Host A Red Carpet Party

Bring a piece of Hollywood to your red carpet party.

Those who love the glamor of Hollywood or who aspire to become famous will thrill to the glitzy elegance of a red carpet party. Transform your home into a swanky club, and treat your guests like VIPs. Encourage your guests to come in costume, in their Hollywood premiere best or as their favorite movie star. Your red carpet party will make your guests feel like Hollywood royalty in the comfort of your own home. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Create and send Hollywood-themed invitations. Cut star-shaped invitations out of gold cardstock, and write the party information on the star. Or, simulate a movie poster using 5-inch by 7-inch cardstock. Use "Red Carpet Party" as the "film" name, and instead of listing the actors like a movie poster would, list the event details at the bottom of the poster.

2. Put together a glamorous costume. As the host, it's important that you look red-carpet ready. Female hosts should wear floor-length gowns or sparkly cocktail dresses. Men should don their best suits or rented tuxedos. Dig in your closet for the perfect ensemble, or check out discount stores or thrift stores for budget-friendly glamorous looks.

3. Decorate your home. Line your sidewalk with a red carpet so that guests can walk the red carpet before entering the party, like Hollywood stars do. Use soft lighting and candlelight to set the mood inside. An all-white or metallic color scheme will create an elegant, chic look. Drape tables in white linens, topped with vases full of white roses. Or, drape gold fabric from the walls and create elaborate centerpieces with ivory candles in gold candleholders of various sizes.

4. Plan activities. Have "paparazzi" take pictures of your guests as they walk the red carpet leading into your home. Enlist a friend who loves music or hire a DJ to "spin" tunes at your party for a club feel. Play your favorite movies on televisions throughout the house. Play movie trivia games to see which guest is the biggest film buff. Host a costume contest, and give a Best Dressed trophy to the winner.

5. Design a thematic menu. Passed hors d'oeuvres give an elegant touch to your red carpet party. Have waiters pass items like spring rolls, stuffed mushrooms and miniature quiches. For an adult party, offer champagne. For kids, provide sparking cider in plastic champagne flutes.

6. Create favors for guests. If you have a photo printer, then you can print out the guests red-carpet pictures as a memento for them to take home. Or, give guests plastic champagne flutes with text printed on them, like "Katie's Red Carpet Party, March 1, 2011."

Tags: your guests, your home, Carpet Party, carpet party, champagne flutes, like Hollywood, movie poster

Fingerpick A Ukulele

The correct way to play a ukulele is by finger picking.

The ukulele is a stringed instrument with historical ties to both Portugal and Hawaii. The instrument's legend tells that a Portuguese immigrant arrived in Hawaii and was so happy to be there that he took out a ukulele and began to play. The native Hawaiians were enthralled with the instrument and tweaked its style to incorporate it into their traditional music. A ukulele can be played with a pick but to play it traditionally, you'll have to use finger picking.

Instructions

1. Hold the ukulele in your hands. If you're right handed, you'll use your right hand to do the picking and your left hand will hold the long, thin part of the ukulele called the neck or fingerboard.

2. Familiarize yourself with the ukulele and how it works. Starting from the top of the instrument, its top piece is called the headstock and features four tuners, which are turned to tighten or loosen the strings. The fingerboard is divided into several sections, called frets. The body of the ukulele is the curved, wooden area and it includes a hole in which the sound from a plucked string enters and reverberates.

3. Hold you right hand with its palm facing the body of the ukulele. Rest your thumb along the top, or "G" string. While the ukulele has four strings, you'll likely feel most comfortable using only three fingers to pick the strings.

4. Stretch and curve your index and middle fingers so that they lightly brush the strings. Rest your middle finger on the bottom, or "A" string and your index finger on the second-from-the-bottom, or "E" string.

5. Pick your thumb against the "G" string and notice the pitch. Get comfortable picking the "G" string with your thumb. You'll get your own style, but instead of using the tip of your thumb, use the area along the side of your first knuckle.

6. Pick the "G" string with your thumb then the "A" string (the string furthest from your thumb) with your middle finger, in quick succession. Your thumb will pick downward and your middle finger will pluck upward. Get comfortable with this two-note pattern.

7. Pick the "G" string then the "A" string again, then follow up by picking the "G" string and then the "E" string, all with the assigned fingers. Repeat this pattern until you are comfortable and can pick each string cleanly.

8. Slide the thumb from the "G" string to the next string, or "C" string. Pluck the first note, then drop your thumb to the next string and pick it. Incorporate all four strings into simple, homemade melodies.

9. Create different notes by placing the fingers of your left hand on different frets. Hold the fingerboard of the ukulele in your palm and curl your fingers up so that the tips are pointing toward you. Once you feel comfortable with easy picking and left-hand positions, search online for sheet music with basic ukulele melodies.

Tags: your thumb, middle finger, string with, then string, with your

Hawaiian Themed Baby Gifts

The bright colors of the traditional Hawaiian lei offer an excellent addition to a Hawaiian theme baby room.

Babies are often showered with gifts starting with baby showers and continuing through infancy and the early years. Creative and thoughtful baby gifts are often well received, as are practical presents. Hawaiian themed gifts for babies range from sentimental to historical and can be as practical as clothes or as creative as a diaper cake.

Clothes

Babies constantly are growing and need a lot of different clothes in various sizes. Purchase khaki shorts and pants for little boys and girls. Pair with a Hawaiian theme shirt for an island oasis baby outfit. Dresses with large flowers and bright colors also are suitable for baby girls and display a Hawaiian theme. Add a hibiscus to a hair band for a nice accent.

Diaper Cake

Assemble a diaper cake. This popular baby gift is simple to make and definitely visually appealing. All you need is a pack of diapers, some colorful ribbon and optional accessories. Roll the diapers and assemble into tiers. Tie the tiers with ribbon. Add a Hawaiian touch with hibiscus flower accents and bright colored ribbons or a lei.

Bedroom Accessories

Purchase bedroom accessories to help complete a Hawaiian theme baby room. Leis are a traditional decorative Hawaiian icon made of fresh flowers. Leis also express love, congratulations as well as welcome. You may also purchase Hawaiian themed bedding for the baby's crib. A mural of the ocean off the Hawaiian coast or the island itself is also a unique gift that will compliment a baby's bedroom.

