handmade: ตุลาคม 2008

วันศุกร์ที่ 31 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

How to Make a Childs Handprint on a Ceramic Tile

This is a fun craft to do with a group of moms and their kids, one child per adult works the best. Each mom will need: ---One soft brush, any size but 1/2" works the best ---One jar of "One-Stroke Ceramic underglaze", either Duncan E-Z Stroke or Gare One-Stroke. (Of course they can share these, but it's best if they have at least 3 colors to choose from. The best are a dark green, a dark blue or a dark brown. One jar of each color will do 50 hands altogether) ---One pint jar of "clear gloss glaze", which all can use. ---A sponge ---Paper towels and a washcloth ---One blank UNglazed ceramic tile, 4-1/4" (for kids 2 or 3 yrs. old or so) or 6" (for kids over 3) Unless you know someone who does hand-painted tile as a career, these would have to be ordered in cases of 100 or so. The best thing is to call the hobby ceramic stores, where you will get the underglaze and clear glaze, and ask if they have a "molded greenware or bisque tile they sell", and order the quantity you need. Tell them you would like them "fired to bisque." The most important thing is that the childrens' hands are scrubbed with soap and water, then dried well. Salt, sugar or oils on the hands will prevent the glaze from bonding with the tile. Make sure to wipe the tile well with a clean sponge in plain water. Allow to dry a few minutes. Tell the kids that it is like hand-painting only without wiggling their fingers. Make it fun, some get scared. Hold their clean hand gently over a tile to make sure their hand will fit, fingers spread out a little. Pick the right size tile and paint one wet coat of glaze across the flat of their open palm, not too runny but not too dry, follwing the instructions for mixing on the bottle. Try to keep their fingers from touching, the more still they keep their hand, the better the clarity. A good print will show fingerprints! But if it smears, it usually does, it's all for fun anyway. If it starts to become a battle with the child, let him go, when he sees the other kids having a good time he will offer his hand to be painted. (I say "he" because it is usually the boys that wimp out, the girls are more adventurous. lol) Make sure the paint goes all the way to the ends of the fingers and thumb and press the hand straight down onto the surface of the tile, quickly but gently and firmly, rolling the fingers slightly so the print doesnt look like skeleton fingers lol. Lift the hand straight up and see how cool! Wash their hands with soap, the paint is water soluable and non-staining, but dont let them lick it. With a fine brush, write the child's name and date or birthday or age right on the tile. Set it in a safe place to dry well. If you are nervous about smearing the dry glaze, have them fired at "cone 04" before painting the clear gloss on top. This is the proper way, but if the underglaze is good and dry and you are very careful, it is ok to put the clear glaze on unfired underglaze and fire the tile once at "cone 06" and the results will be the same. Either way, get the large floppy brush again and paint 3 thin coats of clear gloss on the tile and fire to "cone 06". You can buy frames from most ceramic stores that sell the tiles. They will last forever. Have fun! Dy Witt used to display and sell at street fairs, and painting kids handprints was always a fun thing. Her 21 years experience painting with ceramic glaze is obvious when you view her murals and tiles here on her website. <a target="_new" href="http://www.dyztilz.com">http://www.dyztilz.com</a>

The ABCs of Ceramics

Ceramics can be delicate and decorative or unrefined and utilitarian. Bone china, porcelain, stoneware and earthenware - this month we'll review them all. How Ceramics are Made. Different kinds of stone are ground into a fine powder, mixed with water resulting in a paste. It is fired in a kiln (an oven) at very high temperatures until the particles of stone melt and fuse together to create a strong substance. Bone China. It is shiny and smooth non-porous pottery made with bone ash, china stone and fine kaolin (china clay). Bone china is light weight and thin and fired at a high temperature. Patterns are usually formal. Despite bone china's delicate appearance, it does not chip easily. It is the finest and most expensive dishware available. Porcelain. It is a non-porous pottery made from fine kaolin that is fired above 1250 degrees Celsius. Porcelain is translucent, thin and light weight. Originating in China, this delicate looking dishware is stronger than stoneware. Porcelain is less expensive than bone china and is available in casual and formal patterns. Stoneware. A dense kaolin is fired between 1200 ?1450 degrees Celsius to create this porous ceramic. Neither translucent nor heavy, stoneware chips more easily than porcelain or bone china. It has a casual appearance and is generally glazed in muted earth tones. It can have fine detail or be rough and grainy. Stoneware is more affordable than porcelain or bone china. Earthenware. It is a coarse porous pottery and fired at a low temperature between 800-1000 degrees Celsius. Earthenware chips quite easily and has a casual appearance. It is often glazed in bright colours and formed by hand. Care. You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions for care. Keep in mind that direct heat sources can cause rapid changes in temperature causing cracking. Never put an antique or any fine ceramic in the dishwasher. Fine gilding wears off easily, so keep this in mind when handling antique pieces. Damage or chips greatly reduce the value of any ceramic. Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He has appeared on a variety of television programs; does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has taught courses on antiques at the Learning Annex. Martin can be reached at <a target="_new" href="http://www.takeaboo.com">http://www.takeaboo.com</a>

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 30 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

17 Tips For Getting Balloons to Last Longer in Hot Weather

In warm weather, latex balloons will typically only last outside for a day. As you know, sun, wind and heat will biodegrade the latex. With that said, however, there are tricks you can do to raise your odds of getting them to last more than a day outside. 1) Use only high quality balloons like Qualatex. I've also heard that some people have used Bellatex and Tilly balloons with some success. Quality makes a huge difference. 2) Avoid using latex balloons whenever possible. After a few days outside, we have seen them completely disintegrate when touched. 3) Qualatex' Polyurethane Duo balloons are designed for outdoor use. They will last longer and look better for extended outdoor use than any latex or foil balloon. They are a bit more pricey but can really take away the headache of shrinking and disintegrating balloons. For larger Duo balloons like 18", it may be cost effective to rent them. The Duo balloons can also be used to leverage small latex balloons. Underinflate your smaller latex balloons and use the lift power of the big balloon to raise them. 4) Always underinflate to allow balloons to expand when absorbing heat. We've found the method that works best is to over-inflate the balloon and then release air until the balloon is slightly underinflated. This helps the balloon to breathe and expand more easily, and it is not as brittle. Underinflating does little good unless you overinflate first. 5) Use balloons two sizes larger than you would normally use. 6) Inflating balloons with the same temperature air as they will encounter outdoors can actually help to retain their shape better. 7) Helium does not work well outdoors in the heat. If you need to use helium-filled latex, try to use large balloons like 24" and inflate to only around 16". Over- inflate with air first, release the air and then re-inflate with helium. You don't want to waste your helium when you pre-inflate. 8) After your balloons are inflated, consider applying a product called "Balloon Shine." It can protect your latex balloons from the sun's UV rays. It's best to experiment with this days before to see if it will work. 9) While Hi-Float is used to make balloons float longer, it is not generally meant for outside use. If you want your balloons to float longer outside, you should plan on doing daily touch-up work to your balloon arrangements. Be sure to include this in your budget. 10) Balloons simply will not last outdoors overnight. As the cold air shrinks the balloons and then they expand in the sun the next day, they will pop like crazy. This can be avoided by simply bringing all balloons indoors in the evening. 11) Use white balloons as much as possible. They reflect the sun and fade less. 12) Avoid darker balloons. They will absorb heat and pop faster. If you need darker colors in your balloon decor, use ribbons to accent in a darker color. 13) Keep in mind that extreme heat speeds up the balloon leakage process. So, in temperatures close to 100 degrees, the helium will escape much faster, drastically reducing float time. If you can find a way to shade balloons, it can slow the process, somewhat. 14) Do not use water to cool down balloons. As the water dries on the latex, it becomes slightly sticky. Balloons can stick together causing them to pop as balloons they expand in the heat. 15) Mylar foil balloons last longer outdoors than latex. Just allow for normal expansion and shrinkage. The downside is that in the hot sun the foil will not hold its color or sheen. There will be a noticable difference by the end of the day. 16) Whenever possible, use some kind of framework to give your balloon decor structure that can withstand wind and heat. This can also be helpful for helium-filled balloons that will lose float time in the heat. 17) We've found that if balloons are going to pop in the heat and sun, the will usually do so within the first hour. So, you'll have a pretty good indication of whether it will work if you set up early. While it can be difficult to do balloon decor outdoors in the heat, it is certainly not impossible. Just use the above tips to greatly improve your odds. Passionate about <a target="_new" href="http://www.aBalloonaDay.com/">advertising balloons</a>, Kathryn Parisse is editor of The Balloon Newsletter. Subscribe and get answers to all your balloon decor, twisting, and advertising questions at <a target="_new" href="http://www.aballoonaday.com/">aBalloonaDay.com</a>.

