60 Days of Summer 2010

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Make a Shell House for Kids

Celebrate summer with our 60 ideas, guaranteed to brighten up every day of the season!

Using cardboard, collected shells, and our house and roof templates, you can create a charming seaside bungalow.

How to Make the Shell House

See More Shell Crafts

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Find the Right Sunglasses Shape for Your Face

With so many styles of shades on the rack, how can you tell which pair will flatter your face? Take our quick quiz to find out which shape suits you best.

Take the Sunglasses Quiz

How to Make a Soothing Summer Eye Treatment

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Make Patterned Napkin Rings

Sew different patterns of bright fabric ribbon around rolled napkins for a one-of-a-kind table setting.

How to Make the Napkin Rings

Make Pasta Salad for Your Picnic

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Easy Summer Centerpiece Idea

Set up this beautifully simple centerpiece in minutes. All you need is a cheese board, votives, and some floating flowers.

How to Make the Floating Centerpiece

See More Summer Centerpieces

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Make an American Flag Cheesecake

Wow your Independence Day guests with a star-spangled cake covered in berries.

How to Make the American Flag Cheesecake

More Patriotic Desserts

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Turn Flowers into Fireworks

Want to illuminate your table? Group spider mums of different colors together in vases for a dazzling display.

How to Make the Fiery Flowers Display

See More Summer Centerpieces

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Get Patriotic with Pretzel Sparklers

Covered in chocolate and sprinkles, these sparklers will light up your Fourth of July celebration, in- or outdoors.

How to Make the Pretzel Sparklers

Try One of Our Fourth of July Crafts

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Martha's Favorite Outdoor Games

Leave it to Martha to show you how the perfect spot for summer games is right outside your door.

Learn Martha's Favorite Backyard Games

60 More Ways to Relax

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Find Your Perfect Summer Hobby

Summer is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or skill. But which one's right for you? Take our quiz to find out.

Which Hobby Is Right for You?

Show Us What You Do for Fun in the Summer

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Show Us Your Local Favorites

Every state boasts something special, whether it's wild Maine blueberries, gorgeous Hawaiian waterfalls, or a special state fair. Showcase your regional favorites by uploading a photo of something that's uniquely American to you.

Upload a Photo of Your Local Favorites

See What Others Have Submitted

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Summer Hats for Kids

Transform a plain baseball or sailor hat into a festive beach accessory for young ones using our island, shark, or lobster templates.

How to Make Kids' Summer Hats

Get More Beach Ideas

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Make Natural Plant Markers with Stones

Unsightly sticks and flags look like trespassers in your herbs. Instead, make tags using flat stones that look as though they belong in your landscape.

How to Make the Stone Plant Markers

60 Great Ideas for the Garden

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Wake Up with a Fruit Smoothie

Start the day off right with a cool vanilla, plum, and buttermilk breakfast treat.

How to Make the Smoothie

More Refreshing Summer Drinks

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Refresh with All-Natural DIY Mists

A refreshing spritz of fragrant water is a great way to keep cool in summer. To create sprays, simply fill mist bottles with water and a few strips of julienned cucumber or sprigs of lavender and mint. Label bottles, and set them on a tray at your next backyard barbecue.

Bonus: Cucumber is known for its hydrating properties, and lavender and mint are reputed insect repellents.

See More Summer Good Things

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Easy Summer Appetizers

Put fresh basil to use by blending it with olive oil and drizzling over your favorite summer appetizers.

How to Make the Basil-Infused Oil

Get Our Best Summer Appetizers

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Enjoy a Seaside Cookout in Your Backyard

Enjoy an outdoor meal on a warm evening with summer's freshest food and your best friends.

See the Menu

20 More Summer Menus

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Make a Beach Bag for Kids

Give kids a fresh, new bag for the summer -- you can even coordinate it with their bathing suit. Ours is washable and lined with water-resistant nylon, and it takes only an hour to complete.

How to Make the Beach Bag

Get Summer Organizing Tips

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Summer Picnic Crafts

Prepare to picnic in style with our 20 ideas for blankets, utensil holders, bottle wraps, and more!

See Our Picnic Craft Ideas

Delicious Picnic Sandwich Recipes

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Visit a Private Garden

Whether you're trekking across the country or staying close to home, stop by one of the 360 private gardens taking part in this year's Garden Conservancy Open Days program.

Find a Private Garden Near You

See 60 Great Ideas for Your Garden

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Try New Things with Your Family

ROYALTY FREE/CORBIS

From water-gun fights to beach-inspired art, you keep proving that there's no end to the number of ways you can have summer fun.

