Once fall is underway it is time to start planning for the spring herb garden. Once winter has arrived it is time to start herb garden planting. A note of caution is in order. Once herbs have found a place in the home garden it may be hard to move them outside. Fragrant air from nature, convenience for the cook, and the beauty may make transplanting a dilemma. Choosing the right herbs for an indoor garden is easy. Go with the herbs that will be...more
Textbooks are a necessary part of school, but there are many other great ways for kids to learn. Since kids have different learning styles, teachers should be open to different teaching methods. For example, would your students rather read a textbook about the history of medieval knights or would they prefer to see medieval knight figures displayed in a detailed setting?How is this possible? By building a miniature diorama, students can not only...more
There are a few things to remember when designing custom layouts for HO scale model railroad trains. First enjoy yourself! There is lots of room for creativity, just stay with in a few basic guidelines. Some very useful online tools including free software to design your own railroad model layout; search for it it is even fun to use. You can also do it the old fashioned way, using pencil and paper with a compass for curves and a ruler for straight-aways. Keep in mind that no matter how exact you are in your design, when it comes to laying the materials, some adjustments will always be necessary.You can also design your layout right on location, placing track pieces and switches loosely in place to get a feel for what it will look like. You can move things around until you have it exactly the way you want it. This is known as going free-lance.Its helpful to deliberately leave openings for later changes and additions. Leave some space for a train yard you might be able to add later, or other details you might not have the time or money for in your railroad model right now. This makes for a rewarding, multi-stage project, growing in complexity over time.There are several different...more
Newtons three laws of motion are so integral to everything around us that many people take them for granted. Young children achieve a basic understanding of these laws as they interact with the world around them, but older children, teenagers, and even adults can achieve a deeper understanding and an appreciation for these laws through model rocket...more
There are many ways to deal with stress from the world outside. Some people listen to music while others workout to relieve stress. A real excellent way is to grow a garden.Building a garden is not as simple as putting seeds into the ground and watering them. A garden needs love and care. A lot of thought needs to be invested into building a...more
The model horse hobby takes different directions for different collectors. Some hobbyists collect all four Breyer model horse sizes, including Traditional, Classic, Paddock Pals and Stablemates, while others are loyal to a particular size classification. Some like to participate in photo contests while others prefer to enter live shows. Some are new to the hobby while others have been actively involved for many years. In the midst of all this diversity, we offer four unchanging principles to help all hobbyists win whatever horse toys contest they enter. This article provides a checklist of the four most crucial keys to winning contests.First - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - You must only put forth the cleanest and most pleasing Breyer model horse. If you're entering a photo contest, be sure your photo is sharp, clear and allows the coloring to come across vividly. If you're entering a live show, consider what entrants must do in order to prepare live shows with real horses. The entries must be clean, shiny and without blemish from any angle. Be sure to incorporate any scenery and tack you're allowed to.Second Make it easy for the judges by clearly and correctly labeling...more
Using Safari or Schleich miniature figurines can give your rainforest diorama added realism. Both Safari and Schleich offer a great variety of wildlife toy figures. Here are some tips on how to take any rainforest diorama to the next level.To build a...more
Building bench-work for the first time for your model railroad is an exciting moment! To create a good first layout for HO scale model trains, a great way to start is with a basic plan for 4 x 8 foot bench-work. You are essentially building a table...more
Are you ready to take on a new diorama project? This article explains how you can take any diorama to the next level by using colorful, high quality toy figures, such as Safari or Schleich miniatures. Diorama projects put a demand on your creative...more
Designing and setting up the track layout for Bachmann model trains can be a fun and rewarding experience. Scale model trains require consideration of many facts while planning their design. This article provides some important facts about the track...more
Owning a Breyer model horse is fun, but whats even more rewarding is creating your own customized versions! You can achieve some stunningly realistic and beautiful results by adding a mohair mane and tail, for instance. To start with, you will need...more
Whether youve purchased a Lionel train set or another brand of model railroad trains, you will need to know a few things about the power supply. This article offers some helpful tips from the National Model Railroad Association which can help you get...more