| How to Communicate Better With a Girlfriend Posted: 20 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST Your relationship may have started out strong, but over time relationships require work to keep them going. One of the best things you can do to improve your relationship with your girlfriend is to work on communication skills. Learning how to communicate better with your partner will help you both open up to one another and feel closer to each other, no matter what stage your relationship is in. [Edit]Becoming a Better Listener - Ask questions.[1] Asking questions is one of the best ways to improve conversation with your partner. You should ask each other questions every day about how work went, how you both are feeling, and other day-to-day "updates" about one another's lives. You should also ask questions to clarify something that was said, or to dig deeper and get your partner to open up more.[2]
- Use prodding questions. Start out with larger, more general topics, and work your way down to more specific revelations.
- You might start by asking your girlfriend how her day was, then ask about an incident that was unpleasant or a happy moment at work.
- Once your girlfriend starts to talk about the specifics of her day, you can try applying the things she says to other conversations you've had. For example, you might ask, "That's happened before, hasn't it?" or "Wow, I can't believe that happened after _____ told you something different last week."
- Ask your girlfriend how she feels about the events she describes. Let her know you care, and offer her your support.
- Rephrase to reflect. A big problem in relationship communication is one partner not feeling heard or understood. Rephrasing what your girlfriend just said in your own words shows that you are listening to and processing everything she's saying. It can also be a useful way to help mentally ground yourself in the conversation if you find that your thoughts are racing and you're having a hard time focusing on what's being said.[3]
- Use a natural conversational tone. If your partner interprets your rephrasing as mocking, the conversation can go bad very quickly.
- Try to limit your use of rephrasing. If done too often it can be distracting or irritating.
- Put your girlfriend's words into your own words when you rephrase them. This shows that you're processing everything she says, and not simply repeating it word for word.
- You might try using a transitional phrase to begin your rephrasing. For example, try saying something like, "So what you're saying is..." or "I think I understand where you're coming from. You're saying ________. Is that right?"
- Look for nonverbal signals. Body language often speaks just as loudly as words. The way that you and your girlfriend position yourselves during the conversation can send signals that may be unintentional, or may reflect your subconscious mood. Try not to read too obsessively into your partner's body language, but if it seems like there is a problem, try asking her if she's upset and let her know that you noticed her body language.[4]
- If your girlfriend crosses her arms, she may be feeling defensive, distant, or emotionally closed off from you.
- Avoiding eye contact may indicate a lack of interest in what you're saying, shame over something that was said or done, or feeling distracted or uncommunicative.
- Turning the body away during a conversation may suggest that your partner feels disinterested, frustrated, or emotionally closed off.
- A loud, aggressive tone might indicate that the conversation has escalated or is about to escalate, and emotions are running high. Your girlfriend may also feel that you're not hearing her or understanding her.
- Some body language positions are incidental, so don't "accuse" your girlfriend of secretly being upset or closed off. Ask in a caring way by saying something like, "I noticed your body language seems to suggest that you're upset, but your words are contradicting that. Is something on your mind?"
[Edit]Speaking to Your Girlfriend - Be open and honest.[5] Being honest means not lying to or misleading your girlfriend, which should be easy enough. But being open requires you to make yourself vulnerable on some level, which many people struggle with. If being open and honest doesn't come naturally to you, you'll need to work on it with your partner for the sake of your relationship.[6]
- Open, honest communication is the foundation of a strong relationship. If you cannot be open and honest with one another, you will inevitably encounter problems down the line.
- Tell your girlfriend the full truth. Don't hold back or withhold your feelings, because she may be upset if she finds out about it.
- If you're struggling with being open, let your partner know about the problem and try to explain the reasons why. If she knows you struggle with it, she can be extra supportive, and may learn to ask you prompting questions or request elaborations.
- Reflect before you speak.[7] Many people are in such a hurry to get all their thoughts/feelings out in the open that they fail to pause and reflect on what's being said. This is true of both speaking your mind in general, as well as speaking in response to something your girlfriend has said.[8]
- Think carefully about what it is you want to say before you speak.
- Be aware of what you're feeling when you talk to your girlfriend.
- Speak as clearly and directly as possible.
- If you're responding to something your partner said, give her a second to make sure she's finished talking. Then take a brief second to process what she's said and think about how to best articulate your response.
- Communicate respectfully. You should always strive to be as respectful as possible in every conversation you have with your girlfriend. Respect may be an obvious requirement for many people, but it's important to be aware of your words, your tone, the subtext of your conversation, and your body language to always convey mutual respect for one another.[9]
- Take responsibility for what you say and do during a conversation, even if it escalates to an argument.
