Archive for October, 2009
With Halloween approaching, it may be time to explore the aspects of facepainting. It seems as if all kids love to have their faces painted – not only at Halloween, but on any occasion which comes along.
At Halloween especially, when your children are out ‘trick or treating’ and perhaps crossing busy streets, consider the safety issue. Rather than wearing a face mask, having their faces painted allows them more visibility to observe their surroundings.
An important fact to be aware of when painting your child’s face is that one cannot use just any paint for this process. Just as there have been specific paints created for other specific applications, there are very special paints made for face painting. Be sure that you purchase these paints or check that the person painting your child’s face is using these paints in order to avoid allergic reactions.
Facepainting booths are popular, not just on Halloween, but at carnivals, fairs, birthday parties, and anywhere kids and adolescents gather. Perhaps you may want to venture out into this fun field and set up your own facepainting booth at these affairs.
It’s something to consider — and could be fun and profitable too!
It’s often said that idle hands do the devil’s work, and there’s no better way to increase the skill and dexterity in your fingers than by folding paper into intricate designs. The ancient art of origami began in China around 100 AD. While paper cranes and flowers are just a couple of the most popular origami staples, the possibilities are virtually endless. Much about the end result is determined by the size and thickness of the paper.
Origami for kids can teach patience – a real virtue that will serve them well when pursuing other hobbies or just dealing with people on a day-to-day basis. It’s also beneficial for children to learn how to handle an incorrect fold – will they crumple the paper into a ball out of frustration, or patiently smooth out the crease and try again? Fingernails should be trimmed short so as not to break, but not so short that one cannot make an effective crease.
Quilts are a labor of love. They are very time and labor intensive, and quilt making is a hard-learned skill. The end result, however, is a stunningly beautiful display. And because a quilt is so much hard work, they can serve as a meaningful and personal gift.
For graduations, milestone birthdays, weddings, or other significant events, a quilt can be the perfect, personal gesture.
Because the quilter has so much leeway within the framework, pick quilt fabric and patterns that suit the receiver. Utilize favorite colors, hobbies, or experiences as inspiration, and the recipient is sure to treasure the gift.
And even beyond that, it is the kind of item that is special enough to be passed down through a family line. If the highest quality materials are used, the care and attention of construction are sure to make the blanket last for years to come.
If you’re dealing with an abundance of stress due to work, family or some other source, it can be beneficial to find a hobby that can clear your head. Recently I’ve thrown myself into the world of stamp collecting – known in stamp circles as philately. To be more precise, philately is the study of stamps. You might find it hard to believe, but many people enjoy simply gazing at the intricate designs on stamps or appreciating them for their historical value without actually owning them.
But I prefer to collect and display my own. I keep my stamps in meticulously sorted albums classified by country. All the stamp collecting supplies I really need to pursue my passion are an empty album with adhesive paper and a magnifying glass. I’m always keeping a lookout in newspapers and online forums for any stamp shows or conventions that might be coming to town.