Creating a Fun Outdoor Atmosphere
With the spring quickly rushing in upon us, it’s time to take a closer look at the appearance of our backyards and our outdoor patio furniture. While most of us pay close attention to the feeling that our interior creates and how furniture and other factors will contribute to creating a certain atmosphere in an indoor family room, den, or rumpus room, a lot of us don’t pay nearly as much attention to how we can create a fun look in our backyards. It’s time to correct that.
Particularly for those of us who live in tropical climates such as Hawaii and the artificially lush desert climate of the Southwest, the Tiki look is one very amusing way to decorate our backyard that, for some reason, goes especially well with a pool. Polynesian-inspired Tiki culture in the United States dates back to the mid-1930s and the opening of the first Don, the Beachcomber restaurant in Hollywood, California. Today considered a hallmark of enjoyable kitsch, the Tiki craze peaked in the postwar years of the late 1940s and 1950s and was then picked up again in the 1990s as part of the revival of interest in lounge music and culture…and it’s never gone away. We love the Tiki look — bamboo on outdoor patio furniture is a real blast.
Of course, that’s only one example. Many folks go for a nautical theme inspired by anything from “Spongebob Squarepants” and “Gilligan’s Island” to an even more elaborate look inspired by “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Others, of course, don’t want to go quite so far out and want to embrace a look of more casual elegance.
The Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century and the architects and designers it influenced later on is often an inspiration here. While not everyone can afford to have landscape architecture and high end outdoor patio furniture recalling the work of Richard Neutra, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Charles Eames, we can shop around to create a subtle, classy effect. With enough effort, you can do almost anything.
Xyron XRN900 9-Inch Creative Station Multi Function Crafting System Reviews
Xyron XRN900 9-Inch Creative Station Multi Function Crafting System
- Perfect for memory crafters, schools, office use, and home projects
- Make stickers and magnets from photos, fabric, leather, ribbon, fancy papers and greeting cards
- No electricity or heat required
- Apply edge-to-edge adhesive, laminate and make magnets up to 9-inches wide
- Measures 15-6/7 by 8-6/7 by 8-1/5 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Create stickers, magnets or laminate items in the amount of time it takes to turn the handle on the XRN900 9-inch Creative Station. Interchangeable cartridges pop in and out in seconds and store easily when not in use. Perfect for crafters, parents, schools, office use, group projects and in-store promotions. Make stickers and magnets up to 9-inches wide. Keep recipes, business cards, IDs and more from getting dirty or bent with the laminate. Laminate adheres smoothly and evenly to both sides without the use of electricity or heat. Stickers can even be made out of intricate items like lace doilies. The adhesive sticks to the design without leaving a residue in the cut out areas. Combination refill cartridges allow for applying laminate to one side of a project and magnet or acid-free adhesive to the other side without heat, warm up time, or any sticky mess. Also available is an acid-free repositionable adhesive cartridge which allows you to place, remove and re-place items on any project. For smaller projects look for the XRN510 5-inch Creative Station and for larger projects choose Creatopia by Xyron which works with items up to 12-inches wide and up to 1/2-inch thick.
List Price: $ 119.99
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Related Creative Craft Ideas Products
Creative Comfort Crafter’s Comfort Glove
Creative Comfort Crafter’s Comfort Glove
- Ideal for support during crafting, quilting, sewing, knitting, gardening and office work.
- Breathable stretchy cotton/lycra fabric provides mild compression and delivers all day comfort
- Latex-Free
A seamless; lightweight soft cotton/lycra compression knit for a snug fit that warms and supports the hand. The unique design helps improve circulation; reduce swelling and relieve arthritis pain. The open fingertips allow full freedom to feel and grip all day. Wear by themselves or as glove liners for maximum comfort while you are doing your favorite activities. The lycra allows skin to breath and keeps hands dry. Care: hand wash; air dry. Medium-up to 3-1/2in.