- You should both fully express your thoughts and feelings, but you need to do so respectfully.
- Validate your partner's feelings. Try to understand why your girlfriend feels the way she does, and at the very least respect the fact that she feels that way.[10]
- Convey a respectful posture. Don't slouch, avoid eye contact, or do other tasks while listening to your girlfriend. Face her and give her your full attention.
- Be respectful in any responses you give. Don't interrupt your girlfriend, and never say that she's wrong to feel a certain way.
- If there's any kind of misunderstanding between you, don't get mad or upset. Instead, you should calmly ask questions and try to get your girlfriend to clarify what she means.
- Focus on "I" statements.[11] When emotions rise, especially during a fight or after you've been hurt somehow, it's easy to slip into declarative statements (such as "You are a liar and you hurt my feelings."). But psychologists agree that using "I" statements are far more effective and cause less tension. Using an "I" statement simply means framing your hurt feelings as a way that you feel, rather than as an accusation or an absolute about your partner.[12] A good "I" statement should include the following components:
- A statement of emotion ("I feel _____")
- A fair and unemotional description of the behavior causing you to feel the way you feel ("I feel _____ when you ______")
- An explanation of why the behavior or conditions at hand cause you to feel the way you do ("I feel ____ when you _____, because it _________")
- Don't rush things. If you haven't been dating for a long time, or if you are new to sharing your feelings in general, it's best to take things slowly. You should still work on communicating with one another every day, but you and your partner should have a frank conversation about how comfortable you are with divulging your personal thoughts/feelings, and what kind of time frame you might need to get to that point.[13]
- Don't rush into deep, troubling, or difficult conversations. Let them come naturally when you're both ready to talk about such things.
- Don't rush your partner, and don't let her rush you.
- Go by what you are both comfortable with, and know that any effort at improving communication will help strengthen your relationship.
- Use self-disclosure statements. Self-disclosure statements can be very useful in a relationship, especially if you're new to sharing your feelings or talking about deeply personal things. They're a way for you to reveal yourself incrementally but candidly to your partner, with the assumption that she will talk about herself as well.[14] Try building off of the following self-disclosing cues to get started:
- I am a person who _____.
- One thing I wish people knew about me is _______.
- When I try to express intimate feelings, _____________.
[Edit]Working on Communication Skills Together - Try out different communication styles. There are many different ways of communicating, and there are no absolute right or wrong methods. However, some methods can be more productive than others for some people, and it may take some experimentation to find a style of communication that works best for both of you.[15]
- Try being expressive. Let your partner know how you feel, and ask her how she feels.
- Use task- or fact-oriented communication. Some people are more comfortable conveying facts instead of emotions, like saying, "I feel like I'm not making enough money at my job" instead of saying, "I'm sad and I'm worried about my finances."
- Be assertive. Assertive communication involves the clear and direct communication of your feelings, opinions, and needs, without infringing on the rights of your partner.
- Avoid passive communication. This communication style involves a failure to assert yourself or express your thoughts/feelings/needs, and can be very damaging to the relationship.[16]
- Minimize emotion before talking about important things. Take a few minutes to calm down before discussing anything significant so that your emotions do not direct the conversation, but make sure you do acknowledge the way you and your partner feel.[17]
- Focus on small talk. Small talk is tremendously helpful in any relationship, and it helps build a day-to-day level of communication within your relationship. You can reminisce or laugh about shared experiences, talk about what you each did that day, ask about plans for the weekend, or simply share observations that you find interesting or funny.[18]
- Small talk about your day-to-day lives helps you and your girlfriend get closer and know each other more intimately.
- Ask your girlfriend to elaborate and give more details.
- Make sure that your follow-up questions convey a genuine interest in what your girlfriend says and do not come across as suspicious or distrustful.
- Make time for communication. Many people with busy lives or different schedules find that the lines of communication get strained in a relationship. This can easily be remedied, though, if both partners make time for communication. Even if you have very hectic lives, it's important that you make some time for open, honest communication, the same way you make time for meals, sleep, or your daily commute.[19]
- If having a rigid schedule helps you both maintain your day-to-day lives, try scheduling alone time. Set aside some alone time at least once every week to keep a healthy, open line of communication.
- Try to limit interruptions when you're talking with your girlfriend. Turn off the TV or radio, and silence/put away your cellphones so you won't be distracted.
