Snow Art - Materials and Equipment

Snow sculpting has been around apparently for a very long time. I didn't know that, but I am not surprised at all; building a snowman actually is a form of snow sculpting.

For the more serious sculpting art you will need at least an axe, a (chain)saw and a chisel and a lot of snow. The latter is out of your control, but you can always take a short vacation to a place where it snows abundantly.

I found several sites with online instructions, but I thought I might list them here as well for a change:

- Before you get started it would be a good idea to make some kind of a sketch for the sculpture you have in mind. Pack the snow firmly; this will ensure your snow art will last as long as possible.

- You can use containers to pack the snow in. In case you are not very creative you can also use molds: loaf pans make excellent bricks and bowls make good domes. Jello and pudding molds, cake pans and ice cube trays can also be used for snow art molds.

- Make a rough outline of the sculpture by drawing with sticks or making trails of footprints. Then build up the overall shape of the sculptures with your molded building blocks, snowballs and packed heaps of snow.

- Add details by adding snow or using tools to carve them out. For the finishing touch; spray your project with a mist of water from a spray bottle. This gives the art a slightly, shiny finish and a stronger outer layer as the water hardens into ice.

In case of 'painting' the snow, you will need several different colors of natural food coloring and an equal amount of spray bottles or other dispensers. Don't forget to be creative and increase your pallete by mixing the colors!

To Serve and Protect

I am in the process of setting up a little side business, but I am already encountering the problem of being short on time and long on work. If it would be a possibility for me, I would opt for managed hosting and let someone else worry with all that, but I haven't even gotten around to looking in to that either.

I can tell you one thing though; managing a medium or even a small business takes a lot of work and eats up much of your valuable time. A dedicated server is a great solution taking that weight of your shoulders and ensuring everything will function smoothly.

We have three computers running at the moment; one more and we are not only pressed for time, but also for space. It is a great comfort knowing a very safe and secure colocation option is available which would solve that problem.

It is quite obvious that someone dedicated a lot of time coming up with helpful solutions to serve small and medium business owners. I have no doubt it is very much appreciated!

Snow Art II

Snow art is well known and practised around the world. Every year, a snow art festival is held in Sapporo, Japan. This event started in the 1950s and has been held every year ever since with a growing number of artists and visitors from all over the world.

Not all snow art involves packing, building and sculpting. Some of the snow art is done by using the natural material without even moving it.

These colorful paintings are done by using natural food coloring sprinkled on the freshly fallen snow. What a wonderful idea! Simply dilute food color with water, put it in a spray bottle and paint away. I can see this being another snow art festival in the making.

Wouldn't that be something; turning a white, winter landscape in to a riot of colors. That would not only present a challenge to everyone, it would also give everyone something to do.

You better be careful; before you know it you could get snowed under by getting snowed in!

Snow Art

I suppose it is the heat which got to me. In spite of the air conditioner it is so hot, I can't help but keep thinking about how nice it would be having goose bumps due to the lower temperatures and making snow angels.

Making snow angels made me wonder if there was some sort of snow art and yes; there was. I found a snow angel and it is nothing like you know and would expect. It is actually a wonderful, huge statue which is entirely made out of packed snow.

Of course it does not have to be so elaborate and detailed as the statue in the previous photo; a cute bear can be just as enchanting and artistic, but a little easier to create.

It may seem odd to be thinking about snow in the midst of summer, but it is better to be prepared, knowing what creative project you want to make from the snow which will blanket the world again in the very near future.

It definitely is something more unique then fabricating the common snowman. I am sure both you and your children will agree that coming up with another creation is pretty cool!

See also:
Snow Art II
Snow Art - Materials and Equipment

Expanding The Horizon

Most of the times, going on vacation is mainly due to the fact that we like to get out of the rut, have a change of pace and a change of scenery. I love sand, sea and water and since myrtle beach has it all, it would be an ideal destination for me.

I can not think of a more beautiful sight then looking out over the water while the sun is setting and colors it with different shades of orange and red. That image sure appeals to the art-lover in me and by booking at http://www.towersatnorthmyrtlebeach.com/ I can make that reality.

By making reservations for a luxurious room in the towers at myrtle beach we would not only be close to the beach, but we would also be able to enjoy the artistic wonders of nature, as far as the eye can see. It would certainly expand my horizon in a very pleasurable way!

Coffee Filter Uses III

Here are the last of the usages I found for coffee filters. I have no doubt there are plenty more and should I come across them, then I will share.

