"Life is difficult," and I have found this to be my mantra in the past few months (Peck, 1978, p.1). This statement at first seems very intimidating, but when you look further into it, it is what makes us human. I believe that "what makes life difficult is the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one" (Peck, 1978, p.16). This statement implies that life will always be painful because there will always be problems that need to be solved, but we should not be afraid of this because problems can bring out the good in people. "Problems call fourth our courage and our wisdom; indeed; they create our courage and our wisdom", and problems are what allow us to "grow mentally and spiritually" (Peck, 1978, p.16). Without problems we can not evolve, and once again I am reminded that problems should be welcomed instead of avoided.

Many people do not like to talk about their feelings. They feel that talking about their problems will only lead to conflict, but conflict is not bad. It presents opportunity to learn. Avoidance is useless, and it only leads to more conflicts. Avoiding problems is unhealthy because you can only learn from conflicts by dealing with them. When conflicts have been dealt with and appropriate courses of action have been determined conflicts fail to exist become they are no longer something you are struggling against.

Responsibility is a huge part of problem solving. "We must accept responsibility for a problem before we can solve it", and many people believe that their problems are caused by society or another person. This belief allows people to avoid their problems because they think that they are someone else's responsibility to fix. In order to solve problems you must realize they are yours first. This has led me to question myself because I always want to help others solve their problems. I feel like this is robbing them of the opportunity to find wisdom and courage inside themselves, but at the same time I do not want to see them hurt or fail. I feel this situation is rough for me because I do not want to not help someone I love because I want them to be okay, but I guess I should let them take responsibility for themselves.

Life may seem trying at times, but if we deal with our problems the tough times get easier. Remember practice makes perfect especially in this situation. Responsibility is the first step to learning to deal with problems in a positive manner. I hope these theories have helped you learn to deal with your problems in a positive and productive way. Compassionate and honest living is the only answer to becoming a better person and creating a better world.

References:

Peck, M.S. (1978). The Road less traveled: a new psychology of love, traditional values, and spiritual growth. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Popular Holiday Themed Bulletin Boards for May

May has a lot of great holidays, and these bulletin board ideas are perfect for popular May holidays. This article will discuss how to create popular holiday themed bulletin boards for the month of May.

May Day

On May 1^st we celebrate May Day; this holiday marks the beginning of spring, and it is great for creating bulletin boards. For this idea you will need green butcher paper, blue butcher paper, spring themed coloring pages, crayons, scissors, glue, and yellow construction paper.

Provide students with the coloring pages, crayons, and scissors. Let the students color the popular spring themed sheets. While they are doing their part, you should get the bulletin board ready. Do this by covering the top half with blue butcher paper and the bottom with green butcher paper.

Then cut a large circle out of yellow construction paper. Also cut out several long narrow triangles. Glue the triangles to the circle and add the sun to your bulletin board. After the students have cut out the spring inspired images add them to the bulletin board in celebration of May Day and spring.

Cinco de Mayo

May 5^th is Cinco de Mayo, and this holiday allows for festive bulletin boards. For this bulletin board idea you will need butcher paper tissue paper, glue, scissors, crayons, glitter, and sombrero themed coloring pages. Provide students with the coloring pages and let them color the sombrero however they like. Then help them write their name with glue along the band or the brim of the sombrero. Cover the glue with glitter and allow to dry.

While the hats dry, create flowers using the tissue paper. Start by helping the kids cut out several circles from the tissue paper. Then place the circles on top of each other and glue the layers together. When the flowers and hats are dried attach them to the bulletin board. The flowers make a lovely border but they can also be placed anywhere on the board for a pretty look.

These popular holidays provide you with bulletin boards that will really standout. Students enjoy creating these May themed ideas, and it is good way to teach students about popular holidays in the Month of May.

Paper Beads: Cheap, Easy, Eco-Friendly Crafts

Nowadays there are so many people looking for ways to recycle and reuse their waste. I think this is great, and I completely support it, and I have been practicing this habit for a long time now. I love to find awesome ways to reuse things that are lying around my home, and there are many fun craft projects that use things we would normally throw out.

If you are like me, magazines, junk mail and other assorted random papers start pile up around your house quicker than you realize. This article will discuss how to make several different beads out of paper. These projects are fun and easy for both children and adults, and they are inexpensive as well.

Paper beads come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I will first discuss the easiest way to make paper beads, and the tools for all of these beads. For these awesome projects you will only need paper, scissors, glue and a knitting needle or strong piece of wire. Gather together all of these items, and make sure to find all sorts of recyclable papers such as magazines, old mail, newspapers and papers from packaging.

The easiest bead to make is a cylindrical bead, and all you will need to do for this bead is cut a long rectangular strip from your favorite paper. Next spread a thing layer of glue along the length of one side of the paper. Now take your wire and wrap one end of the paper tightly around the wire. Simply wrap the paper until it is completely wound in a tight coil. Hold for a few seconds so the glue can dry, and you have created your first paper bead!