Peridot

Peridot is a glistening green gem usually found in volcanic rocks. The peridot contains special meaning for Hawaiians. The gem often represents peace and calm within the Hawaiian culture. It is the August birthstone and would make a great baby gift for a child born in that month. Regardless of birth month, the beauty of the gem makes a great gift for a new mother to represent the peace of the relationship with her child.

Tags: Hawaiian theme, baby gift, baby room, bright colors, diaper cake, Hawaiian theme baby, Hawaiian themed

Do A Pig Roast In A China Box

Roasting a pig in a China Box is a two stage process that yields succulent, juicy pork that falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. It's a slow, dry cooking method, and it takes patience and will power to allow the pig to roast slowly and baste in its own delicious juices without peeking every 10 minutes to see how it's doing. Here's the process. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Lay the whole suckling pig on the bottom of the roasting rack. Place the top of the rack over the pig and secure with the S hooks. This is the roasting rack assembly and it holds the pig together as it roasts.

2. Set the metal drip pan in the bottom of the China Box and place the roasting rack assembly with the pig, skin-side down, on the drip pan.

3. Cover the top of the box with the ash pan, and lay the charcoal grid on top of it. Build the fire with two large piles of charcoal, one on each end of the grid, about 8 lbs. in each pile. Once the coals are covered by a fine, white ash, spread them evenly over the entire grid.

4. Replenish the charcoal as it burns down to maintain a hot consistent internal temperature inside the box. Let the pig cook, undisturbed for three hours. A rich, fragrant aroma will begin to tempt you during this stage, so you may have to tie yourself to a tree to avoid peeking inside before the three hours are up.

5. Remove the ash pan and coals after three hours to turn the pig. Using heat resistant cooking gloves, flip the pig and rack assembly over so the skin side is up. Take a sharp knife and slit the skin in several places so the fat will run out and the skin will get crispy.

6. Dump the ash pan and grid, put them back on the top of the box and add another 15 pounds of charcoal. Cook the pig for an additional 45 minutes to finish cooking. You can peek during this stage, so you don't burn the skin.

7. Unpack the pig and serve before your guests start drooling because of the aroma.

Tags: rack assembly, roasting rack, three hours, during this, during this stage, roasting rack assembly

Make A Grass Craft Hut

Stop at Mile Marker 81 in the Florida Keys and you will find grass tiki huts used as bars, scuba paraphernalia kiosks and souvenir shops. You can use the same grass-thatched construction to make a craft hut at a campground, park or beach. You can build a grass craft hut in under an hour, use it all summer and tear it down in minutes at the end of the season. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Apply PVC cement to the inside of each three-way connector. Use them to make two PVC squares by connecting four of the 8-feet-long, 2-inch-diameter poles. Connect the two squares by fitting the remaining poles in each of the open connections. This is your grass craft hut frame.

2. Mark the center point of the right and left sides of the grass craft hut frame you made in Step 1, using a carpenters' pencil. Drill two 1/4-inch diameter holes one inch apart vertically, on that center line, through the poles and out the other side. Drill matching holes in one end of each of the 2-foot by 2-inch by 1-inch lengths of stock lumber and attach them using 2.5-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter galvanized carriage bolts with fender washers and acorn nuts. These are your roof end supports.

3. Lay the 8-foot by 2-inch by 2-inch length of stock lumber on top of the two roof end supports. This is your top roof rail. Attach it to the supports using two 3-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter galvanized wood screws through the top roof rail and into each end support.

4. Attach 19 of the 1-inch wide by 1/2-inch thick by four-foot-long wood strips across the roof frame every 6 inches, beginning at the left side, using a staple gun and 1/2-inch wide, 3/4-inch long staples. This is the support frame for your thatch.

5. On three sides of your grass craft hut frame, attach 1-inch wide by 1/2-inch thick by 8-foot-long wood strips vertically every 6 inches, beginning 6 inches from the right front edge of the right side of the hut frame. Repeat attaching these strips horizontally, beginning 6 inches from the top edge of the frame and working down. This creates 6-inch square lattice framing, which will provide the support needed for your grass thatch walls.

6. Begin thatching the roof by laying bundles of wheatgrass or ryegrass straw along the lowest edge of the roofline. Overlap the next row by half the length of the previous row. This provides a necessary sheeting action during rainstorms.Continue until both sides of the roof are thatched, then begin thatching the sides. Tie all bundles securely to the frame using jute twine. Finish by thatching the sides of the hut, tying bundles securely to the lattice frame.

7. Tie the stone blocks to tent support lines. Attach the other ends of the lines to each bottom corner of your grass craft hut.

Tags: grass craft, your grass, 4-inch diameter, craft frame, grass craft frame, your grass craft, 1-inch wide

Hawaii Family Surf Vacations

Deep gorges and valleys are commonplace on the island of Kauai.

Renowned for its colored-sand beaches and board-breaking waves, Hawaii is a haven for both families and surf lovers. Once reserved only for royalty, surfing, or the "sport of kings," is now accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. Sprawling resorts dot the coastline of the Hawaiian Islands and offer dozens of family-friendly activities and events, including group surf lessons, horseback riding and snorkeling.

Turtle Bay Resort

The Turtle Bay Resort is found on Oahu's north shore.

The Turtle Bay Resort offers nearly five miles of beachfront and views of both its namesake, Turtle Bay, and Kawela Bay. This luxury resort houses 406 guest rooms and suites, as well as 42 beach cottages and villas. Rooms provide traditional upscale amenities and bay views, while suites include added luxuries like private lanais, or patios, game tables and living areas.

Oceanfront cottages feature Four-Diamond quality and boast Brazilian walnut floors and marble bathrooms equipped with deep-soak tubs and free-standing glass showers. Villas offer full dining and laundry facilities, as well as a private pool, Jacuzzi and the option of hiring a private chef.

