Wood
Lightly sand any rough spots. Fill rough spots and holes with wood filler and then sand. Wipe with a damp sponge. If you want a stained background, use a water-soluble, alcohol-based wood stain. You may need to seal the wood.

You can apply your cutout directly onto untreated wood, but it’s better to apply a sealer. Before sanding wood paint a base coat first as the water-based paint lifts the fibers of wood way from the surface so when you sand the paint the fibers are easily removed. The first coat of paint highlights imperfections that you can correct with filler.

When using a wood base, remember that oil and water don’t mix. The most common decoupage glazes are water-based and won’t adhere properly to wood that has been stained with an oil-based stain.

If you’ve stained wood with an oil-based stain, you need to seal it with an oil-based sealer. If you want to decoupage a piece of old furniture and aren’t sure of the finish, find an inconspicuous spot to test your glaze.

Glass
Wash your glass item with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and wipe dry. Wipe the surface with rubbing alcohol or vinegar and allow to dry before working on the surface. Don’t touch the surface once it has been cleaned as oil from fingers can cause your images to not seal properly.

You need to be extra careful to remove any excess glue from the glass surface, once your prints are applied. It's also very important to work on a clean surface. When using PVA glue on glass, add a drop of glycerin to prolong the drying time. Once you have applied your cutout to the glass surface and allowed the glue to dry, you can remove any glue by wiping the glass with a window cleaner. Don’t apply glue to the image, only to the glass. Don’t worry about leaving too much glue between the glass and the image as it will dry clear. The more glue you work with, the easier it is to get rid of bubbles. Similarly, it’s ok to leave a thin film of glue both on the glass and the back of the image.

Spray a small amount on a damp sponge or cloth and remove any excess glue from the glass. Cotton swabs work well to remove glue from small areas.

Plastic
To decoupage on plastic, you need to roughen the plastic first with sandpaper. This will give it some tooth with which to grab and provide a tight seal. You will need to allow extra drying and extra curing time than with other surfaces. Dry to the touch isn’t enough. Lightly press your finger in an area that won’t show to test it if possible. If not, allow several days for drying to be on the safe side. Keep the object protected against dust while it’s drying.

When shopping for quilt fabric there are a number of things which you must take into consideration in order to ensure that you get the best fabric possible. So where can you buy good quilt fabric?

The best place to purchase fabric for quilting is a quilt store as they will specialize in the right type of material. But although you may discover that purchasing from these stores can be expensive there are ways in which you can purchase it at a much cheaper price. It's always worth waiting for sales and then stocking up. Buying remnants or offcuts can also save you money.

The fabric which most quilters prefer to use is 100% cotton as it is made from natural fibers and so is much easier to sew and iron. Plus this type of material is less likely to fray than other blended fabrics. The most common types of cotton fabric used in quilting are calico, muslin or broadcloth.

Plus as well as being easy to work with, the cotton sticks together whilst you are sewing each piece. Whereas fabrics such as polyester tend to slip so they often need to be pinned or basted or you will find your patches become uneven.

Cotton also has a little bit of give in it but synthetic materials do not, so cotton allows you to pull and tug at the material a little bit more than usual. Plus it allows you to bunch up the material where needed in order to make sure that the seams match and that all the corners on your quilt are square.

Cotton is a natural fabric which means it breathes and this will then allow air to circulate freely around the quilt but will also help to capture warmth.

Another reason why cotton fabric is the preferred choice of quilters is that it is able to take dyes much better. This then allows you a wider range of vibrant colors to use. This then results in the patterns that a quilter produces having more depth and a sense of individuality about them.

Now we come on to the final reason as to why cotton is the quilt fabric choice of many quilters. It is durable and so is able to not only stand the tests of time, but can be constantly used without causing too much alteration to the quilt. It will look just as good as when it was first made.

Coin collecting may not be a passive hobby as some might think. The hobby requires delicate attention to detail and proper handling of valuable coins. So how does one handle and maintain a coin collection properly?

Touching Coins

Handing coins can have an effect on the coin’s condition. It’s important to consider carefully how you touch your coins. The fingers contain bodily oils and grit that might affect the coin’s color or cause scratches on the coin’s face. In fact, excessive touching may cause it to discolor. To be sure that you handle coins properly, wear latex gloves. Another safe practice would be to handle the coin on the edges since you won’t affect the front and back parts of the coin.

