Arts and Crafts Idea: Foam Sheet Glasses Case

Are you a camp director, teacher, or homeschool mom looking for a new arts and
crafts idea for your kids? Or maybe you are a recreation director at a senior
center or nursing home and could use a new project. Either way, this arts and
crafts idea will be interesting and fun for all. This glass case can be used,
given as a gift, or converted into a necklace purse.

To make the glasses case, you will need the following simple materials: a
square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick
yarn. Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 3-1/2 inches (9 cm.) by 6 inches
(15 cm.). With a hole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle,
leaving one short side unpunched. Make the holes 1/2 inch apart and allow at
least 1/4 inch between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need
to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If you are preparing
the craft for small children, you should make the holes yourself. Otherwise,
the crafters can do this step if you have enough pairs of hole punches.

At this point the crafters can cut decorative shapes from other colors of craft
foam, or you can buy sets of ready-cut foam shapes. If you are doing the craft
at a special event, like vacation Bible school, choose shapes that echo the
theme of the event. For instance, if the Bible school or camp has a cowboy
theme, find shapes that fit well, such as boots, cowboy hats, and stars. Let
the kids choose the shapes they like and glue on as desired. You might also
like to provide beads or sequins to glue on as well, especially if the crafters
are a little older.

The next step in this arts and crafts idea is to thread the plastic needle with
the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard
lace is shiny and attractive. In a pinch, some teachers of small children use a
bobby pin as a needle. It is certainly a safe alternative. Simply loop the yarn
through the opening and use the open end of the bobby pin as if it were the
point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of
the glasses case together.

To turn this arts and crafts idea into a necklace purse, simply attach a piece
of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using this
case as a place to store secret notes and small objects. If they'd rather, they
can give the glasses case to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears
glasses. Either way, this arts and crafts idea will be interesting for all.

Craft Idea for a Group: Make a Mural

Most craft ideas are geared to individuals, whether kids or adults. Sometimes
you'd like to have a craft idea that works for a group of kids working
together. Making a mural together is an idea that works for a group. By working
together, you are creating something to decorate a shared area. Individual
crafts can be displayed, but one unique item is often more effective than a
group of items that are almost identical. In addition, sometimes kids' crafts,
like it or not, just become clutter when they are taken home, and it isn't long
before Mom throws it out. This craft idea of making a group mural can be
displayed for several weeks and will not become clutter in anyone's home.

The basic materials for a kids' group mural is freezer paper. Freezer paper is
about 18 inches wide, and it is very tough. One side is plastic coated. That is
the side that is designed to be placed against the food. You will have better
luck drawing on and gluing things onto the other side. Class or group murals
can feature a number of different design elements. You can mix up some finger
paint and let the children make hand prints (or even foot prints!) on the
paper. You can let them scour old cast-off magazines and color catalogs for
pictures they like and let them cut the pictures out and glue them on. They can
add scribbles, designs, signatures, slogans, or pictures using markers, crayons,
or gel pens. They can attach stickers to the mural as well. This craft idea is
very flexible!

For making the mural, choose a topic that relates to the group in some way. If
the group are girl scouts, for instance, and have been learning to camp, the
mural can feature pictures of items related to camping. If you've been learning
about dinosaurs, you can use them as a theme. If you want a really messy project
that makes a cute mural for fall, mix up finger paint in fall colors. The
children can each make a tree by first laying their forearm in brown paint.
Then they lay their arm on the paper to make the trunk of the tree. They should
spread out their fingers so their arm print has five short branches at the top.
To make the leaves, the children make fingerprints all around the top of the
tree using paints in other fall colors. If you add a few drops of dishwashing
detergent to finger paint when mixing it up, it will be easier to clean off the
children's arms. Do make sure they have old clothes or smocks for this craft
idea.

Little preschoolers will like making a mural with an animal theme. You should
probably find and cut out animal magazine pictures to start with, and then let
the children choose the ones they like for gluing down. Glue sticks are neat to
use with small children. They will paste some of the pictures upside down.
Expect it and do not scold them. It is the process that is important in this
craft idea. The children can also use animal cookie cutters dipped in finger
paint to stamp animals on the mural, too. You may need to tape the paper to the
table so it doesn't slide around while the children work.

An elaborate form of this craft idea that adults often make is a quilt around a
theme. Each person in the group creates a quilt square to represent some aspect
of what the group stands for. These quilt squares can be colored with fabric
pens or crafted of patchwork or applique. Again, the craft idea is to build
group solidarity and not to highlight one artist's skills over another. When
the quilt top is completed, it can be a group project to tie it or quilt it. It
can be hung in a special central location or given to an appreciated leader or
member.

Handicraft Gift Idea: Make an Apron

If you are looking for a handicraft gift idea to make for someone special,
perhaps that person would like an apron. When we think of aprons, we often
think of mothers and grandmothers in the kitchen, but men can often benefit
from having an apron as well. They often enjoy barbecuing, for one thing. They
also can use an apron in the workshop. Children, too, can use an apron for many
of their activities, such as arts and crafts. Here are simple instructions for
making a handicraft gift of an apron that can be adapted for anyone.

Start with a piece of sturdy fabric suitable for the individual for whom you
are making the handicraft gift. The fabric needs to be wide enough to wrap 1/2
to 3/4 of the way around them and long enough to cover them from collar bone to
just above the knee. For a large adult, 25 to 30 inches wide by 36 to 40 inches
long should be about right. A slimmer adult can use a narrower apron, but if
they will be wiping their hands on the sides of it, they might appreciate the
extra width. An apron for a child of 10 could start with a piece of fabric about 
18 inches wide by 25-30 inches long.

The best types of fabric to use are sturdy cottons, such as medium weight denim
or twill. Soft cottons such as broadcloth or muslin are all right in the
kitchen, but will not last long, and would not hold up in the garden or
workshop at all. Other materials you'll need are thread and a sewing machine.
You will also need enough extra fabric to make a strap to go around the neck,
ties for the back, and pockets.

When designing the handicraft gift, you can be as creative as you like with
pockets. Every apron is more useful with pockets. A person who cleans houses,
for instance, can use pockets for odds and ends they pick up as well as for
their spray bottles, sponges, and scrub brushes.

To make the apron, fold the piece of fabric lengthwise. This will allow
you to cut the shape with one cut, making the two sides symmetrical. What you
will be shaping when you make the cut will be the bib section of the apron. The
bib for an adult sized apron will need to be about 9 inches wide. Measure from
the fold about 5-1/2 inches. This is half the width of the bib plus an inch to
fold under twice to form a hem. The piece you will cut off the side to shape
the bib will be a half bullet shape with the tip of the bullet being where the
ties will be attached. The length of the half bullet shape should be about a
foot, and the width will be from the spot you marked 5-1/2 inches from the fold
to the outside edge of the fabric. When these pieces are cut off, the result
should be an apron shaped piece of fabric.

Now decorate the apron with pockets and any other decorations you desire. After
this it is time to fold under the edges all around and stitch down with sturdy
stitching for a nice hem all around the handicraft gift. Cut two pieces of
fabric a yard long by two inches wide. Fold lengthwise and fold raw edges to
the inside. Press and stitch down along the length to make the ties. Attach the
ties at the waist of the apron handicraft gift. (If these ties seem a little
long, it is because a lot of people like to bring the ties to the front and tie
them there.) Cut another piece of fabric 18 to 20 inches long by 5 inches wide
fold in half lengthwise and press. Press again with the raw edges of the long
side tucked under 1/2 inch. Stitch down the open side. Attach this piece to the
sides of the top of the bib, sewing it to the back of the bib and topstitching
on the front side of the bib. Be careful not to twist it when you attach it.

People who work hard at homemaking, barbecuing and in the workshop will
appreciate a handicraft gift of a sturdy apron. Mostly they will appreciate the
effort and design you have put into making a handicraft gift that they can use.

Clay Pot Crafts: Make a Bell for the Porch

Clay pot crafts are a cute way to make home decorations. In clay pot crafts,
clay flower pots can be crafted into a variety of decorative things that appeal
to gardeners. Usually, the crafter begins with new pots. The pots are often
decorated with paint as well as being tied together with rope or cord to create
things.

Pots for clay pot crafts can be purchased in many different sizes, from tiny
ones not more than 2 inches in diameter, to huge ones over a foot across. For a
beginning project, start with smaller pots. The beginner should also choose clay
pot crafts that don't use too many pots in too elaborate a design.

An example of a good craft for someone new at clay pot crafts is to make a bell
from two clay pots. Buy one pot that is about five or six inches in diameter,
and another that is very small. You will use the small one as the clapper for
the bell. You will also need some decorative cord, two large wooden beads, and
paint in desired colors. You may also wish to purchase some glue-on jewels to
decorate the bell. The bell makes a nice decoration for a front porch.

Cut the cord two feet (60 cm.) long. Fold the end over 3 inches (8 cm.) and tie
in an overhand knot, making a loop. This loop is for hanging the bell from a
hook or a nail. Now turn the larger clay pot upside-down. Pass the loose end of
the cord down through the hole in the pot. Lay the pot on its side and slide one
of the large wooden beads up the cord until it is about 10 inches (25 cm.) from
the loose end. Now tie the cord around the bead so that the bead cannot slip
from its position on the cord. If you have done this correctly, you can lift
the pot by the loop. In clay pot crafts, the beads must be large enough to stop
the cord from going through the hole in the bottom of the pot.

On the loose end of the cord, you are going to attach the small pot in the same
way. Slide the small pot up the cord to make it easier to tie the other large
wooden bead on the end of the cord. Now when you lift the entire arrangement by
the loop, the smaller pot should hang freely inside the larger pot, making a
pleasant sound when it claps against the larger pot.

