Crafting Secrets

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The holiday season is a favorite time of the year for many. Some like the decorations, some like the food, some like the gifts, and others enjoy all the great company and fun parties. But no one enjoys the holidays quite like the children. After all, they can enjoy the snow, gifts, food, and fun without having to worry about any of the adult responsibilities that go with it!

If you want to put together a great present that will make the holidays extra special for the (well-behaved) children in your life, consider getting together a kid’s gift basket. This particular present comes with a lot of advantages. It is a relatively simple concept, which leaves you with lots of room to personalize the basket in a way that is assured to put a smile on the child’s face. You can make the gift practical, (if you want to keep the parents happy) or whimsical. Gift baskets can also be a great way to save money if you have more than one child to buy for, which I will explain more on later. The first step is to build the basket. Below are step by step instructions on how to do so.

Step 1 – Deciding on the Contents

Your first step should always be deciding on what you want to put in the basket. This way you will know what size basket to get, and how to decorate it. You could get things like mittens, hats, scarves, gloves, chocolate, candy, arts and crafts items, and of course, plush toys. Candy is usually a welcome item within a basket, but for those who want to avoid it, consider substituting crayons and other arts and crafts items instead. This keeps things fun, but is easier on their teeth.

A really great center piece for any gift basket would be a stuffed animal, because what kid doesn’t love plush toys? You could get any animal that fits their personality, like a plush lion, teddy bear, rabbit, or even a dolphin. Imagine using a penguin as the centerpiece of your gift basket, and then filling the basket with holiday themed candy. There’s a lot you can do with plush toys, so be creative! Find a stuffed animal that’s appropriate for them and it will really make the gift basket in to something special.

Step 2 – Finding the Right Basket

After you’ve decided on the content, you can go find the perfect basket. Remember to keep things simple, and keep to the classical wood look. You might be tempted to a get a highly decorated container, but keep in mind that once you fill it, the basket could end up looking too busy. Find a basket that will easily fit everything you’ve decided to fill it with. You can do this easier by thinking about the volume of the plush toy you chose, as this is probably the item that is the largest, so you should be able to pick a container based on the stuffed animal’s size, and avoid overcrowding.

Now that you’ve got all the ingredients together to a make a really great gift basket for kids, consider what you’ll need to decorate it and finish putting everything together. Most likely you will need things like wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and maybe even some stickers to make things really fun. Most of these items will be necessary to really give your gift some extra polish. Decorating the basket will be explained more fully in part two of this article, so stay tuned.

Is it time to put away the nursery bedding? Is your child growing out of his or her baby theme? Here are some ideas to help you and your child decide how to decorate their bedroom.

 First, get your child involved in decorating their bedroom. By this time you will know their likes and dislikes, such as colors or themes. Your child will want to be surrounded by decor that they enjoy, and you will want to give them a space that is multi-functional as well. Begin by choosing things that they will grow into, such as the bedding and the furniture. This will save money over time so that you won’t have to change the colors and theme for a long time to come.

Here are some ideas for decorating your child’s bedroom;

 Bedding- When it comes to bedding choices, buy something that is good quality that will last for years to come. I recommend finding good quality bedding and buying it when it is on sale. That way you still have something of good quality, and you will save yourself a lot of money. Again, choose something they can grow into. Bedding that has patterns with characters that they like when they are three, may not be something they will still enjoy at age seven or eight. Bedding with patterns such as plaids, stripes, sports, animals, or floral’s are great choices when it comes to having something for years to come. Then you can find other decor to coordinate with the bedding.

Color- Choose colors that coordinate well with the bedding, that also give it some contrast. For example, my son has a patchwork quilt with shades of blue, green, and yellow. I painted his room a nice shade of blue to pick up the several shades of blue in his quilt, and his curtains are a green gingham pattern, which also coordinate with the bedding, but contrast well with the color on his wall. Whatever colors you choose, find several colors that coordinate well, so you can have the room nicely decorated, and make it fun for your child!

Wall decor- Remember, this is your child’s space, so have wall decor that is personalized. Using wall letters to spell their name is a great way to start. You can buy them online, or go to your local craft store, and find letters that you can paint yourself. You can also find pictures that can be personalized by the company that sells them, and that keep with the theme of your child’s room. For example, if you choose to have a ladybug theme, you might find prints with that theme online, and they can add a name for a small fee.

Something else to keep in mind when it comes to wall decor, is finding decor that won’t damage the walls. I recommend wall decals. They simply stick to the walls, and if your child gets tired of them, they peel right off the wall and won’t leave any sticky residue. You can find different types of wall decals at stores that sell bedding, or online art or poster stores.