Airbrush for Profit - Sell Your Services to Colleges

Colleges, schools, university and the like are one way you can make money from airbrushing. Why they are a good market is that there are plenty of students to begin with. Therefore, you are starting with a big customer base. Generally, look for any large groups when you want to make money from airbrushing. The cost of advertising will be low, and you will get to concentrate all your energies on one group. You could arrange to sell your products and services at different school events. You could set up a booth at the school fair, paint at concerts, sell at dances, or any other big event or day they may have. Sell face painting, t-shirts, temporary tattoos, anything really. One particularly good event that you can sell your product or service is graduation day. Call the organising committee and see if they would like a particular product airbrushed for the Graduating Class. One product that would be a good money earner, that students would love to get their hands on are "Class of 2005" t-shirts. Paint something that will remind them of the school or the year that past. Ask the organisers what they would like to see on them, and give them a few FREE SAMPLES to model for you around the school. You never know, a school with 200 graduates could be a good weekends work, not to mention the extra money you could make. Talk to the committee and see if you are able to set up a work area at their end of year function. That special night, could also be a special night for you. Most times, students love to remember the night. You could be the right person to give them what they want! Get more information at <a target="_new" href="http://www.makemoneyairbrushing.com">Make Money Airbrushing</a>. Copyright 2005 Roger Vail About the Author Roger Vail is a marketer who helps people find ways to sell their airbrush products so they can earn a little extra cash. His ebook and blog can be found on his website at <a target="_new" href="http://www.makemoneyairbrushing.com">Make Money Airbrushing</a>.

วันพุธที่ 29 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Woodworking: The Best Wood For Beginners

Woodworking: Know Your Wood Wood is made of cellulose fibers, held together with a property called lignin, and is classified as hardwood or softwood, depending on the type of tree from which it comes. In addition, sapwood or new growth wood on a tree is still alive, while heartwood refers to the part of the tree that is no longer functioning. These two stages of wood also have different properties and uses. Knowing something about the different woods can help you determine which to use, how to work it, what problems to watch for, and how to care for the finished product. There are hundreds of different types of trees and wood, with a wide range of colors, density, grain, figure, and other characteristics that affect its workability and application to different types of uses. The following is an alphabetical listing and description of some of the more popular woods used in woodworking. Types such as ebony and ironwood are not listed here, as they are not typically used in woodworking, at least not by beginners. The focus is on woods that work well and are common in woodworking. The following legend provides a guide for symbols included with each type of wood. Cost: $ = inexpensive, $$ = moderate, $$$ = expensive Ease of working: E = easy, M = moderate, D = difficult Ash, white $, M A strong, inexpensive wood that is lighter in color and bends well, white ash is often used in sports equipment such as bats and canoe paddles. It is also common in pool cues, tool handles, and other products that require durability and strength. Balsa $$, E One of the lightest hardwoods, balsa has been used for canoes, model building, life rafts and other situations where a light, buoyant wood is needed. It is usually white in color and priced moderately. Because it is exceptionally soft, it can be worked well with hand tools, but has poor durability. Basswood $, E Basswood is an inexpensive and versatile hardwood that is often used for woodcarving. It is soft, light, fine textured and ranges in color from soft white to brown. Other uses include turning, toys, kitchen utensils and crates. Birch $, E The birch known as paper birch, is the white tree growing in the forest with its bark peeling like paper. Inside the sapwood is creamy and darkens toward brown at the heartwood. It is inexpensive to purchase and consequently is one of the most popular woods with beginner furniture makers. It can also be used for cabinets, toys and plywood but is not durable when left unfinished. Butternut $$, M A course-textured wood that is light to medium brown, butternut is moderately priced, and is a common choice for veneers, woodenware, and church alters. Cedar, aromatic $, M Known for its red coloring and pleasing, somewhat spicy smell, aromatic cedar or red cedar is a popular woodworking material for containers and closets. It has alternating lines of dark and light color and may also have dark knots, making it visually appealing as well. It is relatively inexpensive. Cherry, black $$, E Cherry sapwood is light colored, but the heartwood can vary from light brown to a dark red color that many find appealing. It has a fine grain and tends to darken in color as it ages. It is used most often in cabinetry and furniture making and is moderately priced. Cottonwood $, E A white to pale brown colored wood that is part of the poplar family, cottonwood is light and tends to be soft, which makes it good for carving. It is also used in making furniture, toys and woodenwares. Many carvers prefer the bark of the cottonwood tree because it can be found in large pieces and has a soft, workable nature. Cypress $, E-M Cypress wood has an oily texture, resists rot and decay and is often used in outdoor furniture and docks. It is light yellow in color and is inexpensive compared to other woods. Elm, white $$, M There are many elms, and most tend to be easy to work with and bend well. The white elm is soft yellow in color, and if used by beginners, it is usually in a furniture project. This tree is affected by Dutch Elm disease, so it is becoming more difficult to find, and thus a bit more expensive. Mahogany $$, E A reddish colored, dense hardwood that is durable and easy to work, Mahogany, (especially that from Honduras) is often used when making various grades of furniture and cabinets. It is moderately priced. Maple, white $$, M-D Maple has white sapwood and reddish brown heartwood. The grain can come in different patterns including wavy and birds eye. It can be difficult to work, but is used to make furniture, cabinets, flooring, and small projects such as cutting boards. Oak $$, E-M In the oak family, white oak is perhaps the easiest to work and is highly durable. It has a light tan color with a straight grain. It is moderate in price and used for furniture, cabinets, and is a favored wood for building barrels. Pine: Ponderosa, white, yellow $, E Although the different kinds of pine have varying specific features, it tends to be a softer, light colored wood that is used in many construction settings. It is also a popular wood for woodworkers, especially beginners, because it is inexpensive, easy to find, relatively easy to work, and holds up well (except for white pine). Often selected for birdhouses, flower boxes, benches and other beginner projects. Redwood $$$, E Redwood is known for its ability to hold up well in outdoor conditions. It is relatively easy to work and is used in outdoor furniture, decks, and other applications where durability outdoors is important. Despite the fact that redwood trees grow quite large and yield high quantities of boards, the price is on the higher end. Walnut, black $$, E A dark, tough wood that works well, black walnut is used in carving, making gunstocks, fine furniture, cabinets, and other items where strength and appearance are both important. It has a chemical in it that can cause irritation. Black walnut is moderately priced. Willow $$, E There are many different varieties of willow, but in general they are a soft, light wood with dull brownish heartwood and light colored sapwood. Because of its softness, it is popular with carvers. It is also used for caskets, Venetian blinds, and a number of other items. Yellow poplar $, E Yellow poplar is a strong, inexpensive hardwood that has a light color and sometimes is streaked with green, which can make it more difficult to finish. It is not a true poplar. Along with pine, it is one of the most common woods used today. Poplar is used in basic furniture, shelving, and boxes. It is also acceptable for carving. Copyright ? 2005 by Ferhat Gul. All rights reserved. You may redistribute this article in its unedited entirety, including this resource box, with all hyperlinked URLs kept intact. Ferhat Gul is the publisher of the brand-new <a target="_new" href="http://woodworking.byethost33.com"> "Woodworking Beginner's Guide - Tips From Experienced Woodworkers to Help You Get Started" </a>, made just for people who love woodworking. This comprehensive, yet compact woodworking introduction for beginners is easy to read and helps to save time, money and effort.

