Last minute gifts tutorial every day

Happy Halloween

4th of July

Independence Day, or the 4th of July, is probably the most important national holiday in the United States. It commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The declaration is a powerful statement of the American colonies’ intention to become an independent nation.

The Fourth of July was declared a legal holiday in 1941, and today it is celebrated each year in all states and territories of the United States. It is a reminder of the ideals on which the United States was founded, and on July 4 Americans celebrate their freedom and independence with great fanfare -- it is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks.

A display of fireworks illuminates the sky near the Statue of Liberty as seen from Jersey City, N.J. on July 4, 2004. Parents from throughout the State of New Jersey bring their children to Liberty State Park on July 4th to enjoy the Independence Day festivities and see the New York City fireworks. (© AP/WWP)

Happy Memorial Day

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy

Christmas from Yesteryear

This is from Time Magazine December 27, 1948. I just loved the illustration of "The Night Before Christmas." I doubt that TIME magazine would dare to post such a picture in today's time.

Basket of Balls

Just an updated picture with a new type of fabric ball. These are just in time for Easter!

Fabric Balls Tutorial

Fabric balls are the ideal spring and Easter decorations. They are very easy to make and a good way to use scrap pieces of fabric. And, when you are tired of them, just unwrap and use the styrofoam ball for another project!

Step one: Gather supplies: You will need 3 inch styrofoam balls, straight pins, buttons, fabric, and ball point pins. Cut the fabric into 3/4 - 1 inch strips. (If you do not want to use pins, you can simply hot glue the fabric to the styrofoam ball and hot glue the button on to the fabric. This is especially important if you have small children or pets that tend to get into things!)

Step 2: Using a straight pin secure the first piece of fabric to the styrofoam ball.

Step 3: Pull the strip of fabric taunt as you wrap the strip around the styrofoam ball. You want the fabric to conform to the shape of the ball. As you run out of one strip, just pin another strip to that one using a straight pin.

Step 4: When you finish wrapping the ball, secure the strips with a button and ball point pins.

Step 5: Place in basket with other fabric balls for a lovely spring/Easter decoration! These can be adapted to any season depending on the fabric choice! Have fun making your own!