History Of Cable Ties

Before the invention of cable ties, people resorted to all kinds of methods to secure and tie things together. From rope to tape to twine and anything else that would remotely get the job done, inventiveness and creativity were all they had to rely on.

The need for a solution was great and in 1958 Thomas & Betts, an electric company which was established already back in 1898 by Robert Thomas and Hobart Betts, came up with the 'Ty-Rap'.

Those were initially manufactured for plane harnesses and consisted of a metal ratchet and a metal pawl. This process was rather time consuming and didn't yield a very stable, reliable product and thanks to the constantly evolving industrial progress and the availability of nylon, cable ties were soon produced entirely out of nylon.

Production was still a two way process until 1968, when a clamp manufacturer patented a unique, one piece, nylon 'cable wire device'.

This was the first company in the entire U.S. that produced them quick and cheap which eventually led to the wide choice and color range we can purchase them in at present.

Creativity hasn't stopped there as you can see in the picture. There are cable ties with leaves at the end and they come in several different colors. I don't think we have seen the end of the possibilities yet; this is probably just the beginning.

However, don't tie me down on that!

Streaming Art On Your TV

This post brought to you by Merge by Windstream. All opinions are 100% mine.

With so many things to do and so little time at our hands, we may miss out on our favorite TV shows and movies, or lack the ability to find creative ways for social networking, gaming, photo sharing and more.

There is an arty solution which puts an end to all those problems by bringing entertainment straight from the Internet to your TV: Merge by Windstream.

Since everyone is on the information superhighway, Merge by Windstream is the new way to watch TV. Straight from the 'entertainment superhighway', Merge is high-speed Internet plus streaming entertainment and your web-enabled path to entertainment. Merge brings all of the entertainment content the Internet has to offer directly to your home via a fast, dependable high-speed connection.

Merge allows you to choose, control and experience movies, TV shows, games, social media (and more) that you want to watch, where you want to watch and when you want to watch it. Merge is on (a) powerful connection that streams whatever YOU want straight from the Internet via a Roku streaming player to any device in your home: from your small screens like your laptop, tablet or mobile phone to your biggest screen; the television.

For those with busy schedules, Merge is entertainment on your schedule; not the TV schedule and it comes with a high-speed Internet connection, a Roku 2 HD streaming box, 24/7 U.S. based support and unlimited nationwide calling. It is available in multiple speed tiers and due to the innovating and cost effective ways, packages start as low as $52.99/month.

I am most intrigued by having the control to watch what I want when it suits me and although I have never seen TV via a streaming player like Roku, I am excited about having instant access to all kinds of media without having to wait for it to be downloaded.

If you are 18 years or older and are legally residing in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Texas, then you need to go to Facebook, 'Like' Windstream and enter the Ticket to Hollywood Sweepstakes.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a round-trip for two to Hollywood, California with a five night stay at The Hollywood Roosevelt, Hollywood, California, two passes for a four hour backlot V.I.P tour of a movie studio, $1,000 cash for spending money, one 60” Flat Screen Television, movie tickets for two for one year and a one-year subscription to HuluPlus.

Entering is simple; just go online to the Facebook page, fill out the entry form before midnight of August 31st, 2012, Eastern Time. Limit one entry per person and/or per email address and that is it. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on September 6, 2012.

Good luck!

Cable Tie Art

Over the years I have found out that with the simplest things the most beautiful and intricate art can be created.

Take cable ties for instance; we normally resort to them for securely tying stuff together, but they are also great for all kinds of different art projects.

This bowl is a great example of cable tie art and even though it may look like an extremely difficult project, it is actually rather simple to put together. It all comes down to not being afraid to experiment and finding a pattern that works for you.

You would be astonished seeing the results of creativity coming from artists and crafters who have used these plastic ties. Some of the most incredible projects like dresses, chairs, light fixtures, necklaces, wreaths, and more, are displayed and can be admired on the Internet.

