goddess of thrift

On the Criteria for Success . . .

"Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you; until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind word of those whom you do not admire; until you have formed the habit of looking for the good instead of the bad there is in others, you will be neither successful nor happy."

--Napoleon Hill

Kids, Glue and Other Sticky Subjects

From my experience teaching, I know that there are some parents (or grandparents) who don't allow their children to use glue at home, because it is too "messy".  If you are one of those parents, consider allowing age-appropriate gluing, and cover the work surface with one of those ubiquitous vinyl picnic tablecloths which are everywhere in the summertime.  What is "age appropriate" use of glue?

Pre-school aged children should only use non-toxic glues, and only with adult supervision.  (The temptation to eat a purple glue-stick is just too great for some young kids!)  As your child gets older and develops fine-motor control, more freedom can be allowed.  If a child is at an age where she can use scissors well, she is usually able to manipulate a glue bottle.

But which glue works best for which project?  Here are some basic guidelines:

Glue sticks:  Washable, non-toxic sticks are fine for all ages, and work best when gluing paper to paper.  Papers heavier than card stock, such as corrugated cardboard, require a stronger glue. 

Liquid white glue:  Non-toxic white glue is best for gluing porous materials to a stiff background, such as fabric, yarn or felt to cardboard.  This glue doesn't work well gluing paper-to-paper because it causes the paper to buckle as it dries.  Items are re-positionable until white glue dries, which may take several hours.  Typically children who are elementary-school aged and older can control the use of this kind of glue.

"Tacky"-type craft glue:  This stiff white glue works well for elementary-aged  or older children, and is best for gluing non-porous materials, like acrylic gems, buttons, shells or sequins to a cardboard or fabric surface.  The thickness of the glue can make it harder to manipulate for younger children, but they can use it with adult supervision.

Glue guns:  Even "low-temp" glue can burn a child's hands, and the tip of the gun gets hot enough to cause injury.  I typically would not allow children below middle-school age use a glue gun; I would simply do the gluing for them.  Even older children must exercise extreme caution.  Low-temp or high-temp hot glue works best for gluing heavier objects or non-porous items together, such as gluing a clay figure to a piece of wood.

Other glues, such as two-part epoxies, model cements, jeweler's cements, household cements and silicone adhesives should only be used by adults and responsible teenagers.  Some of these glues have toxic fumes and most would be toxic if ingested.  These are simply guidelines; if your child is more (or less) responsible using art materials, use your own judgment to determine whether or not she is capable of applying these various glues safely.  Protecting the work surface is especially important when using cements and epoxies; the solvents required to remove them will damage wood finishes or other materials.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2010

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Summer is a Great Time to Buy . . .

. . .Art Supplies for your kids!  While all the stores are competing for your back-to-school business, take advantage of lower prices to stock your child's home art supply bin with crayons, markers, paper, watercolor sets and other art supplies which are usually at their lowest prices in July and August.  If you have a budding artist, but few supplies for him, consider purchasing art materials now to stow away for a future birthday or Christmas gift. 

Designating a box, bin or tote for art materials helps your child to keep everything together and close at hand, and he knows where to put supplies when he is finished using them.  If you see a fishing tackle box at a thrift store or yard sale for a dollar or two, it makes a great art supply bin and has the added advantage of being portable. 

If you're a mom or grandmother who doesn't like "messes", consider allowing your child to paint or draw outdoors on pleasant summer days.  Clean up is usually easier, and whatever mess may result is a small price to pay to encourage your child's creativity.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2010

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Thrifty Art Tip for Kids

If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews who like to draw, keep them supplied with a stack of drawing paper pre-cut to 8" x 10" sheets.  8" x 10" frames are in abundant supply at yard sales, rummage sales and thrift stores at very low cost, and are nominally priced at discount stores.

Framing your child's artwork, especially when she has done her best work, will affirm her creativity and show her that you value her ability and effort.  A framed drawing also makes a wonderful gift for a special friend (or adoring grandparent!)

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

On Enduring Happiness . . .

