Lifestyles

• Creating Art Work Using Your Scanner

  Scanner Art is a simple way to capture still life images that can be turned into creative pieces of art to decorate your home. Many ordinary objects that would be difficult to photograph are good candidates for photo art – in particular objects where it is otherwise difficult to get a good, clear close-up shot of your subject.

• Decorative Painting with Terracotta Pots

  The word “terracotta” comes from Latin and means “baked earth”. The natural texture of terracotta provides the perfect canvas for the budding artist to bring extra color and style into the garden or home.

• Birthday Party Fun: Goodie Bag Alternatives

  If you’re looking for alternatives to pricey goodie bags, here are a few ideas that will make your guests—and wallet—happy.

• Got Kids, Will Travel (Even With a Car Full!)

  This is the time of year when families begin to plan for their vacations. Due to the uncertainty of overcrowding airplanes and high prices of tickets, when you have four or more kids, many will be taking to the roads via automobiles and need help in trying to make it a good experience. Why do vacations seem more like work than, well, vacations?

• Moving and New Communities

  You may be thrilled to be moving, or you could be scared to death! Moving can leave you sad, glad, or a mixture of all. Don’t worry – I have done this too many times not to be able to help out. Here are some ways to help make moving into a new community easier.

• Spring Cleaning the Frugal, Natural Way!

  Whatever routine you use when you clean, using these hints for natural cleaning products can save you money. Other advantages are: no extra packaging to dispose of and fewer toxic chemicals in your home.

• Let’s Get Packing!

  Okay! By now everyone should have all of their moving supplies ready and their packing schedule done. (Yeah, right!) During all this packing there are a few other things that need to be taken care of. Most of these are common sense, but there are actually quite a few I ran across that I hadn’t thought of before. Below, I have another schedule of sorts (I’m really getting into this planning thing!) I have listed a time frame in which to do things, but of course you can change it around to fit your needs.

• Giving Up Cable Television

  My children cried when they realized they could no longer watch their favorite television shows, but soon learned that wholesome videos can cure their withdrawals in a moment’s notice. But more importantly, they’ve gotten off their butts and started enjoying more physical and bonding activities.