Decorate the outside of the larger pot with paint as desired. You may like to
paint it in black and white patches for a Holstein cow theme. You may also like
to decorate the top of the bell with silk or dried flowers and greenery and a
ribbon bow.

For a variation on this craft, make three of the bells and hang them from a
horizontal piece of driftwood or other interesting piece of natural wood. When
making hanging clay pot crafts, always make sure the beads are large enough and
are tied tightly in place, because the clay pots will break if they fall to the
ground.

Other clay pot crafts include making a large doll or scarecrow of nested pots
strung together and painted. The doll can sit on a chair or a step of the front
porch. Paint his face to look like a scarecrow, a jack-o-lantern, a gnome, or a
child. Clay pot crafts are especially suited to being displayed outside.

Wedding Crafts Ideas for Saving Money

Weddings are a joyous occasion but can get expensive in a hurry. With wedding
crafts you can insert a personal touch and hold the price down as well. Here
are a few ideas for wedding crafts to add sparkle and creativity to your big
day.

It is not that hard to create your own wedding veil. To make this wedding
craft, you will need a length of bridal illusion in the desired length. You
will also need a comb to attach it to your hair and a hat or headpiece to cover
the comb. Sew large running stitches about an inch from the end of the illusion
and gather it tightly. Now sew the veil to the comb. Top with hat or headpiece.
As an alternative, you can decorate a wide-brimmed straw hat with silk flowers,
ribbon, and pearls.

The bouquets and floral arrangements can also be personally crafted. For a
simple outdoor wedding, consider wild flowers. They are free and have a charm
all their own. Bouquets can be arranged in large clear vases, with a bow tied
elegantly around.

Favors for the guests are particularly appropriate wedding crafts. Refrigerator
magnets are a simple and well-received favor. A really nice idea is to make a
magnetic picture frame and include a picture of the couple. You could cut a
frame out of craft foam in one of the wedding colors, arrange over the photo,
and glue all onto a cardboard backing. Place self-adhesive magnet tape on the
back of the cardboard. Decorate the front of the frame with foil heart stickers
and a monogram of the couple's last name.

Bows for the ends of the pews or rows make simple wedding crafts. Wide velvet
ribbons are nice for fall and winter weddings, while satin is more appropriate
for spring and summer weddings. Loop some flat lace in with the ribbons. In the
center of the completed bow, attach some silk flowers and pearl sprays with a
hot glue gun.

Perhaps you'd like to try your hand at decorating your own cake. Check the
craft section of the department store for pans and gadgets of all types to help
you create a cake to remember. Do remember, though, that it takes a steady hand.
Be sure to practice before starting on the real cake.

Preparing for a wedding can be expensive, but with wedding crafts, you can take
some of the sting out. Plan early, however, because it will take a little while
to make favors for everyone and all the other little details you will want to
take care of. Maybe creating wedding crafts will even relieve some of those
wedding jitters. In any event, crafting your own wedding items is a way to have
a personal, beautiful, and less expensive wedding.

Family Holidays: Tips for Peace and Harmony

What do you like to do on family holidays? Go to the beach or spend a week in
the country? Maybe you like camping or visiting relatives. Whatever you enjoy,
family holidays are a chance for everyone in the family to get reacquainted and
spend quality time together. It's a chance for parents to really talk with their
teens and find out what's going on in their lives. It's important to keep the
communication lines open, and a family holiday is a good time to do that.
Having a good relationship with their parents is one of the most important
factors in keeping teens out of trouble.

Studies have shown that when families take holidays together, they are more
likely to eat together and are less likely to argue. They do not watch as much
television because they are involved in doing things together. Kids even report
that their parents seem to act differently while on holiday.

While family holidays are a good time to connect with your kids, communication
problems that are already there will not automatically disappear. Especially
with teenagers it is important to listen and be flexible. Find out what the
kids would like to do and eat and plan accordingly. While even teenagers need
boundaries, it is important for parents to try to avoid needless confrontation.
Explain why you make the decisions you do and show them positive attention.

Kids will appreciate being included in travel plans. There's a good chance they
will choose a theme park or the beach if those are among the options. Sometimes
it works well for a teenager to take a special friend along on family holidays.
While this might increase the parents' load, the teen is likely to really
appreciate it. Also, sometimes it works well for kids to go on holidays with
their grandparents instead of their parents. Sometimes there is a special
relationship here that can help kids open up and communicate about their
concerns.

While on family holidays, if teens are uncooperative or behave improperly, try
to deal with the problem in private. Teens are very aware of embarrassmant and
it is needlessly mean to exploit this sensitivity. In fact, you might explain
to the kids how their behavior embarrasses you, and they in turn might work
harder at getting along and acting appropriately.

Kids will be happier on family vacations if they have snacks, drinks, and
entertainment. Few kids enjoy a long ride in the car! Try to provide individual
CD players or hand-held video games, and don't forget to take plenty of bathroom
stops. Sometimes kids enjoy the ride more if they can help you follow the map.
This is an educational activity for them as well. By following these
suggestions, your family holidays can make a happy memory.

An Educational Past Time: Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting, also known as philately, is a popular and educational past
time. Stamp collectors save stamps from letters, especially those from other
countries. They also search out old stamps that represent a past time. Stamp
enthusiasts can be found everywhere. Their notebooks and glassine envelopes
filled with stamps are fascinating to look through. Many of the stamps they
collect are very valuable as well.

Materials needed for starting a stamp collection include a stamp album and
special mounting tapes called hinges. Tools you will find useful are a pair of
small tongs or tweezers for carefully lifting delicate old stamps and a
magnifying glass for finding minute details. The beginning philatelist can
start with the stamps on the mail that arrives this very day. To remove a stamp
from an envelope, carefully tear away the envelope from around the stamp being
careful not to tear the stamp itself. Now soak the stamp in warm water. The
remaining piece of envelope will turn loose, allowing you to lift the stamp
from the water with the tongs.

Lay the stamp on absorbent paper. When dry, place a heavy book on top of the
stamp to flatten it. As a past time, stamp collecting requires precision and
neatness. Place the dried and flattened stamp in the album by using one of the
hinges, or store it in one of the tiny glassine envelopes unique to stamp
collecting.

Many collectors specialize in collecting currently available commemoratives as
a past time. Stamp designs are varied, beautiful and interesting.
Commemoratives are those special stamps that are released by the post office
for a limited time. They can commemorate special people or events. Most nations
print commemorative stamps from time to time. American stamps have featured wild
life, artists, antiques, and many other themes. In fact, there is an annual
contest in which American school children compete to draw the best picture of a
wild duck. The best duck art is featured on a stamp.

A fun way for a young person to build a collection of foreign stamps is to find
a few pen pals in foreign countries. This activity helps people make friends as
well as broadening their outlook. There are also companies that will send out
introductory collections of foreign stamps in order to get stamp collecting
customers on their mailing lists. These collections are usually colorful and
contain a wide variety.

Stamp collecting is an educational past time. Stamp collections can sometimes
become very valuable to the right people. If you are looking for a new hobby or
past time, stamp collecting might be for you!

If You're Collecting, Ebay Selling is for You!

If you or someone you know is interested in collecting, Ebay selling is
something you need to get familiar with! Ebay is a huge Internet site that
allows people to sell or buy at auction almost anything you can think of. There
are very few restrictions on what you can buy or sell. Are you fond of antique
toasters? Bicycles? Vintage rhinestone jewelry? Stuffed toys? Elvis
memorabilia? Whatever you are collecting, Ebay selling will probably have what
you want.

Ebay is essential to know about if you are enthusiastic about your collecting.
For instance, if you collect a particular type of antique or vintage dishes,
such as Fiesta, you can search Ebay for exactly the piece you need to complete
your set. In addition to finding the exact item you are looking for, there is a
possibility you'll get it for a great price as well. That tangerine colored
pitcher might be yours for a song. You just have to look.

Collecting is one thing, but what about when the collector gets more items than
he or she can store? What if they inadvertently collected duplicates of the same
item. Or what if you just have stuff you don't want anymore? That's where Ebay
selling can help. You can list your item on Ebay, and another collector can
find it and make a bid. Ebay is a great way to recycle unwanted used items and
make a few dollars as well as helping you with your collecting. Ebay selling is
not hard to learn, either.

For just about every item you can name, someone somewhere collects it, and they
are probably searching Ebay for what they want. So whatever you are collecting,
Ebay selling can help you generate the money needed to add items to your own
collection while getting rid of things you don't need. In addition, you can be
gratified to know that the item you didn't want, like the bikes your kids have
outgrown, or your vintage clock, was exactly what some other collector was
seeking.

Just like collecting, Ebay selling can get almost addictive. It's a fun hobby
that many people are discovering. So where do you go if there's something
special you are collecting? Ebay! Selling, you'll find, is almost as fun as
collecting, so be sure to try it, too. Remember, too, that Ebay can not only
help you complete your collections. It can also be a source for the things you
need for other hobbies, interests, and needs in your life.

Island Holidays: Salt Spray Getaways

There is just something about the ocean breeze and salt spray that makes a
holiday on an island something you won't soon forget. Because islands can be
found in every ocean and near every continent, island holidays can vary widely.
You can lay on a beach or watch whales, study botany or shop native craft
stalls. It's all up to you when you plan your island holidays.

North American islands include the Canadian east coast islands of Prince Edward
Island and Newfoundland. Island holidays to these areas will be filled with
unspoiled natural beauty, cool, comfortable temperatures, and whale watching
expeditions.

South of these regions is the little island of Bermuda off the eastern U.S.
coast. Bermuda is surrounded with hundreds of square miles of reef formations,
making snorkeling an interesting activity there. For the less adventurous, you
can ride around in a glass bottom boat and view the beautiful undersea world.

