The buttons are not only for clothes. It is unclear when scrapbooking with buttons began as a trend. Even in early scrapbook albums, it was not uncommon to see a button on a page of scrapbooking. Often, it was a memory button, like a piece of vintage clothing or first holding a baby girl. As scrapbooking pages started to become more 3-D and scrappers looked for unique embellishments for their pages, buttons became more popular. The manufacturers have started offering buttons to coordinate with their paper lines, and buttons with themes like Christmas and Sport became available. Monthly Scrapbooking Kits and page kits often include additional buttons as part of their packages. Here are some tips for scrapbooking buttons on your pages. 1. Buttons aligned together can make a border for your layouts scrapbooking. 2. Place buttons in your titles by using them to dot your “i” s. You can also use them as a center of letters like “o” and “p.” 3. The buttons can be secured to a page using embroidery thread by sewing in the page. 4. Glue Dots work well to join larger buttons on a page, as well as buttons that are not flat on the bottom. 5. A few buttons are accented Nice to anchor a border strip to a page. Again, dots of glue to securely attach the buttons to the Ribbon. 6. Try placing a button on the flap of an envelope to decorate a single page element. 7. The flowers are always very popular on scrapbooking pages. Silk or paper flowers come in all sizes and colors now. A center button is perfect for a flower. An additional advantage is that the button can hide the adhesive that generally shows a paper flower. 8. Take 4 small buttons and attach them to the 4 corners of a photograph. The buttons look like they hold the photo page. 9. Create a bulleted list for logging. Use the buttons like bullets. 10. Scrapbooking tags can be used for page elements, photo mats and journaling blocks on a scrapbooking page. You can use a button to decorate the hole on top of a tag. 11. Try placing a button on a page and then the chain hanging from a scrapbooking tag her as an anchor. 12. A button with antiques, vintage or non-usual can be used individually on a page as a page element of its own. Try double matting on the button to highlight it on your network. 13. Attach a button to a page with empty holes, or son of some dental floss through the holes and tie a knot or bow for added emphasis. 14. Do not limit yourself to one size of buttons on your layout. Mix sizes and styles of buttons. You can stay with the same color, but a variety of different buttons in the same color on a single page. 15. The buttons can be memories. Save buttons on shirts, bags, hats and other clothing that have sentimental value, but you can not use. The buttons can be added to a scrapbooking page to remember when you wear these. Buttons Baby look cute on a baby layout as well.
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Tips for Surviving the Holidays With a Toddler
This time of year is very exciting for families. However, the party can be a bit much for toddlers to handle. Guests for the night, many people in the house, travel and endless activities can leave toddlers excited and missing their old life. The result can be stress and lack of sleep. Use these tips to ensure your holiday season is full of pleasure instead of stress. 1) Keep your sleep schedule for your toddler in mind when visiting family and friends during the holidays. If festivities interfere with nap or bedtime, try to arrange for your child to stick to their schedule. Ask in advance if there is a quiet place where your child can lie down for a nap. Plan quiet activities for older children during periods of rest. Toddlers need sleep to recover from reading and visiting. Their immunity and development is hampered if they do not get the rest they need. 2) Do not let your child get lost in the excitement. Sometimes adults are so busy visiting with each other, keeping the house clean and prepare large meals, they fail to pay attention to their toddlers. Toddlers need time with people who like to relax and center themselves. Plan some play time, lap alone, or even a kid movie Christmas time when your little one can relax and enjoy some human contact. Most parents are happy to help by reading to your child or to carry on a fast walk. 3) Do not neglect the play time outdoors. Outdoor games is important, especially if your child is visiting homes where they are not allowed to run and play as usual. Designate at least thirty minutes twice a day and take the children outside. If time does not permit, try to spend time with windows or on the covered porches where they can still get some sunlight. Vitamin D that we receive from the sun on our skin helps us keep a good mood throughout the winter months. It also helps to maintain energy during the day and sleep well at night. 4) Plan Age-appropriate activities. This is your chance to have your child create something that you may treasure for the rest of your life. Homemade Christmas tree ornaments are fun to make and make wonderful gifts and souvenirs. Plan activities that all children in the home can participate in. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies. Print photos of each child and let them make ornaments and cards. A treasure hunt is to announce that hide-and-seek time. Being led by adults helps children learn to listen and agree with each other. 5) Whatever you do, just make sure there are things planned for your toddler. A good mixture of quiet activities and exciting to help keep their stress levels at the lowest while teaching them about your traditions and fun. Provide learning toys and preschool toys for visiting toddlers to play with. An activity table will not make a mess and encourage cooperative play between friends and family. A good variety of rugs for children, soft play toys, toys and childcare will quietly entertain little ones while you enjoy the holiday season.
