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Art Therapy and Working With Senior Citizens
Seniors often have more than just aging to deal with. With aging comes aches and pains they never had before plus the grief of loss. There are many ways for seniors to improve their days by keeping busy and creative paintings in watercolor.
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How to Choose the Right Fonts?
When creating a book or resume or even a greeting card, the font is a part of the creative choice. How do you choose which font to use for your resume? Do you go with the default or make a guess? Here are a few things to think about when making your choice.
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Embracing the Vegan Lifestyle
The pros and cons of embracing a vegan lifestyle aren't always obvious. Here's what I've learned since going vegan a year a half ago, along with a couple of suggestions and recipes.
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Multiracial Families on the Rise
Here in the US and around the world, biracial and multiracial families are on the rise as the old taboos about marrying outside of your race fade. This makes way for the experiences of biracial children and the problems they face.
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Common Sinkholes in a Blended Family Dynamic
Sinkholes are where the ground sinks under you without warning. My husband and I fell into so many of these sinkholes, I felt it necessary to share a warning with other blended families in hopes of helping people avoid these.
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3 Ways to Fix Your Blended Family
My husband and I found out early on that there were unforeseen problems with our blended family that needed to be addressed. We could find very few resources and books on the subject back then and our church didn’t want to openly support our need. We learned many things by trial and error.
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Homemaker’s Arts To Save Money
My mother was quite the pioneer, making things out of nothing and providing clothes and food sometimes as if by magic. Some of these things are gone from lack of popularity but the old methods of saving are the best. Here are a few of the homemaker’s arts we used to save money.
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Benefits of Homeschooling My Children
Many good things came from my homeschooling experience. Everyone's reasons for keeping their children home are their own but the benefits are rather universal. This is what I experienced.
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Setting and Keeping Your Goals
I used to just let life happen and was disappointed each year with what little I had accomplished. This is how I got out of that old habit by creating and keeping goals for my most desired future.
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Household Remedies for the Pioneer
My mother was quite the pioneer who made do with what we had and rarely ran to the store for things that we could make ourselves from ingredients right there in the kitchen. Here are a few of the home remedies I learned from her and found myself along the way.
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Helping the Bees
Today is National Honey Bee Day. It’s an obscure holiday, I know but my father was a beekeeper and it sort of struck a cord with me. He was very protective of the bees. In honor of the day and my father, here are several things you can do to help the bees.
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Art Therapy: Working with Senior Citizens
There are many ways senior citizens can still be active and creative. I explored just a couple of ways that I have known as well as a few of the stories they like to tell.
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A Creative’s Inspiration Pool
Where do you go for inspiration when the mood just isn't carrying you? Here are a few things I have used to jumpstart the creative in me. These work for artist and writers and can work for you too.
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Rejection and Children’s Book Publishers
It would be nice to find a publisher for the illustrated children’s books I have written I have been rejected at every turn. It makes it hard to keep your equilibrium. Then I see all those who went before me who were also rejected. Here are a few rejections to encourage that you are not alone.
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The Idiot’s Guide to Roasting a Holiday Turkey
A no-nonsense guide for how to cook your holiday turkey, as told by my mother to my sister.
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Doing Drawings in Pen and Pencil
Many novice artists steer clear of drawing in ink because it is so permanent, unlovable, and hard to control. However, with a little practice, you will find the benefits of pens for drawing. Here are a few things to think about when using pens for drawings.
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Drawings in Charcoal Down and Dirty
Many novice artists steer clear of charcoal because it is so soft, easily broken, and hard to control. However, with a little practice, you will find the benefits of charcoal for drawing. Here are a few things to think about when using charcoal for drawings.
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Charcoal Drawing Made Simple
Many novice artists steer clear of charcoal because it is so soft, easily broken, and hard to control. However, with a little practice, you will find the benefits of charcoal for drawing. Here are a few reasons I like to work in charcoal and hints to make it easier to understand.
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The Exercise of Drawing in Charcoal
Many novice artists steer clear of charcoal because it is so soft, easily broken, and hard to control. However, with a little practice, you will find the benefits of charcoal for drawing. Here are a few reasons I like to work in charcoal and hints to make it easier to understand.
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Benefits of Homeschooling My Children Examined
There were so many ups and downs to homeschooling my children, but the benefits far outweighed the problems we had to overcome. Here is my experience homeschooling my four children.
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Art Therapy for Senior Citizens: Do’s and Don’ts
After creating and running a watercolor painting program for senior citizen's in my community for a decade and a half, I got a master's degree and studied art therapy. I learned many things about seniors and painting. Here are just a few of those things.
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Free Things for Kids to Do in Summer
With four children at home all summer, I had to arm myself with plenty of things for them to do to avoid the boredoms. Here are just a few of the free things we did to stay busy during the long summer months.
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Children’s Book Illustrator Woes
Some of the many problems for artists and illustrators are a complete surprise to us. Here are a few of the things I have discovered over the years working as an artist and illustrator.
