In years past a patio was sort of a throw on to a home. It was typically a concrete slab to keep your feet clean on your way in or out. Then you'd plunk down a couple of chairs and a table and enjoy your patio when the sun went down. More recently, covered patios have become very popular. Adding a patio or "outdoor living area" to your home is both a great investment and a relaxing extension of your homes interior that you can enjoy all day and all yearlong. You might want to consider the following features.
1 Add an outdoor kitchen to your patio for easy entertaining. When planning your kitchen think about storage, clean up and prep areas. You can buy pre-made outdoor grills with these features or build your own custom kitchen.
2 Patio furnishings can be quite luxurious because they're protected from the elements. Think outdoor living room with comfortable chairs, lounges, couches and plants all around.
3 If you have a spacious patio you might add a home spa. You can make this a focal point of the patio with container garden landscaping, intimate lighting, tiki torches or candles. Itâ??s sure to be a feature you'll use year round.
4 Patio Heaters. There is a fairly extensive line of patio heaters available that allow you to enjoy your patio even on cold days. You might also consider an outdoor fireplace, or fire pit to heat your patio on the coldest of days.
5 Patio Misters are a wonderful addition if you live in a climate where summers can be unbearable. You'll keep your guests comfortable on even the hottest days.
6 Patios for children. If you have children you should think about a child friendly area. You can provide storage for outdoor games, pool and sprinkler fun, as well as keep towels and a change of clothes or shoes handy.
When planning your new patio addition consider your hobbies, family life style, and entertaining habits. Have fun with your patio design and make it your own!
For more information on patio design see www.patioportal.com You'll also find great buys on patio furniture, umbrellas, hammocks, grills and more!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Over The Counter Acne Treatments – Do They Work?
Over the counter, sometimes referred to as otc for short, products are starting to become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medication in the treatment of acne. These products are readily available as you don't need a prescription from your doctor to buy them and for people with mild to moderate forms of acne the best over the counter treatments will be just as effective as the more expensive prescribed ones.
Besides being cheaper, these products often have little, or no side effects, in comparison to some of the highly publicised prescribed antibiotic drugs used by doctors.
Although there are lots of over the counter acne products on sale, really there are only two kinds of treatments available - either medicated or natural. Both types utilise basically the same technique by using a drying agent to exfoliate the skin and to combat the acne and pimples.
Usually, in the case of a medicated product, this is either benzoyl peroxide, salycic acid or glycolic acid. Natural products tend to use combinations of ingredients and plant extracts like vitamin E, tea tree oil, aloe vera, witch hazel, green tea extract, cucumber etc.
There seems to be a growing number of different treatments but usually over the counter products come in the form of topical cleansers, soaps, washes, lotions, creams, gels or even pads and patches that are applied onto the skin.
When using these kind of preparations it is important, that you cover all of the area where you have acne because then you will also be treating the hidden blemishes that you can’t yet see as well as the acne breakouts that you can.
Expect some trials and errors as you experiment with the different treatments available, it may take you a while before you find the right type or combination of products that work for you. Whatever you do, don’t use more than one treatment at a time, particularly with medicated products, discontinue one before you try out another.
When you are trying a new product give it enough time to start working before discarding it to try something else. Typically you may need to use it for six to eight weeks before you notice any real progress but, of course, this depends upon the severity of your acne and your skin type, some people see improvements after only a few weeks.
After you have found the perfect skin care products that suit you and are providing good results, you may find that you will need to continue your treatments to keep your acne in check. This is because acne is a chronic (meaning long-term) skin disorder and it is possible that once you stop using your treatments the acne could reoccur.
To get the best out of any over the counter acne products you need to use them consistently and correctly. This may be common sense but do read the labels and make sure you use them in line with the instructions given! If you don’t you risk causing damage to your skin and doing more harm than good, this is especially true if you have sensitive skin.
The over the counter products that are available, whether medicated or natural, do successfully treat most forms of acne. Unfortunately, there are always exceptions to the rule and there are some types of acne that will not respond to these type of treatments. If this happens to you and nothing you try is helping your condition then seek the help of your doctor or dermatologist.
Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne Treatments Online.com :: Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally - 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: http://www.acne-treatments-online.com
Besides being cheaper, these products often have little, or no side effects, in comparison to some of the highly publicised prescribed antibiotic drugs used by doctors.
Although there are lots of over the counter acne products on sale, really there are only two kinds of treatments available - either medicated or natural. Both types utilise basically the same technique by using a drying agent to exfoliate the skin and to combat the acne and pimples.
Usually, in the case of a medicated product, this is either benzoyl peroxide, salycic acid or glycolic acid. Natural products tend to use combinations of ingredients and plant extracts like vitamin E, tea tree oil, aloe vera, witch hazel, green tea extract, cucumber etc.
There seems to be a growing number of different treatments but usually over the counter products come in the form of topical cleansers, soaps, washes, lotions, creams, gels or even pads and patches that are applied onto the skin.
When using these kind of preparations it is important, that you cover all of the area where you have acne because then you will also be treating the hidden blemishes that you can’t yet see as well as the acne breakouts that you can.
Expect some trials and errors as you experiment with the different treatments available, it may take you a while before you find the right type or combination of products that work for you. Whatever you do, don’t use more than one treatment at a time, particularly with medicated products, discontinue one before you try out another.
When you are trying a new product give it enough time to start working before discarding it to try something else. Typically you may need to use it for six to eight weeks before you notice any real progress but, of course, this depends upon the severity of your acne and your skin type, some people see improvements after only a few weeks.
After you have found the perfect skin care products that suit you and are providing good results, you may find that you will need to continue your treatments to keep your acne in check. This is because acne is a chronic (meaning long-term) skin disorder and it is possible that once you stop using your treatments the acne could reoccur.
To get the best out of any over the counter acne products you need to use them consistently and correctly. This may be common sense but do read the labels and make sure you use them in line with the instructions given! If you don’t you risk causing damage to your skin and doing more harm than good, this is especially true if you have sensitive skin.
The over the counter products that are available, whether medicated or natural, do successfully treat most forms of acne. Unfortunately, there are always exceptions to the rule and there are some types of acne that will not respond to these type of treatments. If this happens to you and nothing you try is helping your condition then seek the help of your doctor or dermatologist.
Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne Treatments Online.com :: Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally - 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: http://www.acne-treatments-online.com
Online Hobby Store
Is an online hobby store a good idea? I asked myself the same question. What could an online hobby store offer potential customers? If someone was pursuing a hobby, they might rather go to a physical location so they could test out the equipment before they buy it, rather than purchasing it online, and then finding out it is not exactly what they wanted. I do not think that is the case however. An online hobby store can provide a hub of information for a particular hobby to let an online shopper or user know the details and find all of the information they want about a particular hobby. At a physical location, they could also talk to people in person about their particular hobby or area of interest. An online store can offer the same possibilities, however, with online forums or chat rooms where hobbyists can share information and meet people who share their interests.
With all of that in mind I decided to start an online hobby store. It is called Variety Access. I gave it this name, because I wanted a store that offered a variety of goods and services, or a variety of www.VarietyAccess.com>hobbies and the products needed to pursue those hobbies. One of my favorite quotes is, “Variety is the spice of life.†That quote makes sense to me. Would someone not be happier if they fill their life with a variety of the things that they love or enjoy? Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing, so it might be nice to have a variety of good things that you can turn to if you have too much of one. Sometimes, something in some area of your life can unavoidably go wrong, so it is nice to have a variety of other things to fall back on.
I called my store “Variety ‘Access,’†because it is an www.VarietyAccess.com>online hobby store, and I wanted the variety of goods to be accessible for people. It seemed like a practical name. I wanted to make it possible for people to easily be able to access a variety of things that will make their lives better, that will make them happier, and that will help them. I think a hobby new hobby can always help people. Some people just need something better to do, some activity that interests them that they can pursue. People need something to work for. They need a reason and a purpose in their life. I am not saying that a hobby should be a purpose for living, but it CAN add to the over all quality of life. Perhaps you have a purpose to develop good relationships with family and friends. Hobbies that you share with them are an excellent way to do that.
Every www.VarietyAccess.com>hobby can be interesting if you look into it deep enough. If you have a friend or child or relative with a hobby that you do not particularly enjoy, perhaps you could do some research on that hobby? Look into it, and give it a try. I can guarantee they will be excited about it, that you are not only taking an interest in their hobby, but taking an interest in them. If you really put that much effort into it, anybody would be happy about the interest given to them and their hobby.
Many hobbies can be easy to learn or pick up on. You might start a new hobby of going biking. That is an easy hobby that most people can already do. It can be a hobby that is not just something that you enjoy, but also keeps you healthy, which will also make you feel good. It is something you can do with other people. It is something you can do outside of the house, if you do not feel that you get out enough to see the mountains and parks or whatever you would like to see. There are as many hobbies as there are ideas. So find one today and improve your quality of life.
Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access – Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com.
With all of that in mind I decided to start an online hobby store. It is called Variety Access. I gave it this name, because I wanted a store that offered a variety of goods and services, or a variety of www.VarietyAccess.com>hobbies and the products needed to pursue those hobbies. One of my favorite quotes is, “Variety is the spice of life.†That quote makes sense to me. Would someone not be happier if they fill their life with a variety of the things that they love or enjoy? Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing, so it might be nice to have a variety of good things that you can turn to if you have too much of one. Sometimes, something in some area of your life can unavoidably go wrong, so it is nice to have a variety of other things to fall back on.
I called my store “Variety ‘Access,’†because it is an www.VarietyAccess.com>online hobby store, and I wanted the variety of goods to be accessible for people. It seemed like a practical name. I wanted to make it possible for people to easily be able to access a variety of things that will make their lives better, that will make them happier, and that will help them. I think a hobby new hobby can always help people. Some people just need something better to do, some activity that interests them that they can pursue. People need something to work for. They need a reason and a purpose in their life. I am not saying that a hobby should be a purpose for living, but it CAN add to the over all quality of life. Perhaps you have a purpose to develop good relationships with family and friends. Hobbies that you share with them are an excellent way to do that.
Every www.VarietyAccess.com>hobby can be interesting if you look into it deep enough. If you have a friend or child or relative with a hobby that you do not particularly enjoy, perhaps you could do some research on that hobby? Look into it, and give it a try. I can guarantee they will be excited about it, that you are not only taking an interest in their hobby, but taking an interest in them. If you really put that much effort into it, anybody would be happy about the interest given to them and their hobby.
Many hobbies can be easy to learn or pick up on. You might start a new hobby of going biking. That is an easy hobby that most people can already do. It can be a hobby that is not just something that you enjoy, but also keeps you healthy, which will also make you feel good. It is something you can do with other people. It is something you can do outside of the house, if you do not feel that you get out enough to see the mountains and parks or whatever you would like to see. There are as many hobbies as there are ideas. So find one today and improve your quality of life.
Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access – Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com.
Online Garden Seed Exchanges
If you've been gardening for any length of time you have probably realized a couple of things.
1 Gardening can be quite expensive 2 Finding the plants you really want can be a daunting task.
If you're anything like me, you enjoy making changes to your gardens on pretty much a yearly basis. I call this "puttering". I'm always adding, moving, and redesigning. After all, what good is puttering in the garden if there's little to do? While this is good therapy and for many like myself the ultimate form of relaxation mixed with exercise, it can cost a bundle!
I'll remove a section of garden with a brilliant new garden design in mind and head off to the local garden stores, only to find they have nothing I wanted. In the past I've settled for what was to be had, only to find myself not happy with it next year and the "puttering" begins again.
Then I discovered.. ONLINE SEED EXCHANGES!!!!!
Online seed exchanges are simple online forums where gardeners can post notices of excess seed they have and are willing to exchange for what you have. You can also post requests for seed youÃ????d like. This is a remarkable service! It costs you nothing but a few cents postage to find the garden seed youÃ????ve been looking for and to share your seed with other gardeners. I'm always thrilled to acquire seed in late fall and propagate them in winter so they're ready for next springs puttering season.
Here's are some of the best online seed exchanges.
The Garden Web Seed Exchange http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/exseed/
Emily Compost Seed Exchange http://www.emilycompost.com/seed_exchange.htm
The Garden Helper Seed Exchange http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/forum/8.html
Happy puttering!
For more information on growing bulbs and seeds see http://www.bulbandseed.com
1 Gardening can be quite expensive 2 Finding the plants you really want can be a daunting task.
If you're anything like me, you enjoy making changes to your gardens on pretty much a yearly basis. I call this "puttering". I'm always adding, moving, and redesigning. After all, what good is puttering in the garden if there's little to do? While this is good therapy and for many like myself the ultimate form of relaxation mixed with exercise, it can cost a bundle!
I'll remove a section of garden with a brilliant new garden design in mind and head off to the local garden stores, only to find they have nothing I wanted. In the past I've settled for what was to be had, only to find myself not happy with it next year and the "puttering" begins again.
Then I discovered.. ONLINE SEED EXCHANGES!!!!!
Online seed exchanges are simple online forums where gardeners can post notices of excess seed they have and are willing to exchange for what you have. You can also post requests for seed youÃ????d like. This is a remarkable service! It costs you nothing but a few cents postage to find the garden seed youÃ????ve been looking for and to share your seed with other gardeners. I'm always thrilled to acquire seed in late fall and propagate them in winter so they're ready for next springs puttering season.
Here's are some of the best online seed exchanges.
The Garden Web Seed Exchange http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/exseed/
Emily Compost Seed Exchange http://www.emilycompost.com/seed_exchange.htm
The Garden Helper Seed Exchange http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/forum/8.html
Happy puttering!
For more information on growing bulbs and seeds see http://www.bulbandseed.com
Online Casino Bonuses - reading the fine print
Almost every ad for an online casino screams with an offer of some kind of "free bonus money". Probably followed by a "click here now!". While many of them are enticing, not enough of them are explained properly. As a player it's too easy at cash-out time to find that you've accidentally violated the terms and conditions of the bonus. And now there are problems.
The easy way around that scenerio is to read. Read the fine print in the Terms and Conditions of the promotion before you make a deposit at the casino.
In the T&C you will find several things. One is a wagering requirement. No casino just gives you money you can walk away with. They all require players to wager bonus money a certain amount of times before withdrawing it. The amount of times varies greatly from casino to casino, so a little bit of shopping might be in order before you make a deposit at a casino.
Another thing you'll find is a list of excluded games. On several casino games it is possible to make no-risk wagers. Well placed bets on a roulette table, for example, allow a player to wager thousands of dollars on a spin, without ever risking a dime. Because of situations like this, casinos began listing games that would not count towards the wagering requirement. Now that list has expanded to often include games like Video Poker and Blackjack as well. If your favorite game is on the excluded games list, perhaps it is best to pass on the bonus, or even that casino.
Also be aware that sometimes the casino will simply not count play on an "excluded game" towards your wagering requirement. Other times play on an excluded game will VOID your bonus, and that could be a very unpleasant surprise.
Sometimes casinos have a time requirement built into the terms. Many casinos only offer a bonus if players make a deposit within 72 hours of opening an account. That means if you open an account Tuesday afternoon, but do not deposit until Friday night, you've lost your claim to a bonus.
Withdrawal clauses are also very important. While most casinos allow you to withdraw any bonus you've earned, some do not. These bonuses are known as sticky bonuses, and always remain in your player account at the casino. You can use them to wager with, and you can keep any winnings they produce, but the bonus itself remains in your account until it is lost completely.
Here's an example of a sticky bonus in action. I deposit $100, and it is matched with a sticky bonus of $100. So I take $200 to the slots. If I spend $125 in the slots, now I can no longer cash out. I can only wager the last $75 hoping to win. Suppose on my last dollar I hit big on the slots, and win $10,000. Now I can cash out $9,900. The bonus is the last $100 in my account, and it stays there until I lose it.
Every casino has it's own set of rules regarding their bonuses. Before you deposit anywhere, please read over their rules paying attention to the clauses I've mentioned. This way you'll have a good idea of what they are offering exactly, and whether that offer is really for you.
the article compliments of http://www.best-online-casino-guide.net
The easy way around that scenerio is to read. Read the fine print in the Terms and Conditions of the promotion before you make a deposit at the casino.
In the T&C you will find several things. One is a wagering requirement. No casino just gives you money you can walk away with. They all require players to wager bonus money a certain amount of times before withdrawing it. The amount of times varies greatly from casino to casino, so a little bit of shopping might be in order before you make a deposit at a casino.
Another thing you'll find is a list of excluded games. On several casino games it is possible to make no-risk wagers. Well placed bets on a roulette table, for example, allow a player to wager thousands of dollars on a spin, without ever risking a dime. Because of situations like this, casinos began listing games that would not count towards the wagering requirement. Now that list has expanded to often include games like Video Poker and Blackjack as well. If your favorite game is on the excluded games list, perhaps it is best to pass on the bonus, or even that casino.