Christmas Scrapbooking: Some Tips and Tricks
Interested in starting a family album for Christmas, but have no idea how or where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right section, and “x” mark is really the place for information on Christmas scrapbooking ideas designed to save you time and labor, trouble and money. Keep reading and get inspired. Choose a theme and stick to it. It may take time to establish the exact topic you want, but this is one of those steps that the whole operation hinges on Christmas scrapbooking. It will determine your content, focus and results. So choose carefully and attentively, because the idea of scrapbooking Christmas you save may well be yours. Changing themes for your Christmas scrapbooking has the same result as what Abraham Lincoln said about “changing horses in midstream.” Retrieve material that reflects your Christmas scrapbooking theme. Remember that everything is permitted, and the world is your source of material for your Christmas scrapbooking. Consider all sorts of trinkets paper, namely, maps, newspaper clippings, letters, lists all kinds of tickets for shows, cartoons and any other physical objects of the life of the subject or subjects of your scrapbooking Christmas. Consider stuffing everything into one big basket until you can sort all this and refine your selection. Remember, individuals can be found in the mundane. Life is made of many simple moments and you want to capture those that reflect the passion of the theme of your Christmas scrapbooking. Everyday photos are just as important as those to commemorate important events. Take pictures often so there is plenty to choose from. Even a Christmas album can hold a memory of summer, if it is relevant to the topic presented in your Christmas scrapbooking idea. Design each page as a story in itself. You may want to use creative design techniques such as drilling of paper, punch art and inking and color schemes to differentiate the simple pages of your Christmas scrapbooking and ensure that they stand alone . Create a title for each page and put them all, with a caption for each item, to see how everything goes in your book before Christmas to glue together. Balancing your pictures and captions first and then decide which technique will focus this single page. Remember also that not a single space on a page in your scrapbooking Christmas must be filled. A little space between the pictures and captions is a good thing, as Martha Stewart used to say (and probably still). Display your photos with pride while scrapbooking Christmas. The photos are at the heart of most albums and techniques featuring Flair can make unique holiday scrapbooking your Christmas. Some thoughts in this direction could include: the old fashioned photo corners, shooting mats cons scrapbooking Christmas colors to set the images off the white paper and photographs looming (by cutting their origins). This technique works best with images bodied. Capture special and unique qualities of your family Christmas scrapbooking. One way is to find quotes, stories, jokes and cartoons that relate specifically to your family Christmas scrapbooking. The extra care you take in selecting these items can not fail to show in the final presentation of your Christmas scrapbooking product. You can also use markers to draw your own cartoons, family portraits and doodles, if you feel inclined. Let your child dictate the photo captions. Sometimes they have great ideas for scrapbooking Christmas. Use your imagination with your Christmas scrapbooking and create decorative borders with fingerprints, handprints and footprints even if you can find a way to deal artistically without ruining your carpet. Have fun and let the child in you come out and play a little! This is what scrapbooking is all about Christmas! Go for Imperfection. If you have children to attend your Christmas scrapbooking, you must let go of the idea that the results will be perfect (whatever that is). Leave masterpieces for artists like Michelangelo. (Scrapbooking Your Christmas will not ceilings anyway.) Settle for finishing the project with all the children put in their two cents. Buy high quality products that will last. It is the effort behind your scrapbooking Christmas will surely touch the heart of its recipient. Spend a little more to turn your Christmas scrapbooking idea into a legacy that will stand the test of time. Make sure that the papers that you buy for your Christmas scrapbooking are free of the plant component, lignin, resulting in tissue and photos to brown. It should say “lignin free” on packaging. Regarding the paperwork goes, buy a 12 by 12 inches, acid-free 100-page book stock in several colors, pre-cut with holes and coated on the edges. While you’re in the store, full of acid free markers and double-sided tape, stamps and rubber pads, glue sticks, photo corners and adhesives Pinking Shears or other “crazy” scissors that make decorative edges. Be guided by your imagination. Things may be different than expected, but that only proves that art really does imitate life. Most importantly, have fun while working on your Christmas scrapbooking project. You are sure to come back to him with love and pride that you pass this new family heritage for future generations. It is a real heritage and a Christmas gift that will stand the test of time!
