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Activities to do with children at home during preventive isolation
With schools closing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many children have had to stay home with mothers and fathers who try to keep them entertained by all means. So who can be more creative than fathers and mothers themselves? That is why we have asked these experts to come up with ideas to keep children busy during this necessary isolation.How to entertain children at home during the closing of schools due to coronavirusIt may seem impossible to have children entertained at home during preventive isolation due to the coronavirus crisis , especially if you have to telecommute, but we assure you that there are activities with which you can have fun without leaving home, beyond of the classic board games.List these 10 fun activities to do with children during preventive isolation from the coronavirus:Drawings and crafts . Yes, it may seem obvious, but drawing is one of the favorite activities of young children. You can print drawings of your favorite Disney characters or fashion series to recreate for a while. Mandalas can be a great option for older children, not only for entertainment but also for relaxation. On the Internet you have countless resources and ideas, both for drawing and for making crafts with children of different ages.Yoga for children. If yoga suits you, you can introduce your children to the practice of this sport, which is so beneficial for the body and mind, with which your children will reduce stress and improve concentration and creativity. You can find on YouTube numerous yoga videos for children with the most suitable exercises for each age.Performing arts. If your children are motivated by singing, dancing or theater, let them give free rein to the artist inside them. In addition to having fun, they will be doing physical exercise and will compensate for the lack of activity these days at home. If the theater suits them better, you can simulate a representation of their favorite story among family members. It is sure to be an unforgettable experience.Cooking with children. Children love cooking, even little ones. Take advantage of these days to introduce them to the world of gastronomy, perhaps preparing their favorite sponge cake or inventing a new pasta recipe. Maybe you will find out that you have a little superchef at home! In addition to having fun, they will be learning the importance of nutrition to stay healthy.New readings. You can surprise your child with a new book for these days. In the online stores of the main bookstores and leisure stores you have many options that you can buy without leaving home.Help with household chores. Yes, it is true, it may seem boring, but with so many free hours it is good that they take responsibility for part of the housework. If your children are young, they can simply pick up their room or clean the dust. For the older ones, you can reserve tasks such as washing dishes or hanging clothes. In this way, they will occupy their free time, while becoming aware of the importance of sharing domestic work.Track games. They require more preparation time, but your children will have a great time. You can play the typical game of hiding an object for them to find or, if you have more time, hiding clues all over the house that lead to a treasure, perhaps a chocolate bar or a small toy.Physical exercise. It is convenient that your children move these days and avoid sedentariness despite being at home. In addition to dancing, you can promote games like hide and seek to keep them active or improvise an aerobics class, for example.Plan the next trip together. Older children will enjoy planning the next family trip . Maybe these days you can decide the next getaway, look for accommodation and think about the activities to do, such as adventure sports or trekking routes.Educational videos. Even if they do not go to class, it is recommended that they do not disconnect completely. If they are already bored of turning the books and index cards of the school, you can look for educational videos on the subjects that are working in the classroom, in this way they will learn in a different way than usual.
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DECORATING WITH RUGS: THE ULTIMATE TOUCH OF WARMTH
Rugs are without a doubt the best (and most stylish!) Solution to define spaces in the same room, such as the dining room and living room. They are able to make a soulless space the most comfortable room, the rugs offer a whole range of possibilities so that your house looks like never before You will gain more warmth and will be able to give a special touch to both environments. The decor Rug is implemented to cover spaces on the floor in any space. Sometimes they work as a work of art on the walls.There are rugs with a knot of greater or lesser thickness, shaved and mixed....
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Coronavirus: 8 measures recommended by WHO to prevent infection
The epidemic caused by the Chinese coronavirus continues to take on new victims and victims worldwide. The health authorities, with the World Health Organization (WHO) at the helm, have reported on several occasions that the mortality rate of this virus is around 2% (that of the common flu is 1%) and It mainly affects older people with different health conditions. However, the widespread ignorance and alarm that has been created around the world have caused them to start circulating all kinds of hoaxes through WhatsApp , as well as recommendations to prevent contagion.The Ministry of Health published a few weeks ago a protocol of action against possible cases of infection that take place in our country, with a series of guidelines for the citizen to minimize the risk of infection. This protocol follows the one that WHO itself launched a few weeks ago and that in recent hours has been shared through WhatsApp groups....