Also be aware that sometimes the casino will simply not count play on an "excluded game" towards your wagering requirement. Other times play on an excluded game will VOID your bonus, and that could be a very unpleasant surprise.
Sometimes casinos have a time requirement built into the terms. Many casinos only offer a bonus if players make a deposit within 72 hours of opening an account. That means if you open an account Tuesday afternoon, but do not deposit until Friday night, you've lost your claim to a bonus.
Withdrawal clauses are also very important. While most casinos allow you to withdraw any bonus you've earned, some do not. These bonuses are known as sticky bonuses, and always remain in your player account at the casino. You can use them to wager with, and you can keep any winnings they produce, but the bonus itself remains in your account until it is lost completely.
Here's an example of a sticky bonus in action. I deposit $100, and it is matched with a sticky bonus of $100. So I take $200 to the slots. If I spend $125 in the slots, now I can no longer cash out. I can only wager the last $75 hoping to win. Suppose on my last dollar I hit big on the slots, and win $10,000. Now I can cash out $9,900. The bonus is the last $100 in my account, and it stays there until I lose it.
Every casino has it's own set of rules regarding their bonuses. Before you deposit anywhere, please read over their rules paying attention to the clauses I've mentioned. This way you'll have a good idea of what they are offering exactly, and whether that offer is really for you.
the article compliments of http://www.best-online-casino-guide.net
Nostalgia & Tips and things ....
Mrs Lewis of Wiltshire used her old tights (legs only) for crocheting bath mats, and, whilst the crocheting bug was still with her, used up the rest of her old tights by treating the dog to a new cover for the inside of its basket. As she says - "it is simple to wash and quick to dry". She crochets these circles along the same lines as we used to make shoulder handbags. Do you remember them ladies? We used to crochet two matching circles plus a long narrow strip and then join the circles to the strip and hey presto! a bag which was very fashionable at the time . . . And as everything comes round in circles, they will no doubt one day be fashionable again. Come to think of it, the same bag created out of old tights/stockings would make a very useful 'peg bag', one which you could sling over your shoulder and so leave the hands free for hanging out the washing.
Crocheting
As soon as Mrs L mentioned 'crocheting with fabric', my mind immediately flipped back to my childhood. I can remember my friends' mothers and also grandmothers sitting together, chatting, and at the same time pushing strips of old woollen cloth into a sacking backing (with a special metal dibber) and then pulling the same strip towards them. The result was a closely woven 'shag style' rug with an approx. 2" pile, often of a beautiful and intricate design. Of course, the children weren't allowed to be idle and they were roped in to cut up old woollen coats, skirts, etc. into 4" x l" strips. Most families were content with the making of just a fireside rug which could be taken up, thrown over the washing line and given its once-a-week beating, but my friend's mother had ambition and the whole family (including the six children) spent the winter evenings making a rug which when completed filled the whole of the living room. (I think she must have been the Mrs Bouquet of her day). This was the first time that I had seen a fitted carpet and Oh! what bliss! as we rolled around on it. Not very hygienic of course with six children, two dogs, cats and friends playing on it, and as it was too heavy for its weekly 'lift' and was therefore only moved for its 'once-a-year' spring clean, it probably had a few more additions to the family, living and growing in it. Well, we didn't have vacuum cleaners, health visitors, etc, but didn't we have fun? It was such a change from the usual cold lino with just the obligatory rug in front of the fire and often that was made of hard coconut matting, which was not exactly child friendly. (You didn't have to play outside to get a grazed knee you could get it by playing inside on the coconut matting.) Perhaps that is why most of the games were played at the family table, as the cold lino was not the place to play during the cold winter evenings. Isn't it funny how times have changed? Now, the focal point of any living/family room is the TV and, then, the large family table dominated the room. In fact, it was often half the size of the living room as it had to accommodate large families (several of my friends had six or eight siblings) and of course they all sat down together for meals
Living rooms
Note that I have mentioned 'living rooms' - the word 'lounge' had not yet arrived in the family vocabulary. Lounges as far as our young ears could determine were rather dubious places in pubs and hotels, places where good girls didn't frequent. Isn't it funny also how actual words come in and go out of fashion. I think lounge has done the complete circle now. The working class front room/sitting room became the estate agents' upmarket 'spacious lounge' and now the word 'lounge' is considered a 'no, no' and we are back to the estate agents' 'large, airy living room/sitting room', etc. And, can you remember when 'sofas' suddenly went upmarket and became 'settees', and now 'settee' is downmarket and it's back to 'sofa'? Which reminds me - last week I mentioned the word 'anorak' to my grandchildren, and they looked at me blankly and asked 'what's an anorak?' I wonder if the pre-anorak word 'windcheater' will make a comeback. Hope so, it was such an apt name and we could certainly do with a 'wind cheater' at the moment!
All these memories from just one tip. Hope the above has evoked happy childhood memories for you also, but unfortunately all these meanderings means that I am out of space ..... but, watch this space and join me for the rest of the tips .... Unless, of course, you've been encouraged to start making a rug or two?
Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times (HTTP://WWW.MABELS.ORG.UK), containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure & lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life.
Crocheting
As soon as Mrs L mentioned 'crocheting with fabric', my mind immediately flipped back to my childhood. I can remember my friends' mothers and also grandmothers sitting together, chatting, and at the same time pushing strips of old woollen cloth into a sacking backing (with a special metal dibber) and then pulling the same strip towards them. The result was a closely woven 'shag style' rug with an approx. 2" pile, often of a beautiful and intricate design. Of course, the children weren't allowed to be idle and they were roped in to cut up old woollen coats, skirts, etc. into 4" x l" strips. Most families were content with the making of just a fireside rug which could be taken up, thrown over the washing line and given its once-a-week beating, but my friend's mother had ambition and the whole family (including the six children) spent the winter evenings making a rug which when completed filled the whole of the living room. (I think she must have been the Mrs Bouquet of her day). This was the first time that I had seen a fitted carpet and Oh! what bliss! as we rolled around on it. Not very hygienic of course with six children, two dogs, cats and friends playing on it, and as it was too heavy for its weekly 'lift' and was therefore only moved for its 'once-a-year' spring clean, it probably had a few more additions to the family, living and growing in it. Well, we didn't have vacuum cleaners, health visitors, etc, but didn't we have fun? It was such a change from the usual cold lino with just the obligatory rug in front of the fire and often that was made of hard coconut matting, which was not exactly child friendly. (You didn't have to play outside to get a grazed knee you could get it by playing inside on the coconut matting.) Perhaps that is why most of the games were played at the family table, as the cold lino was not the place to play during the cold winter evenings. Isn't it funny how times have changed? Now, the focal point of any living/family room is the TV and, then, the large family table dominated the room. In fact, it was often half the size of the living room as it had to accommodate large families (several of my friends had six or eight siblings) and of course they all sat down together for meals
Living rooms
Note that I have mentioned 'living rooms' - the word 'lounge' had not yet arrived in the family vocabulary. Lounges as far as our young ears could determine were rather dubious places in pubs and hotels, places where good girls didn't frequent. Isn't it funny also how actual words come in and go out of fashion. I think lounge has done the complete circle now. The working class front room/sitting room became the estate agents' upmarket 'spacious lounge' and now the word 'lounge' is considered a 'no, no' and we are back to the estate agents' 'large, airy living room/sitting room', etc. And, can you remember when 'sofas' suddenly went upmarket and became 'settees', and now 'settee' is downmarket and it's back to 'sofa'? Which reminds me - last week I mentioned the word 'anorak' to my grandchildren, and they looked at me blankly and asked 'what's an anorak?' I wonder if the pre-anorak word 'windcheater' will make a comeback. Hope so, it was such an apt name and we could certainly do with a 'wind cheater' at the moment!
All these memories from just one tip. Hope the above has evoked happy childhood memories for you also, but unfortunately all these meanderings means that I am out of space ..... but, watch this space and join me for the rest of the tips .... Unless, of course, you've been encouraged to start making a rug or two?
Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times (HTTP://WWW.MABELS.ORG.UK), containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure & lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life.
Need A Scrapbook Journaling Idea?
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elaine Clay is the owner of http://www.online-scrapbooking-guide.com :: 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: http://www.online-scrapbooking-guide.com
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elaine Clay is the owner of http://www.online-scrapbooking-guide.com :: 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: http://www.online-scrapbooking-guide.com
Mountain Croquet
Are you looking for a cheap and easy way to impress your date and to have a good time? Then get a croquet set and teach them to play. I recently taught a girl to play croquet. At first I thought that she thought I was nerd and that I was ridiculous for playing such games. I am also a cheapskate for taking her to play this cheap game or free activity rather than spending money on her, which I did not have anyway. The whole time we were playing, I thought that she thought I was dumb. I easily won our first game, the one where I taught her to play. The second game was a little different, however, after she knew what she was doing and understood the game a little more. I still could have easily beaten her, but being the gentleman that I am, I played bad on purpose and intentionally hit my ball poorly or in the wrong direction to give her a chance. I played poorly to the very end and purposely missed the last two wickets, overshooting them so that I would have to hit my ball in the reverse direction and get another shot at them. This gave her the opportunity to catch up with me and hit her ball through for the win. I just thought it would be a little more fun for her if she was not trailing me by so much and even had a chance to win it. I think in the end she did not think I was so dumb after that, and actually had a good attitude about the game. She still went out with me again, so it must have been good. We did go out to eat and watch a movie afterward, and she specifically thanked me for that, but not for playing croquet. I still think that she thought I was a nerd at the time, but later she said that she liked it just to be nice. I think that she is too nice to tell me what she really thinks. I kept prying her later, trying to get her to be honest with me and tell me that she did not like it, but she always reassured me that it was fun. The second time we played she actually wanted to play and suggested it when a family member and friend were with us and we were thinking of something to do. I had to teach her family member and friend how to play also. Now that I look back, I have decided that I was very cultured and proper to take her to play croquet and teach her how. After all, croquet is a game that cultured people play. It was played by the upper classes in the British Empire, which is how it spread throughout the world to be the popular sport that it is today. I probably came across as intelligent and gentlemanly also, the way taught her how to play and let her win. In the end we were able to play a fun game outdoors for a while, which made me look good, and it was cheap. So, if you are looking for something cheap, yet entertaining and impressive to do, then get a croquet set and learn to play. You can then impress anyone, anytime with your intelligence, poise, depth of culture, and being a gentleman or ladylike. It may seem silly now, and you may feel a little dumb or awkward at first, like I did, but I guarantee that in the end it will be OK. You can think of croquet as an End or a Means to an end.
Peter Jay is a Vice President with Yard Game Central and a manager and web administrator with PlayCroquet.com. For more information about croquet sets, visit PlayCroquet.com.
Peter Jay is a Vice President with Yard Game Central and a manager and web administrator with PlayCroquet.com. For more information about croquet sets, visit PlayCroquet.com.
Molding Leather Armor
Molding Leather Armor
In order to mould leather armor, soak it in water until it becomes pliable and soft. Then place it in the mould until it dries and hardens.
Cuir Bouilli
The application of heat will make the leather harder. If you were making a cover for a shield, for example, or other pieces of leather amour, the leather would be dipped quickly in boiling water before being moulded. This is called ‘cuir bouilli’, a process employed in making leather armor.
Using vegetable tanned leather with at least a weight of 8 ounces, soak the piece in cold water. This will ensure a uniform absorption when the leather armor is placed in the boiling water. Heat a pot of water to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, then immerse the wet leather for approximately thirty seconds to a minute, until it darkens and begins to curl.
Remove the leather from the water and stretch it around the mould you have prepared, tacking it in place. Allow for shrinkage if you are cutting the leather armor from a pattern. Of course you can water-harden a larger piece of leather, flatten it under a cutting board, and then cut out the individual pieces of leather armor you want, and then mould them to the desired shape. At this stage it will be very stretchy.
The boiling process makes the leather armor thicker and harder, with a degree of shrinkage dependent upon the leather itself and the amount of immersion time. The longer it remains in the water, the more pronounced the effects.
A twenty second immersion can result in a shrinkage of 7/8s, with a thickening of 25%, while a forty second immersion results in a 2/3rds shrinkage and a doubling of the thickness. As in any aspect of leather working, it is best to experiment with scrap pieces of leather first to get the effect you want.
Types of Moulds / Single Mould
Moulds can consist of one or more pieces. Folding the leather around the actual object for which a cover is being made, where the mould is the object, is an option when making a case for a gun, an arm guard in archery, a sheaf for a knife or eye-caps for binoculars. Use tacks to hold it in place while it dries.
A Two-piece Mould
A two-piece mould acts like two slices of bread, with the leather being the sandwich filling. In this way, leather armor shields were made. The leather armor is left in the mould until it dries.
A Three-piece Mould
A three-piece mould allows the creation of items like bags and eyeglass cases without using a gusset. The leather is sewn on three sides. Two pieces of the mould are inserted on either side of the interior of the wet leather, and then a wedge is driven between the middle. The forms are left until the leather is dried.
Tools to Use
* Wooden mould * Brass or steel tacks
Summary
* Make a mould to form the leather to the desired shape * Wet the leather * One piece mould: fit the wet leather armor over the mould * Two piece mould: sandwich the leather between the mould * Three piece mould: fit the pieces inside the leather * Leave the leather armor to dry before removing
About The Author:
Hey! Want To Know More About Leather Craft? Here's How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy Click Here ==> http://www.leathersecrets.com
In order to mould leather armor, soak it in water until it becomes pliable and soft. Then place it in the mould until it dries and hardens.
Cuir Bouilli
The application of heat will make the leather harder. If you were making a cover for a shield, for example, or other pieces of leather amour, the leather would be dipped quickly in boiling water before being moulded. This is called ‘cuir bouilli’, a process employed in making leather armor.
Using vegetable tanned leather with at least a weight of 8 ounces, soak the piece in cold water. This will ensure a uniform absorption when the leather armor is placed in the boiling water. Heat a pot of water to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, then immerse the wet leather for approximately thirty seconds to a minute, until it darkens and begins to curl.
Remove the leather from the water and stretch it around the mould you have prepared, tacking it in place. Allow for shrinkage if you are cutting the leather armor from a pattern. Of course you can water-harden a larger piece of leather, flatten it under a cutting board, and then cut out the individual pieces of leather armor you want, and then mould them to the desired shape. At this stage it will be very stretchy.
The boiling process makes the leather armor thicker and harder, with a degree of shrinkage dependent upon the leather itself and the amount of immersion time. The longer it remains in the water, the more pronounced the effects.
A twenty second immersion can result in a shrinkage of 7/8s, with a thickening of 25%, while a forty second immersion results in a 2/3rds shrinkage and a doubling of the thickness. As in any aspect of leather working, it is best to experiment with scrap pieces of leather first to get the effect you want.
Types of Moulds / Single Mould
Moulds can consist of one or more pieces. Folding the leather around the actual object for which a cover is being made, where the mould is the object, is an option when making a case for a gun, an arm guard in archery, a sheaf for a knife or eye-caps for binoculars. Use tacks to hold it in place while it dries.
A Two-piece Mould
A two-piece mould acts like two slices of bread, with the leather being the sandwich filling. In this way, leather armor shields were made. The leather armor is left in the mould until it dries.
A Three-piece Mould
A three-piece mould allows the creation of items like bags and eyeglass cases without using a gusset. The leather is sewn on three sides. Two pieces of the mould are inserted on either side of the interior of the wet leather, and then a wedge is driven between the middle. The forms are left until the leather is dried.
Tools to Use
* Wooden mould * Brass or steel tacks
Summary
* Make a mould to form the leather to the desired shape * Wet the leather * One piece mould: fit the wet leather armor over the mould * Two piece mould: sandwich the leather between the mould * Three piece mould: fit the pieces inside the leather * Leave the leather armor to dry before removing
About The Author:
Hey! Want To Know More About Leather Craft? Here's How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy Click Here ==> http://www.leathersecrets.com
Make a hemp necklace
Have you ever thought about making your own hemp necklace but thought it would probably just be too difficult or take too much time? Well have no fear! I am Doris Rose, owner of
www.hemp-and-bead.com
I am here to guide you step by step through the process of making a beautiful hemp necklace.
You will need the following materials:
A spool of hemp
Beads with large holes in them
Elmers glue
Really helps to have a project board and T pins but is not mandatory
Ok, lets get started. First, you will need to cut one 5-yard length of hemp and one 2-yard length. You will fold these lengths in half with the 2-yard length on the inside and the 5-yard length on the outside. The reason being because the longer 5-yard cord will be what is called the knotter cords, which will be used to make the knots and the shorter 2-yard cord will be what are called the carrier cords which is used as an anchor to hold the knots. The cords will tend to be very long at first so you will want to butterfly them by wrapping them in a figure eight pattern around your fingers. Wrap them in the middle with rubber bands so they will stay together.