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Fixing Old Black & White Photos
Do you have old photos that need repair or color correction? Adobe Photoshop is perfect for that task. Here is my correction of an almost 100-year-old black and white photo that needs some touch up to be like new.
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Ideas for Successful Watercolor Painting
If you ever wanted to dive into watercolor but were afraid, I have a few ideas that could help you create successful original art. Don't be afraid of the watercolor media, try it and enjoy.
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Abusive Relationship Escape
After living for 4 years with my abusive husband I found running away from him was the wisest move. There is escape from the abuser and no one deserves abuse. Here are a few things to think about if you or a friend are suffering abuse at the hands of someone who should love you.
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Intro to Photoshop--The Toolbar Rectangle, Shapes, and Zoom Tools
This is the last in the introduction to the Photoshop Toolbar explaining Masking and Color selection tools. I found that Photoshop is so much more understandable when you know what the tools will do and where they are.
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Intro to Photoshop--The Dodge and Burn, Pen, and Type Tools
This is another introduction to the Toolbar in Photoshop that explains the next tools, including the Dodge and Burn Tool. It helps to have these explained for the novice.
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Bread Clay Bugs For Kids Projects
This is a fun project for kids to make with the simple clay made from white bread. It is easy and non-toxic, perfect for little fingers as well as adults to play and create with. No baking necessary for this project. Just let it dry overnight.
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Should Art Be Free?
I have been so offended when people tell me art should be free without thinking about the artists who created that art and how they should be able to pay their rent. Here are a few of the unthinking statements to artists that people need to rethink.
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Knitting Hints on Casting On
The cast-on is the very beginning of the knitting process. Since there are several methods, I give an overview and describe my favorite method. I've been knitting since I was 10 years old and plan on knitting until I can no longer hold the needles.
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Knitting Yarn & Novels
I learned to knit and crochet from my mother and grandmother who were both talented and creative ladies. I image I will knit till I can't hold the needles anymore. I love the feel and look of knitted garments and love sharing that love with others.
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The Terrible Wreck of the Essex
This is a true story of the Wreck of the Essex. It has been dramatized through the narration of a sailor's voice. I wrote this as part of my research on the art of Scrimshaw and follows up The Art of Historic Scrimshaw and Whales.
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In Search of Whales
While looking into the art form of Scrimshaw, I did some background research about whales and the reasons for whaling ships long ago. This is a follow-up to The Art of Historic Scrimshaw and Whales.
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Tips For Successful Watercolor Paintings
I’ve been painting for about 50 years in oil, acrylic, ink, colored pencil, and watercolor. My favorite has become watercolor for its versatility and vibrancy. Here are a few tips to help you start successful paintings in watercolor.
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Art Therapy for Senior Citizens Questions Answered
Of the many questions I have received about the Art Therapy Classes I had for my senior citizens, here are a few typical ones answered for those who would like to create watercolor classes for the elderly in their community.
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Things You Shouldn’t Say To Artists
How many times have you said the wrong thing and insulted a creative without meaning too? Here are a few things that may help let you know where the sensitive areas are and how to avoid them.
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Helpful Watercolor Tips To Follow
How often have you started a painting and wondered how to handle a watercolor problem? Here are a few tips for the average watercolorist to think about when painting a masterpiece.
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Helpful Hints To Allay Watercolor Fears
Watercolor is one of those media that is really convenient and affordable but that people stay away from because of some of the uncontrollable aspects of the medium. Still, there are several things that make it less confusing and uncontrollable. Here are a few hints that may help the novice.
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Knitting Resources and Yarn Information
There are a few things behind the craft of knitting that people usually ignore like ply and yarn weight. Also, there are resources for knitters that many people don't know about.
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Hmong Story Clothes Deciphered
I had long seen this beautiful quilt hanging at the Fresno Adult Education foyer and wondered about it. I did some checking and talked with a few people before finding the answers of a unique textile art form made by the Hmong people. Here is what I uncovered.
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Wrinkled Paper Watercolor Effect
Watercolor has its own set of challenges and difficulties. Most people steer clear of it for fear of messing up. But there are so many things that watercolor does that no other medium will do. One of these is the wrinkled paper effect. I will show you how.
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3 Problems With Watercolor Fixed
For the beginner, watercolor seems too daunting to attempt. However, here are 3 things that keep people from trying watercolor and their easy fixes. I have found watercolor challenging but too fun to stay away from even for the novice.
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3 False Beliefs About Art and Illustration
Art and illustration is a business like any other business. Overcoming false beliefs is a problem. Here are a few things I have come across that keep people from treating illustration as a true business.
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Practical Jokes From April Fools Day
After a particularly difficult winter, when April Fools Day came around I felt that laughter was the only thing to cure my depression. A good practical joke is worth a million dollars worth of therapy.