- Talk to one another while doing day-to-day activities, like while driving in the car or doing chores around the house.
- Notice when your girlfriend acts troubled or otherwise seems to have something she wants to talk about. Ask if something is wrong, or if there's anything she'd like to talk about.
- Make sure your conversations convey commitment, trust, and intimacy from both of you.[20]
- Consider seeking professional help. You might find that communication doesn't come easily in your relationship, or that the lines of communication have been strained by life events. There is nothing wrong with this, and it does not mean your relationship won't work—it simply means you might need to try a little harder. That's where a professional may be of service.[21]
- A licensed couples therapist can help you and your girlfriend find ways to be more open and communicative.
- You may also work on being more honest, taking more of an interest in one another's lives, and finding more time to spend alone together.
- You can find therapists in your area by looking through the phone book, using a search engine online, or by consulting a therapy-based index like Psychology Today has on their website.[22]
- Spend time together, no matter what else is going on in your lives.
- When you're together, make sure you talk to one another. Start out with small talk, which is very important, and work your way up to bigger, more important things going on in your lives.
[Edit]Warnings - Don't expect your girlfriend to have the same level of comfort that you do in talking about your thoughts and feelings. Everyone is different, and every relationship is different, so be understanding and ask her to respect your feelings as well.
- If you notice your girlfriend getting annoyed, she may need a little space. Don't push her, and be respectful of her boundaries.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Style Windbreakers Posted: 20 Jan 2022 12:00 AM PST Windbreakers are lightweight jackets that protect you from the wind and light rain. They come in pullover style, zip-up style, and hoodie style, and they usually have tight cuffs. Windbreakers can range in color and design, so it can be hard to choose what to wear with one. If you have a windbreaker you're dying to wear out, try sticking with a vintage look, going for an athleisure vibe, or creating a monochromatic outfit to look great in your windbreaker today. [Edit]Choosing Styles of Windbreakers - Choose an oversized windbreaker for a fashion-forward look. Windbreakers used to be a form-fitting way to stay protected from the wind. In fashion, they are now used as oversized statement pieces that add style and class to an outfit. Purchase a baggy, oversized windbreaker to elevate your style. Buy one as large as you are comfortable with.[1]
- Keep your windbreaker fitted for a sporty style. If you are using your windbreaker to run or exercise in, consider getting one that is actually your size. This will be easier to move in and it will also give you a more athletic vibe. Make sure the windbreaker hits at your hips and the sleeves end just above your wrists.[2]
- This will also allow you to wear your windbreaker in more professional settings.
- Be bold with a multi-colored windbreaker. Many windbreakers call back to the 80s and 90s in terms of color and style. Choose a windbreaker with multiple blocks of color to stand out and make a statement with your windbreaker. Multi-colored windbreakers look great over a monochromatic outfit, like all black.[3]
- Bright colors in large chunks are more vintage than modern.
- Stay classic with a solid-colored windbreaker. Windbreakers that are a solid color are an excellent staple for any closet. An all-black windbreaker will go well with almost anything, but you can choose a windbreaker of any color that you like. If you are feeling daring, you can even try a bright neon colored windbreaker.[4]
- Wear a windbreaker with a hood for utility. If you live in an area that has a lot of rain, you may need to choose a windbreaker with slightly more coverage than normal. Buy a windbreaker that has a hood on it so that you can not only wear it fashionably but also get some functionality out of it. Try to find one where you can tuck the hood into the collar of the jacket for more versatility.[5]
- Classic windbreakers do not usually have hoods on them, but you can find modern ones that do.
[Edit]Pairing Bottoms with Your Windbreaker - Pair your windbreaker with high-waisted jeans for a vintage look. If you have a bright, blocky-colored windbreaker, you are already calling back to the decades before. To play up this look, add a pair of light-wash high-waisted jeans. Make sure your jeans fit you well in the waist and hips, but are loose around the calves and ankles.[6]
- You can find jeans like this at most thrift stores.
- Wear black jeans to make your windbreaker stand out. If you want your windbreaker to be the main focus of your outfit, tone down the rest of your look by wearing simple black jeans.[7] This will make your windbreaker pop so that it draws attention. This is a great idea for brightly-colored and oversized windbreakers.[8]
- You can also wear black jeans with a black windbreaker for a streetwear look.
