Kid's Crafts: Beach Frame Craft

Need a good way to display your favorite beach photo? Try making our beach frame craft! This frame is simple to make but looks fantastic on a mantel. This craft is also a great way to save and display special shells you found on your trip to the beach. With real sand and real seashells this beach frame craft is a great way to capture your summertime memories.

 What you'll need:

• Unfinished wooden frame (available at all craft stores)
• Seashells
• Light blue and brown paint
• White glue
• Hot glue gun
• Paint brushes
• Sand
• A favorite picture

How to make your Beach Frame Craft:

• Paint the top half of the picture frame light blue. Paint the bottom half of the frame light brown.
• Mix a little bit of white glue into the brown paint and paint it onto the brown portion of the frame very heavily. Sprinkle this area with sand quickly before the paint/glue dries.
• After the sand portion has dried, use a hot glue gun to attach the seashells to your frame. We found white glue was not strong enough to hold actual shells. Please do not let your children do this step unless they are old enough to respect the glue gun and are well supervised.
• Add your favorite photo!

Clothespin Table Vase

It’s so easy to create instant charm with ordinary clothespins! Here, a band, made by simply clipping the pins to the rim of a juice glass, mimics a small-scale corral, giving the bouquet on-the-spot country-chic appeal.

What you’ll need:
1 rubber band
1 glass tumbler (Perfect choices: a 10 to 12 oz. juice glass or double old-fashioned cocktail tumbler with straight sides)
1 1/2 dozen wooden spring-hinged clothespins
Spool of twine or thin ribbon

To do: Stretch the rubber band around the glass tumbler. Then slip the clothespins under the band until the glass is completely covered. Finish by tying on decorative twine or ribbon to hide the rubber band.

Tips for exercising in Summer heat

Summer is the perfect time to go outside and have fun. It's one of my favorite times of year because there are so many outdoor activities to choose from. Everything is more fun outside, whether you're swimming, running or cycling.

But the summer heat can be a problem if you're not careful, particularly in areas with extreme heat and humidity.

  After experiencing the Badwater Ultramarathon (a 135-mile run through Death Valley) and the Marathon des Sables (a six-day, 152-mile endurance race through the Sahara Desert), I've learned a few things about exercising in the heat.

For me, the biggest problems were staying hydrated and maintaining my body's electrolytes and salt. When you sweat, your body loses not only water, but electrolytes and salt, too. This delicate balance of water and electrolytes is crucial to keep your body functioning properly.

If you don't drink enough water, you can get dehydrated and suffer from light-headedness and nausea. If not recognized, dehydration can even result in kidney failure and or, in extreme cases, death. However, if you drink too much water without replenishing your electrolytes, you can experience hyponatremia. This can lead to confusion, nausea, muscle cramps, seizures or even death in extreme cases.

You may not be racing in the desert, but there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to exercising in the heat:

• The time of day is important. Unless you are training for an event that takes place in the daytime heat, avoid exercising from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's the hottest part of day. Generally, the early morning is the best time to workout, especially if it's going to be scorcher that day.
• Wear loose, light-colored. The lighter color will help reflect heat, and cotton material will help the evaporation of sweat. You may also want to try specially designed, "hi-tech" running shirts and shorts. They are often made from material meant to keep you cool.
• Sunscreen is a must. I use SPF 45 just to be safe. It's important to protect your skin. You can get burned and suffer sun damage to your skin even on cloudy days.
• Stay hydrated. Before you go out, drink a glass or two of water. Carry a bottle of water or even a hydration pack such as the CamelBak. Take a drink every 15 minutes, even when you're not thirsty. When you're done with your workout, have a few more glasses of water.
• Replenish your electrolyte and salt intake while exercising. I like to use SUCCEED capsules--small, simple packs of sodium and electrolytes that keep my system in check.
• If you can, choose shaded trails or pathways that keep you out of the sun.
• Check the weather forecast before you start your workout. If there's a heat advisory, meaning high ozone and air pollution, you might want to take your workout indoors. These pollutants can damage your lungs.
• Most importantly, listen to your body. Stop immediately if you're feeling dizzy, faint or nauseous.

Posy Greeting Card

Show your love with a simple-to-craft handmade greeting that boasts the 3-D artistic appeal of high-end cards for pennies a piece!

