tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11147985770291784642024-03-13T22:05:38.824-04:00Impawsible To ResistBlog about art, the hand crafted life, pets, knitting, crochet, jewellry, life, Etsy, reviews of Etsy shops and moreMauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-84448308691850534152010-10-12T13:15:00.000-04:002010-10-12T13:15:32.139-04:00Hot Dog Sweater in Treasury on EtsyYour favorite 4 paw will love the warmth of this machine washable/dry able 100% wool sweater. This adorable crocheted sweater can be custom made to fit your dog or cat. It is available in a wide variety of colour ways.<br />
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I've had the honour of having my sweater included in one of today's treasuries on Etsy! Head on over and check it out by clicking on the link here:<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cb46eca8c058eef93a0c112/handheld-delights">Go to Treaury</a>MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-85006545350117170252010-02-23T03:35:00.002-05:002010-02-23T03:37:06.761-05:00New Year, New LayoutA few months ago my layout went beserk. I'm not sure what went wrong but things just did not look right. So for 2010 I'm going for a new look. Please be patient as I destruct and reconstruct.<br /><br />Catch y'all later!MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-6122574019565943152009-12-30T11:00:00.001-05:002010-02-23T06:09:52.289-05:00A little morning ElliotOnly those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T S EliotMauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-81956554216569256762009-11-30T10:23:00.002-05:002010-02-23T06:10:54.549-05:00Bored? 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-42336905958927372602009-11-28T10:22:00.001-05:002010-02-23T06:11:45.475-05:00Sports Recreation: Relieve Stress and Have FunThe 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-68925134086163568482009-11-26T10:20:00.002-05:002010-02-23T06:12:17.074-05:00An Invigorating Family Past Time: Sports ActivitiesIf 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-62522158025699796752009-11-25T18:17:00.002-05:002010-02-23T06:13:39.562-05:00Japanese Geisha Christmas cardContinuing on with my search for the new and the different for the holidays this year I'd like to tell you about this beautiful card I found at The Kawaii Supply Shop <a href="http://www.vendio.com/stores/TheKawaiiSupplyShop/item/japanese-greeting-cards/fabulous-japanese-geisha-chris/lid=1472840">Click here to go to Geisha Christmas Card listing.</a><br /><br />If you are tired of the usual holiday offerings and want to add a touch of the exotic to your holiday card exchange you won't go wrong with this one. Isn't she gorgeous?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyjBIRlR4H9NoyUz1wv94Xe9T8wj0HJFkgGZoF63J6ubJf2Ugm7fhYZqP4MOzRnbyKTrEAz1jlR7u-3UCtthsHVzsM8lg1vTiHwJtvD-OblJseSLYIVk2M5F7FvTP_jS6CDQJ9taGtLU/s1600/geisha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyjBIRlR4H9NoyUz1wv94Xe9T8wj0HJFkgGZoF63J6ubJf2Ugm7fhYZqP4MOzRnbyKTrEAz1jlR7u-3UCtthsHVzsM8lg1vTiHwJtvD-OblJseSLYIVk2M5F7FvTP_jS6CDQJ9taGtLU/s320/geisha.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This card has a beautiful Geisha with Mtn Fuji in the back ground.<br /></div><br /><br />And on a separate piece of washi paper is printed<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for The New Year"</em><br /></div><br />Add a touch of the east to your holiday spirit this year.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-29204504902512852132009-11-24T10:19:00.001-05:002010-02-23T06:14:10.995-05:00A Favorite Past Time: Hobby Ideas You Will LikeWhat 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-57058614669174634322009-11-23T18:02:00.001-05:002010-02-23T06:14:38.769-05:00A Very Unique Kind of Christmas StickerMaking cards and gift tags for the holidays is an annual event at our house. Sometimes it isn't easy coming up with new ideas. We like to surprise friends and family with a new theme or style and spend a lot of time debating what that will be before we actually sit down and get to crafting.<br /><br />That's why when we were searching the web and nagging our friends for new ideas we were really excited to find these truly unique, at least to those of us in the west, glow in the dark stickers. <a href="http://www.vendio.com/stores/themagickalewe/item/kawaii-supplies/crux-natto-chan-epoxy-christma/lid=1472581">Glow in the Dark Natto Chan Christmas Stickers</a><br /><br />Now I'm a real fan of gadgety things and a sucker for glow in the dark anything so these stickers had me sold right off the bat. But they also feature a little anime type character that is part of the Kawaii fad in Japan. It is Natto Chan by Crux. Natto Chan and his friends are fermented soybeans (a Japanese delicacy). Yep, these happy little soybeans are cavorting around wearing Santa caps and other assorted Christmas or Yuletide themes.