Not all of your projects have to be very detailed and/or complex. A bracelet like in this photo is rather simple and quickly and easily assembled.

It is a great starter project and can also be a good foundation for trying out some different things and see what it leads to.

Even if the project goes sour then nothing much is lost but a little effort and time on your part which is probably more valuable then the costs of a bunch of cable ties; you can already buy a 500 piece packet for $2.76, without any strings, or ties in this case, attached!

See also:
History Of Cable Ties
Cable Tie Art Materials and Equipment

Cannoli Cake Recipe

This is a guest post by Jonathan Pack

Cannoli cakes are a traditional Sicilian dessert that has caught on in America in a big way. The blend of crispy fried pastry dough and creamy, custardy filling is an irresistible combo that makes this sweet treat a standby on the dessert menu of any Italian restaurant. However, the intricate process of forming the delicate tubes and piping them full of filling is a daunting process for the typical home cook. This cannoli cake solves that problem by evoking the classic cannoli flavors without the time consuming prep work.

You’ll want to start by baking the actual cake. This particular cake recipe is just as simple as a box mix, but much more tasty. With a stand or electric mixer, beat four eggs and 2/3 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture has a thick consistency. To this, gently fold in ½ cup melted butter and 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Grease and flour a round, 8-inch cake pan and pour the mixture inside. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes, until the cake is firm in the center. Let cool in pan for five minutes until turning onto a wire rack to cool the rest of the way. Be sure to bake the cake early enough that it has a few hours to cool completely before you attempt to frost it, or you will have a cannoli cake pile instead of a cannoli cake!

While the cake is cooling, you can go ahead and start preparing your ricotta filling. This is just as simple as the cake itself, and will be the basis for the evocative cannoli flavors. Simply beat 2 cups of part-skim ricotta cheese in a bowl with 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla on medium speed for about three minutes. Whip one cup of whipping cream and fold it into mixture along with one cup of semisweet mini chocolate chips.

Once the ricotta filling is done, you can turn your attention to the whipped cream frosting. Beat another 2 cups of whipping cream in a bowl on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in two tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar and an additional ½ teaspoon of vanilla.

Once the cake has cooled carefully cut it in half horizontally using a serrated knife. Take the two halves and cut each of them horizontally as well, so that you have four individual cake layers. Place one layer on a serving platter, then spread a third of the ricotta filling across the top. Repeat layers, ending with a cake layer on top. Reserve one cup of frosting; use the rest to frost the sides and top of the cake. Use the remaining frosting to decorate the cake, along with ¼ cup of chopped semisweet chocolate and fresh berries for garnish. Refrigerate until serving, and serve within six hours.

The resulting cake will look so decadent and professional, no one will believe how simple it was to make. Use it for an elegant final course at a dinner party, and prepare to amaze your guests. But beware; they may not believe you when you say you didn’t get it from a bakery!

Steve Blanchard's Economical Impact

When Steve Blanchard started creating Itsyville, little did he know that it would grow out to become a major tourist attraction and would be featured twice in the French architectural magazine "Le Journal du Bois".

It has even attracted the attention of country singer Dolly Parton, who is interested in expanding Dollywood theme park by adding Itsyville to it.

Blanchard's artistic works will also find a spot in the book "Ice, Snow, Sand and Wood Sculptures" by author Steve Volk and "The Art of Chainsaw Carving" which will be published by Fox Chapel Publishing.

As for Steve's plans for the future: expanding Itsyville is high on the agenda, but he is also in the verge of releasing a series of children's books which include some great, simple to understand wisdom and priceless life-lessons.

An animated show focused on, around and about his miniature village and its inhabitants is also in the planning and although all that, in combination with starring as the main attraction at events and all kinds of competitions will fill his agenda, it will not keep Steve away from his one and only passion: chainsaw carving!