Another pretty bead you can make is the cone shaped bead. This is created by using the same shaped piece of paper as before, but this time you must trim the rectangle from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. This angle will give you a cone shaped bead. Just glue and wrap the paper tightly around and it will make a pretty cone shape. When creating this bead remember to start wrapping from the larger side.

An oval shaped bead is a lot of fun to make as well, and it requires a similar process as the last bead. For this bead you will trim the paper from the top left corner of the rectangle to the middle of the right side. You will repeat the same on the bottom of the rectangle. This will leave you with a point in the middle. Starting with the wider side of the rectangle, wrap the paper and glue it; remember to make sure the point ends up in the middle of the bead.

These beads are cheap, easy and fun to make; they save on waste, and they are a lovely addition to anyone's jewelry collection.

Ocean and Underwater Inspired Crafts for Kids

Many kids are thrilled with the idea of ocean life, underwater sea creatures, and beaches. There are a lot of fun projects for kids that can be created with an underwater theme. Here are some fun and exciting kid's crafts with the ocean theme in mind.

Coffee filter jelly fish are fun and easy to make, and they can be kept and hung around a child's room for years to come. First you will need a couple coffee filters, a paper cup, string, watercolors, scissors, and glue. First wet the coffee filters, and have the children paint them in various colors. After they are dry glue one coffee filter to the paper cup and thread a string through the center of the cup and through the coffee filter; this string will make the jelly fish able to hang.

Next rip the other filters into strips and glue them to the open end of the cup. They will hang down like the tentacles of the jellyfish. This project is fun and easy, and it is a guaranteed winner for any child who is interested in ocean life.

Paper plate port holes are awesome and eye catching projects. You will need left over paper plates, silver paint, fish shaped crackers, circular cereal pieces, sand or dirt, some paper, glue, and blue cellophane.

First cut a circle out of the majority of the middle of the paper plate, and glue the cereal pieces around the outside of the circle while it is upside down. Paint the plate silver because it will be the porthole. Remember to make the hole big enough to view your picture.

Next glue some dirt onto the bottom of a piece of paper. Cut and glue some leaves out of paper and onto the picture as well to create an under water scene. If you have some shells lying around feel free to use these as well. Next add your fish to the scene and let this dry. After the sea life picture has dried shake off the excess dirt.

Now cut the cellophane so it is a bigger circle than the one that is cut out of your plate. Glue this cellophane to the plate and let dry. Finally glue the plate to your ocean scene and trim off the excess. This porthole is an awesome project that you can display around the house.

Another simple and fun craft project can be made using an old sock, wiggly eyes or buttons, glue, and some cotton balls or stuffing. This sock octopus is adorable and easy to make. Simply cut the bottom half of a sock into strips, and stuff the top with cotton. Now tie two of the opposing strips together into a knot; continue working in a circle until all of the strips are knotted. Now glue or sew on eyes and a mouth, and you have an awesome sock octopus.

Under water and ocean crafts are a lot of fun and inspire a lot of imagination. They can be created using things found around the home, and your kids will have a blast!

No Fuss Vegetarian Black Bean Burger

Burgers are delicious, and I can't imagine being vegetarian without being able to eat a burger. I have eaten a lot of vegetarian burgers, but I have to say this recipe makes the best veggie burger I have ever eaten. This recipe is not only delicious, but it is also quick and easy to make.

The first and most important part of the recipe is the ingredients. You will need 1 can of black beans, half of a cup of mushrooms, 1 egg, and a fourth of a cup of flour. You can also include assorted vegetables, and these vegetables can be frozen and thawed, or they can come from a can. I like to use mixed vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, green beans, and peas. Corn is also a delicious addition to this recipe. If you use vegetable add an extra egg to the mixture, and if you use canned vegetables remember to press all of the water out of them.

Now that you have all of your ingredients ready pour the black beans into a bowl. Make sure to mash them up a little. This will add a smooth and creamy texture, and will provide something to help stick the beans together. Do not mash the beans all of the way because the lumps will keep a contrasting texture to the burger that is delicious. Dice the mushrooms and add them to the beans. Next mix the vegetables in and the eggs. Lightly mix until just combined, lastly add the flour. Sprinkle the flour in, and slowly mix until just combined.

Next shape the mixture into patties. I like to make larger burgers , but the size is up to you. Now you can coat the patties in flour or press them into some breadcrumbs. You do not have to bread the patties in anyway, but if you want a crispier outside add a slight coating. Lightly grease a pan and heat to medium. Fry the pan on each side for about 15 minutes. You can serve these burgers with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise or your can serve it with something more fun like avocado and onion.

These black bean burgers are so good even meat eaters will want to eat them. They are not only tasty, but they have nutritional value, and they are a cinch to make. Next time you are cooking for some vegetarians or feel like enjoying a nice vegetarian meal try these black bean burgers, and you will be glad you did.