<br /><br />So Kawaii. So unique. So Now!!!<br /><br />I'll be pasting these stickers onto my holiday cards and gift tags as well as my parcels for posting. I'd like to see the face of the postal clerk when he/she sees the glowing Santa Soybean!!! (rofl)<br /><br />A limited supply of the glow in the dark Natto Chan Christmas stickers are available by clicking on the link above.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapDI42LjTL3dsS5AUP2mBdhKqhz689C9bn-HTL2kBzviRSoX_TtEKde-4W2cu2vs2KXUHenBfVXH4fLQq8fNiAeWS3zJP0iN9FJIKKEf9YNOqBNAFXzgnqMWsdnILNAE5Q_k9Z_rtyfM/s1600/glow+in+the+dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapDI42LjTL3dsS5AUP2mBdhKqhz689C9bn-HTL2kBzviRSoX_TtEKde-4W2cu2vs2KXUHenBfVXH4fLQq8fNiAeWS3zJP0iN9FJIKKEf9YNOqBNAFXzgnqMWsdnILNAE5Q_k9Z_rtyfM/s320/glow+in+the+dark.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div><br />Order early. Order right now. They ship from Canada and may take longer than you think is normal if they must cross the border at US customs.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-70999227081794159882009-11-22T10:17:00.001-05:002010-02-27T00:18:43.300-05:00A Wealth of Kid Hobby IdeasEvery 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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-25376059500550213722009-11-21T13:09:00.000-05:002009-11-21T13:09:00.173-05:00Rock Collecting: A Hobby that's "Hard" to ResistRock 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-58917637516604513092009-11-20T21:22:00.000-05:002010-01-26T21:23:17.082-05:00Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lSlgVvvcb8CQRA0QmZ4CgujiKQwhkMm4LwP2KsH6q2b-Y-LN8X9CzzI5Weup4utcgbExjaw2HtzxyvHiD15ALVxnLcnFO_BQcJ-RHatozomjKYwhx03v9LaYdUP8XDIXFM24uPUAiAtP/s1600/julevindu1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lSlgVvvcb8CQRA0QmZ4CgujiKQwhkMm4LwP2KsH6q2b-Y-LN8X9CzzI5Weup4utcgbExjaw2HtzxyvHiD15ALVxnLcnFO_BQcJ-RHatozomjKYwhx03v9LaYdUP8XDIXFM24uPUAiAtP/s320/julevindu1.gif" yr="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-89045910921047323832009-11-20T10:15:00.001-05:002009-11-20T18:00:06.095-05:00Returning to the Simple Joys of Home and Hobby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6DhDsukEPg_3OLWUav___3NqKf2XSjHah5l1HlNb4pJCDQqrpLKDz85I0J1wb0EyVgWC-0GRMiLMYb5oHg6SphOjBCrhXxic6P_cRP38NwJheUFm7cSF2TissM1ri_Jdvb-rUAdme0Y/s1600/cc808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6DhDsukEPg_3OLWUav___3NqKf2XSjHah5l1HlNb4pJCDQqrpLKDz85I0J1wb0EyVgWC-0GRMiLMYb5oHg6SphOjBCrhXxic6P_cRP38NwJheUFm7cSF2TissM1ri_Jdvb-rUAdme0Y/s320/cc808.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-19768957065388193842009-11-18T10:11:00.000-05:002009-11-18T10:11:00.238-05:00Pin Collecting: A Friendly ObsessionPins 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-52998171253394104442009-11-16T10:07:00.000-05:002009-11-16T10:07:00.911-05:00Civil War Bullet Collecting: A Hobby that Honors the PastDid 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-56656521904336146632009-11-14T10:05:00.001-05:002009-11-14T10:07:25.815-05:00Start an Art Collectible Hobby and Beautify Your HomeCollecting 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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-31536208097490757262009-11-13T17:11:00.000-05:002009-11-13T17:11:00.479-05:00James Kavanaugh (Sunshine Days and Foggy Nights)"I was born to find goblins in their caves / And chase moonlight / To see shadows and seek hidden rivers / To hear the rain fall on dry leaves / And chat a bit with death across foggy nights." <br />— James Kavanaugh (Sunshine Days and Foggy Nights)MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-52613693392692302642009-11-12T17:08:00.000-05:002009-11-12T17:08:00.437-05:00James Kavanaugh (There Are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves)"I played God today <br />And it was fun! <br />I made animals that men had never seen <br />So they would stop and scratch their heads <br />Instead of scowling. <br />I made words that men had never heard <br />So they would stop and stare at me <br />Instead of running. <br />And I made love that laughed <br />So men would giggle like children <br />Instead of sighing. <br />Tomorrow, perhaps, I