A Shopper's Guide to Pendant Lights

By Greg Long

Lighting is a key ingredient when designing any room in your home or even outside the house. Mini pendant lights, also known as hanging lights can change the ambiance when installed in your home.

Pendant lights come in many different styles, from contemporary to traditional styles. Of course, the type of lighting fixture you choose is just a matter of preference.

If you're designing a modern room or home you'll obviously want to keep it consistent. The best pendant lights for you are probably going to be a real chic cut glass or stainless steel model. I've seen some incredible contemporary designs.

Tiffany-style pendants are the more traditional type. Their usually designed with beautiful stained glass and the colors are bright. These are one of my favorite styles and when matched in the right setting, can make a huge difference. It's one of those things that everyone will notice in your home!

Pendant lights can be placed in many different rooms throughout the home, office or even outside the house. If you have high ceilings in your foyer, that's a great spot for a pendant or multiple pendants; it will have a similar effect as a chandelier. It's lovely to notice this as the first thing when entering a home.

Most people purchasing pendant lights are looking to add these lights to their kitchen. It really adds a nice touch to a kitchen. They're commonly installed over a table or over counter tops. If you're looking to hang them over a counter top, check out island style pendants. They're more affordable than purchasing three or four different pendants, since they're all hanging on one island.

They're also found in the game room, perhaps over a billiards table. If they're over a gaming table, they can hang a bit lower than in a kitchen. Same as if installed at a work space. You want enough light from the pendants so they should be installed closer to the table.

When having these lights installed, make sure they're hanging high enough. It's not fun having to re-do them once they're in, so please make sure they're at least 30' to 40' from the surface. - 33381

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Saving Your Memories With Scrapbooks

By Ethan O. Tanner

Scrapbooks are an perfect way to maintain memories and recollect them for later reference or enjoyment. They allow for a trip down memory lane without struggling about what person had said on a exceptional even or what you were wearing on your first prom party. These amusing books keep cherished memories safe and tucked away in a corner till the time you're ready to revisit or share them with someone. By including our sentiments in a scrapbook, not only can you hold memories for a long-lasting time but can as well utilize your current time in doing something constructive and significant.

Given the alternatives that are there in the market today, getting initiated with the procedure can sweep you over. Craft stores have a bundle of varied products to offer beginning from fulfilled kits that include the colorful paper, stickers, works, a sufficient range of glitters, colored paint and markers. To top it altogether there will be options that you may need to make on the kind of book you prefer to use for your treasured memories.

But there's no need to concern about specified determinations as you definitely require not purchase all the products available in the shop to start. You can begin with a simple book in which to stick pictures and pen down your sentiments or select an album. You could equally well decide a scrapbook projected particularly for the purpose that may have assorted themes and sections to aid the process.

The one thing that you do prefer to make sure about before deciding on the book is that it should be sturdy and should be able to stand the test of time. For eternal safekeeping nowadays there are digital options for scrapbooks and you could download a scrapbook template and even load it on your personal web page to share.

Beyond the book, you should choose a few from the various options that you have to get you started. If you feel that you would like to add more aspects to your scrapbook, you can always come back to the craft store again. Some questions that you need to ask yourself before getting started are how you will personalize the book and how you will preserve the images. Personalizing the scrapbook is an easy task since all that you need to do is be yourself and choose the accessories that you like. However, while deciding to preserve your memories ensure that you use acid free paper to keep it safe from bugs. - 33381

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Does Ocracoke Make A Great Destination for Family Beach Vacations?

By Charles Vaughn

"The Andy Griffith Show" was a 1960's television show featured Andy, a sheriff in the small town of "Mayberry". The show revolved around Andy, his friends and family, and the great fun times that they all had together. While "Mayberry" is a totally fictional town, did you know that there is a place that reminds us of it? This place hastens back to a time when life was much simpler, people were kinder to each other, and everyone seemed to know your name. The place? Ocracoke, North Carolina...located in the Outer Banks. It's not only a great place for your family beach vacations, it's a place that will move you in ways you won't even realize. Read on to find out more...

North Carolina is a very modern state, so why is Ocracoke able to maintain this ode to "Days Gone By"? One reason could be that Ocracoke is a bit harder to get to. There is no direct road, no tunnel, no bridge... To get to Ocracoke you need to have either a private boat, or a private plane, or go via one of the public ferries that visit the island on a daily basis.

Shopping in Ocracoke is not at all like it's counterpart on the mainland. While shopping on the mainland can be rush, rush, rush...shopping on Ocracoke is like a leisurely stroll through the park. The shops are all rather small and quaint, and many focus on only one or two things. For example, there is one shop that focuses primarily on kites...one of the favorite pastimes on the island. They do have two main variety stores for your grocery needs, and a post office for those postcards back to the mainland.

The historic lighthouse of Ocracoke was built in 1832 by Noah Porter (a builder from the state of Massachusetts). It has the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina, and the second oldest in the U.S. It towers 75 feet (23 m) tall, and it's diameter ranges from 25 feet (8 m) at the base, to 12 feet (3.7 m) at the top. The light from it's tower can be seen 14 miles way out to sea. During the summer months a U.S. National Park Ranger is on duty at the lighthouse. While he/she is on duty, visitors may enter the base of the lighthouse...but nobody is permitted to climb it.

In conclusion, what do we think of Ocracoke? We absolutely love it...love it. Even if you don't enjoy going to the beach, this is the perfect place for your next family beach vacation, or family beach vacations... If you often think back to "days of old" when life was simpler and more carefree...definitely check out Ocracoke. Beware...you may leave your heart there.... :) - 33381

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The Making Memories Slice Scrapbooking Die Cutting Machine Cut It

By Jenny James

Scrapbooking is a wonderful form of art and memory preservation, practised the world over by both young and old. A lot of self satisfaction is achieved by scrapbookers who put pages together of one or more photos, along with a story, to preserve a memory of an event, or capture a unique moment in time.

Making Memories is one of the biggest brand names in the scrapbooking industry and is a familiar name with most scrapbookers, especially those that love to decorate their pages with unique embellishments. Making Memories also make a fantastic range of tools loved by scrapbookers including an eyelet setter, stamping dies, tag makers and much more.

One of the newest scrapbooking tools on the market that is a new must have for all keen scrapbookers, is a scrapbooking die cutting machine. As with a lot of big scrapbooking companies, Making Memories have also released their version of the die cut machine. It does however have some stiff competition from Provo Craft's electronic cutter the Cricut and the manual original die cutting machine by Sizzix.

Making Memories entrance into the Scrapbooking Die Cutting Machine market, has only come recently with its Making Memories SLICE machine. The SLICE retails for US$150.00, so it is half the price of the cheapest Cricut machine and slightly more expensive than the Sizzix Big Shot machine.

Where the Making Memories SLICE stands out though, is that it does not require a power cord to be operated. So it markets itself as being more portable than the Provo Craft Cricut, but with the same advantages, and as equally portable as the manual version of die cutting machines like the Sizzix. However since it is an electronic die cutter, it does not really compete with the Sizzix range of manual machines.

Like other electronic scrapbooking die cut machines, the Making Memories SLICE has the same basic similar features, like being able to plug in different design cards (like cartridges) and letting one cut these images out in varying sizes electronically. It also does not need to be attached to a computer like the Cricut.

The SLICE however does try to do something the Cricut Personal machine doesn't and that is to cut slightly thicker types of material. The Cricut can only cut cardstock, and the Sizzix can cut pretty much anything (but it is a manual machine). The new Making Memories die cut machine however will cut up to 0.5mm thick. This means you get the benefit of an electronic die cutter, as well as the ability to cut a wider range of materials which will add to the uniqueness of your scrapbook pages.

Given that the SLICE is competing with the Cricut and other electronic cutters, it is very well priced. It also takes up a lot less room than the other electronic cutters. From all reports, it also cuts very well and can cut sheets up to 0.5mm thick.