- You can make an instant funnel by cutting off the end of a cone-style filter and keep a few around in your car for when you need adding oil; it will keep you from spilling.
- Cast iron skillets stay rust free by placing a coffee filter in them when they are not in use.
- Make your own air freshener by filling a coffee filter with baking soda. Use a twist-tie to close it and it is ready for usage in the fridge, car, shoes, closets, etc.
- Coffee filters absorb grease better then paper towels; therefore, when preparing bacon for instance, use coffee filters. You will also find that the bacon won't stick to it either.
- Use a coffee filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering thin fabrics.
- A coffee filter will diffuse direct light when taking indoor photos; place the coffee filter over lights, lamps or your flash.
- Coffee filters can be used as napkins and even as toilet paper, in case the need is high.
- Deviled eggs will not slip and slide on the plate when using a coffee filter on the plate.
- You can make a sour cream substitute by straining yoghurt through a coffee filter.

In case you have a good idea for which coffee filters can be used, then please spill the beans; it could be a huge help to someone else

Local Art

The other day, we got the new yellow pages phone book. To be honest with you; I hate that thing and would rather get rid of it all together. It is hardly ever used and only takes up space. It is much quicker and easier to use the local yellowpages online and find any store, business or service we need.

This would also fit in with my desire to go green, since it would save lots of paper and consequently lots of trees. This local search does much more then simply churning out what I am searching for; it also gives me the exact location with accurate driving instructions, contact information, opening hours and reviews of actual customers.

I need to keep that site in mind for when we go on vacation; we could find anything from restaurants to a Craft Store in Myrtle Beach for instance, in no time. No need for a computer either; as long as we have access to the Internet with our mobile phone we are set and ready to go local!

Tee Art

It is incredible how many accommodations are available at Myrtle Beach, but since I would be mainly interested in playing golf, I suppose I could narrow down my search by simply looking for resorts for golf in Myrtle Beach. That would shorten the list substantially and save me from wading through all the options.

Even that would still require much of my time, because it would still leave too many possibilities to check out. By going directly to http://www.ttimesonly.com/ I have everything I need and want right at my fingertips. That is so much easier and ensures me of a low price tag concerning our accommodations as well.

Aside from affordable and cheap prices for our hotel stay, the site also offers some excellent and cheap golf packages in Myrtle Beach. I don't think I have to look any further, unless we change our mind and decide against the golfing, but I don't think that will happen any time soon. We love being outdoors and if that includes being active then we are all for it!

Coffee Filter Art - Equipment and Materials

You can purchase coffee filters in several different sizes as well as different shapes. They even come in a tan or white color and it might be interesting trying to find out how both colors could be incorporate in several hobby and craft projects.

I have seen dresses, butterflies, flowers, Christmas angels and so much more being crafted from coffee filters. I haven't found any specific books on this subject, but I did find many instructional videos on using this material for making flowers and other projects on the YouTube site. If you are interested I recommend you check it out.

The use of coffee filters creating wall art as shown in this picture caught my eye; this is something so unique and cheap, but could have a huge impact on the entire design and atmosphere of a room.

Since the filters can be dyed in any color, it should not be hard to incorporate this type of wall art in any style. Even the different shades of tan and brown of the used coffee filters could give a space that so needed, extra touch.

I would suspect, besides coffee filters, one would need markers, water color paint, brushes, craft glue or a glue gun and maybe even a needle and thread. Yeah, as usual, the other equipment and materials needed would be totally dependant on the project.

If you are not sure yet what all you might need, take a little time to think about it before getting started. Yeah, I will share a cup of coffee with you! :-)

The Art Of The Trade

It is often said that you can make money with money. Online Trading is one of these money making solutions which have been made accessible to anyone these days, due to the Internet.

You wouldn't even be stuck to a computer when keeping an eye on the stock market and doing the trading. Nowadays, cell phones have Internet access which allows for Mobile Trading wherever you are and whenever you want.

It may be a nice hobby ensuring your retirement so it will cover your financial needs, and even then some, in the future. IRA Accounts could increase substantially by doing some online trading; it never hurts to grow your nest-egg.

Of course you would need an excellent Online Broker helping you out and constantly keeping you updated with the current data, but that would not present any problem at all; a good one is easily and quickly found.

Even with a little money, you can already get in the Stock Trading business. With good information, a little knowledge, real time updates and some patience, you can increase your budget and build up some nice savings!

Coffee Filter Uses II

I found some more tips, tricks and hints where coffee filters would work well and/or are an ideal solution.

- Children love popsicles, but it often turns into a mess. Use a coffee filter to catch the drips by poking a hole in the center of it and place the stick through the hole. For an ice cream cone; simply put the cone in the center of the filter and hold the cone with the filter.
- Oil used for deep frying can be reused after draining it through a coffee filter.
- To keep your blueberries from going down the drain, put them in a coffee filter and then wash them.
- Shine your shoes by applying a clean coffee filter to buff them, after applying the shoe polish on your shoes.
- Coffee filters make good chip bowls.
- Cooking with herbs: wrap them in a coffee filter. Cut away the excess and tie it with a piece of cotton twine. This makes it easier to remove after cooking.
- Did you know you could bake a giant cupcake in a coffee filter?
- Keep food from splattering by covering it with a coffee filter when (re)heating it in the microwave.