Breaking the holder or container would not be a good practice for coin collecting. By doing so, you’ll decrease the value of the coin from a mint-issue package. If a minted coin has a holder, then the container is part of the set - meaning it’s intended to be intact. Breaking it would make it less valuable.

Constant coin handling will ultimately diminish the value as well. If you have to touch the coin, it’s best to wash your hand thoroughly. In addition, make sure that you don’t put the coin on a hard surface. Placing the coin on such a surface could cause scratches on the item’s surface.

Temperature and Humidity

Coins for collecting should be placed in an area that is as close to room temperature. Coins in a damp or cold basement or in a hot attic will cause coins to oxidize and ultimately age. Rooms that are dry should be what you should seek to store coins. Moreover, storing the coins in the basement or attic will expose the collectibles to an environment that will break down the storage containers.

Coin storage

Storage is also a very important part of coin collecting maintenance. Find containers or plastic pockets that protect the coin from the elements. Some you can find available in sheets at a hobby or coin collector shop.

Cleaning Coins

You should seriously weigh the benefits and disadvantages of cleaning coins. Sometimes cleaning or polishing a coin is not the right thing to do, especially if the coin is in a packaged container. If the coin becomes exposed to air, the metal may oxidize or lose it’s toning.

Do not use metal cleaners to clean the collectibles. Doing so will also have damaging consequences such as discoloring.

However, if washing is a must, make sure you wash your hands with soap to remove oil or grit. You can then apply a soapy bath for the coins in a small container. Look for a plastic container since hard surface containers like glass might affect the coin properties. Gently rub the sides of the coins once it’s in the bath. When you complete cleaning, dry the coin with a soft towel.

Coin collecting is a hobby that one should be careful in maintaining the assets. Not applying careful coin handling techniques could seriously affect the value of the coins. There are plenty of resources to help you get started with coin handling and care.

Embroidery is one of the most interesting crafts that you can do at home and it has been enjoyed for a long time. Instead of it becoming a form of old art, it is still very popular. There have been some major things that have happened with technology that have changed and improved embroidery as an art form. Instead of having to use your hands to slowly create easy designs, the use of digital machines for embroidery, save time and money with this craft.

There are very few people that like the basic traditional way of creating embroidery designs by hand. Instead of using a machine to be the only way to create designs, they prefer to be creative with some of their own patterns. Hand embroidery gives them this option because when you are using a machine, you are depending on the digital machine and what it can do. This removes the user’s creativity because many of the designs are already in the computer.

Hand embroidery is harder to create and it takes up a large amount of time for completion. Otherwise, it would also need crystal clear eyesight and coordination for using the thread and cloth. It would also take a large amount of patience and creative ideas because the sewer would have to use their imagination for the designs. In the crowd of the kind of hand designs you can choose from, ribbon, canvas, lace, and cross-stitch exist.

Many years’ ages, the ribbon and lace embroidery was created a lot to bring about a floral embroidery design. This was an excellent pick for those who were beginners in the world of embroidering by hand because it was simple to learn compared to the other methods.

The cross-stitch has been the major and the most popular type of hand embroidering. This offers the sewer a larger amount of designs to pick from. It is also simple but it is intricate work in counting the amount of stitches and the many colors that are needed to give you the right design. In the use of canvas, the creator would use yarn and fabric to make many unique designs. It is not a good idea for beginners to start with canvas work because it needs a large amount of skills and experience.

It does not matter which embroidery type you pick, hand embroidery can give you a feeling of confidence in your designs because they are yours only. You can be creative and use your imagination in ways you could not before.

When Barbie strolled onto the world of dolls in 1959, everybody knew it will change the doll scene forever. Since Mattel introduced her, more and more girls all over the world fell in love with the most popular and lovable creation. Aside from the dolls itself, Barbie and everything about her became quite a hit to so many endeared markets—especially her long-standing relationship with Ken Carson.

UNFOLDING BARBIE AND KEN'S JOURNEY

After the introduction of Barbie in 1959, the creators of the world's most-loved doll decided to give her a companion in the form of Ken in 1961. Barbie and Ken, who was created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Inc. were named after the creator's daughter and son. Since their introduction as a couple, Barbie and Ken have been known to have on-and-off relationship.