You will start by making a loop at the end by tying an overhand knot. Apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it.
Now you need to line up your cords with the shorter ones on the inside and the longer ones on the outside. If you cannot get them to line up just right you will need to untie your knot and retie it with the cords lined up better.
You will now start tying your half square knots. You will do this by first making a loop with the cord to the far right. Bring the cord underneath the first two cords to the left and over the last one.
Bring the cord on your far left over the two middle cords and through the loop.
You will continue to do this repeatedly until you reach an inch in length, which will be about 17 knots. You will now string your first bead on the two middle cords. Tie the two outer cords underneath the bead and continue these steps until you have knotted 6 ½ inches.
At this point you may attach a pendent to your necklace by stringing it onto the bottom cord. You will continue to knot and bead for another 6 ½ inches.
You are now almost done and you will tie another overhand knot at the end. Be sure to apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it. You will have some left over length and you should cut the excess cords about 5 inches from the overhand knot so you have plenty of length to adjust and tie with.
You are now done and you have made a great hemp necklace!
Doris Rose is a jewelry artisan who makes hemp, seed bead laced and gemstone beaded jewelry. You can check out her website at
www.hemp-and-bead.com
This article is free to copy and paste given that NONE of the content is altered or deleted.
Copyright owned by Doris Rose.
www.hemp-and-bead.com
I am here to guide you step by step through the process of making a beautiful hemp necklace.
You will need the following materials:
A spool of hemp
Beads with large holes in them
Elmers glue
Really helps to have a project board and T pins but is not mandatory
Ok, lets get started. First, you will need to cut one 5-yard length of hemp and one 2-yard length. You will fold these lengths in half with the 2-yard length on the inside and the 5-yard length on the outside. The reason being because the longer 5-yard cord will be what is called the knotter cords, which will be used to make the knots and the shorter 2-yard cord will be what are called the carrier cords which is used as an anchor to hold the knots. The cords will tend to be very long at first so you will want to butterfly them by wrapping them in a figure eight pattern around your fingers. Wrap them in the middle with rubber bands so they will stay together.
You will start by making a loop at the end by tying an overhand knot. Apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it.
Now you need to line up your cords with the shorter ones on the inside and the longer ones on the outside. If you cannot get them to line up just right you will need to untie your knot and retie it with the cords lined up better.
You will now start tying your half square knots. You will do this by first making a loop with the cord to the far right. Bring the cord underneath the first two cords to the left and over the last one.
Bring the cord on your far left over the two middle cords and through the loop.
You will continue to do this repeatedly until you reach an inch in length, which will be about 17 knots. You will now string your first bead on the two middle cords. Tie the two outer cords underneath the bead and continue these steps until you have knotted 6 ½ inches.
At this point you may attach a pendent to your necklace by stringing it onto the bottom cord. You will continue to knot and bead for another 6 ½ inches.
You are now almost done and you will tie another overhand knot at the end. Be sure to apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it. You will have some left over length and you should cut the excess cords about 5 inches from the overhand knot so you have plenty of length to adjust and tie with.
You are now done and you have made a great hemp necklace!
Doris Rose is a jewelry artisan who makes hemp, seed bead laced and gemstone beaded jewelry. You can check out her website at
www.hemp-and-bead.com
This article is free to copy and paste given that NONE of the content is altered or deleted.
Copyright owned by Doris Rose.
Mabel's ‘Be-Able' - Tips and things ....
Well, here we are just a few weeks after the Christmas celebrations and already they seem in the distant past and all we are left with are happy memories (I hope), a few pounds heavier and lots and lots of sterling pounds lighter. But, never mind, this is the time of year when we forget the grey skies outside, turn to the tantalising holiday brochures and picture ourselves lying on that sun drenched beach in the Bahamas . . . Well, we can all dream can't we? Personally, I need a goal ahead as I always think that February is the dullest month of the year when nothing is actually happening (apart from developing what I call the 'February face'), so I delegate this month as the opportune time to complete all the jobs I have been putting off during the past year and getting the house and finances in some sort of order, which will hopefully shift a few of those extra Christmas pounds . . . and, to shift that 'February face' how about mixing a few blobs of self-tanning lotion/cream into your usual face cream and in a few hours you will have a healthy glow. Your friends will say (just like the song) "My, you do look well", and if you hear the phrase often enough you will begin to feel well. You don't believe me? Try it!
Now, as we get older the two things paramount in our minds are health and money. Health, we will deal with at a later date, but, meanwhile, as they say 'keep taking the tablets' and by that I mean eg. a good multi-vitamin and mineral, extra Vitamin C during these winter months, Omega 3 (pure fish oils), perhaps Echinacea to boost the immune system, Glucosamine & Chondroitin to help the joints, and Ginkgo Biloba to help the circulation, and
Money, well it's time to remind you that if you have any savings and the tax man is siphoning off 10% or 20% of your interest, then don't forget (if you haven't already used up this year's ISA allowance) that you can put £3,000 out of the tax man's reach by investing in a mini-cash ISA. It is important to remember that this year's tax-free ISA allowance must be used before the end of this tax year which is the 5 APRIL 2005. So there are only a few weeks left ... and as the saying goes 'If you don't use it, YOU WILL LOSE IT!
So, still thinking of money (or the lack of it) why don't we get together and pool our ideas? Let us come up with great ideas that won't cost us a penny.
Now, I'm going to start off with something that all we ladies have plenty of 'Old Tights'. . . And, why do we end up with a load of them instead of throwing them away?. . . Because when we hitch them we put in the drawer and think that they will do to wear under trousers or around the house. Or, when we buy the same shade (as the thrifty ones among us invariably do), we just cut off the damaged leg and so acquire a new pair with the added advantage of a double thickness around the 'botty' for the winter. However, there comes a time when even the single leg tights die a death, so suggestions please on what we do with them? ? Now, before you say "put them over the head and rob a bank in order to pay the Council tax" (although we all understand the feeling), this is not exactly what we had in mind, and to start you off, I will throw a few ideas 'into the pot', under a couple of suggested headings to get the brains working. We'll add more headings as your ideas come rolling in!
Garden: Don't bother to buy gardening twine, plastic ties, etc. for tying back your plants, just use old tights/stockings and I promise you will never revert back. You can cut the tights into strips for delicate plants/branches or make use of the whole stocking or tight leg for tying back shrubs. |You cannot beat them for strength and also they do not rot like garden string, but, more importantly, although the material acts as a firm support, it 'g-i-v-e-s' so that it does not cut into the plant, and is almost invisible among the branches and flowers. We even have a use for the foot (nothing is wasted) as tied onto the end of the downpipe as it goes into the rainwater butt, it collects all the leaves and debris before they have a chance to foul the water, and when the foot is full you can just slip it off the pipe and deposit the contents onto the compost heap or put the whole thing into the refuse bin. The thick part of the tight can also be used as padding to stop branches rubbing and becoming diseased. I also find tights very good for wrapping large cordylines into an umbrella shape before covering with winter protection, as they hold the long pointed leaves gently but firmly. (As you are probably aware, if the winter rain accumulates in the inside of the cordyline and freezes, then unfortunately it is goodbye cordyline, which is a shame as it is such a beautiful architectural plant).
Garage/Shed: Tights are also very useful for storing garden bulbs, onions, apples, old carrier bags, etc. Hang up in garage or shed and just take from the bottom and reseal with peg. Also, good for straining lumps/skin from old paint, or placing over the tin before replacing lid - it makes a good seal and you can remove the lid with ease. Useful when painting - cover half of the open top with a tight in order to make a temporary rest for your brush and any excess paint drips back into the tin
. . . . . and so on . . . . .
I know that our brains feel as though they are hibernating this cold weather, but I hope the above has started them ticking over and we really look forward to hearing your bright ideas. So, don't throw away all those old tights when you are doing your spring clear-out - WAIT FOR ALL THE FORTHCOMING GOOD IDEAS . . .
Talking of spring cleaning, I've just remembered another tip; avoid the messy job of extracting cobwebs etc from your fluffy duster after dusting ceilings, lamp shades, etc., just put the stick duster inside an old tight and then peel off the tight (the cobwebs are then inside the tight) and deposit into bin.
I'll leave you on this happy note - the next time you ladder your tights, you won't feel quite so annoyed - you've not lost a tight, you've gained a useful friend!
About the Author
Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times (HTTP://WWW.MABELS.ORG.UK), containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure & lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life.
Now, as we get older the two things paramount in our minds are health and money. Health, we will deal with at a later date, but, meanwhile, as they say 'keep taking the tablets' and by that I mean eg. a good multi-vitamin and mineral, extra Vitamin C during these winter months, Omega 3 (pure fish oils), perhaps Echinacea to boost the immune system, Glucosamine & Chondroitin to help the joints, and Ginkgo Biloba to help the circulation, and
Money, well it's time to remind you that if you have any savings and the tax man is siphoning off 10% or 20% of your interest, then don't forget (if you haven't already used up this year's ISA allowance) that you can put £3,000 out of the tax man's reach by investing in a mini-cash ISA. It is important to remember that this year's tax-free ISA allowance must be used before the end of this tax year which is the 5 APRIL 2005. So there are only a few weeks left ... and as the saying goes 'If you don't use it, YOU WILL LOSE IT!
So, still thinking of money (or the lack of it) why don't we get together and pool our ideas? Let us come up with great ideas that won't cost us a penny.
Now, I'm going to start off with something that all we ladies have plenty of 'Old Tights'. . . And, why do we end up with a load of them instead of throwing them away?. . . Because when we hitch them we put in the drawer and think that they will do to wear under trousers or around the house. Or, when we buy the same shade (as the thrifty ones among us invariably do), we just cut off the damaged leg and so acquire a new pair with the added advantage of a double thickness around the 'botty' for the winter. However, there comes a time when even the single leg tights die a death, so suggestions please on what we do with them? ? Now, before you say "put them over the head and rob a bank in order to pay the Council tax" (although we all understand the feeling), this is not exactly what we had in mind, and to start you off, I will throw a few ideas 'into the pot', under a couple of suggested headings to get the brains working. We'll add more headings as your ideas come rolling in!
Garden: Don't bother to buy gardening twine, plastic ties, etc. for tying back your plants, just use old tights/stockings and I promise you will never revert back. You can cut the tights into strips for delicate plants/branches or make use of the whole stocking or tight leg for tying back shrubs. |You cannot beat them for strength and also they do not rot like garden string, but, more importantly, although the material acts as a firm support, it 'g-i-v-e-s' so that it does not cut into the plant, and is almost invisible among the branches and flowers. We even have a use for the foot (nothing is wasted) as tied onto the end of the downpipe as it goes into the rainwater butt, it collects all the leaves and debris before they have a chance to foul the water, and when the foot is full you can just slip it off the pipe and deposit the contents onto the compost heap or put the whole thing into the refuse bin. The thick part of the tight can also be used as padding to stop branches rubbing and becoming diseased. I also find tights very good for wrapping large cordylines into an umbrella shape before covering with winter protection, as they hold the long pointed leaves gently but firmly. (As you are probably aware, if the winter rain accumulates in the inside of the cordyline and freezes, then unfortunately it is goodbye cordyline, which is a shame as it is such a beautiful architectural plant).
Garage/Shed: Tights are also very useful for storing garden bulbs, onions, apples, old carrier bags, etc. Hang up in garage or shed and just take from the bottom and reseal with peg. Also, good for straining lumps/skin from old paint, or placing over the tin before replacing lid - it makes a good seal and you can remove the lid with ease. Useful when painting - cover half of the open top with a tight in order to make a temporary rest for your brush and any excess paint drips back into the tin
. . . . . and so on . . . . .
I know that our brains feel as though they are hibernating this cold weather, but I hope the above has started them ticking over and we really look forward to hearing your bright ideas. So, don't throw away all those old tights when you are doing your spring clear-out - WAIT FOR ALL THE FORTHCOMING GOOD IDEAS . . .
Talking of spring cleaning, I've just remembered another tip; avoid the messy job of extracting cobwebs etc from your fluffy duster after dusting ceilings, lamp shades, etc., just put the stick duster inside an old tight and then peel off the tight (the cobwebs are then inside the tight) and deposit into bin.
I'll leave you on this happy note - the next time you ladder your tights, you won't feel quite so annoyed - you've not lost a tight, you've gained a useful friend!
About the Author
Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times (HTTP://WWW.MABELS.ORG.UK), containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure & lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life.
Leather Care
Leather Care
When buying leather, the best thing you can do is ask the people who you buy it from, what the manufacturer recommends for leather care and cleaning. Don't forget to ask what other products may work well for leather care too, as there may be something you're more comfortable using. Also ask what the product does to and for the leather.
While still alive, leather on the animal, fish, or fowl is maintained in situ. (It's their skin) The oils that keep leather conditioned and help remove dirt and grime from the skin of the animal are produced naturally by their body.
Once leather is processed, these “living†components cease to exist although they do retain many of their physical characteristics such as leather’s porous nature and chemical reactivity. Leather is naturally acidic so anything alkaline is bad. For proper leather care, you want to mimic some of these natural processes. If you sift through all of the mythology, home recipes, and good ol' folk lore about leather care, you are left with the two basic tasks that all those natural processes accomplished: cleaning and conditioning.
Any leather care enthusiast will tell you that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and if you want to protect your investment keep it in top form. Leather care is relatively easy but you need to be consistent. Leather can be restored, but regular maintenance is highly recommended. If cared for properly, your leather will last and stay in good shape for years.
You want to know the type of leather you have, as well as the way it was processed during tanning. For example, were any anti-mold finishes applied or was a sealant used, and how was it colored, if it was. Keep in mind that aniline, suede, and nubuck are not as robust as pigmented leather because they do not usually have a protective surface coating.
Pigmented leather is the most durable, full grain pigmented leather has intact grain, and corrected grain pigmented leather refers to whether or not the leather has been sanded to remove imperfections.
Aniline
This top-grain or full-top grain leather is not pigmented, just dyed whereas semi-aniline treatments combine pigment with dye, usually to even out the grain because the leather has some imperfections. The result is that the leather has a more consistent color and some stain resistance qualities.
If you lightly scratch the surface of aniline, it will turn a lighter color. Some nubuck leather will do the same thing. To correct the problem, wet your finger lightly and rub it into the leather. It should darken slightly, but dry the same color.
Antiqued / Marbled / Two-Tone
A second pigment may be rubbed over the original pigment to give the leather an aged or antique appearance.
Nubuck
This is aniline leather that has been brushed to give it the texture of velvet. In fact, nubuck is often mistaken for suede. Nubuck is stronger because it is brushed on the grain side, which is the side where the animal’s hair was, where suede is made from the flesh side. If you apply the wet finger test to nubuck, it will darken slightly and dry darker so be sure if you do this that it is done in an inconspicuous area.
Pull-Up
Pull-up, also referred to as waxy or oil pull-up is leather that lightens in color when stretched during wearing, creating a broken-in appearance.
Suede
Suede leather is made from the fleshy side of hide. For leather care of suede, it is important you make sure any product you use won't damage it. Find out as much as you can about the active ingredients in the products you buy and the action involved. You might want to bring your jacket with you or a swatch if you can, and ask what would work best for it.
If you schedule leather care and cleaning you won't end up with a jacket that looks like someones cast off. I suggest scheduling a cleaning at least once a year or so. (Mark it in your daytimer)
About The Author:
*** Hey! Want To Make Something Out Of Leather? *** Discover How To Make Leather Crafts for Fun and Profit Click Here ==> http://www.leathercraftsecrets.com
When buying leather, the best thing you can do is ask the people who you buy it from, what the manufacturer recommends for leather care and cleaning. Don't forget to ask what other products may work well for leather care too, as there may be something you're more comfortable using. Also ask what the product does to and for the leather.
While still alive, leather on the animal, fish, or fowl is maintained in situ. (It's their skin) The oils that keep leather conditioned and help remove dirt and grime from the skin of the animal are produced naturally by their body.
Once leather is processed, these “living†components cease to exist although they do retain many of their physical characteristics such as leather’s porous nature and chemical reactivity. Leather is naturally acidic so anything alkaline is bad. For proper leather care, you want to mimic some of these natural processes. If you sift through all of the mythology, home recipes, and good ol' folk lore about leather care, you are left with the two basic tasks that all those natural processes accomplished: cleaning and conditioning.
Any leather care enthusiast will tell you that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and if you want to protect your investment keep it in top form. Leather care is relatively easy but you need to be consistent. Leather can be restored, but regular maintenance is highly recommended. If cared for properly, your leather will last and stay in good shape for years.