- Look sporty with some skin-tight leggings or workout pants. If you are wearing your windbreaker to work out or you want to create an athleisure look, wear some leggings or workout pants with your windbreaker. This makes you look ready to move your body while also being fashion-forward.[9]
- Wear your windbreaker with slacks for a business casual look. If you're heading into the office but you still want to be comfortable, throw on your windbreaker over your button-down shirt. Pair it with some slacks or dark-wash jeans and some dress shoes and you are set to do work with an athleisure vibe.[10]
- If your office is particularly formal, a windbreaker is not a good choice.
- Put on a form-fitting skirt for a chic outfit. If you want to dress up your windbreaker, wear it over a form-fitting skirt or dress to elevate your look. Match your skirt color to your windbreaker color for a monochromatic outfit, or pair a dark dress or skirt with a bright windbreaker to stand out. You can even add a pair of slim high heels to complete this outfit.[11]
- Loose fitting skirts and dresses, like A-lines, do not go well with windbreakers. Stick with form-fitting ones to even out your look.
[Edit]Wearing Tops and Accessories - Put on a classic T-shirt to keep it simple. Windbreakers are often the main focus of an outfit. To keep it that way, throw on a classic, neutral colored T-shirt that fits you well. White T-shirts are always a good choice, especially with light-wash jeans. Black T-shirts pair well with darker jeans and will emphasize the colors in your windbreaker.[12]
- Make your outfit more formal with a button-down or blouse. It can be fun to dress up a windbreaker sometimes, whether you are headed to the office or just want to parody business attire. Throw on a button-down or blouse underneath of your windbreaker for a cool juxtaposition of style.[13]
- If you want the popped collar look without all the buttons, try a polo shirt instead of a button-down.
- Leave your windbreaker unzipped to show off your shirt underneath. If the day isn't particularly windy or you really want to show off your shirt, leave your windbreaker fully or partially unzipped so people can see your entire outfit. This is especially helpful when you are doing a monochromatic look, like an all black outfit with a pop of color in your windbreaker.[14]
- Some windbreakers don't have zippers, in which case you can wear whatever shirt you want underneath of them.
- Add a large leather belt for a vintage outfit. If you are wearing a windbreaker from the 80s, you might want to play up that look by adding other pieces from that era. Use a thick leather belt to buckle your jeans and add to your outfit. Tuck the front of your windbreaker into your pants or leave it unzipped to show off your belt.[15]
- Black belts look the best on light-wash, loose fitting jeans.
- Wear chunky sneakers to balance out your look. A loose-fitting windbreaker goes great with some chunky, large shoes. Slip on some sneakers that make your feet look slightly wider than they actually are to balance out your outfit. Keep your bottoms slick with some skinny jeans, or play up the oversized look with a relaxed fitting pair of pants.[16]
- White shoes will make light-wash jeans pop.
- Stick with running shoes to match the sporty vibe of the windbreaker. If you have leggings or workout pants on, throw on some running shoes to compliment the sporty vibe you have going on. You can also wear running shoes with cuffed jeans for a streetwear look. Keep your running shoes a neutral color to make your windbreaker stand out.[17]
- Keep your outfit casual with a backpack or fanny pack. A purse or a handbag can elevate an outfit, so keep it casual by throwing your essentials into a small backpack or a fanny pack. A fanny pack will play on the windbreaker's vintage sporty look, while the backpack keeps your outfit looking utilitarian. Match your backpack or fanny pack to your windbreaker, or use one that is a solid color so it doesn't stand out.[18]
[Edit]References |
| How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac Posted: 19 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST This wikiHow will show you various ways in which to take a screenshot on a Mac. [Edit]Screenshot the Entire Screen - Make sure your screen displays exactly what you want to show in your screenshot image. Ensure all the relevant windows are visible.
- Press Command + Shift + 3. If your sound is on, your computer should make a brief camera shutter noise.[1]
- Find your screenshot on your desktop. It will be saved as "screenshot" labeled with the date and time.
- Earlier versions of OS X will save it as "Picture #"—for example, if it's the 5th screenshot on your desktop it will be labeled "Picture 5".
[Edit]Screenshot a Portion of Your Screen - Press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor will turn into a small cross-hair reticle.[2]
- Click and drag your cursor to highlight the area you'd like to take a picture of. A grayed rectangle should appear where you drag your cursor. If you need to adjust your windows at all, press Escape to return to a regular cursor without taking a picture.[3]
- Let go of the mouse. You should hear a brief camera shutter noise if your computer's sound is turned on. That signals that your screenshot has been taken.[4]
- Find your screenshot on your desktop. It will be saved as a .png file named "screenshot" labeled with the date and time.