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What I Learned When We Moved
From the '70s to now I have moved maybe a dozen times, each time I learned a new valuable lesson. These are some of our moves and lessons I learned.
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Lessons Learned When We Moved
As a young person, my family moved many times and each time I learned something very significant. Here are my lessons learned.
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Three Easy Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself to Save Money
There are 3 easy fixes to repair and maintain household appliances and fixtures. These are things that could save you a lot of money in the longrun.
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5 Things I Would Change About Illustration
If I could wave a magic wand and change anything about my beloved field of art and illustration, I would change many mistaken attitudes about art and illustration. Here are just 5 of those things.
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Vegan Sandwich Ideas
When you are vegan and love sandwiches, the problem is what to put inside. Here are a few solutions I've found that work very well for vegan sandwiches.
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3 Months to Live
If you knew you had only 3 months to live, would it change the way you conducted yourself? These are things I would do if I had limited time and why I would do them.
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Make Your Own Beads From Paper or Bread
I was experimenting with bread clay and recycling old magazines when I found this method of making my own beads, which is both really fun and versatile.
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Teaching Online Classes
With teaching experience and turning to online resources, I discovered many avenues to explore sharing my skills and love of learning.
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10 Things to Do to Improve Your Attitude
When facing health and physical challenges, how do you keep a positive attitude? Here are 10 things I have been using and proven to help mood and attitude.
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Where To Get Inspiration Ideas and Prompts
Sometimes we creatives get "writer's block" or artist's block. What do you do? Here are a few methods to inspire and prompt creativity.
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Therapeutic Art for Senior Citizens Q and A
I am still getting questions from people wanting to know more about starting beneficial art classes for the elderly in their community. Here are some of the questions and answers I gave.
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Switching to a Vegan Lifestyle
This is my journey into a vegan lifestyle and what I've learned so far. Giving up meats was not as hard as I thought it might be. Giving up milk and eggs a little harder but I found lots of resources that helped.
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Drawing Faces in Charcoal
Charcoal is a difficult and messy medium to work with but can be handled well with a few small tricks and rules. I have done hundreds of these charcoal drawings and here are a few.
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Where Has The Kindness Gone
A look back at the slow decline of basic kindness in society as it relates to the current generation. How have Millennialls changed things? What does the future hold?
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The Art of Collage: Making Art From Trash
From throw-away magazines and catalogues to award-winning art pieces, I show how I create art out of collaged trash. These are fun and intriguing as well as eye-catching. Come with me to explore the world of collaged art.
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Commonly Asked Questions About Art Therapy for Seniors
I created a program of painting in watercolor for the elderly in my area and I've received many questions about it. I hope to answer some of the questions here.
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Teaching Watercolor Classes to the Elderly
I have written several times about my experiences with teaching senior citizens’ watercolor classes but I have gotten so many follow-up questions that I decided to answer some of them here in more detail.
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My Husband Makes Me Laugh
What does a woman want in a husband? More than looks and finances, she wants to be secure in his love and devotion and she wants to laugh. That's what I think and what I tell about my husband and our relationship.
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The Harmful Power of Negativity
I’ve been feeling it for the past couple years and maybe you have too. It is an overwhelming oppressive negative global attitude. Everything seems darker and I needed to make some changes for better
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A Touch Of Kindness Gives Life Meaning
The kindness of one elderly man changed my life and made me feel worthy. The stories of his wife reminded me that people face tragedy and loss silently. I learned about kindness changed me forever.
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A Break From the Battleground, Walking the Dog
Diagnosed and still fighting cancer, I am dealing with the effects and emotions of my husband's illness. We all need a break and this is a story of my break to get air and think.
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How to Inspire Senior Citizens to Be Active
My work with senior citizens has given me a few insights into some special needs. While working with them, I encountered a variety of problems they face daily.
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My Photographic Fairy Art
I have always loved fairy tales. There is something about the magical lore of fairies, elves, gnomes, and goblins that expands the imagination. I created these little photo fairy images here.
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Encouraging Reading in Children
How do you encourage children to read? Especially these days when movies, TV and electronic games vie for all your children’s attention? Do you have ideas? Here is what I did.
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The Educational Experience of Paper House Construction
As a homeschool parent and a creative with a house full of moody creative children, I created these little projects to keep my children engaged. It works for others as well so here is my solution.
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Artistic Nature and Harsh Criticism
In my experience, college was exciting and enlightening but finishing my thesis was full of missteps and brutal criticism. As an art, student it was more than brutal; it was crushing. How to recover?
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Homelessness Changed My Life Forever
The next time you see a homeless person on the side of the road, consider what the causes are that put him there. My personal experience with homelessness changed the way I see the problem.
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Numismatics or Coin Collecting for Children, Plus Make-Your-Own-Coin Craft
Coin collecting can be fun and rewarding but also a beautiful study in relief sculpture and design. Here is a tooling foil craft perfect for teaching children about coins and design.
