Thursday, April 16, 2015

Happy Little Art People, Simple Change For Good

Outward success is not fulfillment

Happy Little Art People

Fostering art for children By Valerie of abundancelovetrip

Creating art can be fun for children. Not all children will be great at drawing. They might love gluing and collages? They might like photography. Make art with your child even if its just with crayons?

Art can be cartoons? Art can be funny, sad and pretty. Have your child make holiday or decorations instead of just buying them.

Simple Change For Good

There are a lot of simple ways you can do social change. You can mix and match.

1. Buy more chickpeas and hummus. This might sound odd but chickpeas give former Tabaco farmers an alternative income. More chickpeas mean less smoking. Chickpeas are tasty and healthy and a simple way to elevate your diet.

2. Shop at a charity thrift store. You can save money but also your being greener, and helping charity. Some thrift stores have better sales than others.

3. Exercise more:If you cannot get a full half hour or hour in do 5 minutes at a time. A couple 5 minutes in a day can add up. 4. Go to the library: The library is paid with your tax dollars so use it. There are more books at a library. You can rent free movies, audio tapes, music. You can read magazines.

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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Alternatives to Big Children's birthday Parties For any budget

Alternatives to Big Children's birthday Parties

For any budget

Many of the ideas here are under $10 the more expensive ones can range in the hundreds, and a couple in the thousands. I wanted to showcase a wide range of budgets.

I find throwing big children's parties super stressful. I could spend the money on something more enjoyable for my child. Don't get me wrong I love birthdays and making my kids feel special and loved. There is a lot of reasons not to have a huge party. You could take the family on a small vacation for the price of some of these birthday packages. If you have the money and will not be in debt its okay to spend it on your kids.

If you want to buy a bakery cake and can afford so do so. I like to make cakes from scratch but if you want to avoid baking go buy from a bakery. If you want to get one of those shaped massive cakes from a specialty bakery and have money you can do so.

1. See if your school allows birthday snacks or treats that way the whole class can be invited. Store bought cookies are popular but I am limited to some brands due to allergies. But the cookies and stickers cost me less than $5 all together. Treats don't have to be edible either they can be stickers, book marks, board books, paper backs. This way every child is included and not left out.

2. Have a small party with a limited guest list. I did this and invited three people to a party who I knew would show up. I made a cake from scratch and bought junk food from dollar general. If no one would show up I would be out $8 or $10 if you don't count the cake. I was told it was the best party ever.

3.Take your kids out to eat for their birthday with a list of choices. This year the birthday child picked a cheaper option than the more expensive restaurant. If you are really strapped for cash a picnic might work.

4. If you really want the big party but can't afford it be creative. Do not ask your guests to pay for their own food or entertainment. Your guests might not be able to afford to pay for the expense or maybe working off paying debts. You could also opt to make cheap meal like spaghetti. DVDS you already own or borrow from the library can be your entertainment. Pot lucks are okay if your in a pot luck friendly community, but provide the cake and drinks, and entertainment.

5. Get a few good gifts. Your child doesn't need a 10001 gifts but a few really fun gifts are great. Too many gifts can be stressful for a child to open.

10. Do a fun family activity give your child an option. If they would love to go to a spa, while pricey would be a fun outing with one or two family members. If they love comics a trip to the comic store with a set amount to spend. If they love the science center a trip might be in order. If they love to cook with you maybe a special shopping trip. If your kid is a reader take them to a bookstore.

11. As stated before a small or weekend vacation can cost the same price as some children's birthday parties. If you have the money for the party why not offer a destination birthday vacation for an older child instead of a party.

You can still do gift bags even if the only guests are your kids, spouse and maybe grandparents. You can personalize them with their favorite snacks.

You can make a birthday gift basket for under $10 by reusing a Easter basket, or a gift bag. You can fill it with cheap treats from a discount store, fresh fruit

Check to see if your local museum or zoo has a free day close to your child's birthday. As an added gift You can give your child $5 or $10 to spend in the museum. cost $5 to $10.

make your child a personalized card. If your crafty you can make it yourself with scrap paper but for under $5 you can make a personalized professional Birthday card at zazzle.com. You can personalize Disney products.

Birthday cards and Birthday Postcards

Happy Birthday Greeting Cards
Happy Birthday Greeting Cards by AbundanceLoveTrip
Look at Happy birthday Cards online at Zazzle.com
Happy Birthday Post Card
Happy Birthday Post Card by AbundanceLoveTrip
Look at more Happy birthday Postcards at zazzle

Stuff by Itaya and Loudesigns

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

In Celebration Of Rain

I have written a new haiku and a new article. I was inspired while taking a walk today. It started to rain but I didn't care I was determined. Today is a celebration, a gift. I will be working on another poem and that will be called the broom, but its a working title. I have been writing poetry since I was 12. Poetry was a good way for me to express how I was feeling sad. I would rebel, reshape and create with words.