Six dining venues are available, as are two 18-hole golf courses and a private spa. Turtle Bay is the only island resort to offer its own helicopter rides and also has boogie boards, snorkel equipment and volleyball nets for rent.

Surf lessons are offered through the Hans Hedemann's Surf School. Group lessons can be arranged for parents and children over 13 and begin at $75 per lesson as of 2010; children under 13 require private lessons, which start at $95 for a one-hour session.

Sheraton Kauai Resort

Kauai is home to white sand beaches and striking cliffs.

Situated beachfront, this Sheraton Resort offers 394 rooms spread throughout a handful of cottage-style buildings. All offer views of the resort's gardens or the ocean and may include a private balcony, four-poster bed and dual bathroom vanity. Five restaurants are located on site and include a sushi bar and Japanese buffet.

The quarter-mile Poipu Beach abuts the resort, providing for a variety of family-friendly activities, while the resort's Keiki program caters to children ages five to 12. Here, children participate in sandcastle building, arts, crafts, bamboo fishing and hula and ukulele lessons.

Surf lessons are available through the resort for adults and children who are strong enough to swim and manage a board. Hands-on instructors teach groups of no more than six the basics of surfing in the waters off Kauai. Sessions last two hours and cost $75 per person.

Four Seasons Resort

Snorkeling, scuba diving and whale watching are available on Maui.

This resort is nestled on the southern coast of Maui, Hawaii's second largest island. As the island's largest resort, the Four Seasons offers 380 guest rooms and suites, all of which include deep-soaking tubs, flat-screen televisions and Pacific Ocean views. Children guests are treated to luxuries suited to their taste like child-sized bathrobes and toiletries.

Dining options include Wolfgang Puck's Forbes Four Star and AAA Four-Diamond Spago restaurant, which serves a selection of Californian- and Hawaiian-inspired entrees. Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante showcases both native and Italian dishes, while DUO offers steak and seafood. An adults-only infinity pool, game room and spa are among some of the location's facilities.

Located just steps from Wailea Beach, the resort offers private and semi-private surf lessons through the Big Kahuna Surf School. Instructors, who are CPR- and first aid-certified, work with groups of six or seven students. Most lessons last about two hours and include everything families need for the water. The lessons vary in cost.

Tags: Turtle Resort, family-friendly activities, Four Seasons, guest rooms, guest rooms suites

Homemade Wall Decor Ideas

Spice up your walls with custom decor.

Through the creation and placement of homemade wall decor items, you can transform your bland walls into attention-getting works of art. Regardless of how much artistic skill you possess, you can effectively create a wall decor item that will add a touch of style to your space. Before you visit your home decor store to pick up new additions for your walls, put your creativity to the test and craft your own wall-adorning creations. Does this Spark an idea?

Textural Canvas Collections

Add some excitement to your wall space by creating a textural canvas collection. To craft this decor piece, purchase nine square canvases in a size of your choice along with two hues of paint that will pair well with your current decor Using the two paint hues, paint a different textural design on each canvas. For example, you can paint thick vertical stripes on one canvas and horizontal zigzags on another.

Once your textured creations have had time to dry, lay them out on the floor in a 3x3 square. Move your canvases around, swapping them out until you have arranged them in a fashion that appeals to you. With a tape measure and level, carefully place nails on your wall, and transfer your creation to your wall surface.

Wooden Geometric Installation

Craft a piece of installation art for your space using geometric wood shapes. To create this wall art piece, select a shape to feature. Purchase or cut wood into the selected shape, recreating the shape in various sizes. Select a color that will contrast well with your current wall hue, and paint your shapes. Using small finish nails, attach your shapes to your wall, arranging them in a seemingly random fashion to finish your attention-getting piece of installation art.

Floral Basket Collection

Add a feminine touch to your walls by creating a floral basket collection piece. To produce this piece, gather an assortment of petite baskets. Paint the baskets so they are all the same color, or create an eclectic display with an assortment of natural basket hues. Attach each basket to your wall using screws to secure them in place. Place a piece of floral foam in the bottom of each basket, attaching it with hot glue. Select silk flowers that pair well with your current decor, and use these blooms to create an arrangement in each hung basket, sticking the flowers into the foam to secure them in place.

Tags: your wall, that will, well with, well with your, with your, with your current, your current

Make A Cake Flower Vase

Make a three-dimensional flower vase cake for a loved one.

If you have a friend who loves flowers, then you might consider making a birthday cake shaped like a flower vase and filling it with faux flowers for her birthday. While you will need a three-dimensional cake pan to pull off this project, the rest of the materials are basic and may already be in your kitchen. Be creative as you decorate the cake; consider using a color diverse color palette of icings and faux flowers. Keep in mind your friend's favorite colors and flowers. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Wash the cube cake pan thoroughly with soap and water and allow it to dry.

2. Prepare your cake mix as directed by its packaging in a mixing bowl and stir until smooth.

3. Pour your batter into the non-stick cube-shaped pan and bake it according to the package's instructions.

4. Remove your cake from the oven and allow it to cool. Once the cake is cool, carefully turn it over onto a cake stand and ice it according to your selected color palette.

5. Wash the plastic stems of the flowers thoroughly with soap and water.

6. Insert the clean flower stems into the top of the cake in your preferred arrangement; you may need to snip long stems with wire cutters. The final product gives the illusion of a cube flower vase filled with flowers.

Tags: flower vase, color palette, faux flowers, soap water, thoroughly with, thoroughly with soap

Decorate A Tiki Bar

With some basic supplies and a good plan, you can inexpensively build and decorate a tiki bar to look like the real thing.

A tiki bar adds an authentic design touch to luaus and Polynesian-themed parties, but making a genuine tiki bar can be an expensive proposition involving fairly hard-to-find materials. However, there's an easier alternative. Make a simple plywood hut with built-in shelves to hold your bar supplies, then use simple materials and a bit of out-of-the-box creativity to make a "thatch, bamboo and totem"-filled tiki bar to rival those built by the pros. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Transform Plywood into Bamboo and Thatch

1. Paint your entire plywood hut--inside and out--a golden tan color to resemble the color of aged bamboo. Let the paint dry completely.