21 Fun Activities to Try This Summer

What Do You Do for Summer Fun?

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Have Fun with Dye

Add some color to your family's summer wardrobe with fun and easy fabric dye.

How to Make the Dyed Sneakers

60 Summer Crafts

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Show Us Your Flea Market Finds and Win!

Want to know more about the treasures you find this summer -- including what they're worth? Upload a photo of your flea market or yard sale find with a detailed description of the item; we'll pick three readers at random to receive a 15-minute consultation with a Martha Stewart Living Collecting editor, plus a one-year subscription to the magazine!

Upload a Photo for a Chance to Win

Bargaining Tips and Renovation Projects

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Cool Off with Fruited Ice Cubes

Add a cool splash of color and taste to your favorite summer drinks with fruity ice cubes. Just drop combinations of fresh berries, mint leaves, ginger bits, and strips of citrus zest into empty ice cube trays. Add water to trays and freeze.

Get Our Favorite Summer Drink Recipes

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Build the Ultimate Summer Party Playlist

Everyone knows a party doesn't really begin until the music starts! Listen to an iMix of our favorite outdoor party songs, then add them to your summer playlist.

Get Our Party Playlist

60 Outdoor Party Ideas

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Create Sun Print Art

The summer sun casts its light on many things -- including artwork. Use everyday objects as stencils to make shining images to hang in your home.

How to Make Sun Print Art

More Summer Activities for Kids

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Take Our Summer Trivia Quiz!

Are you ready to test your seasonal smarts? Take our quiz to find out your summer trivia IQ.

Start the Quiz

See Our 60 Favorite Summer Good Things

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Plan a Lakeside Dinner

Gather your closest friends for an intimate lakeside dinner. Create a charming table setting with a faded tablecloth and a beautiful centerpiece.

Get Our Lakeside Dinner Menu

How to Make a Faded Tablecloth

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Beautiful Birds in Your Own Backyard

Few animals are as theatrical as birds. Why not grab your binoculars and enjoy the show? Whether you're traveling to a nearby park or simply exploring the backyard with your kids, here's how to begin identifying your winged neighbors.

Take Your Family on a Birdwatching Adventure

Enjoy the Outdoors on a Walking Tour

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Make Tie-Dye Ice Pops

Put summer's best fruit to use with these deliciously cool treats.

How to Make the Tie-Dye Ice Pops

60 More Ice Cream Treats

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Set Up an Obstacle Course

From rope swings to balance beams, a backyard full of exciting challenges will keep kids active and entertained on a summer afternoon.

How to Make an Obstacle Course

More Summer Activities for Kids

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Make a Totable Yoga Mat

Who needs a tote bag? Make a simple leash for your yoga or exercise mat, and it'll be easy to throw over your shoulder.

How to Make a Leash for Your Yoga Mat

Take Your Yoga Routine Outdoors

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Decorate with Rice Paper Wall Art

These botanical motifs, cut like paper snowflakes, pay tribute to Hawaiian quilts and instantly brighten up any room.

How to Make Rice Paper Wall Art

Get 60 Summer Decorating Ideas

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Brighten the Table with a Braided Trivet

Pretty and practical, these surface protectors were made by weaving together strips of dyed ticking fabric.

How to Make Braided Trivets

60 More Summer Crafts

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60 Days of Summer 2010

1 of 59

Make a Shell House for Kids

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Find the Right Sunglasses Shape for Your Face

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3 of 59

Make Patterned Napkin Rings

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Easy Summer Centerpiece Idea

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Make an American Flag Cheesecake

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Turn Flowers into Fireworks

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Get Patriotic with Pretzel Sparklers

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Martha's Favorite Outdoor Games

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Find Your Perfect Summer Hobby

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Show Us Your Local Favorites

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Summer Hats for Kids

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Make Natural Plant Markers with Stones

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Wake Up with a Fruit Smoothie

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Refresh with All-Natural DIY Mists

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Easy Summer Appetizers

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Enjoy a Seaside Cookout in Your Backyard

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Make a Beach Bag for Kids

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Summer Picnic Crafts

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Visit a Private Garden

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Try New Things with Your Family

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Have Fun with Dye

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Show Us Your Flea Market Finds and Win!

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Cool Off with Fruited Ice Cubes

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Build the Ultimate Summer Party Playlist

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Create Sun Print Art

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Take Our Summer Trivia Quiz!