The loves story of the two plastic dolls started when Barbie met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961. since their first meeting, the couple has and been inseparable ever since. Through the years, the couple's fans around the world followed their "perfect" love story. Everybody hoped that the two would end up together but the possibility was thrown into flames when the two decided to part ways in 2004.

After 43 years of being together, the world's most famous couple in the doll scene has decided to end up their affair but claims it's only temporary. Like the break ups of famous couples in Hollywood, the break up of Barbie and Ken was big news.

According to Mattel vice president of Marketing Russell Arons, the plastic couple's "business manager," the break up stemmed from the fact that the couple wanted to spend quality time apart. And though their romance came to an end, the pretty ex-couple continued to friends. According to the news, the relationship ended because of the overwhelming pressure of always being scrutinized by public eye.

Others say that Ken's vague sexuality and Barbie's disproportionate figure may have finally taken their toll between the two. While other suspect that Barbie's career and popularity over Ken's must have been the real issue between their differences. But, Barbie fans insist that Ken's refusal of tying the knot with the world's most popular fashion doll might have pulled the trigger and ended up the couple's romance.

Despite the rumors spreading about the couple's break up, Mattel assures that the status of the dolls' relationship is temporary, thus, their relationship can be revived again.

Quilting is an amazing art that has been around for centuries. You probably have warm memories of curling up wit a homemade quilt when you were a small child. It will have given you comfort and security, but I am willing to bet that one of your ancestors actually spent hours, days and even weeks putting that together. Quilting is a hobby that emerged out of necessity but has been passed down through the years as a hobby now instead. We have no real need for it because there are now manufactured quilts readily available, but none of them have the same value as one made via your own quilting hand!

Quilting In The Modern Day Context

If you have ever gone through an old cupboard and found a beautiful old hand made quilt then you will know the sentimental value that they offer. Quilting may have produced some of the most valuable pieces of your family’s history and some families even pass old quilts down through the generations. Your great grandmother probably made a quilt that has been passed down to your grandmother, your mother and finally you. You will then pass it on to your daughter to continue the trend. Quilting is an old art and you may never be able to replicate the old beauty of pieces like that, but you can enjoy them!

Quilting pieces are a few of the items that do tend to be passed down from generation to generation without fail. There are very few heirlooms like this that get lost or damaged because the sentimental value behind them is just too much. The hours that have been poured into it give it a majestic quality that seems to radiate from the piece with ease. Quilting is a common resting place for a baby as well. Quilting pieces are often given to newborns as a birth or christening present. As a result, we are more likely to remember them as adults and act accordingly, treasuring them and guarding them with our lives in some cases.

The Sentimental Value Of Quilting

If you have ever had even a slight urge to learn quilting then you should go ahead with it. The quilts that you make can be passed down through the next generations of your family, just as your maternal ancestors have passed their down to you. It should be an ongoing tradition that families take part in. Your children will undoubtedly thank you for it.

For many years people have conveyed their emotions, best wishes, greetings and congratulations using cards.

The Victorians were especially fond of sending cards and notes to each other and it was around this time that the postcard really began to be the done thing to send when one was on their holidays. This tradition is still prevalent today and it is not uncommon for people to say 'do not forget to send a postcard' when waving their friends and loved ones away on the holidays.

Many industries and sectors have over the last twenty or thirty years fell victim to the digital age resulting in many people losing there jobs through automated processes and newer more exciting media.

Despite e-cards, texts and various other electronic would be replacements to sending a card, there is nothing quite like hearing the letter box clank and a greeting card landing on the door mat.

Perhaps it is the tangible nature of a traditional card or the fact you know someone has taken the time to sit and make the card or at the very least taken time to consider the right card in a shop that makes it feel all the more appreciated. Receiving a text or e-card is all very nice but somehow it does not feel as personal or warm as receiving a card through the post.

So it would seem the simple card is here to stay having seen off the technological advance and I for one am glad of it as flicking through fifty Christmas e-cards on your computer is not quite the same as having them on the mantelpiece for all to see or as decorations on the walls.

There are many occasions where a card is the best way to convey your thoughts and feelings and probably the most common is a birthday card. Whilst is it perfectly acceptable to buy a card from a shop and there are some very nice cards to buy it is so much better to make a card.