Shelves also provide a nice space to add decor such as photos, trophy’s, or other memorabilia. You can even find shelves that have a place underneath with hooks for hanging hats, baseball bats, or jackets, which hang securely to the wall.

Pictures that keep with the theme are easy to find or do yourself. Sometimes you can find framed art that is part of a collection for a specific theme, or you can do it yourself. For example, if you are going with a jungle theme, you might be able to find a poster with jungle animals on it, and find a frame that will fit, and frame it yourself! Or you can use a good quality paper, and make a picture from your wall decals, or paint one yourself (if you have that talent), and then frame it.

Organization- One thing is certain in a kids room, and that is that it will get messy. That’s just a part of being a kid. But you will want to provide some ways to help them keep it organized. Stand alone bookshelves are a great space for their books, toys, stuffed animals, or their art supplies. Place baskets, totes, or boxes on the shelves to keep these items separate. Having a toy box, or toy bins is a must to keep the space organized as well. You just can’t neatly organize all of their toys, and the toy box will make it easier for clean up with certain toys.

Just remember, your childs bedroom is their very own space which will be used for many purposes, so make it multi-functional. It’s not just a place to sleep, but to play, read, or study. You can provide that space for them, not only for many purposes or conveniences, but by giving them a fun colorful space that they will enjoy and grow into.

Jewelry is valued for its visual quality, the richness of its materials and the expert way it is made. Children’s Jewelry trends have undergone revolutionary changes in the recent years. Finding pretty, thoughtful, and affordable jewelry for children is not difficult.

Quality and design innovations in Children’s jewelry have made it a great attention grabber as visual cues with elements of brilliance and color always hold a special place in the hearts of children around the world. The beauty and shine of Gold Jewelry for Children make these trinkets, universal attractants. Memories flash, things get old and withered, but with time the beauty of this jewelry comes out in a special way. Passing on something wearable, stylish and precious in appreciation to an achievement or a mark for an added year to a child is a unique gift idea.

There are some online stores that are dedicated exclusively to children’s jewelry. They offer leading brands of girls’ jewelry for all ages. Most fashionable children’s Earrings, Bracelets, Kids Charms, Necklaces, Rings, and more are provided for Babies (age 0-2 years), Toddlers (age 2-5 years), Children (age 6-11 years), and Teen Agers (age 12 & above). Some of the brands they offer include:

FuFoo that creates only the finest jewelry for girls with different tastes and talents. They offer handcrafted Italian 14K Gold enameled jewelry and also precious diamond collection for girls. Amalia, a brand dedicated to the creation of fun Children’s Fine Jewelry. Amalia lines are made in 18 K Gold with exacting styles and vibrant enamel colors. Disney that brings specially crafted collections of 14K Gold with diamonds and other precious gems. Innovative designs of these precious collections are highly captivating.

These brands have excelled in successfully tapping into the latest trends and creating the finest jewelry for children with fun and imaginative themes.

It is a well-known fact that kids love color and cute animal designs. Experienced online stores understand the basic child psychology and offer beautiful charms with Animals, Flowers, Hearts, and other themes for children, in order to fascinate them.

Over the years, both children’s as well as baby valuables have grown in popularity. The tiny ones know what the latest trend is, and are also sure of what they like. From babyhood through pre-teens to their young adulthood, little girls always love dressing up. Gifting a unique piece of jewelry surely makes them feel special and beautiful. So go ahead and invest in precious sentiments that last a lifetime, and express your boundless love for that endearing little one!

You’ve always wanted to get a children’s book published. You’ve scribbled and “dibbled” and now you have what you believe is a finished manuscript.

You are among the ranks of writers who dream of writing a children’s book and getting it published. You believe that if you just keep sending your story out, it’s only a matter of time until an editor recognizes your talent and your story is accepted for publication.

That’s before the rejections start to pile up. Getting a kid’s book published, it turns out, it far from easy. You keep asking yourself what factors led to those rejection letters.

Picture the following scenario: you are sitting in a restaurant and you hear the woman at the next table talking about the publishing industry. As the minutes tick by, your realize that this woman is a successful children’s author and you lean in, while trying to make it appear you aren’t eavesdropping. You learn that she’s published 76 children’s books. You sit riveted, all ears now.

What you hear grabs your attention and gets you thinking about book publishing in a whole new light. You grab a pen so you can take careful notes.

The author reflects that it’s easy to get a children’s book published. “It’s easy” she continues, “once . . . you . . .  know . . . how.”

She says that many people have good ideas for stories but they simply do not know how to craft those ideas into publishable stories. She relates that most children’s book manuscripts, are, in fact, unpublishable.