Heading on south, we find the Carribean islands. These have long been popular
spots for tourists. Here the beaches are white and sandy and the weather is
very warm. Up in the interior of these islands, you can find a wide variety of
birds and other wildlife. Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, the Virgin
Islands, and many other spots make lovely island holidays. Each island has it's
own unique flavor and feel.

Europe has islands of all types nearby which make great spots for island
holidays. Visit the isles of Greece and you will see clear seas, quiet beaches,
olive groves, and the simple life. Corfu is the choice of those who like
up-to-date restaurants and shopping, while Lefkas is popular with wind-surfers
and sailors. The Portuguese island of Madeira boasts beautiful weather and one
of the lowest crime rates in the world. The Canary Islands, off the coast of
Spain, are a popular tourist spot for Europeans.

A new trend in island holidays is eco-tourism. This is traveling in such a way
that neither the earth nor the local people you are visiting is harmed in any
way. People who are drawn to eco-tourism may enjoy bird-watching, hiking, and
other island activities that do not leave an impact on the area.

Everybody dreams of taking island holidays. There are islands all over the
world, each offering it's own cultural experience and natural wonders. Many
spots for island holidays are still unspoiled and secluded, while others are
lively and exciting. Island holidays offer a real diversion from your everyday
life.

Returning to the Simple Joys of Home and Hobby

In the past decades, many mothers have made the decision to pursue careers, but
that trend seems to be changing. Home and hobby are calling to these women, who
are willing to make financial and personal sacrifices in order to be the
primary caregivers for their small children. Many women have returned to being
keepers at home, and hobby skills can help them meet the financial challenges
of being a one income family.

One hobby that helps the mother at home is cooking. Though it could be
considered work, cooking and baking are fascinating hobbies. One can explore
the cuisine of different countries or learn to create gourmet treats. Baking
can yield wholesome whole grain products that nourish the family for a fraction
of the cost of loaves bought at the store.

Another home and hobby skill that comes in handy is sewing on a sewing machine.
Many homemakers are producing quilts that are works of art. These beautiful
offerings can be made inexpensively by recycling unwanted fabrics into squares
and other shapes and artistically arranging the pieces. Other sewing skills
that are useful for the stay-at-home-mom are mending, altering, and creating
clothing. When polled about favorite pastimes, women often rank sewing at the
top.

Some moms and their husbands actively work on remodeling their home, and hobby
carpentry skills come in handy. One income families hold down the cost of
living by learning to "do it yourself," a term that is used so much it has been
shortened into "diy." The Internet has made it possible to find information on
making all sorts of repairs and renovations to homes, furnishings and other
belongings.

Gardening is a hobby that not only gets the participant close to nature, but
also can put high quality produce on the family table. Some families are even
investing in hobby greenhouses or growing enough extra to sell a bit each week
at farmers' markets. A good practical hobby like growing a garden gives a
person a sense of accomplishment when they realize their efforts have created
something useful and profitable.

The homemaking parent that has a sense of art can inexpensively create harmony
and beauty around the house, raising everyone's standard of living. It doesn't
have to involve spending any money. Perhaps she can arrange dried wild flowers
beautifully or create simple hand-lettered wall mottoes that lift everyone's
spirits.

Yes, home and hobby call to the women of today, suggesting a simpler way of
life closer to those people and things that matter most. While the career women
are truly making an important impact on today's world, the quiet return of many
to home and hobby may result in more impact than any of us realizes.

Golf Holidays to Get Away From It All

If you have been working too hard for too long and just need to get away and
play some golf, you will want to check out golf holidays package vacations from
your travel agent. These travel arrangements are often referred to as "stay and
play" plans because you stay at a certain hotel and receive rights to play at a
certain golf course while you are there. When making these arrangements, make
sure there are not special requirements that will make playing inconvenient or
impossible for you. Some of these plans require you to limit your arrival dates
and departure dates or have other unacceptable limits so read the fine print.

You can take golf holidays to all sorts of locations depending on your
personality and desires. For instance, you can choose to golf in a course
located near or in a major city, taking in museums or theatres when not
golfing. Or you might choose to visit a golf course in an area of rugged
natural beauty such as the mountains. While there, you might take a day to fish
instead of golf. Whatever your needs, you can find golf holidays packages to
meet your needs.

Are you going to take your own golf clubs with you when you travel on golf
holidays? You probably would prefer to use them rather than the clubs that can
be rented at the course to which you are travelling. If you choose to take them
with you, you will need to think about the arrangements a bit. For instance, do
you have a really high quality golf club bag which will protect those expensive
golf clubs. If not, you'd better get one. You won't be able to carry your clubs
on if you are flying, so you'll need a bag that can take airport luggage
handling and still protect your clubs. So get a good one.

When picking a destination for golf holidays, pick the course you wish to play
on first, and then find out about lodging at hotels, resorts, or stay and play
package plans. Make sure the tee times that are set for you when choosing a
stay and play package are going to work for you. People who are staying at a
golf course's own resort generally get first serve when choosing tee times. If
it's really important to you to get the tee time you desire, it may be worth it
to you to stay at the resort instead of a less expensive hotel. Either way, you
are sure to find refreshment and restoration when taking golf holidays.

For Recreation, Sports Collecting is a Great Hobby

In this fast-paced, stressful age we live in, everyone needs a little
recreation. Sports collecting is a hobby that can fill your spare minutes with
interest and offer a diversion to the everyday grind. Sports collecting takes
many forms depending on the person who is pursuing the hobby. Many people
choose to collect memorabilia from their favorite professional teams, but
others collect items related to golf, fishing, and other recreation sports.
Collecting requires a certain amount of space, but collectors are creative
about finding ways to display their collectibles.

If you have a favorite pro team or two there are many items you can collect
related to those teams. For instance, you can create scrapbooks in which you
save clippings about exciting games, favorite players, and special interviews.
You can keep ticket stubs and photographs in your scrapbook, too. Other items,
however, won't fit into a scrapbook, such as a game ball, team jersey, or a
team's annual yearbook. These items will need other storage. There are stands
for special balls, and jerseys look great hanging on a hanger on the wall.

You might like to collect souvenir items from all types of sports. Most
professional teams sell small metal pins with their insignia on them. Pin
collecting is a widely practiced hobby, and sports teams are one of the hottest
types of collectible pins, as are those commemorating the Olympics. Another
option for sports collecting is to collect antique sports equipment. Vintage
baseball gloves are an example of this type of collectible.

Baseball cards have long been a source of recreation. Sports collecting
enthusiasts have collected baseball cards, football cards, and basketball cards
for many years, although baseball cards were the first. This is such a popular
hobby that some cards are worth a lot of money, such as a rookie card of a
player like Willie Mays.

Other collectors like to accumulate things that illustrate their favorite
recreation sports. Collecting items decorated with fish, horses, or golfers are
examples of these types of collections. For instance, if you enjoy hunting with
dogs, you can decorate your home in a hunting dog theme. There are throw
pillows printed with handsome hunting dogs, as well as with the game they help
you find. You may find lamps that have a hunting dog as the base. You can even
have curtains made from hunting dog printed material! The same can be done
around the theme of golf, horseback riding, whether western or eastern, bass
fishing, sailboats, and other popular recreation sports. Collecting is a hobby
that offers many options!

A Hobby Greenhouse Will Get You Growing!

For people who would like to do more gardening but live in a short growing
season area, a hobby greenhouse is the answer. A hobby greenhouse is not large
enough to produce vegetables or flowers on a commercial basis. It will,
however, give you a place for a tomato plant or two and some fresh greens even
if you live in the northern regions. Greenhouse enthusiasts even have their own
association, called the Hobby Greenhouse Association, which publishes a
quarterly magazine. The organization also sponsers events and helps individuals
connect to get help with the aspect of gardening that they are interested in,
whether it's growing cacti or saving seeds.

If you are in the market for a hobby greenhouse, there are several types on the
market. The smallest type is not large enough to walk into and must be accessed
from the outside. It resembles an old-fashioned phone booth made all of glass
and outfitted with shelves. This type is designed to fit as many plants as
possible in as small a place as possible. The shelves are made of glass to
allow as much light as possible to reach plants on the lower shelves. Another
inexpensive version of this sort of hobby greenhouse is shelving covered with a
zippered tent of clear plastic. This sort of arrangement is great for the
small-scale hobby gardener wanting a place to keep her flowers or houseplant
starts.

There are a variety of designs of hobby greenhouse that are large enough to
walk into but made entirely of clear glass or plastic. They are often about the
same size as a small storage building. Some independent builders have started
making these to sell locally. Among national brands, one of the nicest is
called the "Solar Prism." It is called this because of it's unique
construction. This hobby greenhouse is made of a single piece of durable clear
plastic which is designed to work like tiny prisms side by side. They trap the
rays of the sun and shoot them back into the greenhouse at all angles. For this
reason, these little greenhouses are said to glow when the weather is cloudy.

Better hobby greenhouses are equipped with automatic sensors that open vents
which allow ventilation and keep the interior temperatures from getting too
high. These are a great labor saver, but can get expensive. Another benefit
sometimes found in nicer greenhouses is a built in irrigation or misting
system. Members of the Hobby Greenhouse Association, or HGA, have invented many
interesting designs of greenhouses.

If gardening is your hobby, greenhouse growing will interest you. With a
greenhouse, you can have the earliest tomatoes and salad greens all year. You
can also start seedlings for the main garden early in the spring when outdoor
temperatures would kill them. A hobby greenhouse can be a good investment.