So with all these wonderful advantages of the SLICE, it is definitely a wonderful machine that will be envied by all scrapbookers for its ability to help them create unique embellishments quickly, easily and inexpensively. Its only slight advantage over its more expensive Cricut competitor, is that it has to be baby sat a little more, by holding the machine while it makes the cuts, as it does not make use of a sticky mat like the Cricut. - 33381

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Popular Provo Craft Die Cutting Device Line Reviewed

By Janet Jenkins

Provocraft is providing crafters everywhere with the ability to produce professional looking handmade crafts that are personal and meaningful. Provocraft has patented a series of machines are easy to use and appeal to even the most novice crafter. People now have the means to make their own personal greeting cards and stunning scrapbooks.

Cricut has produced a line of machines that utilize cartridges and dies to cut out shapes and emboss designs on a variety of materials. These machines do not require a computer or special software to make them work. Leather, cork and tin sheets can be used with Cricut machines as well as the typical cardstock and scrapbooking paper. Just visualize the potential!

The Cricut Expression is the latest Cricut model to hit the market. It can still process a 24-inch piece of paper. That means characters can be made as tiny as inch to as huge as 23.5 inches. New and updated modes and functions allow more combinations of cuts for personalization of paper crafts. The Cricut Expression accepts all of the current Cricut cartridges on the market so upgrading does not all mean purchasing all new accessories.

The Cricut Gypsy enhances the design capabilities of the Cricut Express by making the design functions fully portable. Keep it handy and enjoy the freedom of designing wherever and whenever inspiration hits. Use Cricut's cartridge library to select one or more characters to place on the electronic cutting mat. Let your creatively loose. Then save your design on a cartridge to use on your cutting machine.

The Cuttle Bug does not require electricity, which really enhances its portability. At only 7 pounds, the Cuttle Bug can easily be transported to any location. It is easily used by left-handers because the handle can be attached to either the left or right side. Load the machine with dies and material, turn the handle and enjoy your perfect product. The kid version is called the Cuttle Bug Kids. The Cuttle Bug can still use the kid dies with a special included attachment.

Coluzzle is the first cutting system that Provocraft designed. A special blade is used with sturdy templates to produce clean, quality cutouts for scrapbooking and other crafts. The templates are available for shapes, frames and letters. There are also themed kits available.

Provocraft machines and their accessories are available in most craft supply stores. They go quickly so it is difficult to keep everything in stock. With all of the templates and accessories available, it is hard to display everything. Therefore, online shopping may be the best course for purchasing these products. Online shopping is convenient for comparison-shopping, you get to stay in your own home, and you have unlimited access to all the fantastic products Provocraft has to be designed.

People who have been crafting a while as well as beginners love Provocraft machines and templates. Provocraft has enabled the general public to make quality paper crafts economically. - 33381

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Steps to Take When Looking For Bedside Lamp

By Rachel Allen

Many folks keep a lamp beside their bed due to the fact that they like to enjoy a book before they go to sleep. Having a bedside reading lamp gives you the convenience of just leaning to the side and turning it off once you have done reading your book.

If this describes your bedroom, I would recommend that you buy a lamp that's convenient to flip off and on and a unit that you can reach with ease.

If you've got a night table right beside your bed then it makes sense to look for a bedside table lamp. They're out there in every tone, size and shape out there and will give a nice ambient glow to any bedroom.

If you don't have a table next to your bed I'd advise you to search for a small floor lamp or a floor lamp that's bendable meaning you don't need to jump off the bed to turn it off.

You may have no difficulty finding a lamp that matches the look and feel of your room very effortlessly. Some outlets sell lamps with matching bedroom furniture, and this gives a very flattering look to the area. You can usually come across them at luxury stores or on the Internet.

If you're shopping for a bedside lamp, bear in mind that it solely takes a single lamp to change the entire room tone.

If at all possible, try to seek out a lamp retailer that permits you to place a lamp out on hold and try out a few in your bedroom before the transaction goes through.

Quite a few places will show their willingness to do this simply because they concede that it's not easy to match a lamp to the space when you are looking around the store.

You can purchase a bedside lamp at extremely reasonable sums of money if you invest a fair amount of time in looking around. You shouldn't have to pay more than $50 to $100 for a good duo of bedside table lamps, and a lower amount for a floor lamp.

Enjoy looking for your bedside lighting. - 33381

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Some Important Info On Rolling Ladders

By Eliza Melzono

If you have high ceilings and a lot of things stacked high, it would do you well to invest in rolling ladders so you can reach everything you need to. You don't have to worry about losing too much space in your room, and they'll look great in your home.

There are a lot of homes that have high windows or bookcases with shelves that can't be reached by the tallest people. If you need a dedicated ladder for these types of spaces, a good stainless steel rolling ladder would work a lot better than whatever standard ladder you've had for years.

It can be a real hassle to use a giant folding ladder to decorate those hard to reach places in your home. It is much better to have a rolling ladder so you can easily display what you want without the hassle.

It can also be incredibly inconvenient to drag that large ladder everywhere each time you need to dust, taking up a lot of your time and energy for a simple housecleaning tactic.

If you have a rolling ladder, your folding ladder won't be needed anymore. When you get a rolling ladder, you install a rail around the room that covers the area you need the ladder to travel to, and you rest the ladder on the rail with rollers, and you can now use it to travel wherever you need. You can mount the rolling ladders to the rail permanently, or you can choose to take the ladder off and put it away if you're not using it.

What's also nice about using a rolling ladder instead of a traditional folding ladder is that you can get from place to place and never have to leave the ladder. You simply propel yourself horizontally across the floor, and you don't have to get down, move the ladder, and go back up. This might not seem that important, however after you try it, you will understand that this is a distinct advantage of a rolling ladder.

You can get a top grade, contemporary steel ladder that will perform all the tasks you need it to. You can also have one specially to match your needs. A rolling ladder can move, stand still, be long or short. No matter what, you can find one that will suit you. - 33381

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Wedding Supplies: Last Forever

By Danny Ricks

There is a need to buy many different things before a wedding date. Numerous plans are made for wedding for which purchases are to be done. One of the important purchases is supplies for the wedding. You have to research a lot to find best supplies. So you have to take care of some important things like the color of gown chosen by bride, the theme of the wedding and many other supplies before and after the wedding.

Bride wants her wedding day to be a perfect one. She wants to make it a memorable day of her life and for guests as it is a special day of her life. It is her responsibility to choose all the things for the wedding like the color, theme and other supplies. But it is not the point that she has to go to market to buy supplies and other things. Her role is just to say yes and no that is to take a final decision.

But bride and groom have to take the major responsibility to purchase gifts for some special guests. They choose a special gift for their friends and family and the flower girl and the ring bearer. These entire things are done by both bride and groom for getting a perfect one.

You can opt to hire a wedding planner to buy wedding supplies. A wedding planner assist bride and groom to buy things of their choice and make other purchases for their wedding and friends. They offer things according to the choices of bride and groom. Also there are some wedding boutiques which not only offer beautiful dresses for bride and groom but many other wedding supplies which are important before and after the wedding.

You can also opt to purchase the wedding supplies from internet. All you have to do is search on Google to check the sites that offer wedding supplies. There are some sites from where you can buy wedding supplies at a very low cost without compromising with the quality. All you have to do is just a click on a button of your computer and wedding supplies will be on your door steps.

It is advised that you check some things while shopping for a wedding day. First of all what most people forget is the shipping and handling charges of the items that are purchased. Make sure that you add it as it can be a black spot on your planned budget.

You also have to make sure about the deadlines for delivering the wedding supplies. This is a major factor that you have to consider. It is crucial to confirm the timings for the wedding supplies, decoration, reception, etc. All the choices are made by bride and groom collectively and all decisions are taken by them.

