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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Needle Point Art II

The art of needle point is very, very old and can be traced back thousands of years; some of this art was already found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen and dates back to 1500 BC. The Egyptians sewed up their tents with a needle point stitch and it is said to be the origin of this craft.

In the 16th and 17th century it became more popular and was practiced by many, due to the rise of upholstered furniture which required and prompted a more durable material for needle point then the canvas which was used before.

Besides wall art, needle point is also used for pillows, upholstery, holiday ornaments, purses, eyeglass cases, belts, etc.

I found out there is an American Needlepoint Guild which is open to anyone and provides lots of information, educational opportunities, and many pictures of needle point examples to their members and on their website.

You may want to make a point of paying them a visit! :-)

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Achieving The Goal

If you want to gain a good status on the Internet then it is of the utmost importance to have as many people link to your website as possible. It could mean years and years of posting and updating before you reach that goal when you let your site run its natural course and we all are eager to get there as soon as possible.

There is a much easier way to build links of high quality and relevance which doesn't involve much effort or requires a lot of your precious time. By taking advantage of a link exchange service, you will achieve the same results a whole lot quicker.

Many of those businesses will charge you for their services. There is no need paying for it though, because there are some excellent ones that offer free link exchange, along with all the forums, advice and link building tools necessary to turn your endeavor in to a success.

It is a lot easier taking the opportunities presented by link exchanges, than trying to contact each and every site owner, begging for free links. I am pretty sure; your pagerank will skyrocket within a couple of months. What a pretty sight!

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Monday, April 25, 2011

Needle Point Art

There is no doubt in my mind you have seen, heard of, or maybe even have done needle point at one time. It is a beautiful hobby which lends itself for some beautiful, even realistically looking projects, due to the wide array of colors.

Many projects end up being framed and hung on the wall where they can be admired by everyone and rightfully so; a lot of love, time and patience went in to it.

What I hadn't seen before and thought to be a wonderful idea for several other needle point projects, was this butterfly.

I imagine after the needle point project is done, there is some fusible material ironed on the back to give it more strength, after which it is cut out and the edges are finished by hand with a simple, very narrow zigzag stitch.

I like this creation very much, because it opens up the opportunity to take this craft to the next level: 3D needle point art. I can already vision what the end project would look like when some needle point flowers would be added to that butterfly in the same manner.

Did I just earn some brownie points for pointing out 3D needle point??? Grin.

See also:
Needle Point Art II
Needle Point Art - Materials and Equipment

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Tough Choice

Between summer and our grandsons being over a lot and playing in the backyard, we spend more and more time outside. That wouldn't be much of a problem if our patio furnish was not in desperate need of replacing.

It probably would already have been replaced if we knew what kind of Site Furnishings we wanted to purchase, but with such a great selection and a tight budget it is difficult to make a choice.

At the moment, we have four chairs and a small bench. The back of two of the chairs has broken, after being tossed around by some heavy wind gusts. I guess that wouldn't have happened if our Adirondack chairs had been fabricated out of a stronger, heavier material.

Our grandsons love sitting in those chairs, but I would like to have one of those handy Picnic Tables, so they can do some arts and crafts outside. I have a slight suspicion they would truly enjoy having lunch in the outdoors as well; that would be a nice treat.

It will eventually get too hot in the sun, but by that time the back of our yard is partially shaded by the trees behind it and our Crape Myrtle. Putting some Park Benches there would be an ideal solution.

Yes, creative ideas and possibilities galore. We will ponder on it some more. :-)

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Easter Fun

Just in time for Easter I found a cute little coloring page to keep the (grand) children busy and entertained.

As you can see, it is not difficult coming up with some cute drawings, copy them several times and then let the kids' creativity run its course.

The drawing can be rather simple and you really don't have to be a gifted artist to come up with something. You can even put a piece of paper on an image and trace it.

No need to go in to too many details; the idea you made it especially for them is more then enough to enhance the joy and fun. BTW, don't forget the crayons, coloring pencils and/or paint and brushes.

Happy Easter!

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Creating Art With Smart

Painting Easter eggs can be a rather messy endeavor and you certainly don't want to get paint, markers and glue on your clothes. The stains can be rather difficult to remove and it would be a good idea wearing an apron or some other protective apparel.

This goes for several more hobbies in which case you may want to consider the use of one of the lab coats. It may seem odd, but when you ponder on it you will see the advantages; they provide lots of storage, are protective and easily put on and taken off.

A good lab coat is not hard to come by; you will find some excellent, high quality ones at http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/ which will last you for years to come. You can do your art at any time and still be ready in a jiffy whenever unexpected visitors show up at your doorstep or you have to run an errand.