Starting A Coin Collection

The best place to start collecting would be with pennies, we will focus on the Lincoln Cent for the years 1909 through 1958, which are the Wheat Cents. There are still a number of "wheat cents" showing up in circulation, so it is possible to start a coin collection without spending a great deal of money. While you are searching your pocket change for "wheat cents", be sure to check for silver coinage and of course check those quarters. Then new 50 State Commemorative Quarters are a very good place to start since you can find five new states each year plus the different mint marks. Getting back to pennies, which is where we want to start our new collection. The first Lincoln Cent was minted in 1909 and was made of copper. The mint continued to make pennies from copper until 1943, when for this year only, they were made of steel and zinc plated to prevent them from rusting. These coins appear to be silver or gray in color because of the plating. The pennies were made of steel because of a copper shortage brought on by the war, but they resumed using copper in 1944. Between 1909 and 1958 the penny featured Lincoln on the obverse (front of the coin) and the words "ONE CENT" over "United States of America" framed by bundles of wheat on each side of the words, there by getting the descriptive name of "Wheat Cents". This is how the penny is called for the years 1909-1958. Other than a minor change in the composition of the metal which was 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc until 1943 when they were zinc plated steel, and then 1944 until 1958 when they were 95% copper, 5% zinc and no tin. The Penny remained the same for 50 years. It was designed by Victor David Brenner, whose initials appeared on the reverse, of some, of the coins minted that first year. There are two varieties of the 1909, some have the VDB on the reverse, (back of coin) at the bottom of the coin at the 6 o'clock position, and others do not. The pennies were minted at Philadelphia, Pa. and San Francisco, Ca. The pennies from San Francisco have a small "s" under the date while the Philadelphia coins have no mintmark. The coins to watch for are the ones with mintmarks; this applies to all coins not just pennies. The value of coins is greatly based on rarity and with the Philadelphia mint being the largest of the mints; it was natural for them to produce the greatest number of coins. There is also a mint in Denver, Co. and a mint, which had been closed by this time in Carson City. The Denver mint put a small "d" under the date and on older coinage of other types you will find the letters "CC" for Carson City. Mint Marks are Important, learn to watch for them. Back to pennies, in 1909 when the first Lincoln (wheat cent) penny was made, they minted 72,702,618 in Philadelphia without the designers, Victor David Brenner, initials. They produced 27,995,000 with the VDB on the reverse of the penny. This same year, 1909, San Francisco minted 1,825,000 without the designer's initials and 484,000 with the initials VDB on the reverse at the bottom of the coin. So now for the economics lesson of supply and demand and how it affects price. If you had a 1909-penny in "good" condition it would be worth about 75 cents, in "mint" condition it would be valued at about $14.00. If you had a 1909 with VDB on the reverse in "good" condition, it would be worth about $1.80, in "mint" condition ( I can't explain this ) the value is about $9.00 ( the only apparent reason for the penny with the lower mintage being worth less in mint condition then the plain 1909 in mint condition, would be that in numismatic records kept by the grading services, there are probably more 1909 VDB's on record than plain 1909's) If you had a 1909s in "good" condition it is worth $37.00, in "mint" condition about $120.00. Now if you were lucky enough to find a 1909s with the initials VDB on the reverse in "good" condition it is worth $350.00 and in "mint" condition it is worth $680.00 or more. Not bad for a penny. In all coin types and series there exists what are known as "key dates", for now lets just say they are important because of a number of factors (another big subject), but that they are important in collecting coins of all types, not just pennies. The "key dates" for the Lincoln penny 1909-1958 are: 1909s 1909s VDB 1914d 1922 1931s The semi-key dates, also valuable, but not as significant as the "key dates" are: 1910s, 1911d, 1911s, 1912s, 1913d, 1913s, 1914s, 1915, 1921s, 1922d, 1923s, 1924d, 1926s, 1931d, and 1933d. This takes you through the "wheat cents" 1909-1958, along with keys and semi-keys each series of coin has Error varieties, Die varieties, and double die varieties which are also worth more than the common date coins. These again are subjects in themselves but a brief description is needed to make you aware of what to look for in collecting coins. Error varieties are any condition, which may have existed resulting in a coin being struck and getting into circulation in a condition of appearance to be other than what was intended by the U.S. Mint. Simply said if it looks different than all the other s as a result of a mint mistake and not tampering or defacing by an individual, than it is an error, and they tend to be worth more. Double Die varieties are actually errors because the coin after being stamped does not exit the die but remains in the die and is struck again causing parts of the design to be duplicated. Sometimes the duplicate is very noticeable other double die varieties require a powerful magnifying glass or microscope to see them. Die varieties are the result of many dies being used to mint any particular series of coin. They could never produce this many pennies with only one die. Each die has its own characteristics, small differences between dies, which are noticeable enough that you can distinguish pennies or other coins being minted by a particular die. As you may become educated at this point into the many details of coin collecting, let me say this now. Coin Collecting should be no more involved, difficult, or time consuming than you want it to be. The main objective of coin collecting is enjoyment, if you are interested in investing, find a Stock Broker. Lastly, I borrow this comment from another person whose name I don't remember, but who deserves the credit none the less. "As a coin collector, you are not a coin owner, but a coin keeper. Although you have the actual coins in your possession and legally they are yours to hold, buy, sell or trade, while they are in your possession you should do everything possible to maintain the condition and appearance of the coins."(To who ever said this, I apologize for not being able to quote you verbatim or give you your due credit) "As keepers of coins, we enjoy our collection, than pass them to the next generation of keepers." This was significant to me personally, as it links, you, others, and me in a great chain from past through present and into the future as we are the keeper of coins, coin collectors and Numismatists. Enough now of history, economics and philosophy, let's collect coins. To start, get yourself a magnifying glass, the bigger the better. Search your coins in a well-lighted area to be better able to spot errors, mintmarks, and to read dates on some of your more worn coins. Determine what coins you will collect and purchase a bookshelf folder for that denomination or series. Whitman, Dansco, Harris & Co. and a few others put out these folders. The Whitman folders are probably the most familiar; they are blue folders about 8 inches high, 6 inches wide and about ? inch thick. They retail for about $3.75 each and are available at most bookstores all coin stores and many web sites including my own. Try to purchase a book called, "A Guide Book of United States Coins" by R.S. Yeoman. This is commonly called the red book and it is a red book which retails for about $11.00 in the hard cover edition at most book stores and coin shops. The Red Book is published every year, it gives you a good over view of the history of U.S. coins, basic grading information, average retail value for all U.S. coins, descriptions of the different coins past and present and a listing of the errors, with pictures, of some errors found in the minting process. Purchase one of the monthly publications on coin collecting. My two favorites are "Coins" and "COINage". Krausse Publishing who also publishes more than half of all coin related books and periodicals publishes coins magazine. COINage is published by Miller Magazines, Inc. and is always packed with great stories and information as well as advertisers for coin related material. You do not need a subscription, but try to buy at least one copy of either magazine. It will give you some great insight into prices of coins, coins other than pennies that you may want to collect also some great pictures of coins and good articles to educate yourself in coin collecting. Both magazines sell for about $4.00 each, if that is within your budget, then you should buy a copy to get an idea of what is out there. Coin World and Numismatic News are two weekly newspapers with many great articles, current news and classified sections for buyers, sellers and traders all relating to coins. They retail for about $1.95 and are also available at bookstores. The newspaper may not interest you until you get more involved in the hobby and want to stay more in tune with what is happening currently in the Numismatic world. Numismatic News is again published by Krausse publishing and Coin World is published by Ames Press. A second book you should try to purchase is "Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins", put out by the American Numismatic Association. The book is an excellent guide to grading coins, a skill you will need to develop if you continue in coin collecting. It is a well-used and respected guide for grading coins. Visit the A.N.A. at http://www.money.org, and if you can, consider joining, they have a Junior and Adult Membership. The Junior is only $20.00 for the year and the adult is $36.00, but the benefits are worth the cost of membership. Another coin club is Coin Masters, which is free and also has a Junior Membership as well as Adult. The group is not as large as A.N.A. but it is a great group with some very helpful members. Visit their web site to join at http://www.coinmasters.org/ Some supplies should be purchased when you start collecting coins. You should have something to put your coins in for storage, until you are ready to place them in an album, or for you duplicate coins. You can purchase coin tubes, clear plastic tubes preferably with screw on tops, in the various coin denominations, penny tubes, nickel tubes, etc. Tubes cost about 20 to 50 cents each and usually come in packages of 4 or more, but can also be purchased in bulk for a cheaper price per tube. IMPORTANT POINT: When storing coins, be careful of the material used in the storage device, many plastics react with the surface of coins causing them to discolor or develop black spots. The paper used is also important as many papers and cardboard contain sulfur, which will cause a silver coin to turn black. The very best and most expensive are air tight holders. These provide the best storage and the expense is of little concern for your more valuable coins. A common and popular method to store coins is in 2"X 2" white cardboard folders which have Mylar/Polyester windows. These are very good and affordable holders for your more common coins and they retail for about $3.75 to $5.00 for a box of 100. They are available in bulk packs of 1000 at lower prices, but I prefer the boxes since they make an excellent way to store the folders once you have inserted and labeled your coins. You simply insert your coin into the round window; fold the other side over and staple shut. NOTE: Try to use stainless steel staples, as they will not rust like ordinary staples. There are a number of other methods and devices for storage, be sure they are made of material that is safe for your coins. A quick note on copper coins: try to store your coins in an area that is dry. This is particularly important if you happen to have some mint state or proof coins. A nice choice red coin when exposed to moisture, even for a brief period could suddenly begin to change color and end up being brown, dull and less valuable. Cleaning Coins: Read about it, learn it and leave it to the experts. I recommend no cleaning except under the following condition. If a coin has been exposed to something that will further deteriorate the coin, then cleaning may be needed. Never use an abrasive substance to clean a coin, at most use a mild soap, such as Ivory soap, and water. Gently dab the solution onto the coin, do not rub, and then rinse very well in clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth. De-natured alcohol is also used to remove harmful oils from a coins surface, remember to hold the coin by the rim or edges and not on the face of the coin. The acid and oils present in your skin will leave finger prints on the clean shiny surface of a mint state or proof coin that can be seen from five feet away. Finally, as long as this article may appear, it just scratches the surface of the many aspects of coin collecting. As your collection and interest grows, so will your knowledge. Take the time to listen, to read, ask questions and learn. This is a process that will continue the rest of your coin collecting days. Your education can save you money now and make money for you in the future, but most of all remember have fun. Enjoy the "Hobby of Kings" which has grown to become the "King of Hobbies"; you are a numismatist, a coin collector and a keeper of coins. Basic essentials needed to start a coin collection. 1.Coins, pocket change is a good way and inexpensive way to start. 2.A good magnifying glass, or a cheaper one at least. 3.Coin albums for whatever denomination and series of coins you intend to collect. 4.Storage devices to protect your coins, tubes are nice but the coins must be removed from them to admire or search through your collection. The 2X2 cardboard holders or flips work best for this reason. 5.Most if not all books and periodicals can be found at your public library, take advantage of that to save money for purchasing coins. 6.Try to join a local coin club. You can probably find one through your Chamber of Commerce or telephone book. There are also some clubs listed on the Internet and clubs such as Coin Masters, which is only available on the web. 7.You will at some time need to purchase coins. It would be near impossible to complete a folder with coins from circulation. Wheat cents are available by the pound at very reasonable rates, but you should shop around. 8.Subscribe to the news group rec.collecting.coins Visit us at <a target="_new" href="Http://www.Vportweb.net">Http://www.Vportweb.net</a> or <a target="_new" href="Http://www.vportweb.com">Http://www.vportweb.com</a> - our other hobby. By Paul "Tumble Weed" No formal writing skills, terible with grammar, but like a "Tumble Weed", I ramble on. Enjoy writing, philosophy, web site building, coin collecting, home remodeling, Tea Cup Pommeranians, and much more.