Natural Methods of Keeping Groundhogs Out of Your Garden

Groundhogs love to steal, eat, and trample your plants, but there are natural methods of keeping groundhogs out of your garden. These furry pests are a common ailment to many summer gardeners, and building a fence is an expensive means that does not always work. This article will discuss several natural methods of keeping groundhogs out of your garden.

Noise and Motion

Groundhogs can be pretty big and invasive, but they do have their fears. Noise and motion are scary to groundhogs, and if your garden is a scary place it is less likely for a groundhog to visit it for a mid day snack.

Pinwheels

Pinwheels are an inexpensive and whimsical method of keeping groundhogs out of your garden. These small wonders provide natural motion and sound that will scare off groundhogs. You can make your own pinwheel easily using paper and plant stakes and a few other common items. Placing these around your commonly eaten plants is a natural method of keeping groundhogs out of your garden.

Aluminum Pans

Another natural way to instill fear in groundhogs is making it noisy. You can do this by adding aluminum pans to your fence or from trees. You can also hang noisy items from garden stakes in between the rows in your garden. When the items bang together the noise will terrify the groundhogs and the will learn to keep out of your garden.

Smell and Taste

Just like humans groundhogs do not want to eat things that smell and taste badly. This method of keeping groundhogs out of your garden relies on natural items that smell and taste unpleasant to groundhogs.

Pepper Sauce Spray

In a spray bottle mix together about an 1/8th cup of pepper sauce and water. Spray this on all of the plants you want to keep safe from groundhogs. The groundhog will hate the burning taste from the pepper sauce. He will worn his groundhog buddies to keep out of your garden. Make sure to spray the mixture on your plants after heavy rain and watering to keep the strength in tact.

Peppermint Plants

Another natural method of keeping groundhogs out of your garden is with peppermint plants. Planting peppermint near the entrance and around the border of your garden will deter these common inconveniences. Groundhogs do not like peppermint and will stay away from it.

These natural methods of keeping groundhogs out of your garden are easy and inexpensive. Try these methods to keep your groundhogs under control and your garden happy!

5 Unique Ways to Decorate with Christmas Lights

I love Christmas lights, and I love decorating with them. Many people do the same old thing with their Christmas lights, but I say why not do something different this year. This article will describe 5 unique ways to decorate with Christmas lights.

1. A simple and unique way to decorate with Christmas lights is by writing with them; This project only requires tent stakes, and lights; hooks will also work well for this project, but stakes are the best. Now figure out what you want to write with them. Ho, Ho, Ho always works well. Now start at the beginning of your first letter and tie the lights to the stake. Push it into the ground, and pull the string in a straight line to the next stake point. For shorter lines double the lights up, and for circles lay the lights in a circle. This is a unique way to decorate using Christmas lights.

2. Another unique way to decorate for Christmas in lights is by making a 3-d Christmas light tree. To create this you will need several strands of lights, a tall pole that can be put into the ground, and several tent stakes or long nails. Attach all of the ends of the lights that do not have the plug together using a rubber band. Next attach this bunch to the top of the pole. Stand the pole, and pull the strands out to form a cone shape. Attach them to the ground using stakes and string if needed.

3. A unique and stunning way to use Christmas lights to decorate your home is by creating a large Christmas wreath. Start by using heavy wire to make a circular base. When you have a base made wrap many strands of green lights around it, and add a big red bow to the top. Leave this wreath in your yard or hang on the wall of your house for a unique Christmas decoration that uses Christmas lights.

4. Another unique way to decorate with Christmas light is by making a huge star. The star is part of the bible's story about the birth of Christ, and it is a charming and unique way to decorate with Christmas lights. For this decoration you will need a piece of plywood, and a couple of nails. Draw a star on the wood, and hammer the nails in where the points are. Next wrap the lights around the nails so that you can see the outline of the star. Hang this unique decoration somewhere high so that you neighbors can see it this Christmas.

5. For a unique way to use Christmas lights inside your house this holiday try making a centerpiece for your table that uses Christmas lights. Simply fill a glass bowl with lights and ornaments. Mix and layer these lights for a nice effect, and plug in for a unique Christmas decoration using Christmas lights.

There are many unique ways of decorating that uses Christmas lights, and I hope this article will help you decorate your home this Christmas.

3 Fun, Inexpensive, and Easy Dinner Party Invitation Ideas

Dinner parties are a lot of fun; they are a great way to get together with friends and have a good time. In order to add a little style and fun to your dinner parties it is nice to send out dinner party invitations, and this article will describe three different invitation ideas for a dinner party.