That is what I call creating art with smart!

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Monday, April 18, 2011

Easter Egg Decorating - Materials and Equipment

The eggs are not very hard to come by; there are probably several in your fridge as you read this. It is wise to boil the eggs before using them; this will makes it easier to work with them, prevents breakage and a huge mess.

I wouldn't recommend using markers, because the color will go through the shell and taint the hard boiled egg. This is not very appetizing and I don't see it being very healthy either.

Water color paint may be fine, but it is best to buy complete decorating kits which can be found in abundance on the net and in stores.

There are many Easter egg designs and instructions around; some can be found online and others can be bought in book form.

Depending on how elaborate and intricate you decide to adorn the Easter egg, you may need glue, paint brushes, paper, scissors, stickers and/or double stick adhesive paper.

There is also the option to enter one of the many Easter egg contests. Who knows, you may win and go home with a ribbon, honorable mention or medal even. At least you have your egg and can eat it too! Grin.

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Alternative Plans

For all of those who are getting a little bored spending all their time on crafts and hobbies, there is a great way to work from home, be your own boss, make some extra money and help others out in the mean time.

You will be a great aid by saving them a lot of extra expenses on the costs concerning their health. Working for Ameriplan enables you to provide them with a cheaper service then any health insurance would.

The monthly costs are substantially lower and they will receive all kinds of great discounts on both their dental plan, as well as their health plan and I have no doubt, with the economy as bad as it is, those discounts and savings are more then welcome.

It may well be you would like to check in to these alternative plans for yourself and/or your family. Do so, by all means; it can't hurt, only help!

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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Easter Egg Decorating II

Decorating eggs has been around for centuries; as a matter of fact, it dates back to the 500 BC and was practiced by the people of Persia to celebrate their New Year, which was held in the spring season.


The egg was chosen because it is a symbol for new life, which is very appropriate to represent the resurrection.

The eggs were originally dyed in a solid red color to represent the blood of Christ.

Over the years, more colors were used and egg-decorating became more elaborate, resulting in the art as we know it at present.

It sure is fun to do, but it is even more fun to see the smiling faces and gleaming eyes of our little ones when they go on an Easter egg hunt and find one!

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Know Your Rights

I have a slight suspicion that for some people Easter may not be so enjoyable, due to debt they have accumulated over the past year. Yeah, the costs of living have gone up and there is always the unexpected which catches you by surprise and eats up your nest-egg.

It may be difficult to get out of debt and when it has become impossible, the debt collectors are eager to knock on your door. Some can be rather annoying, but there is a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA they have to adhere to.

You certainly don't have to put up with threats and intimidation and even though you owe a business or company money, you do have rights. Those rights are specifically explained in detail in the FDCPA.

It would be worth your while to read through it and stop some of the malpractice which you might be suffering through; being in debt is already bad enough, but the FDCPA may help out to enjoy Easter and give you a little peace of mind!

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Easter Egg Decorating

You have got about a week to figure out how to bring some colorful eggs to the table and make Easter even more joyful then it already is.

Most of us will probably resort to painting the eggs, but it sure doesn't have to be as elaborate as this one, although a little creativity is always helpful.

You can already achieve excellent results by using a few basic colors; a little animal face is painted rather quickly and so are some symmetrical figures.

If you have the time, you can always go in to details and paint a beautiful scene on the eggs, or turn it into a very decorative piece by using beads, glitter, paisleys, ribbons and other small items which you can glue on it.

Even though these eggs are decorated rather simple, I love them. They are cute, easy to make and still quite original, which lends itself very well for children to create some unique Easter eggs.

You can try different things and see what works out best, or in other words; don't put all your eggs in one basket! :-)

See also:
Easter Egg Decorating II

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Friday, April 15, 2011

Giving and Receiving

At one point, I had so many finished art projects that I didn't know what to do with them anymore. I was even considering opening a little shop and sell them, but I know squad about running a business and it probably wouldn't have been long lived.

You may be a business owner and run into some snags you don't know either how to deal with. The answer and some real good advice can be found at Freebusinessconsulting.com, where experts are eager to help you solve your problems.

It is good to know there are consultants who can help you out with any business questions you can come up with. No matter what category they fall in, three professionals will be matched up with the category they pertain to.

It would be wise to take advantage of the free consultation and go from there. Maybe you have the know-how to help out others which could give you the opportunity to expand your own business by sharing your expertise.

It is always better to give then to receive; that's how I got rid of the surplus of my craft projects! :-)

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Helmet Art - Material and Equipment

Helmets are not hard to come by; you can use the helmet you are currently using, you may have an old one laying around somewhere, you can find them at a yard sale, or maybe a relative or friend is so kind to provide you with one.