Collect and Play: Have Fun With a Toy Hobby

Some adults never seem to grow up. They seem to retain their childlike wonder
at the world around them. These are the adults who have started a toy hobby.
Kids like to hang around with these adults because they seem more like kids.
Sometimes having a child or a grandchild can spark an interest in toys. Be that
as it may, a toy hobby will keep a person young at heart.

Many women love dolls and never outgrow them. Some prefer baby dolls, some
fashion dolls, and still others go for antique or decorative dolls. Often an
interest in dolls will spill over into a craft interest, as the doll lover
begins to craft clothing and accessories for favorite dolls. Sometimes the
hobbyist becomes skilled at crafting the dolls themselves. Some types of dolls
that are often hand-crafted are rag dolls and cloth bodied dolls with ceramic
heads. It is not uncommon to find older women who have an entire room of their
homes filled with special dolls on display.

Older men, on the other hand, (and sometimes women, too) often like cars and
trucks. Antique metal cars are hot collectibles, with some older ones being
quite valuable. Matchbox cars have always been loved, but so have the large
Tonka dumptruck, road grader, and bulldozer. You can bet the grandkids will
want to play with your trucks and cars.

A toy hobby that is extremely popular is collecting Beanie Babies. These small
velour animals, made by the Ty company, each have a personality all its own.
You can find Beanie Babies in every type of animal you can think of. A similar
hobby is collecting teddy bears. There are many Beanie Baby teddy bears, but a
teddy bear collector will probably want to branch out to collect other types of
bears. In fact, many bear collectors have figurines and other items collected in
addition to their teddy bears.

Wooden toys are popular among adults, both to craft and to collect. There is
something quaint and pleasant about a child playing with a handcrafted wooden
toy. Wooden toys make attractive home accents wherever they get dropped, which
is not something you can say about the latest plastic gizmo. People who like
country decorating often prefer wooden toys for their kids.

You don't have to outgrow toys! A toy hobby will keep you young at heart and
make you a favorite among the kids in your neighborhood. Whether you collect
toys or craft them, a toy hobby is something you can play around with!

Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments

Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic
beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy
enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again
and again. Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can
be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas
tree.

To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in
desired colors and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective
when strung on pipe cleaners. One type are called sunburst beads, but are also
known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads
have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole
for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively,
they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.

The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is
called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged
around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock
when strung consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas
ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red,
green, and clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver
which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.

Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all
colors. For the Christmas craft, the best colors to use are the metallics and
Christmas colors. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to
be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.

Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up
the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don't fall off. The pipe cleaner works
like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children
how to alternate colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors.
When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different
Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then
bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red
and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a
small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or
simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.

If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some
beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of
silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.

Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself
using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple
yet pretty Christmas craft.

Paper Crafts: Scrapbook and Greeting Card Basics

Paper crafts are a popular pastime right now. Scrapbooking is a fun way to
display pictures and chronicle family history. Other paper crafts include
making greeting cards and even making hand made papers.

When getting started at paper crafts, it is easy to spend a lot of money! Go
easy at first until you know what sort of paper craft products you are likely
to use. For instance, you may find that you love using stickers in scrapbooks,
but rarely use your rubber stamps. If this is the case, you would be better off
spending more on stickers and less on rubber stamps for your paper crafts.

Almost everyone has at least some of their photographs stored somewhere in a
shoe box. Scrapbooks are a great way to get those photos out where people can
enjoy them. You will need a loose leaf binder, some plastic page protectors,
and some colored cardstock for starters. Many paper crafts experts insist on
only archival quality materials. Check the labels as you buy. Most paper
products, even the cheaper ones, are labeled "acid-free," which means that it
shouldn't fade or otherwise deteriorate if stored for a long time. Sunlight
will bleach almost anything, but your paper crafts should not be out in the
sunlight very often.

To start a scrapbook you have several options. You can select photos that all
relate to one event, such as a trip or a child's participation in sports. This
type of scrapbook will be short, but can be designed around a theme. This is a
good choice if your photos are not in a jumble. If they are, then you may wish
to choose 3 or 4 photos around a general theme, and change the theme for each
page. You may want to include some 2 page spreads in your scrapbook.

Attach your photos to the cardstock with double-sided tape squares or a
gluestick. Then it's time to decorate the page with stickers, paper shapes, or
rubber stamped designs. In addition, you can use a colored gel pen to write
dates, names, and other highlights about the activities in the pictures.

Other items are available in paper crafts stores. These includes die cuts,
which are pieces of paper already cut into shapes and objects. There are also
special scissors that cut paper with an interesting edge. A pair of the type
called "deckle" scissors is very useful for making elegant looking scrapbook
pages, greeting cards, and other paper crafts. If you also have an old pair of
pinking shears that are too dull to cut fabric, you can use those for cutting
out shapes and photos.

Many paper crafts enthusiasts begin with scrapbooking, but then branch out to
making their own greeting cards. Greeting cards may or may not have an original
poem written on the inside. A simple "Happy Birthday," "Get Well Soon," or even
just "Hi!" is enough to brighten someone's day, so don't worry about not being
a good enough writer to make your own greeting cards. Rubber stamps often make
beautiful greeting cards. You can even attach small ribbons, beads, and other
items to hand made cards. A handmade card is sure to please anyone, whether
they are interested in paper crafts or not.

Bored? Look at These Hobby Ideas!

Have you ever played one too many computer game or watched one too many old
rerun? You just can't get into another mystery and you just feel flat? Maybe
you are suffering from boredom, that familiar accomaniment to our automated,
precooked lifestyles. If so, you need to check out these hobby ideas. Hobbies
have been found to be therapeutic as they relieve stress and get the mind
active. In this article, you'll find hobby ideas for every sort of person, from
the intellectual to the athlete, from the homemaker to the attorney.

Many times we are bored because we have become too inactive. If this is your
problem, you might like a sports hobby. Have you ever tried tennis? How about
golf? Many people simply love bowling until it becomes an important part of
their lives. Sports hobbies get you out of the house and often are a way to
make friends with others. Then again, some active hobbies can be enjoyed in our
own homes, such as weight lifting and doing aerobic dance to a video.

Speaking of aerobic dance, dancing is another great pastime. When you think of
hobby ideas, don't forget the many forms of dance. Square dancing is fun for
people who like getting together with groups, while ballet and modern dance
appeal to the more contemplative souls. And while we're on contemplation, you
might enjoy doing yoga stretches as a hobby.

Maybe we're feeling bored and listless because we've been cooped up in the
house too long. If that's the problem, here are a few hobby ideas to get you
out in the fresh air. Have you ever thought of taking up canoeing, hiking, or
trapping? How about getting involved with an environmental group? In many
states, you can form groups to clean riverbanks and monitor water quality, and
the state will provide perks such as t-shirts, work gloves, and first-aid kits.
Or maybe you'd like studying the flora and fauna of your region. It can be great
fun to stroll through the woods and fields with a field guide, learning to
identify each wildflower, insect, tree, and bird.

There are almost as many hobby ideas as there are bored people in the world,
because everyone puts their own spin on their favorite hobbies. Maybe you'd
enjoy decorating your house with antiques, or learning to bake specialty breads
from around the World. Maybe you'd like to take part in a little theatre
production, or learn to play guitar. What about the fine arts of weaving
tapestries or painting with oils? Candle making, soap making, and many other
old-time crafts are being enjoyed again. Truly, with all these hobby ideas,
there is no reason to stay bored for long!

Sports Recreation: Relieve Stress and Have Fun

The world we live in is growing increasingly fast-paced, stressful, and filled
with responsibility. Because of this, everyone needs some time to relax and
have some recreation. Our modern way of life also tends to be sedentary, and
the meals we eat are often not very healthy. Exercise is a very important
component in renewing us. For these reasons, sports recreation activities are
some of the best recreation we can choose. There are many options for hobbies
to provide sports recreation. You may even want to learn some new recreational
sports skills.

Courses to learn new sports recreation skills can be found online and in larger
cities. You can learn and participate in team sports through the local Y and
other organizations. Team sports recreation activities you might like to
participate in include softball, baseball, basketball, and sometimes soccer for
younger people. Another team sport you might enjoy is bowling. Regardless of
your skill level you can find a bowling team to have fun with.

Individual sports recreation activities you can learn and participate in
include golf, tennis, running, aerobic dance, gymnastics, and horseback riding.
Don't overlook bicycling and weight training too. Many of these sports can be
learned at the local Y as well. For some of these, you'll want to have a friend
to play against or share the exerience with. Many runners, for instance, like to
run with a friend. And games like tennis and handball really need cooperation
for best results.

If you'd rather, you can learn about sports recreation skills online. You can
find courses to teach almost any sport or activity you can think of including
underwater hockey, fly-fishing, and para-gliding in the Alps! Of course, unless
you can get some hands-on experience you'll only have the theories of the sport.
Still, online courses are a good way to get a taste of different sports and
recreational activities you might someday want to try out.

A really fun sports recreation game you might get a chance to play is ping
pong. Ping pong, or table tennis as it is sometimes called, is played on a
table with rubber coated paddles and extremely lightweight plastic balls. You
must hit the ball with your paddle so that it strikes the table and clears the
net before your opponent strikes it and bounces it back to you. One way to
become more adept at ping pong and increase your chance of winning is to
sometimes hit the ball harder than at other times. This keeps your opponent
guessing what you will do next.

Sports recreation activities are a great way to get exercise and relieve
stress. They are also a lot of fun. Whether with friends or alone, everyone
needs a favorite sports recreation to take part in.