- Earlier versions of OS X will save it as "Picture #"—for example, if it's the 5th screenshot on your desktop it will be labeled as "Picture 5".
- Use the screenshot. Once you have taken your screenshots, they are now ready to be used as needed. You can attach them to an email, upload them to the Web, or even drag them straight into an application such as a word processor.
[Edit]Screenshot an Open Window - Press Command+Shift+4 then hit the Space bar. The cross-hair will turn into a small camera. You can press Spacebar again to switch back to the reticle.
- Move your cursor over the window you want to capture. The camera will highlight different windows blue as it moves over them. You can use keyboard commands such as Command+Tab to shift through your windows while still in this mode.
- Click on the window. The picture of the window you selected will be saved to the desktop by default just like the other screenshot methods.
[Edit]Save a Screenshot to the Clipboard - Press Command + Control + Shift + 3. This method works exactly like the one above, except the screenshot does not immediately create a file. Instead, the image is saved to the clipboard, the same temporary storage area where your computer remembers the text that you have copied.
- You can also take a portion screenshot with this method using Command + Control + Shift + 4 and dragging your reticle over the appropriate part of your screen, exactly as the portion screenshot method.
- Use Command + V or Edit > Paste to paste your image. Your screenshot image can be pasted straight into any compatible application, such as a Word document, an image editing program, and many email services.
[Edit]Use the Grab Utility Tool - Go to Applications > Utilities > Grab. This opens the Grab application. You will see the menus shown in the upper left of your screen, but no windows will open.
- Click the Capture menu and choose between the four different options.
- To take a picture of your entire screen, click on Screen (or just use the keyboard command Apple Key + Z). A window will pop up telling you where to click and letting you know that the window will not appear in the shot.
- To take a picture of a portion of your screen, click on Selection. A window will pop up instructing you to drag your mouse over the portion of your screen you'd like to capture.
- To take a picture of a specific window, select Window. Then, click on the window you'd like to take a picture of.
- When the new window opens, choose Save. You can also choose Save As to give it a different name and/or move it to a more appropriate location, but note that it can only be saved as a .tiff file. Note that the file is not automatically saved.
- It is possible to alter the shortcut used for taking screenshots by going into System Preferences, then to the Keyboard area, and clicking on the Screenshot section of Shortcuts. By clicking on the type of screenshot you want to change the shortcut for, you can press a combination of keys to create a new shortcut.
- Advanced users with knowledge of the Mac OS X Lion Terminal application can also use the "screen-capture" command to take a screenshot from the command line.
- Files from the screen-capture tool are saved to the desktop as PNG files by default. This is not the best method and fills your desktop if not managed. The easiest way to solve this is to make a screenshot folder, which is outlined in Altering the Default Location of the Saved Files.
- An alternative to saving a Grab file as a TIFF formatted file is to copy it and open Preview. Then in Preview, do File - New from Clipboard, and the image will open, which can then be exported as a jpg or png file to a folder of your choice. And if you do Select All and copy the image, you may directly import it via Paste or Paste Picture with the Shift Key depressed into Microsoft Excel for example.
- An alternative but more long-winded method of taking screenshots is available via Mac OS X Lion's Preview application. The screenshot options appear on the "File" menu and match those available via the keyboard shortcuts.
[Edit]Warnings - Posting screenshots that include copyrighted information could have legal implications, so be careful that you have the right to capture any of the information visible on your screen.
- When taking screenshots to pass on to other people, or to publish on the Internet, ensure no personal or confidential information is captured within the image.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary - ↑ [v161172_b03]. 18 October 2019.
- ↑ [v161172_b03]. 18 October 2019.
- ↑ [v161172_b03]. 18 October 2019.
- ↑ [v161172_b03]. 18 October 2019.
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| How to Color Sand Posted: 19 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST Colored sand can be used in a variety of sand art projects. While you can buy colored sand at craft stores, it's very easy to make your own. In some cases, it is even cheaper to make your own. Best of all, you can create colors that you would not find in a store! [Edit]Using Liquid Food Coloring - Get some light-colored sand. You can buy sand in hardware stores, art stores, and in aquarium-supply stores. If you already have access to sand, you can use that instead, as long as it is light enough. Try to get the lightest color of sand you can find; white would be the best because it will allow the colors to show up better.
- You can use this method to tint sand at the beach and make brightly colored sandcastles with it.