Most projects would require spray paint in which case an air brush might come in handy. Some other brushes for pin striping are another recommendation, along with tape in varies widths.

In case you like to create something else like animals or other projects, you will need some strong glue and/or soldering equipment.

Covering the helmet with other materials is another option, but should you decide on something like in the photo, anticipate to be pulled over.

Should this type of art not appeal to you, but you still would like to alter the look of your helmet then there is always the option of helmet stickers. Those are readily available online and probably also in the store where you bought your protective headgear.

I sure hope this kind of creativity put some good ideas into your head!

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Auto pART

My guess is that we are not the only ones pinching pennies where we can and trying to cut our expenses as much as possible. Saving money has pretty much become an art and requires a lot of creativity these days.

One thing I noticed we continually pour money in is our car; gas prices are constantly on the rise, insurance is not cheap either and we have to maintain our vehicle on a regular basis as well.

Those are just the common, every day things, but that does not include all the parts which need replacing when the vehicle breaks down. I came across a great way to save lots of money on the latter though. Buying OEM Car Parts can save a bundle!

You may have the artistic ability to fix cars; that in itself already saves a lot, but in case you are not so handy or technical, those cheaper parts can be installed by your own mechanic too.

You pay an arm and a leg just for the name by purchasing Original Equipment Manufacturer parts from the dealer. The OEM Auto Parts are a whole lot cheaper then the ones you buy at your dealership, but just as good.

Yes, I found a good art saving on an auto part!

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Monday, April 11, 2011

Helmet Art II

Wearing protective headgear goes back as far as 900BC when it was already worn by Assyrian soldiers. It probably goes even further back then that, but those are the first records we can find on helmets.

Most helmets in those days were made out of straw and other organic materials, but later on from metal. They were designed to protect against blows from swords, arrows and other arms.

Since the 1990s, we don't have to content with those heavy materials anymore, because they are made from lightweight resin or plastic materials, reinforced with fibers.

Helmets are available for all kinds of different purposes and are specifically designed for that particular type of sport, line of work, transportation, or combat.

The different designs may spark all kinds of different forms of art. If the ideas don't come right away, don't worry your head about it; they eventually will!

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An Ingenious Invention

The saying goes: where there is smoke, there is fire. That is no longer the case though with a new, artistic and creative device. Whoever came up with this luminous idea, which is called an e-cigarette by the way, filled the need of a lot of smokers.

The need to either quit or to get rid of all the tar and other chemicals which fill their lungs and cause all kinds of health problems. Quitting is not as easy as it sounds and the electronic cigarette is a great solution towards that goal.

It delivers the nicotine, but gives the user the impression as if he/she is really smoking, because not only does it look like a cigarette, it even acts like a real cigarette, the smoke included. It gives the hands something to do and although the smoke is nothing but harmless vapor, it satisfies every craving. 

Add to all those benefits also the much lower costs compared to the real deal and you have the perfect pacifier, as we call our e-cigarettes. It is truly an ingenious invention!

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Friday, April 08, 2011

Helmet Art

Many sports and jobs require wearing protective headgear and even though it is mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle, it doesn't have to be a boring item.

Several people have used their imagination and creativity to turn a common helmet in to a work of art. A little spray paint and a good idea can transform the headgear in to an attention drawer and astonishing conversation piece.

Besides a lot of paintjobs, I found another arty alternative for 'recycling' old helmets: this ant is a good example of how to reuse old or outdated headgear and make a cute and unique project out of it.

You don't have to beat your head against the wall, trying to come up with a hobby or craft; just take a good look around and consider the potential for a project in each item you see.

All you need to do is use your head! :-)

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

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Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Creative and Artistic Solutions

I always try to apply my artistic abilities when I attack a room in our humble abode which needs repainting and redecorating. I am on the brink of taking on our bathroom, but I need some sand paper in order to sand our Bathroom vanity and give it a fresh coat of paint.

It is actually in need of a renovation and I would love to replace the existing sink with one of these artistic and beautiful Vessel sinks, but that will have to wait until we have more money than cents and remodel the entire bathroom. For now, a can of paint will already work wonders.

We do need to either find a new mirror for one of the sliding doors of our current medicine cabinet, or replace the entire Medicine Cabinet with a new one. I have seen several that would, literally and figuratively speaking, fit the bill.

I am not sure yet which way to go, but I have no doubt we will find some creative and artistic solutions during the process.