No More Interruptions

I am absolutely positive there are some among you who recognize the following situation: you are in the middle of creating a work of art and all of a sudden your craving for nicotine can no longer be ignored and/or set aside.

Unfortunately, you can't light up a cigarette due to too many flammable materials around you and the risk of seeing your arty project go up in smoke is too high. All you can do is abandon your project and step outside to enjoy a cigarette.

No, that is not all you can do. There is a great solution to this problem which not only will allow you to continue your project, but also will have a great, positive impact on your health and your budget: switching over to the e-cigarette.

The electronic cigarette puts an end to having to carry around lighters, exposing everyone to second hand smoke, prevents you from inhaling dangerous carcinogens and hence putting your health at risk, and is a lot cheaper.

There is no open source which could start a fire, but it does provide the craved nicotine and all the same, other sensations a real tobacco product would, including vapor that looks like smoke.

You can continue your project without interruptions!

Steve Blanchard's Work

Starting out by sculpting miniature redwood trees, Steve Blanchard distinguished himself from other artists by adding tree limbs, but quickly moved on to miniature tree carvings and from there on to animals, wood spirits, benches, and eventually to unique tree houses which slowly but surely grew out to an entire village called Itsyville.

Blanchard is a self-made artist and a great example of how practice makes perfect. When starting out, he tried to improve himself with each project and we can most certainly say that he succeeded.

At the moment, Steve Blanchard works from Salinas in California and as the head of Blanchard Wood Sculptures, carving tree houses, starring as the main attraction at competitive events and up to the challenge of carving commissioned works. He creates about ten or twelve tree houses a year, which he sells for approximately around $25,000 each.

The profits go right back into the never-ending development of Itsyville and at the moment he is working on a series of children's books, featuring the residents of this miniature village; the Itsies and the Podots.

Maybe at one point in time he can get around to carving an image of James Dean, since Steve can relate to the rebellious character of this 'rebel without a cause'. One thing is for sure: Steve Blanchard may be a rebel, but he has a cause and it is an amazing, very artistic one!

The Fine Art Of #EclosBeauty

This post brought to you by éclos Skin Care. All opinions are 100% mine.

It most certainly takes a lot of creativity and is an art coming up with the idea and combining plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants into a product line that helps minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and tired skin.

Especially where it concerns the technology incorporating Apple Stem Cells from a rare Swiss apple, which have shown to possess the ability to stimulate skin stem cells and encourage aging skin to behave like younger skin, yielding results in less then two weeks.

It is even more artistic to make that rejuvenating product line available to the public for a low price at mainstream stores and online, but éclos did all then and then some. If you don't believe me then try the Anti-Aging éclos Skin Care Starter Kit and see for yourself: the mirror doesn't lie.

The kit contains an éclos Terry Cloth Head Band and the Facial Cleanser Skin Prep with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant botanicals. It cleanses and preps the skin for the next treatment and balances its pH level.

Cellular Activator Face Serum nourishes the skin, promotes collagen production, protects against environmental damage, stimulates and enhances the ability and function of cells resulting in less fine lines, wrinkles and younger looking skin.

Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream revitalizes the skin stem cells, tightens sagging skin, slows the signs of aging, helps skin to repair itself and protects against aging free radicals.

Restorative Eye Cream visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and increases the moisture content of the delicate eye area.

Instant Radiance Facial Scrub exfoliates dry, dull dead skin cells, enhances cell turnover and restores radiance. It evens out skin tone and texture and prepares it for better absorption of the other treatments.

Renewal Clay Mask is an all natural clay mask. It cleanses the skin, absorbs impurities, unclogs, tightens and minimizes the appearance of pores and restores smooth, youthful texture to the skin.

I loved the quick absorption, the smooth, clean feel of my face after applying the products, the fresh smell, but most of all the amazing, younger-looking, radiant appearance of my skin. It really works and in less then two weeks I saw a major difference.

When it comes to battling the signs of aging, éclos has that down to a fine art!

