Nature could teach us so much about teamwork, acceptance, symbiosis, and friendships. All we must do is pay attention. — My Son’s Spider Story Sounded Unlikely My son will often come to me with wild and fantastical stories that raise my eyebrows. He loves general knowledge and I know the minute that he’s going to ‘enlighten’ me when I hear. “Did you know?” I’ve learned to sit down and strap in. The information is coming at…

Crafting with items that might otherwise go to a landfill is my way of recycling creatively. Some items become keepsakes like my junk journals. Other things get reused at least one more time. — Getting Out of My Comfort Zone It’s so easy to rush out and buy supplies. It’s convenient. It’s easy. I don’t have to think too hard. That’s the problem though. Buying a craft item such as a sticker, washi tape, decorative paper is exciting. It’s pretty. …

I often wonder why I’m here. How did I get to this point in my life, and what could I have done differently? — A Circle of What Ifs My ‘What If’ list is long. It creates a lot of uncertainty and insecurities when I think this way. I second guess my decisions not only for myself but also for my son. Then I remind myself that he had a good education and a good job. He’s doing just…

I use it daily as part of my skin care routine. After I was shocked to discover how adulterated my aloe vera gel was, I searched for a more reputable supplier. — How Pure Is My Aloe Vera Gel? I use aloe vera gel in several DIY self-care and first aid products in my home. My local store was out of stock. So, I considered buying an aloe leaf from the nearest co-op to extract my own gel. I decided against it because if I’m honest, I wanted the…

Washi tape is a semi translucent decorative tape used in craft projects. There are gorgeous designs to choose from online and they are often reasonably priced. I enjoy making my own though. — Why I Make My Own Washi Tape I do buy washi tape from time to time, and I love it. I get a little bored with the same pattern and find that I have half used rolls lying at the bottom of my drawer from years ago. They do get used eventually.

When I buy a candle, I concentrate on shape, color, and smell. It didn’t occur to me that I should pay attention to the type of wax in the candle. There is a marked difference between beeswax, paraffin wax, and soy wax. — What Is Beeswax? Beeswax is has a rich history dating to the ancient Egyptians. It’s a non-toxic, all-natural wax produced by honeybees and harvested from the honeycombs of beehives. Since no bees are harmed during ethical harvesting, beeswax is considered a vegetarian wax.

A response to the August art prompt at Share Your Creativity. Art speaks to us. Can you find all the messages in this one? Hint: There are 5 phrases and 4 words. — Another Excuse to Practice I recently bought some watercolor pencils. They sat on my counter forever before I plucked up the courage to try them. I’m in love with them because they combine drawing and paint seamlessly. I’ve confessed that I can’t paint very well but I know that I can do anything if…

Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years and is revered for its healing, calming, and soothing properties. — The Benefits Are Impressive Burns and Sunburns: Apply pure aloe vera gel to minor burns and sunburn to soothe the skin. Apply up to three times a day. Dry skin: Aloe vera gel is an excellent moisturizer and great for anyone with acne / oily skin. …

I’m throwing the disclaimer in early. I can’t paint very well. I can draw and make stuff, but painting — meh. — Watercolor Pencils Won Me Over I’ve spied them from a distance. I threatened to buy a pack of ten. Just to try them out. Then again, who am I kidding? I was never going to buy pack of ten. So, I found a pack of seventy-two for around $20 and the adventure began. I can…