Get 'Crafty'

 

The Christmas Holidays is one of the most favored times of the year to use our crafts. This year, I delved into three new ones: soap-making, string art and stitching cards.

I attempted two methods in soapmaking; the cold-processed method, and the slow-cooker method. Both batches, for a complete newbie, came out great. Soap-making includes the use of lye, a chemical that must be dealt with - with great care. The website I chose to use (link below) provided detailed instructions. Quite simply, follow them to the "T".

I found string art to be a craft a bit difficult to find information on, or acquire supplies for. But a creative mind will find a way. Materials are reasonably inexpensive, especially if you've got some lying around the house: crochet threads, plywood scraps, brads (sm. nails), etc.

As for stitching cards, the first site I came to I fell in love with. Look into these crafts in the following websites. I did, and now Christmas will be filled with unique card and gift-giving this year.

Soap-Making

String Art

Stitching Cards

 Next? Bath salts to complete the gift set with newly crafted home-made natural soaps. And then onto some basic beading. Ah, it never ends.

Not that I want it to!!

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The world is such an interesting place to live in.  Each of us, as an individual, has traits, qualities and talents that touch everyone we come in contact with.  So many of us have no idea of the depth of these hidden personal traits; and, yes...  surprisingly, all of us have them.  We simply don't take the time to explore 'inside' ourselves - we are so focused on the 'outside.'  We've got the home/family life filled with kids, chores, and home maintenance.  We've got 'the job.'  (We won't go there...)  Maybe the weekend night out on the town, shopping at the local mall, or attending kids' school functions.

Ah, yep... and that hottest spot in the house - in front of the TV.

 

After that, what else?

 

Hmmmmm...

We get so busy thinking we're so busy, we don't even have time to think about being busy.  What a vicious cycle.   And it's a 'bandwagon' that's hard to jump off of.

But anyone can definitely do just that!

Take up a craft.  Try a few, until one hits the spot.   Find out what it's like to get your creative energies flowing.  There are so many ways to be creative - the possibilities are endless. Here is an example:

Bamboo Inspiration

Your resource for inspiration and guides on bamboo products for home and garden...

Whatever method inspires you, always find time to express your inner self.  Believe in yourself, it's inside there just waiting.

If the more traditional crafts suite your fancy, check these out:

For A Variety of Crafty Ideas

 -  Crafter'sChoice; or Michaels 

For Painting Ideas

-  OneStroke

For Gardening Ideas

(indoors and outdoors) -  AeroGarden and Flower Gardening Made Easy.

For all of your gardening supplies, go to...

For whipping up some meals from some scrumptious recipes

- Taste Of Home

 Or - Simply Recipes

 

And, then, to make those favorite recipes more delectable, 'spice' them up at The Epicentre-Encyclopedia of Spices!

 

Also, some tips for enjoying wine, and exploring where some of the varieties come from

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Wow, lots of ideas...  but you get the drift.  Maybe this stirred up a little something in you...

Maybe starting a collection ... so many kinds to choose from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The therapeutic value of these kinds of activities is phenominal.  All of a sudden, more doors seem to open for you.  Quite possibly it's 'lightbulbs' turning on.  The use of your time is better spent exploring, and utlimately displaying your talents.  That other 90% of the brain they say we don't use?  Well, you will have just tapped into it.

Just do it.  You WILL like it...