gleeful grandiva

Around 11 million roses are expected to be brought into Australia in the days leading up to Valentine’ Day on February 14.

Aside from the cost to Aussie farmers who cannot compete, there is an environmental cost.

And then, of course, there is the personal cost.

Fresh rose prices range from around $30 for a single stem to $100 plus for a dozen.

Everlasting, Infinity and Forever roses can put you out of pocket hundreds of dollars.

What if I told you that you could create your own everlasting rose for under $15?

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When it comes to celebrating all the beauty and wonder Australia has to offer, it’s hard to know where to begin.

More than 90 per cent of our wildlife is found nowhere else in the wild. This includes kangaroos, dingos, wombats, echidnas, platypus and koalas – making this a truly unique and special country.

As for our birds – Australia is sometimes referred to as the land of parrots and honeyeaters because we have so many of them.

There are more than 900 recorded Aussie bird species and almost all of our cockatoos are unique to this country. In fact, no other continent other than South America has as many parrots.

Here are six Aussie bird crafts ideal for kids to make to celebrate our unique feathered friends.

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Creativity has become a buzzword – the Holy Grail that will help us be happier, healthy, more productive and better equipped to deal with life in general.

We mourn the lack of creative programs in mainstream schools and businesses fork out thousands of dollars every year on creative thinking exercises for their employees.

There is a general recognition that advances in technology will change the way we work and live.

Already, the need for manual labour has diminished to the point many businesses are now obsolete, meaning very human traits – such as creativity – are highly sought after.

With a future that looks particularly bright for creative people and creative thinkers, and schools more focused on academic outcomes than fostering these traits, what’s a parent to do to prepare their kids for the future?

Here are some of the secrets creative parents already know and how they are using them to foster creativity and creative thinking in their children.

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I’m often asked by parents how I can provide art projects to suit all ages when I hold group workshops.

Many fear the older children will become bored and the younger ones will be out of their depth.

The age range for group classes is four to 12. As children change so drastically in those years, the parents’ concerns are valid.

Parents can face the same challenge when planning parties that cater to various ages and incorporating arts and crafts as part of the fun.

Here are some tips to make art projects to suit all ages.

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