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SHIBORI: THE TRENDING JAPANESE DESIGN
There is a good chance that you have heard the term Shibori. It is normal because Shibori designs are unique and incredible. Who would not like to make a wonderful summer dress or a summer scarf in this fashion fabric?Shibori is a technique of dyeing Japanese fabric dating from the 8th century AD, one of the first known. Today it is still being done, in a variety of colors, generating different patterns, but the traditional color is indigo blue....
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How to make a Kimono
For several seasons, we have seen how the kimono has become one of the favorite garments of ladies around the world. Both in winter and in summer, as a beach accessory on a bikini or with a shirt and jeans for an informal outing or, even, on an evening dress, this versatile piece of clothing seems to have arrived to stay in our dressing rooms.If you have not yet succumbed to the charm of these clothes of Japanese origin or have not found one that suits your style, you should know that, with a little interest, you can make this garment yourself and to your liking. If you want to learn how to make a kimono , you just have to follow the stepsHow to make a DIY kimono - MaterialsBefore starting the preparation, it is important that you have, in advance, the necessary materials. Learning how to make a kimono is easy but, in addition, it can also be economical, although it will always depend on the type of fabric you choose. To start your kimono, you will need:2 meters of fabric if you want to make a short kimono or 5 meters if you prefer a longer one: choose the fabric you like best (printed, plain, with geometric or floral patterns, etc.). Every season new trends emerge in both color and fabrics, so take advantage and make the most of your kimono with the proposals that will be offered in textile stores. Viscose or silk fabrics are usually recommended for their soft fall and for how easy it is to work with them.Something more of cloth : we recommend that you always buy a little more to avoid staying halfway. In addition, if you have a scrap left over, you can always make a turban or a fabric headband to match the kimono to get a total look. (If you are not sure what the total look is and how it works , do not miss this other article).Satin ribbon cut at the bias : choose the ribbon in question based on the pattern or color of the fabric you have selected for the kimono. You can continue with the same color range to balance the set or acquire a totally different and groundbreaking color to give it originality.Thread : the thread must be the same color as the fabric and must be of good quality to prevent breakage.Pins : pins are important to be able to hold the hems and pieces of your kimono until you have sewn them, so don't forget them.Sewing needle : While it is true that it can be done with a sewing needle, if you have a sewing machine, we recommend that you do it with it.Other fundamental materials : scissors suitable for cutting cloth, adhesive for cloth, iron.How to make a long kimono step by stepLong kimonos bring elegance when combined with a blouse and stylish pants. In addition, they are also ideal if you are at home and want to wear a comfortable garment without losing a touch of style. To learn how to make a long kimono you must do, step by step, what we indicate below:Join the patterns with adhesive or painter's tape: it is best to borrow an already made kimono and take out the measurements yourself, although you can also get ideas of kimono patterns in magazines or on the Internet. However, here we provide you with the guidelines so that you can get a basic pattern and get down to work: cut 4 rectangular pieces of the length of your arms and the width you want (from the minimum measure +5 centimeters of your arm) .Then, cut two rectangular pieces by measuring the width of your back and the length you want your kimono to reach the front and back. Short kimonos usually reach half a hip, while long ones reach to the knees or ankles .Fold the chosen fabric in half, place the previously attached pattern with adhesive tape and attach it to the fabric with pins, thus joining the different parts of the kimono that you will sew later.Cut the pattern next to the fabric. Keep in mind that, if you make your pattern yourself, you will have to have taken into account a seam allowance of a minimum of 3 centimeters wide.Join the top of the two sleeves (the smallest rectangular pieces) to the shoulder of the kimono (the largest rectangular piece) with a needle and thread, making a simple stitching that joins the fabric but is not definitive.Next, join the sides of the kimono and the bottom of each sleeve.If you want to make hems on the sleeves and hems to make it more elegant, you can sew both parts with a needle and thread or use a fabric adhesive , because with the heat of the iron, it will make you achieve the same effect.Sew the bias tape on the front of the kimono and on the neck, creating a kind of flaps.If you wish, you can cut a ribbon about 20 or 20 cm wide and make a small hem, so you can tie the kimono as a sash or belt.Once your kimono is finished and, if you want to bring that something that you think will make it unique, you can sew a few strips of lace or fringes to your sleeves, achieving a perfect boho kimono style for summer.