I have some more tips to share. It may be a good idea to print all of these tips out when I am done and keep them handy. You never know when you might need them and while it is printing, have a cup of java.

Oh, don't forget to save the used filter!

Every Bit Helps

Mother Nature is the main source of a lot of my inspiration when it comes to craft projects. I hope our future generations will be able to enjoy it as much as we do and that is one of the reasons why I welcome anything pertaining 'going green'.

I am aware that our vehicles are one of the main pollutants and I was excited when I first heard about the new Hybrid car being taken in production. The hybrids will be a huge help in decreasing the air pollution and it also is a big step towards eliminating the greenhouse effect.

If you expect those cars to look rather awkward, then you will be pleasantly surprised; you can not distinguish a hybrid from a regular gas-using vehicle. Just take a look at the ford fusion hybrid; you wouldn't even notice you just passed a hybrid on the road.

Not too long ago, we had to get rid of our 15 year old nissan and I suspect if we had the financial resources we might have looked in to buying a hybrid, although the Murano had our interest as well. Who knows, maybe a couple of years from now we are able to purchase either one.

For a brief moment we considered buying a pick-up truck like the toyota tundra, but we hardly ever haul stuff around. We like being able taking our entire family though, in case we have to run from the hurricanes. Therefore, we opted for a 7-passenger van instead.

I am fully aware that even though it has a much better mileage then our previous van, we are not going green. It's a step in the right direction; every little bit helps!

Coffee Filter Art II

By using markers and water or water color paint, you can easily give the coffee filter any color you desire or need for your project.

Different shapes can be acquired by folding them and the folding techniques which are also used for tea wrappers can be applied here as well.

Gluing several altered coffee filters on a sheet of paper creates wonderful and unique wall art. I personally would even consider adhering them on a piece of fabric and framing the entire project.

The projects with these filters are endless as you can see; it goes from wall art to ceiling art. I think this is a great way of sprucing up a large room, although I probably would have turned them into lamps by hanging a light bulb inside of them.

Of course you would have to be careful and leave enough space between the bulb and the filters in order to prevent a fire. There is no doubt though these sculptures would make excellent lamps and fill the space with great ambiance due to the diffused light. Or, as the case would be; filtered light!

Debt Relief Art

In these difficult, financial times we can use all the help we can get. Many may already be in way over their heads and any Debt Relief, no matter how small, can make a world of difference on the road to financial recovery.

A penny saved is a penny earned and that can go towards bringing down the total of the debt. Yes, even reusing coffee filters can eventually equate to a nice, little amount of money, but if that doesn't cut the mustard then Debt Negotiation might be in order.

When you have tried everything and still don't see any light at the end of the tunnel it may be time to consult an expert and leave it in their capable hands. They have made an art out of ensuring you will come out with the best Debt Settlement around!

Coffee Filter Uses

Concerning coffee filters; they have more uses then just brewing coffee and/or creating art with. There are many applications where the use of coffee filters turns out to be just as good as the specific items which are normally used for it, but a lot cheaper.

For instance:
- Use coffee filters to clean mirrors, windows, wine glasses, eye glasses and even the screen of your computer.
- Stop the soil from leaking through the hole in the bottom of a flower pot by lining it with a coffee filter.
- Use a coffee filter to polish furniture.
- Stack or store plates with a coffee filter in between each plate.
- Use coffee filters to serve cookies; they are good crumb-catchers.
- If the cork from a bottle of wine breaks off in the bottle, pour the wine through a coffee filter.
And there are many more application for these small, cheap treasures which I will share later on.

As you can see; it doesn't hurt to keep an extra box of coffee filters handy!

See also:
Coffee Filter Uses II
Coffee Filter Uses III

A Difficult Choice

In case you are not a coffee drinker, you may be able to get your (used) coffee filters somewhere else. I can imagine that hotels use large filters and since I am still contemplating on vacationing at Myrtle Beach and playing golf, I would have no problem asking personnel of the Myrtle Beach hotel for some of their filters.

We still haven't decided where or when to go, because there are so many great Myrtle Beach vacation deals to choose from. I suppose, eventually we just have to bite the bullet, pick a deal, make reservations, and go. If we could only come to terms which deal to pick! Sigh.