What you’ll need:
Two 2” x 10” rectangles of recycled gift wrap or scrapbook paper
Optional: Two 2 1/2" x 10" rectangles of tissue paper
Transparent tape
Hot glue
1 piece of cardstock (6" x 10" or larger) folded in half
1 button
1 green marker
2 leaves cut from more recycled gift wrap or scrap paper and folded in half

To do: Start by accordion-folding the two pieces of gift wrap or scrapbook paper. Then fan them out and tape them together to make a flower. (Optional: For a double layer of petals, fold the two pieces of tissue paper in the same way and tape them together. Then layer the tissue paper florette under the other one and attach them together with hot glue.) Next, use a dab of hot glue to attach the flower to the front of the folded piece of cardstock. Then glue the button to the center. Use the marker to draw on a stem and glue the paper leaves in place.

Fun items I have found recently

 

Obsessed with baskets right now because I have stumbled across some neat ones lately. The above one is a vintage basket made to resemble a deer. It is very finely woven and has nice detail. It was made by Shanghai Handicrafts in 1970's.

 

 

 

I love the little tail! I don't want to put this in the store and sell this, It is so cute I want to keep it for myself!

 

This basket is made from abaca manila hemp from the phillippines. It was made sometimes in the 50's. It is in open tatting style. They used to make this type of basket over a thin metal frame which makes it look  dainty and delicate.

Seashell Basket

This basket weaved with very light pink, very light purple and a light tan color. It was difficult to get the colors to show up in the photo. You can only see them a little.

 

 If I had a beach themed bathroom or bedroom I would use this in them. In the bathroom with rolled washclothes and in the bedroom for keeping my eyeglasses in. At least I could find them in this seashell!

 

Check out my other vintage baskets: 

 CardsAndAntiques.etsy.com

What your favorite season says about you!

Whether you love snow or your daydreaming about a tropical beach the season that you like the most can give instant insight into your personality. I've been studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and there are actually five seasons to choose from: spring, summer, late summer, autumn and winter. Each having special energy that matches your own. See what your favorite season reveals.



Long for Spring?
You're powerful

In holistic arts spring is the season associated with the element of wood, flexibility and deepening roots. Think of how a tree grows up and out while the roots grow deep into the ground. If you are drawn to this season, you're a  high powered individual who has the ability to branch out from anything that is holding you back, and once you've set your mind to something, you're unstoppable. But you're not one to forget your foundation of family and friends(roots) you cherish them above all else.

Dream about Summer?

You're passionate 

If you see yourself as a summer person, you have an abundance of energy. You greet anything that comes your way with enthusiasm and are always eager to push the limits. Even though your fun loving and vivacious, you're also a force to be reckoned with. You know how to get results and enthusiastically pursue your goals.

 

 

Yearn for Late Summer?

You're grounded

Those who feel best during those warm days leading to autumn are calm, self aware souls. The fifth season, in holistic arts, Late summer is linked to earth, the soil and a sense of groundedness.These folks are also mindful of their actions and have the abilityto use positive thoughts and behaviors to overcome negative situations.

 

 

Happiest in Fall?

You're strong and balanced

 

Autmun people have a cool energy and are known for their serenity and strength. It is in their nature to take things slow and think things through before making a move. This allows them to let go of things that are detrimental to their well being.

 

 

Drawn to winter?

You're creative

If you love crackling fires and frosty weatherit means you are inventive since the winter season is assoociated with right brain or artistic energy. You love to embrace new ways of thinking which inspires others to use their imagination and see things from a fresh perspective.

 

 

 

Window Boxes are picture perfect

   

 If your making your first attempt at developing a green thumb, try your hand at a signature cottage delight—the window box. Bright blooms and cascading greens are the perfect way to welcome Spring. I have put together a picture page of ideas to get your creative green thumb growing.



If bright colors don't work with the exterior of your home, flowers in muted colors can look quite elegant. Choose a high quality potting soil for your planters and replace it annually.
 


Remember to take into account the color of your home.This home (below) without a window box looks dull. These flowers and colors really brighten up an otherwise  dull grey brick home.  Cascading and trailing plants add additional dimension to your arrangement. A window box with gorgeous cascading blooms and bright greens also adds gorgeous curbside appeal.



                             Utilizing plants of varying heights can add depth and will make each plant
                                 more visible within the planter. By layering tall plants behind those that
                                                      thrive close to the soil, you can   
                                           easily create an expertly arranged container.

Window boxes offer a wide array of appeal in their flexibility. They add instant personality to the home and invite color and sweet fragrance indoors with the opening of a window. Whether neat and uniform or lush and overflowing, the addition of a window box cheerfully welcomes spring and brings some cottage charm to the home.