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How to take care of Bedding
When the day ends and it is time to sleep, after a long day's work, it is a pleasure to find our bed perfectly made with clean and well-maintained clothes. Wrapping ourselves between clean, soft and comfortable sheets favors our rest and will help us increase the feeling of well-being.On the other hand, keeping the bedding in proper conditions will help us avoid allergies and other health problems. In bed it is inevitable that dust mites and moisture are deposited, so it is important to take into account some basic tips .It is necessary to wash the sheets before using them for the first time, in this way we remove the remains of chemical substances derived from the manufacturing process.To prevent the growth of mites it is also advisable to aerate the bed every day before making it and if it is possible to receive direct sunlight. Ventilation and sun rays on the sheets help keep them healthy.It is recommended to change the sheets at least once a week. It is recommended to wash them at 30 degrees with a mild detergent. It is preferable to replace the fabric softener with a stream of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. It is more ecological and clothes are soft; if you don't like that smell you can add a few drops of essential oil of your favorite smell....
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HOW TO MAKE A TABLECLOTH AND HOW MUCH FABRIC I NEED
Materials - Tape measure. - Cloth scissors. - Pins, marker and sewing machine. - Cloth for Tablecloths TYPE OF FABRIC: You can choose the fabric you like the most by choosing from an exclusive catalog of fabrics at Roopantran that are used for tablecloths and receive it in your home.Once you have chosen the fabric you want for your tablecloth, you should have some considerations in mind to know what quantity you need to buy. - The length of the tablecloth will depend on how much you want the table legs to be seen. If you have small children, dogs or cats it is advisable that they are not too long to prevent them from hanging or pulling on them. - On the other hand, the amount of fabric needed will depend on whether the table is square, rectangular, oval or round. In the first three cases, take the measures of the table (width and length) and we recommend adding between 10 and no more than 30 cm of fall from each side, to avoid what we mentioned in the previous paragraph, and add 2.5 cm of each side, as a resource of seams to make the ring. For example, if the table of my table measures 1.50 m. by 0.90 m....
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Tips to make your room look bigger
One of the problems of today's apartments is that the bedrooms are quite small. Luckily, most have fitted wardrobes, but it's still important to try to make them look bigger.The choice of furniture, the color of the walls and also of household linen is important to ensure that the bedroom is, at least visually, more spacious.1. The choice of furniture and the color of the roomIn a small room the key in the choice of furniture is in the simplicity of them. The Kantha style is perfect for this type of room, as it bets on simple lines and few devices. You can also choose classic furniture but always escaping from dark woods or excessively recharged .The headboards that have the built-in bedside tables can be a good choice to save a little more space and bring simplicity to the design of the room.Light tones are perfect for the room to look large and bright. White, pearl tone, beige or very soft earth colors are ideal. Blue is also a fantastic choice. You can play with a more intense tone for the headboard wall, like a cobalt blue, so fashionable and the rest of the room in white or in faint blue.2. Should I give up the add-ons?There is no reason to give up accessories and auxiliary furniture when the room is small, but you have to know what is the best way to use them. Here are some tricks that will help you make your room look bigger:Avoid having things in between . If you want to put a side table to place photo frames or something like that you must put it in a corner of the room. The clearer it looks, the bigger it will look. The order is also essential for the room to look good because something outside the site in such a small space, it is noted.It is better to avoid the shelves , but if you need to place them bet on the high, flush with the ceiling. This will make the space at eye level clear. If you are going to put pictures, that these are rather low, you can even bet on the pictures resting on the floor, a modern trend that will make the room look taller.Of course, mirrors are good allies to make your room look bigger. You can use them in the closet door or you can place a full-length mirror in some strategic place in the room. In addition to visually increasing the space, it will make everything seem brighter.3. How to choose the beddingAnd finally, we reach the point that we are particularly interested in, the choice of bedding. There are several safe bets that will make the bedding help the room not optically dwarf. These are some proposals we make:The bedding in plain light tones . The Percale bedspread is a perfect option for the most minimalist rooms and looking for a fresher look. Although it is totally white, this bedspread has its personality by having the relief in paintings. It is perfect for the bedrooms in total white, so fashionable right now.Choose everything in the same tone . Although the different prints are carried, in a small room the excess of color can make everything look too ornate. Therefore, we recommend that you choose only one printed textile piece (the quilt or the curtains) and the rest of the accessories in a plain color identical to everything. For example, if the quilt is stamped and has a white background, the curtains can go white to avoid recharging the environment.