Even scouring through the http://www.grandeshores.com/ website was no big help; it actually made the choice even more difficult. I do think however that I found the solution: we simply go on vacation several times and stay in a different hotel each time. As long as the hotel would be near a golf course it would suit me to a tee!

Coffee Filter Art

Going green means reusing what normally would end up in the garbage. Coffee filters are used in galore, but they can be reused to create some magnificent art.

After being used, clean the filters well by rinsing them with water. Open them, dry them and iron them flat. You can use the entire filter, or cut them in equal parts.

The difference in the color of each filter will create subtle shades in a project like the one on the left. I can imagine used coffee filters being used for all kinds of images because of those nuances.

Entire bouquets can be made out of used or unused filters. White, unused filters can be given any desired color by using markers and going over it with a paint brush dipped in water. Even water color paint will do; it will give the coffee filters a pastel color.

I found many artistic and ingenious projects constructed out of either used or new coffee filters. So, next time you brew a pot of coffee, think about how you can reuse the filter. Maybe you can brew up a brainstorm which will end up in a wonderful piece of art!

See also:
Coffee Filter Art II
Coffee Filter Art - Materials and Equipment

Under Lock And Key

I keep my hobby and craft items in the closet in the guest bedroom, but that is also the room where our grandsons play a lot and sleep when they stay overnight. Along with their age and height, their curiosity grows as well and nothing is safe anymore, unless it is stored in lockers and the keys are out of their reach.

Some of my craft materials can be rather dangerous, like my scissors, glass jars and hobby knives, and I am seriously considering looking for some storage lockers for sale which can go in that room. It wouldn't matter if those were metal lockers or wood lockers; even plastic lockers would serve the purpose.

I don't think gym lockers would be suitable, but lockers for schools might. However, the office lockers have my preference and if the color doesn't tie in with the design of the room; no problem. I can always spray paint or decorate the lockers to match the rest of the interior.

That is the beauty of an artistic imagination; nothing is safe. Maybe I should keep that under lock and key! Grin.

Kids and Crafts

I am looking forward to our grandchildren being a little older to where we can do some craft projects together. Since our oldest two grandkids are boys, they might like the pirate theme and turn an old box in to treasure chest.

In order to do so, we would need the following materials:
an old, small box with a lid, lots of seashells, a hot glue gun and plenty of hot glue sticks.

It is probably wise to sort and order the shells according to size and shape, before getting started. Smaller shells may function well as fillers, while larger ones can be used for the corners and/or as the focal point in the middle of the lid on top.

The best way to start is by gluing the ones in the middle on top and on the corners and fill in the empty spaces with the rest of the shells. The children will enjoy making their own treasure chest and in case you run out of shells; no problem. You have a nice activity to look forward to: a day at the beach, hunting for shells! :-)

Avoid The Aggravation

I have been looking around a little and found a really good web hosting rating site which provides information on all the different web hosting services. It also gives reviews from those who really purchased and used those services.

The experiences of actual users give more insight in the real performance of the service then going by all the promises made by the web hosts. In addition, the reviews often touch on subjects you may not yet have thought about.

The latter prompts me to give you another piece of advice: Read Buying Guide before jumping in to action. It is full of helpful tips and hints which are extremely beneficial in choosing the right hosting service.

It may be worth your time, because once you have chosen a host you are usually stuck with the service for at least a year. You sure don't want that aggravation!

Sugar Art - Materials and Equipment

Sugar is the main ingredient used for this art. It comes in several different colors, forms and a slight difference in taste as well.

I am not sure whether every kind of sugar is suitable for these creations, but that might be a matter of trial and error. If you want to be on the safe side, then I suppose the regular, granulated sugar is the best route to go.

You will at least need a silpat, a copper or steel pot, a blow torch, a heat lamp, dryer that blows cold air, scissors, a knife, sugar of course, water, food coloring and a sugar thermometer.

Pulling sugar:
Cook the sugar with water and pour liquid sugar onto the Silpat. Add the coloring and then fold the sugar repeatedly into itself, until the sugar is cool enough to handle. This process gives the sugar its bright lustery sheen. The sugar can then be sculpted by hand into various shapes or blown.

Blowing sugar:
Place a portion of pulled sugar on a rubber pump with either a wooden or metal tip. While being blown, the sugar can than be shaped. Use fans to cool the blown sugar and rotate it whil cooling so it will keep its shape.

Casting sugar:
Pour sugar into molds. This technique produces more sturdy pieces than pulled and/or blown sugar and is almost always used for the base and structural elements of showpieces.

Pastillage:
A thick sugar paste is molded into shapes. It is made with gelatin, water and convetioner's sugar and once dry it is hard and brittle. It hardens quickly which makes it less suitable for shaping and molding by hand, but electric grinders, cutters, sandpaper and assorted files will do the trick.