A hand made card not only shows that you have taken your own time to make someone happy and let them know how you feel about them but you can also create a bespoke card for the individual concerned.

For instance, if you are sending a birthday card to a twelve year old boy who is particularly interested in a football team most people have never heard of you will be hard pressed top find a card with the team on it. The beauty of making a card is that you can have specific detail on it including the team and even their favourite player.

There is nothing like a hand made personal card to put a smile on peoples faces whether it is their birthday, your valentine or just to say thank you.

One of the more fun aspects of model railroading is planning and executing the scenery and landscaping that your track and engines will meander through – for some it is almost like playing God in that you can decide and create on any scene you desire.

From fanciful hobbit themes, alien worlds or realistic recreations there is nothing that you cannot create and display, all it takes is a plan, some materials, a little skill and some time.

First and foremost you need a plan or at least a concept.

- Do you want to duplicate an existing landscape?
- Do you want a faithful historical recreation of a place now lost in time?
- Are you more inclined to creating a never-before seen or unlikely scenario to wow the masses?

Making a choice on one theme for your layout and staying true to that theme is perhaps the most important keys to success. If you change your methods and style in the middle of your landscape the result will be inconsistencies that will detract from the overall impression you are trying to form.

Ideally those you invite to view your work will see a delightful scene and the harder they look the more detail enforcing that scene they will find. Nothing is more enjoyable then hearing those delighted squeals as a viewer notices ever more subtle details as they come closer and closer … and the key to that is consistency.

Once you have a plan for the theme you need to decide on track placement and terrain. Many modelers create the terrain and then try to force the track to follow through that, just as occurs in real life – but one of the advantages of modeling vs. real life is that you can consider all aspects and requirements up front. If you know you will have a bend or a switch at certain points why design rough terrain that you will then try to overcome with 'grading' in your models at those points?

Next you should collect your materials – some items you can find around the house, others you may wish to purchase from dealers such as www.oakridgehobbies.com and www.jttmicroscale.com or your local hobby shop but always stay true to your plan. Just because you find an amazing little miniature you long to use doesn't mean it belongs in this model! Common materials you will need include:

1. Tables or Stands
2. Plywood (preferably ¾” outdoor grade) for base if using stands
3. Glues
4. Twigs, 'dirt' gravel, crushed or powdered stones, herbs etc. for plants and groundcover
5. Paints of various kinds for touch-up, covering the base and backgrounds etc.
6. Poster board, wax paper, aluminum foil, tissues etc. for texturing and shaping
7. Styrofoam blocks and sheets for shaping

Optional items you may wish to use include:

8. Plaster of Paris and / or fiberglass
9. Talcum powder, pepper and salt, cayenne pepper – for texturing and colorants
10. Corkboard and cork 'paper'
11. Roof repair tar (for road surfaces etc.)
12. Paintable caulks and adhesives for securing items in place

This fancy named rule has stuck in our home for a few years now. No Electronics Monday! Have you ever heard of such a thing? This is the law in my house on Mondays. My kids are 10, 14 & 18. Although my 18 year old is on the verge of not really being happy with NEM anymore. For the most part this rule seems to fit into our family life quite nicely. As a result of this law in our house my kids showed an appreciation for the 'other' activities that they could keep busy with.

You could try it- it works for us. The past few years it stuck and now sometimes my kids remind ME that today is the day they will not turn on the TV; play on the computer or play X-Box. Even their teachers in school raised their eyebrows when they heard there was absolutely no television, no gameboy and no playing on the computer for a full day. How is that possible?

This may be a little extreme but I think my kids are actually proud of our family rule. My youngest son had even thanked me when he said he liked doing something different and played with his Legos and Lincoln Logs. Sometimes we will go to the library or visit the local book store to see whats new to read.

My husband also likes to get in on the action and keep the kids busy. There is always something outside the kiddies can do. One fun and educational adventure can be metal detecting - this could last all day if an area is available for exploring.

I myself am a mother and an artist. My children like to join me when I paint pictures or any type of crafts. In our house there is an abundance of unpainted wood items that we cut from our scroll saw so there is always something to paint and get creative with. I always have a great number of assorted acrylic paints on hand along with good quality brushes. My kids - as well as myself have fun making painted items and we can give them as gifts or sell at local craft shows.