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Block Printing - The traditional art of India
India has been recognized for its unique art and crafts since ancient times. Over the centuries, it has produced fabrics with different types of manual printing techniques. People of different customs and cultures use different techniques. Among the many, one of the most popular forms of hand printing here is - Block printing. While this traditional technique has been in use since ancient times, it has created a space for itself in the metropolitan cities of India today. Not only this, block printing clothing material is exported to countries around the world.This technique is typical of India, although its origins are Chinese, and it seems to date from the twelfth century. It is true that some previous examples have been found, but their use became widespread in this century.The technique of block printing is completely handmade and for its implementation only natural materials are used .The fabrics that are normally used are wool, silk and cotton. All of them are produced in considerable quantities in different regions of the country and, therefore, can be accessed easily and sustainably.India has many centers where these large-scale art and craft techniques are performed.Mainly, there are two types of block methodologies prevalent in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat: Bagru and Sanganeri. Almost identical to each other, what sets them apart is the background color in which they are printed. While Bagru's forms are performed on a red and black background, Sanganeri is performed on a white background. As far as other regions are concerned, block designs in the western part of India are usually fine, and those in the eastern parts are bolder and bigger.Wood carvingThe characteristic element of this technique is the seals carved by hand . They can be made of teak wood, but today most of them come from the sheesham tree that is native to India and belongs to the "Rosewoods" family.One thing that I did not know and that I found interesting, is the pre-carving preparation. Once the pieces are cut, they are immersed in oil for approximately 15 days to soften the wood and make it easier to work.The drawings are transferred to the wooden block using a white paste that they prepare with chalk. This way they make the light color stand out in the dark wood and it is easier to carve the drawing. They carve it with chisels or special gouges hitting them with another object that is usually a block of wood.As in any stamping technique, each matrix (in this case a wooden seal) serves to apply a different color zone. This means that if our design has 3 colors, one stamp will have to be carved per color. This is perhaps a bit complicated to understand.The whole process that I have introduced you before, you can see in this interesting video that I found and that seems very, very didactic:The process of printing block clothing material in IndiaFirst the seals are carefully prepared with an embossed pattern that is carved in the chosen material. For printing in several colors different blocks are used, that is, one per color, playing to marry the drawings or even sometimes overlapping them, producing different shades of color with the same print. The blocks are carved by hand, with which the detail, definition and fineness depend on the hand of the artisans. In the wooden blocks sometimes pieces of brass or copper are included to refine certain lines.The first step is to prepare the design. It is important to invert the image or text to carve the stamp, since the print will invert the drawing when applied to the fabric to be printed. At first, the fabric to be printed is washed without starch.If there is a need for dyeing, this is done before the process. If the fabric is already dyed, it is washed to remove excess color and dried in the sun.Then, the fabric is stretched on the table.Next, the blocks and colors to be mixed are kept ready. Typically, the blocks are made of teak wood and are hand carved. To soften the wood, they are usually soaked in oil for 10-15 days before use.To give the color a soft base, it is stored in a tray that rests on another tray that contains a liquid made of glue and pigment. This also helps in the diffusion of color in the block.As the manufacturing process begins, the color is first matched in the tray and the block is immersed in the contour color.Then, the block is pressed hard on the fabric. This makes a clear impression.Once the fabric is printed, it is left in the sun to dry. Then, it is rolled up in the newspaper to prevent the layers of cloth from sticking together.In addition, the fabric is steamed, washed with water and dried in the sun.Finally, the fabric is ironed before putting it on sale.At Roopantaran you will find traditional Indian garments with a refreshing and modern touch. Please make sure to visit our store.