When a couple decides to get married, it is their responsibility to check the party supplies and all other party gifts. They collectively take all decisions happily for their wedding like purchases, cost, etc. In this way they can plan perfect wedding with their own choice. - 33381

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Scarf: Wonder Accessory Both For Man And Woman

By Danny Ricks

Scarf is a cut piece of cloth worn on head or neck. Scarf is basically used in cold places to keep the head and ears warm. But now it has become a fashion. There are different colors and style of scarves available.

Scarf was first originated not to protect from cold but for cleaning purpose. It was in Ancient Rome where scarf was originated. Its first name was sudarium in Latin but then translated in English and named as scarf. It was used to clean face and neck and protect from dust especially in deserted areas. Initially it was famous among men but now it has become a fashion among women also. Men usually tie the scarf around their neck or to their belts. Women scarf is basically made up of wool, pashimina or silk.

The most common type of scarves used is embroidered scarf, silk scarf, designer scarf, head scarf, neck scarf, animal paint scarf, cotton-linen scarf, kids scarf, velvet neck scarf, winter scarf, fur scarf, knit scarf, etc. These scarves are made by designers, woven, knitted or machine made or just simply handmade. Just have a look at some of the scarf styles.

Embroidered scarves have tradition looks and are handmade. It is its beautiful traditional embroidery which makes it different from other scarves. Embroidered scarves were used in Roman times. It is an extraordinary work of art done by experts. Commonly these scarves are used in hot weather but now people are stepping towards the embroidered scarves made of wool which is used in cold weather. It is becoming a favorite piece of knitted cloth to be worn with any dress. It gives comfort and ads style to the clothes. Wool that is used to knit these scarves is made from the fleece of sheep.

Hand painted scarf is everybody's favorite. It shows the beautiful fabric paint creativity done by experts. People usually prefer to buy bright colored hand painted scarf. Painting is done on cotton, wool, chiffon, satin or georgette. You can use it as a simple scarf to be worn around neck, hips, on beach and matches with any cloth.

Silk scarves were used by warriors of a renowned Chinese Emperor Cheng. It was originated during 1000 B.C. They used it to keep their body warm in winters and now it is used for the same thing and for fashion. It keeps you comfortable in winters and is an addition of style to personality.

Beaded scarves are basically made for girls. In this scarf beads are woven on a piece of cloth. Different types of beads are used like golden, silver, white, etc. This gives a beautiful look to the scarf and is best for wearing in parties. Mostly people prefer white beads.

Finally whatever scarf you like and choose one thing that comes to the point is that it shows personality of a person and ads style. It is a wonderful accessory worn by both males and females. - 33381

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How to Find Great Photo Boxes

By Deborah Burns

As we've entered the digital age, our printed photographs definitely take a back seat to images on our computers. Still, every one of our older pictures should be tucked away in photo boxes to cherish the memories that each one brings us.

I can remember the days of one hour photo shops and the expensive cost that came with it. I suppose that it's a good thing that we no longer need to pay for things like these and film, and I don't see things ever going back to that state.

Older pictures are something that future generations won't be able to identify with. These will be worth more as time goes by, especially those taken with film.

Photographs like these shouldn't just be thrown into a drawer, as dust and aging can easily contribute to their demise. We want to preserve all of the original attributes so that they all show as much life as they possibly can. This can all be achieved with a reliable photo box.

For starters, if you're buying photograph boxes, you should look for one with strong corners that can withstand any pressure put on them. Most people end up having more than one box, and one with weak corners can easily end up bending and creasing.

Try to avoid buying any picture boxes that are lined with acidic materials. When your pictures rub against these, the color of them will be altered over time as they sit in the box. Most boxes will proudly advertise that they're free of acid.

This one should go without saying, but the dimensions of the box that you buy should be proportional with the pictures you plan to place inside it. The last thing you want is bent pictures because the container was too small.

From there, it's all about personal tastes and what appeals to you. Find something that you'll enjoy just as much as the photographs you'll be preserving. - 33381

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Learning From Face Painting Books

By Kelly Van Dorn

If you are looking for ways to make your kids party a memorable one but are not sure how to do it, I have the solution. You should include face painting at the party and let the kids have lots of fun getting their faces painted. There are lots of books and resources online to guide you step by step so don't let not knowing how to face paint put you off.

Everything you need to get started is included in the face painting books. There are lots of design ideas as well as the most popular designs that will have the kids queuing up. The author has done all of the work and found the best designs to allow you to stop guessing what the kids want and just paint. The books will often include the types of brushes you can use and more importantly the types of paint that are safe to use on the skin.

Face painting books are a great resource to have as they will have tips on the mixing of colors, the safety of face painting, using glitters in your designs as well as a step by step guide that you can follow and end up with a great design.

The books you read will help you to learn the best ways of caring for your brushes and sponges. Cleaning them properly is important with regards to safety and hygiene.

Many of the best face painting books will teach you a great deal about your tools and how to use them. Another great factor to consider is turning your hobby into a business which is often a dedicated chapter. The book will explain the steps to take to become a professional face painter and set up your business from the ground up.

It is said that books can change and enrich your life. Once you go through a variety of face painting books you will realize that you do not have to be a born painter to start face painting as a hobby! - 33381

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Why The Need For Irish Wedding Rings?

By Leigh Campbell

Irish wedding rings may look olden but regardless of it design and finish it is now becoming a big hit among the new generation. Yes, you heard it right, this kind of ring is now favored by many couples from all over the including those outside the Irish culture have found this particular type of wedding rings more interesting and truly relevant in sealing their true love with. They sure have many and varied reasons for using this particular type of ring when they need to profess and seal their undying love for each other.

Irish wedding rings are known for its magical and meaningful symbols. Because of this more and more couples from different walks of life are getting curious and showing much interest to seal their vows with it. Other than its meaningful designs and magical powers of some sort, these rings are also most sought after because of its quality. It is often inevitable for some couples to desire and eventually inch their way out to ensure having this kind of ring on their wedding day no matter what it will take them.

Irish jewelry in general is most preferred for its reputation of having top quality. Being known for its real good craftsmanship this kind of jewelry is rather costly compared to some other types.

The meaning and charms of each designs and its quality craftsmanship made these rings cost a bit higher that its counterparts, many couples would still not have second thought in having it to seal their wedding vows for many reasons. One is the luck that these rings are expected to bring to their married life.

If you are contemplating to seal your undying love for you partner with these kinds of ring you should rejoice that it is now getting popular. The internet is the best haven for Irish wedding rings. Hence, you will surely no longer have a hard time looking for the perfect piece for you and your spouse to be.

No need for you to worry about having to take time in looking for the perfect piece. You can definitely see many choices of different designs of this rings in many websites. But you need to be extra cautious in choosing the right site to purchase this kind of rings.

You should therefore take extra effort to ensure purchasing this rather costly wedding rings from online vendor known for its reputation of having top quality products and uncompromising customer satisfaction. Be reminded though that companies of this kind is not that many so be extra cautious. Since, there are now many fraudulent individuals proliferating the internet.

So if you wish to seal your love with this kind of ring, have enough time to browse and shop for the best that suit the type of personality that you and your partner seem to have in common. Just make sure though that you will not spend too much on this stuff alone as there are still many things to spend on for the special occasion. Hence, go only for nicely crafted yet less costly Irish wedding rings. - 33381

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Shopping For Perfect Bridesmaid Gifts

By Danny Ricks

As far as preparations for a wedding go, you probably already know there is so much to do and so many things to buy to ensure the occasion goes according to plan. With all this on your mind, it's important that you remember to find that special gift for your bridesmaid. Bridesmaid gifts are given to show just how much you value the role your bridesmaid is playing on your wedding day, the most important day of your life. The giving of bridesmaid gifts has become a kind of tradition and is now almost always a part of the wedding plan.