Scrapbooking on a Budget

Memories are priceless, but the cost of preserving them can be high. Here are nine tips for making the most of your scrapbooking budget. 1.Be on the lookout for scrapbooking supplies everywhere you go. I once made the cutest shabby chic card with the corrugated cardboard liner in a light bulb box. Another example: you can buy 100 brass brads for less than a dollar at the local discount store and then customize them to match your layout with acrylic paint and/or sandpaper. Or look in the clearance bin for ribbon, fiber, and fabric remnants - or bouquets of silk flowers, which you can take apart and attach to your cards and layouts with brads, eyelets, bottlecaps, or button. You'll find all kinds of treasures at office supply, hardware, and dollar stores, as well as flea markets and garage sales. 2. Keep your supplies organized. When your papers and embellishments are logically arranged and easy to find, you'll always know what you have, which means you'll buy fewer duplicates. And you don't need expensive racks for storing your paper. The large 14" Ziploc bags are perfect for storing 12x12 paper. You can even hang the labeled Ziploc bags from skirt hangers to maximize your space. A few inexpensive baskets or plastic containers can hold your adhesives, pens and trimmers. And a common tacklebox is great for small embellishments. Or use resealable Ziploc bags to organize brads, eyelets and other small embellishments by type or color and store in a shoebox. 3. Here's a little known secret. You can join a scrapbooking direct sales company, simply to get the discount on your own supplies. Of course, you'll need to make sure the monthly minimums are low enough that you'll be able to meet them with your purchases alone. Here is one such company with monthly minimums of just $25 wholesale per month. Details are here: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/wholesale-scrapbooking-supplies.htm 4. Use your scanner to create a unique patterned paper, perfect for your layout. Scan items of clothing, for example, that match the clothing in your photographs. Print the paper and use as part of your background or as a tag or other embellishment. 5. Do a google search for "free fonts" and "free scrapbooking." You'll find thousands of free templates, fonts, and other free resources for scrapbookers. 6. Check your local paper for 50% off coupons at large discount crafting stores. Save these coupons for your larger purchases. Subscribe to Joann.com's email newsletter at the store's website: http//www.joann.com. This store frequently offers special discount codes to newsletter subscribers. But keep in mind, when you are shopping the sale aisle, a good deal is not a good deal if you never use the product. Buy only those things that you love - and know you'll use. 7. When shopping for tools, keep quality and versatility in mind. Investing in quality tools will ultimately save you money, because you won't need to replace them very often. You'll also want to look for trimmers and cutters that allow you to replace only the blade - and not the entire cutting system. The Coluzzle, by Provocraft, is one of the most versatile cutting systems available. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, you can cut a huge variety of shapes and alphabets, as well as envelopes and tags - all with very inexpensive templates. 8. Save and organize your scraps. It's amazing when a small scrap is perfectly suited for a card of scrapbook. And you can always use the backside of white-core cardstock or patterned paper when you need white. Or give your scraps to your children. My kids are constantly making friendship cards out of my scraps. They each have a basket on the family scraptable, and at the end of a project, I divvy up all my scraps in the three little baskets. They love the new art supplies, and I love to share my love of scrapbooking - and my time spent scrapbooking - with them. 9. Network with other scrapbookers for more low-cost ideas. Arrange a supplies swap with your scrapbooking friends. And read through the scrapbooking magazines for more money-saving ideas. In the last few issues of Scrapbooks, Etc. and Memory Makers, for example, I've read (and then used) the following ideas: (1) Take photos of interesting signs and cut out the letters for fun, eclectic alphabets. And (2) make your own stamps from your favorite font or images with a computer printout and some foam board. You can subscribe to these magazines at significant discounts online. I've compiled the best deals on the industry-leaders here: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/scrapbooking-magazines or see if you can check out current issues from your local library. Scrapbooking magazines often feature sweepstakes, drawings, and layout contests, in which you can win free supplies, as well. You can also save on scrapbooking idea books and techniques books by shopping online. Overstock.com often has these books at an even greater discount than amazon.com, and their shipping is usually much less, too. http://www.overstock.com Copyright 2005 by Susie Cortright About the Author: Susie Cortright is the founder of momscape.com - <a target="_new" href="http://www.momscape.com">http://www.momscape.com</a> and Momscape's Scrapbooking Playground - <a target="_new" href="http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking">http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking</a> - devoted to helping visitors record and preserve their cherished memories. Susie also trains and supports new scrapbooking instructors with a new and rapidly- growing direct sales scrapbooking company. Find out how to join her team here: <a target="_new" href="http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/business.htm">http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/business.htm</a>

วันอังคารที่ 28 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Embroidery Sewing Quality of Machine Embroidery Designs