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Silhouettes or Shadow Portraits for Children
I don’t think the established public school system understands the vital importance of encouraging creativity exercises yet. A few simple art projects may go a long way to keeping kids interested.
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Drawing Feet for an Exercise
After spending 100 days drawing hands and really loving the challenge, I decided to spend the next 100 days drawing feet. What I learned from the exercise is written here.
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Artists With Tragic Deaths: Alphonse Mucha
This is the story of Alphonse Mucha, the artist who was arrested by the Gestapo and succumbed to the physical distress after being interrogated. It was a tragedy.
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The Great Gardner Art Heist
In the early hours of March 1990, two men stole 13 pieces of art and got clean away. The art was never seen again and is still being sought, making this the most famous art heist in American history
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Drawing the Human Face
Drawing is a fun thing to do. Most people love to doodle even if they aren’t “artists” or imagine they have any drawing skills. It helps us to think, solve problems, imagine.
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Tricks for Photographing Women
When photographing yourself or your family, have you noticed that some women look fabulous all the time and others (possibly yourself) just take terrible pictures? Here is why.
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Artists Who Died Before 40: Caravaggio
This is the story of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Like some of the more famous artists (or maybe infamous) like Raphael and Madonna, he was simply known as Caravaggio.
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Why Images Are Important
It is in us, somehow, to try to recreate what we see using lines and color, and so we draw. Here are a few things to think about when drawing faces.
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Drawing Hands for an Exercise
I wanted to get better at drawing hands so I challenged myself to draw one hand a day for 100 days and here is the result of my empowering drawings. You can do it too.
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Art Therapy for Senior Citizens: What I Learned
I spent 14 years teaching watercolor art therapy classes for senior citizens. Here are just 4 of the things I learned that may help others start art therapy classes.
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My Fine Art Photography
I thought you had to be a fine artist or a photographer, but not both. This is my excursion into the realm of Fine Art Photography and photo manipulation.
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An Interview with Paintdrips
An Interview with the writer Paintdrips in response to the writing challenge. To share more about myself I did an interview with myself, Paintdrips.
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Artists Who Died Before 35: Elizabeth Siddal
This is the story of Elizabeth Siddal, model for the Pre-Raphaelites and artist in her own right. She died tragically of an overdose of laudanum after her daughter was stillborn.
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Artists Who Died Before 40: Jean-Antoine Watteau
This is the story of Jean-Antoine Watteau who immortalized a romantic era before wars and poverty changed the face of French art. Unfortunately, he died at the height of his powers, at the age of 36.
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How Long to Become a Successful Artist?
I'm a little discouraged that becoming a successful artist has taken SO LONG but I'm encouraged too that I'm still working on it. It will take time but becoming a creative is worth the effort.
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Artists Who Died Too Soon: N.C. Wyeth
Many artists died before their time, denying the world the benefit of more years of beauty and creativity. This is the story of N.C. Wyeth, the great American illustrator.
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5 Steps to Reasonable Goal Setting
To grow personally and professionally, you must be able to set goals that you can achieve and goals that stretch you. Being self-employed, I find goal setting techniques for the coming year key.
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Modern Conveniences: Help or Hinderance?
Ever felt paralyzed in a power outage? Even wonder how it would look to live off the grid? We take so much for granted instead of realizing these modern conveniences are just nice to have.
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Does Art Influence Society?
Do you think that society imitates art or movies or do movies influence society? As artists, should we give people what they want because they pay us, or should we give them what they need to see?
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Artists Who Died Before 50: Hans Holbein the Younger
This is the artist who has been studied and renown for his realism and detail. It’s too bad his life was rather short. This is the story of Hans Holbein the Younger.
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Little Known Facts: Michelangelo
Who doesn’t know about his famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? or Judgment Day? or the statue David? Here are few facts about the great artist, Michelangelo, you may not know.
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The Magnificence of the Wealthy
As an artist, I have some concern with magnificence and whether or not there still is any in the world. According to Aristotle, magnificence is a virtue pertaining to wealthy building great monuments.
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Music to Create By
What music is best for your brain and creativity, what is right to listen too and what is wrong. Music with lyrics or instrumental music,Classical or Jazz? The question is what is best for creativity?
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3 Ways to Totally Mess Up Your Blended Family
Helping blended families avoid the traps and sinkholes. Here are a few of the common sinkholes you may want to avoid: arguing in front of the children and confrontational extended family and kids.
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Waterski with Me
At the age of 11, I had my first experience with waterskiing and this is my capturing of those moments and experiences. Along with waterskiing, we would swim and camp overnight at the lake.
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3 More Ways to Mess Up Your Blended Family
My husband and I fell into sinkholes along the way, we know where they are and have dedicated our lives to helping other blended families avoid them. Here are 3 sinkholes you may want to avoid.