There are numerous options open to you when you start to look at ideas for bridesmaid gifts and you will be amazed at just how much variety you actually have, right at your fingertips. Although this may seem quite an overwhelming task at the time, all you have to do is give some thought to the person you are buying the gift for. Consider their likes and dislikes and you are sure to be able to make a suitable choice of gift for them. Gifts should not only look good but have meaning behind them too and if you can select a gift which is of a practical use to her after your big day, this is even better still.

Engraved jewelry boxes, charm bracelets, photo albums, robes and slippers are just a few examples of ideal bridesmaid gifts. On the other hand, some brides prefer to put together a basket of gifts for their bridesmaids, and these could consist of a range of skin care products, fancy soaps, initialed towels or even a local spa pamper day voucher to use at her leisure.

As part of tradition, the bride usually gives all her bridesmaids the same gift, differing only by any personalized detail. But you don't have to follow with tradition if you don't want to, so why not give your bridesmaids something to help them remember your special day by presenting them with a gift tailored to their individual tastes. For instance, you may wish to give one bridesmaid a slipper and robe set and give another a beautiful photo album. The recipient will be able to see at a glance that you have been thinking about her when you chose her gift.

Generally, the bridesmaid gifts are given before the wedding because once that wedding begins; the bride is swept up in enjoying her moment. Then after the reception it is usually time to take off for the honeymoon. It is a personal decision as to when you are going to give your bridesmaids their gifts. Just make sure that it is a moment that you can spend together without any interruption. When you put a lot of thought into these gifts, it will show and your bridesmaids will love you for it. - 33381

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Giving Away Celtic Bracelets

By Leigh Campbell

Want to give a bracelet on your girlfriend's birthday? Here is an option for you and it is a celtic bracelet. The beauty of a celtic bracelet will attract you so much that you cannot take your eyes off it. Celtic knots, weaves and crosses are famous symbol of Irish culture. But before you move forward to buy one for your girlfriend, keep some things in mind like material of the bracelet, its design and symbolism.

Make an idea that the bracelet is made up of the material that it is famous for like silver and leather. These bracelets are best to be known as the ancient celtic symbols. These bracelets matched every color and dress. It is so solid that you do not have to take much care and can wear it permanently.

Celtic bracelets are famous for its material that is silver and leather. But if the material is not of your type, you can opt for platinum and gold and also in other metals. But mostly people like silver and leather as this type and combination of materials is not found in any other brand other than celtic.

The width of the Celtic bracelet varies between 2cm to 4cm. Its design consists or different types of weaves and knots and comes in two types that is cuffs and bangles. Basically mostly leather bracelets are fully closed like a bangle but soft and metal bracelets are open on one end so that you can easily wear it. These bracelets give a feel of Irish heritage.

Bangle style bracelet is made up of thin metal wire and is very sleek and attractive. It is closed from all sides and contains a single knot, weave or cross which makes the bracelet more cute and sleek. Its looks are made like a bracelet which can be worn in office and parties but it is an advice to not to use this bracelet in formal sittings.

Celtic bracelets contain some meaning in it. Different types of weave, cross and knots have different symbolism. Nobody knows who started this concept of giving meaning to knots, weaves and crosses. This shows the Irish culture.

Everybody gives their own meaning to the design of these bracelets. The most well known meaning is staying in continuity and remain always connected. It gives birth to a concept of love and brotherhood. Artisans keep their own meaning to each bracelet design which is actually totally personal which they attach to their art of work.

So think before gifting celtic bracelet. Attach your personal meaning to it. Your friend or girlfriend will always keep wearing it because of its looks and meaning. - 33381

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Lamps: Make Your Home Look Unique

By Danny Ricks

Now a days people are very much interested in keeping their house up to date. They find different things in market and to decorate their rooms but finally something is again missing. They feel like something should be there in the room which can make it look warm and relaxing. It is a table lamp. Table lamp makes the room look attractive and glowing. It increases the beauty of the room by 50% and at night gives a relaxed sleep. Other corners of the house can also be decorated like low sofa tables, shelves, a chest, or a sideboard, glow up a collection or a dark corner. Mostly it is helpful for reading.

A table lamp is available in different size, style and shape. So you have a wide variety to choose from. Opt for a table lamp that is best for a particular place like for reading choose a lamp that is specially designed for it. The different type of lamps available in the market are Tiffany Lamps, Mica lamps, Country lamps, Crystal Lamps, Hand painted table lamps, Traditional style lamps, etc. All these lamps are best for illuminating the place where it is installed.

Here is the description of some of the lamp style.

Tiffany lamps are the oldest one. These lamps are being used for last hundred years. These are the only lamps which are made manually by expert craftsmen. They use copper foil to tie small bits of stained glass. Mica lamps are made by two types of material. It is mica flakes and organic shellac. These two materials are mixed in different proportions to get different colors and patterns.

Country lamps are mostly simple in case of design. It adds a different glow to the room. It has warm colors and the fixtures are also stylish. These lamps have its own beauty attached to it and are easily coordinated with the furniture surrounding it.

If you have decorated your house in a traditional way and want some updates in it then traditional style lamps is best for you. These lamps are constructed using wood or polish in the form of wood is done. Due to the small size of these lamps you can easily relocate it anywhere at the time of rearrangements. You will get a sober looking room.

Mostly people use lamps at their bed side for reading at night. If you are using a one then it is important that it should be tall enough to throw a good light at your book but do not disturb your sleeping partner

There are many other different types of lamps available for decorating your room. You will get any type of lamp that best suits your furniture and walls and gives an extraordinary romantic looks to the room.

You can position the table lamps anywhere you want but for some stylish lamps there is a need of an extra outlet. Before installing any new lamp, keep in mind to use new high quality sockets. Do not try to pass the cable under the carpet or any other material as it can increase the chances of fire. - 33381

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Celebrations with Candle Holders

By Jennifer Stone

We always here that candles light up lives like it can light up a room. But there is one thing always left aside when candles are being discussed, the thing that holds it. Yes, a simple candle holder. Usually unnoticed, but this thing could just be the unnoticed gem inside your home.

It comes in various sizes, shapes and color. From antiques to modern design, from metals to the simplest twig could make up your candle holder. It does not need to be expensive, even a very cheap candle combined with even a cheaper candle holder could work its magic in your humble dwelling. With just the enough touch and creativeness, it will for sure work its beauty.

To work up your creative side you can even make your own candle holder that suits your personality. Using some stuffs you could see around or things you are about to thrown could make up a great candle holder.

Candle holders could also be a good gift to your loved ones during birthdays or holidays. Together with simple candles, it adds a personal touch if you yourself would make the gift, which brings more meaning into it and you can even save up money with it, another plus.

So when all your candle holders are ready, setting it up is another thing. Some candle holders are placed as center pieces on tables, some are placed on walls. Some even has longer stands that provide another accent to your house. There are instances that even a not so nice in the eyes can be very pretty if you only know the right areas where to place them.

Taking this consideration, grab some candle holders together with nice candles, glam up your own home even in a simple way. On the long you may actually find out that these thing could be the gem inside your home. - 33381

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Enjoy the Craft of Beaded Jewelry

By Ethan O. Tanner

Creating your personalised beadwork jewelry symbolizes an innovative hobby that allows you to develop unequaled art objects for yourself, family and friends. It is an appreciated avocation that can be expanded into a home line of work. Here is how you can get started.

If you inquired yourself "could not I create that myself?" When you searched through and through rows of bead bracelets, necklaces or earrings at a stylish boutique, the response follows "certainly". Beadwork represents an originative and amusing hobby that not alone will have you produce extraordinary, handmade items of jewelry, but will in addition to comprise a great source of bighearted ideas for family and friends.