- Divide the sand into plastic zippered bags. You will need one bag for each color of sand that you will be making. Leave enough room in each bag so that you can shake the sand. How much sand you put into each bag is up to you. Anywhere between ¼ and 1 cup (95 and 379 grams) will be plenty.[1]
- Consider dampening the sand with water. This will make it easier to mix the food coloring into it.
- Add a few drops of food coloring into each bag. Plan on using 3 to 4 drops of food coloring for every ¼ cup (95 grams) of sand. If you used 1 cup (379 grams) of sand, 12 to 16 drops of food coloring will be plenty.[2]
- You can also use liquid watercolor, but you may need to add more than just a few drops. Liquid watercolor comes in small bottles and is already diluted with water.[3]
- Do not use liquid watercolor if you are doing this at the beach. Food coloring is safe for the animals, but liquid watercolor is not.
- Close the bags tightly, then shake and squeeze them to mix the sand. Zip the bags shut tightly first. Next, shake the bags to help distribute the food coloring. You can also gently squeeze and massage the sand through the bags. Keep doing this until the color is even.
- Add more food coloring if the color is too light for you. Keep in mind that the sand will dry lighter.
- Transfer the sand to baking sheets. Make sure that you use a clean baking sheet for each color of sand. Spread the sand across each baking sheet as thinly as you can. If you don't have enough baking sheets, you can use trays and shallow dishes.
- Allow the sand to dry overnight. If you don't want to wait that long, you can dry the sand in a preheated oven at for 5 to 10 minutes. When the sand is almost dry, take it out of the oven and let it finish air-drying for a few hours.
- Don't let the sand dry completely in the oven. If you do, the color may fade.
- Do not bake sand that's been colored with liquid watercolor.
- Use your sand. Fill vases with it to create beautiful, layered designs. Draw a picture on a sheet of paper with glue, then sprinkle the sand over it. Avoid getting the sand wet, however. Even though the food coloring will have stained it, there is a slight chance that it may come off on your hands if the sand gets wet.
- Do not put the sand in water or aquariums. It will bleed into the water.
[Edit]Using Paint Powder or Colored Chalk - Purchase a bag of light-colored sand. White sand would be even better because the colors will show up brighter. You can find bags of sand in craft stores, hardware stores, and even in aquarium-supply stores.
- This method is not safe to use at the beach. Paint and chalk contain ingredients that could be harmful to aquatic life.
- Place 5 tablespoons (118 grams) of sand into a zippered bag. This will be enough for one color. If you want to make more colors, you will need to fill more bags with more sand. You can also put the sand into a cup or bowl instead.[4]
- Mist the sand with water, if desired. You don't have to do this, but many people find that it helps the paint powder stick to the sand better. The easiest way to do this would be with a spray bottle, but you can also stir a small spoonful of water into the sand instead.[5]
- Add 1 tablespoon of tempera paint powder into the sand. You can add more paint powder later on, if you want to, but start with this amount first. You can find paint powder in arts and crafts stores. It is simply dried, powdered tempera paint.[6]
- You can also use sidewalk chalk or a chalk pastel (not oil). Grind it up first using a craft blade, food grater, or sandpaper.[7]
- Zip the bags shut and shake them to distribute the powder evenly. If you need to, gently squeeze and massage the bags to help work the paint powder into the sand. If you are mixing the sand in a bowl, simply stir it with a fork or spoon.[8]
- Spread the colored sand out on a baking sheet to dry. Open the bag up, and spread the sand on a baking sheet or tray. Leave the sand out for a few hours so that it can dry. If you play with the wet sand too soon, the paint powder my come off on your hands.[9]
- If you made multiple colors of sand, use a different tray or baking sheet for each one.
- If you did not dampen the sand, you do not have to dry it. It is ready to play with!
- Play with the sand. Use the sand to make beautiful sand art. Fill vases with it, or sprinkle it over drawings made from glue.
- Don't let the sand get wet, otherwise, the color may come off on your hands.
[Edit]Making Fake Colored Sand - Purchase a bag of Epsom salt. You can find this salt in pharmacies. It is often added to bathes to soothe aching muscles. Although it contains the word "salt," this product is not edible. Thanks to its pure-white color, however, the food coloring will show up much better compared to real sand.[10]
- Regular table salt will also work for this method.
- If you want to make edible colored sand, use white, granulated sugar instead.