You want to know the type of leather you have, as well as the way it was processed during tanning. For example, were any anti-mold finishes applied or was a sealant used, and how was it colored, if it was. Keep in mind that aniline, suede, and nubuck are not as robust as pigmented leather because they do not usually have a protective surface coating.
Pigmented leather is the most durable, full grain pigmented leather has intact grain, and corrected grain pigmented leather refers to whether or not the leather has been sanded to remove imperfections.
Aniline
This top-grain or full-top grain leather is not pigmented, just dyed whereas semi-aniline treatments combine pigment with dye, usually to even out the grain because the leather has some imperfections. The result is that the leather has a more consistent color and some stain resistance qualities.
If you lightly scratch the surface of aniline, it will turn a lighter color. Some nubuck leather will do the same thing. To correct the problem, wet your finger lightly and rub it into the leather. It should darken slightly, but dry the same color.
Antiqued / Marbled / Two-Tone
A second pigment may be rubbed over the original pigment to give the leather an aged or antique appearance.
Nubuck
This is aniline leather that has been brushed to give it the texture of velvet. In fact, nubuck is often mistaken for suede. Nubuck is stronger because it is brushed on the grain side, which is the side where the animal’s hair was, where suede is made from the flesh side. If you apply the wet finger test to nubuck, it will darken slightly and dry darker so be sure if you do this that it is done in an inconspicuous area.
Pull-Up
Pull-up, also referred to as waxy or oil pull-up is leather that lightens in color when stretched during wearing, creating a broken-in appearance.
Suede
Suede leather is made from the fleshy side of hide. For leather care of suede, it is important you make sure any product you use won't damage it. Find out as much as you can about the active ingredients in the products you buy and the action involved. You might want to bring your jacket with you or a swatch if you can, and ask what would work best for it.
If you schedule leather care and cleaning you won't end up with a jacket that looks like someones cast off. I suggest scheduling a cleaning at least once a year or so. (Mark it in your daytimer)
About The Author:
*** Hey! Want To Make Something Out Of Leather? *** Discover How To Make Leather Crafts for Fun and Profit Click Here ==> http://www.leathercraftsecrets.com
Joseph Pilates: The Man behind the Movement
Joseph Pilates : The Man behind the Movement
Joseph Pilates was born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a frail young boy, who suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. In order to overcome his weakened state, he studied body building, skiing, diving, and gymnastics. In time, he developed his own series of exercises.
He moved to England in 1912, and spent much of his time working as a circus performer and a boxer. Eventually, he started teaching self defense methods to a group of police detectives from Scotland Yard. In 1914, at the outset of World War I, he was interned at a camp in Lancaster as an “enemy alienâ€. While in the camp, he spent a great deal of his time developing his exercise techniques.
After his release, Joseph returned to Germany and began teaching his method to dancers. He decided to leave Germany when he was asked to teach his exercise methods to the German Army. In 1926, he emigrated to America and took up residence in New York. He met his wife, Clara, on the voyage. Joseph and Clara opened a fitness studio in New York City, and shared an address with the New York City Ballet.
Joseph spent the remaining years of his life operating his studio. The nature of his work in those years was more akin to a physiotherapist for dancers than an exercise instructor for the masses. He also spent a considerable amount of time designing and constructing exercise equipment for use in his programs.
Joseph Pilates was one of the first fitness instructors to advocate the mind-body connection, which consisted of both physical and mental training to achieve the desired results. His method consists of slow, deliberate movements combined with breathing and a focus on the abdomen, lower back, and buttocks.
As quoted from his 1945 book, Return to Life with Contrology, he states that “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.â€
Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967. The studio is still in operation today.
Harriet Spinzer is a history student and Pilates enthusiast. When she is not consumed with her studies, she likes to stretch and stuff. When she is not tangled up in her “Reformerâ€, she like to write freelance articles for websites such as http://www.pilatesinsight.com – a site that offers information about http://www.pilatesinsight.com/>pilates, http://www.pilatesinsight.com/pilates-equipment/pilates-equipment.aspx>pilates equipment and http://www.pilatesinsight.com/pilates-equipment/pilates-chairs.aspx>pilates chairs.
Joseph Pilates was born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a frail young boy, who suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. In order to overcome his weakened state, he studied body building, skiing, diving, and gymnastics. In time, he developed his own series of exercises.
He moved to England in 1912, and spent much of his time working as a circus performer and a boxer. Eventually, he started teaching self defense methods to a group of police detectives from Scotland Yard. In 1914, at the outset of World War I, he was interned at a camp in Lancaster as an “enemy alienâ€. While in the camp, he spent a great deal of his time developing his exercise techniques.
After his release, Joseph returned to Germany and began teaching his method to dancers. He decided to leave Germany when he was asked to teach his exercise methods to the German Army. In 1926, he emigrated to America and took up residence in New York. He met his wife, Clara, on the voyage. Joseph and Clara opened a fitness studio in New York City, and shared an address with the New York City Ballet.
Joseph spent the remaining years of his life operating his studio. The nature of his work in those years was more akin to a physiotherapist for dancers than an exercise instructor for the masses. He also spent a considerable amount of time designing and constructing exercise equipment for use in his programs.
Joseph Pilates was one of the first fitness instructors to advocate the mind-body connection, which consisted of both physical and mental training to achieve the desired results. His method consists of slow, deliberate movements combined with breathing and a focus on the abdomen, lower back, and buttocks.
As quoted from his 1945 book, Return to Life with Contrology, he states that “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.â€
Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967. The studio is still in operation today.
Harriet Spinzer is a history student and Pilates enthusiast. When she is not consumed with her studies, she likes to stretch and stuff. When she is not tangled up in her “Reformerâ€, she like to write freelance articles for websites such as http://www.pilatesinsight.com – a site that offers information about http://www.pilatesinsight.com/>pilates, http://www.pilatesinsight.com/pilates-equipment/pilates-equipment.aspx>pilates equipment and http://www.pilatesinsight.com/pilates-equipment/pilates-chairs.aspx>pilates chairs.
Investing in a Billiard Cue
Buying your own pool cue can be a confusing business as there are so many different brands on offer. Because of this it is important that you do not jump straight in and buy the first cue that catches your eye.
I agree that most people will purchase a cue first of all because of its aesthetic appeal but you don’t have to be a cue maker to realise that aesthetics do not reflect the playability of a cue.
Players who want to improve their game all come to the conclusion that they require their own playing cue. This is very important to a pool player’s development, a player builds a bond with a particular cue and get used to the way it feels and the way that it plays. A player that is playing regularly cannot get this same consistency from a standard house cue. You cannot guarantee that a house cue is straight or that the tip will do a proficient job.
When buying a cue it is important to try and get the right feel as if you just buy the first thing you come across then you could be spending hard earned cash on an instrument that you are not happy with in the long run. My advice to anyone purchasing a cue is to try as many different types before you buy. Ask friends, family or other regular players down at your local pool hall if you can play a few racks with their cue. This will give you a better understanding of what suits you and what doesn’t.
When ordering a cue make sure that it is the correct weight for you, not only should it be comfortable, but also having the wrong weight can make a huge difference to the feel of the cue. I have had many players in the past that have come to me to purchase a cue and have just ordered the weight that I have in stock rather than waiting the couple of weeks whilst it is ordered.
The next thing to consider is the shaft; the majority of pool cue shafts are made from Maple, this is a very hardwearing wood. You have to decide whether you are going to go for a plain Maple shaft or one of the name brands like Predator or Meucci. The name brand shafts are excellent for what they offer but it is also reflected in the price, both of the manufacturers mentioned claim to have the least cue ball deflection when playing with side English. The predator has a very stiff hit created by the laminating of ten pieces of maple in a cylindrical pattern. The Meucci has quite soft whippy feel to it, which is caused by the flat lamination of 32 thin pieces of maple. Both cues are excellent but there are a whole host of other manufacturers out there whose cues would suffice. Another thing to look out for is shafts layered with fibreglass. These cues do have extra strength through the design but the feel of the shaft can get very sticky and jerky through your bridging hand, the main brands that use this are Cuetec and Scorpion.
When a manufacturer releases a new range of cues they more than likely will all play the same what you are then paying for is the level of decoration, or the exotic woods that have been used in the inlays. For example in the Predator 4K Series you would get the same feel from the 4K1 at £380 as you would get from the 4K7 at £720. The only difference would be the hole in your pocket. But don’t be put off, if you like a cue and are happy with the feel and playability then go for it, who am I to stop you?
To sum up the important things are:
· Try before you buy · Get the right weight · Select the type of shaft to suit you · Get the price right · Choose the decoration to suit you.
When you have combined all of these factors then you should get years worth of playability and pleasure from your investment. Some cues if looked after may even grow in value.
By P. Williams http://www.americanpool-network.co.uk
I agree that most people will purchase a cue first of all because of its aesthetic appeal but you don’t have to be a cue maker to realise that aesthetics do not reflect the playability of a cue.
Players who want to improve their game all come to the conclusion that they require their own playing cue. This is very important to a pool player’s development, a player builds a bond with a particular cue and get used to the way it feels and the way that it plays. A player that is playing regularly cannot get this same consistency from a standard house cue. You cannot guarantee that a house cue is straight or that the tip will do a proficient job.
When buying a cue it is important to try and get the right feel as if you just buy the first thing you come across then you could be spending hard earned cash on an instrument that you are not happy with in the long run. My advice to anyone purchasing a cue is to try as many different types before you buy. Ask friends, family or other regular players down at your local pool hall if you can play a few racks with their cue. This will give you a better understanding of what suits you and what doesn’t.
When ordering a cue make sure that it is the correct weight for you, not only should it be comfortable, but also having the wrong weight can make a huge difference to the feel of the cue. I have had many players in the past that have come to me to purchase a cue and have just ordered the weight that I have in stock rather than waiting the couple of weeks whilst it is ordered.
The next thing to consider is the shaft; the majority of pool cue shafts are made from Maple, this is a very hardwearing wood. You have to decide whether you are going to go for a plain Maple shaft or one of the name brands like Predator or Meucci. The name brand shafts are excellent for what they offer but it is also reflected in the price, both of the manufacturers mentioned claim to have the least cue ball deflection when playing with side English. The predator has a very stiff hit created by the laminating of ten pieces of maple in a cylindrical pattern. The Meucci has quite soft whippy feel to it, which is caused by the flat lamination of 32 thin pieces of maple. Both cues are excellent but there are a whole host of other manufacturers out there whose cues would suffice. Another thing to look out for is shafts layered with fibreglass. These cues do have extra strength through the design but the feel of the shaft can get very sticky and jerky through your bridging hand, the main brands that use this are Cuetec and Scorpion.
When a manufacturer releases a new range of cues they more than likely will all play the same what you are then paying for is the level of decoration, or the exotic woods that have been used in the inlays. For example in the Predator 4K Series you would get the same feel from the 4K1 at £380 as you would get from the 4K7 at £720. The only difference would be the hole in your pocket. But don’t be put off, if you like a cue and are happy with the feel and playability then go for it, who am I to stop you?
To sum up the important things are:
· Try before you buy · Get the right weight · Select the type of shaft to suit you · Get the price right · Choose the decoration to suit you.
When you have combined all of these factors then you should get years worth of playability and pleasure from your investment. Some cues if looked after may even grow in value.
By P. Williams http://www.americanpool-network.co.uk
Incentives for Proper Home Theater Lighting
One of the most crucial elements to consider in building a home theater system is also one of the most over-looked. The lighting used in the room has an incredible effect on the movie viewing experience. It can make the difference between a pleasurable experience and a mediocre one.
Better Viewing Environment Believe it or not, complete darkness is not the best way to watch movies. This is in complete contrast to what most people actually do. You can even see this in practice at many movie theaters; the lights along the sides of the theater are kept very dim during the film but they are still on. The dim lighting helps to prevent the eye fatigue that results from staring at a bright light source in complete darkness. If you have ever had a headache after watching a long movie, it may have been caused by eye fatigue.
Atmosphere Lighting creates a certain atmosphere inside a room. This is true whether or not the atmosphere created is one that you had intended. When was the last time you walked into a theater that used overhead fluorescent lights? What kind of feelings would that evoke? Would you really feel like you were there to watch a movie or would it feel more like you were about to sit in on a seminar? Positioning, color, and intensity all play a role in the ambiance home theater lighting produces. Decide on exactly the feelings you would like to produce with your home theater lighting. What emotions would you like to evoke as people walk into your home theater? Warm? Relaxed? While different colors elicit different emotions from different people, there are some colors that seem to be associated with certain feelings. Choose shades of the color that is associated with the feelings you want to elicit from your home theater audience. The position and intensity of your home theater lighting will be determined by the placement of the viewing screen. Direct lighting should be avoided during the movie. Using fixtures that reflect light off of walls will help to avoid glare while reducing the harshness of the light. Dimmer switches are also a necessity if your home theater room is not equipped with central lighting control. They will provide you with the ability to customize the intensity of your home theater lighting to your own tastes.
Dedicated Room or Living Room Now before you come up with the excuse that your living room is your home theater room and other things take place there besides watching movies, just stop. If your home theater room and living room are one and the same, there is even greater incentive for you to address the room's lighting. Your living room is a multi-purpose room. When your friends come to visit, that is where you congregate. You read your books in your favorite chair, which is in the living room. Your family gets together to play board games or even just to talk in the living room. On top of these and anything else that goes on in your living room, you watch your movies there. How nice would it be if you could adjust the lights to create the perfect reading atmosphere around your favorite chair? Or how would you like to make a very inclusive and personal setting for spending time with loved ones? Even doing something as simple as creating a relaxing, cozy environment after coming home from work can be accomplished by changing the lighting conditions of a room. Proper lighting will provide you with the means to create all of this in your living room.
Convenience Home theater lighting can easily be tailored in order to take the work out of finding the perfect setting for each light in the room every time you want to watch a movie. A central lighting control allows you to change the intensity of the all lights in a room from a single location. Some of the more sophisticated learning remote controls can actually activate your favorite lighting conditions with the push of a button.
As you can see, lighting is vital to the effectiveness of your home theater system. After being introduced to the possibilities that proper home theater lighting and control provides, it will be hard for you to ignore it any longer. You've taken the time, effort, and expense of creating a home theater system for a reason. Finish the job with proper lighting and create a truly enjoyable viewing experience.
Jon Martin is the Webmaster of the Home Theater Accessories Resource is your guide to home theater accessories. http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com
This article came from http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com/home-theater-lighting.html
Better Viewing Environment Believe it or not, complete darkness is not the best way to watch movies. This is in complete contrast to what most people actually do. You can even see this in practice at many movie theaters; the lights along the sides of the theater are kept very dim during the film but they are still on. The dim lighting helps to prevent the eye fatigue that results from staring at a bright light source in complete darkness. If you have ever had a headache after watching a long movie, it may have been caused by eye fatigue.
Atmosphere Lighting creates a certain atmosphere inside a room. This is true whether or not the atmosphere created is one that you had intended. When was the last time you walked into a theater that used overhead fluorescent lights? What kind of feelings would that evoke? Would you really feel like you were there to watch a movie or would it feel more like you were about to sit in on a seminar? Positioning, color, and intensity all play a role in the ambiance home theater lighting produces. Decide on exactly the feelings you would like to produce with your home theater lighting. What emotions would you like to evoke as people walk into your home theater? Warm? Relaxed? While different colors elicit different emotions from different people, there are some colors that seem to be associated with certain feelings. Choose shades of the color that is associated with the feelings you want to elicit from your home theater audience. The position and intensity of your home theater lighting will be determined by the placement of the viewing screen. Direct lighting should be avoided during the movie. Using fixtures that reflect light off of walls will help to avoid glare while reducing the harshness of the light. Dimmer switches are also a necessity if your home theater room is not equipped with central lighting control. They will provide you with the ability to customize the intensity of your home theater lighting to your own tastes.
Dedicated Room or Living Room Now before you come up with the excuse that your living room is your home theater room and other things take place there besides watching movies, just stop. If your home theater room and living room are one and the same, there is even greater incentive for you to address the room's lighting. Your living room is a multi-purpose room. When your friends come to visit, that is where you congregate. You read your books in your favorite chair, which is in the living room. Your family gets together to play board games or even just to talk in the living room. On top of these and anything else that goes on in your living room, you watch your movies there. How nice would it be if you could adjust the lights to create the perfect reading atmosphere around your favorite chair? Or how would you like to make a very inclusive and personal setting for spending time with loved ones? Even doing something as simple as creating a relaxing, cozy environment after coming home from work can be accomplished by changing the lighting conditions of a room. Proper lighting will provide you with the means to create all of this in your living room.
Convenience Home theater lighting can easily be tailored in order to take the work out of finding the perfect setting for each light in the room every time you want to watch a movie. A central lighting control allows you to change the intensity of the all lights in a room from a single location. Some of the more sophisticated learning remote controls can actually activate your favorite lighting conditions with the push of a button.
