Craft Stew

Several years ago, I wrote a post listing my favorite online reads. I love to hear about what my favorite bloggers read online,  so I assumed such an article would be of interest to my readers, also.

Since that time, my choices for reading have changed a lot.  In general, my  reading  has been pruned down,  but there are a couple of additions. So, here is my new, updated list.  Hope you enjoy!

Crafts

• Crafty Pod - Why? Wonderful podcasts on a wide variety of crafty topics.
• How About Orange - Why? Super classy blog with lots of very doable projects and great resources.
• Little Grey Bungalow - Why? Lots of posts on retro living, vintage sewing patterns and forgotten crafting styles.   

Homemaking

• Unclutterer – Why? Lots of good advise and links on living a simple life in a small space. Not just a rehash of the same old advise.  

Frugality

• The Simple Dollar - Why? Because he doesn’t just recycle the usual trite money saving suggestions. He actually thinks things through before writing about them.

Board Games

• Print And Play Podcast Blog - Why? Reviews of print and play games. (Only updates a few times a month)
• Board Game Geek - Why? Anything and everything you could possibly want to know about buying, making and playing board games.  

Cooking

• Cheap Healthy Good - Why? I read this blog primarily for the constant stream of great links.  
• Jewish Food List - Why? Simple, down-to-earth recipes for folks short on time.   

Blogging

• ProBlogger - Why? Darren is the cream of online blogging resources.

Other

• TED - Why? Hundreds of stimulating lectures and videos on a wide range of topics.  

Read More : Good Reads

Almost every project I do has some creative part of myself in it. Even on a needlepoint from a kit, I change the colors, the stitches and sometimes the size. On a scrapbook or cardmaking project, I make sure every aspect of the project is unique.

But what happens when creativity just won’t come? 

In 10 Tips To Avoid A Creative Block, Jacques van Heerden deals with this problem. Though the methods written about in the article are for graphic designers, anyway can benefit from the ideas. For instance…..

Looking through designs that were created by other people is usually a great inspiration too. People around the world has gone about setting up Inspirational Galleries for us to visit and view masses of art on the same website, saving us time and effort. I recommend visiting Inspirational Design Galleries as a hobby day to day too, keeping you up to date with the design trends.

Take a look at this interesting article. It’s a quick read, and it may come in handy one day.

Read More : Good Reads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description : Lots of great ideas to help you Organize Your Craft Supplies.  I love this idea of using a floss container to organize ribbons.

Craft Link : Organize Your Craft Supplies

Source : Everything Etsy

Read More : Good Reads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In today’s  bustling world, taking the time for deliberate  relaxation has become a modern day necessity.  Between work, family life, and other responsibilities,  the average person spends his day going from difficult situation to even more difficult situation. Crafting  provides  a great way to break out from this routine and de-stress for a little while. 

Here are 10 reasons crafting is good for your mental health:

1. Crafting focuses our minds on a productive activity.

2. Crafting allows  our stressful energy to be released through our hands in creative ways.

3. Crafting provides  an outlet for creative problem solving, which creates the  flexibility that is an essential element of stress  reduction

4. Crafting, like any  focused activity, creates a mild trance state which is
highly conducive to relaxation and letting go of  stress.

5. Crafting gives us  time in our busy lives in which we can reconnect with ourselves.

6. Crafting is fun; and fun  things reduce  stress.

7. Crafting creates  a time in which we are free from worries (about time, money,  relationships, and the many other things we tend to worry
about).

8. Crafting keeps us  productive and when we’re productive we stress
less.

9. Crafting is a great get-a-way without having to go  anywhere.

10. Crafting is something we can do for ourselves (a self-care activity),
and doing for ourselves (self-care activities) reduces  stress.

So, the next time the stress becomes overwhelming, consider skipping the beer and chocolate, and reaching for the knitting instead!

 Ben Klempner, LMSW, founder and  editor of Effective Family Communication,  is a trained social worker. Please visit  his blog at: http://www.EffectiveFamilyCommunication.com

Note: Yes, I know this article is off topic. Nonetheless, I’m posting it anyway, for all those desperate mothers out there!

Looking for some cheap and educational activities this summer? Need something to occupy your kids before they destroy your house? Here a couple of quick and easy ways to keep both you and them satisfied.

Start with your library.

Libraries often have wonderful music, nature and reading programs running from June through August. Most of the programs are free but they do require you to reserve a place ahead of time, so call early to avoid a last minute disappointment.

Next, work your way over to the book section. Try to see if you can revive your children’s interest in Harry Potter.  If not, dig into some good mysteries, historical fiction and how-to books instead.

Then, see what’s available in the crafts section. Our local library has half a dozen books on making “treasure from trash.” Also search for titles on dough crafts, paper crafts and scrap fabric crafts.

Before you leave, be sure to read the “what’s happening” section of your local newspaper. Most big cities have free outdoor concerts, puppet shows and art fairs throughout the summer months. See what’s in your neck of the woods.

Other Suggestions To Share With Your Kids:

Write to an email pen pal

Keep a nature journal of your own backyard

Make nature crafts – painted rock, wreathes, dried flowers

Design a quiz-type game show on history

Study cartooning

Build from cardboard

Cook an authentic Chinese dinner

Keep a diary

Create a historically accurate diorama from scrap materials

Read, read, read

Arrange a neighborhood yard sale

Get a job walking dogs, cleaning or doing errands for a neighbor

Make a food pyramid from old magazines

Learn to comparison shop for groceries

Plant a vegetable garden

Draw original mazes

Create a birthday card

Design a web page

Make a quilt from recycled materials

Volunteer at the library

Invent something

Observe your pet and record your findings

Grow an indoor terrarium

Learn origami

Learn a foreign language

Build with scrap materials

Make your own holiday presents

Compose new, science-based lyrics for popular tunes

Participate in online projects

Write a script for a puppet show

Learn to use a word processor

Attend local museums on free days

Learn to sew

Design a variation on the game checkers

Borrow educational videos off the internet.

Participate in a nature scavenger hunt

Learn to paint with watercolors

Practice cake decorating

Obedience train your dog

Create paper mache bowls from old newspapers

Make handmade paper

Buy and learn to play the recorder or harmonica

Enter all kinds of contests

Solve word problems

Make and observe a bird feeder

Play scrabble and other board games

Do low cost science projects

Give several of these activities a try.  If your child doesn’t enjoy one activity, suggest another one instead.  But, if you find that all your child wants to do is sit and veg out, let him make that choice.  He may need the time to relax and, after all, it is summer.