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Bobbin Art - Materials and Equipment

Depending on the project, you will need a certain amount of bobbin spindles. Those can be found galore online and in craft and hobby stores and are not very expensive.

You can actually use any kind of thread, but keep in mind the thicker the thread, the larger the project will turn out. Therefore, fine thread is more recommendable for lace-making.

A pillow, pins and a mall come in handy as well. The pins will keep your project in place on the pillow, while following the model on the mall.

I came across several books with examples and instructions on the art of bobbin, but you don't even have to buy those; lots of examples, instructions and explanations can be found online for free.

I am glad to see that this intricate and delicate art is not extinct and has been taken up as a hobby by so many; the results are absolutely gorgeous!

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The Art of Making Benefits Stretch

Our son in law has returned from Iraq and even though he was stationed there for only three months, we were grateful he came back healthy and well.

We are not sure what his plans for the future are. He will stay in the military and is planning on finding a house, but he may also want to consider a higher education, for which he could use the Post 911 GI Bill education benefits.

He could easily take the education online and it wouldn't matter where he would be living or was stationed. Ashworth College provides accredited, quality online education and with the Post 911 GI Bill, military personnel and their loved ones can get up to $13,500 for 36 months in education benefits.

Ashworth College is already 50% cheaper then any other recognized online school which makes the benefits stretch a lot further. They could go towards a spouse or other family member who wants to take advantage of the benefits by pursuing a higher education.

Ashworth offers all kinds of tuitions which could result in graduating without any debt. Many Military personnel will, due to the educational benefits of the Post 911 GI Bill and the already low prices from Ashworth College.

It is worth looking in to, because with an education from Ashworth, you will definitely get your money's worth!

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Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Bobbin Art II

Bobbin finds its origin in passementerie, which is making ornaments from gold and silver threads to spruce up clothing. In the 1500s in Italy, braids and other trimmings were made from it and attached to the apparel.

Over time, gold and silver was replaced by silk and eventually by bleached fine linen, which resulted in lace being a lot cheaper to fabricate and also easier to master.

Soon, many European women filled the great demand for lace and made some extra money by practising this craft, while it was also taught in charity schools, almshouse and convents.

Most lace we buy nowadays is made by machines and the art of bobbin-made lace has limited itself to being just a hobby, although you can still admire the art, demonstrated by lace makers in several countries who sell their products to tourists.

If you get the chance to watch them in action, then please do; you will be amazed watching their handiwork!

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Handy Labels

I am in the process of cleaning out my craft closet and transferring all my stuff to another, bigger one. Most of my items and trinkets are stored in plastic bins with drawers and I wish I had a Label Maker and could put labels on each one showing the contents of the drawers.

At present, I marked them with stickers, but the ink is slowly fading and several stickers are coming loose. Labels would definitely improve the look and hold up much longer and I am sure I would find a lot more projects where the Label Maker would come in handy.

It doesn't have to be one of those professional labelers; a simple family and home one would already be more then adequate. Now that I come to think of it, I never know what to ask for my Birthday or Christmas, and a Label Maker would make a nice gift!

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Bobbin Art

I don't know if you have ever watched bobbin art; it is a tradition in many countries and the most beautiful lace is made by this hobby. It looks extremely complicated, but once you understand how it works, you will master it in no time.




I have seen this done in The Netherlands, where it also is part of the old folklore tradition. The elderly lady's hands moved so quickly though, that it was hard to follow what she was doing and how she did it.

It all seemed like one tangled mess to me, but she ended up with gorgeous, delicate doilies. Lace and doilies are the most common items made from bobbin, but I have also seen entire table clothes and wall art.

Wall art is rather simple to make and makes for a very nice conversation piece; just frame a few small doilies and mount them on the wall.

I would like to try this sometime, but I anticpate ending up with one entangled mess. I think it would be best if I left this art up to the pros! :-)

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

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Monday, April 04, 2011

Arty Camping Equipment

We got our grandchildren a little pop-up tent shaped like a dinosaur and they are having lots of fun with it. It serves more purposes then just cater to their need and want to play; they are getting used to Camping Equipment, how to treat it, and spending more time in the outdoors.

We love to go camping, especially when the weather is cooler and this is a good way to prepare our grandchildren for a weekend filled with fun and excitement. I can see how the boys would love to play with flashlights, which are part of our Camping Equipment, as soon as it would get dark. I don't think they would sleep much. Grin.

Even though our camping gear is rather extensive, we often take the time scouring through the sporting goods and camping isles. It keeps us updated on new items concerning Camping Equipment and it always amazes me how many new, creative, and artistic gadgets are on display, since our last visit.

We need to go camping soon; it has been a while since we did. It actually has been way too long!

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