The Kids’ Book of Adventure Projects
Where to buy: www.amazon.com

The Kids’ Book of Adventure Projects will keep your children occupied with fantastic adventure projects for hours and hours. They will forget about their favorite TV programme and computers and enjoy building real wooden toys.

Firstly, the children can read up on basic tools and how they can be used effectively. They learn about hacksaws, hand plane, coping saw, hand saw, brace and bit, chisels and others. The author talks about how to safely work with tools, where to work, different glue types and finishes.

The projects in the book include:

* How to make a boomerang
* How to make a barometer
* How to make a magic propeller
* How to make a Movie Ghost Box
* How to make an Army Tank
* How to make a Model Airplane
* How to make a Kaleidoscope
* How to make a Slingshot
* How to make a Compass
* And much, much more

Through these exciting building projects, children will gain valuable confidence to know that they can build proper toys from scratch. It teaches problem solving, patience, craftsmanship and woodworking skills and scientific principles. The finished projects will be treasured as gifts by anyone who receives it.

Family Tree Scrapbooking – Create a Family Tree Heritage Scrapbook
By Daniel K. Voyles

Family tree scrapbooking has become a very popular pass time recently. It was also common many years ago and some people are in possession of old pictures and old family histories. Scrap books can serve many purposes and can be set up in a variety of ways. An avid genealogist might enjoy scrap booking a family tree. If you are fortunate enough to come across old family albums and scrapbooks you may have a key to your tree. While you are at it you can scrapbook your own current tree and create an heirloom and key to your past for generations to come. A complete family tree scrapbook page will help you as you research your own tree. It gives an attractive visual to all the information that you find. The page will guide you to look for the information you do not yet have and give you a place to record it.

A family tree scrapbook might look like a line chart, as a typical genealogy layout. On the other hand it may have actual features like leaves and fruit and spaces for pictures of your family members. Several scrap booking websites are available that have layouts to download to your own computer and print on the paper of your choice.

Truly crafty researchers may want to take further steps in scrap booking their own family tree. Once you have traced your family members, a scrapbook page can be converted over to a custom needlework piece. The album page can become a wall hanger, either framed in its paper form or cross-stitched on canvas. Windows also offers family tree software that can be downloaded for free and used to help you trace and record your family history.

If you choose to do a tree layout, the items you will need to scrap book your family will include archival quality supplies, as well as the data that you want to preserve. Using a favorite search engine, you will find the layout that suits your style and purposes. There are many attractive tree form scrap booking options. Download your back grounds or forms, enter dates and names on the chart, add in pictures as well, and you will have a good start on family tree scrapbooking. It will be an excellent way to preserve those family memories and histories for your children and grand children to enjoy. You will have the pleasure of doing the research, creating the documents and then of sharing it with the rest of the family.

Daniel K. Voyles is a genealogy enthusiast. For information on family tree scrapbooking visit http://yourgenealogyhistory.com.

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1. Pre-camping preparation. If you have small children, you may want to select a tent that will accommodate all of you comfortably. On the other hand, if you are camping with older children, it may be a good idea to purchase additional pup tents to give them some sense of independence. Another great tip is to practice assembling the tents in your backyard to avoid wasting time at the camp site.

2. Selecting a campsite. Depending upon whether you decide to “rough it” or choose a campsite that is close to amenities, you can research the many campsites online that offer comprehensive information on the area. This will enable you to decide not only what equipment, clothing, and food you need to take, but the available hiking areas and points of interest as well. Ensure that the campsite you select is an official campsite area. Moreover, when researching camping sites, it’s a good idea to look for those areas that are on the high ground. Thus, if it rains, your tent and equipment will not become water logged.

3. Make a checklist. This is very important to ensure you do not forget anything on your camping trip. Among the items on your checklist, some of the more important items you will need are:

* Cooking gear such as a frying pan, a few pots, a bucket, barbeque grill or stove, bags with a Ziploc, and cooking utensils. In addition, food containers and canned goods are best. It is also recommended that you prepare meals at home and package them in containers for the trip. Also bring water, a can opener, hot water kettle and coffee pot, and a cooler with a block of ice.

* Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending upon the location, wearing light layers is a good idea as well as packing some sweaters and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves may also be warranted. If you intend to engage in some hiking, proper hiking boots are necessary.

* Sleeping bags, first aid kit, flashlights, cell phone, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, ointments, a map of the area, insect repellent, games for the kids, and rainwear. For a complete checklist on what to bring on a camping trip, there are many camping websites that offer a myriad of suggestions.

4. When you reach the camp site, choose an area to set up the tents. Ensure there are no rocks or debris where the tent will be set up. Most campgrounds will post warning signs or instructions regarding specific animals and vegetation.

5. When preparing a campfire, if appropriate, ensure that it is set up further away from the tents. After you have roasted the marshmallows, sang songs, and told ghost stories, douse the fire before going to bed.

Finally, enjoy the entire camping experience. Sleeping under the stars, communing with nature, and relishing the time spent with family will not only bring a family closer together, but the memories of this experience will last forever.

Summer’s Here – Let’s Have Fun on a Budget
By Tisha Kulak Tolar

There are so many things to look forward to now that summer is on the horizon. As people are still working to recover from the past months economic meltdown, there may be some concerns that summer fun will be limited for families living on a budget but that’s just not true. There is much frugal fun to find, you just have to know where to look.

Go Local
There is a rise in the belief that a “stay-cation” can be just as much fun as the more traditional vacation away from home. Stay-cations involve hanging out around the home. Start by camping out in the backyard. Use local resources to discover all of the free activities in our community. Many of these activities will be sponsored by local government, local recreation boards, churches and local civic groups. You can also check out local attractions you may have overlooked all of your life, such as local libraries, museums, gardens, and performances in the park.

Volunteer Your Family’s Time
Nothing can be more important than helping others. If you do volunteer work together as a family, not only will you be doing a wonderful thing but you’ll be able to get closer to your family. Your children will also learn an incredibly valuable lesson. Start with local places that could use help. Cheer up the elderly at the nursing home. Visit with children at the local hospital. Feed the hungry and homeless at a shelter or a soup kitchen. There are many different places in your own backyard that could use a helping hand or you can visit sites like Volunteer Match to find appropriate opportunities for your family.

State Park Adventures
If your family is looking for a relatively inexpensive getaway, reserve a few nights at a camp site at a nearby state park. Besides food, you really don’t need too much to have a great time. There are likely rivers and lakes to swim in, wood trails to hike, and plenty of space to just take walks as a family. Many will also have great scenery, national landmarks, or brief lessons to learn about the area.

DIY Water Parks
If you have ever been to a water park, you likely know how costly they are for a family. Skip the public park and create your own cool water land at home with a hose, inflatable pool, squirt guns, and water balloons. Kids really don’t care where they are having fun as long as they are having fun with you. It also allows the family to get inventive about how they chase away the summertime heat. Remember to not go overboard with water usage and run up your utilities. Be sure that the sprinkler fun is also watering the grass and the garden.

Backyard Adventures
There are so many things you can turn your backyard into beyond a water park. There could be a nature center, a gardening club, a bird watching club, and so much more where your family can learn new things. Check out some books at the library for free that can help you to identify trees, bugs, flowers, birds, and other parts of backyard nature.

Rainy Day Fun
Instead of heading to the mall during a summer thunderstorm, get creative at home and save a ton of money. You can host a picnic on the carpet or bring out the old board games for some old fashioned family fun. If the power gets knocked out, play a rousing game of flashlight hide and seek in the dark.

Tisha Kulak Tolar is a writer for LeaveDebtBehind.com where she regularly writes about debt consolidation, getting out of debt, debt settlement and saving money.

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The bike parade doesn’t have to be limited to children; adults can and probably should participate as well. Here’s what you’ll want to do to plan and host your own neighborhood bike parade.

1. Gather the neighborhood together to discuss your idea and see how many people are interested in participating. After you know who will be involved, you can determine the parade route through your neighborhood. Don’t make it too long that little children won’t be able to participate, but don’t make it too short that adults and older teens won’t be interested.