About Steve Blanchard

Those of you who watched the TV series 'Saw Dogs' are already familiar with Steve Blanchard and his amazing chainsaw sculptures. Steve is a chainsaw master carver from Northern California and probably more known for his unique, carved tree houses and little people which make up the miniature village of Itsyville.

Steve had a hard time during his teen and early adult years, deciding what he wanted to do in and with his life. After he struggled through reform school, he joined the Marine Corps, but that wasn't up his alley. He got into the construction business, tried his hand at servicing oil burners, went on to applying aluminum siding and worked at the shrimp boat industry for a while.

None of these professions appealed to him and he moved on to work for a sound company from Miami which accompanied tours of many celebrities such as Dickie Betts from the Allman Brothers, Lynard Skynard and the Isly Brothers. He decided he was better cut out being the boss and started his own sound company, but went broke while arranging a major concert for local talents in Napels, Florida.

Left with nothing but a few hundred dollars, he settled in Three Rivers in the Sierras, had several odd jobs and started his own nursery, which still exists today.

Finally, he found his calling when he started carving in 1986 and although his first project ended up being a mushroom while shooting for a redwood tree, he mastered the art of chainsaw carving and elevated it to a fine art.

I couldn't find his date and place of birth and no information about his parents and/or siblings. I did find out that he is 60 years old, never got married, doesn't have any children and is creating wonderful artwork across the country and all over the world.

See also:
Steve Blanchard's Work
Steve Blanchard's Economical Impact

Taking Crafts To The Next Level

One thing I have learned over time is that you can make crafts and hobbies as cheap or as expensive as you desire. It also has occurred to me that the more comfortable and experienced you become, the more equipment is added to the craft materials due to the fact that the projects become more elaborate and detailed.

Art that includes working with polyurethane or nylon for example may eventually call for professional equipment to create a good, strong, high quality seal and not all heat sealers may serve the purpose, needs and/or requirements. You may need customized RF heat sealing equipment to cook your project to perfection so to speak.

Since RF sealers are heavily relied upon by all kinds of manufacturers and are used in all types of industries, you can be assured to not only get the best product for your money, but also state of the art equipment. It will be an asset to your selection of tools, allowing you to take your projects to the next level by removing the limits which were set to your creativity.

Imagine all the gorgeous works of art which will come from your hands with a fully customized RF heat sealer and Thermex Thermatron, LP will fabricate one to your specifications. How artistic is that?!

Scissor Art Materials and Equipment

It is hard to believe how many different types, sizes, and appearances scissors come in and the choice is just as enormous as their functionality; there are specific scissors for all kinds of different industries and purposes.

From cutting grass to sheep shears, from all purpose kitchen scissors to heavy metal shears, from fabric scissors to trauma shears, you name it and there is a pair of scissors or shears for it and they are not difficult to find either; major supermarket chains, craft stores, DIY stores, fabric stores and online stores offer them in abundance.

They are rather cheap and laying your hands on them is not a problem, the equipment you need for a project is another story which might go up there money-wise. You may need an anvil to hammer and bend them into shape and soldering tools to fuse them together when creating a larger work of art which requires multiple pair of scissors.

That may be worth your while when you plan on making this craft your hobby. I suspect bracelets like these will be gone in no time, but you can also resort to cheaper solutions such as gluing them on a background and framing them, or taking pictures and using those to give a room a unique touch.

You will not find many instructions, books, and examples pertaining to this art, but I have no doubt that with some imagination and creativity you will come up with several unique projects of your own!

A Breath Of Fresh Air

This post brought to you by Wave Home Solutions. All opinions are 100% mine.

I sometimes wished we had a basement which we could turn into a craft space, but then again I am glad we don't, because in our climate it would be nothing else but a damp, breeding ground for mold and dust mites and an opportunity for gases, radon, combustion, VOC's and toxic vapors to accumulate.