A fun and festive dinner party idea is a Hawaiian dinner party, and invitations for this type of party are easy and fun to make. All you will need for this invitation is some bright colored cardstock, some fake flowers, glue,and some nice pens or markers. Simply cut the cardstock to suit the size of the invitations you like. I prefer to make to smaller invitations from one piece of paper. Next glue some fake flowers to the corner, and draw some leaves and vines stretching out from the flowers to create a border. Next write a nice message on the front, and remember to mention luaus, tropical, or Hawaiian party. On the inside state the date, time, and location, and don't forget to tell them to bring their grass skirts because you will be providing the lays.

Another fun dinner party invitation can be made for a Chinese food themed dinner party. These dinner parties are fun because they take a lot of the work out of the dinner, and you will be able to relax. These dinner party invitations are a lot of fun because they are super easy to make. All you will need is some white colored cardstock or paper and a printer. To make these invitations use a card making application on your writing program on your computer. Next find a picture of a fortune cookie on the internet and copy and paste it onto the invitation. Underneath the cookie write open the card to find your fortune. Inside the card make up a fortune that describes your party; a good idea for this is to write you will have a great time at my party. Remember to include the date, time, and location. The fortune cookie will remind your invites that this is a Chinese themed dinner party, but you can also mention that they will be using chopsticks and sitting barefoot on the floor.

A fun theme for dinner parties is the casino night dinner party, and making dinner party invitations for this party are easy and fun as well. All you need for these dinner party invitations is some paper, a deck of playing cards, glue, and some markers. In order to create these invitations fold the paper in half, and write a message on the front that says roll the dice, or something similar. Next have fun cutting up the playing cards and arranging them on the front of the invitation in a fun pattern or border. Next fill in the inside of the card with a message that invites them to a fun night at your casino. This party will be a hit.

Making invitations are a lot of fun, and they get the people invited excited about coming to your dinner party. I hope these dinner party invitation ideas have helped you plan a fun dinner party!

Tips on Creating Art Card Editions and Originals and Artist Trading Cards

Art card, editions and originals are an easy and inexpensive way to make gifts for people, express yourself, and have a good time. I love making art cards and find it very relaxing. There is only one simple rule to these fun little cards; artist trading cards must measure 2 and a half inches by 3 and a half inches. This size is actually a convenient size because it is the same measurements as the average playing card. ACEOs and ATCs can be composed of whatever materials you enjoy working with, and here are some tips that I find useful when making ATCs and ACEOs.

I like to use a lot of collage work when making ACEOs so I usually do random image searches on the computer to find images that strike some inspiration for me. Once I find a good image I print it out and cut it out. If you do not have a printer you can use magazines or books to find images; you may also feel free to draw your own images.

Once I have a good image I place it on the cards I have precut from cardstock or cardboard, and I glue it down. I like to alter my pictures by adding some oil pastels. Oil pastels are fun because they smudge, and can be wiped away if you only want to add a hint of color to the original image. Acrylic paint is another interesting art tool to use because it can be watered down and used to create blurry effects. I also use paint pens, markers, and pens on occasion to add details that the paint and pastels can not create.

Another fun part of making ATCs is picking a theme. Since these little cards can be used as gifts it is fun to make holiday themed cards, and a handmade card is always more thoughtful than a store bought card. ATCs can be made for Easter by using bunny rabbit cut outs and fake grass. Beads can be used in place of eggs. Christmas themed ATCs are also nice gifts because you can use tinfoil to make angel wings and pine needles to add accents.

A major part of making ACEOs and ATCs is personalizing them. It is important that your art cards have your own personal touch, so make sure to let your artist freedom run wild. Feel free to use things found around your home that do not naturally seem artistic to add your own personal touch. Just remember to have fun when making these cards, and your ATCs will come out better than expected.

Thumbprint Animals and Insects: Fun Summer Crafts for Kids

You would never know it, but you have an incredible craft material right at the tip of your finger. You may be wondering what I am referring to, and I am here to tell you that your thumb and finger prints are a lot of fun, and you can make many different things with them. Here are some ideas on creating thumbprint animals and insects.

A cute rabbit can be created using your thumb and pinky finger print. Stick your thumb in some paint and press it on a piece of paper; next add to ears either straight up or for floppy ears add them to the sides of the bunny's head. Next draw a little nose, some whiskers, buck teeth, and eyes, and you have a great little fingerprint bunny.

Caterpillars can be made with your thumbprints as well. Just dip your thumb in some green paint and make a wiggly looking chain of prints. Next add some feet , eyes, and antennas using a pen, and you will have an awesome caterpillar.

Butterflies are easy enough using finger and thumb prints, and you can make butterflies of different shapes and sizes using different fingers as different wings. Make sure to dip your fingers in more than one color when doing these wings to add a pretty rainbow effect. Press four prints to make the wings and add the bodies, heads, and antennas with a pen or marker.