Pressed Sugar:
Mix granulated sugar with a minimal amount of water and is put under pressure. It hardens into a solid piece which is normally used for the base of a showpiece.

Materials, classes, videos and many tips and hints can be found online. You can even sign up for professional classes, but I found those to be rather expensive.

When working with hot sugar, be extremely careful; you can burn yourself real quick and easy. We don't want that to happen, because in this case no amount of sugar will do to make the medicine go down!

Sugar Art II

Sugar art has become more and more popular and many people are replacing the traditional cakes with these beautiful and delicious objects. Yes, it is more expensive due to the huge amount of work involved, but it is definitely a unique way of enhancing the celebrations.

Even if you don't want to miss out on the cake, there are many sugar decorations which can be put on and incorporated with the cake. These colorful butterflies are a wonderful example of some of the ready made decorations which can be purchased online.

Take a closer look at this sugar art project and you will see how carefully and delicately shaped every piece is.

Hard candy is actually another form of sugar art, especially the ones which have an imagine in it like grapes, oranges, etc. It takes some expertise to put all the right colors in the right place and pull the sugar until it has reached the right size and shape.

This is still mainly done by hand and next time you are munching on one of those a sweet treats, consider what an art went in to creating it!

Collecting Coins

I have been thinking about starting another collection, although I am not sure what to collect. I already have several thimbles and quite a lot of crystal figurines, but the thought of collecting coins is very appealing.

I suppose it runs in the family; my grandfather was a coin collector and so is one of my uncles. I am not sure where my grandpa's collection ended up at after he died, but I know he had several gold coins in his possession and was very proud of that.

From what I understood, he had several, very old and valuable coins and kept them in a special safe. He also used to collect commemoratives and had bought multiple of those for his children and grandchildren. We all inherited some after he passed away.

Those coins could be a good jumping-off point starting a collection. I don't know yet; I will ponder on it some more.

Sugar Art

There is nothing more fun then creating something which is edible as well. Okay, I agree; sometimes it is too pretty to eat, like this beautiful rose which is entirely made out of pulled sugar.

There are sculptures, figurines and decorations which are solely made out of pulled, blown, or casted sugar and this art is rapidly becoming very popular.

I classify this as a true art, because the work involved not only requires the artistic ability to mold and sculpt whatever you have in mind, but also because it is intricate and delicate work which has to be done rather quickly as well.

The sugar has to be shaped while it is still warm and pliable, although there are several tricks and tips to heat it up if need be. I will get to that in one of my next posts.

In the meantime, enjoy and admire these gorgeous creations. I would suggest doing a search on sugar art photos; you will be astonished by all the unique projects appearing before your eyes.

It sure gives the phrase: 'to give someone some sugar' a whole new meaning! :-)

See also:
Sugar Art II
Sugar Art - Materials and Equipment

Work From Home Art

Several years ago I tried setting up an online Work from Home business. It did not do very well and I never got anywhere. After experiencing disappointment after disappointment, I finally decided to give up on it.

At that time, there was hardly any information on how to go about and build your business from home. That has changed substantially and lots of tips, hints, and Work from Home Articles are available at HomeBusinessBug.com which will point you in the right direction.

Even if you would like to start a home business, but have no clue what that would be then you may want to check out the Home Based Business Directory. New businesses are added constantly and you will definitely find something which appeals to you.

Yes, I am going to give it another go. With the help of Home Business Bug it could turn out to be the road to success this time!

Reptile Show

There is a reptile show being held in one of the museums in our city and it occurred to me how both our grandsons would enjoy watching all those critters.

Since the show is here for a limited time only, I expect it to be rather busy and the first thing we would probably encounter is a long line between the stanchions at the entrance.

That would present a problem; both boys would not stay between the velvet ropes until we would be inside. It would be great fun to them climbing over and crawling under the ropes.

They may set a bad example to all the other children who are standing in line and before we would become aware of it, the entire crowd control would have gone out of the window.

Nah, it is probably best to either wait until our grandsons are a little bit older or to ensure there are some good barricades set up, keeping them in line!

Edible Children's Art

I came across this while doing an Internet search and I thought this was way too cool to pass up.

This hobby is something any child would love doing; to be creative and snacking at the same time and this 'material' serves both purposes.

Edible play dough can be made by using the following ingredients:
- 1 cup smooth almond butter (a different nut butter will do fine as well)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or agave
- powdered milk

Stir the (almond) butter and honey in a bowl and add the powdered milk, no more then a 1/4 cup at the time. Mix and/or knead it all together.

When the mixture is no longer sticky and has the consistency of play dough, it is ready for use. You can create different colors play dough by adding some drops of a natural food coloring.