2. Announce the event in your area at local businesses. Create colorful flyers with the important information – date, time, and place. You may want to include a tear-off with your telephone number so others in your area can contact you if they need more information.

3. Ask the children to decorate their bicycles, tricycles, wagons, or scooters with streamers. Leaving the type of transportation open will allow more people to join in the fun. The only limitations necessary are that the decorations not be dangerous such as things poking off of a bike that a child might be injured on. Otherwise, the sky is the limit as far as the decorations go.

4. Allow the children, and adults too, to dress up in patriotic clothing or have a face painting area set up at the beginning of the route so those interested can have their faces painted with red, white, and blue flags, stars, and Uncle Sam hats.

5. Plan to arrive early on the day of the parade. Mark off the route and be ready with other adults to help you. Take your time getting everyone arranged so the parade will be safe (adults or teens at the front and back to keep an eye on the children).

6. Choose a teen or adult to lead the parade because they’ll need to carry the music. Remind the participants to stay together rather than running off on their own. This is a parade, not a race, so it’s important that the parade go slowly enough for young children but quick enough for older children not to become too impatient.

7. Ask those viewing the parade to take pictures to remember the day by. You may even want to call the local newspaper to come and cover the parade.

8. At the end of the parade, you can have refreshments or a picnic for everyone to enjoy together.

July 4th is a great day in the United States’ history. You can organize a 4th of July bike parade for your children and others to enjoy. They can show of their bikes and have a great time celebrating the day. If it’s a success, you may want to consider making the bike parade a yearly event.

In the book Essentials of Smart Parenting, they combined their knowledge to produce a guide book for all parents. Parenting is one of life’s greatest adventures. It can be difficult, scary, sad, and stressful, but also a very happy experience. In their book, the two authors provide parents with the tools and advice that improves their parenting skills and at the same time reduces the stress associated with raising a family.

The book is written in a very easy to read style and takes into account not only the parents’ needs, but also the needs of the children. By implementing the given strategies, harmony in the house will improve and raising the children will be more fun. In their book, the authors talk about the main principles, which are:

* United we stand
* ABC or always be consistent
* Give yourself a time-out
* Act, don’t react
* Pick your battles
* And more

The book offers parents easy to implement strategies and advice on how to make parenting a much happier and less stressful experience for both parents and children alike.

Essentials of Smart Parenting: Learning the Fine Art of Managing Your Children

Sometimes when I am traveling or between novels, I pick up a “Chicken Soup” book. For those of you who have never read one, they are anthologies of essays on a particular topic. They range from books about parents to cancer to being a pet lover. What I like most about the whole series is that you can read them for just a few minutes at a time when you have a chance. Essays range from about 1-6 pages long.

While at the store the other day, I picked up “Chicken Soup for the Working Mom’s Soul.” It seemed a pertinent read given that I have been a working mother since the day my first daughter was born.

In the beginning, I loved the book. Some of the essays were about work at home moms, which applied to me. I was literally laughing out loud at some of the things that were written. Then the book took a turn that confused me a little bit. One of the chapters was about how being a mother is a job. Without getting into that argument, it was odd to appear in the book because the essays were about women who quit their jobs to stay at home with their kids. Maybe they wanted to be sure that within the title “Working Moms” they included those whose job is being a mother? I’m not sure, but the essays seemed out of the flow of the others.

Then I got to an essay that really hit home for me. It started like this: “When I tell another mother that I work from home and she says, ‘Oh, that must be the ideal situation,’ I know one thing about her, even if we’ve never met before. She does not now, nor has she ever, worked from home.” I’ve met that woman 50 times, I think, and she has always made the same comment!

The book got back on track for me and I found myself excited to be reading about moms who I could completely identify with. These were the moms who do the same balancing and juggling that I do on a daily basis. They are probably the same moms who are happy to pick up a book that they can read for 5 minutes at a time and enjoy.

You should be able to pick up “Chicken Soup for the Working Mom’s Soul” (by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Patty Aubery) at any bookstore, including Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. If you are a working mom, you will absolutely identify with many of the essays and cry and laugh right along with the authors.