A finger print turtle is a little more complex, but it looks great when completed. Start buy making a big thumbprint in the middle. Then make two smaller prints on each side of your thumb print. This will create a circular shape. Now make longer fingerprints going around the inside circle of the shell. You should start one at the top and bottom, and have 2 on each side. This will be the turtles shell. Next use your thumb to create the head of the turtle. Use your pointer or middle finger to create hands and feet poking out of the shell. Finally use your pinky to create a tail. You can draw eyes and add details to your tortoise with a pen after the paint has dried.

Another simple thumbprint creature is the bumble bee. Start by making thumbprints with yellow paint. Next add little blue pinky prints to the side of the yellow as wings. After the paint has dried add big round eyes and zigzag patterns to the bee's body. Antennas and a smile are also a good addition to this print.

Thumbprint fish are fun and easy to make. Start by making a big thumbprint for the body. This can be whatever color you like. Next add fins and a tail using your pinky and middle fingers. Finally draw smiles and eyes on your fish when the pain or ink has dried, and be sure to add some bubbles so your fish can breathe.

These crafts are fun and simple. It is less messy to use ink pads when doing these projects, but regular poster paints work just as well. Enjoy creating these animals and see what other creatures you can come up with. You can use these ideas to create greeting cards, add fun details to pictures, and create personalized signs.

The Ultimate 20 Minute Fat Burning Home Workout

Many people complain that they do not have enough time to workout, and I understand that feeling, but here I am going to describe a routine that I have recently tried that not only makes me feel great, but also helps me to burn unwanted fat. This workout is great because you can do it in the comfort of your own home with out any tools or machines. All you need is a clock and twenty minutes.

Okay, remember to wear some comfortable cloths and have a water bottle handy. You will sweat, and you will be thirsty when you are doing this routine. If you don't sweat you are not burning fat.

To start this routine you will do jumping jacks for 3 minutes. A jumping jack is a simple exercise that will bring your heart rate up so that you are burning fat. Starting this routine with jumping jacks makes sure that your heart rate will be at its best during the rest of the work out. To do a jumping jack stand with your hands at your sides and jump and spread your legs out while also lifting your arms out in a straight line from your shoulders. After you have done this for 3 minutes relax for 30 seconds. Remember to not relax more than that because your heart rate will relax as well, and we do not want that.

After you have done your jumping jack warm up you will continue by doing a series of 8 exercises for 30 seconds each. Move from one exercise to the next without stopping. Here I will describe the exercises:

1. The first exercise is the knee lift. This exercise requires you to lay flat on the ground with your knees bent and your hands at your sides. Now pull your knees up to your chin. Remember to keep your hands on the ground and use your abs to pull you forward.

2. Leg lifts are the second exercise in this routine, and they are similar to the first because you start out in the same position except your legs are flat and you bring them straight up so that they are perpendicular to the floor.

3. Knee touches are next, and again you start out in the same position as the first exercise except you bring your hands, arms, and chest up and toward your knees.

4. Squats are done by standing with your hand on your hips and extending one foot forward and bending it at the knee so that your other knee is bent in a downward position. Alternate forward foots in this exercise.

5. Push ups are done by kneeling on the floor with your hands in front of you. Next push your feet back so that you are comfortable and use your arms to move your body up and down from the ground.

6. To do the hip thrust exercise you must lay on the ground with your knees bent. Now lift one foot up and point the toe at they ceiling. With your hands flat on the ground at your sides use your legs and stomach to thrust your hips upward and away from the ground.

These exercises should be done for 30 seconds each with no break in between. Since there are only 6 exercises listed you should do push ups and squats as your first 2 exercises; after that you can continue with the routine as listed.

Remember to start slow; you do not have to do a hundred exercises per session. When I started I could barely do 10 half push ups. If you do this routine everyday it will get much easier, and you will be able to move onto something harder. If you find that you need to stop in between exercises that is okay, but don't stop for more than 20 seconds because you want to keep your heart rate up.

I hope these exercises have helped you improve your physical condition and your mental condition, and I hope the next time you are feeling tired you do this workout instead of taking a nap because I guarantee it will wake you up and give you more energy than you would realize.

The Three Best Natural Sunburn Remedies

The first time I got sunburned really bad I was vacationing in Florida. I had spent about 9 straight hours in the pool, and I didn't even notice that I was burning. The water was cold and I was having so much fun that I didn't even notice that I was getting completely sunburned. It was terrible; I was sunburned so bad that I was blistering all over. I still had fun in Florida, but I used many natural sunburn treatments to help with sunburn relief. Here are the three best natural sunburn remedies that I know work.

Milk is an amazing help when you have sunburn. Milk has proteins and fat that help soothe the skin and aid in healing of sunburn. Remember you will need whole milk; your skin is not on a diet. For this remedy you will need a gallon of milk and a bath tub, but if you don't have a bath tub you can apply the milk with a cold compress. Use about half of a gallon to a full bath of water, and just soak in it. The milk will moisturize and nourish your sunburned skin, and it will provide instant relief. Bathing in milk once a day until your sunburn is gone will help it heal quickly.