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New year new bedding, renew your closets
Many people take advantage of the new year to do general cleaning in their homes , it is a tradition that is based on the old beliefs of renewal and beginning of a cycle. Everything that is worthless or that brings bad memories is thrown away, replacing it with new things that allow us to restart in a certain way .Therefore, January is the perfect month to review cabinets and see what bedding you can remove, because it is old or because it is very old fashioned. Once we see what is left, you can make the shopping list to begin the process of renovating cabinets.As they say, the best way to start is by emptying the bed linen closet , cleaning it and then examining each piece and carefully assessing whether it should return to its place or if, on the contrary, we leave it in the bag of donations or, directly, in the garbage.We have to look towards springIt may seem that spring and summer heat are still far away, but they are not so much, and in a few months, you will need the lightest bedding . Do you have enough things in your closet to overcome spring and later summer? Surely there are textile pieces that you could not renew . How about buying a beautiful quilt taking advantage of the new year renovation?Some set of cotton sheets , cooler, will be perfect for your home , so the heat will not catch you by surprise, but with the comfortable well-stocked bedding ready to be released and enjoy it when the good weather arrives.One of the trends for spring will be pastel tones, so we recommend that you buy pastel bedding . In any case, these tones are always a trend for the bedroom.But without forgetting that it is still winterCertainly, although the good weather is near, winter still remains and you have to wonder if you have enough warm clothes for it . Do children have warm and fluffy quilts ? Do you need a slightly thicker quilt or a somewhat thinner one.With the new year it is time to count and buy everything that is needed to end the winter with enough bedding, without going cold and looking the best for the bedroom. You can even buy a couple of games to save for next winter if you see that some of the ones you have now can go through this year, but they won't stand any more winters. We recommend our one hundred percent cotton sheets, which have an inimitable softness and that always keep the bed at the best temperature.For the coldest, the dohars can be an excellent purchase, avoiding that feeling that when you get into bed it is completely freezing, but that you will feel warm and very soft.Outside children's bedding, hello youthful beddingPerhaps, this Christmas you have realized that who you considered your baby has ceased to be. He has not believed in fairy tales for a while and, instead, he has begun to ask if next year he will be able to go out to celebrate New Year's Eve with friends. But if you look at his room it is still the same as a few years ago.It is difficult to accept it but the baby is already a teenager and it is time to have a room that corresponds to this change . And you will have to renew all your bedding, including quilts and duvet covers.Put aside children's sheets and choose bright and colorful models , but start avoiding the drawings of your animation characters, you may not like them so much now. You can put aside your children's quilt and buy a comforter comforter , which will help you sleep at the best temperature and, at the same time, it will be a good thing to lie on the bed to listen to music and chat with your phone.Do not forget to also change other elements of the children's room , such as curtains and carpets . If the room has its own bathroom, the towels should become neutral, in current and cheerful colors but without the typical elements of children's bath towels.Wash all the clothes that are still new, store them in protective bags and, don't lose hope, who knows? Maybe they will be excited again for a long time, but to use them with their own children.
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The start of movie and quilt season
With the cold, you feel much more like staying at home and enjoying family or couple activities . One of the most recommended for rainy afternoons and winter frosts is; Watch a movie on the couch, with a warm quilt or rug to increase the feeling of comfort that the home provides. If combined with some popcorn, the afternoon will be spectacular!If the video club was used before for this kind of movie afternoon, now everything is easier and with streaming platforms you can choose a movie without leaving home. Times have changed and make things much easier for us.But there are some details that never change, so we know that the film session will be more perfect if you combine it with a quilt ....
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