As you can see, lighting is vital to the effectiveness of your home theater system. After being introduced to the possibilities that proper home theater lighting and control provides, it will be hard for you to ignore it any longer. You've taken the time, effort, and expense of creating a home theater system for a reason. Finish the job with proper lighting and create a truly enjoyable viewing experience.
Jon Martin is the Webmaster of the Home Theater Accessories Resource is your guide to home theater accessories. http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com
This article came from http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com/home-theater-lighting.html
How Wine is Made
The first stage in the wine making process is to crush the grapes. In days gone by the grapes would be loaded into a large vat and the wine maker(s) would gently tread on them to break the grapes' skins to release the juice.
Nowadays this procedure is almost invariably carried out using a machine called, unsurprisingly, a crusher.
In the case of white wines, after crushing, the juice is separated immediately from the pulp of skins and stalks and fermentation commences.
When making red (and rosé) wines, the juice is allowed to remain in contact with the crushed pulp for a while to add color, body and flavor to the 'must' (the juice to be fermented).
Most modern wines are fermented at a relatively low temperature (around 20° C), which results in wine with a fruity character. White wines are commonly made in large, cooled, stainless steel containers but some better quality wines are fermented in oak casks or, alternatively, oak chippings may be added to the must.
Red and rosé wines are usually produced in stainless steel vats or, sometimes, in oak. When the fermenting wine has reached the required color intensity, the liquid is drawn from the vessel, leaving behind the crushed skins and stalks.
Before bottling, wines from different batches may be blended together and matured. Depending on the type of wine, the length of this maturation process can be measured in anything from days to years.
If an "oaky" flavor is desired then the wine can be matured in oak barrels. New oak or old oak barrels can be used depending on the final flavor required.
Even after bottling, the flavor of some quality wines will continue to evolve, albeit at a slower rate. However nowadays, most wines, even expensive wines, are ready for drinking soon after bottling.
About The Author:
Since Neil Best first asked: who made the first wine? he's been recording his findings at http://www.goodglug.com This article is part of the free Good Glug Wine Appreciation Course. Visit http://www.goodglug.com/free-wine-course.php to get your copy
Nowadays this procedure is almost invariably carried out using a machine called, unsurprisingly, a crusher.
In the case of white wines, after crushing, the juice is separated immediately from the pulp of skins and stalks and fermentation commences.
When making red (and rosé) wines, the juice is allowed to remain in contact with the crushed pulp for a while to add color, body and flavor to the 'must' (the juice to be fermented).
Most modern wines are fermented at a relatively low temperature (around 20° C), which results in wine with a fruity character. White wines are commonly made in large, cooled, stainless steel containers but some better quality wines are fermented in oak casks or, alternatively, oak chippings may be added to the must.
Red and rosé wines are usually produced in stainless steel vats or, sometimes, in oak. When the fermenting wine has reached the required color intensity, the liquid is drawn from the vessel, leaving behind the crushed skins and stalks.
Before bottling, wines from different batches may be blended together and matured. Depending on the type of wine, the length of this maturation process can be measured in anything from days to years.
If an "oaky" flavor is desired then the wine can be matured in oak barrels. New oak or old oak barrels can be used depending on the final flavor required.
Even after bottling, the flavor of some quality wines will continue to evolve, albeit at a slower rate. However nowadays, most wines, even expensive wines, are ready for drinking soon after bottling.
About The Author:
Since Neil Best first asked: who made the first wine? he's been recording his findings at http://www.goodglug.com This article is part of the free Good Glug Wine Appreciation Course. Visit http://www.goodglug.com/free-wine-course.php to get your copy
How to "Theme" Your Kid Party
Planning a children's party can be a little overwhelming... even scary. After all, throwing a great party is something your child will remember for a long lime. On the other hand, if the party bombs they will NEVER forget it.
The easiest way to ensure a successful party is to build it around one central theme.
A theme will allow you to integrate all the different elements of the party, it will point you in the right decorating direction, and it will help you plan your activities. Having a theme is essential.
How to Choose a Theme
Choosing a theme for your child's party depends on three key factors:
- The age of the child
- The child's interests
- The time of year or reason for the party
The Age of the Child - The age of the children who will attend the party will have a lot to do with the party theme you choose. Blue's Clues might be great for a pack of three year olds, but a seven year old birthday boy would be mortified! By the same token, Harry Potter might serve you well for a group of pre-teens, but a group of kindergarteners just wouldn't get it.
The point... be sure your theme is appropriate for you child's age.
The Child's Interests - What is your child interested in? Some kids love particular sports like gymnastics or soccer, while others have a keen interest in super heros or science. Just about anything that a child is really interested in can be transformed into a great theme for a party.
Book characters, television shows, special hobbies, sports, animals, fantasy stories, heros, historical genres, cartoon characters, etc. all provide excellent theme possibilities.
The Time of Year or Reason For The Party - A halloween party has a built in theme, so a birthday around that time of year might have a Halloween or costume theme. Summer parties are often "pool parties" or outdoor themed parties. Obviously, you wouldn't have an outdoor pool party for Christmas if you live in Canada... it just wouldn't make sense.
The "Best" Way to Choose A Theme...
Talk to your child and get them involved in the planning!
Most kids have a pretty good idea of what kind of party they want. If you fail to talk it over with your child, you might both be disappointed.
Children often have unrealistic expectations. A lot of kids have a whole scenario layed out in their head -- they've imagined every little part of the party and they expect you to deliver. Talking it out can help you both find a realistic common ground.
Sometimes it also helps to provide a younger child with two or three theme choices and let the child choose his/her own party theme.
Once you've decided on a theme, it becomes fairly easy to plan the party. The invitations, decorations, food, favors, and activities will all be based on your theme. Choose a theme that truly fits your child's personality and you'll be sure to create an awesome party experience for both of you.
About The Author:
Discover how to have an Awesome Children's Party! Kid Party Ideas makes it Easy with tons of Free ideas, tips, themes, games, and activities. Make A Memory That Will Last A Lifetime... Visit: http://www.Kid-Party-Ideas.com
The easiest way to ensure a successful party is to build it around one central theme.
A theme will allow you to integrate all the different elements of the party, it will point you in the right decorating direction, and it will help you plan your activities. Having a theme is essential.
How to Choose a Theme
Choosing a theme for your child's party depends on three key factors:
- The age of the child
- The child's interests
- The time of year or reason for the party
The Age of the Child - The age of the children who will attend the party will have a lot to do with the party theme you choose. Blue's Clues might be great for a pack of three year olds, but a seven year old birthday boy would be mortified! By the same token, Harry Potter might serve you well for a group of pre-teens, but a group of kindergarteners just wouldn't get it.
The point... be sure your theme is appropriate for you child's age.
The Child's Interests - What is your child interested in? Some kids love particular sports like gymnastics or soccer, while others have a keen interest in super heros or science. Just about anything that a child is really interested in can be transformed into a great theme for a party.
Book characters, television shows, special hobbies, sports, animals, fantasy stories, heros, historical genres, cartoon characters, etc. all provide excellent theme possibilities.
The Time of Year or Reason For The Party - A halloween party has a built in theme, so a birthday around that time of year might have a Halloween or costume theme. Summer parties are often "pool parties" or outdoor themed parties. Obviously, you wouldn't have an outdoor pool party for Christmas if you live in Canada... it just wouldn't make sense.
The "Best" Way to Choose A Theme...
Talk to your child and get them involved in the planning!
Most kids have a pretty good idea of what kind of party they want. If you fail to talk it over with your child, you might both be disappointed.
Children often have unrealistic expectations. A lot of kids have a whole scenario layed out in their head -- they've imagined every little part of the party and they expect you to deliver. Talking it out can help you both find a realistic common ground.
Sometimes it also helps to provide a younger child with two or three theme choices and let the child choose his/her own party theme.
Once you've decided on a theme, it becomes fairly easy to plan the party. The invitations, decorations, food, favors, and activities will all be based on your theme. Choose a theme that truly fits your child's personality and you'll be sure to create an awesome party experience for both of you.
About The Author:
Discover how to have an Awesome Children's Party! Kid Party Ideas makes it Easy with tons of Free ideas, tips, themes, games, and activities. Make A Memory That Will Last A Lifetime... Visit: http://www.Kid-Party-Ideas.com
How to Store Wine
Having invested possibly hundreds of dollars in your latest bottle of vintage wine (ah well, we can but dream), the next important decision is where to store this prized possession?
The main issue when it comes to storing wine is that it needs to be maintained at a cool temperature of between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius. Shoved under the bed won't do.
Many modern wines do not need to be aged over a great period of time; therefore extensive cellars are often unnecessary. Having said this, if you have the time, space and resource to excavate a cellar, your wine will surely benefit. A purpose built cellar is not normally an option for most households and so suitable alternatives must be explored.
Ideal areas for storage include a corner of a garage, garden shed, an unused fireplace or a cupboard that is against an outside wall.
Wherever you choose to store your wine, a few basic criteria are worth keeping in mind.
Choose an area that is less likely to be subjected to fluctuating temperatures caused by household heating systems.
Wines benefit from being kept in dark conditions. Although this is not always practical, wine should certainly be stored in an area that is not exposed it to direct sunlight.
As a final point, always store your wine bottles on their side. Corks are designed to be kept moist, so that they remain airtight and do not crumble when a corkscrew is inserted.
Bear in mind that some wines do not benefit from being stored at all. If you have poor or no storage facilities available, consider purchasing wine that matures quickly such as most white wines or new technology reds or, possibly, a new Beaujolais.
Move wine as little as possible once it has been placed in storage, unless of course it is being moved into a glass!
If you have a particularly special wine collection, it may be worth engaging a specialist company to store your wine for you (Oops, I'm dreaming again). Good storage has been recognized as vital for many wines and as such, many companies now provide storage facilities. Of course, this does not come cheap and is best reserved for those very special bottles or for those experts who are considering selling their wine on, at a future date.
About The Author:
Since Neil Best first investigated the wine history he's been recording his findings at http://www.goodglug.com. This article is part of the free Good Glug Wine Appreciation Course. Visit http://www.goodglug.com/free-wine-course.php now and get your copy
The main issue when it comes to storing wine is that it needs to be maintained at a cool temperature of between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius. Shoved under the bed won't do.
Many modern wines do not need to be aged over a great period of time; therefore extensive cellars are often unnecessary. Having said this, if you have the time, space and resource to excavate a cellar, your wine will surely benefit. A purpose built cellar is not normally an option for most households and so suitable alternatives must be explored.
Ideal areas for storage include a corner of a garage, garden shed, an unused fireplace or a cupboard that is against an outside wall.
Wherever you choose to store your wine, a few basic criteria are worth keeping in mind.
Choose an area that is less likely to be subjected to fluctuating temperatures caused by household heating systems.
Wines benefit from being kept in dark conditions. Although this is not always practical, wine should certainly be stored in an area that is not exposed it to direct sunlight.
As a final point, always store your wine bottles on their side. Corks are designed to be kept moist, so that they remain airtight and do not crumble when a corkscrew is inserted.
Bear in mind that some wines do not benefit from being stored at all. If you have poor or no storage facilities available, consider purchasing wine that matures quickly such as most white wines or new technology reds or, possibly, a new Beaujolais.
Move wine as little as possible once it has been placed in storage, unless of course it is being moved into a glass!
If you have a particularly special wine collection, it may be worth engaging a specialist company to store your wine for you (Oops, I'm dreaming again). Good storage has been recognized as vital for many wines and as such, many companies now provide storage facilities. Of course, this does not come cheap and is best reserved for those very special bottles or for those experts who are considering selling their wine on, at a future date.
About The Author:
Since Neil Best first investigated the wine history he's been recording his findings at http://www.goodglug.com. This article is part of the free Good Glug Wine Appreciation Course. Visit http://www.goodglug.com/free-wine-course.php now and get your copy
How to Shop for Comfortable Pilates Workout Wear
Studies show that an estimated 60% of Americans do not receive the recommended amount of physical exercise per day. It is also estimated that of those 60% who are not active enough, there are 25% who are completely inactive on a daily basis. Being active is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and living a longer life. Perhaps, that’s why so many people have showed interest in Pilates. Pilates has taken over the workout world and has received so much hype because of the wonders it performs on the body. So now that you’ve decided to become a part of the whirlwind, let’s figure out what you’re going to wear.
Many individuals are confused as to what types of clothing are most appropriate for Pilates. Here is a list of criteria you might want to consider when shopping for Pilates workout wear:
• Comfortable Clothing - Comfort is key in Pilates. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing you will be self-conscious and hesitant to perform some of the positions.
• Clothes that are body hugging - This means clothes that enables you to breathe and move, but not so loose that when you move around you are afraid of your shirt lifting or your tummy showing.
• Light and Airy Clothing - You do not want to show up to a Pilates class wearing huge track pants that weigh about as much as you do. You want your clothes to breathe. You are going to work up a sweat and therefore you want the lightest clothing possible. • Stay Away from the Extras - Extra detailing, such as buttons and zippers, can cause discomfort during your workout and become painful if they are jammed into you when performing certain poses.
• Respect Your Classmates - Be respectful to others in the class and refrain from wearing any clothing which advertises sex, drugs, religion or otherwise as it may be offensive to other individuals taking the class.
Most of all, be comfortable and have fun! The clothing you choose is not as important as the fact that you are improving your lifestyle, creating a better life for yourself and setting a better example for others.
Harriet Spinzer is an avid Pilates enthusiast who writes as a contributing editor for http://www.pilatesinsight.com – a site dedicated to offering information on things like winsor Pilates, Pilates exercise and more.
Many individuals are confused as to what types of clothing are most appropriate for Pilates. Here is a list of criteria you might want to consider when shopping for Pilates workout wear:
• Comfortable Clothing - Comfort is key in Pilates. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing you will be self-conscious and hesitant to perform some of the positions.
• Clothes that are body hugging - This means clothes that enables you to breathe and move, but not so loose that when you move around you are afraid of your shirt lifting or your tummy showing.
• Light and Airy Clothing - You do not want to show up to a Pilates class wearing huge track pants that weigh about as much as you do. You want your clothes to breathe. You are going to work up a sweat and therefore you want the lightest clothing possible. • Stay Away from the Extras - Extra detailing, such as buttons and zippers, can cause discomfort during your workout and become painful if they are jammed into you when performing certain poses.
• Respect Your Classmates - Be respectful to others in the class and refrain from wearing any clothing which advertises sex, drugs, religion or otherwise as it may be offensive to other individuals taking the class.
Most of all, be comfortable and have fun! The clothing you choose is not as important as the fact that you are improving your lifestyle, creating a better life for yourself and setting a better example for others.
Harriet Spinzer is an avid Pilates enthusiast who writes as a contributing editor for http://www.pilatesinsight.com – a site dedicated to offering information on things like winsor Pilates, Pilates exercise and more.
How To Play Guitar Like a Pro!
Having taught the guitar for many years, I see the majority of beginners experiencing the same problems and making the same mistakes over and over again in their quest to learn how to play guitar. It's my job to steer them through these problem areas.
These "mistakes" are basic errors that most beginners naturally tend to make. But these mistakes can cause major problems if you allow them to become habits in your playing. Unfortunately, 90% of guitarists have done just that!
Avoid These 3 Mistakes Like The plague
The three main mistakes MOST people make when learning how to play guitar are:
1: Trying to play too fast too soon.
Don't be in such a rush. Trying to go too fast too soon causes serious problems. Sloppy playing and mistakes will become your trademark.
Learn to practice slowly and perfectly. The reason for this, is, what you program your brain and fingers with while practicing, is what you'll get as a habitual and subconscious end result.
The GIGO computer term describes it best. Garbage In = Garbage Out. If you program a computer with faulty data, your results will be faulty too. It's exactly the same with learning how to play guitar.
So practice everything very slowly and perfectly. Do this, and your playing will be to a higher standard than 90% of all other guitarists. Yes - even those that have been playing for years!
2: Too much body and hand tension.
Have you ever noticed how the top professionals make it all look so easy and effortless? How relaxed they are?
Take a lesson from that.
When learning how to play guitar, and in all practice sessions, you need to be as relaxed as possible at all times.
Unnecessary tension anywhere in the body when playing will stop you like a brick wall. Any "excess" tension in your fingers, hands, arms, elbows, wrists, shoulders, neck, chest, stomach, thighs, legs is extremely hazardous to learning how to play guitar properly.
Practicing the right things in the right way will give you amazing results - even if you practice only 10 - 20 minutes a day.
3: Learn the difference between practice time and noodling time.
Basically, you learn how to play guitar in two ways:- 1: when you practice, and, 2: when you noodle and try out new ideas.
Practice Time is SERIOUS Time!
It's when you are specifically and very deliberately teaching your body and brain new motor and muscle-memory skills. This is all done very slowly, with great care and meticulous attention to detail. Never practice fast.