Chamomile tea is another great home remedy that will provide relief for sunburns. Many sunburns peal, burn, and itch, and it is important to keep the skin hydrated during this time to help the sunburn heal quickly and without a lot of pealing and pain. Chamomile tea is great for this you can either put it in a mist bottle or spray yourself, or you can use a cold compress, but always make sure the tea is cold. I use about 6 teabags to about 5 cups of water. You may also add a teaspoon of tea tree oil to this tea to help aid in sunburn treatment. Tea tree oil is known for its healing properties of the skin.

My all time favorite sunburn treatment is aloe vera gel. I have found that aloe is the most affective treatment for sunburn, and it is also the most soothing. Aloe should be used directly from a plant because the potency of the gel wears off when preserved or mixed with other chemicals. All you will need for this treatment is some aloe leaves and knife. Cut the leaf down the center and open up the leaf so it is spread wide. Now simply rub the leaf over the affected area. The aloe will tingle a little and it may make your skin feel dry, but it will help tremendously.

Sunburn is no fun, and I hope this three natural sunburn treatments have helped you to ease your sunburn pain. If you use all of these treatments together I guarantee your sunburn will be gone quicker than you expect.

The Life of a Queen Bee and Her Colony

Most people have heard of the queen bee, but not many people know exactly what a queen bee is and what her role in the bee hive is. I have recently become interested in this myself, and I have put together some fascinating information for those of you who are interested in the life of a queen bee and her colony.

The first part of this story is that some bees live in colonies and some do not. "Social bees," which are the bees that have a queen, live in colonies; this group of bees is made up of female workers, male bees, which are called drones, and the queen bee (Leokum, 1986, p.57). These bees live together for the summer.

The queen bee is an amazing creature because she is the only bee of her colony that "lives through the winter," and in the spring time she begins a new colony (Leoukum, 1986, p.57). The queen bee is constantly working throughout her whole life.

In the spring she looks for a home in which to start her colony. The queen bee piles soft materials together to create a nest, and she leaves a spot in the bottom hollow so she can start her nursery (Leokum, 1986, p.57). This is only the beginning for the queen. After her home is complete she gathers some pollen and nectar, and she places this pile on the bottom of the nursery. The queen bee then lays her eggs on this lump, "covers them with wax, and sits on them" (Leokum, 1986, p.58).

Before she lays her eggs she has to create a food supply that will last until the baby bees have grown big enough to feed themselves. In order to do this she creates a "large waxen cell," and this cell is "filled with enough honey for food to last until her eggs have hatched" (Leokum, 1986, p.58). This cell will be the emergency back up food supply for the rest of this colonies life, and they will work to keep it full throughout the season.

After the queen bees makes a nest she starts to lay eggs. In the beginning of a colonies life the "only bees born are worker" bees; later in the summer she will start to produce future queens and male bees (Leokum, 1986, p. 58). All the queen bee does all summer is lay eggs.

In the fall the colony will break apart, and the queen bee will find a place to live for the winter. She will usually choose a "hole dug in a sandbank" or something similar to wait out the cold winter months (Leokum, 1986, p.57). Over the summer season the queen bee has laid many eggs. She "lays more than 1,500 eggs per day and about 250,000 in a season" (Leokum, 1986, p.58). The queen bee is the most important bee because without her there would be no colony.

So the next time you hear of the queen bee know that she is a serious mama!

References:

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

The Importance of Food Biochemistry and Metabolic Processes

Metabolic processes are influenced by the biochemistry of food. This article discusses food biochemistry, the major components of diet, and how they are metabolized by the body; it also discusses common diseases and research related to these concepts.

Food biochemistry is the production of energy from the breakdown of food in the cell. Nutrients are used by the cell to create energy, and vitamins and minerals are also essential for proper metabolic processes. The nutrients are carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Carbohydrates can come in a variety of forms from simple to complex, and the carbohydrate molecules are composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Lipids are solid fats and liquid oils, the molecules are primarily made up of carbon and hydrogen, and lipids are broken down into three major groups known as triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols.

Proteins consist of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, and they form chains of amino acidbyjuios. These chains are formed using a variety of the twenty different amino acids that exist. They are used as a catalyst for biochemical reactions in the cells, and they also act as transport molecules and add structure to cells. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the body's metabolic functions; vitamins are either water-soluble or fat soluble, and they are necessary for enzymes. Major minerals are calcium phosphorus magnesium, sodium chloride sulfur, and potassium, and they 100 milligrams are necessary for proper function per day. Trace elements are also important, but they are needed in smaller doses; trace elements are iron, zinc, iodine, fluoride, copper, selenium, chromium, manganese and molybdenum.