Tricia Meyer is a mom of two daughters and small business owner. Find more information about Work At Home Moms at WAHMStudy.com.

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Chicken Soup for the Working Mom’s Soul: Humor and Inspiration for Moms Who Juggle It All (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

How to Get Started Scrapbooking
By Brenda Crawshaw

Do you have piles of photos stuffed into cabinets? Boxes of them? Old style “magnetic” photo albums bursting with photos, clippings and memorabilia? Have you ever looked at them and wished you could organize them into stories and share with other people your feelings about the events and people in those photos?

Have you ever seen a modern day scrapbook? Wished you could express yourself creatively through telling stories about your ancestors, your children, your everyday life? Thought it was so daunting that you didn’t know where to start?

Have you ever walked through a scrapbook store or the scrapbook department in a craft store and been completely overwhelmed, not knowing what you need, what’s the “best”, how to start?

Agonize no more! This article will provide you with the very basics you need to dip your toe into the world of scrapbooking. Obviously there is much more you can learn about scrapbooking such as page composition, color theory, an infinite number of techniques and embellishment tips; the list is endless. Of course, with so much to offer, getting started can seem very overwhelming and here I will try to give you some information and steps to begin with confidence.

Scrapbooking has been around forever and was a favorite pastime in the Victorian era. Women saved dried flowers, scraps of fabric from favorite dresses, letters, ticket stubs, all kinds of memorabilia and notes in books. The current scrapbooking craze was started by a woman who created several “memory books” in the 1970’s to chronicle her ancestors. She brought these books to a conference and people were inspired to create their own. In 1981 she opened the first known Scrapbooking store and the rest is history.

Now, scrapbooking is a multi-billion dollar industry, spawning magazines, books, stores, websites, blogs, discussion groups; everywhere you turn people are scrapbooking!

WHY SCRAPBOOK?

So, why do people scrapbook? There are as many reasons as there are scrapbooking styles, but the main reasons are that people want to preserve their photos and memorabilia and thoughts and words for future generations and they enjoy having a creative outlet in creating books that depict everything from special occasions to everyday moments.

WATCH FOR ACID
One of the most important things to know when embarking on your projects is to remember to ensure that everything you use in your books is archivally safe. This term means that all your products will do everything to enhance the preservation of your books and not cause them any damage. One of the most important things to consider is to make sure that all your products are acid free. Acid will eventually destroy your photos! Most, but not all, products that are made for scrapbooking are acid free. You can verify this by examining the package for the words “acid free” or to use an acid testing pen in an inconspicuous place to test the item for acid content; there are corrective deacidification sprays available.

One of the leading publications on scrapbooking, Creating Keepsakes, endorses the products of many manufacturers and notes these products with a “CK OK” logo and symbol on the packaging. Any package you see with this symbol is safe for use in your books.

Non-acid free items CAN be used, but you will want to make sure that you do one of the following: either spray the object with a deacidification spray OR place the object on your page in a way that it is not touching your photos. Using buffered paper will help tremendously in this case, as it will prevent acid from migrating to the photos. Look for papers that specify that they are buffered if you are planning to use an item containing acid on your page.

You will also want to watch out for PVC, polyvinyl chloride. PVC was once a popular material used in photo albums, but it eventually breaks down into acids and also eventually destroys those photos!

LIGNIN
You will also want to ensure that any paper you use in your scrapbooks is lignin free. You know how when you leave a newspaper out in the driveway it turns yellow? This is because the lignin in the paper is breaking down and yellows and becomes brittle. Eventually, anything containing lignin will do the same in your books. Most, but not all, papers sold for scrapbooking are lignin free. If you purchase papers specifically in scrapbooking stores and departments you will be safe but using papers that are NOT specified for scrapbooking should be reconsidered before using.

PROTECT THOSE BEAUTIFUL PAGES!
Once you have completed your pages, you will want to protect them from little sticky fingers, big sticky fingers and dust and everyday grime. You will do this by using page protectors designed for the type of album you choose. I highly, highly encourage people to use them all the time. They also protect your embellishments from catching on each other and pulling off the page and help to create a “slide” between pages, preventing wear and pulling on the photos.