The first step would constitute to uncovering a good local bead store. In that respect are terrific mail ordering catalogues and internet site* that will sell you entirely the supplies, search a business that offers support and advice. A outlet could in addition to offer a number of beginners' courses that would assist you learn fundamental methods (if there is no bead shop in your town, some introductory books such as The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading will have to do).

Begin with a elemental project, such as a bracelet or basic necklace, and don't go overboard with high-priced beads and findings (clasps, hooks, and so forth.). You could be wanting to utilize Swarovski crystal, sterling silver and semi-precious beads right at once, but you will be able to get up to that later on. Some stores will even offer prepackaged starter kits that include a beadwork board (which assists you with project arrangement and measurings), a few primary tools, beads, wire, findings and a how-to-book.

You should then arrange your "beading space" ? preferably a tidy, well-lit area. You may have to invest in a good lamp, perhaps one combined with an enlarging lens. Remember, you'll be stringing up some quite small objects! Make certain you have plenty of containers to hold unlike types and colors of beads separate ? nothing will frustrate your delight of beading like being forced to search for a individual bead in a mixed up pile. Beading stores will sell you different storage arrangements (including beading bags for the beader-on-the-go), but you will be able to as well try out with low-cost plastic containers intended to hold small hardware or fishing gear.

Well, there you're prepared for your initial beadwork jewelry project! Don't forget to protect your beading place from interested cats and tots. Happy beading, and enjoy wearing your hand-crafted jewelry! - 33381

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How To Build The Right Wooden Photo Frames For You

By Clive Leyland

If you're someone inclined toward art, you are aware by now that wooden photo frames are beautiful, and also quite expensive. But what if you made one of those stunning frames for yourself and kept all the extra money rather than chucking it at the cashier?

Here are the steps to building a wooden photo frame. If you follow these next steps, you'll have a full wooden photo frame built and ready for use in no time.

(1)Measure the artwork and the mat of your frame. The most important measurement you're going to need is that of the mat; if you cut your frame to the size of the picture, then you're going to wind up with a frame that is too small to fit anything. This step gets skipped more often than you would think. It's never a bad idea to re-measure, either. If you find an issue with your measurements, it's better to deal with it now than after you've invested your time and money in building a frame.

(2)Buy the corresponding amount of lumber as per the measurements you took in step one. Begin cutting. Make sure to keep those measurements in mind as you go along, because you're not going to get another shot at cutting. The lumber should be divided into four pieces, each section is the complete length added the width of the wood multiply by two.

(3)Trim each edge to a nice forty five degree angle. When you've accomplished this step, you can assemble your wooden photo frame on a tabletop. If it's not looking perfect at this point, don't worry over much. You still have time left to sand down any imperfections that might appear. If it looks big, get your saw back out and start cutting.

(4)Sand down all the pieces when the cutting process is done for good. Try using a belt sander for best results, and remember that you want your frame to be a work of art on its own. Don't settle for a shaggy looking wooden rectangle.

(5) Glue the angled tips of the pieces together and press tight with right angle clamps. This step requires some patience, as it's going to take some time for that wood glue to bind the pieces the way you want them to. Put quite a lot of pressure on those clamps for better binding.

(6)Put some V nails in each side, one going in and one coming out. This should keep your frame together even if the glue fails. It won't be a perfect fix, but it should keep the shape you want in place long enough to get some emergency glue in the mistaken areas.

(7) Take off the clamps and let it dry. Let it sit until tomorrow morning. By then, your wooden picture frame should be dry. This is the last opportunity you'll get to perfect the frame, by the way, so if there are scruffy edges make sure you sand them off now. When you're sure it looks as good as it can, add some stain if you'd like a color other than natural wood.

Wooden photo frames may be expensive in the store, but they aren't particularly expensive to make. Following the above steps will ensure that you'll make a wooden photo frame that's just as attractive as a store bought one. - 33381

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Bridal Jewelry Sets: Choosing The Right One

By Danny Ricks

It is your big day and as a bride, you should be the center of attention. You want this day to be special and you will want to look at your best as well.

To make you look stunningly beautiful, you should have the appropriate ornaments and accessories. These include the bridal jewelries. In any wedding, bridal jewelries are one of the essentials in your wedding outfit. Because of the wide array of wonderful collections of bridal jewelries, one would find it confusing and stressful to choose one. That is why the woman tends to go overboard which is a big mistake. Remember, jewelries are only accessories and they should not compete with your beauty. Its purpose is to enhance you more. You should wear it simple but sophisticated.

Choosing the perfect jewelry might be tough if you do not have the idea how you should choose. You have to consider that each piece should compliment one another and it should match your bridal gown. Therefore your gown is one critical factor on how to choose the right ones. Fortunately, there are several jewelry shops that offer help to those who cannot make up their mind choosing the best one for them. These shops offer bridal jewelry sets which will definitely help you and lift you from the burden of matching each pieces.

A jewelry set is usually consisting of a pair of earrings and a necklace. It can also be a necklace and a tiara set depending on the supplier of these jewelries. Purchasing a set not only helps you choose the right jewelries for you. It also saves you money because a set costs lower than buying each individual items.

There are various jewelries to choose from. They may be crystal, pearls, silver, gemstones, rhinestones or engraved jewelries. Choosing them will all depend from the style of your wedding.

If you like a traditional wedding, you will most likely see white, strapless dresses. These styles are great if you want attention to your shapely collarbone and shoulders. With these dresses, you may want to consider diamond jewelry set. You can wear simple, elegant drop earrings, a tennis bracelet and a simple pendant. The movement of the earrings will have a dramatic effect with lights as you move. It helps you light up your face on your photos, giving you a radiant glow

You may also wear contemporary dresses. They are more tricky though. These are sleek and elegant dresses that is characterized as a modern wedding. Simple and traditional jewelry may be worn to soften the contemporary look of the dress. Wearing pearls can be a good choice. Pearls come in different shapes, sizes and colors. Teardrop pearls would be perfect if you want drop earrings and pendants. Pink colored ones are also good if you want a touch soft feminine in you.

There are brides who may want to look hip and cool in their weddings. They may want colored dresses rather than the traditional white gowns. These dresses which are ideal in an outdoor wedding should also have a set of bridal jewelries. Just choose the pieces that matches the color of your dresses. You may find it in various jewelry shops or even on the Internet. You can choose between genuine gems and simulated stones.

No matter what bridal jewelry set you choose, it should make you look perfect. This is your day anyway, make sure you sparkle. - 33381

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Add Some Drama In Your Patio With Aggravation Board Game

By Benedict Perez

Aggravation board game is not merely an ordinary toy for anyone in the family to play with. It can be a powerful thing to have in some boring areas in your house like the lawn and patio. It could turn your Monotonous lawn set can turn into a colorful and more interesting place with this thing as a decorative piece. For certain you can do so much with it beyond your imagination.

By all means do not throw it out into your closet to rut especially when you are tired and bored playing it with family and friends. Instead of having it rut, you can maximize its decorative sense. Other than being an ordinary game board, there are so many other stuffs you sure can do with this thing.

Yes, you sure can use aggravation board game as a decorative piece both for indoor and outdoor areas in your house. It would surely shine and add color to your boring lawn set with its vibrant color. It could also be an interesting piece to reckon with in your patio.

This game board will not only look good as decorative pieces in those particular areas around the house. It can also be so powerful to spark a wonderful conversation among visiting relatives and friends. It is also a perfect piece for anyone in your family to reminisce the good old days done with this thing.

You should therefore not under estimate the powers of this game board once you have grown tired of playing with it for many reasons. It will definitely add some drama into the dull areas in your house. Hence, it is a must that you have to broaden your perspective on this amazing and totally powerful toy.

This way, you will have something real nice for your visitors to start talking with and at the same time have your money's worth. While it is true that you may have outgrown your aggravation board game, it might have some great sense of interest for your visiting relatives and friends. It is therefore a good idea to flaunt it in specific areas of your house particularly those where you often gather your visiting friends and relatives.