Beach Holidays for Fun in the Sun

Everyone loves beach holidays! The little ones can dig in the sand and splash
in the lapping waves. The older ones can swim, get a tan, or just relax. The
inquisitive types can explore for sea life, tide pools, and drift wood. The
warm breezes and natural beauty are invigorating and restorative. Any trip,
however, can cause discomfort if you do not plan well. Here are things you can
do to make your beach holidays easier, safer, and more meaningful.

In many parts of the world, people head for their beach holidays in the family
car. When planning a trip, it's always a good idea to give the car a good
cleaning out first. This will give you more room for your luggage. Stock you
glovebox, too, with a few first aid and comfort items, such as sunblock,
acetominiphen for headaches, a roll of antacids, a few cough drops, and a few
bandaids. Don't forget a couple of scrunchies or pony-tailers for long hair.
Get the tires checked and replace any that are likely to go flat. Get an oil
change if it's getting close. Road trips are not much fun when they include
breakdowns. And whatever you do, make sure you have a map and a place to keep
it handy.

Travelling with kids is always a challenge. They may be particularly excited
and impatient when they know they are going on beach holidays. Make sure they
have cool water bottles and healthy snacks to munch. Try a simple car game to
make the time pass. Many kids like looking for letters of the alphabet on
signs. If several people get involved it can be quite fun.

With beach holidays particularly, there is always a need to provide for skin
safety. Be particularly careful about being in the sun for long stretches of
time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Use a sunblock with a high SPF rating and
replace it after getting wet or drying off with your towel. The towel you choose
can make a difference too. Thick towels get heavy and tend to trap a lot of
sand. You may find you like thin towels at the beach. Wear sunglasses to
protect your eyes and some sort of foot protection to keep your feet from being
burned on the hot sand.

With a little preparation your beach holidays can be enjoyable and
problem-free. When you arrive home you will be relaxed, refreshed, and ready
for work. Take a minute to unpack and get your laundry going. It won't belong
until the kids will be shouting, "When can we go on beach holidays again?"

Have a Toy Game Hobby Night at Your House!

Build family communication and togetherness by having a weekly toy game hobby
night. It is so easy these days to let work, school, and the business of life
rule the day, that we can easily lose touch with each other. If we get together
one night each week for a toy game hobby night, we can rekindle those family
ties.

Those families with small children will probably focus more on the toy aspect
of the toy game hobby night. Take the time to get down on the floor and play
with those youngsters. Cuddle those dollies and call yourself "grandma" or
"grandpa." Push those trucks around and pretend right along with the kids. If
your back can take it, let them take turns riding you like a horse while you
crawl around and neigh. Every kid loves that!

On summer evenings, try toy game hobby night in the sand box at the park. Using
an old mesh produce bag, collect a variety of suitable sand toys to take along.
These toys include various containers, a few wheeled vehicles, toy garden
tools, and cast-off kitchen utensils. In the sandbox with your kids, you can
create towns with roads, castles, or just about anything.

Modeling dough is also a great activity for toy game hobby night. Collect some
small cookie cutters and old jar lids (for pans) and create fancy cookies and
desserts -- inedible and calorie-free, of course! The kids can turn a large box
on it's side for a counter and place the goodies on display to sell. Of course,
you'll pretend to buy, eat, and enjoy!

Some fun games for family night include card games like Uno, board games like
Candy Land or Life, and dominoes. When choosing games to play there are several
things to consider. Is Scrabble, for instance, fun for everyone, or does all the
spelling and thinking feel like work to some of the players? Does the game take
forever to play, so that some players' attention spans play out? Does the game
encourage merciless competition, like Monopoly, leaving losers feeling left
out? It's important for kids to learn how to lose and still have fun. Don't
"throw" the game, intentionally letting them win all the time, but don't
mercilessly beat them every time either. Make it fun. If losing is a problem
for some of the kids, check out some of the new cooperative games where
everyone is on the same team.

Hobbies are also great to share as a family. Maybe your family would be
interested in pursuing musical skills together. Families make great singing
groups because their voices match well. If that's not for you, maybe you'd all
enjoy fishing. Square dancing is fun for some families, while others enjoy 
playing badminton or other active games and sports. The important thing is to 
have fun together.

Having a toy game hobby night every week will help you stay close to your kids
as they grow up. It will keep the bond of love fresh and the lines of
communication open. Plan a toy game hobby night this week!

An Invigorating Family Past Time: Sports Activities

If you are feeling bored, listless, and out of shape, you need a new past time.
Sports activities will get your blood pumping and help you get back into shape.
Not only will you be getting good exercise but you will be starting a valuable
family past time. Sports activities are a great way to spend time with your
kids. So get up off the couch, put down that soda, and get out in the yard for
a little touch football.

If touch football is not for you, why not play a little kickball with your
kids. Set up a diamond similar to a baseball diamond. Now the pitcher rolls a
large soft ball, like a playground ball, on the ground to the "batter." Only in
kickball, the batter kicks the ball and runs to first base. Since the ball is
soft, the fielding team can throw the ball at the runner to get him out. Since
the kicker will almost always manage to kick the ball and foul balls are rare,
this is a classic game to play with young kids and others who are not very
athletic.

A fun family game that makes a good past time sports activity is tetherball.
This rousing game can be played with one or two people. Tetherball is called
that because the ball is on a tether -- it is on a rope tied at the top of a
pole. The ball hangs about hand level. The object is to hit the ball and make
the rope wrap around the pole. The two players attempt to make the ball go
different directions. If you have never played tetherball, you should give it a
try. It is really fun! And it really gets you moving (and laughing!)

Sand volleyball may have started on the beaches, but many towns are now
installing sand volleyball courts in their public parks. The littler kids can
sit in a safe place and play with their sand toys while Mom, Dad, and the older
kids hit a beach ball or volleyball back and forth over a net. The sand feels
good on bare feet (but not so good inside your shoes!) The kids will enjoy this
past time sports.

A cross between volleyball and tennis that many families enjoy is badminton. In
this game, the object is to use lightweight rackets to volley a "birdie" back
and forth over a net. The birdie looks like a little plastic funnel attached to
a firm rubber ball. You hold the birdie by the plastic and drop it onto your
racket to serve to the other team. Badminton moves more slowly than tennis and
is a leisurely way to get moving with the kids. You'll get some exercise,
though!

Kids are naturally energetic and active, making past time sports activities
extremely attractive to them. Since parents need to be spending more quality
time with their kids as well as needing to get more exercise, too, these
vigorous games are a good idea for everyone. Some say that the family that
plays together stays together. This could be so, since exercise gets positive
hormones flowing in your mind, putting you and everyone else in a better mood.
Don't get so competitive that your family past time sports cease to be fun.
Just volley that ball or birdie for fun and exercise.

Creative Handicraft: Potholder from Scrap Fabrics

If you need a gift for a special person, or just need some time to unwind, make
a creative handicraft. Crafting is therapeutic when you are feeling stressed,
and it also can yield a useful or decorative item. Everyone has some measure of
creativity, and with modern kits and patterns, a creative handicraft does not
have to end in frustration.

If you have a sewing machine, you can learn to make a creative handicraft that
will be a useful and welcome gift. Potholders are a great beginning sewing
project that can be made from scrap material or unwanted clothing and a bit of
double-fold bias tape. Here are the simple instructions for this creative
handicraft.

First cut two 8-inch (21 cm.) squares of fabric to be the front and back of the
potholder. Choose coordinating fabrics that match your kitchen for these pieces.
To make it easier, you can make an 8-inch square pattern from a piece of
cardboard to use as a pattern. Cut more 8-inch squares of any old fabric to
stack for the filling. You want the stack of fabric squares to be thick enough
to protect you from a hot pot, but thin enough to be flexible and able to be
sewn through.

Stack all layers so that the outer layers are facing to the outside and the
filler layers are inside. You can put a couple of large straight pins through
all layers to keep them together. Now sew right across the middle of the stack.
Sew across the middle again, perpendicular to the first stitching. You will have
divided the square into 4 squares. Sew across the stack again from corner to
corner, and again from the other corner to corner. The layers should be joined
and sturdy now.

To bind off the raw edges of your creative handicraft, trim with scissors so
that all the layers are again even at the edges. Open out one folded edge of
the bias tape. The wider bias tape might seem to be easier to use, but the
narrow type makes a neater finished product. Starting at one corner, line up
the edges of the tape with the edges of the potholder, and start stitching
through all layers along the first fold line, which will be about 1/4 inch from
the edge. Stitch neatly and slowly, attaching the opened tape all around the
edge until you reach the beginning corner. Cut the bias tape off, leaving 3
inches, (7 cm.) to make into a hanging loop.

Fold the bias tape over the raw edge so that the middle fold lines up with the
outside of the potholder and the other fold is hiding the raw edge of the bias
tape. Now, for best results, hand sew the binding down, forming a loop on your
creative handicraft when you get to the end.

This potholder is just one example of a creative handicraft you can create if
you have a sewing machine. When it is finished, you will have a useful item
made from all recycled materials. Feel free to give this creative handicraft
away or keep it for yourself.

Cute Wooden Handicraft: Make a String of Hearts

Everyone loves heart-shaped decorations. This cute wooden handicraft can be
hung over a doorway or as part of a wall display. Paint the hearts red, pink,
and white, and you will have a decoration for Valentines' Day. Paint them red
and green for Christmas, or red, white, and blue to display love for America.
You can leave it plain for a natural look. The string of hearts wooden
handicraft fits well with country style furnishings.

To make the string of hearts, you will need 5 wooden heart cut-outs
approximately three inches wide, a drill with an eighth inch bit and a quarter
inch bit, a small amount of raffia, two yards of 1 -1/2 inch wide soft ribbon,
two large wooden beads, and acrylic paints in the colors you want. The ribbon
and the beads should match the color sceme you desire. Plaid ribbons are
particularly effective. The string of hearts has five hearts side by side tied
together with small raffia bows. The first and last hearts have the wide ribbon
strung through a hole on each side and a bead strung on the ribbon. The ribbon
is knotted at the very ends, making a loop of ribbon on each end which can fit
over a nail for hanging.