PICK A THEME, ANY THEME
Another thing to consider before you jump in is what kind of album do you want? Will it be a book of your everyday family life? A book commemorating a relative? One recognizing a special event? An everyday book will naturally need to be larger than, say, one you create to welcome a new niece or nephew into the world. Keep your projects in mind as you shop for your album and materials.

BASIC TOOLS
At the very minimum you will need a paper trimmer, a good pair of sharp scissors, some adhesive and a journaling pen. In addition, of course, you will also need papers or cardstock, pages, page protectors and any embellishments you want to add but here we will cover just the tools.

I recommend that you purchase the best tools you can afford. Scrapbooking tools are one area where you certainly get what you pay for. For instance, inexpensive decorative scissors (scissors that create a decorative edge) are tempting since they are priced so low, but, and I speak from sorry personal experience, they are far inferior in quality and lasting power than those from a brand like Fiskars.

There are many different forms of adhesive that are specifically designed for use in scrapbooks. I recommend that you purchase a couple of different kinds and try them out to see which style you prefer. What you choose to use will depend on your comfort level and the ease of use you have with them. It is worth repeating here that you should NEVER use rubber cement or white glue in your books! Both dry out, crack and your pages will fall apart!

A journaling pen is an essential because you will always want to note the basics – who, when, where – on every page. You may choose to note some of facts through your title and captions but I always recommend that people include a small bit of their own handwriting somewhere on each page. Wouldn’t you love to know what your grandmother’s handwriting looked like? Think of future generations discovering your world through your eyes in your hand.

ON TO THE GOOD STUFF!
Ok, you say, enough with the warnings – I wanna scrap! How do you start? It is easier than you think!

1. Choose your photos – select the photos that depict the subject you want to scrapbook. Edit them carefully; reject any that are completely out of focus, show people who are not integral to the story, are blurry, etc. Carefully look over the ones you have remaining. Remember that you do not need to scrapbook every photo. You want to select the ones that best illustrate the story you want to tell through your page.

2. Select your colors – take a good look at the photos you have chosen. Are the colors in them bright? Jewel toned? Is there one color that is predominant? Sample several colors with your photos and choose the one(s) that best complement your photos. Determine which color(s) you want as your background and which one(s) as accent colors.

3. Crop your photos – Ok, I can hear you now; “I can’t CUT my photos!”. Yes, you can! It might be hard to get over, but once you start you will do it without hesitation. Simply trim off from the photo anything extraneous; people, background, someone’s foot, a stain on a shirt……..just lop it right off! Your photos will look better and thus your pages will, too!

4. Begin to compose your page(s) – lay your photos out, with your background color(s) under them. Choose a photo to serve as your focal point, that is where you want people to look first, to look to learn what your layout is about. Work the other photos around it in an arrangement that you find pleasing. There is no right or wrong with this! This is YOUR creation and you should have fun with it.

Now select your embellishments. Here is where you can really show your creative side! You can choose from ribbons to stickers to die cuts to charms to premade titles and phrases to nothing extra at all. The most important thing to remember is this is supposed to be FUN and there are no real rules other than making sure that your items are archivally safe.

One note – always be sure to leave room for journaling. Journaling can be as simple as the “who, what, why, when, where” of the page or you may want to create a narrative that will give the reader all the details you have of the occasion depicted. Just make sure that, at the very least, you have the name of the subject and the date on every page. People 100 years in the future will thank you!

5. Begin to assemble your layout – mat your photos on your accent colors, create your background, adhere your photos, add your borders and accents. Add your embellishments. Do your journaling. Step back. Admire your work!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

You have completed a page! Wasn’t it fun?

Now that you know the basics, you can expand your repertoire of techniques and experiment until you discover your style. Some people like the simplicity of one or two well-chosen photos with pure colors and simple lines. Some people love the “collage” look with loads of embellishments and hand lettering. And there is everything in between, so experiment and play and you will find your own groove.

Brenda Crawshaw

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