You just have to maximize also the powers of your imagination for you to truly maximize this board game. Is it not interesting that you are now truly able to maximize this thing you have spend your hard earned money with? I bet you have never imagined having both a toy and decorative stuff when you bought that game board.

These are among the many things you can do with this toy to fully show how magical and powerful this little toy board can be. Other than being a toy is also an enchanting stuff for anyone to talk about as a great entertainer for your visiting relatives and friends while you may be busy preparing something for them to feast on. It is also a perfect decorative piece to have in the house. With all these information laid out on you, it is hopes hoped that you now appreciate and value the other good sense of purpose of aggravation board game. - 33381

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Tips for How to Make Animal Origami

By Brenlee Place

Making animal origami structures is something that artists of all skill levels enjoy doing. Animals are a large part of what make up traditional origami, and practically any type of animal can be represented through this paper folding art form. Cranes are often times associated with origami because traditional Japanese folklore says that creating one thousand cranes will bring prosperity and luck, and some say a wish, to the folder. Although the crane may be one of the most recognized animal figures in origami, there are plenty of other animals you can construct from paper.

The bird base is used in conjunction with other animal origami bases to create a wide variety of winged creatures. Of all the birds created with origami, the crane is probably the most well known. However, bluebirds and even dragons are popular figures that can be made using the bird base. Although it is called the bird base, it does not mean that only origami birds can be created from it, as other animals as well as decorative figures and gifts use the bird base as a starting point.

Here are directions for how to make a dog making use of this Japanese art form. First, you will begin with a square piece of paper. If it is colored, put the colored side face down on the work surface and then fold along the diagonal to create a triangle. Next you will bring the corners together to fold the paper in two, and then unfold it. This step makes a crease. Now you'll position the paper so that two points are at the top and one point is facing down. To create the dog's ears, you will turn down each of the two top points, using the center crease line as a guide. To finish, you will fold the bottom and top of the dog's head away from you.

This is a very simple piece of origami. Many kids who make this enjoy pasting googly eyes on it as well as drawing a mouth and nose to make it more realistic and personalized. For a good selection of interesting origami critters and more, pay a visit to the website of Robert J. Lang, at www.langorigami.com.

There are a few thoughts to keep in mind while you are learning how to construct animal origami pieces, if you want to make the process run more smoothly. First, make use of crisp paper that will allow you to make the kinds of creases required. Do not use any old piece of paper, but at the same time, don't buy really expensive paper to begin as you may be wasting a lot of it. As well, choose paper that is colored differently on each side, so that you are immediately aware of which side is the front and which side is the back. - 33381

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A Few Pointers About Digital Scrap Booking

By Fay Grant

People have kept diaries, family Bibles, all kinds of scrapbooks from the beginning of recorded time, just so they would have a chronological progression of memories that they could look back on and savor again the wonderful times and thoughts those saved tidbits provided. Many folks find great comfort in perusing an old scrapbook and looking at the old photos of loved ones that are now gone, or looking at snaps of the old homestead that is miles away, or just the dried flowers from that first corsage on that very first date.

How times have changed----not in the fact that people don't do scrapbooks anymore----far from the truth; folks are big into scrapbooks now more than ever, but what has changed big time is the way they scrapbook. Digital scrap booking is all the rage today, and it makes what had been a simple pastime of just saving snippets of life in a book, into works of art. And the computer and all its wizardry is the basis for this surge of popularity in scrapbooks these days.

Literally, there are thousands of sites on the Internet involved with digital scrap booking because it is such a huge business now, and so many folks are doing it. Consequently, these many sites are in competition with each other for your business, that many are offering free downloads that you can use any way you like, as long as you don't try to resell them as your own work----that would be against the copyright laws. That in itself is a big savings because what you can download for free on the Internet sometimes is all you need to get started, and it will save you lots of money in the craft stores.

Then we have a new term on the block called digital scrap booking hybridization, which is simply the merging of two art forms: the stock photo snaps and paper materials that you have in your hand to go into the book, and the digital artwork that can be downloaded from one of the computer sites. Your saved materials will go into the scrapbook and then be accented and embellished with the artwork you get from the online site; which usually is really neat choices of page borders, cartoon characters, stars and celestial forms, whimsical flowers and objects, and the coolest choices in lettering and script-----stuff you could never do yourself in a million years.

That thought brings up another point. You don't have to be an artist to do digital scrap booking----in fact the very opposite is true. You can be the proverbial person who cannot draw a straight line, and have little or no color sense; and yet, with the help of the ideas on the computer and all the guides that are included on how to arrange a scrapbook page or how to choose colors; you can produce the most fantastic array of pages you have ever seen. Your friends will be in awe for days.

I have lots of friends who do digital scrap booking, and they floor me with the designs they come up with and how gorgeous the pages look that they put together. Most of them start with pictures of something the kids did or are doing, like a ball game, or a birthday party, or Halloween; and then expand the idea with materials they found on the Internet that they could download and use for free, and I'm telling you----these books look like a pro did them. Amazing.

If you have a computer and know how to turn it on, have a desire to create a scrapbook to retain the memories that your life is creating; then digital scrap booking is for you. Just save up all those bits and pieces you have stored all around the house, get a scrapbook, and turn on the computer, and you are good to go. Digital scrap booking is where it's at, and it's growing by leaps and bounds as more and more regular folks are learning the nuances of computer art and how to apply it to everyday life. - 33381

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Wedding Jewelry 101

By Danny Ricks

Wedding is one of the most important and special day in any woman's life. This day should be perfect and you would want to look at your very best, especially to your wedding photos. Aside from the wedding dress, there are many things that you should consider and these include the wedding jewelries. Choosing the right set of jewelries can really make your dress and you perfect.

Because of the large collection of wedding jewelries in the market, it may be confusing and stressing to choose the right set for you. To lift you up from this burden, you may want to look for wedding jewelry sets. Usually, it comes with a necklace and a pair of earrings or sometimes, a necklace and a tiara set. Family jewels like your pearls, diamond earrings or charm bracelets may also be use instead of buying a new set. Choose carefully and think of your wedding dress and the style that comes from it.

If you have a shapely collarbone and shoulders, wear strapless dresses. With these style of dress, choker necklace will go perfectly with it, as well as wearing a diamond necklace with a delicate pendant

Halter-top or mermaid style dresses, which are basically modern day dresses, can go well in chick jewelries. You may choose a jewelry with a single pendant on it or has a single shape. Circle and other geometric shapes are quite popular nowadays. Plain metals are also good and it can be re-used with some of your dresses.

Classic dresses such as Victorian styled dress or medieval dresses are somewhat tricky. Do not couple it with modern chic jewelry in a medieval dress because obviously they do not match. You may want to wear something with chains of flowers into it or a jewelry set with semi-precious stones. Wear something that signifies a long past. In Victorian dresses, there are a lot of jewelry sets specially made for these kind of dresses. Most of them have colors in it so choose something that can bring out a nice contrast to your dress.

You have the most choices in simple dresses. With these kind of style, you really cannot go wrong - well, you may tend to go overboard which is a big no, no. One thing you should remember to simple dresses is you have to wear simple jewelries as well. If your dress does not have frills or ruffles, you may want to wear a simple necklace with a pendant or a necklace made with interlocking links. Another option would be wearing an opulent necklace. This will draw more attention than the dress. If you have a colored wedding dress, make sure to find a set of jewelries that matches the color of what you wear.

When choosing your wedding jewelry, always consider your dress, the style that comes with it, your hair and your makeup. All of these elements should go well together. They should not clash. You do not want to mess up with your special day. Make it perfect. - 33381

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Sash Window Repair Services in London - Protecting Part Of History

By David Taylor

You hardly ever see sash windows out here where I live in the tropics of Africa, only in some of the very old house that have been kept meticulously preserved, and I miss them. I grew up a good deal in my grandma's Yorkshire home, where everyone had these windows and they feature big in London architecture too. You can maintain these historic architectural features by using sash window repairs in London.