The Tips for Christmas Celebration
Christmas is coming! The holidays are just around the corner and we have got some ideas and tips for Christmas decorations to create memorable family moments.
Between cooking and cleaning, setting the stage for celebrations can be an overwhelming task. These easy Christmas decorating ideas and tips will help you provide a festive environment for a winter holiday you will always remember.
First things first, set a holiday atmosphere. Holiday decorations and scents are essential to setting the mood for a festive Christmas get-together. Weave some garland or check out your local craft and hobby store for some wicker baskets and make your own colorful centerpiece. Find at least one decoration that will stand the test of time. It will have to be durable and be stored properly. On the bottom, write the date it was first used. Your family will get used to this particular decoration and as the years go by; it will become a conversation piece that will bring back many Christmas memories.
The second that we will do is decorating a Christmas tree. Every family has a routine for trimming their tree. Whether it’s adorned with treasured ornaments, or a trendy flocked tree, it’s where the presents are parked. If you want to keep your traditional Christmas tree, but enjoy the new fiber optic designs, consider getting a smaller, tabletop version. This way you’ll have the best of both worlds.
The third thing that you will do is decorating your Christmas table. Your table decor will look inviting with a cloth or linen tablecloth. They are readily available in Christmas season patterns with bright, holiday colors. Often you can find matching napkins to complete the look. They are more appropriate on a smaller table for children to reduce stains.
The most popular centerpiece choice is a fresh fruit basket — with good reason. This will serve two purposes. The brilliance of the basket itself brings natural beauty and color to your table, and the fruit makes a nutritional snack that will compliment any meal. That is why they make such a popular gift. If a fruit basket isn’t your choice, display a bouquet or basket of fresh flowers on your table to compliment your tablecloth and add color. Silk flowers and poinsettias are gorgeous and can be used year after year.
At last, take all of your favorite old Christmas cards, cut them up and organize them into a collage. Secure them together with glue. After this is done, cut them into an oval shape and laminate them to make some unique, beautiful placemats. Candles supply beauty, a delicate scent, and an overall homey feeling. There are some seasonal candles available specifically for winter and Christmas holidays. Choose adorned candleholders and jars or decorate your own with beads.
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Tips on Buying Art for a Friend
With the festive season round the corner, many of you are probably starting on your gift shopping. If you’re having a hard time deciding on what to buy for your loved ones, why not consider buying art? A beautiful art piece displayed in your friend’s home will not only beautify the place, but also be a nice conversation topic for visitors.
However, buying art for someone else can be quite tricky. The last thing you want happening is to buy something that doesn’t suit the décor of your friend’s house. And your friend might end up quietly putting the art piece away into the store room after a while. You have to make sure that the art piece that you buy must compliment the décor of his home.
Here are some tips to help you make the right buying decisions:
If you have never visited your friend’s home, try to arrange for a meet up, so that you can have a sneak preview of the place. While you are there pay close attention to the decorative theme of the house. Is it modern contemporary, minimalist, or maybe Victorian? Perhaps your friend is well traveled, and has collected antiques from all over the world. Maybe he likes Asian styles, as evidenced by the furniture and decorative ornaments around the house. Pay attention also to the color theme. Are the walls colorful with bright primary colors, or is it in pastel earthy colors? These considerations will affect your decision in the kind of art you will buy. Location
While you are in the house, identify a wall where you might want the art piece to be hung. It can be quite challenging to find suitable space to hang art – even more so if the wall is already decorated with art pieces. Remember that you don’t have to buy a very large piece that occupies the entire wall. You can have a small art piece that can share the wall space with other pieces that are already there. You just need to pay attention to the theme of those art pieces. For example, if those pieces are black and white pictures of architectural buildings, then you have a pretty good idea on the type of art to buy that will match nicely with the others. Color
A rule of thumb is to take note of the 2 strongest colors in the room, and then choose art that has those colors in them. For example, if the room has a lot of brown and beige, you can find art that has these 2 colors in them, but it’s ok to have an additional splash of red or yellow in it. After all, you want the art piece to stand out and tell a story, so don’t pick an art piece that blends so well until it becomes un-noticeable.