Biochemistry of food plays a role in common diseases, and researchers have been studying this concept for a long time. Overconsumption and malnutrition commonly cause disorders because the body needs certain amounts of the previously list nutrients, vitamins and minerals to function properly. Too much of these components in a diet can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol; a deficiency of these components can lead to a metabolic disorder known as beriberi, rickets, and other disorders and diseases. Researchers have been studying the biochemistry of food in relation to the metabolic processes of the body since Aristotle's time, and the study of the biochemical make up of food paired with diet and nutrition has helped scientists determine the causes and methods of prevention for many disorders and conditions. These studies have also led to the creation of the recommended dietary allowances, and these theories influence how many humans eat on a daily basis.

The biochemistry of food is important to the lives of all individuals. The information found in this article provides essential information about the body's needs and use of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. "Since the 1970's, research has consistently associated nutritional factors with six of the ten leading causes of death in the United States;" this article discusses how overconsumption and under consumption can cause these nutritional factors to occur. Understanding how cells "convert the nutrients of the food one eats to energy and other structural components of the body" is essential to having a healthy diet. Understanding how food is processed can lead to healthier choices and a healthier life (Food biochemistry).

"Food biochemistry." Magill's Medical Guide, 4th Rev. ed.. 2008. eLibrary. Web. 15 May. 2011.

The History, Use and Cultivation of Agrimony

Agrimony is a perennial herb that been used in many ways for many years. The stem of this herb is round, rough, dark green, and covered with hairs. The flowers are yellow and only about a half an inch across. This herb has five petals on its flowers, they are egg shaped, and they grow along a spike in an up and down manner. The leaves of the agrimony plant are quite big. These leaves are soft and usually vary in size from 8 inches to 4 inches. These plants grow to about 5 feet in height and the flower from the middle to the end of the summer. This plant is originally native to Europe, but it is "now common in the United States and in parts of Asia" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.3).

Agrimony has been used for many purposes, and it had medicinal qualities that should be noted, but in the past it has been used in ways that may seem absurd. Agrimony was used in an old remedy for "internal hemorrhages" where they would combine the herb with "pounded frogs and a little human blood" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.3). This method seems strange, and I am unaware of its actual healing ability. In ancient Greece this herb was used for eye problems, and up until the late 1800's agrimony was used to treat fever, rheumatism, digestive problems, coughs, and soar throats. (Kowalchik, 1987)It was also rumored to help with sleeping problems, but it seems that agrimony does not have any sedative properties.

This herb is taken commonly as a tea. Agrimony has "astringent properties" which are known to help internal bleeding, sore throats, and skin problems (Kowalchik, 1987,p 4). It can be gargled with or made into a poultice for external skin problems. It is helpful for those who have the flu or a cold, and it is a good additive to lotions for the skin. This plant is safe and very useful.

Agrimony can be started form seed, and it is a plant that will reseed itself once it has become strong. It likes light shade, and dry soil. It is not a very showy plant, but it does make a nice addition to a fence or a rock garden. Its high growing spikes give dimension to many gardens, and its medicinal properties make it relevant to grow. Agrimony can also be used to make a bright yellow dye. Its leaves and stems are best for dying if harvested in the fall.

This plant has lovely flowers and medicinal properties, and it deserves a place in your garden.

Reference:

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

The History, Cultivation and Use of Angelica

Angelica is an interesting herb that is surrounded in mythical claims, and it has been used extensively over the centuries. This article will discuss the history, cultivation methods and uses for the popular plant called Angelica.

Angelicais a plant that is native to "Europe and Asia," but it is "widely cultivated in other countries including the United States" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.10). Angelic is an herb that has a similar fragrance as celery, and it is sometimes known as wild celery. This plant flowers in "June and July," and its flowers are "tiny white or greenish flowers" that form in "a globe shaped compound umbel" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.10). This plant has many branches,and it lives in places where water is abundant such as streams and marshes.

The history of this plant is spun with magical stories, and many people believe that it derived its name from the Archangel Michael because it blooms on May 8th which is his feast day. (Kowalchick, 1987, p.10) Angelica was used widely in the past to protect from evil and witches; it was also used to ward off spirits. A famous legend that surrounds this plant occurred in "1665;" apparently monk dreamed that an angel "told him that angelica could cure the plague," and in fact it became one of the ingredients in the recipe to help heal the plague (Kowalchik, 1987, p.11). In the past angelica was taken for many illnesses.

One of the most common uses for angelica still ring true today. Angelica is famous for help with "digestation and diseases of the lungs" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.11). These uses are still valued n the eye of medical practitioners today. Simply make a tea of the leaves of angelica for help with stomach problems.

This plant also has popular uses in the area of culinary. "Licorice lovers enjoy angelica," and the leaves can be used in salads, baked goods, soups, and with meats (Kowalchik, 1987, p.12). The ground root can also bee used in baked goods such as cakes and cookies. The stem is also a popular treat when "candied," and the root is used to make "gin and vermouth" (Kowalchik, 187, p.12).