The architectural facade of a city tells you and visitors a good deal about the type of people who live there. These windows are prominent features of the architecture, therefore their preservation is not just a sentimental yearning of a distant ex-pat. They look lovely and serve the purpose they were designed for, to allow you to see out and the light to flood into a room.

I also remember driving through Regents Park in London as an adult and the building there were impressive, but what to me was more impressive, was the sheer size of these windows. I suppose you can tell that I have always had a thing for windows, but many people do.

Many different types of buildings in an around London and other cities, towns and villages in the UK, have sash windows. In the past this was part of typical architecture, so a Cathedral like St. Pauls in London has them, but so too do many domestic housing structures and the houses of Parliament.

Just outside of London in Hillingdon the recently refurbished Burr Hall provides a prime example of how a Victorian building looked in its heyday, and top of the shopping list for the listing council, was to have the sash windows replaced. What was once nearly a ruin has been restored to it former greatness and is now an incredibly beautiful building.

Residents and business owners in London can also do their bit to protect the historical architecture of this great city. So call in sash window repairs in London, before you even think about having those draughty old windows replaced. A lot can be done to save them, make them completely weatherproof, and retain the historical looks of your building. - 33381

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Electronics - Charging Force Behind Model Trains

By Daryl Clayton Kennedy

Until the magic of electricity, model train lovers had to push their trains to receive their trills... It wasn't until the introduction of electricity that modelers began to tackle the problems of operating multiple locomotives simultaneously on one block of rail!

Lionel offered a cool two channel system way back in the 1940's. This awesome before her time system used oscillating electrons and a transmitter to shoot messages through rails where your locomotive took in orders and delivered them with railroad precision!

The engineer could control his or her model train through a switch or dial of some sort. As you where able to control your speed and direction using this technique, it was never the less cumbersome which made for a daunting setup and timely dissemble.

Lionel's short comings in the convenience category left room for companies like GE to walk in and introduce there electronic wizardry into the model train industry. GE brought to light a 5 channel system which allowed for the controlling of more than one train per block.

GE called this system ASTRAC (Automatic Simultaneous Train Control). This new system from GE utilized a silicon based rectifier that Incorporated a receiver in each cab. The receiver responded to signals within the tracks sent by a transmitter mounted elsewhere.

Later came other systems such as, Dynotrols Carrier Control which was popular for a while in the sixties and seventies. These early command control devices shared a major setback which held the industry down for a few years. These control devices where not at all compatible. This meant you had to have all the components made by the same manufacture as different companies followed different electrical blueprints and guidelines. You could easily short out your layout or even worse cause a serious electrical fire.

In order to keep order in the industry a proclamation was handed down by Lenz, which is one of Europe's leading DCC innovators and manufacturers. This decree lays the ground work for uniformity in the DCC community, thanks to Lenz and Marklin Digital, DCC manufacturers of toady must match the compatibility of decoders in engines with power stations attached to tracks. In other words whether or not you have a Digitrax or a Lenz decoder, your commands are still understood by the power station, no matter what brand it is!

As long as your decoders and power stations follow NMRA standards you're good to go! Be sure to check your decoder before operation to assure positive results. - 33381

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Homemade Candy. The Best Way To Teach Kids To Cook.

By Peter Bertonich

When school holidays come around the kids are delighted. But sometimes mom isn't so delighted. What are you going to do to keep the kids entertained these holidays? How about making some wonderful homemade candies these holidays?

There aren't many people who don't like candy, homemade candy especially. And the kids love making it and eating the results too. It's not that hard to make candy if you choose one of the easier recipes and the kids will enjoy the process.

Last night I spent the evening making candy with my kids. They loved it and you should have seen them lick out the bowl. They could hardly wait till it was ready to eat.

And I believe that it's very important to get kids to learn about the delights of cooking. It is never too early to get started teaching the kids all the joys of cooking, and the skills, and making homemade candy is a great place to start. In fact the perfect place to start the kids cooking.

Unfortunately homemade food seems to be less of the norm than it used to be, I believe they are even making houses without kitchens now. But to me a good family time revolves around making, and eating, homemade food. And homemade candy is one of the best types of homemade food to begin with.

But remember, always allow more time for the process than you could imagine that it would take. Teaching kids to cook takes time. And makes mess. Expect to be cleaning up plenty of mess if the kids are young, that's just how it is.

And there's one golden rule. When you have a good recipe always double it because if you've got a family there never seems to be enough. Everyone wants more.

And while kids (and you) might love homemade candy it's not restricted to your family. Candy that the kids have made makes a fine gift and it's something for the kids to give that they really did make themselves. Grandma will love it.

So if your kids are pestering you for great ideas for activities in the school holidays there's a great idea for you. Get them making homemade candy. It's a skill that be worth their learning and will them started on cooking.

So find some simple homemade candy recipes, get the kids into the kitchen, and get started. Just don't eat the candy all in one go, as we did last night. - 33381

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From Punch And Bind To Bookbinder

By Roy Bouldin

Bookbinders are probably the most useful non electronic documentation organizer ever created. The bookbinder's predecessor was originated in India and later revolutionized by Muslims. With the advent of paper and other products, different types of bindings were introduced. There are also places such as bookbinder Columbia where they will do the binding for the customer. This is particularly important for specialty books and projects.

As with most people, the initial knowledge regarding bookbinders tends to come from our early schooling, particularly junior high and high school. The common binder used there is the three ring binder of varying sizes from under half an inch to over three inches. The advantage of these binders was the fact that the student could add, remove, and place pages at will. Its an ideal tool for keeping class notes.

Ring binders are also convenient for albums and scrapbook projects. Binders for these specific purpose are available in a wide variety at most stationery and gift stores. Some of these specialty products also come in various sizes, designs, and formats. For example, there are some mini binders that can be used for address books and that little secret black book. Others are designed more for keeping a journal or diary. There are also styles to fit most fashion trends.

The advancement in binding technology has improved over the years. Bindings have gone from the wood and bamboo types to leather, calfskin, cloth and paper. The bindings also vary depending on the type of cover. There are three types of hardcover bindings: over-sewing, sewing through the fold, and double fan adhesive.

One typical solution, commonly available in most quick copy shops, is the punch and bind. Here the pages are punched with holes depending on the type of bind. Some types of punch binding would be wire binds, comb binds, velobind, spiral or coil binds and zip binds. Zip binds are great for small presentations and reports.

The more permanent binding solutions are usually pre-treated and contain some type of glue and heat combination. There is also the perfect bind which is most commonly used in paperback books. The perfect bind glues the paper at the spine with a strong but flexible substance. Thermal binds, on the other hand, heat a once piece cover after its been glued. Other types of binds that are popular are the tape binds. This can be great for workbooks and manuscripts. However, they are not as permanent. The binding technique typically depends on the type of project.

The sewn and stitched binds also have permanence and are used mostly in hardcover texts. One unique style, the saddle stitch, is most common in comic books. This can also be used in periodicals and magazines. The saddle stitch basically staples the pages through the centerfold. Some of the high end glamour magazines, however, tend to use a perfect bind. They also have different spine orientations for texts and graphics.

However, in the modern age with the increasing popularity of electronic readers and the like, the focus and importance of binds and bindings has diminished. However, there are places that specialize in preservation and reclamation. The work here is tedious and often requires the skills of master book binders. There is something about holding a book in your hand that has been thoughtfully put together as part of the overall experience. This tactile joy and sensory input is extinct in the digital age. - 33381

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Making You Wedding Guest Books Special

By Danny Ricks

Wedding guest books are one of the most important features in a wedding. A wedding guest book helps newly married couples to reminisce those who attended their memorable day. This helps them also to make thank you cards or to start their newly organized address book. In this special day, you would want your guest book to be something special as well.