You start wondering if you wasted your time sending your stories out. Were they really that bad?

The author says says that people receive publishing contracts, once they know how to give publishers exactly what they want. She says there is no magic formula, simply this one key truth. “So many people spend years studying writing, investing in expensive courses, attending writer’s workshops . . .”

As you continue jotting down notes, you hear her concluding remarks: “When people give publishers exactly what they want, this shaves years off the pre-publication period.”

You leave the restaurant, determined to learn what it takes to make a saleable children’s book.

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Arts and crafts with young children are often messy and can lead to ruined clothes if you don’t have a good craft apron. Follow the instructions below to make a craft apron for your child.

Instructions

Step:-1  Craft aprons are best if made from a durable material like canvas or denim. An apron for a small child (2-6 years) will only need about one half of a yard. Older children’s apron will need more material, up to one yard. You can purchase the material at any fabric store.

Step:-2  To begin, measure the child from just below the collarbone to around their knees. This will be the length of the apron. Then measure around the waist to get the width of the apron. Also, you need to measure from the collarbone to the waist, so you will know where to put the ties.

Step:-3 Fold the material in half and mark the Length and width measurements as well as the waist measurement. Draw a straight line (long enough to stretch across the chest) across the top of the apron. Mark the waist measurements on the material. Draw a straight line (long enough to cover the legs) across the bottom of the apron.

Step:-4 Connect the waist measurements to the bottom of the apron with another straight line. Connect the top line to the waist measurement in the shape of a “J”.

Step:-5 Use a strong ribbon like grosgrain ribbon (available at any craft or fabric store) for the neck ties and waist ties. Cut two strips long enough to tie behind the child’s neck for the top of the apron and cut two strips of ribbon long enough to tie around the child’s waist. Pin the strips in place.

Step:-6 Sew a hem all the way around the apron by folding the edges in two times. The ribbon will be folded into the seams. You will need to re-pin them after folding the seams. Then stitch all the way around the apron.Decorate the apron with paints or other decorations if you would like to, then have fun enjoying your craft projects.

Oh, the joys of rhyme! When you want to learn to write, you will inevitably play around with this concept when it comes to children’s books. Why is that? Simply put, rhyme is fun! Kids love it, and adults find it clever and enjoyable to read aloud to little ones. However, many an author has been kicked to the curb for submitting a manuscript that rhymes. In fact, some are even told that it was rejected merely because it rhymed. While that may be a bit off-putting, the fact is that rhyming text is released to the public every single day. There isn’t a flaw in writing a rhyming children’s book, if it’s done properly- and that’s the key word- properly.

Pitfalls and Problems

For those authors that have been told that rhyming is passé, it’s likely because their text was either poorly rhymed, or the plot that was hidden in the text was weak. Rhyming can be very difficult, so many authors who compose rhyming text spend a lot of time focused on the details and organization of their rhyme patterns. This almost always leaves the story itself lacking, especially if you’re just beginning to learn to write. A master at rhyme expertly manipulates words and structure so that every single line supports the essence of the story.

The structure of your story is going to be very important as you learn to write. Before you even begin, you should have a clear plot in mind, along with a strong introductory area, with well developed characters. You can then begin to play with your word choices and build around that firm foundation. Never use words or lines that don’t directly support that base just for the sake of forcing the rhyme.

Why Rhyme?

With so much struggle and heartache that accompanies the attempt to learn to write a rhyming book, many authors ask themselves why they even bother. Since when is something not worth it because it’s difficult? In fact, just the opposite is usually the case: if you have to work at it, the end results are much more fulfilling.

There are plenty of reasons to use rhyme in your children’s books. Frankly, it’s just plain fun; it’s fun to write, and it’s fun to read! A expertly composed rhyming book will always stand above the crowd. Even if the plot and characters are fairly average, a well presented rhyme gives the book a flavor and ambiance that creates a knock-your-socks-off effect.

Another reason to utilize rhyme is that it makes you grow as an author. You may have gotten a bit stuck in your rut when it comes to writing. If that is the case, rhyme can serve as a catalyst for growth. Because it is so difficult to get right, new parts of your brain are activated and the efforts can lead to greater creativity and growth in your craft. Even if your initial attempts aren’t that great, working with rhyme makes you hyper-aware of the nuances of writing, from rhythm to grammar.

As with any initial attempt, it’s a good idea to get feedback when you learn to write in rhyme. Your best bet is to get the reaction of children that belong to your targeted audience. Watch how they handle your manuscript and be aware of weak spots that may need adjusting. It’s also a good idea to have an adult read aloud the text, recording the attempts. This is an easy way to determine where your flow is interrupted and what rhymes might need a bit of attention.