Free printable Christmas paper chain crafts and holiday countdown activities

 Remember the fun of making Christmas countdown chains? It's an easy, cheap festive child-minder craft. You can make it from recycled paper. It keeps little ones productively busy. It's good practice for math, fine motor skills, counting, writing and reading. Here's how to make a Christmas paper chain, plus Free printable Christmas paper chain crafts and holiday countdown activities

Sexy Ebola nurse, Breaking Bad meth dealer, Ray Rice Vie for Worst Halloween Costume 2014

Most of us have no problem with Halloween generally. We may even join in, decorate the house, pass out candy. But there's a darker side of Halloween and I don't mean haunted houses. I mean the way Halloween costumes stoop lower every year. This year, several are vying for Stupidest Costume 2014: Sexy Ebola nurse (said ABC Good Morning America October 27), kiddie Breaking Bad Walter White and Jesse Pinkman meth dealer and child's Ray Rice costumes (reported Fox 13 Denver) Costume makers can't seem to get to rock bottom fast enough. Let's look at them, one by one.   Sexy Ebola nurse, Breaking Bad meth dealer, Ray Rice Worst Halloween Costumes - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free Printable Photo Frame Crafts, Picture Frames Kids Can Make

The holiday season is fast-approaching, with Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Or maybe you celebrate another winter holiday--Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Epiphany? One thing these have in common is that they usually involve gift-giving. Parents, looking for gifts children can make for holiday giving? How about homemade photo frames for school pictures? Here are links for free printable photo frame crafts.Free Printable Photo Frame Crafts, Picture Frames Kids Can Make

 

Free Printable Halloween Pumpkin Carving Stencils, Trick-or-Treat Jack-o-Lantern Patterns for Fall Decor

Ah, the smells and colors of fall! What a lovely time. And what would autumn be without carving the traditional Halloween pumpkin? It's a rite of trick-or-treat. And it's lots of fun! Looking for creative pumpkin carving stencils for your jack-o-lantern? Here are free printable pumpkin patterns, templates and stencils for all your fall decorating needs! BTW, my smart little daughter designed that cute Michigan map pumpkin stencil herself! Free Printable Halloween Pumpkin Carving Stencils, Trick-or-Treat Jack-o-Lantern Patterns

Gothic Victorian Decor Elements for Horror and Vampire Lovers

With the popularity of vampire and zombie fiction, more avant-garde home decorators are turning to neo-Gothic design elements. For edgy, sensual, eerie decor ideas, turn to the repressed (erotic) Victorians for inspiration.

The Gothic period in art and architecture harks to early middle ages spoke to Victorian religious mania-cum-eroticism. Hag-ridden by restriction, the dark, demonic Goth influences fed their fears. Freud had a field ripe to explore libido repression, sexual phobia and phallic lust.

Gothic colors: black, gold, blood and wine red, silver, deep midnight blue. Metallic colors symbolize sexual prowess. Dark colors evoke night, evil, supernatural and foreboding.

Gothic patterns: paisley (sensuous curves and loops resembling sperm, represent suppressed phallic symbols) Paisley was a popular for men's smoking jackets, vests and lounge robes. Also velvet, lace and brocade.

Gothic furniture: sumptuous divans, floor pillows, chaise lounge, settees and tiny gilt tables. The emphasis is on comfort and seduction.

Gothic curtains and drapes: Curtains symbolize hidden desire, secretive trysts and bedroom activities. Curtains should be of weighty fabric--velvet, velveteen, brocade. Drapes should be lined for privacy and held back with sensual gold rope. Gothic Victorians curtained everything: doorways, alcoves, niches (in which usually resided a voluptuous Greek nude sculpture displayed on a pedestal).


Gothic decor elements: funereal plants (rhododendron, fern, ivy) wreaths, draping fronds seductively wrapped around pedestal or elevated plant stand. Evergreens symbolize sensuality, fertility and death.

Not-necessary but nice to have Gothic decor items: samovar (Turkish tea urn), hookah pipe, nargile, bong, water smoking implements.

Gargoyles: must-have. Should be carved in stone or deep mahogany of newel post or bed frame to frighten innocent maidens into a gentleman's bed. Stone gargoyle statues, with leering eyes and lasciviously lolling tongue are quintessential Victorian eroticism. For more decor visit me atwww.greencrafts.blogspot.com.

Free Printable 4th of July Decorations and Paper Crafts

Do love to decorate for 4th of July but hate to spend money? I'm with you. Why waste all that money on stuff you're just going to throw away? How about this workaround. Print paper decorations and crafts for holidays. There are loads of online sites with loads of freebies for Fourth of July and all holidays. Flags, red white and blue stuff, American themed crafts and more. Click here. Free Printable 4th of July Cut and Paste Paper Crafts and Activities 

Creating a Relaxing Summer Solstice Environment in Your Home

Do you give so much that your reserve fuel for self is low? Do you feel constantly anxious over things you should be doing? Does the idea of doing nothing frighten you? If you've answered yes, to even one of these questions, you seriously need to find inner peace. Call it what you will--shalom, pace, pax--it's crucial to mental health. And summer is the perfect time to set about creating serenity for yourself. And here's how. Benedictine monasteries and most Holy Orders follow what is known as 'The Liturgy of the Hours'. Traditionally, prayers and scripture focus on eight periods in the monastic rule or Rule of St. Benedict. They are named for the kinds of prayer offered as well as the hour of the day. Here area ways to create a peaceful, relaxing environment.  Summer Solstice and Relaxation