2. Paint over the first color--working one narrow section at a time--with a diluted brown color. Let this second coat sit for only a few minutes, so it begins to dry but will still wipe off.

3. Cut a cheap, flat sponge into 2-inch wide strips. Dampen the sponge strips lightly with plain water and wring them out.

4. Drag a sponge strip straight down, top to bottom, over the brown paint layer to expose a 2-inch wide golden tan layer beneath.

5. Move the sponge over about ¼ inch and repeat the dragging motion. Continue in this way across the entire brown section. Use brown paint and more sponge strips to create this bamboo pattern on the entire hut. The 2-inch wide golden tan stripes represent bamboo and the narrow brown stripes represent the "spaces" between the "bamboo thatching."

6. Add horizontal "joints" to the "bamboo" sections with a small paintbrush..

7. Bundle long grasses, cornstalks, reeds or whatever grass-like materials you can find and attach them to the roof to finish your bamboo and thatch hut.

Make a Surfboard Bar Top

8. Draw a rounded point on each end of a 2-by-8-foot plywood sheet to create a surfboard shape.

9. Cut out the surfboard shape with a jigsaw.

10. Round and smooth the cut-off sections and edges with a rasp and sandpaper to emphasize the surfboard shape.

11. Paint on bright surfboard colors and set the form aside to dry.

12. Fill two 5-gallon buckets half full with concrete mixed according to the package directions.

13. Temporarily support a 4-by-4-inch post in each bucket until the concrete cures.

14. Screw a 2-by-4-inch board across each upright post, with two 3-inch screws, centering each cross piece on its post.

15. Mount the plywood surfboard on top of the 2-by-4-inch boards with 3-inch wood screws fastened from beneath the board, then set the whole thing just inside the hut to serve as the bar top.

Build a Tiki Totem

16. Find a tiki totem image online through an Internet image search.

17.Draw a front view of a tiki totem on a large piece of poster board, using the image as a guideline.

18. Cut out the image.

19. Glue blocks of floral foam to the front of the poster board image and trim off any excess along the image outlines with a sharp knife.

20. Shape the foam further using a rasp and sandpaper, then sculpt the frontal details of the tiki statue.

21. Mix plaster to a creamy consistency according to the directions on the package and spread it over the shaped foam. Let it harden.

22. Sand the dry plaster to smooth it, then paint as desired with outdoor paints.

Final Touches

23. Set your tiki statue in the back of the hut so it's visible but shadowed, to give it depth.

24. Add tiki torches near the front of the bar for dramatic light.

25. Place coconuts, pineapples and bowls of other tropical fruits on and around the bar and hut.

Tags: 2-inch wide, surfboard shape, 2-inch wide golden, brown paint, poster board, rasp sandpaper

Buy A Hula Costume

You've just been invited to a luau or maybe your hips are yearning for you to buy a hula costume. Taking a little vacation to Hawaii would be the most fun way to buy a hula costume, but there are other options as well. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Check out your local party supply store. Most of these carry a variety of costumes. A hula costume should be found in the tropical luau area.

2. Shop at an actual costume store. Many of these have a huge selection of rental costumes and sell off their inventory from time to time. They should also have catalogs of costumes where you can order a hula costume.

3. Browse the Internet and online sites for costume retailers that sell hula costumes. There will be many of these, so you'll have a good selection from which to do some comparison shopping. Don't forget to compare the shipping costs and delivery time frames before buying.

4. Log in to some online auction sites. Here, again, you should be able to find a good selection of hula costumes. Be sure to buy only costumes that have photos so you can see what you are buying.

5. Buy the materials to make your own hula costume by purchasing the needed materials at your local fabric and hobby stores. The fabric stores will have patterns for the hula costume that will list suggestions for trims and accessories.

6. Fly to Hawaii to buy an authentic hula costume. Or, check with family and friends who have been to Hawaii to see if they bought a hula costume while they were there and you can just purchase or borrow it from them.

Tags: hula costume, hula costume, good selection, hula costumes, these have, your local

Grow A Fortune Bamboo

Grow a Fortune Bamboo

Fortune bamboo, also known as lucky bamboo, is not really related to bamboo at all. Rather, it's a dracaena, and like many other members of the lily family, it occurs naturally in very shady tropical rain forests. Native to Africa and Asia, the fortune bamboo plant makes an ideal houseplant. It requires almost nothing in the way of care and thrives in even low-light household conditions. Soil isn't an issue as this interesting living conversation piece grows quite happily in plain water. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Cover the bottom of the inside of a clear glass vase with about 1/2 inch of small decorative stones. The fortune bamboo likes lots of room, so make sure to leave two to three inches between the roots and the inside of the container.

2. Set the bamboo cane vertically into the center of the vase so that the bottom of it rests on the stones. Add one to two inches of distilled water, which is free of the impurities present in ordinary tap water.

3. Add more stones around the plant's stalk to a depth of about two to three inches to secure the fortune bamboo into position. This will keep its roots from becoming flattened on the bottom of the container and will give it balance and stability.

4. Place the fortune bamboo plant where it will receive bright but indirect light. Make sure that the temperature never drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Cut a hole several inches in diameter about 2 inches from the bottom of any side of a cardboard box that is tall enough to cover the plant without the stalk or leaves touching it. Turn the box upside down and cover the plant with it. Positioning the side of the box with the hole in it facing the light source so that light will reach the plant only from the hole will train your fortune bamboo's stalk to grow, or to continue growing, in a spiral.

6. Uncover the plant and turn it clockwise about an eighth of a turn once each week. Put the box back over the plant.

7. Remove the fortune bamboo and the stones from the container to change the water once a month. Gently rinse the plant's roots in clean water. Wash the container and the stones with mild detergent and rinse them well. Replace the plant and stones in the container and add fresh water.

Tags: fortune bamboo, bamboo plant, cover plant, fortune bamboo, fortune bamboo plant, Grow Fortune

Create An Event Flyer With Free Templates

Create an Event Flyer With Free Templates

Event flyers let you communicate the details of your upcoming event in a document that can be distributed manually or electronically. These flyer templates can be downloaded from different free sources online or offline. Use Microsoft Office to download event flyer templates from Microsoft Word. Use OpenOffice and Google Documents online websites to download free event flyer templates for your upcoming event. Once the template is downloaded, you can customize the details and then print or email the flyer.