"The happiness which brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is dependent on circumstances.  It is the happiness and contentment that fills the soul even in the midst of the most distressing circumstances and the most bitter environment.  It is the kind of happiness that grins when things go wrong and smiles through the tears.  The happiness for which our souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which will root deeply inside us and give inward relaxation, peace and contentment, no matter what the surface problems may be.  That kind of happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus."

--Billy Graham

Thrift and a Face Full of Cobwebs

My dog and I were around the meadow and into the woods behind the barn when I destroyed the work of a very industrious spider.  I know that spiders can be beneficial because they kill other unwanted insects.  I also think their webs can be beautiful when covered with dew in the morning, but I didn't see this web until I was wearing it.  I wasn't particularly thrilled about having a cobweb in my hair, because while I continue to have birthdays, I am trying to put off cultivating the "creepy old lady" look for as long as possible.

Since I regularly walk my dog through the woods, I know that occasionally meandering into a cobweb is part of the "cost" of enjoying our outdoor walks.  I am reminded yet again of a life principle which has served me well thus far:  the realization that everything has a cost.

Somehow, through the miracle of modern advertising, we have become convinced that we can live in an environment where there are only spotless homes, stylish people and pleasant fragrances if we simply purchase the right products and drive the best cars.  In tv home decor shows we see lamps without cords, sinks without dirty dishes and "sexy" washing machines.  (Really?  Do appliances breed?)  Fashion magazines display shoes with heels which attempt to defy gravity, while news magazines tell us which cars -- or beers -- are guaranteed "chick magnets".  As a result of this incessant marketing, some of us actually believe that we can live an idealized life if we simply make the right choices and purchase the right products.

But here's the catch . . . and, it's a big one.  New cars, designer fashions and sleek silver appliances cost a hefty chunk of cash.  If we purchase them on credit, they cost even more.  If we treasure them too much, they can be the source of relational strife when the finish gets scratched or a kid spills a chocolate milkshake on the backseat.  If we purchase too many of them, we can find ourselves filing for bankruptcy and divorce in close succession.  Life -- and relationships -- will be messy at times.  The moment you insert human beings through the front door, perfection leaves out the back. The only guaranteed method of keeping things in pristine condition is to seal them in a dust-free environment and not allow humans to enter.

Of course, there's a cost to not buying or owning certain things as well.  If you drive a used car, you may have less status and more repair bills.  Wear threadbare clothing to an interview, and you might not get the job.  There is a cost to saving our money, too, if we become miserly and selfish in the process.  Thrift without generosity can make us obsessive rather than purposeful.

So, if everything really does have a cost, whether it is to our finances, our relationships or our characters, where does that leave us?  While they may be different for many of us, we all have options.  If we carefully weigh our options in light of their costs before we make decisions, we can have more satisfaction with every decision -- or expenditure -- we make.  That's why the price of a health club membership is, for me, too high.  If I walked on an indoor track, I would probably never again have a face full of cobwebs.  But my funny little dog couldn't be with me as I walked, and I would miss seeing the wonders of creation in the meadow.  For me, that's far too high a cost to pay.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

On Having a Rich Life . . .

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.  It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others."

--Dietrich Bonhoeffer

On Finding the Best Part of Existence . . .

"Doing nothing for others is the undoing of one's self.  We must be purposely kind and generous, or we miss the best part of existence.  The heart that goes out of itself gets large, and full of joy.  This is the great secret of the inner life.  We do ourselves the most good doing something for others."

--Horace Mann

Jam Jar Vinaigrette

This sweet-tart dressing is perfect to make when you have a little bit of jam left in the jar.  It is especially good on a salad of mixed greens, fresh fruit and toasted pecans.

Mix together in jam jar:

1  part jam (I really like raspberry or strawberry, but any fruit flavor is good)

1  part red wine vinegar

2  parts  olive oil

Cover jar with lid and shake ingredients until well blended; add salt and pepper to taste, if desired.  Obviously, quantities vary depending on ingredients used;  2 T each of jam and vinegar combined with 1/4 c  oil will yield about 1/2 c vinaigrette, or enough for 4 salads.  Refrigerate any leftover dressing.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

On the Key to Retaining Our Possessions . . .

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

--Martin Luther