Borden: Painting jeans featured on show

Information on making cute colorful birds for decorating and tips on traveling will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and at noon on Thursday.

link Sheryl Borden

Debra Quartermain will combine foam shapes with fleece, fabric and felt scraps to create cute colorful birds that are ideal for decorating children’s rooms, playrooms or to add a whimsical accent to other rooms. She is from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Adventure writer and photographer, Yvonne Lanelli, will tell how preparation can make life easier when you travel. She calls it Ready, Set, Pack and Go, and she’ll discuss money matters, packing, security issues and much more. Lanelli lives in Alto.

Information on speech presentation tips, painting jeans and healthy eating for kids will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at noon on Tuesday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Dr. Robert Vartabedian will explain why it’s so important for every speaker to understand the various styles, needs and skills of effective speech delivery. He’ll talk about eight different presentation tips that will be helpful to the novice or even the experienced public speaker. He’s the president of a college in St. Joseph, Missouri and was formerly with Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Barbara Wurden has had numerous requests over the years to decorate people’s jeans to resemble her painted ones. She’ll show several pairs of pants that are embellished with paint from her wall painting projects. She lives in Long Beach, California.

Lisa Daniel, a certified kids’ nutrition specialist, will talk about healthy eating for kids over the summer break. She’ll discuss how to deal with a picky eater and explain why “light” foods may be bad for your child. She lives in Grass Plains, Texas.

Ready, Set, Pack, Go

Money matters

A. Call credit and debit (ATM) card companies to advise them of your travel, especially international travel. ATM cards with no fees are your best choice for getting money, especially overseas.

B. In many countries — except in Europe — American $1 and $5 bills are accepted as easily as local currency. But, make sure that yours are clean and have no tears nor excessive wear.

• Copy the first two pages of your passport, the fronts of all credit cards (not the back with security codes and signature), and handwrite the lost or stolen phone numbers. Carry copies in places separate from your credit cards and money in case of loss or theft.

• Carry an extra passport picture. If your passport is lost or stolen, a copy and extra picture will facilitate a replacement.

• Call the cell phone company and verify voice and data rates. If traveling abroad, data charges can run into hundreds of dollars.

Packing

A. Verify luggage specifications on airline website and measure your pieces. Check http://www.tsa.gov for prohibited items.

B. Begin a packing list as soon as you make reservations. Plan daily activities and assure that every item can pull double-duty. Plan on washing undergarments and socks when you shower. Wrinkled clothes are OK.

C. Begin packing a week or two ahead. Check items off your list as you pack, then keep the list at home. If your luggage is misplaced and you need to make a claim, that list will verify what was inside.

1. Plan to wear heavy items like walking shoes, jackets, etc.

2. Roll clothes in tissue paper to prevent or reduce wrinkles.

3. Wrap plastic bags around liquids.

4. Weigh luggage at home to assure yours is not overweight.

5. Include an itinerary and contact information inside.

6. Take a picture of your luggage with your cell phone or a camera in case it’s misplaced. You can show the baggage clerk what it looks like.

D. Pack these items in your carry-on luggage — never in checked luggage: passport, medications, money, credit cards, camera, phone, chargers and SD cards.

1. You are allowed one quart-size ziplock bag with liquids 3 ounces (100 ml) or less.

2. If traveling overseas, you will need an adaptor and maybe a voltage convertor. (Many electronics are already dual voltage; check first.)

3. Measure and weigh carry-ons.

Security matters

A. Separate money and credit cards in different places in case of theft. Consider a neck or waist wallet for valuables and/or a vest with many pockets.

B. “Bling” invites theft. Wear only simple jewelry and a cheap plastic watch.

C. Notify your post office to hold your mail.

D. Notify neighbors and close relatives of your travel plans and provide contact numbers. Refrain from posting about your trip on social media.

“Creative Living" is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations in the United States, Canada, Guam and Puerto Rico and is distributed by Westlink, Albuquerque.