Practice time is where you develop muscle-memory and train your body to act in the most beneficial way for playing guitar. Remember - GIGO!
This is the foundation building time.. where you lay the foundation for learning HOW to play guitar the best way you can - without imposing limitations upon yourself through bad practice habits.
Noodling Time.
Noodling Time is where you learn how to play guitar by putting into practice what you study during your practice time. It's where you to steal licks, chords and solos off records. It's where you hunch over your cd player or computer with your guitar trying to hear and learn that tricky chord or lick.
It's where good habits can easily become undone!
Better to do this... Once you learn a lick, sit down in your chair in the proper position and play that lick over and over at a slow speed while focusing on being as relaxed as possible and with absolute minimal finger movement. Program that lick, your physical movements and relaxation "perfectly" into your brain. Only when it becomes 2nd nature to you, and you "own" that lick, should you start speeding up.
But... always focus on being as relaxed as possible.
Noodling is fun, and a necessary part of learning how to play guitar. Do as much as you can. But.. don't mistake it for real practice time. Don't noodle with bad habits either.
Next... you need to ensure you are practicing the correct things in the correct way too. But that's another story.
About The Author:
John Bilderbeck has been teaching guitar for 30 years. He shares his valuable insights on his new Free Guitar Chords web site. For a FREE e-Book on How to Master Guitar Like a Pro, visit: http://www.free-guitar-chords.com now.
These "mistakes" are basic errors that most beginners naturally tend to make. But these mistakes can cause major problems if you allow them to become habits in your playing. Unfortunately, 90% of guitarists have done just that!
Avoid These 3 Mistakes Like The plague
The three main mistakes MOST people make when learning how to play guitar are:
1: Trying to play too fast too soon.
Don't be in such a rush. Trying to go too fast too soon causes serious problems. Sloppy playing and mistakes will become your trademark.
Learn to practice slowly and perfectly. The reason for this, is, what you program your brain and fingers with while practicing, is what you'll get as a habitual and subconscious end result.
The GIGO computer term describes it best. Garbage In = Garbage Out. If you program a computer with faulty data, your results will be faulty too. It's exactly the same with learning how to play guitar.
So practice everything very slowly and perfectly. Do this, and your playing will be to a higher standard than 90% of all other guitarists. Yes - even those that have been playing for years!
2: Too much body and hand tension.
Have you ever noticed how the top professionals make it all look so easy and effortless? How relaxed they are?
Take a lesson from that.
When learning how to play guitar, and in all practice sessions, you need to be as relaxed as possible at all times.
Unnecessary tension anywhere in the body when playing will stop you like a brick wall. Any "excess" tension in your fingers, hands, arms, elbows, wrists, shoulders, neck, chest, stomach, thighs, legs is extremely hazardous to learning how to play guitar properly.
Practicing the right things in the right way will give you amazing results - even if you practice only 10 - 20 minutes a day.
3: Learn the difference between practice time and noodling time.
Basically, you learn how to play guitar in two ways:- 1: when you practice, and, 2: when you noodle and try out new ideas.
Practice Time is SERIOUS Time!
It's when you are specifically and very deliberately teaching your body and brain new motor and muscle-memory skills. This is all done very slowly, with great care and meticulous attention to detail. Never practice fast.
Practice time is where you develop muscle-memory and train your body to act in the most beneficial way for playing guitar. Remember - GIGO!
This is the foundation building time.. where you lay the foundation for learning HOW to play guitar the best way you can - without imposing limitations upon yourself through bad practice habits.
Noodling Time.
Noodling Time is where you learn how to play guitar by putting into practice what you study during your practice time. It's where you to steal licks, chords and solos off records. It's where you hunch over your cd player or computer with your guitar trying to hear and learn that tricky chord or lick.
It's where good habits can easily become undone!
Better to do this... Once you learn a lick, sit down in your chair in the proper position and play that lick over and over at a slow speed while focusing on being as relaxed as possible and with absolute minimal finger movement. Program that lick, your physical movements and relaxation "perfectly" into your brain. Only when it becomes 2nd nature to you, and you "own" that lick, should you start speeding up.
But... always focus on being as relaxed as possible.
Noodling is fun, and a necessary part of learning how to play guitar. Do as much as you can. But.. don't mistake it for real practice time. Don't noodle with bad habits either.
Next... you need to ensure you are practicing the correct things in the correct way too. But that's another story.
About The Author:
John Bilderbeck has been teaching guitar for 30 years. He shares his valuable insights on his new Free Guitar Chords web site. For a FREE e-Book on How to Master Guitar Like a Pro, visit: http://www.free-guitar-chords.com now.
How To Plan A Garden Right
Gardening is a hobby that brings joy, entertainment, and a better quality of life. It is a creative activity, the result of which is a more aesthetically appealing home.
Thoughtful planning of a garden starts with the type of garden you would like to have. Deciding on a type of garden is essential defore choosing which design elements to include. Will your garden be just a place to plant a bunch of flowers, which will blossom only during the growing season? Or would you rather have a thoughtfully-chosen herb garden? Or maybe just a vegetable plot?
Another issue to consider is the climate in your location. It can be surprising how little we know about the facts, figures and statistics of the weather where we live. You may want to consult an online map to get statistical data regarding climate elements like rainfall per month or average temperatures.
The next step, after having decided about the type of garden and after investigating the local climate, is to figure out the plants that you would like to grow in your garden. Think of plants that are suitable for the duration of the growing season in your location and that will survive the changes in temperature, typical for your location.
The thoughtful planning of a garden involves one more factor to consider - how much shade is necessary for each of the plants. You need to make sure that there is enough light all over the places you plan to plant your garden.
When you have finished with planning in theory, it is time to start planning the plots in your garden. Again, think for a good plan - one that brings joy, is easy to keep to, and at the same time efficiently uses the available space.
Think about where to place plants that require a lot of sunlight. The best place for such plants is away from buildings and taller trees because these block the light at daytime.
Deciding which plants to grow near the house, and which should be in the open also requires some thought. If you prefer the sunshine streaming through your windows, then you are best not to have bulky trees or bushes near the house, where they will block the sunlight.
If you have decided that you will be growing herbs and vegetables, the best place for them is near the house. When they are near the house, it is more likely that you will be using them for cooking. Besides convenience, you should also think about the location of vegetables as far as their needs for sunlight are concerned. This is especially true if yours is mainly a vegetable garden.
Last, but not least, take into account your personal preferences, when designing a garden. If there are particular extras you would like to have, for instance winding pathways or gazebos, include them in the initial design of the garden. Your outdoor garden is constrained only by the limits of your creativity and the growing season in your location.
David Kurshel is the webmaster of BIO Gardening -- a popular and extensive resource including articles and a newsletter about gardening. For more information, go to: http://www.biogardening.com
Thoughtful planning of a garden starts with the type of garden you would like to have. Deciding on a type of garden is essential defore choosing which design elements to include. Will your garden be just a place to plant a bunch of flowers, which will blossom only during the growing season? Or would you rather have a thoughtfully-chosen herb garden? Or maybe just a vegetable plot?
Another issue to consider is the climate in your location. It can be surprising how little we know about the facts, figures and statistics of the weather where we live. You may want to consult an online map to get statistical data regarding climate elements like rainfall per month or average temperatures.
The next step, after having decided about the type of garden and after investigating the local climate, is to figure out the plants that you would like to grow in your garden. Think of plants that are suitable for the duration of the growing season in your location and that will survive the changes in temperature, typical for your location.
The thoughtful planning of a garden involves one more factor to consider - how much shade is necessary for each of the plants. You need to make sure that there is enough light all over the places you plan to plant your garden.
When you have finished with planning in theory, it is time to start planning the plots in your garden. Again, think for a good plan - one that brings joy, is easy to keep to, and at the same time efficiently uses the available space.
Think about where to place plants that require a lot of sunlight. The best place for such plants is away from buildings and taller trees because these block the light at daytime.
Deciding which plants to grow near the house, and which should be in the open also requires some thought. If you prefer the sunshine streaming through your windows, then you are best not to have bulky trees or bushes near the house, where they will block the sunlight.
If you have decided that you will be growing herbs and vegetables, the best place for them is near the house. When they are near the house, it is more likely that you will be using them for cooking. Besides convenience, you should also think about the location of vegetables as far as their needs for sunlight are concerned. This is especially true if yours is mainly a vegetable garden.
Last, but not least, take into account your personal preferences, when designing a garden. If there are particular extras you would like to have, for instance winding pathways or gazebos, include them in the initial design of the garden. Your outdoor garden is constrained only by the limits of your creativity and the growing season in your location.
David Kurshel is the webmaster of BIO Gardening -- a popular and extensive resource including articles and a newsletter about gardening. For more information, go to: http://www.biogardening.com
How to Place Home Theater Speakers
You have your television and home theater receiver; you just bought your new speakers and subwoofer and are ready to test things out. It's time to break out the measuring tape because precision is vital to achieving the full potential of your home theater system. For this article, we are going to focus on a 5.1 surround sound system. The term "5.1" refers to the number of speakers and subwoofers in the system respectively. So for a 5.1 surround sound system, there are five speakers (the center channel, the two front speakers, and the two rear speakers) and one subwoofer. When placing your home theater speakers, try to use the same amount of speaker wire for each type of speaker. For example, use the same length of wire for each of the front speakers. This will allow the signal to reach each speaker in about the same instant. I say “about†because there are variations in the wire which could cause the signal to reach one speaker slightly (fractions of a fraction of a second) before the other. By making the two lengths equal, you ensure that this delay remains tiny and unnoticeable.
Center Channel The center channel should always be placed either immediately above or immediately below the viewing screen. Make sure the speaker is pointed directly at the audience.
Front Speakers The two front speakers should be the same distance from the audience as the center channel. Doing this will ensure that the sound will travel from each speaker to the audience in the same amount of time and reduce the chances of there being a noticeable delay between what takes place on screen to when you hear it. Each of the front speakers should also be positioned an equal distance from the TV on either side. This distance is dependant on your specific tastes; just make sure that the distances are both equal.
Rear Speakers The rear speakers should be mounted on the walls on either side of the audience. Their purpose is to provide a sense of atmosphere, not provide the main sound for your home theater system. Therefore, they should not be pointed directly at the audience's ears or you risk over powering the center channel and the two front speakers. Again, distance is important. Try to have the rear speakers the same distance from the TV in order to use the same amount of speaker wire and if possible have them placed equidistance from the audience.
Subwoofer Bass tones by their nature are more difficult to localize than the midrange and high notes of the other five speakers. This will give you more freedom as to where to place the subwoofer. However, the location surrounding the subwoofer can greatly influence the bass tones you hear. Placing the subwoofer in a corner or under a table will create a deeper resonating tone as the sound waves reflect off of the surfaces. The placement of the subwoofer is up to you, depending on the type of bass you want. Experiment with different locations and find the one that best suits your taste.
Realizing the full potential of your home theater speakers is not a difficult task. By following these guidelines, you will be ready to enjoy your home theater the way it was meant to be heard.
Jon Martin is the Webmaster of the Home Theater Accessories Resource is your guide to home theater accessories. http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com
This article came from http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com/connectingcomponents.html
Center Channel The center channel should always be placed either immediately above or immediately below the viewing screen. Make sure the speaker is pointed directly at the audience.
Front Speakers The two front speakers should be the same distance from the audience as the center channel. Doing this will ensure that the sound will travel from each speaker to the audience in the same amount of time and reduce the chances of there being a noticeable delay between what takes place on screen to when you hear it. Each of the front speakers should also be positioned an equal distance from the TV on either side. This distance is dependant on your specific tastes; just make sure that the distances are both equal.
Rear Speakers The rear speakers should be mounted on the walls on either side of the audience. Their purpose is to provide a sense of atmosphere, not provide the main sound for your home theater system. Therefore, they should not be pointed directly at the audience's ears or you risk over powering the center channel and the two front speakers. Again, distance is important. Try to have the rear speakers the same distance from the TV in order to use the same amount of speaker wire and if possible have them placed equidistance from the audience.
Subwoofer Bass tones by their nature are more difficult to localize than the midrange and high notes of the other five speakers. This will give you more freedom as to where to place the subwoofer. However, the location surrounding the subwoofer can greatly influence the bass tones you hear. Placing the subwoofer in a corner or under a table will create a deeper resonating tone as the sound waves reflect off of the surfaces. The placement of the subwoofer is up to you, depending on the type of bass you want. Experiment with different locations and find the one that best suits your taste.
Realizing the full potential of your home theater speakers is not a difficult task. By following these guidelines, you will be ready to enjoy your home theater the way it was meant to be heard.
Jon Martin is the Webmaster of the Home Theater Accessories Resource is your guide to home theater accessories. http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com
This article came from http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com/connectingcomponents.html
How to Paint a Design on Leather Goods
Sometimes your leather goods need a little help and you've got the urge to dye or paint it. With dye it's pretty straight forward, but if you want to paint it there's a little more involved to make it look good.
Whenever you are attempting a project like this, always test it out on a scrap piece first. When using different pigments, be sure to let one dry before adding the next color.
What to Use
Use water-based acrylic paints designed for leather because they are more flexible than ordinary acrylics. If painting the entire surface of the leather, check to see if your leather goods are vegetable-dyed, as they absorb the paint better than leather goods tanned by other methods.
Not sure if the leather goods are vegetable-dyed? Test a scrap piece to see how well it absorbs the paint.
What to Do
Begin by cleaning the leather goods, using a solution of one ounce of leather bleach to one pint of water, applying the solution with a soft brush or wool dauber. You can also lightly sponge the leather with water prior to painting in order to ensure a more even absorption of color. Don't soaked it, just get it damp.
Applying the Paint
You can paint over a large area of the leather goods or just a small part for highlighting effects. If you want to do the former, paint over the leather first with a water-diluted solution of the paint. In this way, you'll prepare the surface of the leather goods to receive the undiluted paint.
Use one part paint and one part water, and apply in broad, even strokes with a wool dauber. Add more water if the leather is not absorbing the solution, and more paint if the color is not showing sufficiently. Two coats of the solution should be applied, leaving sufficient time between coats for the paint to be absorbed but for the leather to still be somewhat damp and not dry. Try this out first on a scrap piece of leather and take your time.
Applying Undiluted Paint
Now it’s time to apply the undiluted paint using a brush or wool dauber, and broad even strokes. For small areas that you wish to highlight, use undiluted paint and a small paintbrush. To prevent the paint from cracking, it’s important to flex the leather goods throughout the drying process. Do this between coats of paint as well.
Using an Airbrush
Another option when applying paint is to use an airbrush. A double action airbrush allows you to control the flow of the paint and the air with one finger and avoids the initial blob of paint emerging with a single-action airbrush. You can strain the paint to remove any flecks by using a piece of pantyhose. If you over spray, acrylic paint can be easily removed while it is still damp.
Tools to Use
* Water-based acrylic paints
* Leather bleach
* Wool dauber
* Paint brushes or airbrush
Summary
* Vegetable-dyed leather goods and water-based acrylic paints work best
* Clean the leather goods with a solution of water and leather bleach
* Apply two coats of water-diluted paint, with sufficient time between coats for the paint to be absorbed
* Apply undiluted paint
About The Author:
*** Hey! Need To Know More About Leather? *** Here's How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy Click Here ==> http://www.leathersecrets.com
Whenever you are attempting a project like this, always test it out on a scrap piece first. When using different pigments, be sure to let one dry before adding the next color.
What to Use
Use water-based acrylic paints designed for leather because they are more flexible than ordinary acrylics. If painting the entire surface of the leather, check to see if your leather goods are vegetable-dyed, as they absorb the paint better than leather goods tanned by other methods.
Not sure if the leather goods are vegetable-dyed? Test a scrap piece to see how well it absorbs the paint.
What to Do
Begin by cleaning the leather goods, using a solution of one ounce of leather bleach to one pint of water, applying the solution with a soft brush or wool dauber. You can also lightly sponge the leather with water prior to painting in order to ensure a more even absorption of color. Don't soaked it, just get it damp.
Applying the Paint
You can paint over a large area of the leather goods or just a small part for highlighting effects. If you want to do the former, paint over the leather first with a water-diluted solution of the paint. In this way, you'll prepare the surface of the leather goods to receive the undiluted paint.
Use one part paint and one part water, and apply in broad, even strokes with a wool dauber. Add more water if the leather is not absorbing the solution, and more paint if the color is not showing sufficiently. Two coats of the solution should be applied, leaving sufficient time between coats for the paint to be absorbed but for the leather to still be somewhat damp and not dry. Try this out first on a scrap piece of leather and take your time.