won't be God <br />And you will know it <br />Because you won't see any three-headed cats <br />Or bushes with bells on... <br />I wish I could always play God <br />So that lonely men could laugh!"MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-23743720056953472482009-11-11T17:06:00.000-05:002009-11-11T17:07:48.853-05:00James Kavanaugh"Little world, full of scars and gashes, ripened with another's pain, <br />Your flowers feed on carrion--so do your birds; <br />Men feed on each other because you taught them life was cheap, <br />Flowing from your endless womb without pain or understanding. <br />No midwife caresses your flesh or bathes clean your progeny, <br />Life spurts from you, little world, <br />and you regard it with disdain. <br />Only bruised men sense your cruelty, <br />men whose life has lost its meaning." <br /><br />— James Kavanaugh (There Are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves)MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-30193735431277220882009-11-08T14:09:00.000-05:002009-11-08T14:10:36.639-05:00IfIF you can keep your head when all about you <br />Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,<br />If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,<br />But make allowance for their doubting too;<br />If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,<br />Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,<br />Or being hated, don't give way to hating,<br />And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:<br />If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;<br />If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;<br />If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster<br />And treat those two impostors just the same;<br />If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken<br />Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,<br />Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,<br />And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: <br /><br />If you can make one heap of all your winnings <br />And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,<br />And lose, and start again at your beginnings<br />And never breathe a word about your loss;<br />If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew<br />To serve your turn long after they are gone,<br />And so hold on when there is nothing in you<br />Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'<br /><br />If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,<br />' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,<br />if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,<br />If all men count with you, but none too much;<br />If you can fill the unforgiving minute<br />With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,<br />Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,<br />And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!<br /><br />Rudgyard KiplingMauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-37099801440060269562009-11-06T00:22:00.001-05:002009-11-06T00:24:57.212-05:00Don't QuitWhen things go wrong as they sometimes will,<br />When the road you're trudging is all up hill,<br />When the funds are low and the debts are high,<br />And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.<br /><br />When care is pressing you down a bit,<br />Rest if you must, but don't you quit.<br />Life is queer with its twists and turns,<br />As every one of us sometimes learn.<br /><br />And many a person turns about,<br />When they might have won had they stuck it out.<br />Often the struggler has given up,<br />When he might have captured the victor's cup.<br /><br />And he learned too late when the night came down,<br />How close he was to the golden crown,<br />Success is failure turned inside out,<br />You can't run away without a shout;<br />So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,<br />It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-6183088746185986732009-10-24T11:40:00.001-04:002009-10-24T11:40:00.108-04:00Simple Halloween treats you Can Make in MinutesHalloween is all about the treats. So, how can you make some fun treats at home that your little ones will love? It’s easier than you might think. <br /><br />Do you have some Halloween Cookie Cutters? That’s all you’ll need to make these first three fun and memorable Halloween treats. <br /><br />Terrifying Tortilla Chips: Start with some flour tortillas and spray a bit of canola oil on them. Sprinkle parmesan cheese or cinnamon and sugar on them. Then cut fun shapes out of the tortillas with a bat, ghost or pumpkin cookie cutter. Put the shapes into the oven for a crispy treat.