Instructions

Word 2010

1. Open Word 2010 and select the "File" tab. Click the "New" icon. Select the "Flyers" icon in the template categories. Select "Event Flyer." Review the event flyers that appear.

2. Preview the template by clicking the template image and reviewing the details in the right task pane. Click "Download" to download the template to your computer.

3. Edit the template by deleting the default information and adding your event details. Save your changes by clicking the "Save" icon on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Google Documents

4. Access Google Documents website. Type "flyer" in the search box. Review the available flyers.

5. Click the "Use This Template" to download the event template.

6. Edit the template by deleting the default information and adding your event details. Save your changes by clicking the "Save" icon on the shortcut menu.

OpenOffice

7. Access OpenOffice website. Type "flyer" in the search box. Review the available flyers.

8. Click the "Use This" to download the event template.

9. Edit the template by deleting the default information and adding your event details. Save your changes by clicking the "Save" icon.

Tags: adding your, adding your event, changes clicking, changes clicking Save, clicking Save, clicking Save icon

Make A Giant Martini Glass Centerpiece

Transform a giant martini glass into a beautiful centerpiece.

Giant martini glasses make attractive centerpieces for almost any occasion. These oversized glasses allow for plenty of space, and you can fill them with virtually anything to suit your needs. Since the large glasses already attract the guests due to their novelty size, you can impress them even more by being creative. In order to begin making your giant martini centerpieces, you will need to have a theme in mind to coordinate them to match the party or event.

Instructions

1. Fill the martini glass with potpourri. Buy a large bag of potpourri or make your own for the special occasion. Place votive candles in the glass, and then add the potpourri to add depth.

2. Make a floral arrangement in the martini glass. Insert floral foam into the glass to hold the flowers, and place them carefully into the floral foam. Wrap a piece of fabric around the glass to hide the floral foam, or line the inside of the martini glass with fabric before adding the floral foam.

3. Place floating candles and flower petals in the martini glass. Sit the martini glass on the table where you want it located, and fill it with water. Add floating candles and flower petals to the water, and color coordinate them to fit your theme. Insert colorful gems and stones into the bottom of the martini glass to add flare.

4. Fill the martini glass with candy. Use colors that match the theme of the party, or use candies that add interest and variety to the glasses. This centerpiece will double as a candy dish for the table.

5. Place olives in the giant martini glass. Set toothpicks beside the glass to allow guests to enjoy the olives. You may want to consider placing the martini glass in a bowl of ice to keep the olives chilled.

6. Place fruit in the centerpiece. Make a fruit basket inside each martini glass. This will provide a healthy option for the guests, and it will add natural color to the table.

Tags: martini glass, floral foam, glass with, martini glass, martini glass with, candles flower

Book A Military Flight

Flying on a military aircraft is very uncommon to the public, but it is a very safe and popular way to fly for a small population of Americans; primarily family members of service men and women. This article will show you find military flights and purchase tickets.

Instructions

1. List the different destinations you may want to travel.

2. Prepare standard identification such as drivers license and social security card. If you plan to travel offshore you will be required to have a passport.

3. Contact your local USO (United Service Organization) to begin your inquiry. They will let you know any excessive documentation you must have in order to fly via military.

4. Log on to to the Military website (see Resources) and click the travel link to view routine flights in the U.S. If you are a family member of service person you will qualify for a discounted fare. You will need the name and I.D. number of the person you are related to, and you must be listed as a first relative on their profile.

5. Flying directly on a MAC (military aircraft carrier) flight which is primarily for overseas trips you will need to coordinate this venture with the nearest military base to your community. These flights carry uniformed service persons and contractors. Many times they will have extra seats available for purchase.

Tags: military aircraft, will need

Construct An Outdoor Limbo Game

This quick and easy-to-construct outdoor limbo game will keep your guests coming back to your backyard summer parties. It's fun to make, easy to store and a snap to assemble. So how low can you go with this colorful and fun PVC limbo game?

Instructions

1. Saw a10 foot PVC pipe into two 5 foot pieces with the handsaw. Temporarily tape the two poles together, side by side, with electrical tape. Mark each pipe 6 inches from the top, and then every 2 inches. In the end, there should be 11 marks on each pole.

2. Place some scrap wood between the two poles and your table to protect the surface from drilling. Drill a 5/16 inch diameter hole through the two poles at every mark. Remove the electrical tape.

3. Cut the dowel into twenty-two 2 inch pieces. Apply a small amount of construction adhesive to each piece of dowel and push them through the holes so that they extend slightly through the back of the pipes. Allow the glue to dry.

4. Glue a 1 inch PVC cap to the top end of each pole. Glue a 1/2 inch PVC cap to both ends of the other 1/2 inch, 5 foot long PVC pole that will be the limbo pole.

5. Decorate the three PVC pipes with the various colors of electrical tape as desired. Cover the dowel pieces in alternating colors as well. Be festive in decorating your outdoor limbo game.

6. Insert a 1 1/4 inch PVC coupling on the opposite end of a PVC bushing for each side pole. Insert a 1 inch PVC coupling into the 1 1/4 inch coupling. To secure the poles to the ground, place the 1 inch opening face up and with a hammer place a hex bolt through the assembly. Next, place each uncapped end of the side pole into the assembly.

7. Set the 1/2 inch PVC pipe onto the dowels of the side poles, and presto, you have created your outdoor limbo game.

Tags: limbo game, electrical tape, inch coupling, each pole, Glue inch

Download Music Videos On Mp3 & Mp4 Players

Many modern MP3 players can also play video files.

MP4 players generally use the MP4 format, which is a video type. These players can also often play music such as MP3s. Similarly, many MP3 players also have some video capability if you put the videos in the proper format. The native program Windows Media Player is capable of properly converting and transferring music videos from your computer to either kind of player, as long as you install the drivers to allow the computer to recognize your player first.

Instructions

1. Install any software that came with your player onto your computer. This has important drivers on it that lets your computer recognize your player.