The children will have a blast kneading and eating!

Home Art

One of our bathrooms needs an overhaul, but we are not near ready to undertake such a major project. I think we can hold off for a little while by tweaking the appearance; a paint job and some new bath accessories go a long way and those are needed as well.

Normally, it could take me quite a while finding those particular accessories which go well in combination with the color of the bath set we choose, if I would even be able to find any. I am going to save myself a lot of time and effort and order everything at DonnaKaranHome.com.

I wished I had known about these beautiful and exclusive collections when we were redoing our bedroom, but I will keep the site bookmarked. We have a guest bedroom which also needs an update and the Donna Karan Home bedding will make all the difference.

That is what I would call working smart: decorating with Donna Karan Home Art!

Bottle Cap Art - Materials and Equipment

You guessed it; what you need for this hobby is bottle caps; lots and lots of bottle caps. Well, the latter may not be entirely true; if you intend to create a figurine with them then you may not need that many.

Anything else you need entirely depends on what project you have in mind. For figurines, you would need either a good, strong adhesive or maybe even solder equipment. For making jewelry: a drill for making the holes in the caps and wire or thread.

I am not sure whether there are books on bottle cap art available or not, but I found all kinds of bottle cap crafts with instructions online. If need be; apparently even the bottle caps can be purchased online, but you may take the time to collect them yourself.

It would not take very long if the entire family and all your friends would help out. You would build up a substantial amount of bottle caps in no time. How?

By organizing a party! :-)

Securing Art

I enjoy watching shows where people bring in all kinds of different items and have them appraised. It is incredible, learning how some paintings and other possessions turn out to be so extremely valuable.

If something like that would happen to me, then my first reaction would be getting rid of it as soon as possible. I certainly wouldn't want anything to happen to it and if we by any chance would decide to keep it, then I absolutely would have one of the security systems installed.

With one of those systems watching over us and our house, I would feel safe enough keeping and even displaying anything of value. If for some reason we couldn't afford a security system then I would rather play it safe and have the money in the bank.

I am grateful though security is very affordable these days and it is comforting knowing we can entrust our prize possessions with the security video camera. It keeps a close eye on them and warns us when our treasures are about to change owners without our consent.

Let's be totally honest though; even if we don't have something with a huge price tag on it which needs a security system, we have loved ones who are too precious to be without any protection. I wouldn't want anything happening to either them or to our home, which is their safe haven.

Thanks to the backup battery and equipment guide we are guaranteed this 'bodyguard' will be on duty constantly. That gives great peace of mind, whether we are home or out and about.

Bottle Cap Art II

Making jewelry out of bottle caps is a cheap and easy way to accessorize your outfits. Since the caps come in so many colors, there is bound to be one that complements any apparel or a combination thereof.

This bracelet consists of bent bottle caps in combination with beads, but of course you can either use the caps in their original shape, but you can also hammer them out flat, or bend them in other shapes.

Isn't this a cute figurine? I can see this being a wonderful craft or hobby not just for the grown ups, but for children as well.

Red, green, or simple gold colored caps can be strung together and make a beautiful Christmas garland; the possibilities are endless.

There are more benefits to reusing bottle caps: it is environmentally friendly. There you have it: going green can be great fun!

Creative With Arbors

I got some plants and a Golden Rain tree from one of my family members and I am contemplating on where to plant them. Since the tree is toxic, I don't want our grandchildren being around it.

It will find a spot somewhere in the front yard, probably next to, or in between the two huge planters we have. I would love having an arbor in the middle of those planters; it would give it so much more curb appeal.

When thinking about arbors I usually picture the arched ones, but there are so many more different shapes available. I can see a square arbor having a major impact on the appearance of our backyard.

Even material wise the choice has broadened; where there used to be only wooden arbors, nowadays one can choose between wood, vinyl or metal. That is great because in our climate wood rots too quickly and vinyl is an excellent alternative.

It may take a while, but eventually we will get around to doing some landscaping and garden arbors will definitely be incorporated. They may provide an entrance to a small, secluded, peaceful and artistic area of our yard. :-)

Bottle Cap Art

There was no doubt whatsoever in my mind that there was art and/or a hobby which included bottle caps and I was right.

What blew me away though was all the different projects which were created with and out of this material; necklaces, bracelets, furniture, wall art, mirrors, lamp shades, purses, earrings, bowls; you name it and you are likely to find some wonderful creation made out of it.

At first glance, you would not expect this 'painting' to consist solely of bottle caps, but it does. If you click on the image, you can see for yourself how the bottle caps are arranged creating this picture; it is very well done and my compliments to the artist!

Another creation which caught my eye was this wreath. It is completely made out of bottle caps which are strung in all kinds of different shapes, forming this extraordinary wreath.