The same happens in crawl spaces and all those health hazards eventually find their way into the home where they wreak havoc by causing respiratory ailments, allergies, asthma, headaches and more. This is called 'Sick Home Syndrome' and to avoid this, good ventilation is of the highest priority.

No need to get upset; there are some excellent, easy Wave Home Solutions available. Wave Home purification solutions ventilate and dry out your home by drawing the damp, polluted air away from floor level of basement or crawl space and expel it outside through vents at the bottom of the unit. In the mean time, warmer, drier replacement air from upstairs is drawn into the basement or crawl space through a vent.

Since it constantly and automatically monitors and measures relative humidity, it doesn't shut off, but adjusts to maximize results day in and day out, all year long. The ventilation speed adjusts to the conditions and changes as needed. This ensures a constant provision of clean air as recommended by the World Health Organization, EPA, Surgeon General.

This is much better then putting out dehumidifiers which don't ventilate, run up your electric bills and require being emptied on a regular basis, but still leave you with all the toxins, pollutants and stale air. Wave Home Solutions on the other hand ventilates and dries out your home, costs only a few pennies per day, is maintenance free and satisfaction is guaranteed.

Even though we don't have a basement or crawl space, we could still use it in our home, because we don't ventilate enough. According to EPA, the air inside a home can be 5 times more polluted than air outside and we have enough health problems without unnecessarily adding to it.

You would do well to check out the Wave Home Solutions; a breath of fresh air is no luxury, but a must!

Scissor Art - History of Scissors

Wow, I had no idea scissors already were around in 1500 BC. They were called 'spring scissors', because they consisted out of two blades held together in the middle by a thin strip which allowed the user to squeeze them together and pulled the blades back apart upon release.

This type of scissors was used for a very long time and was usually made from bronze or iron. They were common in Europe up until and throughout the fifteenth century. The modern type as we use today finds its origin in 100 AD, was invented by the Romans and used in the Roman Empire, China, Japan and Korea.

Slowly, but surely, the pivoted scissors came in swing and found favor in the eyes of the greater public. In 1761, Robert Hinchliffe from London, made the first pair of scissors as we still use today and he is said to be the first scissor manufacturer, although the title is also attributed to William Whiteley & Sons from Sheffield, who supposedly started making scissors in 1760.

Nowadays, we take them for granted and we all probably have more then one pair of scissors in our homes. The next time you reach for them, take a moment to consider the long history of this small, handy tool!

Creativity With Nylon Fabric

When speaking about nylon art, people foremost think of flowers, butterflies, and other small sculptures. The type of material used for this craft usually consists of the 'panty hose' kind, but there are more nylon materials which lend themselves very well for all kinds of craft applications.

The same colorful material which is normally used for parachutes can also be used for creating wonderful, unique works of art. I have seen overalls and aprons made out of this Nylon Fabric and due to its quick drying and mildew resistant properties that is a great choice.

The vibrant colors and wide selection of fiber sizes it comes in would make for great flower arrangements and since it is stretch resistant, it can also easily be used for wrapping around a picture or art work frame, without having to be afraid it eventually will loose its sleek, modern look.

I am quite sure you can come up with more, arty purposes for nylon fabric and knowing that it can easily handle low temperatures and can also be treated to resist the high ones, opens up a realm of possibilities and options for many crafts and hobbies, but you can always use it to create your own, one of a kind parachute, of course!

Scissor Art

I suspect when talking about scissor art, most people would automatically associate it with patiently cut out, delicate and amazing paper images. And rightfully so, because who would think about projects made entirely out of scissors?

I know I wouldn't and didn't, until I found out there are some gorgeous things that can be done with either the entire pair of scissors, or by taking them apart and using those for the creation of many works of art, like this spider for instance.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Scissors lend themselves very well for all kinds of projects and besides sculptures, I have seen walls decorated with scissor art, hangers, windows, and even doors being made out of them.