<br /><br />Spooky sandwiches: Make your favorite sandwich. Peanut butter and jelly works just fine. Then, using a cookie cutter, press hard into the sandwich and you’ll get a spooky treat. If you use a pumpkin shape cookie cutter, add licorice or candy corn to make eyes and nose on a jack-o-lantern face.<br /><br />Creepy Cheese and Cold Cuts: Buy packaged cheese (the kind that you peel the plastic off). Also, buy some cold-cuts. Using a cookie cutter, make spooky shapes. Present the cheese and cold cuts on a platter as an appetizer – or have a sandwich smorgasbord and allow your guests to use the creepy cheese to make their own sandwiches.<br /><br />Here are a few more last-minute ideas for Halloween fun.<br /><br />Wicked Witch Fingers: Do you have some dough and almonds? Believe it or not, you can make witch fingers. Just stretch out the dough into a “finger-shape” including a knuckle. Then, take the almond and press it into the end to make the fingernail. You can experiment with different colors to make witch fingers creepier. “Paint” the fingernail with food coloring (grey or black is perfect), or make the dough a creepy green color. Oooh… spooky!<br /><br />Green Anything: Take your favorite foods and add a drop of green food coloring to them. Are you in the mood for French toast? Make it green. How about pudding? Make it green. You can even serve green milk with your cookies. You’ll be the coolest mom on the block.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-12086572711792244972009-10-23T11:55:00.000-04:002010-01-26T21:23:17.084-05:00How to Select Paint Brushes for Silk Painting<span id="dropcaps">W</span>hen painting, having the right kinds of brushes makes a world of difference. This is especially true for silk painting. Silk is a delicate fabric, and using the wrong brushes could have devastating effects. Besides that, the paints and dyes used on silk are very different from the paints used on canvas and other materials.<br /><br />Experienced and frequent silk painters often have a veritable arsenal of brushes. They have rounded brushes, flat brushes, thin brushes and flat brushes. Many are dedicated to a specific brand, and they often prefer those with animal hair as opposed to synthetic bristles. The brushes they use tend to be quite expensive.<br /><br />It's true that animal hair brushes offer certain advantages over synthetic ones. They have a softness that simply can't be reproduced with man-made materials. This allows them to soak up much more dye, making it easier to fill in areas large and small. It also makes them safer to use on fragile silk and silk blends. <br /><br />Many professional silk painters use sumi brushes with bamboo handles and goat hair bristles, which become stiffer in the center and soak up more liquid than regular brushes. Sumi brushes have been used by Chinese silk painters for centuries.<br /><br />But for beginners, it may not make sense to spend a lot of money on high-end silk painting brushes. Until you decide whether or not you want to do silk painting on a regular basis, it's probably best to use less expensive brushes. Synthetic watercolor brushes work reasonably well for silk painting. They may not hold as much paint or dye as natural ones, but they will not harm the silk. They should do fine for your first few projects.<br /><br /><strong>Foam Brushes</strong><br /><br />No silk painting brush collection is complete without some foam brushes. The larger ones work very nicely for coloring in large areas, and they're especially useful when applying fixatives and primers. You can also purchase smaller ones (which look similar to eye shadow applicators or cotton swabs) that are great for applying resist and creating details with silk paint.<br /><br />Foam brushes are usually very inexpensive. However, most of them must be replaced frequently. If you find them useful, it might be best to buy them in bulk.<br /><br />The sizes and types of brushes used by one silk painter might be completely different from those used by another. The brushes you'll need depend largely on your preferences and the techniques you use. Just remember that there is no one brush that will do everything you need to do. In order to be successful at silk painting, you'll need at least a few different sizes of brushes, and probably a couple of different types.