I suspect a metal wire is used. Yeah, you will need lots and lots of bottle caps, but that should not be too difficult; they can be found anywhere and in all kinds of colors. I think it would take more time drilling holes in each one to string them.

I will show you some more bottle cap art in my next post, but don't let that prevent you from being creative in the meantime; just put your thinking cap on and let your imagination go!

See also:
Bottle Cap Art II
Bottle Cap Art - Materials and Equipment

Practice Makes Perfect

Where it concerns arts, crafts and hobbies, practice makes perfect. That does not always apply to everything else as well; sometimes theory needs to be learned first like medical management courses for instance.

You can not expect to know the ins and outs right of the bat. Sure, after having gone through one consultant interview after another, you finally would end up with the needed experience, but why waste all that time and energy?

It would have been a lot easier and quicker if you had taken a consultant interview course. The same goes concerning medical management; it would be foolish not to take those courses when they are available and extremely helpful.

You are never too old to learn. Just imagine what a great impression you would make if you could teach the teacher. Wouldn't that be a good thing to practice!

Tarp Art - Materials and Equipment

The tarps you will need come in many different colors and can be bought in all kinds of sizes. However, there is also an option concerning the materials they are made off; plastic or cloth.

I suppose you can use both for any type of art or hobby you have in mind, although I can see when it would involve painting, a canvas one may be more suitable.

Any other kind of material is totally dependant on the craft; for wrapping you will need rope and/or tape, for clothes you will need needle and thread and probably a sewing machine, for painting you will need paint, brushes, etc.

I would like to give you some more pointers and show you a few more projects which have been created with, out of, and from tarp, but I am drawing a blank here. I can only assume there is not much tarp art around which leaves all the options and possibilities wide open.

Yup, tarp art seems to be like a white canvas!

Football, Packers, and Summer

This was written by guest blogger Kurt Ditco

Although it doesn’t happen until the end of the summer, I would have to say my favorite summer sport to watch is NFL Preseason Football. Professional football is my all time favorite sport to watch on TV, and although preseason football obviously has no real bearing on the season, it is a great chance to get to see some of the lesser known players get some valuable playing time, especially on your own team. It also lets you ease into the football season and is just another excuse to watch more football. Every year I cannot wait to flip on my cable tv nfl package in Georgia and sit down on a nice summer night to watch the first snaps of the new NFL season.

I am a diehard Green Bay Packers fan and have been my entire life. There is no experience in sports like attending a game at Lambeau Field. You will never find a more tightly knit community of football fans than in Green Bay, Wisconsin. That being said Packer fans have had a lot to be excited about in recent years. Aaron Rodgers has turned into one of the best quarterback’s in the league after a painful transition from our previous starting quarterback. However, it is comforting to know we have such a skilled young player in our most important role for years to come.

Artistic Stainless Steel

The other day, I was looking at our terra cotta chiminea and noticed a crack working its way up to the top and some of the paint is peeling off as well. It sure has seen better days and we may have to replace it soon.

I was considering one of the stainless steel fire pits; the designs are very modern and stylish and the material will practically last forever. We wouldn't have to worry about any rust, peeling of the paint or cracking of the pit.

If we decide to go with a fire pit like that, then I would also like to have a Blomus stainless steel polished bird feeder and bird bath and maybe some complementary torches as well. The entire yard would not only look so much better, it would also be rather unique and very fashionable.

The ambiance of a fire pit can be achieved inside as well by a Blomus stainless steel polished small wave fireplace. I always wanted one and since we have an open kitchen, it would go very well with any stainless steel appliances. I think the fireplace would pull it all together without being too overbearing.

For now, all of that is down the road, but it is good to know that there are so many gorgeous and unique stainless steel products in store, for when we are ready to replace and remodel.

Tarp Arts

I was really curious seeing if there was such a thing as tarp art and yes, there is. Although I didn't find very much on it, I wanted to share it with y'all anyway.

Someone got really creative with a tarp and turned it in to garments. That is pretty clever and unique as well. There is no doubt in my mind that tarps would make excellent rain coats!

Another creative idea I found was painting on tarps. I am not sure what kind of paint to use for that. My guess would be; probably spray paint because any other paint might eventually peel off where it concerns plastic tarps.

More tarp art is done by covering huge, entire buildings in this material. One of the artists who gained fame by doing this is Christo.

Like I mentioned before; I haven't come across any other art forms, but I can imagine there would be many more applications for this material to create art with.

If you create projects out of tarp or you know someone else who does, then please share. Considering the subject, it might be better to say: don't cover it up! Grin.