- Divide the salt into several zippered bags. How many bags you use depends on how many colors you want to make. You will need one bag for each color. Don't fill the bags more than half-way, however; you will need that extra room to shake the salt.[11]
- Add 5 to 10 drops of liquid food coloring into each bag. Smaller amounts of sugar will need just 5 drops, while larger amounts will need up to 10. Don't worry if this doesn't look like it will be enough; you can always add more drops later!
- Zip the bags closed, then shake them. Make sure that the bags are tightly closed first. Next, shake the bags in order to mix the food coloring into the salt. You can even squish the bags to help distribute the food coloring further.[12]
- Add more food coloring, if desired. If the salt did not turn out bright enough for you, open the bags up and add in a couple more drops of food coloring. Zip the bags shut and shake them again. Keep doing this until you get the color you want.
- Open the bags and let the salt dry. How long this takes depends on how dry or humid it is in your home. For most people, this will take overnight. You can speed up the drying process by spreading the salt out on a baking sheet or tray. Make sure that you use a separate sheet/tray for each color, however.[13]
- Play with the sand, but don't let it get wet. If it gets wet, it will melt! You can use this sand to fill vases in colorful layers. You can also use it to make sand art. For example, you can draw a picture on paper with school glue, then sprinkle the salt over it to create a sand painting.
- You can use edible sugar sand to decorate cakes, cupcakes, or even a tropical-themed gingerbread house!
[Edit]Injecting Some Color - Collect sand. Either purchase sand at your local craft or hardware store, or gather some from a nearby beach.
- If collecting sand from a beach, be wary of hazardous materials and waste. Though you will later sift the sand, try to pick out noticeable things like paper or large pebbles.
- Be very careful when collecting sand from a beach. Use rubber gloves as there may be broken glass or other hazardous materials.
- Store gathered sand in tightly sealed plastic bags. Hold the bags upside down and see if any sand leaks out. This will help you reduce unwanted sand in your car and house.
- Sift the sand. Store-bought sand will be smooth and even, but beach sand often has rocks that need to be separated from the sand grains.
- Place a bucket on the ground and put a sifter over top. This sifter could be an old sifter from the kitchen or fine netting, like a window screen, that is secured over the bucket using duct tape. If you are using a metal sifter from the kitchen, do not use it again for food-related preparation.
- Pour the collected sand onto the mesh of the sifter or screen. Shake the screen lightly so the sand will filter through into the bucket. You may need to occasionally clear the mesh of any stones, shells, or other debris. Continue this process until all the sand has been sifted.
- Divide the sand into separate containers. You can use plastic containers with lids or plastic storage bags.
- Storage bags are best because they will require less cleanup and will reduce any additional mess caused during the stirring process.
- Baking dishes and bowls are also acceptable containers. Be sure to thoroughly scrub any kitchenware afterward, especially if dying gathered sand. You want to avoid leaving behind any sand or potentially hazardous materials in the sand.
- Add water to the sand. This will help evenly distribute the dye when you apply it later.
- Aim for a damp consistency and avoid soaking or submerging the sand completely. Don't worry if you add too much water; this will simply making the drying process longer.
- Pour dye onto the sand. Any kind of dye will work for this project, but fabric dye seems to produce the most vibrant dyed sand.
- Food coloring is also acceptable for dying sand.
- You may need to add dye several times until it gets to the desired shade you like. The sand will dry lighter so do not worry if the dye is very dark.
- Dry tempera paint powder is a nice additive that helps create bright colors. Tempera powder can be purchased in most arts and crafts stores.
- Be cautious while handling dye as it can stain skin, clothing, and furniture.
- Mix the dye and sand together thoroughly. This process will vary depending on what container you have used to separate sand.
- If you are using a container with a lid, you will need a plastic spoon that you can throw away after you finish the project. Scrape the sides of the container to make sure you color everything. Seal the container and set the wet sand to the side to soak up the dye for at least an hour.
- For a storage bag, simply seal the bag tightly and massage the sand until the color is consistent throughout. Set the bag aside for at least an hour so the sand can soak up the dye.
- Allow your sand to dry. Pour out any excess water first, then spread your damp sand on a plate or flat surface.
- Leave the sand to dry, preferably in a sunny place, for a few hours. You may wish to put paper towels over the plate before putting the sand down to help soak up any excess dye.
- You can also bake the sand to help speed up the drying process and further infuse the colors. Simply place the sand in a baking pan and bake on for 15 minutes. Make sure you pull the sand out of the oven while it is still damp and let it dry naturally overnight; sand that has been baked completely dry can have faded and less vibrant colors.