Many new to embroidery have experienced numerous problems because of the inferior quality of free embroidery design files that they downloaded over the internet. One of the biggest mistakes that many new sewists make is using free designs patterns that have problems built in. Even if you are lucky enough to do everything else right and use inferior designs, results will probably not be good. Many of the free embroidery designs files that one can download are the first efforts of someone that has just begun to digitize and thus are not very well made. Many new to this great hobby use these because they are free and easy to download without using a credit card, but this is where the trouble begins. Then when outlines are off or there are gaps in the sewing and poor results are evident, how does one know where the problem lies? Is it the designs or the stabilizers or even worst - Can it be the new embroidery machine? We have a test so one can determine if the design is at fault or if the stabilizer is the problem. We make available free designs, free sewing lessons, free thread color charts and info that you may need to learn so you can get great results with your embroidery designs projects. There is a big difference in the way embroidery designs patterns sew out because of how the designs files were digitized. All designs should have a foundation, underlayment stitches that sews before the design itself, to help stabilize the fabric. These underlayment stitches are put in so that the stitches on top have a minimum stretching effect on the fabric, so stabilizing will be easier. - this takes careful planning as one needs to know what top stitches are needed to make the design and what stretching effect this will have on the finished design pattern and fabric. The goal is to put the underlayment in so that the thread art designs on top will have no or very little effect on the fabric. (no puckering, no cupping or off outlines or miss-aligned parts) Without proper underlayment, it is almost impossible for a design to sew out well, even with the best of stabilizing. Another important consideration for sewing ease is thread changes and jump stitches. Skill and careful planning is necessary to eliminate all unnecessary jump stitches and thread changes. So choose your embroidery designs well and avoid the disappointment and frustrations of trying to use poor designs. Even free designs can cost a lot more in time, garments, frustrations and disappointment that a purchased quality one - there really is no comparison in the pleasure you will have while sewing quality embroidery designs patterns. Terry Carter is the webmaster and author of embroidery articles at <a target="_new" href="http://www.threadartist.com/embroidery-designs-index.htm">embroidery designs by Thread Artist</a>. He has an article about embroidery software for digitizing and lettering fonts at <a target="_new" href="http://www.threadartist.com/embroidery_magic_2.htm">embroidery software</a>. There is free embroidery digitizing Tutorial at this web address - <a target="_new" href="http://www.threadartist.com">embroidery by Thread Artists</a>. You can email Terry at this address - <a href="mailto:ThreadArtist@qx.net">ThreadArtist@qx.net</a>

A Look at Patriotic Lapel Pins

Perhaps the most popular type of lapel pin is the patriotic pin. Dating back to the Civil War in the United States, lapel pins that declare a person's patriotism are popular, highly collectible and trade-worthy! From the Civil War through WWI, patriotic lapel pins were medallions hung from ribbons pinned on a lapel. After WWI, there were more factories and the ability to mass-produce die-cast metal led to the popularity of die-cast lapel pins. The trend took off and patriotic lapel pins became more popular and collectible as the nation moved into a depression and everyone tried to do their own part, even something as simple as a lapel pin. The quality and craftsmanship of these earlier lapel pins is excellent, and a single patriotic lapel pin can sell at auction for $25.00 or more, depending on the subject matter. The most patriotic symbol for any country is the flag, and in the US is no different! The American Flag is the most patriotic lapel pin that a citizen can wear. Fortunately there is no shortage of pins to be had! There are cloisonn?, die cast, sequined and any imaginable variation of the American Flag on patriotic lapel pins. After 9/11 the sale of American Flags in the form of flags, pins and signs skyrocketed from the shelves, and today that patriotism is still evident with the American Flag everywhere, including on lapel pins. An American Flag lapel pin is a simple way to declare your feelings of pride in your country. Many of our politicians and celebrities have begun to wear patriotic lapel pins every day as part of their normal dress. American Flag lapel pins are elegant, and come in a variety of designs. Many people who travel internationally take American Flag lapel pins along on their travels to exchange with people from other countries or to hand out as small tokens from America. Of course, there are many other patriotic lapel pins including military pins in support of our troops, pins remembering the 9/11 tragedy and the police and firemen heroes also from 9/11. A patriotic lapel pin gives recognition to those who have sacrificed to protect the nation's freedom and rights, and shows that you are aware and thinking of that contribution. The commemorative Olympic lapel pins are also patriotic and among the most sought after pins by collectors. So, dig out your Lake Placid Olympic lapel pin and wear it with pride! Many patriotic lapel pins can be purchased in 14karat gold and sterling silver, which make great gifts. Be sure to shop carefully and purchase a pin that truly reflects your patriotic enthusiasm. Most of all have fun, enjoy your lapel pins and wear them! <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-lapelpins.com">Lapel Pins Info</a> provides detailed information on lapel pins including many lapel pin options such as custom, military, cloisonne, Christian, and patriotic lapel pins. Lapel Pins Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-lanyards.com">Lanyards Web</a>.

วันจันทร์ที่ 27 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Friendship Albums

My 12-year-old daughter was mad at me when I refused to pay $25 for a school yearbook last year. Who are they trying to kid? In an attempt to appease my daughter, I suggested buying a little notebook that her friends could write messages in for her. As it turned out, we found a small turquoise spiral-bound notebook for about $3 that she really liked. Her gel pens looked really great on the turquoise paper. I also agreed to let her take my camera to school on the last day (it's a fairly inexpensive camera). She took a roll of film that was all hers to take pictures of her friends. She had her friend write little notes to her in her notebook, including phone numbers, AOL Instant Messenger screen names, whatever information they wanted to exchange. After we got the film developed, my daughter cut the faces of friends she wanted out of the photos and glued them into her notebook. Next she added notes next to each photo, including the person's name and something about that person. The neat thing about those photos was the fact that they were all so candid. She got group photos of her friends, shots of all the boys she had crushes on throughout the year--everything she wanted to remember in years to come. The total cost of her little friendship album was about $10. The memories it contains are priceless. When I last asked her where her album was, she said a friend had borrowed it so she could scan all the pictures for herself! Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.crafty-moms.com">http://www.crafty-moms.com</a>

17 Tips For Getting Balloons to Last Longer in Hot Weather

Step-By-Step Guide For Creating Collages and Other Unique Picture Frames

So you want to make a collage or perhaps you are interested in creating a unique shadow box to hold your valuable photographs and memorabilia. No problem! Whether you want to create lasting memories using cheap picture frames, discount picture frames or even wholesale picture frames, here are some pointers for creating lasting memories right the first time every time. Collage Picture Frames Collage picture frames are useful for creating lasting memories of a moment in time. Whether you want to create a lasting imprint of your wedding day, vacation or graduation, collages are the best way to go. Here are some steps to follow to make sure you create a collage you are pleased with: <li>Decide where you want your collage. Make sure you measure the space you have available for your frame. You don't want to buy a frame that is too small or large for the space.</li> <li>Select the photographs you want to use for your collage. Remember they should vary in size and shape.</li> <li>Review the types of collage picture frames available. Look for one that allows one or two large photographs and several small ones. Alternatively you may select a collage with three or four cutouts of equal size and shape.</li> <li>Lay out your pictures according to size. Measure them against the frame you have available. Crop any pictures you need to so they fit correctly in the frame.</li> <li>Now measure the wall space to decide where exactly you want your collage. Measure the corners of the frame from the ends of the wall so you can line up your frame evenly.</li> <li>If using a lighter frame, nail wall hooks into the wall based on your measurements. If hanging a heavy frame, use nails to hang your frame.</li> <li>Hang your picture!</li> Remember when making a collage the texture, color and feel of the background paint are just as important as the picture itself. You might consider painting the wall you plan to hang your collage on. Alternatively you may select a frame color and style that matches the current wall surface. Shadow Box Tips The most important consideration when setting up a shadow box is deciding the right frame to complement the items you plan to frame. Shadow boxes come in a couple of different varieties. Some have shallow frames. These are usually good for displaying coin collections or award ribbons. Most of these are only up to 1/2 inch deep. Traditional shadow boxes are about 4 inches deep. You can place virtually any item in these boxes. They help set off the object inside creating a more intense and three-dimensional image. When setting your image in a shadow box, you should use double sided tape or glue to keep the object in its place. If you plan to place a heavy object in a shadow box, you can use a substance called epoxy or caulking. Usually if you do this you will have to let the object dry for several hours. Occasionally you may be able to sew the object you want to display into the back of your shadow box. This is the case with a baseball for example. You can also buy some Velcro to attach soft articles to your shadow box. Remember shadow boxes are often used for hanging or displaying objects other than pictures. You can still put your favorite photos in them with a little double-sided tape. Wedding and baby memorabilia look amazing arranged in these multi purpose boxes. As with any picture frame, you should take time to measure the items you want to display. This will help you decide the right style and size of shadow box. If you want to display thick objects be sure you get a traditional style box rather than a shallow one. As with any decorating, be sure you have your picture framing supplies handy before mounting any pictures. You don't have to hang shadow boxes for them to look great. Most shadow boxes rest easily on a nightstand, in a display case or on a hutch or available counter. Consider buying one or two shadow boxes to complement other decorative pieces in your home like digital picture frames or magnetic picture frames. The biggest mistake people make is trying to cram too many objects in their displays. When it comes to making a shadow box, less is usually better! About The Author: Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as <a target="_new" href="http://www.1st-4-picture-frames.com/">picture frames</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.1st-4-picture-frames.com/picture-framing-supplies.html">picture framing supplies</a>, and <a target="_new" href="http://www.1st-4-picture-frames.com/wholesale-picture-frames.html">wholesale picture frames</a>.