Applying Undiluted Paint
Now it’s time to apply the undiluted paint using a brush or wool dauber, and broad even strokes. For small areas that you wish to highlight, use undiluted paint and a small paintbrush. To prevent the paint from cracking, it’s important to flex the leather goods throughout the drying process. Do this between coats of paint as well.
Using an Airbrush
Another option when applying paint is to use an airbrush. A double action airbrush allows you to control the flow of the paint and the air with one finger and avoids the initial blob of paint emerging with a single-action airbrush. You can strain the paint to remove any flecks by using a piece of pantyhose. If you over spray, acrylic paint can be easily removed while it is still damp.
Tools to Use
* Water-based acrylic paints
* Leather bleach
* Wool dauber
* Paint brushes or airbrush
Summary
* Vegetable-dyed leather goods and water-based acrylic paints work best
* Clean the leather goods with a solution of water and leather bleach
* Apply two coats of water-diluted paint, with sufficient time between coats for the paint to be absorbed
* Apply undiluted paint
About The Author:
*** Hey! Need To Know More About Leather? *** Here's How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy Click Here ==> http://www.leathersecrets.com
How To Make a Leather Wallet
I suppose if you search far and wide enough you could find the pattern to make a leather wallet from scratch, but why go to all that bother? If you don't get the holes lines up perfectly and each piece cut just right, it'll be a mess. Leather wallet kits are made in bulk, precision cut by machine.
Leather Wallet Kits
If you've been curious about making a leather wallet, it's much easier than you think. Buy yourself a leather wallet kit and you're off to the races. Novaleather.com has a great selection of leather wallet kits, and practically anything you can imagine in leather crafts. A quick search online for "leather wallet kit" will give you lots to choose from.
There are tons of pre-stamped designs to choose from, so you should be able to find something to match the leather wallet theme you're looking for. Some designs even come with a blank area to let you stamp your name on it.
If you want to design the cover of the leather wallet by hand, you'll need a few tools and an idea of how to stamp the pattern. If this is your first time, you might want to talk to somebody about which tools to start with. There are a lot of stamping tools available, but you only need a few to get started.
Here's a quick "how to" guide to give you some ideas.
Preparing The Leather Wallet Cover
The ideal condition for stamping is leather that has been wetted, and then dried until it is cool to the touch. Success depends upon accurate placement of the stamp, and correct pounding of the mallet. A lighter mallet works best on small, delicate impressions and gives more control than a heavier version. Sharp blows leave a nice, crisp impression in the leather.
The leather should be a darker brown color at the bottom of the impression. Make sure you hold the stamp firmly on the leather so that it doesn’t wiggle when you’re pounding it. Practice makes perfect here, like anything else in leather working, do some samples first and get a feel for how much pressure you need to exert with the mallet.
The leather wallet cover you get in the kit is thick enough to make leather wallets that are quite attractive with the embellishment of various stamps. Seal the leather wallet or any other small leather items you might want to make with Super Sheen leather sealer for a protective barrier that protects against moisture and stains.
Stamping the Leather Wallet Cover
You simply wet the leather, place alignment marks on the leather so that you know where to place the stamp, and then pound the design of the stamp into the leather. Use the skin side of the leather for stamping rather than the flesh side. Try out your stamping skills out on a scrap piece of leather first to get a feel for it.
Tools to Use
* Stamp * Mallet (lighter for more delicate stamps) * Board on which to pound the leather
Summary
* After wetting, make sure the leather is allowed to dry until just cool to the touch * Position the stamp over the leather exactly where you want it * Hold the stamp firmly when pounding with the mallet * Use sharp blows of the mallet for crisp results
About The Author:
*** Hey! Need To Know More About Leather? *** Here's How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy Click Here ==>
Leather Wallet Kits
If you've been curious about making a leather wallet, it's much easier than you think. Buy yourself a leather wallet kit and you're off to the races. Novaleather.com has a great selection of leather wallet kits, and practically anything you can imagine in leather crafts. A quick search online for "leather wallet kit" will give you lots to choose from.
There are tons of pre-stamped designs to choose from, so you should be able to find something to match the leather wallet theme you're looking for. Some designs even come with a blank area to let you stamp your name on it.
If you want to design the cover of the leather wallet by hand, you'll need a few tools and an idea of how to stamp the pattern. If this is your first time, you might want to talk to somebody about which tools to start with. There are a lot of stamping tools available, but you only need a few to get started.
Here's a quick "how to" guide to give you some ideas.
Preparing The Leather Wallet Cover
The ideal condition for stamping is leather that has been wetted, and then dried until it is cool to the touch. Success depends upon accurate placement of the stamp, and correct pounding of the mallet. A lighter mallet works best on small, delicate impressions and gives more control than a heavier version. Sharp blows leave a nice, crisp impression in the leather.
The leather should be a darker brown color at the bottom of the impression. Make sure you hold the stamp firmly on the leather so that it doesn’t wiggle when you’re pounding it. Practice makes perfect here, like anything else in leather working, do some samples first and get a feel for how much pressure you need to exert with the mallet.
The leather wallet cover you get in the kit is thick enough to make leather wallets that are quite attractive with the embellishment of various stamps. Seal the leather wallet or any other small leather items you might want to make with Super Sheen leather sealer for a protective barrier that protects against moisture and stains.
Stamping the Leather Wallet Cover
You simply wet the leather, place alignment marks on the leather so that you know where to place the stamp, and then pound the design of the stamp into the leather. Use the skin side of the leather for stamping rather than the flesh side. Try out your stamping skills out on a scrap piece of leather first to get a feel for it.
Tools to Use
* Stamp * Mallet (lighter for more delicate stamps) * Board on which to pound the leather
Summary
* After wetting, make sure the leather is allowed to dry until just cool to the touch * Position the stamp over the leather exactly where you want it * Hold the stamp firmly when pounding with the mallet * Use sharp blows of the mallet for crisp results
About The Author:
*** Hey! Need To Know More About Leather? *** Here's How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy Click Here ==>
How to make a hemp necklace
Have you ever thought about making your own hemp necklace but thought it would probably just be too difficult or take too much time? Well have no fear! I am Doris Rose, owner of
www.exoticprincessdesigns.com
I am here to guide you step by step through the process of making a beautiful hemp necklace.
You will need the following materials:
A spool of hemp
Beads with large holes in them
Elmers glue
Really helps to have a project board and T pins but is not mandatory
Ok, lets get started. First, you will need to cut one 5-yard length of hemp and one 2-yard length. You will fold these lengths in half with the 2-yard length on the inside and the 5-yard length on the outside. The reason being because the longer 5-yard cord will be what is called the knotter cords, which will be used to make the knots and the shorter 2-yard cord will be what are called the carrier cords which is used as an anchor to hold the knots. The cords will tend to be very long at first so you will want to butterfly them by wrapping them in a figure eight pattern around your fingers. Wrap them in the middle with rubber bands so they will stay together.
You will start by making a loop at the end by tying an overhand knot. Apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it.
Now you need to line up your cords with the shorter ones on the inside and the longer ones on the outside. If you cannot get them to line up just right you will need to untie your knot and retie it with the cords lined up better.
You will now start tying your half square knots. You will do this by first making a loop with the cord to the far right. Bring the cord underneath the first two cords to the left and over the last one.
Bring the cord on your far left over the two middle cords and through the loop.
You will continue to do this repeatedly until you reach an inch in length, which will be about 17 knots. You will now string your first bead on the two middle cords. Tie the two outer cords underneath the bead and continue these steps until you have knotted 6 ½ inches.
At this point you may attach a pendent to your necklace by stringing it onto the bottom cord. You will continue to knot and bead for another 6 ½ inches.
You are now almost done and you will tie another overhand knot at the end. Be sure to apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it. You will have some left over length and you should cut the excess cords about 5 inches from the overhand knot so you have plenty of length to adjust and tie with.
You are now done and you have made a great hemp necklace!
Doris Rose is a jewelry artisan who makes hemp, seed bead laced and gemstone beaded jewelry. You can check out her website at
www.exoticprincessdesigns.com
This article is free to copy and paste given that NONE of the content is altered or deleted.
Copyright owned by Doris Rose.
www.exoticprincessdesigns.com
I am here to guide you step by step through the process of making a beautiful hemp necklace.
You will need the following materials:
A spool of hemp
Beads with large holes in them
Elmers glue
Really helps to have a project board and T pins but is not mandatory
Ok, lets get started. First, you will need to cut one 5-yard length of hemp and one 2-yard length. You will fold these lengths in half with the 2-yard length on the inside and the 5-yard length on the outside. The reason being because the longer 5-yard cord will be what is called the knotter cords, which will be used to make the knots and the shorter 2-yard cord will be what are called the carrier cords which is used as an anchor to hold the knots. The cords will tend to be very long at first so you will want to butterfly them by wrapping them in a figure eight pattern around your fingers. Wrap them in the middle with rubber bands so they will stay together.
You will start by making a loop at the end by tying an overhand knot. Apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it.
Now you need to line up your cords with the shorter ones on the inside and the longer ones on the outside. If you cannot get them to line up just right you will need to untie your knot and retie it with the cords lined up better.
You will now start tying your half square knots. You will do this by first making a loop with the cord to the far right. Bring the cord underneath the first two cords to the left and over the last one.
Bring the cord on your far left over the two middle cords and through the loop.
You will continue to do this repeatedly until you reach an inch in length, which will be about 17 knots. You will now string your first bead on the two middle cords. Tie the two outer cords underneath the bead and continue these steps until you have knotted 6 ½ inches.
At this point you may attach a pendent to your necklace by stringing it onto the bottom cord. You will continue to knot and bead for another 6 ½ inches.
You are now almost done and you will tie another overhand knot at the end. Be sure to apply Elmer’s glue as you are tying it. You will have some left over length and you should cut the excess cords about 5 inches from the overhand knot so you have plenty of length to adjust and tie with.
You are now done and you have made a great hemp necklace!
Doris Rose is a jewelry artisan who makes hemp, seed bead laced and gemstone beaded jewelry. You can check out her website at
www.exoticprincessdesigns.com
This article is free to copy and paste given that NONE of the content is altered or deleted.
Copyright owned by Doris Rose.
How to Know if Your Yard is the Tacky One on Your Street
We’ve all seen it, we’ve all pointed at it and we’ve pretty much all lived beside it. The yard with tacky written all over it. What makes a house look like it is from What Not to Wear. Bottom line is it’s you and your taste and love of dollar store trivialities. Or, it’s your friends and family and your weak-willed nature that fills your front yard with the abominable, plastic doodads. Well, stop it! Trade your crooked, bent-over, gardener’s spine for a straight sunflower backbone.
Here’s how to tell if your yard is part of the tacky tourist tour in your city:
• You have a ½ barrel spilling purple petunias (and the odd weed), surrounded by a medium-sized rock and a round dug-out area.
• You have white, quartz pebbles in any part of your garden and especially beside the driveway in rectilinear rows of what resembles poodle-droppings.
• You leave-up and plug-in your multicolored Christmas lights all year round.
• You have a ceramic goose and you dress it up for all holidays including your dog’s birthday.
• You buy inflatables, of any variety…even at Christmas, they are not cool and if you have more than one be prepared for midnight pin-attacks…to watch it die slowly.
• Too many colors in your planting arrangement. Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue…I can see a rainbow, see a rainbow, see a rainbow too. Enough said.
• Even worse then that??? Fake flowers. So, you have a black thumb or you’re just lazy…let it go. Put some grass seed down instead. Fake flowers can melt in the sun, be covered with cat urine and they fade PDQ.
• If you buy the following plants you are borderline (mind the pun) tacky: marigolds, petunias and begonias. These plants are wayyyy out of fashion (unless you grow marigolds in your herb gardens to put on salads). C’mon, really, get with the times and accept change. Go wild, throw in the odd Japanese Anemone or ornamental grass or really go crazy and throw in a gigantic allium that is bigger than your kid’s head.
• Garden sculptures and garden ornaments are all about the usage. So, you like garden gnomes. Garden gnomes are great, but moderation is the key. Or, if you’re overly excited about the seven-million dwarfs, at bare minimum, keep them against the perimeter fence and out of the direct view of your neighbors windows. If you have them on your front lawn, whistling while they work, and NONE go missing by the end of the season, you know a) that no one wants the monstrosities and b) there are no such things as dwarfs or gnomes that come to life at night (or fairies for that matter).
• Plastic…anything plastic (not resin that looks like concrete) is a huge no, no! Think, would you put that in your house (well, you probably would if you have any of these yard and garden features listed)? If you wouldn’t, than think about this…your neighbors get a first impression of the interior of your home, by looking at the exterior. Also, your garden should be an extension of your home, like a room of its own.
• House Butterflies. Ok, they were cute in the late 70’s. You know what? No, they weren’t even cute then. I bet some people have not bought a house that was up for sale because of the orange, metal monarch butterflies bolted to the side of the house instead of blissfully on their way to the mountains of Mexico.
• A car on blocks looks, well, quite frankly abysmal.
• Grass. Cut the stuff. If its soooo long you get bikini rash and wild animals come for dinner then you know it’s too long.
• Flags. One or two decorative flags are nice, provided you don’t have any of the other stuff listed here, but more than that and oh my.
If you are reading this, chances are you have some style and pizzazz which follows through to a stylish garden. Therefore, there is that person on your street that has many of these items. My advice to you: walk by and note the number of the house, print off this article and mail it anonymously. Feel free to add your own notation about that one thing that drives you crazy…sit back and watch the bonfire.
Kate Robertson prides herself on seeing the humor in life. She is an avid gardening enthusiast and is a freelance contributing editor to http://www.yardandgardendecor.com – a site that offers information on garden arbors, wind chimes, weather vanes and more.
Here’s how to tell if your yard is part of the tacky tourist tour in your city:
• You have a ½ barrel spilling purple petunias (and the odd weed), surrounded by a medium-sized rock and a round dug-out area.
• You have white, quartz pebbles in any part of your garden and especially beside the driveway in rectilinear rows of what resembles poodle-droppings.
• You leave-up and plug-in your multicolored Christmas lights all year round.
• You have a ceramic goose and you dress it up for all holidays including your dog’s birthday.
• You buy inflatables, of any variety…even at Christmas, they are not cool and if you have more than one be prepared for midnight pin-attacks…to watch it die slowly.
• Too many colors in your planting arrangement. Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue…I can see a rainbow, see a rainbow, see a rainbow too. Enough said.
• Even worse then that??? Fake flowers. So, you have a black thumb or you’re just lazy…let it go. Put some grass seed down instead. Fake flowers can melt in the sun, be covered with cat urine and they fade PDQ.
• If you buy the following plants you are borderline (mind the pun) tacky: marigolds, petunias and begonias. These plants are wayyyy out of fashion (unless you grow marigolds in your herb gardens to put on salads). C’mon, really, get with the times and accept change. Go wild, throw in the odd Japanese Anemone or ornamental grass or really go crazy and throw in a gigantic allium that is bigger than your kid’s head.
• Garden sculptures and garden ornaments are all about the usage. So, you like garden gnomes. Garden gnomes are great, but moderation is the key. Or, if you’re overly excited about the seven-million dwarfs, at bare minimum, keep them against the perimeter fence and out of the direct view of your neighbors windows. If you have them on your front lawn, whistling while they work, and NONE go missing by the end of the season, you know a) that no one wants the monstrosities and b) there are no such things as dwarfs or gnomes that come to life at night (or fairies for that matter).
• Plastic…anything plastic (not resin that looks like concrete) is a huge no, no! Think, would you put that in your house (well, you probably would if you have any of these yard and garden features listed)? If you wouldn’t, than think about this…your neighbors get a first impression of the interior of your home, by looking at the exterior. Also, your garden should be an extension of your home, like a room of its own.
• House Butterflies. Ok, they were cute in the late 70’s. You know what? No, they weren’t even cute then. I bet some people have not bought a house that was up for sale because of the orange, metal monarch butterflies bolted to the side of the house instead of blissfully on their way to the mountains of Mexico.
• A car on blocks looks, well, quite frankly abysmal.
• Grass. Cut the stuff. If its soooo long you get bikini rash and wild animals come for dinner then you know it’s too long.
• Flags. One or two decorative flags are nice, provided you don’t have any of the other stuff listed here, but more than that and oh my.
If you are reading this, chances are you have some style and pizzazz which follows through to a stylish garden. Therefore, there is that person on your street that has many of these items. My advice to you: walk by and note the number of the house, print off this article and mail it anonymously. Feel free to add your own notation about that one thing that drives you crazy…sit back and watch the bonfire.
Kate Robertson prides herself on seeing the humor in life. She is an avid gardening enthusiast and is a freelance contributing editor to http://www.yardandgardendecor.com – a site that offers information on garden arbors, wind chimes, weather vanes and more.
How To Increase Your Coaching Record By At Least 25%
"How can I become a better and more effective coach?" We hear this question frequently and there's obviously more than one answer. Today, let's explore one aspect of better coaching.
