Make grass whistles and decorate eggs to get rid of stress


Have you ever whistled on a blade of grass? Besides teaching me how to leap over a tennis net to shake hands with my opponent (my game was dreadful, but my good sportsmanship was impressive) and how to make a perfect pink gin, my father taught me how to make grass ‘screechers’.

Making a screecher is one of the more satisfying stress-busters I’ve found, making an ear-splitting ‘alley-oop!’ type of whistle and relaxing your jaw to boot. I have yet to perfect the ability to play a tune on one. Pick a piece of grass – as wide and firm as possible – and make a slit in it with your thumbnail. Hold it between your thumb and first finger on each hand over your pursed lips. Pull it tight, hold on to the edges, and then blow.

What is it about the smooth, even shape of an egg that is so calming and soothing? Perhaps it’s because they’re a traditional symbol of rebirth and new beginnings.

Decorated eggs are probably best known as a traditional Easter craft, but they can also be used to make an appealing collection of personal mementoes of important events. Display them in a bowl and they will bring back positive memories each time you pass by.

Decorating eggs is an opportunity for creative expression. However, unlike many hobbies, there is no opportunity for competition – whatever you do is purely for the pleasure of it. Let your intuition and emotions decide what will be the subject. Remember that the impact of this craft lies in the fact that you have to focus on just one simple message or symbol: something that’s small enough to fit on an egg, such as a little brown teddy on a pale blue egg to mark the birth of a baby boy, or a tiny red aeroplane and a palm tree to signify an overseas holiday.

Decorated Eggs

Pierce the pointed end of an egg with a needle, then make a slightly larger hole in the flatter end. Let the white and yolk run out into a bowl, rinse the shell carefully and allow it to dry. You can make this happen a bit faster by blowing into the small hole, forcing the contents out of the large hole into the bowl. Stand each blown egg in an egg cup and decorate as desired. Carefully paint all over the egg with the clear varnish and leave to dry completely.

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Note: This article was sent to us by: Rachel Klein at 06112010

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