Tracing Your Family History

Let me say straight away that tracing your family ancestry is a great hobby but very addictive, so unless you want to get well and truly hooked, don't start. When I travel around the country to Family History Fairs, I am amazed at the number of people who say quite cheerfully, "family history is so easy, I did mine in half an hour on the internet." If they are happy with that, then good luck to them, but for me, if I cannot prove it, it doesn't count. Family history is not about just collecting a pile of names and then trying to fit them all together like a genealogical jigsaw puzzle. You must start with what you know to be true and that is your birth certificate. On that will be the names of your parents, so, if you do not already have access to it, it shouldn't be hard to obtain their marriage certificate. From there until 1837, you can travel back fairly safely with hatched, matched and dispatched certificates from the Family Records Centre in London. Pre 1837, you have to be able to access parish registers, and this is where the going can get tough. If you are unsure of the area your forbears are from, census returns can be very helpful. In case you are planning to have a go at compiling your family tree, be aware that you could be in for a few surprises (shocks). Just because granny always seemed prim and proper to you, doesn't make it so. Pam Drake, Parish Chest. The Premier Online Family History Shop

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 26 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Make Your Own Lampshades

When redecorating your room, you may be faced with looking for new lampshades (or perhaps a lampshade you currently have has gotten damaged). So why not make your own! If your lamp currently has a lampshade on it, half of the battle is already won! You have a base to start building your new shade. When selecting a material for your new shade, you can use paper, fabrics, plastic, or any heat-resistant material. Do keep in mind though, that the surface of a 100-watt light bulb can reach over 200 degrees and could cause a fire hazard. Make sure the material you choose for a lampshade is either far enough from the light bulb, or is fire-resistant. Next, have fun! Take a trip to your local craft store or fabric store and get some ideas for your fabric or other material for your shade. Remember, the more transparent the material, the more the color of your light will change by the material. If you use a lightweight, transparent green sheer material, your finished lamp will give off a greenish glow. On the other hand, a heavy piece of velvet (or how about some thin strips of tree bark) won't allow much light through at all. Light will escape from the top or bottom of the lamp only. Keep this in mind as you plan your new lampshade. To begin making your new lampshade, you will need the measurements of the current shade. If possible, take the old shade apart by carefully cutting it along it's seams. You can then use this as a template for your new lampshade. However, don't be stifled by the old shade! You can easily create an entirely new look with a piece of rigid wire, bending it into a new shape for a new shade. In this case, making a new cover may be a little trickier, but the process is the same. Simply cover the lampshade frame with your material. For fabric you can sew the seams or glue it. The same is true for other materials. If the glue is far enough away from the light bulb, you can even use hot melt glue. The best part of making your own lampshades is that if you don't like your creation, or you redecorate your room, you can quickly and inexpensively make a new lampshade. Dean Novosat holds a degree in Scenery and Lighting Design from Frankling & Marshall College and he uses his knowledge and experience with theatrical lighting in the home. He feels the home is just a blank canvas or stage that we choose to live in! He is the webmaster of <a target="_new" href="http://www.only-lamp-shades.com">http://www.only-lamp-shades.com</a> and he enjoys using light in unique and different ways in the home.

The Surprising Popularity of Cigar Smoking

The practice of cigar smoking has been on the rise in the U.S. since the early 90's. In part due to a reputation as a glamorous alternative to cigarette smoking, the increase can also be tied to its popularity among celebrities, as well as to the social nature of its practice. But whatever the reason, it is clear that cigars are big business in the U.S. with higher sales of premium brands each and every year. Magazines like Cigar Aficionado portray cigar smoking as alluring, and perhaps slightly risqu? (particularly for women), and so the hobby strikes a cord with young Americans. Celebrities are often photographed at parties or social gatherings with a cigar in hand, and cigar lounges find regular folks trying to emulate these stars. Clubs and societies, particularly those dominated by men, often design their regular activities around the ritual of cigar smoking. In general, cigar smoking is viewed as the "civilized" alternative to cigarette smoking. Unlike cigarettes, cigars have a distinct, elegant stigma attached to them that often appeals to young people, particularly those with a higher than average income. They are most often associated with an elevated status in society, and the many of the available cigar accessories reflect that fact. One of the most prominent cigar accessories, the humidor, reflects the overall style and refined nature of cigar smoking among young Americans. More expensive humidors are hand crafted out of wood. They serve not only to protect and preserve the product within but also to display them in a tasteful and fashionable manner. Large humidors may cost many hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and are often fixtures in the homes of the wealthy. But despite their prominence among the upper class, the increased affordability and availability of quality cigars has also contributed to an overall increase in cigar smoking over recent years. Today discount cigars are readily available for purchase, often from easy-to-find online merchants, at prices well below normal. Cigar stores have increasingly moved to the Web in order to offer a wider variety of brands to any location at a fraction of the usual cost. In part because of its current glamour and in part because of its practical affordability, cigar smoking has never been hotter, trendier or more profitable in the U.S. <a target="_new" href="http://www.cigars-web.com">Cigars Info</a> provides comprehensive information on cigar smoking, Cuban cigars, discount cigars, humidors, lighters, boxes, and more. Cigars Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-humidors.com">Humidors Web</a>.

Hollywood Gets Crafty - Knitting And Crocheting Not Just For Grandma Anymore

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that the stars who shine so brightly on cinematic screens are people just like the rest of us. We often think that their lives are so much more interesting and exciting than our own and that we have little or nothing in common with the Hollywood crowd. Well, it may surprise you to know that at least some of today's hottest stars enjoy perfectly normal leisure activities that we might acquaint more readily with something your grandmother enjoys doing. I'm talking about crafts. More specifically, knitting and crocheting. These two activities are especially hot in recent years and Hollywood stars and other celebrities are certainly not immune to the lure of a relaxing evening spent with a crochet hook or knitting needles and a skein of yarn or two. Indeed, some stars seem to be particularly captivated ? some might even say addicted --by these old-time traditional activities. Julia Roberts, for example, is now well-known as a knitting enthusiast who loves to knit sweaters and was once photographed knitting on the set of a movie she was working on. Other well-known knitters include Madonna, Sandra Bullock, Sarah Jessica Parker and Hilary Swank. Not to be left out, some well known celebrity men have decided that knitting is not just an activity for women. Tough-guy actor Russell Crowe and former NFL player Rosie Grier have made no secret of the fact that they enjoy it as well. And who didn't see the TV footage of Martha Stewart and her now-famous "Coming Home" poncho that she was wearing during her trip home to Connecticut after completion of her sentence at Alderson Federal Prison in West Virginia? The poncho was reportedly crocheted especially for Martha by one of her fellow inmates and after it appeared on TV, it seemed every knit and crochet addict in the country had to have the pattern. There was so much demand for the pattern that it crashed the server that hosts Lion Brand's web site soon after they posted a version of the pattern there. And it's not just celebrities that are knitting and crocheting in record numbers. Manufacturers of yarn and other craft supplies report that sales are way up in recent years. One of the best-known yarn manufacturers, Lion Brand, reports that their sales have doubled in the last year alone. Granted, celebrities have a lot of money, but still, I don't believe they are solely responsible for Lion Brand's recent success! It's hard to know just what may have triggered all the recent interest in these activities that have been around for so many years. Some believe that the terrible events on 9/11 have influenced people to focus more on home life and simple, more traditional activities. Others suggest that these activities are a nice contrast and welcome respite from lives that have become far too hectic in the wake of the new millennium. Enthusiasts report that knitting or crocheting can be a very relaxing activity that also provides a nice sense of accomplishment upon the completion of a project. It's also a great way to create gifts for friends of loves ones that have that personal touch ? so much more so than something purchased at the shopping mall. Some also cherish the traditional aspect of these activities and still harbor fond memories of a beloved relative that took the time to pass along a skill that has endured through countless generations. A skill that they intend to pass down to their children as well. Whatever the motivation, there's no question that these traditional activities are experiencing a revival of sorts. There are many possible explanations, however I suspect that speculation and statistics don't interest these enthusiasts as keenly as their plan for the next project they intend to tackle just as soon as the finishing touches have been applied to the current project. Randae Radford is webmaster for <a target="_new" href="http://www.learn-crochet-now.com">Learn Crochet Now,</a> a producer of quality instructional videos that teach crochet.