This motorcycle is completely fabricated out of scissors and an awesome example of this unique hobby.

You don't have to think big to come up with something eye-catching; gluing scissors onto a plain, wooden picture frame is an option that will have people talking. By adhering them in a random or thought out pattern, it will result in arty wall decorations.

You can also position a few in a row and frame them, or take a picture of them, print it out and decorate your walls with it. Your choice between antique or modern pair of scissors and use of colored lens, will allow you to match it with and incorporate it in pretty much any interior design.

If you like to try your hands at this art then you got your work cut out for you!

See also:
Scissor Art - History Of Scissors
Scissor Art Materials and Equipment

Paying For Art Made Easy

This post brought to you by Western Union. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have been watching several TV shows pertaining to auctions lately and although I am more interested in the origin, age and historic value of the items, it makes me wonder how phone bidders pay for the acquired objects.

My suspicion is they make good use of the services of Western Union and they may even have been given a Western Union gift card which they received from a loved one or friend on a special occasion.

Those gift cards are easily bought and send with the click of a button at WUGift.com. They are available for pretty much any occasion and come with a personal message which will be printed on the inside of the Western Union Gift and Greeting Card. They can be uploaded with any amount from $5 to $100 and are valid in stores and online at shops which accept debit MasterCard.

Since they are so easy to use, they make great gifts for anyone and the recipient can quickly activate the card by calling 1-866-953-6489. Keeping track of their balance can be done at the same number or online at www.WUGift.com.

When buying a card, shipping is free by selecting First Class Shipping and a free, personal voice message can be included and recorded by calling 1-866-953-6490. The surprised receiver will hear it when activating the MasterCard.

When purchasing a Western Union gift card now through September 1st, 2012, you can get 25% off the $5 fee. Simply enter the special promo code 'WUGIFTPROMO8', but be aware that the Gift Card is only for sale and shipment to the 48 contiguous states excluding AZ, PO Boxes, U.S. military bases and correctional facilities.

Limit one coupon per transaction. No cash redemption value and it can not be combined with any other offer. Void where prohibited and a $2.50 inactivity fee will be applied after 12 consecutive months of inactivity.

This post is paid for by Western Union, but it is a creative way of always having money at hand!

The Western Union® gift card is issued by MetaBank™ pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. MetaBank; Member FDIC. A $2.50 per month servicing fee applies after 12 consecutive months of non-use.

Broom Straw Art Materials and Equipment

The easiest way acquiring broom straw for crafts would be online, where you can purchase it by the pack and the prices vary from around $5 to $8, depending on length and color.

Should you be too impatient to wait for it to arrive at your doorstep then of course you can always go to a craft store or another retailer where you can buy a ready made broom. The latter however means you would have to go through the trouble of taking it apart before you are able to use the broom straw/broom corn.

When you intend to use it for weaving, you don't need anything else but your hands. If you have making dolls in mind, you probably need a pair of scissors and string. Since broom straw is a natural material, it would be fitting to use waxed jute or hemp string for your (decorative) projects.

I found several craft books with broom straw projects and instructions in them, but none specifically and entirely dedicated to this hobby.

The Internet has all kinds of examples and instructions at your disposal though and it wouldn't hurt to check those out. Give it a try; should your project go haywire you can always make a broom out of it!

Creative Vacations

This post brought to you by VISIT FLORIDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is an art finding a vacation that suits the entire family, but you can be assured everyone will have fun in Florida, because there is something that appeals to each taste and preference. I like Florida, especially in summertime nice weather is pretty much a given and with so many beaches around, beach combing is a snap.

There is a chance to win three Florida vacations by participating in the Florida's Three for Free Giveaway. Simply select three different Florida vacation packages among twelve choices and one grand prize winner will be randomly selected and will win the three Florida vacation packages of their choice.