My child's first creation with scroll cut wood piece is displayed as a reminder of how advanced he had become after painting numerous items.

Achievement for him when he showed it on his face; was truly a priceless thing. Creating and making something with your hands builds confidence and gives great satisfaction! One can complete a wonderful and amazing craft - all without a computer.

We have lots of room to create our projects. I made a special area to work in so the supplies and materials are ready to go whenever the creative urge hits. Kids can have fun, do different things and keeping the creative juices flowing - all without a computer.

Crocheting is a rewarding and popular activity that requires a certain amount of creativity. There are many areas of crocheting to learn and even those who are experienced in crocheting may not have knowledge in certain aspects. Crochet magazines are excellent sources of patterns, tips, ideas and general providers of information regarding the topic. Many people purchase crochet magazines because they are looking for a certain type of pattern or else because they need tips on how to perfect their skill. As beginners progress, they may rely on crochet magazines to further them along with more complicated designs and works. From scarves to dresses, there is a crochet magazine to suit any need.

Some crochet magazines are for complete beginners, while others contain information on more complicated areas of crocheting. There are a number of crochet magazines for the fashion conscious; they provide patterns and ideas on how to recreate the latest trends and fashions with simply homemade crocheting methods. Many crochet magazines are great resources from where to purchase good patterns and crocheting equipment. Due to the fact that many beginners may not have access to a local supplier, this can be very helpful.

There are a huge variety of crochet magazines available for purchase in stores as well as borrowing from a library. There are even online versions of crochet magazines so both novices and experts in crocheting are widely catered for. The main types of crochet magazines are basically sources of patterns for any level of proficiency. These are popular as they give a diverse selection of designs that are usually cheaper and more fashionable than buying a pattern book. Some of these magazines solely supply patterns for clothes while others combine a variety of patterns concerning doilies, cloths, baby bonnets and even bootees.

There are also a large number of these magazines that focus on the instruction of crocheting. They mainly concentrate on the different styles of crocheting and how to create certain shapes, for example. They usually go through the entire process step by step and are a great way to practice. Some only cover the very basics, offering limited designs and methods. Others cater for more complicated designs and patterns as well as additions using knitting and even embroidery. Every aspect of crocheting is covered by a number of craft magazines and anyone who is interested in crocheting should find an almost unlimited supply of help and information.

We all have a vice. Mine happens to be this habit of buying every pretty bead I see. My very favorite beads are the blown furnace cane glass beads...particularly from US artists Mingo & Asho and David Christensen. They are positively stunning! I have now found a way to use the chub style furnace beads to make a rosary bracelet.

If you are not familiar with a rosary bracelet, or how to pray with a rosary bracelet, it consists of 11 beads, rather than the traditional 59 of a full rosary. The singled out bead is the Our Father bead, and the other 10 are for the decade of Hail Mary prayers. A rosary bracelet is a convenient way to carry your rosary with you, and is also an excellent conversation starter to share your faith.

To make an easy and beautiful furnace glass rosary bracelet you will need the following supplies:

10 FURNACE GLASS CHUBS

1 LARGE FURNACE GLASS CHUB

28* 4mm SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS

1 BUTTON CLASP

1 SMALL CRUCIFIX (with jump or split ring for hanging)

1 SMALL MIRACULOUS MEDAL (also with jump or split ring) (OR SAINT MEDAL OF CHOICE) 2 SILVER CRIMP BEADS

SOFTFLEX BEADING WIRE, MEDIUM STRENGTH

CRIMPING PLIERS

SCISSORS

*May vary depending on size of chubs and size of bracelet you are making.

Directions: Decide the length of your bracelet, and trim your beading wire, leaving enough for tying off at end. Add male end of clasp and secure with crimp bead. String in this order: 3 crystals, large furnace chub, 2 crystals, crucifix, 1 crystal, medal, 1 crystal, chub, 2 crystals, chub, 2 crystals chub...repeat this until you string last chub. String 3 crystals (or more if you need a bit longer). Add female end of clasp and secure with crimp bead.

Please visit my website for a picture of a finished bracelet, and links for bead supplies, magazines, and business software to help you make money with your bead projects.

Have a wonderful day!