Embroidery Sewing Quality of Machine Embroidery Designs

วันเสาร์ที่ 25 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Scrapbooking Childrens Favorite Stories

Countless memories are built during the formative childhood days. If there's an excellent means to record them down in some ways, it'll be scrapbooking. True, we can't possibly capture every single event, but we can definitely scrap those more memorable ones onto pages. If you've decided to scrapbook together with your kid, besides guiding them with little prompts on the journaling, you'll probably need some neat ideas to pull in those best memories. Here's various hot-selling "stories" that you and your child can scrapbook about: A) Story of the Birth of Baby Kids love to read stories about themselves as babies. Having pages surrounding your child's birth will make him or her feel how much he or she is wanted by the family. - Photo of mommy pregnant with the baby. - Who waited for the birth? - Who came for the hospital visit? - Weight, length, doctor, hospital details. - Feelings of parents about the birth of your child. - Funny stories that happened. - Documenting baby milestones. - What's your kid's favorite bedtime stories? - Photo of your kid's favorite toys. As there's a chance that there's no photos taken during the birth, a good alternative would be to do a page on significant or historical events that happened on the day or year of your kid's birth. How to source for such information? Visit www.dmarie.com/timecap to pick up such data. Another idea is for your kid to do a page on his or her name and birthday. Record down your kid's feelings about his or her name. Why did you and your husband come up with such a name? What's the meaning of the name? Find out what famous people share your kid's name. Find out what famous birthdays share your kid's birthday. What's the best birthday party your child had? B) Story of Family Family members are among the most influential people that influence a child during the growing years. Having your child scrapbook about the family will reinforce the importance of family connectedness in his or her life. - What does your child like about each family member? - Does your girl or boy like being part of the family? Why? - Does your kid like being the first-born, middle-born, in-between or baby of the family? - What does your child like about his or her grandparents? - What are the family chores that your kid handle? - Does your kid have a favorite pet? What does your child like about the pet? Get your kid to draw a picture of the pet. - Funny incidents that took place in the family. - Typical day at home. What's the daily activities that take place? - List of fun things your kid did with the family like sporting events, camping, and picnics. - Favorite family vacations. Where did you go and what did your kid do? - What's your kid's most memorable memories about the family? - Record the cultural heritage of the family. - Suggest that your kid draw a family portrait. C) Story of School Days School is where the child will improve his or her fine-motor, language, art, math, problem-solving, expanding ideas and social skills. Many unforgettable memories will be formed here and your child would want to scrap these days. - Favorite subject at school. Why? - Favorite teacher. What does your kid like about this teacher? - Describe a typical day at school. - Describe the items in your kid's backpack. Photo of those items. - What does your kid like about his or her school? - Where does he or she usually hang out? - List of fun things your kid do with his or her classmates. - What extracurricular activities or clubs do you kid join? Since this is a personal choice, why did he or she choose it? - Who does your kid usually sit with at lunch? - Who are your kid's favorite classmates? What do your child like about them? - What are the memorable field trips? D) Story of Friends Friends are crucial in the development of a kid's growth. By scrapbooking the theme of friendship, he or she will learn the importance of friends, and to dwell on the positive aspects of friendship. - Who are your kid's best friends? - What do your kid like about them? - What do your kids usually do when they are together? - Where are the places your kid love to hang out with them? Why? - What are the qualities your kid admire in his or her friends? E) Story of Dreams Children has the amazing ability to daydream, imagine and dream big! You might want to encourage your kid to explore all the different possibilities. You'll probably have to give more guidance about journaling future jobs, things they want to achieve, homes and the lifestyle they want to lead. - What does like your kid want to become when he or she grows up? Why? - What are the duties included in the job? - Who are the famous/ordinary people with the career your kid admires? Photo of these people? - What are the qualities of the people with the career your kid dream of? - What kind of home your kid want to live in the future? Draw a picture of the dream house. - Does your kid want to be married in future? How many kids your child want to have? What are the qualities your kid look for in his or her partner? - List of top ten things your kid wanted most to do in his or her life. - What does kids imagine he or she will be doing during free time? - If your kid can have superpower, what does your kid want it to be? Why? - If money is no object, what would you child want to do with the money. Why? These are some of the common themes you and your kid can cover. There's many more. But these ideas will be a leaping pad to more ideas. Happy scrapping childhood stories! About the author: Fion Lim is the creator of <a target="_new" href="http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com">Everything-About-Scrapbooking.com</a> - Learning about scrapbooking? Here's your guide to beginner scrapbooking. Find tips, ideas, inspirations, articles, and resources to free quotes, poems and fonts right here. Feel free to use the this article provided it is published in its entirety, with the resource box and a "live" clickable link to: <a target="_new" href="http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com">http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com</a>

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. Even kids would want to get into the picture. Giving gifts to their friends and loved ones. Now what gifts can kids give that do not look tacky? I mean, kids generally do not have much income. It kind of breaks a mom's heart to see a kid break his or her piggy bank just to buy a gift for someone who might not really appreciate it. A better alternative is to get kids to make something cute to give as gifts to those who matter to them. One thing that comes to mind is a pet rock. Those cute little pebbles with faces, which one could get quite fond of. These are easy to make, and they are practical as well. Pet rocks make great paper weights. Add a secret message below and you have an adorable, personal gift a kid could make, without breaking the bank. All the kid has to do is to collect some smooth pebbles, each around the size of his or her palm. Mom can supply the felt, glue, cardboard and pens. Kids just spend their free time making gifts they can give out on Christmas day. The glue must be able to stick the felt to the stone. To avoid disappointment, test first by sticking a small piece of felt to a stone that you do not want. Stick another small piece of felt on top of it. Let it dry. If the felt pieces stay stuck to each other and to the stone, you are all set to go. How To Make Pebble Pets 1. Wash and clean the pebbles. Let these dry. Take 1 dry pebble to begin with. 2. You need white, black, brown, pink, and red felt, and a light colored felt to write the message. 3. Cut 2 ovals from the white felts to be the white of the pebble's eyes. Cut 2 smaller circles out of brown, blue or green felt to be the irises of the eye. Cut to even smaller circles out of the black felt to be the pupils of the eye. 4. Glue the 2 white ovals towards the end of the pebble, where the eyes should be. Remember to leave some room for the nose and mouth. Glue the irises to the white of the eyes and the pupils to the irises. 5. Cut out a small triangle out of pink or brown felt to be the nose. Glue it right at the center, beneath the eyes, where the nose should be. 6. Cut out a small crescent out of pink or red felt to be a happy smile. Glue it below the nose, where the mouth should be. Let the pebble pet dry. 7. Cut a piece of light colored felt slightly smaller than the pebble. Write a secret message on the felt. Glue the felt under the pebble with the message facing outwards. That way, whoever gets that pebble can turn it over and read the secret message beneath it. Kids love secret messages. This should appeal to them. Once you and your kid have made the first pebble pet together, your kid should be able to make the rest of the pebble pets he or she can give away on Christmas day. Here is another a tip about Christmas gifts. Every year, you and your kids would get gifts you do not like and spend money on gifts for your loved ones which they do not really like either. Everyone wastes money that way. A smarter way is to be more upfront. Go to <a target="_new" href="http://www.christmas-giftshop.com/what_do_you_want_for_christmas.htm">What Do You Want For Christmas</a> and search for the things you and your kids really want. Then add what you want to your personal registry by clicking on the pink add to my giftlist button right below the gift. Get that registry to email your choices to those who give you gifts each Christmas and ask them to return the favor by adding what they like to their registry. Everyone gives and gets gifts that will really be appreciated. No money is wasted that way. The writer is the webmaster of <a target="_new" href="http://www.christmas-giftshop.com/">Christmas Giftshop</a> which helps you with your Christmas preparations and with gift shopping.