List Price: $ 16.99
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Best Arts Crafts Creative Educational Gift Ideas 2011 – Complete Chinese Japanese Calligraphy Set in Fan Box
- Learn the Ancient Art & Craft of Chinese Tang Calligraphy
- Black Ink Stick, Ink Pad, Ming Porcelain Mixing Ink Mixing Bowl, 5 Horse Hair Brushes
- Wonderful Arts & Crafts Gift Idea for Young & Old
- Browse our Extraordinary Selection of Asian Art & 2000+ Asian Home Décor & Unique Gifts
- Ships Next Business Day, Pro. Packed & Insured from Boston via FedEx – Expedited Deliv. Available
This fan calligraphy set comes in a green silk gift box. It includes tools necessary to begin learning the art of calligraphy, including: a set of 5 bamboo and horsehair brushes, black ink stick, red ink paste in porcelain jar, carved mixing stone, porcelain mixing bowl and ladle, porcelain brush stand and soapstone dragon chop (stamp). Set ships within 48 hours, professionally packed and fully insured, via FedEx, expedited delivery available. Click the Orientalfurniture link above to browse 2000+ east Asian design wall art, sculptures, ceramics, lamps, furniture, and room divider screens!
List Price: $ 19.00
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IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit
IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit
- Make your own book kit allows children to write and illustrate their own story
- Receive a color-copied, professionally type-set book in a few short weeks
- Children get to design cover and write About the Author biography page
- Mail in story in the prepaid envelope, or create book entirely online.
- Includes 18 book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and prepaid envelope
IlluStory
Write and illustrate your own book!!
Imagine your child’s face when she or he sees their own story and drawings made into a professionally typeset, hardbound book! With this multi – award winning kit, you simply have your child write and illustrate their story using the materials supplied in the kit, which are then mailed in (in the pre-paid envelope provided) for publication. You’ll soon receive a beautiful, professionally typset, 12 page, 7″ x 9″ hardcover book, complete with an “about the author page”, title and dedication pages and your little author’s name, title and drawing laminated on the cover. Extras books are optional and make great gifts for grandparents. Winner of Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, Parents’ Choice Classic Award, Family Life’s Best Learning Toy Award and Dr. Toy Best Toy-Classic Award.
Publish your own book with the Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit! This award-winning activity kit allows future authors to write and illustrate their very own story on special book pages provided. Once the story is complete, it is sent to be published, and in a few short weeks the budding writer receives a color-copied, professionally type set hardbound book. Ideal for ages five and up, this innovative kit nurtures enthusiasm for reading, writing, and illustrating.
Let the Fun Begin
Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit is not only fun, it also helps your child build self-esteem. You’ll never forget the look in your budding writer’s eyes as you proudly display his or her first book on your coffee table or bookshelf. This kit even includes an “About the Author” biography page, title, and dedication, just like a real published book. Your child will also enjoy creating the cover and will be able to select from seven cover colors. Families can have fun too as they create their own story together. Extra books with alternate dedication pages can be ordered to make the child’s story a gift or keepsake for family, friends, or teachers.
Once your child is finished with the writing, sending the manuscript to publishing is easy, with the included paid postage envelope. Production time is about three to four weeks, plus delivery time. The finished hardcover book measures 7 by 9 inches with 12 pages, and features a permanent hardback binding, a laminated cover drawing, and book title. For techno-savy young authors, the book can be created entirely online by using the Creations By You bookmaking Web site. The entire Illustory kit includes 18 special book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and a prepaid envelope. The correct spelling option allows a choice between leaving spelling errors in or having the words printed correctly.
Award-Winning Features
This kit was a winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, as well as multiple awards from other organizations. It helps builds self-esteem and sparks an interest in reading and writing. Youngsters learn to see a project through to completion, and their final printed story rewards their effort. There are many optional upgrades available (for a charge) to enhance the book. Extra books can be printed and separately dedicated as gifts for family and friends. In addition, the author’s photo can appear on the bio page, and rush delivery is also available. The Make Your Own Book kit beautifully captures a child’s creativity and turns it into a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.
What’s in the Box
18 book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and prepaid envelope.
Using the popular IlluStory Make Your Own Story kit, kids who love to write and color can turn their work into a “published,” hardcover book that’s complete with personalized dedications for each copy. Aspiring writers ages seven and up will get a big thrill when their finished book comes in the mail featuring their own creative text as well as their own photo in the “About the Author” section!
Kids will love seeing their work published with the IlluStory kit. View larger. |
Each kit comes with 10 colorful markers. View larger. |
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Write, Color, Publish!
Parents will have to read the instructions carefully to help kids create and mail in their book for publishing. There are several important rules to follow, such as strict word countes per page. Once you’ve helped your child understand the rules, all they have to do is color and write! There are “cover pages” and “story pages” provided, with extras of each in case of mistakes — a thoughtful touch.