The first step in making the wooden handicraft is to drill a small hole on each
side of the hearts. The two outside holes are made with the quarter inch bit,
and the other holes are made with the 1/8 inch bit. Now paint the hearts with
the acrylic paint in the colors you desire. Acrylic paints are the small
bottles of craft paint that are sold in 2-ounce bottles in a wide variety of
colors. They can sometimes be purchased very inexpensively. Tempera paint will
work if you can't get acrylic paints. Another idea is to spray paint them,
especially if you want to use a metallic color.

When the paint is dry, tie the hearts together with the raffia. To do this, cut
four 10-inch lengths of raffia. Thread the raffia down into one hole and up
through the hole on the next heart so that they lay side by side. The raffia
should be tied in a neat bow on the top of the arrangement. Do the same between
the rest of the hearts so that all the small raffia bows are on top. Trim the
raffia ends if necessary.

Through each of the outside holes, thread one of the ribbons. Pull the ribbon
through until the ends are even. Thread the large bead over both ends and slip
it up close to the heart. Trim the ends of the ribbon decoratively and knot
them. Repeat the process on the other side to complete the wooden handicraft.
Now hang the string of hearts wherever desired for a cheerful decoration. A
wooden handicraft like this makes a nice gift for someone special.

Rock Collecting: A Hobby that's "Hard" to Resist

Rock collecting is a fascinating hobby for kids and adults alike. While rocks
are common, cheap, and found everywhere, the variety is huge. Collected rocks
can be displayed in many ways, from rock gardens to neatly kept showcases,
making rock collecting a versatile hobby.

When rock collecting, you will soon find out that rocks can be categorized as
one of three types. A sedimentary rock formed when
sediments, such as sand or silt, were pressed together under their own weight
or the weight of water, and eventually became solid. An igneous rock is one
that was formed by volcanic activity. The third type of rock for rock
collecting is the metamorphic rock, which is like a sedimentary rock which has
been changed through intense heat and pressure.

Another type of rock collecting is collecting minerals, gems, and crystals.
Pure minerals are not technically the same thing as rocks, but they fit well in
rock collections. Minerals include things like pyrite, also known as fool's
gold, and quartzite, which looks almost like a diamond.

For some people, rock collecting consists of saving a pretty rock from
different places they visit and keeping it as a souvenir. If these rocks are
large, they can be used to outline the driveway or start a rock garden. If they
are small, they can line a windowsill. Label them with a fine point marker if
desired. Include the date and location the rock was found.

The souvinir type of rock collecting does not require much scientific
investigation, but identifying rocks and minerals does. The different types of
rock can sometimes be differentiated easily. For instance, sedimentary rocks
often look like particles glued together. Sandstone is a common example of
this. They also sometimes have visible flat layers. Metamorphic rocks, on the
other hand, sometimes have layers, but those layers have been bent so that they
are no longer laying flat across the rock.

When rock collecting, the igneous rocks make some of the most exciting finds.
Obsidian is an igneous rock that looks like a broken piece of black glass. It
is shiny and hard, and was used to make arrowheads in the past by the native
Americans. Pumice is another interesting igneous rock which is porous, making
it so light that it will float. This stone is used for cleaning and rubbing
calluses off people's feet.

Keep in mind when rock collecting that different regions of the world have
different types of rocks. In the American Midwest, for instance, there are many
sedimentary stones, but metamorphic and igneous rocks are less common. In the
Appalacians, on the other hand, you can find metamorphic rocks such as gneiss
and schist. Wherever you live, though, you are sure to find rock collecting a
hobby that's hard to resist!

Civil War Bullet Collecting: A Hobby that Honors the Past

Did you know that during the Civil War, more than 1000 different types of
bullets were used? This is one reason Civil War bullet collecting has become a
popular hobby. Another reason is that the time of the Civil War saw changes
taking place in the development of firearms and ammunition. The old round
musketballs of the Revolution were being replaced with bullets in the shape we
are accustomed to. While musketballs are found on Civil War battlefields, the
most common type of bullet used was the .58-caliber bullet with three rings
around the base. Many bullets found are splattered out of shape. If you've
always been fascinated by the Civil War and firearms, Civil War bullet
collecting is a hobby you will enjoy.

With the advent of Internet buying and selling, Civil War bullets have become
more collectible, and the prices have gone up quickly. Not only this, sometimes
sellers are not informed and ask more than the bullet is worth. For these
reasons, if you are just starting out in Civil War bullet collecting, you will
want to buy a good price guide. You can even find a price guide online if that
works better for you.

Many Civil War bullet collectors also collect bullet molds and other relics
from the Civil War era. A real enthusiast might even investigate the
possiblility of becoming a Civil War reenactor, acting out battles with others
in towns and fields across the Southeast.

Civil War bullets can be collected by buying from other collectors, or you can
begin by going directly to the battlefields to dig and search. A metal detector
will make Civil War bullet collecting easier. You may also find buttons from
uniforms, bullet molds, belt buckles, and other metal items from the battle.
Some of the bullets may be buried quite deep. You will need to wear a headset
and pay close attention to the changes in tone in your metal detector. Hunting
Civil War relics is prohibited on protected battlefields, but there are still
old homesites where battles were fought. Be sure to get permission from the
owner and fill any holes you dig.

Some people have the idea that hunting for bullets with a metal detector
indicates a lack of respect for the soldiers who died there. They get this idea
because sometimes bullet hunters find bones along with the bullet. The fact is,
however, that many of the bullet hunters who have found bullets this way have
chronicled and mapped out there finds, resulting in many of the facts that we
now know about the Civil War.

The Civil War fascinates Americans because of everything it stands for. While
everyone agrees that slavery is a terrible blot on the history of the U.S.,
there are some people who still discuss the issue of states' rights versus a
strong central government. Civil War bullet collecting is an iteresting hobby,
though somewhat sobering at times when considering the great number of
casualties. The memory of brother fighting against brother out in the
cornfields and pastures will never go away. Civil War bullet collecting is one
way to commemorate this monumental historical event.

Get a Hobby Kit and Learn Something New

If you are tired of the ho-hum of life and would like to branch out a little,
maybe you should get a hobby kit. Many different hobbies have kits that can
help a beginner learn about the hobby quickly and easily. It is not easy to
teach yourself some hobbies, but with a hobby kit, you can learn from the kit.

For instance, if you have been wanting to learn how to do a needlecraft, such
as cross stitch or crewel embroidery, there is no better way to start than with
a kit. In a hobby kit, you will receive a piece of cloth with the design already
stamped on, yarn or floss in the proper colors and possibly already cut to the
proper lengths, and a needle. You may even get an embroidery hoop in the kit.
When you buy a hobby kit, be sure to read on the package to see if any other
materials or tools will be needed to do the hobby.

A hobby kit is also the best way to learn a hobby like building model cars. In
a model car kit, you will get all the pieces you need and detailed
instructions. In some kits, you might also receive paint, a brush, and glue,
but read the label.
You might have to provide these things separately.

When choosing Christmas or birthday gifts for a young person, consider a hobby
kit, such as a candle-making kit or a rock tumbling kit. In the fall, the
stores are full of kits that could start a kid on a hobby that would last
throughout his life. You can find small weaving loom kits, glycerine soap
making kits, bead craft kits, wood-burning kits, and art kits. There is a line
of colorful books put out by the Klutz company that each gives instruction in a
hobby and has a packet of materials for learning the hobby. Some of the topics
Klutz books cover are polymer clay modeling, hair styling, and pompon
creations. They are all cleverly written and lots of fun.

Another hobby that can be learned from a kit is starting garden seedlings,
especially herbs. A seed starting kit typically contains a pot, a small trowel,
seeds, fertilizer, and a greenhouse dome or cover. Potting soil may need to be
purchased separately.

When choosing a hobby kit, be careful to get one that is appropriate for the
recipient. Sometimes a hobby kit is quite challenging. An example of a
difficult project is an electronics kit for wiring one's own radio. If a kit is
a gift for a child and it is too hard, it will wind up gathering dust on some
shelf. In fact, it might gather dust even if you buy it for yourself! Consider
getting a smaller project that you can finish in a short time so you can get a
feel for the hobby.

The next hobby kit you buy can be harder if you find that you enjoy the hobby
and have a real desire to learn more about it.

Cruise Holiday Tips for Smooth Sailing

Is anything more luxurious than taking a cruise holiday? Traveling to exotic
locations on a luxury ship, catching sunrays, and breathing the salty breezes
can renew and replenish anyone, no matter how shopworn from the cares of work.
However, a cruise holiday requires planning in order to be the best it can be.
Check out these tips to have a cruise experience you will remember.

So where do you start when planning a cruise holiday? First, what is your
budget like? Do you need to hold down expenses? Then here are a few tips for
economizing on your cruise holiday.

When scheduling your cruise holiday, you should be aware that there are off
season and on season dates, and that you want to schedule your trip in the off
season to get the best deal. What you may not know, however, is that cruise
lines actually change prices a number of times throughout the year. Ask and
find out when their absolute lowest season prices are. In addition, keep your
plans somewhat flexible so that you can change ships at the last minute.
Sometimes a ship is not filled to capacity, so the cruise line will sell the
last few tickets at a real bargain. It is always to their advantage to sail
filled to capacity because people on holiday spend money on souvenirs, drinks,
etc. Use this knowledge to get a really great deal.