Easy Steps to Scrapbooking with Young Kids

Kids grow up so fast and if you don't try to capture some of these wonderful memories through some means, they'll all slip through the fingers just in a snap. And scrapbooking is a fabulous way to preserving those memories, by combining the photos and journaling of your kids. As parents, scrapbook pages of your adorable boy or girl probably fill up many pages. But these are stories told from your perspective. How about including your child's perspective into those pages as well? Children have many stories to tell and share and through the shared scrapbooking experiences, he or she will have a mean of documenting those wonderful stories that impacted his or her life. Try scrapbooking not only about your kid, but together with your kid. As in combined forces and powers of mommy and kid. Your child's views will certainly add a heart-rending air of innocence and specialness to those pages. Not forgetting that scrapping together with your kid is an excellent hobby to bring the two of your even closer. And you'll become a tirelessly cheerleader and supporter, to encourage your child to grow his or her art and language skills. Scrapbooking also enhances the worth and sense of uniqueness in your kid. If your kid is still very young and hasn't mastered the art of doing a basic layout, you can always do the layout while your child dictates the journaling portion. Consider pointing out a few layouts options and let your kid do the selection. The ideas your child has of how the page should look might take you by surprise! Journaling is important even if it's just a few keywords or short sentences. This can be a fun session with your child. The creative answers generated from the little brain of your boy or girl are what make these pages special. By supporting your kid in expressing his or her own choices and thoughts, it's a great way to inspire farther creativity in your child to want to do more scrapbook pages. You can choose a topic and then present it to your kid. "Bobby, would you like to do a page on your favorite toys?". "Jeannie, would you like to do a page on your trip to Paige's birthday party at the McDonald's?" If your child is excited about the topic, then use a series of about five to ten prompts to get your child's answers to them. Your boy's or girl's answers would then go into the journaling boxes of your page. If possible, it's a good idea to get your child to write out the answers in his or her handwriting. Then another piece of your child's uniqueness would be retained on the pages. The basic idea is for you to help your child scrapbooks the page, but the words would have to come from your kid. This would not only put your child's originality into the page, but would let others glimpse into your child's own perspective on the event or topic. Many times, you'll realize that though the two of you experienced the same event, but would form vastly different impressions of the same experience. You may be touched by the loads of affection exchanged between your daughter and her best friend. But it's how she finally had the chance to order her first Oreo cookies ice-cream cone, which left the sweetest memory on her mind that day. Having your child's stories on the pages will reinforce the self-esteem in your child. How? Your child will begin to understand that what he or she has to say means something. There are some general prompts that you can ask your kids to guide them in weaving their stories: - What are your favorite ....? - Why do you like about ... the best? - What do you like to do with it? - What is so special about ... ? - What would you like to do when you ...? - Can you describe .... and what do you know about it? - What are your likes about ... ? - What are your dislikes about ... ? - What have you learned from ... ? - What have you learned about ... ? - What do you admire about ... ? - What makes a good ... ? - What's the funniest thing that happened on ... ? - Where and how did you meet ... ? - What do you do when you meet ... ? - What do you talk about when you are with ... ? - Can you draw a picture on ... ? By combining efforts with your kid, and with little prompts, meaningful scrapbook pages can be achieved. In this way, you can capture the early growing phases of your child on those pages forever. And these scrapbook pages are bound to light up your kid's and your faces over the years. "Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different." - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Happy scrapping with your kid! About The Author Fion Lim is the creator of <a target="_new" href="http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com"> Everything-About-Scrapbooking.com</a> - Learning about scrapbooking? Here's your guide to beginner scrapbooking. Find tips, ideas, inspirations, articles, and resources to free quotes, poems and fonts right here. Feel free to use the this article provided it is published in its entirety, with the resource box and a "live" clickable link to: <a target="_new" href="http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com">http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com</a>

วันศุกร์ที่ 24 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

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Need A Scrapbook Journaling Idea?

Try using song lyrics in your next layout. Song lyrics can be a great source of title and page inspiration for a scraper. Music and songs play an important part in our lives. Hearing a song again can evoke a lot of emotion, bringing back fond memories of special times, special people and special places. Of course, different songs mean different things to different people - but you can use songs to 'tap' into those memories to create unique, and highly personal scrapbook pages. How do you use lyrics on your pages? Well, here's a scrapbook journaling idea for you to try using a wedding layout as an example. If the bride and groom have their own 'special song' then you use that to add a personal touch. If not don't worry find another suitable song instead, there are lots of song lyric web sites on the internet that you can browse. Pick a section from your chosen song for example, the first verse of "A Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins and journal the lyrics around the edges of your page. Then embellish your border with some appropriate wedding stickers, die-cuts or punches. Tie it all neatly together, by using the title of the chosen song as the accent title for your layout. What about a friendship page? You could use some of the lyrics from "You've Got a Friend" by Carole King, maybe decorate your border with musical notes. Doing a page about someone's birthday? You could journal the words from "Happy Birthday" and embellish the border with cakes, candles or other birthday memorabilia. Don't limit yourself to just a section of a song, use all of it if you want to. Write or print out the complete song lyrics onto some nice paper and add it to your page. If you don't have the room left on your album page make a pocket envelope to put your song sheet into. You can apply this scrapbook journaling idea to any kind of page theme, not just the ones listed here as examples. There have been tens of thousands of songs published over the years covering all sorts of subjects ? the possibilities for the resourceful scraper are endless. Just make sure that the song title or lyric you are going to use is suitable for the theme of your layout and you'll soon add a quick, simple and memorable piece of journaling to your page. About The Author Elaine Clay is the owner of <a href="http://Online-Scrapbooking-Guide.com" target="_new">Online-Scrapbooking-Guide.com</a> - your one-stop online scrapbooking resource. Find inspiration, increase your creativity and have fun with our helpful tips, ideas, articles and much more. - Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in it's entirety, including my resource box above and a "live" clickable link to: <a href="http://www.online-scrapbooking-guide.com" target="_new">http://www.online-scrapbooking-guide.com</a>

Craft Crocheting from Your Home

Crocheting is not only a craft but an art. Once you master the basic stitches you will be well on your way to creating masterpieces you will be pride to share with your family and friends. Anyone can learn to crochet as long as they put their mind to it. Before you run out and buy your crocheting supplies decide what you want to crochet first. According to the item you choose, you will need different size needles and yarn weight. All this information is with the patterns and you will see just how easy it is to achieve your goal of crocheting your first work of art. You will be crocheting from toys to sweaters in no time. There are so many different items you can crochet. There are snowflakes for the Christmas tree, sweaters for your best friend, and house slippers for every member of your family. You can even learn to crochet baby bibs, blankets, and outfits. No matter what you choose to crochet you will find everything you need on the Internet! No need to leave the house. Some websites provides you all the supplies for crocheting and knitting with just a click of your mouse. You will need crochet hooks, yarn, and sometimes needles. The crochet hooks come in several different sizes. The yarn is in different weights and you can find them all right by shopping online. So, when you need to buy your crocheting supplies, come at Crochet Resources first. Save yourself some time and money by shopping online. pierrebenoit is an Affiliate Marketer and a Webmaster: <a target="_new" href="http://crochet-resources.cyber-boutik.com">http://crochet-resources.cyber-boutik.com</a> provides a selection of crochet information, news, supplies and resources and <a target="_new" href="http://crochet-patterns.cyber-catalog.com">http://crochet-patterns.cyber-catalog.com</a> presents a selection of crochet patterns for every occasion

handmade

วันศุกร์ที่ 31 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

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วันจันทร์ที่ 27 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

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