2. Click the "Start" button in Windows and select "Windows Media Player." Connect the player's USB cord from the player to your computer.

3. Click and drag the music video from the folder where it's located on your computer to the "Sync List" in the "Sync" tab in the program. Click "Start Sync" to download to the player.

Tags: your computer, players also, your player, Click Start, computer recognize, computer recognize your, Media Player

Create An Invitation Envelope

If you are having a hard time finding envelopes to match your invitations, then consider making your own invitation envelopes at home. People often make their own envelopes when they design and make their own invitations. Making your own envelopes will be time consuming, but your invitations will be stylish and creative.

Instructions

1. Choose decorative card stock and paper. Ensure that the card stock and paper either match in color or pattern to make an attractive envelope.

2. Trace an envelope template onto the card stock. You can make an envelope template by carefully disassembling an envelope. Once you carefully disassemble the envelope, lay it out flat on your card stock. Use a pencil to trace the envelope template onto the card stock.

3. Cut out the envelope from the card stock. Use a paper trimmer to make straight lines. Cut the envelope within the tracing lines so you cannot see the pencil marks you created.

4. Use a scoring attachment to score the envelopes. Mark where the envelope will need folded by looking at your envelope template. Line these parts of the envelope with the scoring attachment. Gently slide the scoring tool across the card stock on all sides that will need folded (including the envelope flap).

5. Measure the decorative paper to fit inside the card stock. Simply trace the envelope template onto the decorative paper and then measure 1 to 2 inches off the template. Use a ruler to mark your tracing lines inside the template you traced on the decorative paper, and scale the template down by 1 or 2 inches.

6. Cut out the decorative paper. Score the decorative paper in the same places that you scored the envelope. Place the decorative paper over the envelope and try holding a ruler across the fold and use the end of pen cap to run over the score that you created on the envelope.

7. Glue the decorative paper onto the card stock to create your envelope liner. Consider using a permanent adhesive glue runner to prevent creating creases and air pockets on your invitation envelope.

8. Fold the envelope. Use the envelope template as a guideline. An adhesive glue runner will help you achieve the best results.

Tags: card stock, decorative paper, envelope template, card stock paper, envelope template onto

Decorate Homemade Sweatshirts

Decorating homemade sweatshirts.

If you have kids and you need a fun craft project, consider decorating homemade sweatshirts. This activity is ideal for rainy days, birthday parties or any time you are looking for a memorable project. The great thing about decorating sweatshirts is that you are creating something that you can wear in the future. Each sweatshirt is distinctive and will help children or adults to showcase their own creativity.

Instructions

1. Take a clean sweatshirt and lie it flat across a table.

2. Pick a general theme for your sweatshirt. Choose fabric with fun shapes: images of fall leaves, Christmas ornaments or other objects. The shapes will help to define the concept for your sweatshirt.

3. Cut out shapes from the fabric. After cutting out the shapes, flip them over and place them on the table. Apply glue and affix them onto the front of the sweatshirt using fabric glue. Press the shapes down firmly so they dry flat. Allow them to dry for several hours.

4. Outline the object with gold or silver puff paint to make it stand out on the sweatshirt. Add some extra touches to the shirt to make it special. Consider writing your name or something else creative. If you do not want to use the fabric cut-outs at all, you can simply use the puff paint alone to decorate the sweathshirt.

5. Paint on items like stars, flowers or abstract designs. Use tiny paint brushes for adding precise details to your sweatshirt. Affix plastic jewels with the glue if desired.

Tags: your sweatshirt, homemade sweatshirts, puff paint, will help

Do A Smith Machine Lunge

Using the Smith machine, or cage, to perform lunges at the gym is a great and effective way to target the glutes, quads and hamstrings. This machine allows you to control the movement of the exercise and balance the weight much more easily. Here's do a Smith machine lunge.

Instructions

1. Obtain clearance from your doctor before beginning a workout routine to be sure that you are healthy enough, and to find out if there are any lifts or exercises that you need to avoid.

2. Get into the Smith machine cage and position the body underneath the bar. Rest the bar on the meaty part of the upper back and shoulders where most people like to get a shoulder massage.

3. Take a big step back and forward so that there is a distance of about twice your normal walk between the two legs.

4. Keep the abdominal muscles contracted and your back straight throughout the entire range of motion as you perform this lunge. Pretend you will lunge between two panes of glass, one in front and one behind. The torso should be perpendicular to the ground, not leaning forward or backwards at all.

5. Bend the knees and slowly lower yourself towards the ground. Keeping the weight mainly on the front leg, press through the front heel and slowly stand back up, squeezing the glutes as you return to the starting position.

6. Repeat the lunge 12 to 15 times on one leg, then switch and place the other leg in front. Complete the same number of reps on the other leg.

Tags: Smith machine, machine cage, Smith machine cage

Make A Hut

A hut is a small structure assembled from natural materials. Sticks, branches, vines, and leaves make up the entire structure. Building a hut should take between one to two hours and is an excellent shelter from the forces of nature. Huts can protect a person from the sweltering rays of the sun, and shield a person from fierce winter storms. A hut can be built out of necessity, or as a playful hideaway.

Instructions

1. Collect the three wooden poles and strip them of any awkwardly placed branches. The poles can be fallen trees, saplings, bamboo, or very large palm leaves. Find a dry area of ground around a tree or large boulder. This area will be the place where you will be building your hut. Lean the poles against the tree or boulder at a 45 degree angle; this should make your structure about four feet high on the inside. Each pole should be spaced evenly to allow for space inside of the shelter once it is built.

2. Scavenge the area for fallen branches, palm leaves, vines, or any sort of loose shrubbery. Place the largest branches against the pole angled outward. These branches should be placed evenly and firmly because they will support all of the smaller branches and leaves which will be placed on top of that. Place branches on top of the three poles to act as a roof.

3. Begin on the roof of the hut and get a thick layer of leaves, twigs, and vines to shield out any light to protect yourself from sunburn. A thick layer will also keep your hut well insulated in an area where the temperatures are quite cool. In an area with snow be certain to pack snow around your hut to keep your body heat in, and keep the cool breeze and inclement weather out. Be certain to leave an opening for you to crawl in and out of along the side of the tree or boulder.