Where you cruise to on your holiday can make a big difference in your cost as
well. If you pick a popular spot, you can travel cheaper than if you choose a
less popular spot. Another consideration is whether you really care about those
ports of call. If you just want to stay on the ocean liner and enjoy the
luxuries, book a cruise that doesn't stop anywhere. These "cruises to nowhere"
are just as luxurious as the others but cost less.

To be safe on a cruise holiday, don't take a lot of expensive equipment or
jewelry with you. Make sure your passport, health insurance, and other papers
are up to date. Be sure to ask about laws you may inadvertently be breaking
when you get off the shore you are accustomed to. Laws in ports and even in the
water can vary, and you sure don't want a big hassle with a foreign law
enforcement agency.

To travel lighter, find out about equipment that will be available on the ship.
For instance, if the cruise line provides irons or hair dryers, you won't need
to pack yours. Also pack your own sample size shampoo, toothpaste, and other
toiletries because these items will cost more in the gift shop. You should have
access to laundry facilities on your cruise holiday, so you don't have to take a
huge amount of clothing. Pick a wrinkle proof lightweight outfit for every two
or three days and pick separates in colors that coordinate so you can get
different looks. Be sure to pack a formal and or semi-formal outfit if you will
be taking part in these sort of activities on your cruise holiday.

Pin Collecting: A Friendly Obsession

Pins are a hot collectible that offer an added advantage over other collections
-- they are small and do not take up much room. Pins are available in many
motifs and themes. Some of the most collectible themes are Disney characters,
sports teams, and Hard Rock Cafe. The first rule of pin collecting is to
specialize. If you like the San Diego Padres baseball team, for instance, you
can start pin collecting with souvenir pins that celebrate this team. And just
because these themes are popular doesn't mean you have to collect them. Be
original and collect what you like.

Many pins are centered around modern entertainments, but many pin collecting
enthusiasts collect campaign pins from election campaigns. Buttons are a
similar item and are collected by many of the same people who do pin
collecting. Pins created to advertise businesses and services are also very
collectible.

To display pins you have several options. When you wear a jacket with lapels,
you can wear a few of your favorite small pins. The same goes for wearing a
cowboy hat or a vest. Many pin collectors wear a few on the front of a cowboy
hat. Tote bags, purses, and fanny packs are another place where some pins can
be displayed.

Of course, as you get into pin collecting, you will soon find that you have too
many to wear the entire collection at one time. A bulletin board, perhaps
covered with a plain piece of fabric, like dark blue velvet, makes a nice
backdrop for a pin collection. The pins can either be pinned into the cork of
the bulletin board through the velvet or attached to the velvet first.

Another way to display and store pins is in a notebook. This method works well
if you wish to take some of your pins to an event where you can do some trading
with other pin collectors. To make the notebook, purchase sheets of hard felt or
craft foam. Either punch holes in the side so they fit into a looseleaf binder,
or slip the pages into page protectors after attaching the pins to the pages.
The type of looseleaf binder that zips closed is the best to use for pin
collecting.

Sometimes pins get scratched, especially if they are stored in a notebook
arrangement such that they hit each other. The scratches can be smoothed over
with a tiny bit of liquid car wax. Future scratching can be avoided by using
page protectors in notebook collections.

Pin collecting is a very popular hobby. You can find groups of likeminded
people with which to trade pins, making pin collecting a hobby that helps
people make friends.

Start an Art Collectible Hobby and Beautify Your Home

Collecting is a fun hobby, and one of the most interesting things to collect
are art collectibles. Many different items can be painted with artwork and
become an art collectible. Hobby enthusiasts collect such things as saw blades,
and wooden eggs which have had artwork painted on. People even collect designer
rugs as art. Another art collectible hobby is collecting limited edition
plates, thimbles, Christmas ornaments, and figurines produced by such companies
as Bradford Exchange. And of course, many people collect fine art paintings.

The person with an art collectible hobby will probably find his or her own
favorite artists whose works they appreciate. They can choose to focus on one
particular artist, either past or present, or they can choose from the works of
many artists. On the other hand, they may collect art and art objects around a
theme they enjoy, such as cigars, wild animals, or piano music.

One may think of an art collector as a rich person who has the money to spend
hundreds of thousands of dollars on an original Van Gogh. A person of more
modest means can collect art too, however. Post cards are a good place to
start. Most art museum gift shops offer high quality, glossy postcards printed
with some of their more notable acquisitions. By buying those cards one really
appreciates, anyone can have an art collection.

Ebay is a good source of art collectibles whatever type of art or collectible
you fancy. In fact, if you are just starting out, the choices and options can
be overwhelming! Just remember that you can sell your own belongings as well as
buying those of others. This should make the impact on the budget a little less
powerful. Other ideas for inexpensively collecting art collectibles are
scouring flea markets, thrift shops, and garage sales. You never know what
treasure someone else may be getting rid of.

One nice thing about art collectibles is that artists can be found in every
part of the world. The art collector should scout the local art shows, museums,
and artist's hangouts to find out just what sort of talent can be had less
expensively and close to home. Because of the local flavor of some artwork, art
collectibles make good travel souvenirs. For instance, the artist Linda
Barnicott specializes in paintings of scenes, buildings, and landmarks found
around Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Similarly, collectors can find local artist
almost everywhere.

An art collectible hobby will keep you interested in life and give you a home
filled with art masterpieces as well. If you enjoy pretty and interesting things
around you, consider starting an art collectible hobby today.

A Favorite Past Time: Hobby Ideas You Will Like

What is your favorite past time? Hobby enthusiasts know that spare time is not
to be "spent" but savored. If you have a past time you enjoy, you will never
look at your spare time in the same way again. If you're not sure what past
time hobby you would enjoy, here are some suggestions.

Many people listen to music as a favorite past time. There is much you can
learn about any style of music. You can learn composers, famous melodies, and
all about performers past and present. You can develop sophisticated tastes in
jazz or classical music or collect a large assortment of CD's. Music makes a
great past time hobby.

A lot of people love animals. Pets of all sorts can become your hobby. Perhaps
you enjoy watching birds. If you have trouble finding them in the trees to
watch, maybe you'd like to get a pair of canaries, a budgie, or a cockatiel.
People who live in the country sometimes become interested in raising
ornamental chickens, pigeons, or pheasants. It is very interesting to watch a
mother bird take care of a nest of young chicks. Perhaps you can even raise
some prize winners!

Dogs make a great hobby, too. Walking and enjoying a pet dog is one thing, but
breeding and raising show dogs is something else entirely. Show dogs may
require a bit of an investment, but many puppies are free. There is also the
aspect of training a dog in obedience. Dogs give a lot of love back to their
owners, too, so if you start a past time hobby of caring for a dog, you will
never be lonely. However, dogs require quite a bit of work and attention,
especially when they are being trained, so keeping dogs is not for everyone.

Bicycles can become your favorite past time. Hobby bicyclists are becoming more
and more common to see cycling along lesser traveled highways seeing the
countryside up close and personal. Bicycling requires a helmet and suitable
clothes as well as a small tool kit for roadside repairs. Or maybe you would
enjoy cycling on a smaller scale, simply taking fun rides with your family. The
choice is yours.

The world is full of interesting things to learn and do. Don't merely sit back
and watch TV. Get interested in a past time hobby. It's good for your mind. In
fact, it might even keep you from going senile in your old age, if you stay
active in a past time hobby. And it's a good example to our kids and grandkids
if we spend our time doing something meaningful.

How to Come up With a Craft Idea for Kid Programs

Are you a camp director or Sunday School teacher looking for a craft idea for
kid enrichment? Maybe you feel like you are just not the creative type, and you
struggle with coming up with craft projects. It is true that some people just
have a knack for finding or even inventing craft ideas, but your creativity can
be improved. There are ways to make it easier to find a craft idea for kid needs.

First, lay aside any perfectionism. Locking yourself into thinking there is
only one right way to do something makes every decision harder. Regardless of
the kid program you are helping with, there are always many suitable craft
ideas out there. Don't worry about picking the wrong one! If you've taken into
consideration the age and skill levels of the kids involved, your choice will
be adequate.

Next, consider your budget. When choosing a craft idea for kid programs, you
need to be aware that some of them are expensive. Prepackaged kits to make a
fun foam picture frame or a craft stick cross are affordable for a few kids,
but if you are needing to do a craft with a lot of kids, these kits might cost
too much. It's often easy to do almost exactly the same project by just looking
at the craft kit components and buying the same materials in bulk at the
discount store. You may have to do some preparation, like cutting out shapes
ahead of time, or at least making cardboard patterns for the kids to use in
cutting out their own. The savings will be worth it, however.

Another consideration is this: in spite of years of indoctrination from women's
libbers, the fact remains that boys and girls like different sorts of crafts! If
the craft seems a little girly, don't use it at boys' camp. Stick with lace-up
leather billfolds, Indian artifacts, dinosaur art, and similar projects. Girls
will like beads and anything that's pink or purple. For a craft idea for kid
camp where there are kids of both sexes, keep it on the boyish side and provide
some pink materials to keep the girls happy.

An aspect of creativity that the non-creative types don't realize is that ideas
spring from other ideas. That is, if you look over a book or website of craft
ideas, maybe none of them will appeal to you, but if you let them, they will
spark an idea for a similar project. Use what you can and change what you must
in the craft directions. For instance, the craft may have a slogan to be
written across the front. If you need to change the slogan to fit your own
needs, it's perfectly OK. For instance, the pictured project might say "Girls
rock!" You can change that to "He is the Rock!" if that meets your VBS needs
better.