Angelica is best "propagated though seed," and the seeds "need light to germinate" so do not cover the seeds with dirt when planting (Kowalchik, 1987, p.13). Angelica is not a traditional perennial because it will go to seed and die, but if you cut the stalks before it turns to seed it "will continue to grow for years" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.12).

Angelica is a plant that has many uses in both the medical field and culinary field, and it should be grown in your garden.

Reference:

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

The Exclusive Properties of Photography: A Beginner's Guide to Photography for Fun

If you are like me you never really understood the beauty behind photography, or you use your camera to take fun pictures of friends and family, but not for art. I always realized that my camera could be used for so much more, but I for a long time I never got into taking photographs. After researching photography I found some ideas that have not only made photography more natural to me, but photography has become a special art form that I enjoy daily.

There are differences between photography and other forms of art. Some of the unique properties of photography are that the photographer "already has an existing object in front of your lens," and photographs have a "capacity to render detail with precision" (Patterson, 2004). This is different from painting, sculpture, and all other forms of art because they picture is not a reproduction; it is an actual detailed copy of a moment. It can be improved upon by the skill and it of the photographer, but the whole image is already there.

Another exclusive property that photography has is the importance of timing because a picture relies solely on timing. I found this to be frustrating, challenging, and inspirational because a photographer has to be prepared to take the picture at the right time, and the photographer has to make all the decisions about the photograph before taking the photograph. As a photographer I feel this idea is important because it helps an artist to train their eyes and focus their ideas. It is also fun because sometimes you catch pictures of things that were unintended but natural.

The speed in which an exposure is made is also an important and distinct property of photography that I found a lot of fun to use. The idea that a photographer "stops the world" helped me to strive for better photographs (Patterson, 2004). Time lapse is a great example of ho the speed of an exposure can change a picture drastically. This method allows the camera lens to stay open for varied amounts of time, and the exposure will pick of motion and changes. This means that a picture of a butterfly flying taken with time lapse will show a blur of the butterfly as it passes. I enjoy using time lapse, and I recommend it to all.

Photography has also inspired me to try to perfect my reaction time to things in front of me. When practicing photography it is important to note that there is a "special connection with chance" that one must "hope for and prepare for" (Patterson, 2004). It is an amazing way to learn how to be alert and spontaneous, but it also helps you be prepared and cautious like a hunter on the prowl.

Photography relies directly on light for its "intensity, quality, hue and direction to organize the picture space" (Patterson, 2004). And the wrong or right lighting will make or break a picture. Many people have noticed that hen they take pictures sometimes they come out too dark or too bright. It is important to learn how to set up a picture in a way so that the light source is reflect on it in a beneficial way.

Photography may seem challenging or intimidating, but it is really a simple and enjoyable for of art that can be practiced by anyone with a camera. If you understand these simple ideas behinds photography you will have the basics you need to know to get out there and start taking pictures.

Reference:
Patterson, F. (2004). Photography and the art of seeing. Toronto, Canada: Key Porter Books Limited.

The Biology of Estrogen, Testosterone, and the Human Body

Estrogen and testosterone, commonly known as sex hormones, are found in all humans. These hormones play an important role in how the human body matures and changes. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries in females, and testosterone is produced by the testes in males. Both estrogen and testosterone travel throughout the blood and react with certain cells. These cells are known a target cells, and they have receptors which allow them to respond to hormones.

Estrogen affects several types of cells including uterus, breast, liver, bone, brain, heart, and liver; and estrogen impacts all of these cells differently. The hormone gets into the cells by binding with estrogen receptors. The estrogen receptors are located inside the nucleus of the cell, and the hormone becomes attached to it. Then the changed estrogen receptor binds to DNA sites and "this estrogen-receptor complex binds to coactivator proteins;" this process causes more nearby genes to become active and the production of molecules of messenger RNA, which cause the synthesis of specified proteins (Estrogen receptors). The created proteins then affect the cells in different ways depending on the cell.

Testosterone impacts several cell areas in both male and female bodies, and this hormone gets into the cells in a similar fashion as estrogen. Testosterone binds with androgen receptors inside the nucleus of the cell, these receptors interact with DNA sites and coactivators are recruited. Then RNA messengers are created, and then target genes are turned into specified proteins (Androgen receptor). Testosterone is different from estrogen because it can be converted into another hormone known a dihydrotestoststerone. Testosterone interacts with the wolffian duct, and dihydrotestosterone interacts primarily with the hair follicles, urogenital sinus, and urogenital tubercle (Androgen receptor). Non-steroid hormones are different from steroid hormones because they do not bind with receptors inside the nucleus. Non-steroid hormones are not lipid soluble, and they must be combined with membrane receptors instead (The action of hormones).

Reference

Androgen receptor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . N.p.,

n.d. Web. 1 May 2011. .

Estrogen Receptors - Anabolicminds.com."Bodybuilding Forum - Supplement Review

Anabolicminds.com . N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2011 http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/1675

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