Take note of other things in the room that may be attention grabbing. For example, if there is a beautiful Persian rug at the center of the room that the owner is very proud of, then choose an art piece with subtler colors than the rug so as not to steal attention away from it. Having a room with rugs, curtains and art pieces all shouting for attention can throw the entire room out of balance. Style
It is important to find an art piece that will match the décor style of your friend’s home. If the house has a Victorian style to it or has a lot of old antiques, pick an art piece that will match closely with that style. Floral themed paintings or scenes of the countryside can never go wrong. Protect it with an antique styled frame that will add a nice old charmed look. Remember that the frame you choose is also part of the art piece, so do not ignore it. A frame with intricate details and carvings will work nicely with a Victorian or old cottage house.
For a modern home with contemporary styled furniture, you’ll be practically spoilt for choice when it comes to contemporary art. For a room that’s colorful, pick something that’s black and white. For a room that has neutral colors, choose something that will stand out and grab attention. The important thing to note is that you want the art to be noticed. Remember also, that contemporary or abstract art, do not have to mean anything. Different people will interpret it differently. So don’t be too hard on yourself when choosing the right art for your friend. Size
If you intend to purchase a large art piece, make sure your friend has enough wall space to put it. It may seem common sense, but coming from an interior design point of view, large pieces are more suitable for rooms with a lot of space and have high ceilings. If your friend is living in a small space, then certainly large pieces may not be suitable. In this case, get a smaller piece, or better yet, get a set of small, similar looking themed art pieces that can be grouped together when displayed. On the other hand, if your friend is living in a very large space, buying art that is too small will make it look out of place and out of proportion.
So there you have it – just some basic guidelines to set you in the right direction. Remember, if all else fails and you really cannot find a suitable space to hang art, you can always put your art piece into a photo frame and display it next to other photographs. Nothing is impossible. Just a little experimentation can work wonders.
Enjoy your art shopping!
Copyright 2007 Edwin Mah
Collectible Christmas Tree Ornaments : Tips for Collecting Historical Christmas Ornaments
There are lots of valuable Christmas tree ornaments. Learn about collecting era specificChristmas tree ornaments & decorations in this free video guide to holiday antiques & collectibles. Expert: Sue Shea Contact: www.SheaAntique.com Bio: Sue Shea has been dealing in antiques since 1979, and has her own shop, Shea Antiques, located in Shelburne Falls, MA. Her passion is early American 18th & 19th century antique country furnishings. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso
Collectible Christmas Tree Ornaments : Preservation Tips for Collectible Christmas Ornaments
There are lots of valuable Christmas tree ornaments. Learn how to preserve collectibleChristmas tree ornaments & decorations in this free video guide to collecting holiday antiques. Expert: Sue Shea Contact: www.SheaAntique.com Bio: Sue Shea has been dealing in antiques since 1979, and has her own shop, Shea Antiques, located in Shelburne Falls, MA. Her passion is early American 18th & 19th century antique country furnishings. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso
The Tips for Christmas Tree Decoration
You will get many ideas to decorate your Christmas tree wherever you are at this time of every year. Actually, different people have different ideas about decorating the Christmas tree. You can decorate the trees as your taste. However, there are also some details to make your decorations more inspired and innovative.
Firstly, you should pay attention to the lights. Lights are the essential part of the Christmas decoration. There are many kinds, styles, and colors of lights. Be sure choose the lights that strike your fancy instead of those that you think will drive your family crazy.
Secondly, you should choose the Christmas tree carefully because there are also many styles of tree. One choice is the white Christmas tree. If you choose a white one, you can go with a dual-colored theme for your christmas ornaments and lights to increase the atmosphere of lovely and elegant.
It is quite possible to create a beautiful theme by placing these ornaments on a white Christmas tree if you have some red and green ornaments lying around the house. Of course, you can use other ornaments, such as red bows, green ornaments and combinations of two.
Decorating the Christmas tree is a pleasure. If you choose a white Christmas tree, you are giving yourself a clean palate upon which to create a Christmas decorating masterpiece. The fewer colors you use on your tree, the more elegant and less crowded it will appear. It is possible to decorate your Christmas tree in any way.
How to Make Tin Punched Christmas Ornaments : Safety Tips for Making Tin Christmas Ornaments
Learn safety tips for making tin punching Christmas ornaments with expert tips on decorating Christmas trees in thisfree holiday video. Expert: Marie French Bio: Marie French’s work has traveled the globe. She has taught what sje has learned in workshops, museums and libraries in New York. Filmmaker: Sally Martin