The kit includes 10 markers, but kids can also use their own. When it comes time to publish, the variety of options parents will be faced with can be confusing. They are all covered in the instructions, which are relatively clear, but you may have to read them a couple times through to fully digest them.
Great Gifts for Relatives
Though kids can only write one story per kit, they can write personalized dedications for each book they order, which makes their published books great gifts for grandparents and other relatives. The “About the Author” section is sure to be exciting for your child, especially when they see their own photo. And while younger kids will love the act of coloring and writing on the pages that are provided, older, computer-savvy kids might enjoy the option to create their book online — an option that lets your child get published faster!
Watch Out, Stephen King!
We really appreciated the extra cover and story pages that were provided in case of mistakes. The “Story Web: Plan Your Story” page is a nice feature too: it gives kids a quick lesson in storytelling while encouraging them to plot their story out before writing. The ability to create your book online is very cool. But our online attempt to create the cover illustration got sadly foiled by a technical error. There was no explanation of what it was or how to fix it, either. On the other hand, the physical kit, with its quality, old-fashioned paper and pens is easy to use. Also, when you mail the story in for publishing, the postage is free!
What’s in the Box
Instructions, story web planner, two cover pages, 18 book pages, order form, 10 broadline washable markers, and postage paid envelope.
IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit gives kids the opportunity to write, illustrate, and publish their very own hardcover books, whether they want to create their own magical world or describe a fun family vacation. After sending the writing and illustrations for their entire story, they’ll receive a typeset 7-by-9-inch hardcover book with 12 story pages, a dedication page, a title page, and an “About the Author” page in three to four weeks. The cost of IlluStory covers postage and production of the book, making this a great gift for budding authors of all ages.
Gets Kids Excited about Writing
Winner of several industry awards, including an iParenting Media Award and Better Homes and Gardens Creative Child Toy of the Year Award, IlluStory is a creative way to help kids develop their writing skills. Kids choose their topic and do all the writing and illustrating, so parents are much less likely to hear moans and groans about being bored. A helpful Story Web sheet helps get the creative juices flowing, and the set of 10 washable markers is sure to inspire their artistic side.
Create by Hand or Design Online
Your child can either handwrite the book on the provided pages or submit it page by page online. The one benefit of Internet publishing is a shorter turnaround time. Sticking to the traditional method, however, is easier and more convenient for younger children, although parents will likely have to help transcribe the text.
Prepaid Publication–No Hidden Costs
This kit comes with an order form where your child can choose from seven different cover styles with or without accent trim. This sheet also offers a range of add-on options–like 18 pages with double-sided printing, rush delivery, book jackets, and including a photo on the About the Author page–at an additional cost. If you just stick to the basic book and the normal delivery timeline, you won’t have to pay a dime, not even for postage. A prepaid envelope comes with the kit.
Professional Final Product
Our testers found that the finished book looks very professional, with good quality paper, outlined illustrations, and clear text. The spine of the book seems sturdy and well made so it should hold up through multiple readings. Additional copies for friends and relatives can easily be ordered online.
What’s in the Box
Instructions, story planner, 2 cover pages, 18 book pages, 10 washable markers, order form, and prepaid envelope.
List Price: $ 19.95
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Walnut Hollow Designed For Her Creative Soldering Tool
Walnut Hollow Designed For Her Creative Soldering Tool
- Soldering tool ideal for jewelry making, stained glass project and more
- Includes tool, soldering points, copper foil tape, instructions
- Tool features on/off switch, comfort grip, stand
- Keep away from children
The 950-degree soldering tool comes with 2 interchangeable soldering points (cone and square) 10-feet of adhesive back copper foil tape 10-feet of lead-free solder with rosin core and a tool stand. Tool has an on/off switch for added safety. Use the Creative Soldering Tool for jewelry making electronic soldering needs or for a stained glass project. There is no need to use flux with the rosin core solder because the flux is built into this solder for easy use. Tool features non-slip comfort grip. Comes with instructions. Warning: Hot tool can cause severe burns. Use carefully. Keep away from children and combustible materials. Not to be used as a toy. UL listed E76789.
List Price: $ 19.99
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Book in Russian - "Children's art and crafts. Creative ideas"
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Leave a commentRecyclables Fun: Creative Craft Ideas Reviews
Recyclables Fun: Creative Craft Ideas
Instructions for making crafts with household materials such as plastic foam, scrap fabrics, egg cartons, etc.
List Price: $ 4.95
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