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Looking for Physical Beauty in Life Partners
What are you looking for in a mate, in a lifelong companion? Great gams? Desirable face and body? A great pair of jeans? Or the inward beauty of the soul? What is true beauty anyway? See here.
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Artists Who Died by 50: Grant Wood
Grant Wood is best known for paintings of rural America in a style known as Regionalism. He died the day before his 51st birthday of pancreatic cancer. This is his story.
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What Is Artistic Beauty?
I’m presented with the “beauty” issue all the time. What galleries want and don’t want to hang; what people want and don’t want to decorate around; what is and isn’t beautiful. So what is beauty?
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Artists Who Died Before 40: Georges Seurat
Georges Seurat is one of the most important Neo-Impressionists, considered the creator of the “pointillism”, in which small distinct points of primary colors create the impression of the other colors.
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Artists Who Died Before 50: Jackson Pollock
He captured feelings and emotions people did not think were there but when discovered they captured the imagination and jokes of the world. This is the story of Jackson Pollock.
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How to Create a Children’s Picture Book
I have some experience in children’s picture books and would love to share the parameters with you. Children’s books fall into one of several categories. Here's how to create a picture book.
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Artists Who Started Late in Life: Mary Delany
This is the story of an artist who didn’t begin her art till after her husband passed and she had free time on her hands. She was 71 and created Paper Mosaik botanical specimens: Mary Delany.
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Confessions from a Children’s Book Illustrator
People want illustrators to draw for a “percentage” of the proceeds or “exposure” IF it ever sells. There are several things wrong with this assumption and I have them listed here as art confessions.
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Corrugated Cardboard Printmaking for Children
If you want to expose your child to some fun and different artistic expressions, you have to try this method of block printing. Creative and fun. Good for printing T-shirts and fabric as well as paper
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Artists Who Died Before 50: Edouard Manet
This is the artist who started the direction of the artists’ movement that has remained a favorite of people for a century: the Impressionist movement. This is the story of Edouard Manet (1883-1932).
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Artists Who Died Before 30: Francesca Woodman
This is a story of an artist/photographer who didn’t live long but left an indelible mark and influence for the future generations of Fine Art Photographers: Francesca Woodman, 1958-1981.
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Artists Who Started Late in Life: Winston Churchill
For this artist, it is amazing that he found time for so many things and art too. But art became a tool to help him deal with the bouts of depression he suffered all his life: Winston Churchill.
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Artists Who Died Before 30: Aubrey Vincent Beardsley
Some artists succumbed to sickness, sadness and drug addiction before their work was done. This is the story of Aubrey Beardsley who died of tuberculosis before his 26th birthday. He died too young.
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Artists Who Started Later in Life: Edward Hopper
This is a story of an artist whose style wasn’t at first appreciated or recognized for what it was. It took time but finally he achieved the recognition he deserved: Edward Hopper (1882-1967).
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Artists Who Started Late in Life: Beatrix Potter
This is the story of one who didn’t intend to be an artist at all. She wanted to make her mark in science but as a woman, was denied access to the scientific community. Beatrix Potter's story.
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Artists Who Died Before 40: Randolph Caldecott
A British illustrator who started a little late and died young, but who changed the way children's books were viewed and received forever: Randolph Caldecott. Here is his story.
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Artists Who Died Before 40: Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec
It's so sad when artists die young and have sad afflictions. This is the story of one who fell into alcohol addiction but first made us all fall in love with the cabaret: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
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Artists Who Died Before 50: Jan Vermeer
It’s so sad when anyone dies young, but doubly so for artists because there is so much more they could have done to make the world a more beautiful, colorful place. This is the story of Jan Vermeer.
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Artists Who Started Late in Life: Grandma Moses
Completely uneducated in art and considered a primitive and folk artist, Grandma Moses only began painting in earnest at the age of 78 when her husband died and left her some money. Her story next.
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3 Ways to Mess Up Your Blended Family
I feel like my husband and I stumbled into a whole passel of problems we could have handled better if only we had a “heads up” that a disaster was coming. Here are 3 problems you may face that help.
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A Portrait, Start to Finish
I’ve been doing portraits for a while now and I find them fun for me and fascinating for an audience. Each face has feeling and emotion. I am using pastel and collage to demo a portrait process.
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Having Children is a Game Changer
I can remember having all sorts of rules and witticisms that I intended to live by when I had children. I was never going to raise my voice, etc. Nothing went as planned. Here's what I have learned.
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Kitchen Aides for Health and Economy
We lived out in the country many years and created short cuts and home remedies for many things. Sometimes it is best to make do than to go purchase expensive and sometimes toxic manufactured sprays.
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What the Elderly Are Really Capable of Doing
I just finished this short book called Two Old Women. It got me thinking about what we are and are not really capable of. As I grow older I'm more aware of my limitations and my importance.
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Homemade Ice Cream Recipes Experiments
I remember lazy summer evenings with fireworks after dark and barbecue before dark, my father on the ice cream churn. That was the best ice cream I ever had. Here are a few recipe experiments.