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-46886188079563869342009-10-23T11:38:00.000-04:002009-10-23T11:38:00.442-04:00Fun Halloween Party IdeasThere are limitless ideas to the fun you can have at a Halloween party. Over the years, Halloween has grown into a sophisticated, adult celebration. Return to the fun kids had years ago with these basic but fun Halloween party ideas for kids.<br /><br />Apple bob – Fill a large tub with water and apples. Let kids take turns bobbing for apples.<br /><br />Costume contest – Once all your guests arrive at the party, take a vote on the best and scariest costumes. Add as many categories to your list as you want and hand out a grand prize to the best costume.<br /><br />Pin the nose on Jack ‘o Lantern – This is a spin-off version of the all-time favorite game among children. Make a huge Jack ‘o Lantern, leaving off his nose. Let kids take turns being blindfolded and pin (or tape) the nose on Jack.<br /><br />Pumpkin carving contest – Hold a pumpkin carving contest. See who can carve the funniest or silliest face into a pumpkin.<br /><br />Make a mask – Give younger kids at your Halloween party construction paper, round-ended scissors, markers and glue. Let them make their own face masks for the party. Punch a hole in both sides of the mask and tie string or tiny elastic on the mask.<br /><br />Guess how many seeds – Place counted pumpkin seeds in a large bowl or jar. Each party guest takes turns guessing how many pumpkin seeds there are. Whoever guesses closest to the correct numbers wins a prize.<br /><br /><br />Pumpkin seed spitting contest – Cut the top off a large pumpkin and remove the inside meat and seeds. Give each kid five seeds and see how many seeds they can spit into the pumpkin from a distance.MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114798577029178464.post-35947666607094298792009-10-22T11:52:00.000-04:002010-01-26T21:23:17.086-05:00Beginners' Silk Painting Projects for Children and Adults<span id="dropcaps">S</span>ilk painting is a unique and beautiful technique. Silk was once frequently used in paintings in the same manner in which canvas is used today. Using silk as the basis for a masterpiece is less common now, but silk may be used to create a wide variety of projects. Here are a few that are appropriate for beginner silk painters of all ages.<br /><br /><strong>Silk Scarves</strong><br /><br />The silk scarf is a luxurious accessory, and it makes a wonderful gift for almost any woman. And when it's painted by hand, it takes on an even more special meaning. A silk scarf is a great first project for those who would like to try their hand at silk painting.<br /><br />One of the great things about silk scarves is that they do not necessarily have to have an elaborate pattern. Dyes can be used to give them a tie dyed look. This is great news for newbies, because working with silk dyes and paints can be rather tricky at first. Simple abstract designs allow you to get a feel for how these mediums interact with silk without having to worry about precise detail.<br /><br /><strong>Shirts</strong><br /><br />Silk shirts may be larger than scarves, but they too look nice with less defined patterns. As long as you choose colors that complement each other, there's little chance of ruining the shirt. This is a good project to move on to once you've gained confidence with scarves.<br /><br /><strong>Suncatchers and Ornaments</strong><br /><br />Stained glass suncatchers add a touch of color to any home. But did you know that you can make suncatchers out of silk, too? You'll have to learn to use resist to keep colors in confined areas and apply dyes so that they are of the correct intensity, but with the small size of most suncatchers, you won't lose a lot of silk if you make a mistake.<br /><br />You can also make ornaments for Christmas and other occasions in much the same way you make suncatchers. You'll need little more than a small frame, some silk, dye or paint, and brushes. You can find kits to make these items at some craft stores, as well as online.<br /><br /><strong>Greeting Cards</strong><br /><br />Making silk-painted greeting cards requires some assembly, but otherwise it's as easy as painting a scarf. You can use resist to create some definition, or go abstract with dye only. Cards designed to hold painted silk usually feature a cutout of some sort of shape, so it's hard to go wrong.<br /><br />These projects are great for learning the basics of silk painting. And when they're complete, they make lovely gifts. If you love the look of painted silk, why not give one of them a try?MauBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514755950899188642noreply@blogger.com0