Wedding guest book is one of the most important things during the wedding. First, it provides a list of those people who spent their time with them. With the list, you can always prepare a thank you card for them. Second, it serves the purpose of refreshing your contacts. Your friends or relatives may have changed their numbers and addresses. You may also meet new faces - your in-laws, your spouse's friends that you might want to add in your contacts. And lastly, it holds the messages and wishes of those who love you and support you for this major decision in your life.

Never let your guest book signed half empty. Let it circulate. Since you will be too busy during the occasion, have one of your friends or relatives help you to pass it around. Do some little encouragements to your guests and ask them to leave messages. The reason why most guest books are left to shelves and be forgotten is because you have no reason to look it back again. Messages, drawings, poems, stories and good advices would make it more than just a list of names and phone numbers; it is a collection of friends and families with their love and care for the both of you.

Pictures are quite good to see in a guest book. You can have your friend take Polaroid pictures of your guests and paste it on the guest book before having them sign on it. Pictures are moments captured. As for the years to come, you will not forget the faces and names of those special people around you that day. The pictures may be candid, stolen or formal shots but they always tell a story - and it is a story worth remembering.

Weeks before the wedding, you can ask some of your friends and family members to share something that can be put on your guest book. These can be recipes, a composition, and stories in the past. They may even include pictures of you. It will be a more personalized guest book full of thoughts and fun. Surely, it is a worthy treasure to keep.

Decide also what whether you want your guest book lined or unlined. It will really depend on how you want your guest book to be - something fun or something formal. The above mentioned ideas are something that will work better on a blank guest book. A blank sheet would mean freedom wherein your guests can express their moods and their thoughts at that time. They can draw something funny, write very big or very small, they can write vertically or horizontally or whatever they want. Having that freedom will also, at the same time, can bring out the creativity in your guests as well.

Books with lined papers on the other hand are commonly used in traditional guest books. It is hard to keep your writing straight on a blank sheet of paper. It will surely look unattractive and messy. Using a lined guest book keeps things in order.

Just remember, there are no rules and definitely no limits of what you can do with your guest book. Keep in mind its purpose. It is a treasure. Take some time for ideas to make your wedding guest book as something that is worth keeping. - 33381

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Particular Function Of Every Piece Of Cabinet Hardware

By Benedict Perez

Cabinet Hardware refers to many forms of necessary accessories to ensure proper use of your fixtures. These devices help you in preserving the life of your pieces of furniture and enhancing their appearance. These are vital devices which offer ease and convenience that must be applied to any fixture.

Cabinet Hardware as hinges, handles, pulls, knobs, keys and locks come in varying colors, sizes, styles and materials as well as finishes. These are designed to coordinate with any kind of furnishings you have at home. These particular components add beauty that can accentuate your pieces of furniture and furnishings at home. They can make a perfect harmony with all the rest of your house decors and pre-existing accessories. Thus, it is very important for you to know some of these most devices or accessories for your pieces of furniture and fixtures.

Hinges: Nowadays, the styles and designs of these implements are decorative and add accents to the furniture which truly make them good accessories. These are types of devices that connect two solid objects to move or rotate. These are generally of metals and designed to be flexible or moving. The sizes to be attached depend on the size and strength of the doors.

Handles: These types of accessories are attached for ease and convenience in pulling the surface of your fixtures. These are used to hold doors for convenience in opening and closing. Without the handles doors can be forcibly opened by being pulled out of their faces with another hard object. Materials used may be wood, metal or plastic.

Knobs: Components such as these are functional just like the handles. The main difference between knobs and handles are in their basic features specifically that locks often come with keys which are built-in accessories of the knobs. Knobs are turned to open your doors. Most often, the materials used for these particular accessories are high-quality metals which must be compatible with the keys and locks which are made of metals as well.

Keys: These are very important tools to unlock a bolt or a lock. These are used to turn a lock close or opening order to gain access to secured doors or spaces. Keys are made to fit and be compatible with the corresponding locks to be able to be functional. Generally, keys are constructed of strong metals to withstand wear and tear as well as use and abuse of their usage.

Locks: These are designed to be unlocked or accessed to be opened with or without the use of keys. Modern locks have been technologically advanced. These are already accessed through keypads with combination codes and eliminate the use of keys. These implements are definitely made of sturdy metals to ensure against tampering.

Cabinet hardware is undeniably a vital component not just for your cabinets but for all your doors. This particular component feature varying designs, styles, colors, shapes and finishes that add accent to the fixtures. An accessory such as this adds beauty to your home and help in the preservation of your fixtures. - 33381

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Novelty Pajamas Are Meant to Tickle Your Funny Bone

By Barbera Wellbout

Relaxing at home with novelty pajamas can make bedtime a fun experience for the whole family. You will find an assortment of different pajama fabrics, styles along with different themes that manufacturers will offer that you will be able to find in a pair of novelty pajamas that will be able to suit everyones humorous tastes.

With so many choices available to you, your toughest decision will be which one to pick, as they all will be so fun looking.

The manufacturers have given us many different styles of novelty pajamas so that you can show off your individual humor by going with the footed fun pajamas, pajama pants, sleep shirts, or sleepwear sets. They also make great birthday or Christmas gifts as well.

The bonus of purchasing this style of pajamas is that you can find something that will reflect part of their personality, by finding the right pair of pajamas you are showing them that you pay attention to them and you find them important enough that you spent the extra time in finding the perfect pair of pajamas.

Novelty pajamas are not just for children, grown-ups can bring back their childhood by finding the nostalgic characters and cartoon characters that you grew up with which will allow you to reminisce about the days that were always fun and all you have to do is wear these fun pajamas with your favorite comic book character or childhood hero.

You know, as I was growing up, I always loved Holly Hobby and even now that I am all grown up, I would really love to have a fun pajamas set of Holly Hobby for Christmas or for my birthday. If you are shopping for someone special, all you have to do is find out which hero was their favorite and you will be able to find the perfect set of pajamas.

For the man in your life that you are trying to shop for, just know that there are still plenty of options for him. There are boxers and pajama pants. There are sports logo pants and camouflage print. If you want to go all out you can even purchase him a set of holiday theme printed pajamas.

With a little research, you will find that there are novelty pajamas for just about any occasion that he would like. You will be completely surprised at how well the gift of comfortable pajamas is received. It is the perfect way to tell him it is okay to relax after a long day.

When you are looking through the various styles and the various designs, you will want to make sure that you are picking just the right fabric that he would like. If he likes to stay cool at night, flannel bottoms may not be your best bet. Silk boxers may be a better choice. If he is always complaining that his feet are cold, you can get him a pair of footed pajamas.

As for women they are sometime fussier on the type of pajamas that they would like, you will find that on the female side there are more options to find fun pajamas. With such a vast variety of designs and styles including complete sleep sets, tank tops, sleep shirts and even pajama pant pairs as well as some nice footed sleepers, you will not have to worry about finding the right style of novelty pajamas to suit any woman out there.

One thing that you will need to do is to make sure that you are aware of the personal preference of the person you are shopping for. This is a great way to make sure that he or she feels truly appreciated and loved because you took the time to find them a personalized gift.

Just make sure that you are remembering that there are various types of fabrics out there. This is very important when you are shopping for novelty pajamas. Some people insist on sleeping in only cotton, otherwise they would not be comfortable enough to sleep through the night. You will want to make sure that you are purchasing the right fabric so that there is not only a good nights sleep but there is comfort when lounging around as well.

There are many places that you can turn to when you are looking to purchase wonderful novelty pajamas. You can shop your local department store or you can go online and have the fun pajamas shipped right to your house. Usually, the best deals are found online anyways. - 33381

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