See also:
Tarp Art - Materials and Equipment

Tarp Art

Uh oh, hurricane Alex has officially opened hurricane season and from what I understood, the experts anticipate many more to follow this year. I so hope they are wrong; we still see too many blue tarps on roofs in our area and we sure wouldn't want any more being added.

I would rather use a tarp to prevent damage then having to cover up damage. It is much more fun spreading a tarp on the floor because the walls are being painted, or some other creative home improvements are about to take place.

How about associating tarps with something extremely enjoyable, like a barbecue? Just imagine; a beautiful, sunny day, the mouth watering smell of meat on the grill and the pleasure of talking to family and good friends in the shade of a white canvas tarp.

If there is anything which could be called 'tarp art', then the latter would definitely qualify as such!

Problem Solved

I don't think it would hurt to have a highly qualified Online Tutor who is able to spend quality time with the student and is available whenever it is needed and wanted. The sooner the problem is recognized, the quicker Math help for instance can take place.

An Online Math Tutor can make a huge difference in a child's life; it will instill and increase its self confidence. It will show the child that in spite of all the trouble it had with math before; if it is a good Math Problem Solver now, it can solve anything.

Specifically for K-12 and college students who need some extra tutoring, there is excellent, professional Math Tutors Online available and their services are very affordable. At tutornext.com a Free Online Tutoring lesson is offered as a trial; take it and experience the convenience of online education.

Neither you, nor your children have to keep on struggling; you can engage the expertise and help of a Math Tutor at the cheapest rate. I would say: problem solved!

GED Art Part 3

Allright, one more and then I will stop pestering you with all these funnies. Enjoy!

Q. What is a seizure?
A. A Roman Emperor. (Julius Seizure, I came, I saw, I had a fit)

Q. What is a terminal illness
A. When you are sick at the airport.

Q. Give an example of a fungus. What is a characteristic feature?
A. Mushrooms. They always grow in damp places and they look like umbrellas.

Q. Use the word 'judicious' in a sentence to show you understand its meaning
A. Hands that judicious can be soft as your face.

Q. What does the word 'benign' mean?
A. Benign is what you will be after you be eight.

Q. What is a turbine?
A. Something an Arab or Shreik wears on his head.

Don't get me wrong; I am not mocking anyone. I actually would like to add myself to this list with the next question and answers:

Q. What is a blood drive?
A. A very dangerous type of racing. (Sheepish grin).

Locked In Place

I am not so sure what happened to our mailbox, but it does not close very well anymore. To keep our mail from getting wet or flying all over the place the lid has to be given a good push, ensuring it to be shut tight.

Our mail carrier usually does not close it entirely; I guess she is too much in a hurry to bother with it. Eventually we will have to replace it and it may be a good idea looking for some information about one of those lockable mailboxes; that would solve the entire problem.

Since our mailbox is on the side of a rather busy road and the one belonging to our neighbors has been knocked over already on several occasions, it would even be more beneficial replacing it with a locking mailbox.

It would be bad enough if our mailbox would hit the road and we certainly don't need our mail to do the same. Even though we usually only get bills which we can do without, we wouldn't want having to pay late fees due to unlocking mailboxes and lost mail.

I don't think anyone would accept the excuse that the mail got ditched; literally!

Wearing Art

I don't think there is anyone who does not wear a watch and I also suspect that most of the watches somehow reflect its owner's personality and taste.

The watch I wear is gold colored, small and rather delicate looking, but I like the fact that it is not too overbearing or draws all the attention to it. It is simply present and although its appearance is pretty, it is more the functionality which is important to me.

When I saw this dolce and gabbana watch on the BlueDial.com website, it jumped right out at me because of the way it looks; the combination of the colors on both watch and band are done in a very artistic way which is enhanced by the simplicity of the hands and numbers on the dial.

Many more stylish, fashionable and creative brand name watches can be found at BlueDial and all will be sized for free. They also offers free 2nd day shipping in 48 states on all these genuine, brand new and authentic time-tellers and each watch comes with a return seal and the manufacturer's warranty.

Creativity and works of art can actually be found on someone's wrist; all you got to do is take a little time to admire it!

GED Art Part 2

Okay, okay, I admit; most of the answers given on the GED tests are very funny and some are actually even rather brilliant when you come to think of it. Here are a few more for your consideration:

Q. Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarean section'
A. The caesarean section is a district in Rome

Q. Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A. Premature death

Q. How can you delay milk turning sour
A. Keep it in the cow

Q. How are the main 20 parts of the body categorised (e.g. The abdomen)
A. The body is consisted into 3 parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels: A, E, I,O,U..

Q. What is the fibula?
A. A small lie

Q. What does 'varicose' mean?
A. Nearby

You got to admit that the third answer is rather brilliant. Can't argue with that one! :-)