4. Lying on a cold or damp ground is one of the fastest ways to lose precious body heat and succumb to the elements. Gather enough dried grasses and leaves to act as a barrier between you and the ground. Once the entire floor is covered in about one foot of grasses pat everything down securely with your hands and feet.

5. Gather a few leafy branches and sticks to block the doorway that you left open. Once inside of the hut then place the branches over the opening to protect yourself from wind, sun, rain, and snow. Look for any large gaps in your shelter and fill them in with any organic materials you have handy to ensure the hut will keep you protected from the elements.

Tags: body heat, keep your, palm leaves, person from, protect yourself

Hire A Mariachi Band

Hire a Mariachi Band

When it's time to party, you hire a band. When it's a fiesta, you hire a "Mariachi band." Many types of occasions need a Mariachi band, such as wedding entertainment, or a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Use the following as a guide in hiring a Mariachi band for your event.

Instructions

1. Contact an entertainment company that specializes in music. These companies have many bands and musical groups that they handle booking arrangements for. Also, try contacting party and event planners for recommendations on who to contact.

2. Ask friends and family for recommendations of Mariachi bands that they have heard at other parties or events. Get the phone number and contact them directly.

3. Request a sample CD or video of the Mariachi band to listen and watch before you sign a contract to hire them for your event. Also, request a list of their music to review for selections that you would want to hear. Many of the bands have their own websites where you can watch a video clip or download samples of their music.

4. Go to an event where the Mariachi bands you are considering to hire are performing. This is the best way to see how they perform and how the guests relate to them.

5. Put all your requirements in writing in the form of an event contract. Make sure that it clearly states the date of the event, the time the band is to arrive, the length of time they are to perform and the amount that you are agreeing to pay. The payment issue must be clearly stated in writing. If you agree to pay them $500 for the evening, put it in writing, so that no one comes back to you expecting payment of $500 for members of the band individually. Also, do not pay the entire required fee up front, as you may never see your band arrive at all.

Tags: Mariachi band, band arrive, Hire Mariachi Band, Mariachi bands, that they

Make A Model Of An Island For A Science Project

Rocky island aerial view

Islands can occur in any body of water, including oceans, rivers, lakes or bays. A group of islands is called an archipelago. Most ocean islands either rise from the ocean floor, as the Hawaiian Islands, or are parts of a continental shelf that is surrounded by water. Greenland is the largest island in the world. You can make a model island using simple materials.

Instructions

Easy Island Model

1. Crumple each sheet of newspaper in your hands. This will create a rocky landscape, so make a lot of folds and bumps. Shape the crumpled newspaper into a rough volcano shape. Tape to the center of the cardboard sheet.

2. Mix equal parts water and glue in a small mixing bowl. Start with one cup of each and make more as necessary. Paint the glue mixture thickly over the newspaper and immediately around the newspaper island on the cardboard base. Sprinkle sand or dirt over the glue before it dries. Allow the glue and sand to dry overnight.

3. Turn the model over while standing outside or over a garbage can to remove excess sand and dirt. Paint the cardboard base blue around the island to represent the water. Add details to the island as desired.

Tags: cardboard base, sand dirt

Customize Baby Shower Invitations

A cute photo like this would grab guests' attention on an invitation.

Throwing a baby shower can be a daunting task, but customizing the invitations should not be a difficult ordeal. There are a variety of companies on the Internet that customize invitations, or you can design and customize your own on your home computer. It is important for the invitation to contain all the necessary information about the party and to set the tone or convey the theme of the party.

Instructions

Customize Baby Shower Invitations

1. Choose a theme or color scheme for the baby shower. This will help you match the invitations to the rest of the party and set the tone for the guests. You will need a color scheme in order to choose matching paper, decorations for the invitations and envelopes in order to have a matching customized invitation.

2. Decide what information you need to include on the invitation. You need the basics: who, what, when, where and why, as well as information on where the mother-to-be is registered for gifts or any other details on things guests should expect from the shower. When customizing the invitations, choose a pen color that is complementary to the color scheme you chose and a fitting font (script for formal, printed for more laid-back, etc.).

3. Choose whether you want to create your invitations at home or order them from an online site. If you choose to go to an online site, you will need to choose your paper, design elements, font and information that should be included on the invitation. If you choose to do the invitations at home, you can choose to create the invitation on a computer (see Step 4), or you can make them "Scrapbook Style" by getting a variety of design elements together and handwriting the invitations. You may then glue other elements onto the invitations to decorate them.

4. Create the invitations on your computer by designing a word document with some clip art designs, and type up the information about the baby shower. Stick with your theme by choosing appropriate colors and fonts that compliment each other and the vision you have for the shower. You should be able to fit between two and four invitations on one page, which will save on paper when you print them. Design the invitations, proofread them and print out the number you need.

5. Address the envelopes for the guests you intend to invite to the baby shower. You can further customize the envelopes by writing the addresses on the envelopes using calligraphy, or print them out using fonts that match the invitations. Use colored pens to tie in the colors you used on the invitations. Ensure they are mailed at least a month before the shower date. This will help ensure that guests have ample time to plan for the party and are less likely to have something else planned for that same date.

Tags: color scheme, baby shower, baby shower, Baby Shower Invitations, Customize Baby, Customize Baby Shower, customizing invitations

Create 2d Games

Create your own 2D game.

Some gamers may complain that they don't make games like they used to, especially back in the days of 2D gaming. You can change this by creating your own 2D games. Rather than focusing on flashy graphics, your game will focus on level design and game play as you create a game using programs released on both consoles and computers. Once you have created a 2D game, you'll be able to share it with other gamers who can play through your newly made classic.

Instructions

1. Decide on the type of game you want to create. When creating a 2D game, you can choose to create different games such as a platforming game similar to "Super Mario Bros," an RPG like "Dragon Quest," or adventure games similar to "Net Hack."