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You Can Escape from an Abusive Relationship
Abusive relationships are becoming commonplace. It just isn’t right the way we allow others to treat us. I didn’t really think I deserved better. Truthfully, no one deserves abuse. How to get out.
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Glossy Black Metal Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
Create a glossy black metal effect for text and images in Adobe Photoshop. You can use the beautiful technique for a number of other projects in the future.
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Create a 3-D Text Effect in Photoshop
This is a super simple, easy to follow tutorial on creating a 3-D text effect for headings and images in Adobe Photoshop. Once you have created one, you can use it for other projects in the future.
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Create a Denim Jean Texture in Photoshop
This is a super simple, easy to follow tutorial on creating a Denim Jean effect for headings and images in Adobe Photoshop. This makes a beautiful text heading or background for your flyer and books.
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Easy Effortless Printmaking for Children
Printmaking is usually a craft reserved for the seasoned artist wanting to create many copies of a single work of art. Here is a method that can be used by kids to print cards and even T-shirts.
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Homeschool Dilemmas: Keeping the Peace
One of the biggest flies in the sugar bowl of our homeschool was outspoken members of my family who thought keeping our children home was wrong. Here is how I handled them and keeped the peace too.
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Childhood Stages of Creative Growth and Self Expression
Studies reveal that children exposed to different forms of creative expression at an early age will reflect more “mature” expressions of creative development. Here are a few of the things to look at.
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Simple and Easy Party Lanterns
Have a little soiree planed? Want something cool and unusual for the children to create to keep them busy? These little lawn lanterns are perfect and easy. You can make dozens fairly inexpensively.
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Bread Clay Project for Kids and Crafters
The clay is simple and economical, fun to make, perfect for the kids. I have directions for aliens, bugs, and flowers. My children have made all these and the process as well as the finished project.
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10 Things You Should Never Say to a Photographer
I can think of more things I have heard unthinking people say to my husband and me as photographers, but I wanted to keep the list short. Here it is, 10 things you should not say to a photographer.
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How to Choose Fonts for the Right Mood
There are so many fonts to choose from and each one conveys a mood and emotion. The problem is finding the right font for just the right mood you want to convey. Here are a few tips to think about.
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What Led up to Homeschooling My Children
Why would you want to take on the burden and responsibility to your children’s education? In my case, there were several reasons for our choice to homeschool and here some of them are.
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Memoirs of a Drama Director’s Wife
It’s very interesting being married to a drama director and theatrical writer. When we couldn’t get anyone else to help, we would turn to our own dramatic troupe, our kids. Here are a few highlights.
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Does Dramatic Performance Cure Shyness
If you have a hard time with public speaking or have a very shy child, try dramatic performance. I know this sounds totally absurd for a person already afraid of the public but it does work.
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Twig Wood Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
This is an easy to follow tutorial on creating a woody text effect for headings in Adobe Photoshop. I’m using the Liquify Filter, Bevel and Emboss and Photo overlay to create the foreground lighting.
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Celebrities Who Knit
I knitted for myself, my friends and family, my children, and now my grandchildren. Many people knit. Men and women. Even celebrities knit. Here are just a few of the knitters you may know of.
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Things for Kids to Do This Summer
You can just hear the comments of boredom and laziness from your children. So what is a parent to do? Arm yourself with a list of things for these bored kids to do during the summer for sanity.
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The Blended Family and Anger Management
Statics say more than half of marriages end in divorce. With that said, the possibilities of second chance marriages means lots of step parenting. Angry children need help dealing.
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Create a Spacy Nebula Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
This is an easy to follow tutorial on creating a glowing space scene perfect for a text effect for headings and images in Adobe Photoshop. I show step by step how to create a nebula and space.
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Colorful Rainbow Text Effect in Photoshop
This is a super simple, easy to follow tutorial on creating a glowing colorful text effect for headings and images in Adobe Photoshop. Follow along step by step to create this for yourself.
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Glowing Textured Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
This is a really easy to follow tutorial on creating a great glowing effect for text and images in Adobe Photoshop. This tutorial makes a beautiful text heading for your flyers or business cards.
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Intro to Photoshop: Faded Color Photo Problems
How many times have you opened an old honored album only to find prized photos fading and damaged, seemingly beyond repair? Well, I have a few steps you can take with Adobe Photoshop to fix your pix.
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Intro to Photoshop: Faded B & W Photo Problems
Have you ever wanted to know how to make your old photographs better? This is a short tutorial to help fix scratches, tears and damaged precious old black and white photos in Photoshop. Enjoy.
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Intro to Photoshop: the Tool Bar Eraser, Type, and Blur Tools
In this introduction, I will cover the rest of the tools listed on the tool bar starting with Dodge and Burn and how to make each one work. Like many things the more you practice, the better you get.