You need to identify one or two players on your team you think can develop into leaders. You see, mediocre coaches just have a bunch of followers. Superior coaches take the time to develop leaders that in turn aid the coach in leading the team to a winning tradition.
In his book, "Developing the Leaders Around You", John Maxwell says, "The greatest leadership principle that I have learned...is that those closest to the leader will determine the success level of that leader. ...the people closest to me 'make me or break me'. ...My goal is not to draw a following that results in a crowd. My goal is to develop leaders who become a movement."
Isn't that what you want as the coach of your team? A couple players that can help you create a "movement" of winning attitudes, winning work ethics - a winning synergy.
Think about this for a minute. How far do you think Phil Jackson would have gone without the leadership roles filled by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaq and Kobe? How about how the leadership of the "Triplets" helped Jimmy Johnson with the Dallas Cowboys?
How much do you think Brian Billick appreciated the leadership of Ray Lewis in 2000 when the Baltimore Ravens won it all? Do you think Gregg Popovich would be as successful without Tim Duncan & Manu Ginobili providing further leadership roles?
By empowering one or two of your players to stand up and become leaders, you create a powerful extension of yourself. Now, these leaders free you up in certain situations where leadership is needed.
If some players are "doggin' it", sometimes a "push" from a "player leader" is more effective than when it comes from you. There are some cases where only your leadership can make the difference. But there are others where the leaders you develop can step in and provide the needed words or action.
The end result of surrounding yourself with a couple of quality leaders is it makes you a more effective coach and leader. Which is exactly what you're looking for, isn't it?
Matt & Dave run http://football-plays-and-drills.com and enjoy teaching football players and coaches more about the football plays, drills, fundamentals and tips that result in individual and team success. For our free report, "5 Keys to Discovering the Successful Coach Inside You", plus an additional free report, send a blank email to mailto:footballtips@aweber.com .
We give full permission for you to use this article in your newsletter or on your site as long as you include our Resource Box with our website link and email link included.
You need to identify one or two players on your team you think can develop into leaders. You see, mediocre coaches just have a bunch of followers. Superior coaches take the time to develop leaders that in turn aid the coach in leading the team to a winning tradition.
In his book, "Developing the Leaders Around You", John Maxwell says, "The greatest leadership principle that I have learned...is that those closest to the leader will determine the success level of that leader. ...the people closest to me 'make me or break me'. ...My goal is not to draw a following that results in a crowd. My goal is to develop leaders who become a movement."
Isn't that what you want as the coach of your team? A couple players that can help you create a "movement" of winning attitudes, winning work ethics - a winning synergy.
Think about this for a minute. How far do you think Phil Jackson would have gone without the leadership roles filled by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaq and Kobe? How about how the leadership of the "Triplets" helped Jimmy Johnson with the Dallas Cowboys?
How much do you think Brian Billick appreciated the leadership of Ray Lewis in 2000 when the Baltimore Ravens won it all? Do you think Gregg Popovich would be as successful without Tim Duncan & Manu Ginobili providing further leadership roles?
By empowering one or two of your players to stand up and become leaders, you create a powerful extension of yourself. Now, these leaders free you up in certain situations where leadership is needed.
If some players are "doggin' it", sometimes a "push" from a "player leader" is more effective than when it comes from you. There are some cases where only your leadership can make the difference. But there are others where the leaders you develop can step in and provide the needed words or action.
The end result of surrounding yourself with a couple of quality leaders is it makes you a more effective coach and leader. Which is exactly what you're looking for, isn't it?
Matt & Dave run http://football-plays-and-drills.com and enjoy teaching football players and coaches more about the football plays, drills, fundamentals and tips that result in individual and team success. For our free report, "5 Keys to Discovering the Successful Coach Inside You", plus an additional free report, send a blank email to mailto:footballtips@aweber.com .
We give full permission for you to use this article in your newsletter or on your site as long as you include our Resource Box with our website link and email link included.
How To Increase Your Coaching Record By At Least 25%
"How can I become a better and more effective coach?" We hear this question frequently and there's obviously more than one answer. Today, let's explore one aspect of better coaching.
You need to identify one or two players on your team you think can develop into leaders. You see, mediocre coaches just have a bunch of followers. Superior coaches take the time to develop leaders that in turn aid the coach in leading the team to a winning tradition.
In his book, "Developing the Leaders Around You", John Maxwell says, "The greatest leadership principle that I have learned...is that those closest to the leader will determine the success level of that leader. ...the people closest to me 'make me or break me'. ...My goal is not to draw a following that results in a crowd. My goal is to develop leaders who become a movement."
Isn't that what you want as the coach of your team? A couple players that can help you create a "movement" of winning attitudes, winning work ethics - a winning synergy.
Think about this for a minute. How far do you think Phil Jackson would have gone without the leadership roles filled by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaq and Kobe? How about how the leadership of the "Triplets" helped Jimmy Johnson with the Dallas Cowboys?
How much do you think Brian Billick appreciated the leadership of Ray Lewis in 2000 when the Baltimore Ravens won it all? Do you think Gregg Popovich would be as successful without Tim Duncan & Manu Ginobili providing further leadership roles?
By empowering one or two of your players to stand up and become leaders, you create a powerful extension of yourself. Now, these leaders free you up in certain situations where leadership is needed.
If some players are "doggin' it", sometimes a "push" from a "player leader" is more effective than when it comes from you. There are some cases where only your leadership can make the difference. But there are others where the leaders you develop can step in and provide the needed words or action.
The end result of surrounding yourself with a couple of quality leaders is it makes you a more effective coach and leader. Which is exactly what you're looking for, isn't it?
Matt & Dave run http://football-plays-and-drills.com and enjoy teaching football players and coaches more about the football plays, drills, fundamentals and tips that result in individual and team success. For our free report, "5 Keys to Discovering the Successful Coach Inside You", plus an additional free report, send a blank email to mailto:footballtips@aweber.com .
We give full permission for you to use this article in your newsletter or on your site as long as you include our Resource Box with our website link and email link included.
You need to identify one or two players on your team you think can develop into leaders. You see, mediocre coaches just have a bunch of followers. Superior coaches take the time to develop leaders that in turn aid the coach in leading the team to a winning tradition.
In his book, "Developing the Leaders Around You", John Maxwell says, "The greatest leadership principle that I have learned...is that those closest to the leader will determine the success level of that leader. ...the people closest to me 'make me or break me'. ...My goal is not to draw a following that results in a crowd. My goal is to develop leaders who become a movement."
Isn't that what you want as the coach of your team? A couple players that can help you create a "movement" of winning attitudes, winning work ethics - a winning synergy.
Think about this for a minute. How far do you think Phil Jackson would have gone without the leadership roles filled by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaq and Kobe? How about how the leadership of the "Triplets" helped Jimmy Johnson with the Dallas Cowboys?
How much do you think Brian Billick appreciated the leadership of Ray Lewis in 2000 when the Baltimore Ravens won it all? Do you think Gregg Popovich would be as successful without Tim Duncan & Manu Ginobili providing further leadership roles?
By empowering one or two of your players to stand up and become leaders, you create a powerful extension of yourself. Now, these leaders free you up in certain situations where leadership is needed.
If some players are "doggin' it", sometimes a "push" from a "player leader" is more effective than when it comes from you. There are some cases where only your leadership can make the difference. But there are others where the leaders you develop can step in and provide the needed words or action.
The end result of surrounding yourself with a couple of quality leaders is it makes you a more effective coach and leader. Which is exactly what you're looking for, isn't it?
Matt & Dave run http://football-plays-and-drills.com and enjoy teaching football players and coaches more about the football plays, drills, fundamentals and tips that result in individual and team success. For our free report, "5 Keys to Discovering the Successful Coach Inside You", plus an additional free report, send a blank email to mailto:footballtips@aweber.com .
We give full permission for you to use this article in your newsletter or on your site as long as you include our Resource Box with our website link and email link included.
How Did the Comic Book Get Its Start?
The origins of the comic book are somewhat controversial and perhaps the jury is still out. So lets go back to the cartoonish broadsheets of the Middle Ages, which were parchment products, created by anonymous woodcutters. As mass circulation of these broadsheets became possible, they soon developed a market, particularly at public executions, popular events for centuries (ugh), which drew thousands of happy spectators. Many of these spectators would invest in an artist's rendering of a hanging or burning, and thus making a very lucky day for the broadsheet seller.
The broadsheet evolved into higher-level content as humor was introduced. Eventually, all types of broadsheets emerged, which were eventually bound in collections, the prototype of the modern magazine. Magazines formatted like the popular Punch, an elegant British creation, became the primary focus of documentary accounts of news and events, fiction and humor. One can see in Punch, the sophisticated evolution of a comic style, particularly in respect of the evolution of comics in Great Britain. Still and all, from an historical standpoint, the comic strip stood in the alley, waiting to be born. And then some say Great Britain's Ally Sloper's "Half Alley" was the first comic book. This was a black and white tabloid that had panels of cartoons mixed with a sliver of news; circa 1884.
Now while all this was going on in Great Britain, this inching towards the comic book, the United States had its own brand of evolution. Instead of magazines, US newspapers took the lead in creating the comic book industry. Newspapers, with their first steps, took their single image gags and evolved them into multi-paneled comic strips. It was during this period that William Randolph Hearst scored a knockout with the Yellow Kid, which was actually printed in yellow ink.
So where did the actual comic book begin? Some say it was with reprints of Carl Schultz' Foxy Grandpa, from 1901 to 1905. Although others say it was Great Britain's Ally Sloper's Half Alley. In 1902, Hearst published the Katzenjammer Kids and Happy Hooligan in books with cardboard covers. For a time, the Yellow Kid himself was a top contender. But it depends how rigid you are in your description of a comic book. These examples, for sure, were predecessors to the modern comic book, which exploded in the 1930's.
The Whitman Publishing Company, in 1934, became one of the pre-launchers for the modern comic book. They published forty issues of Famous Comics, which was a black and white hardcover reprint. The first regularly published comic in the more recognizable modern format though, was Famous Funnies. It featured such memorable characters as Joe Palooka, Buck Rogers and Mutt and Jeff.
Superheroes as we know them today took a strong foothold in the 1930's. In 1938, Max C. Gaines, who was one of the comic industry giants, brought "Superman" to Dell Comics publisher, Harry Donenfield. Donenfield scored the comic coup of the century when he published a story written by two teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster- and so "Superman of Metropolis" (the title of their short story they wrote in their own fanzine) was born. Superman was to set a standard for comic book heroes that persist to this day.
Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet. He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his childhood passions; www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign up for my comic book ezine at www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-ezine.html
The broadsheet evolved into higher-level content as humor was introduced. Eventually, all types of broadsheets emerged, which were eventually bound in collections, the prototype of the modern magazine. Magazines formatted like the popular Punch, an elegant British creation, became the primary focus of documentary accounts of news and events, fiction and humor. One can see in Punch, the sophisticated evolution of a comic style, particularly in respect of the evolution of comics in Great Britain. Still and all, from an historical standpoint, the comic strip stood in the alley, waiting to be born. And then some say Great Britain's Ally Sloper's "Half Alley" was the first comic book. This was a black and white tabloid that had panels of cartoons mixed with a sliver of news; circa 1884.
Now while all this was going on in Great Britain, this inching towards the comic book, the United States had its own brand of evolution. Instead of magazines, US newspapers took the lead in creating the comic book industry. Newspapers, with their first steps, took their single image gags and evolved them into multi-paneled comic strips. It was during this period that William Randolph Hearst scored a knockout with the Yellow Kid, which was actually printed in yellow ink.
So where did the actual comic book begin? Some say it was with reprints of Carl Schultz' Foxy Grandpa, from 1901 to 1905. Although others say it was Great Britain's Ally Sloper's Half Alley. In 1902, Hearst published the Katzenjammer Kids and Happy Hooligan in books with cardboard covers. For a time, the Yellow Kid himself was a top contender. But it depends how rigid you are in your description of a comic book. These examples, for sure, were predecessors to the modern comic book, which exploded in the 1930's.
The Whitman Publishing Company, in 1934, became one of the pre-launchers for the modern comic book. They published forty issues of Famous Comics, which was a black and white hardcover reprint. The first regularly published comic in the more recognizable modern format though, was Famous Funnies. It featured such memorable characters as Joe Palooka, Buck Rogers and Mutt and Jeff.
Superheroes as we know them today took a strong foothold in the 1930's. In 1938, Max C. Gaines, who was one of the comic industry giants, brought "Superman" to Dell Comics publisher, Harry Donenfield. Donenfield scored the comic coup of the century when he published a story written by two teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster- and so "Superman of Metropolis" (the title of their short story they wrote in their own fanzine) was born. Superman was to set a standard for comic book heroes that persist to this day.
Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet. He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his childhood passions; www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign up for my comic book ezine at www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-ezine.html
Hollywood's Fascination with the Comic Book Superhero
Movie production companies and TV have been creating feature length movies, movie serials and TV shows for years exploiting the public fascination with Superheroes. But as special effect technology and costume designs became better and better, Hollywood kicked it up a notch with feature-length high budget productions. Superman, the Movie and the 3 sequels started in the 1970s and the '90s and beyond brought us Batman, The Hulk, the X-Men and the now infamous Spider-Man, to name a few. Why all this interest in producing Superhero movies? Big bucks!! The two Spider-Man movies alone have netted about 800 million dollars apiece in worldwide ticket sales. That's not chicken feed. This kind of income could not be generated without an avid public interest in Superheroes. So if you feel you are alone in your voracious passion for your own comic book collection, think again.
And now a new twist has been added. Directors, screenplay writers, and even actors are writing for, of all things, comic books now. Big name Hollywood writers are helping to sell more comics. For example, Joss Whedon, perhaps best known for creating Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has written stories for Marvel in the series Astonishing X-Men. Back in the 90s, who would have known that all these fan boys had been hiding in the Hollywood woodworks waiting for comics to gain some cultural credibility?
If you haven't followed some of the comic news of the last several months, Stan "the man" Lee has been fighting his personal battle with His life long employer, Marvel Comics. Stan is probably one of the most well known character creators in the comic book industry. He has characters like Batman, Spider-Man and the Hulk credited to his creative imagination. Seems Stan had a contractual agreement with Marvel for 10% of any revenue acquired by Marvel from movies and TV projects centered on Stan characters. But apparently the high dollar superstructure of the corporate mind doesn't want to part with all their income. Now this is nothing new, but Stan Lee managed to win the first round for the little guy. The judge presiding over Stan's case agreed that Stan should receive his share of the agreed on profits. Now maybe Stan will get his share and maybe he won't. Sounds like Marvel will be appealing the decision. At any rate, if there weren't big bucks involved in the production of comic book Superhero movies, this case would not have been such an issue.
I believe the near future is going to bring many more of my favorite heroes to the silver screen. I have already started my own DVD collection and as more heroes get transferred from the screen to round disc, I will continue to increase the size of my collection. Do you think a DVD superhero collection will be worth as much as a comic book collection in the future? Probably not, but that won't stop me from building my collection anyway.
Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet. He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his childhood passions; www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign up for my comic book ezine at www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-ezine.html
And now a new twist has been added. Directors, screenplay writers, and even actors are writing for, of all things, comic books now. Big name Hollywood writers are helping to sell more comics. For example, Joss Whedon, perhaps best known for creating Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has written stories for Marvel in the series Astonishing X-Men. Back in the 90s, who would have known that all these fan boys had been hiding in the Hollywood woodworks waiting for comics to gain some cultural credibility?
If you haven't followed some of the comic news of the last several months, Stan "the man" Lee has been fighting his personal battle with His life long employer, Marvel Comics. Stan is probably one of the most well known character creators in the comic book industry. He has characters like Batman, Spider-Man and the Hulk credited to his creative imagination. Seems Stan had a contractual agreement with Marvel for 10% of any revenue acquired by Marvel from movies and TV projects centered on Stan characters. But apparently the high dollar superstructure of the corporate mind doesn't want to part with all their income. Now this is nothing new, but Stan Lee managed to win the first round for the little guy. The judge presiding over Stan's case agreed that Stan should receive his share of the agreed on profits. Now maybe Stan will get his share and maybe he won't. Sounds like Marvel will be appealing the decision. At any rate, if there weren't big bucks involved in the production of comic book Superhero movies, this case would not have been such an issue.
I believe the near future is going to bring many more of my favorite heroes to the silver screen. I have already started my own DVD collection and as more heroes get transferred from the screen to round disc, I will continue to increase the size of my collection. Do you think a DVD superhero collection will be worth as much as a comic book collection in the future? Probably not, but that won't stop me from building my collection anyway.
Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet. He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his childhood passions; www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign up for my comic book ezine at www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-ezine.html
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