In Celebration Of Rain

By Valerie of Abundancelovetrip

Glitter like Rain

Nature's confetti falls down

Sky celebration

____________________

Thankful List Family, god, rain, frozen fruit, joy, hugs, exercise, fuzzy socks, crocs, rainbows, double rainbows, My Art

Pickles and ice cream fabric
Pickles and ice cream fabric by AbundanceLoveTrip
Check out other Pickles and ice cream Fabrics at zazzle.com
Itaya

Loudesigns

Little Red Riding Hood by John Everett Millais Card
Little Red Riding Hood by John Everett Millais Card by loudesigns
Find other Little red riding hood Cards at zazzle.com
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Friday, March 13, 2015

Inspieration Day: Creativity Ideas For Artists, Fun Fitness, Toot Your Horn

Creativity Ideas For Artists

Be your own muse don't wait for inspiration or get frustrated by artist block. Take charge of your artistic self. 1. Paint, draw, sculpt something you've already done. You will be surprised how old things can launch new ideas.

2. Finger painting: Sometimes children's art activities can bring new ideas. Finger paints, crayons, play clay, and colored pencils can all become art.

3. Take photos: Your own photos can inspire new art and even be art in itself. Photos of food and landscapes can art in itself.

4. Make a scrap book or even a note book to list artist ideas.

5. Get some of your favorite music and dance

6. Go for a walk even an indoor walk can give you clarity

7. Just create art no matter how imperfect.

8. Go back to an unfinished art project.

9. Go to an art museum.

10. Make a collage.

11. Take an art class or watch an art how to video on youtube about an art technique you don't do. 12. Go to a craft store or and see if the supplies themselves can give you ideas. 13. Cook a homemade meal from scratch. Cooking is creating, and food is art for the belly. 14. Stop comparing yourself to artists and do your own thing. 15. Buy some fruits and vegetables: The amazing colors can be inspiring and tasty too. 16. Buy a children's art app for android, or ipad. Many of these apps are free or very cheap and can be very inspiring. 17. Write your own ideas on index cards, unused children's valentines, decorate them and pick them at random. Do what ever the art card says. One card says, paint or draw, and the next card might be an object or an animal.

18. Read a classic story or book Like Little Red Ridding Hood or pride and prejudice.

19. Scents like perfume can evoke emotions. Use scents to inspire your art.

20. Believe in your art and have fun.

Fun Fitness Ideas

Instead of doing rewards for exercise how about making exercise the reward by making it fun.

March in place while you read book or listen to a book on tape.

Use a stationary bike or do step aerobics while watching TV

Make fitness into some kind of roll playing game, exercise is experience points. Create Supplies worth extra points trade with friends.

Make exercise cosplay outfits. If you want to exercise in costume at home than by all means do so just make sure you have no pieces that can get snagged with fitness equipment like capes. Safety first! This might be fun to do with friends.

Dust off the WII or Kinect and get some fitness video games out.

Reclaim your childhood: I was never good with a hula hoop, jump rope or hop scotch as kid were you? Use your child hood favorites.

Create your own private 5k with only you competing, compete against yourself, your time and be your own cheerleader.

Go to a thrift store. You never know what you might find. There might be ideas sound there. Also its a great place to donate unwanted clean items.

Create your own badges and fitness awards for yourself. I have included a free badge for you to save and print out. This badge is mine and not for commercial use.

Fitness award Template

Toot Your Horn

Share good news with us in the comment section. Have a book published? Made a new piece of art? Ran a 5k? Had a baby or a grand-baby? Got married? Got out of debt? Share it here. Create

My doodle board Dry-Erase board
My doodle board Dry-Erase board by AbundanceLoveTrip
Check out more Kawaii Dry Erase Boards at Zazzle

Adorable Lobster Zazzle HEART Apron
Adorable Lobster Zazzle HEART Apron by AbundanceLoveTrip
Check out other Star Zazzle HEART Aprons at zazzle.com
Itaya

Loudesigns

Jane Austen writing Business Card
Jane Austen writing Business Card by loudesigns
See other Jane Business Cards at zazzle
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Monday, March 9, 2015

Exercise at Many Budget Levels

Exercise For Many Budget Levels

Before you start to exercise, embrace who you are. Exercise should not be about being thin but being stronger and healthy. The celebrities with the so called perfect bodies have an amazing beauty secret that you can purchase called "photo shop." Most celebrity photos are altered heavily. They do not look like they do in magazines. Even 18 and 20 year olds have body flaws.