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Intro to Photoshop: the Tool Bar Lasso, Magic Wand, and Healing Brush Tools
If you are like me, new technology is intimidating. Some things are worth the effort. Adobe Photoshop is one of those. Like many things, the more you practice, the better you get at it. This is pt2.
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Intro to Photoshop: the Tool Bar Basics
If you are like me, new technology is intimidating. There are some things that are well worth the effort. Adobe Photoshop is one of those. Like many things the more you practice, the better you get.
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Old Chrome Text Effect In Adobe Photoshop
This is a really easy to follow tutorial on creating a reflective chrome effect for text in Adobe Photoshop. I have Adobe Photoshop CS6 but you can also use this technique with older versions.
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Awesome Gold Text Effect In Photoshop
I chose to do this Gold lettering on a hammered metal surface in Adobe Photoshop. This is a fun and fairly easy gold effect for letters you can use on photos or just a dark background. You'll love it.
- 8
Fun Fiery Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
Working with Photoshop text can be fun and very rewarding in certain visual messages or advertisements. Understanding the Photoshop program is one obstacle this exercise will help to solve.
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More Jokes for Today's Senior Citizens
I think humor is so important in our lives. We need to laugh for health, for happiness. Without humor, live would be a sad affair. I think God invented humor and intended for us to exercise it.
- 10
Create a Frozen Text Effect in Photoshop
Working with Photoshop text can be fun and very rewarding in certain visual messages or advertisements. This step-by-step procedure will explain how easy it is to create icy text effect in Photoshop.
- 30
Simplify Your Home: Declutter
My husband and I have more time for creative endeavors; less time spent cleaning and maintaining a home since we moved. Here are a few of the things we have learned about simplifying your home.
- 55
Aversion to Certain Colors
I have a strange aversion to the color green. I always knew I didn’t like it much; noticed I’d rather not wear anything green; didn’t decorate the house with it; but just wasn’t aware why.
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Superstitions, Old Wives Tales, and Tradition 2
Are they superstitions, old wives tales or just tradition? We follow these things because our elders did before us without giving it much thought. Where do these come from. Here is just a few.
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Superstitions, Old Wives Tales, and Tradition
Over the years I have heard several superstitions, most of which are laughable. Yet my mother taught me to say “Bless You” when sneezing, and not walk under ladders. Superstition or tradition?
- 24
Tales of Rejection
Rejection is hard to take. Yet acceptance is all the sweeter when you have faced rejection several times. That is the life of the writer and illustrator.
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Blended Families—Me and the Other Mother
Today blended families have a completely different feel and dynamic than 30 years ago. But relationships between the Mom and the other mother is still a strained place to be. Here is my take on it.
- 22
Stories of Sisters
Little sister, younger sis, sibling, brat, whatever you call her, she is special. She seems to hold a place in my life like no one else can, not even best friends. A story of sisters then and now.
- 21
Yarns and Knitting Oddities
If you have a stash of yarn that you cannot possibly knit unless you live 150 years then you can relate to some the stories here. Different yarns, stories and oddities explored.
- 40
Rejection Letters Don’t Kill, Only Maim A Little.
Rejection is hard to take but not fatal. Dealing with it, adding humor and determination can be the most positive things that every happened to a good writer or illustrator. My experience.
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English Language Peculiarities 2
The English Language is filled with peculiarities. It seems to me that words are the poorest way to get messages across, and it must be doubly hard for those learning it as a second language.
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Problems With The English Language
Anyone who has tried to learn a foreign language knows that it takes time to get the vocabulary correct. Some of the funniest incidents can happen when you are off by just one letter or inflection.
- 30
Jokes for Today's Senior Citizens
One of the greatest things about hanging out with the seniors was there humors way of looking at the world. They often told about funny things that happened to them in their life. Here are a few.
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Today’s Wicked Step Mother
When we think of stepmothers, why is it a horrible cackling witch enticing some innocent with an apple, or a mean tyrant doling out workloads like a slavedriver comes to mind? I hate that.
- 16
Art Therapy for Special Needs People
I have had plenty of experience with teaching art. But the most interesting and challenging classes were the ones where a group of special needs people arrived. The benefits of art therapy are great.
- 25
Bible Funnies and Jokes
The Bible is full of funny things. All you have to do is look for them. Here are just a few of my favorite Bible jokes and funny one-liners.
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What Can You Do After 60?
Is it over? Is there life after 60? Can a person achieve goals and dreams after retirement? The answers to these questions and many more are examined here. Journey with me.
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Outside Games and Activities for Bored Children
When your children are bored do you point them outside? There doesn’t always have to be a party to have fun activities. There are so many fun games we played before electronic devices.
- 10
Build Your Own Kite Diy
It’s that time of year again, when the breeze picks up and the weather warms enough to go enjoy it with a kite. From history of kites to making your own, you find it here.