2. Write down all the parts that will go into your game. This list should involve all playable characters, settings, enemies, storyline, and general gameplay. For example, you may want to crate a game with maze-like levels but no enemies or focus on a 2D game that relies on a strong storyline.

3. Design the main character for your game. Sketch out the look of your character on a piece of paper. List all of his abilities that will be incorporated into the game such as the ability to jump or an aptitude for large swords.

4. Create designs for the enemies in your game. Use a pencil and paper to sketch different creatures for your character to face. You may be creating a science fiction adventure and want to create robot enemies and hacker-adversaries.

5. Map out each level of your game on graph paper. Draw level designs on the graph paper as they would appear on the game screen. If you're creating a platformer the levels should progress from left to right with the ability to reach higher and lower into the level with platforms. RPG's require you to create levels from a top-down perspective.

6. Detail the storyline of your game, especially if you're creating an RPG or adventure game. Write dialogue for characters as well as information that keeps the plot moving forward.

7. Choose a game-making program to translate your game from idea to playable title. IF you want to use a video game console, "Little Big Planet" allows the creation of platforming levels, "Fighter Maker" can be used to create a fighting game while the "RPG Maker" series allows you to create role playing and adventure games. Computer users can use "Platform Studio" for platformers or "Game Maker" for more complex game creations.

8. Translate your sketches to digital format. If you're creating a game on the computer you can use graphics programs such as Paint Shop or MS Paint to turn your drawings into digital pictures and import them into your game creation program.

9. Use the tools of your chosen game program to translate your level designs. Each program is different with "Little Big Planet" and "Platform Studio" being the most basic programs to use. Use different colors and patterns provided by the programs to create visually appealing levels.

10. Add your other game details in using the features of your gaming creation program. "RPG Maker" allows you to input text for dialogue and create enemies and events. "Game Maker" allows you to create each level and even from scratch.

11. Test your game. Ensure that your character can reach every platform and that enemies are not too strong too early in the game. Make adjustments as necessary.

12. Share your game with fellow gamers. Accept their feedback and tweak your game until it is complete.

Tags: your game, your character, adventure games, allows create, creating game, creation program, each level

Adopt A Deployed Soldier

In the past during times of war or military operations, you could address a letter or package "To Any Soldier" and it would reach deployed troops for distribution. Today, you need the actual name of a deployed solider for your mail to reach the front lines. You can adopt a soldier to write letters and send care packages to through one outstanding organization called Soldiers' Angels.

Instructions

1. Log on to the Soldiers' Angels website and click on the "Adopt a Soldier" link. Complete the online application to begin the adoption process and commit to sending at least one card or letter each week and one to two care packages per month to your adopted soldier. There is no fee required to join, and Soldiers' Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Patti Patton-Bader.

2. Wait to hear of your application approval, which will come via email notification. You will receive an email with the name and address of a soldier who will enjoy hearing from you. Mail call is a powerful, uplifting and motivating force to a deployed soldier far from home.

3. Visit the FAQ area of the Soldiers' Angel website, browse through the Angel Store of ready-made care packages and other items, peruse the letter writing, care package ideas and shipping information online, view the downloads and check out the online Angel Forums. All of these resources (and more) have lots of information and ideas so you can successfully support your deployed soldier.

4. Write an introductory letter or send a care package to let the soldier know that you have adopted him through Soldiers' Angels for the duration of his deployment. Introduce yourself, your family and your connection to Soldiers' Angels. Keep your letter positive, uplifting and supportive. Thank the soldier for his service and sacrifice.

5. Honor your commitment to care for the deployed soldier that you adopt, even if you never get a response from her. Include your email address and phone number if you would like her to have that information. Many soldiers have email and phone access, so she may be able to contact you as time and availability allows.

6. Adopt a worthwhile mission and join specialty Soldiers' Angels teams based on your own hobbies or passions such as the Letter Writing Team, the VA Team, the Sewing Team, Living Legends and the Wounded TLC Team, to name just a few. You can get the names and addresses of other soldiers who welcome letters of support.

Tags: Soldiers Angels, care packages, care package, deployed soldier, send care

Grow Banana Melons

The shape and smell of bananas give the banana melon their name.

Banana melons are a creamy yellow, elongated muskmelon variety, grown on vines in much the same manner as other muskmelons. The seeds will sprout in four to 10 days and the plants will mature fully, with fruit ready for harvest in 90 to 100 days. The fast-growing vines need plenty of space and love the sun. Six to eight hours a day of sunlight, particularly gentle morning sunlight, is best for your banana melon plants. A little TLC in a sunny, weed-free environment will give you all of the semi-sweet, salmon-colored flesh you can eat. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Fill biodegradable peat pots with potting soil. Plant three banana melon seeds in each pot, approximately 25 days before you plant to set them out. Water the soil gently each day with a watering can filled with water that has been allowed to reach room temperature. Keep your melon seed pots indoors near a window that provides morning sun.

2. Test the pH of the soil in your melon plot. Muskmelons, like banana melons grow best in soil with a pH from 6.4 to 6.7. Apply lime only if necessary to raise your soil's pH.

3. Transplant your seedlings after three to four weeks, once all danger of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently between 65 and 75 F. Dig holes 24 inches apart with your small, gardener's shovel. Make the holes twice as large as the flower pots where the seedlings are growing.

4. Add a couple inches of potting soil in the bottom of each hole. Gently tear the organic flower pot off off the soil surrounding the roots of the seedlings. Lower a pot of seedlings into each hole. Fill the hole around the soil holding the seedlings with fresh, loose potting soil.

5. Avoid mulching your banana melon plants. Mulch will hold moisture next to the plants that will promote rot. Rot will promote the growth of mold that can kill your banana melon plants.

6. Side-dress plants with a balanced fertilizer when vines begin to run. For best fruit production, avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

7. Lay each of the fruits on top of a brick as it forms. Move the fruits into different positions every few days to help prevent rot.

8. Harvest the fruit as it ripens. The banana melons will suddenly turn yellow in a few days as it becomes ripe. The smell of the fruits will intensify. A ripe banana melon will pull easily off of its vine by hand.

Tags: banana melon, banana melon plants, melon plants, potting soil, your banana, your banana melon