- Package the dry sand. Once your dyed sand has completely dried, store it in dry plastic containers with easily sealed lids.
- For safety purposes, store sealed sand outside of the kitchen. You don't want to accidentally mistake it for a spice or cooking powder.
- Make sure you reseal the lids tightly after each sand art project. This will keep unwanted materials from ruining the color as well as prevent accidental spills inside the house.
[Edit]Using Sand in Art Projects - Make a sand drawing. Use the colored sand you have just made to add some glitter and pizzazz to hand-drawn pictures.
- Simply use a pencil to draw a design on plain white paper (a flower, for example). Once finished, place the paper on a try to contain the sand you will pour on later. Use a cotton swab to apply Elmer's glue to the areas you will be coloring in with sand. Carefully pour the different colors of sand onto the glued areas. Let the sand settle, then hold it over a plate to collect loose sand.[14]
- For the greatest effect, draw something with many colors and with contrasting colors (for example, a rainbow). This will allow you to utilize a lot of your sand colors and will produce a vibrant, lively picture.
- Craft a colored sand vase. Either decorate the outside of a flower vase with colored sand or showcase the sand itself in its own vase.
- To spice up a flower vase, imitate the way you created a sand drawing. Set the vase on some newspaper. Pour 1/4 cup of tacky glue into a plastic cup and dilute it with a teaspoon of water. Use a paintbrush to apply the glue to the outside of the vase. Sprinkle spoonfuls of colored sand over the glued surface, rotating the vase to spread the sand evenly. Let the vase dry for a few hours, then place flowers inside.
- Layering sand in its own vase is also a nice house decoration. This is very easy: just pour one color of sand into a vase or clear jar and form a layer. Don't worry about whether this layer is even or straight; making it wavy and uneven adds personality to the vase and gives it a more natural look.[15] Pour a different color of sand and form another layer. For the best contrast, avoid layering colors that look similar to each other, like purple and red. Continue this process until you reach the top of the vase. To give your vase a beach-like vibe, add some rocks and shells to the layers of sand.
- Create a sand candle. This is a nice twist on the layered sand vase and is great for adding uniqueness to plain white candles.
- Layer the colored sand one layer and color at a time, similar to how you would create a layered vase. Instead of filling the vase to the top with sand, stop a little past half-way. Place a candle into the middle of the jar and burrow it into the sand slightly so that it is nicely supported. Now when you light the candle, its light will reflect off the sand and create a warm, inviting glow.[16]
- Colored sand made with paint powder or chalk will stay bright for a long time. Sand-colored with food coloring may fade or discolor over time.
- You can mix food coloring (or paint powder/ground chalk) to make new colors.
- Add some extra-fine glitter to the sand for extra sparkle!
- Start with a smaller amount of coloring than you think you need. It's always easier to add more to reach a darker color.
- If you used liquid food coloring, be aware that your sand (including salt or sugar) my dry lighter.
- You can use real sand from the beach, but be sure to sift it first to get rid of any large shells, pebbles, or sticks.
- Store your sand in jars or plastic, zippered bags when you are not using it so that it does not spill.
- If the colored sand dries and it is still not the shade you like, add more water and dye and repeat the drying process.
- To mold the dyed sand into shapes, use the sand while it is still damp so that it will dry into the desired shape.
- Collecting your own sand will save you money from having to buy it from the store but it will be more time consuming since it will need to be sifted.
- To dry the sand faster, make sure to put it in the sun and spread it out on a plate/tray.
- You don't have to sift the sand if you don't want to, but know that it might have small rocks and minerals.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not use colored sand in water or aquariums. The color is not bound into the sand, so it will bleed and stain the water.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Using Liquid Food Coloring - White or light-colored sand
- Plastic zippered bags
- Liquid food coloring
- Baking sheets or trays
[Edit]Using Paint Powder or Colored Chalk - White or light-colored sand
- Plastic zippered bags
- Tempera paint powder, sidewalk chalk, or chalk pastels
- Craft blade, food grater, or sandpaper (if using chalk)
- Baking sheets or trays
[Edit]Making Fake Colored Sand - Epsom salt, table salt, or white, granulated sugar
- Plastic zippered bags
- Liquid food coloring
- Baking sheets or trays
[Edit]Injecting Some Color - 2 Buckets
- Sand
- Sifter
- Window screen
- Duct tape
- Water
- Assorted dyes
- Containers with lids
- Storage bags
- Spoons
- Paper plates
- Paper towel
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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