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How to Choose Safe, Easy Passwords
With Internet banking and shopping becoming vogue, choosing and remember passwords is becoming harder and more challenging. These are some excellent suggestions for making memorable and secure, unhackable passwords.
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Shopping at Thrift Stores Helps the Economy
We have become a society concerned about the environment, economy and ecology. Recycling is our watchword, yet many still feel uncomfortable at thrift stores. What is that about?
- 62
What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?
Graphology is the study of handwriting and the clues it reveals about your personality. Here are just a few of the clues to look for when analyzing your handwriting.
- 32
Confessions of a Former Homeschool Mom
Homeschooling is still a bit controversial today but was really frowned on when I pulled my 4 children out of public school 3 decades ago. Here are a few of the interesting things I found out.
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Make Your Own Paper Mache Piñatas
Paper Mache has been around a long time. It is the perfect material to create piñatas because it is breakable, yet firm and moldable. Here are some reasons to make your own piñata.
- 15
Thermostat wars--Keep Your Home Comfortable in Winter
My husband is a cold-blooded guy and likes his home warm. I’m a hot-blooded girl and like it on the cool side. Thus the thermostat wars begin every winter when temperatures drop.
- 32
The Lost Art of Sending Cards: Ecards Vs. Paper Cards
The holidays are when people think of sending cards to let folks know they are thought of, missed and remembered. The problem is that cards, especially those with a personal message, are becoming less and less common.
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3 Ways To Fix Those Painting Booboos
Artists are always looking for ways to touch up, and fix those less than perfect paintings. Here are three ways to upgrade and repair those otherwise discarded watercolor paintings.
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Digital Jobs for a Working Artist
The whole world has gone digital. If you have already embraced digital art then you are ahead of the curve. I have listed a few of the jobs you could get with digital art experience.
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More Jobs for a Working Artist
The great thing about being an artist is that you don’t have to focus on only one skill or medium. Part of keeping creativity fresh is experimentation in other disciplines. The jobs follow.
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Jobs for a Working Artist
Artists can be many things and do many jobs. Here is a short-listing of art jobs and skill levels. For the sake of this article I am concentrating on visual arts.
- 3
Water for Elephants... A Book Review
This book made me picture my life in the years to come. What will I think about and remember? What will I dwell on when there is only my and my active mind against an inactive body? A good read.
- 9
Travel Round Ireland… with a Fridge Book Review
Want some light reading? Enjoy a little travel? Romance? Danger? Humor? Kitchen Appliances? This is the perfect book.
- 25
What I Want People To Say About Me When I’m Gone
It seems like a morbid thought, but I gave given thought to my funeral. Having attended the funerals for my father and others, and the wake that followed, I know how people can talk about the things.
- 3
Holidays for the Blended Family
I hate inequality. It is one of those things that as a parent we fight against. However the very nature of stepfamilies prohibits equality. I have a few suggestions to help even the problems out.
- 4
Facing Difficult Decisions
When you don’t know which way to go in a situation, how do you deal with it? Do you flip a coin; play “eanie, meanie, minie, moe”? I have a few ways of making hard decisions that may help you.
- 11
Love God and Sleep Naked
As a minister's wife, I got to a lot of weddings and I'm always asked what advice I would give the newlywed couple. Here is my best advice:
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Helpful Kitchen Alternatives
I have collected a number of helpful alternatives to save money and the environment. Some of these things have been around for years and some of them I have only recently discovered.
- 9
Multiculturalism in Children's Books in America
I just read some disturbing statics about multicultural representation in children's books and I can’t seem to move on without discussing them. Let me know what you think.
- 6
Stenciled Paper Craft Projects
If it has to be special, why not make it yourself? After all, taking the time to make the bag design yourself says you really care! This stenciled paper can be used for bags, wrapping, and more.
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The Mysteries of Composition Examined
To make painting and drawing interesting you have to consider composition as well as subject matter. Here are a few tips about composition.
- 5
A Short History of Knitting
If you have ever had problems reading a pattern and can’t figure out why one is understandable and another seems to be beyond you, well, I have the reason. The History of Knitting!
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More Knitting Basics Explained
People are always asking me is knit or crochet easier? It’s not that simple. I love doing them both. Here are a few tips to understand the process better.
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Knitting Basics Explained
I have knitted since I was about 10 years old and loved the way it feels and hangs when warn. These are a few explanations of the process techniques to help beginning knitters make better garments.
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Blended Family Situations and Helps
The statistics state over half of marriages end in divorce. With most of those involving children and remarriage, the problems with blended family situations is one the rise and help is out there.
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Stories of My Dad's 1930's Childhood in Indiana
My father told us some fascinating stories of growing up in southern Indiana, right on the Ohio River. He was a funny practical joker and here are some of his stories: A lasting memorial and tribute.
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Non-Electronic Motivational and Educational Games for Kids
I know there are myriads of cool educational games and apps for families today but don't neglect the non-electronic games that can be played on a long car trip. No pencils or devices needed.