Exercising makes me feel better not matter what my weight is no matter if I am yo-yoing as long as I am not sick. No Budget:

Walk inside, or march in front of TV barrow fitness DVDS from the library. Go on a exercises treasure hunt bet there is something you have you bought and just aren't using. re-useable Water bottles, small weights, jump ropes, hula hoops, unused fitness equipment can all be useful. Low Budget: Buy a small set of weights:

If you want to lift weights lift weights if you do not than don't lift but don't use soup cans and water bottles. Sorry but soup cans don't weigh enough or grip right. Bottles do not replace weights. If bottles are a pound or more they are usually awkward to hold. Unless you are using discarded water bottles Some brands of disposable water can cost around the same price or more as cheap pound weights. You will save more money in the long run by getting a re-useable water bottle and using tap to drink. Moderate Budget:

1. Pedometers 2. More than one weight set. 3. A high end re-useable water bottle. 4. New sneakers or walking shoes. Big Budget

There are many exercise apps free and pay for android phones and iphones. Getting a cell phone can be expensive but highly motivating. Buying big fitness equipment. Paying to join a 5k. Gym:

if you are a large weight lifter gyms make perfect sense. Gym memberships can run as low as $10 a month. A fancy gym might cost extra. Sometimes the money is well spent on exercise but only if you use it. If you actually use your gym membership than its money well spent, but if your like me I am not a gym bunny or a large weight lifter.

Exercise should be Fun:

Fun by making exercise a reward in itself not something that is torture.

Water Bottles

Water Bottles By Itaya and Loudesigns

Fleur De Lis SIGG Traveler 0.6L Water Bottle
Fleur De Lis SIGG Traveler 0.6L Water Bottle by loudesigns
Browse more Water SIGG Water Bottles at Zazzle
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Monday, September 15, 2014

Discovery comics, thankful list

I want to tell you about discovery comics

http://discoverycomics.com/

You should no longer fear your children reading comics. Discovery comics are educational. They sent a few comic books and I am amazed by the amount of titles.

There is a comic activity guide called operation back yard that teaches composting. One of the titles was a Visit to an Animal hospital which in only 12 pages give extensive information on animal care.

While learning comic books aren't right for every child they can be a nice short way to introduce a subject. Children with autism ADHD and other learning disorders sometimes prefer reading in a comic book forum.

Comic books are a great way for age appropriate learning tools for reluctant reader. Also a discovery comics has jem of a non educational comic called popcorn. Short Graphic Novels like Popcorn are a good way to get kids who hate to read into readers.

Thankful list

husband, family

water

comics

love

joy

Rabbit and Owl, Woodland Animals Custom Size Posters
Rabbit and Owl, Woodland Animals Custom Size Posters by Itayasdesigns
Check out Woodland animals Posters online at zazzle
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Monday, September 8, 2014

Living Large in Any Size Home

Large living in Any Size home

Here is a secret to making space bigger I have a nice sized home but have lived in small apartment. But these tips can help a small house or apartment feel bigger and a bigger house feel comfortable and or cozy. A huge house might be a poor choice for a family if most of the rooms are extra living rooms and few bedrooms. While 175 square feet tiny homes are romantic they can be as impractical as 4,500 square foot mcmasnions.

1. Make use of light

2. Get rid of dark rugs go for light color resilient vinyl, light wood, or even linoleum

3. A two bed room can seem a lot bigger if the kids have their own beds. Children need their own space even if they share a room. Bunk beds aren't always the safest option.

4. A 700 sq feet with one and a half bath will be more useful to a family then a 1,500 square feet and only one bath room. at least a half bath is recommended if you have children.

5. Get of things you don't use. Clutter is a huge problem in making a big house fill cramped.

6. Make use of wall art. Wall art can add pizazz to a home without taking up too much room if you buy smaller prints.

7. Sometimes it is not clutter but furniture that is just way to big for the home that makes it feel cramped.

8. By converting a toilet to a toilet sink combo you can have a smaller bathroom. I don't have this but I want one

http://www.amazon.com/SinkPositive-D/dp/B00AA685II/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393302253&sr=8-1&keywords=sink+toilet+combo 9. Is it feasible to convert a walk in closet to a small bedroom? Can you legally convert a basement to a bedroom. some cities and planned communities have restrictions.

10. Its a one bedroom apartment can you convert the bedroom to the kids room/nursery and then get a sleeper sofa for yourself.

11. Darker wall paints can make a larger 2,000 plus square foot house seem cozy but if you want your house to look bigger use brighter colors.

12. Buy a kindle for ebooks you can store a huge library of books on one machine. ipad can also be useful for virtaul games books but do not get the smaller gig one.

13. Do you have too many toys. Can you bribe family members for cutting things

14. Wall art can change a rooms look without repainting the whole room.

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