A final suggestion is to realize that you don't have to change the instructions
or create something new to have a good craft idea for kid use. Feel free to
follow the instructions to the letter if that works better for you. The kids
will have a great time either way. Just pick a craft idea, for kid creativity
beats adult creativity everytime! The kids will make it creative, even if you
have doubts about your own ability in this area.

Holiday Crafts: Thanksgiving Decorations Kids Can Make

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday! What a spiritual renewal to take a day to
reflect over the past year about just how good God has been to you and your
family, to give you harvest and shelter, health and hope. To get the most out
of this joyous occasion, make some holiday crafts with your children. These
days, Thanksgiving often gets squeezed out by Hallowe'en's spooky decorations
and the lights and gala of Christmas. With the following holiday crafts, your
home can be decorated for this quieter but important celebration.

Turkeys are a natural choice for decorations. A familiar project at this time
of year is for a child to trace around her hand and make the resulting drawing
into a turkey. The thumb is the head and the fingers are the tail feathers all
displayed. While many of the turkeys that are raised for food are now the
domestic white variety, the turkeys eaten by the Pilgrims at the first
Thanksgiving were the wild brown ones. The tail feathers on a wild turkey are
brown, but they are iridescent. catching light and appearing to be
multi-colored. This is why children color the tail feathers in bright colors.

The turkey's head has a wattle under the beak. This is a vertical flap of loose
skin that is red colored. Be sure to draw this in order to make the hand turkey
look like a turkey. Add skinny legs and bird feet. When done, the children can
cut out the turkeys and hang them on the wall. It's really cute to make a whole
flock of these turkeys in the sizes of all the hands in the family. The little
hand shapes are particularly sweet.

Another nice turkey decoration to make when making Thanksgiving holiday crafts
is a turkey door decoration. Make a brown construction paper body and head of a
turkey. Now make a large number of colored feather shapes. Each family member
writes on a feather something he or she is thankful for before attaching as
part of the turkey's tail. Repeat until all the feathers are used, and hang the
turkey on the front door to greet visitors with a message of gratitude. Make a
sign to accompany the turkey that says "Give thanks to the Lord for He is
good!" or simply "Be thankful!" or "We're thankful for you!" or whatever you
like.

Children love making construction paper chains. To further decorate the house
for Thanksgiving, let them make a paper chain in fall colors as one of their
holiday crafts. Using 9 by 12 inch construction paper, cut the paper in half
across the long side and cut the halves into one inch thick six inch long
strips. Use a stapler to attach the ends of the strip into a circle. Loop the
next strip into the circle and staple it. Continue the process alternating
colors of brown, red, yellow, and orange. When the chains are long, you can
drap them along the ceiling or stair rail. If you don't make the door turkey,
the children can write something they're thankful for on each strip of paper
before adding it to the chain.

Thanksgiving is too nice a holiday to let the other more commercial holidays
crowd it out. By making holiday crafts to decorate the home for Thanksgiving,
you can keep this day special, too. The extended family, aunts, uncles,
grandparents, etc., will be pleased to see the holiday crafts the young ones
have made to decorate the house and make it cheerful for their visit.

Bust Boredom with Kid Crafts

Have you ever heard those familiar words, "I'm bored," coming from the mouth of
your child? If so, then kid crafts are the answer. Provide the kids with craft
materials and boredom will be a thing of the past. Read on for ideas about kid
crafts.

Kid crafts essential materials include paper, crayons, safe scissors, and glue.
Paper for kid crafts can include construction paper, plain typing paper,
cardstock of various colors, and many other options. Even junk mail and old
magazines can make interesting art projects. Crayons are nice for younger
children, but the stores are now filled with other options, such as washable
dry-erase markers, watercolor pencils, and gel pens. Kid crafts supplies can
run into money, but even on a budget there are many possibilities.

Other materials kids can craft with include recycled junk and found objects. By
recycled junk, I'm referring to empty cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, cardboard
from packaging, plastic containers, and even tin cans. If you let kids craft
with tin cans, however, you need to make sure the open edge of the can doesn't
have any sharp edges. Simply file these off or squeeze them flat with a pair of
pliers.

Found objects include leaves, twigs, rocks, snakeskins, and other natural item
a child might find. Perhaps there is a sheep farm nearby. If so, wool scraps
can often be found stuck to the barbed wire fences. Any or all of these items
can be used in kid crafts.

One of the most fun and popular kid crafts is making a collage. Kids can glue
anything down when making a collage. Use heavy paper for the background, and
then let the creativity begin! For an extra challenge, a collage can be built
around a theme, like food, animals, or babies. Old magazines can be searched
for just the right pictures, which can be cut out and glued to the background.
The older child might wish to cut out details from magazine pictures and
reassemble them in new and interesting ways. They might cut out interesting
words and headlines and add them as well.

Younger kid crafts can include collages made of glued down pasta, beans,
popsicle sticks, leaves, and many other materials. Don't forget about glitter,
too. If the budget allows only a few kid crafts splurges, remember that kids of
all ages, particularly girls, really enjoy crafting artwork that includes
glitter. But whether your kids are boys or girls, young or older, suggest some
kid crafts the next time your kids are bored!

Hot Weather Fun: Summer Crafts for Kids

When boredom looms and the weather's hot, get everyone involved in summer
crafts for kids. Kids are always excited to be free from the school routine
when they are let out for summer break, but it isn't long until they start
wondering what to do. Summer crafts for kids will keep them occupied and maybe
even teach them a thing or two.

In summer, crafts for kids can involve found objects, like seed pods, grasses,
and similar objects. Let kids create nature collection collages by gluing these
items to a stiff piece of cardboard. Help them spray paint some of the findings
with silver or gold paint. Alternatively, they might like to glue glitter to
some of the findings. Perhaps they would also enjoy collecting wild flower seed
heads and creating dried flower arrangements. Arrange the bouquet in a homemade
vase.

A vase for summer bouquets, fresh or dried, is another craft that naturally
fits into the summer crafts for kids category. A simple vase can be made from a
tin can. Soup cans work particularly well because they are smooth on the outside
and rather narrow. Be sure to file off any sharp spurs on the inside opening.
Start the work of art by cutting a piece of construction paper or other colored
paper to fit around the sides of the can. This will be glued to the outside of
the can, but first it needs to be decorated.

The vase cover can be decorated in many ways. The child can draw a summer scene
on the paper and then decorate it with glued on glitter or small stickers of
summer things. Another idea is for the child to write their name in large
letters, and glue beans, seeds, or glitter to the letters. Let all glue dry
before attaching the paper to the outside of the can. Add water and fresh
flowers or leave dry for dry flowers.

You can also use the can for a trinket container or a place to put pens,
pencils, and markers. To make them real summer crafts for kids, glue grass seed
heads and found seed pods to the paper in a decorative way.

Jar vases make good summer crafts for kids, too. Canning jars make particularly
cute vases, but any cast off mayonnaise, pickle, or other jar, even plastic
ones, can work, too. To make a jar into a vase it first needs to be sparkling
clean. Kids love getting wet in the summer, so let them roll up their sleeves
(or put on a bathing suit!) and have fun splashing at the sink while "washing
dishes." When the jar is clean and dry, tie an attractive ribbon around the
opening. If desired, decorate the outside of the jar with glued on beads and
buttons.

Summer crafts for kids will provide some cute decorations around the home and
keep the kids from being bored. This summer, crafts for kids should be at the
top of every parent's To Do list!

A Wealth of Kid Hobby Ideas

Every young person needs a hobby. An interesting kid hobby will help children
learn as well as keep them entertained for hours. It might even help them stay
away from a bad peer group and stay out of trouble. Some kids might think of
video games or TV as an appropriate kid hobby, but most parents would like to
see their kids doing something more challenging or educational.

A good kid hobby is playing a musical instrument. The guitar can often be
self-taught from a book if a child has the interest, but for piano playing or
other instruments, you will probably have to invest in lessons. Practice is, of
course, an essential part of mastering any musical instrument.

Another type of kid hobby is pursuing an art or a craft. Kids can learn to
draw, paint, or make scrapbook pages. They can learn needle arts, such as
embroidery, sewing, knitting or crocheting. Beginning carpentry is a very
useful kid hobby that may turn into a career, or at least skills that will be
used for a lifetime. Tinkering around on gas engines or electronics is another
kid hobby that can lead to useful skills.

There are all sorts of things that kids might like to collect for a hobby. Some
of the more common collections are of stamps, coins, and rocks. Stamps are
interesting because they can be from many different countries, becoming a
geography lesson. Coins and stamps both are of historical significance, and
encourage reading to learn more about different eras in history. Rock
collecting as a kid hobby requires looking into science books.

Other collectibles include bean bag toys or figurines of a certain thing, such
as owls, frogs, or unicorns. Anything a child has an interest in can be
collected. If a kid is interested in dolphins, for instance, she may not only
collect dolphin figurines and posters, but also be motivated to read books
about dolphins.

Construction sets also make a good pastime for kids. Many people may think of
these only as toys, but children who have grown up with these sets and added
components to them down through the years can create some pretty impressive
models. They are also gaining skills in reasoning and perception as they build.

Making model, such as cars, boats, and airplanes, has always been a popular kid
hobby. If your child is interested in making models, be very encouraging in the
beginning. Model car kits can be very complicated and require a great deal of
precision. If your child's first few creations leave a little bit to be
desired, don't laugh or scold, or he is likely to never want to try to make
anything again! Get the easiest kit he is willing to make and then patiently
help him as much as needed.

Many kids enjoy sports, making any athletic activity a great kid hobby. Soccer,
basketball, and little league baseball all come to mind, but don't forget about
track and field events. Maybe your child would enjoy distance running or
gymnastics. An active kid hobby will help your child stay in shape as well as
make an interesting pastime.

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