If you go into a typical craft store, you will see the supplies for many types of crafts. For cross stitching, you will find thread, beads, fabric, patterns and kits. Looking at the cross stitch kits, you can see that there are several different types to choose from. Below, is a quick description of each type of kit and the main advantage and disadvantage for each one.

Counted Cross Stitch – Stitches are done on a piece of blank aida cloth. By using a pattern (also called a chart) you have to count the squares on the cloth to know where to place your stitches. For example, if you start with a symbol in the middle of the pattern you will place the corresponding stitch on the middle of the aida cloth. From there, count how many stitches there are of that symbol on the pattern and place them on the cloth relative to the first stitch.

The advantage of this method is that the look of the finished piece is uniform for the whole piece and many stitchers like this look the best. The disadvantage of this method is that it is easy to lose count of the stitches, resulting in an error in where the stitches have been placed on the cloth. To correct the error, you would then need to pull out the incorrect stitches.

Stamped Cross Stitch – The design is printed on the fabric, usually in colour, which will tell you what colours to cross stitch and where. I find that stamped cross stitch works best when the design is simple and you only need to use a small number of colours.

The advantage of this method is that you don't need to rely on a pattern or chart to know where to place your stitches, which can result in fewer mistakes than counted cross stitch. The disadvantage is that if the colours printed on the fabric are very similar, it can be hard to distinguish what colour to place where.

Embellished Cross Stitch – A design is printed on fabric and only a few parts on the finished piece need to be filled in or accented with cross stitching.

The advantage of this type is that it is faster to cross stitch an embellished fabric because you do not need to cross stitch the entire picture. The disadvantage of this method is that sometimes the pattern that is printed on the cloth is not printed straight. Also, some people think that the finished piece is not as pretty as pieces that are not embellished.

No-count Cross Stitch – Outlines are printed on the fabric and a chart shows what colour to fill in with x's.

The advantage of this method is that it is supposed to be faster than counted cross stitch, as you don't have to count to find out where each stitch should go. The disadvantage is that, similar to embellished cross stitch, sometimes the pattern that is printed on the cloth is not printed straight.

Every stitcher has a preference in the type of cross stitching that they like to do. Their preference is based on how much time they have to cross stitch, the end result and the ease of cross stitching that kit. Explore the different kits available and see which one you like the best.

If the front of your fridge is already carrying more of your kid’s artwork than it can handle, then maybe its time to find some new outlets for their artistic creations. An art set can make a great gift for a child of any age, but helping your kids find productive ways to use one can be a bit of a challenge. Kids are often drawn to the idea of creating things with an art set, but seem to have some trouble executing their ideas into reality. You can help them by presenting some concrete ideas and giving them simple projects that they can complete themselves. The sense of satisfaction that they will have after completing a project will be immeasurable.

Making Gifts

Though the art set may have been a gift, it can also be used to make gifts. When it comes time to remember birthdays for grandparents, teachers, or family friends, getting your kids involved in making gifts has several benefits. First, it gives children a real sense of ownership over the gift. You may be able to help them with some basic ideas in order to get started, but as they get going, their own creative processes will take over. Second, a present made with care by a child often ends up being a prized possession of the recipient. The thoughtfulness behind a child’s art project is a gift that will last much longer than a new necktie.

Murals

If you really want to let your kids add their own flavor to their playroom, then designate some space on the walls for them to create a mural. Help them plan what the space will look like, and use the opportunity as a chance to show them how to design and to use space effectively. The contrasting spaces that the kids will naturally create will help make the room uniquely theirs.

Host your own Gallery Opening

The next time you have guests over, help your kids set up a small gallery of their art projects. You can use the playroom or a hallway for the artistic event. Let the kids invite guests to view their work and help them with the ability to explain each piece. Your guests will find that this is entertaining and will probably give your kids more encouragement and praise than you ever could have imagined. Not only is this a great way to use an art set, but it is a great way to fuel your kid’s creative fire.

Decorate Plain Toys

You can purchase plain wooden toys fairly inexpensively. At first, your kids may complain because the toys don’t have any bright colors or flashing lights, but once they realize that you are going to help them use their art set to decorate/paint their new toys then they will be ecstatic. This is an excellent way to encourage kids to use their imaginations as they can add any number of features and characteristics to each toy. The possibilities are only as big as their dreams.