Tag Archives: Hobby

How To Start Scrapbooking

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Scrapbooking is a great way to make personalized memories last forever and a fun hobby to explore your creative side. Here’s what you need to start your very first scrapbook.

Gather Supplies

Start reviewing what supplies and art materials you have at your disposal. If you are limited, consider going to an art supply store and purchasing some new things to craft with. You can keep it simple with some scrapbook paper and stickers or grab some glitter and colored ostrich feathers for some added flair. Make sure you have scissors and glue to cut and paste pictures and other embellishments onto your scrapbook pages. Most importantly, you will need at least one empty scrapbook to start building your pages in.

Photo by Vladimir Proskurovskiy on Unsplash

Plan It Out

Think about what you want the theme of your scrapbook to be. You might make it for a special occasion, to commemorate an accomplishment, or treasure a family vacation. When you decide on the theme, gather all the personal mementos and photos you would like to include. Scrapbooks come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you can include small items like room cards, boarding passes, menus, and more. Choose a patterned or colored background to build each page on before placing it into your book. Don’t glue things down right away in case you decide to rearrange things on the page.

Respect Your Space

You will most likely need a few scrapbooking sessions to complete one project, so keeping your space organized and treating your materials with care is important. After every session, make sure you clean up your workspace and put your art supplies away in a designated drawer or storage bin. As you acquire more supplies over time, it might be a good idea to designate an entire closet or room to your scrapbooking supplies.

There’s no limit to how creative you can get with your scrapbook.

Using Creativity to Relax and Unwind

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There are plenty of ways to reduce stress in your life, from exercise to meditation to simple self care. But did you know arts and crafts can also help you relax and unwind from the tensions of the day? The act of focusing on something that’s pleasant and enjoyable helps activate different areas of your brain while taking your mind off of your stressors. So, plan a trip to your favorite craft store long beach ca and try one of these activities to increase your creativity and decrease the stress in your life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_by_number#/

Coloring or Paint By Number

Coloring for adults is now a huge trend, and for good reason. If you love to make beautiful pictures but aren’t an accomplished artist, coloring books for grownups can help you create detailed finished products while giving you the guidelines for a beautiful design. Pick up some high-quality markers and color in a relaxing spot in your home. If painting is more your style, pick up a paint by number kit and create a replica of some of your favorite well-known masterpieces.

Knitting or Crocheting

The repetitive motion of knitting or crocheting can be very calming, and is relatively easy to pick up if you’re just starting out. Select a good instruction book for beginners, or find some online tutorials for simple pieces you’d like to make. Select yarns in colors and materials you truly love and start making scarves, hats, blankets and simple dish cloths. With a little practice, you may find yourself ready to tackle more complex projects in no time.

Jewelry Making

There are so many materials and options when it comes to designing your own jewelry. Start with the basics by finding a design book or taking a class for beginners to learn how to properly string and secure beads, weave fabric cords or twist and shape wires. Once you’ve mastered basic techniques, the possibilities are endless!

If you’re looking for new ways to manage the stress in your life, consider a new creative hobby. You may find a new passion in the process!

3 Things You Need To Know Before Getting an Aquarium

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Source: http://www.mystationarylife.com/aquascape/

It’s well established that pets help reduce stress. While many people look to the companionship a dog provides or the calming effect of stroking a cat’s fur, it turns out those four-legged friends aren’t the only ones that offer emotional relief. In fact, they don’t need legs at all. Studies suggest viewing fish in an aquarium can positively impact one’s health, listing benefits such as reducing anxiety and decreasing muscle tension. Owners are able to escape the pressures of everyday life just by watching brightly-colored fish move effortlessly throughout the water. Coupled with a reputation for being relatively low maintenance, fish are a popular pet for people on the go. Before you rush out to the pet store, here’s what you need to know.

Number

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but not all of them need to be part of your aquarium. It’s easy to be attracted to a fish’s brilliant colors or unique features and want to include it in your set-up, but the more fish you have, the larger your aquarium needs to be. A 1-inch fish needs about one gallon of water, so keep your fish count low if living arrangements limit you to a smaller tank.

Source: http://www.travelandmusings.com/our-manila-ocean-park-adventure/

Location

Having the right setting is important for an aquarium. Hard, flat surfaces are a requirement, and it needs to be somewhere out of reach of children and pets. Anything but the smallest fish tanks also needs to be on sturdy furniture due to the weight of the water. For a set-up to go swimmingly, rely on the expertise of a professional by searching for Aquarium Installation denver or in your area.

Equipment

Healthy fish require more than just a tank and water. Cleaning supplies and water treatment materials are necessary, as is a heater, filter, gravel, fish food, hood and light. You’ll likely also want to dress up the aquarium with plants and decorative items.

There’s nothing fishy about wanting a pet. Keep these tips in mind before an uninformed purchase leaves you all wet.