Nine additional winners will be randomly selected from the remaining nine vacation packages and will win one vacation each. How great is that? Don't wait too long to enter though, because the sweepstakes began on May 24, 2012 and will end at 12:00 a.m. E.T. June 30, 2012.

The vacation packages include swimming with the manatees, playing tennis and enjoying cooking classes and a $250 shopping spree, exploring Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key and Bradenton, taking a trip to LEGOLAND and its new Water Park, be a space cowboy on Florida's Space Coast, training dolphins, be awed by The Breakers Palm Beach, enjoying a spa-vacation, playing golf on three championship golf courses, a classic family beach vacation, soaking up the historic past in St. Augustine, or chart a course to the Florida Keys for fantastic offshore fishing and four days of tropical luxury.

I entered, because I would love to take a trip to LEGOLAND, sponsored by Visit Central Florida, and admire all the artistic sculptures and have fun at its Water Park. However, training a dolphin and working side-by-side with the Marine Mammal Training Staff at Miami Seaquarium, while have a chance to get a dolphin ride across the pool, sounds great and afterwards bathing in the luxury of the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove, sponsored by Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, overlooking Biscayne Bay and visiting historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is also very appealing.

Loving history, a visit to St. Augustine, America’s oldest European-settled city, sponsored by Ponce de Leon's World Famous Fountain of Youth, is a must. Seeing Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth, the St. Augustine lighthouse, the Pirate & Treasure Museum, and streets which have been traveled by Spanish conquistadors piques my interest.

Check it out, VISIT FLORIDA on Facebook and enter the sweepstakes. Who knows, you may win one, or three, of these creative vacations!

Broom Straw Art History

Brooms were originally called besoms and were actually nothing more but a bundle of twigs taken from the broom shrub which grew in the wild, tied together to and around a stick and looked like the brooms we at present associate with witches.

The craft of making decorations and other useful items out of broom straw on the other hand, has been around since thousands of years. Left over straw was used for making dolls, wall or personal decorations, and for roofing houses.

The besom did a poor job of sweeping, but it was better then nothing and when Benjamin Franklin obtained a seed of the broomcorn brush, he planted it. The first broom made of this corn straw in the U.S. was created in 1789 by Levi Dickenson who was a farmer from Massachusetts and he soon began manufacturing them for a living.

The shape of the round brooms changed to flat when in 1878 the broom press was invented by Shakers and although we still use and buy those today, we tend to gravitate more towards the rectangle push and pull brooms with the short, synthetic bristles.

Either way, if you use a broom made out of broom straw, don't throw it away when it needs replacing; the straws are still great for all kinds of craft projects!

The Best Way To Protect Wood

This post brought to you by Flood Wood Care. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love wood and would like to have a wooden statue in our yard. Past experiences have taught though that it may not last very long in our climate, but that is mainly due to not using the proper products.

The wooden building is in desperate need of a new door and that is bound to happen soon. When we would use excellent exterior wood stains and wood cleaners, it will protect, preserve and beautify our investment and save us time and energy, because of its high quality and long-lasting performance.

The Flood® Wood Care products give us all that and then some and therefore the Flood® brand has earned its reputation as "The Wood Care Specialist". Founded in 1841 by a family of painters, their products have been recognized in the wood care industry for their reliability and are used by many, satisfied, returning customers.

Flood® is having the Take it Easy Sweepstakes which began at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 15, 2012, and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 15, 2012. When you own a home with a damage-free, wooden deck, you can still enter these national sweepstakes and have a chance at winning the Grand Prize.

This one Grand Prize has a retail value of around $4,500 and consists of a $2,000 check for the services of a contractor to stain the homeowner's deck, up to $500 retail value of Flood® wood care products and project-related materials and $2,000 in cash in the form of a check to be used towards a home deck party.

You can enter by visiting www.flood.com and following the link to the Sweepstakes registration page. Complete and submit the official registration entry form to receive one entry into the Grand Prize drawing by 11:59 pm ET on July 15, 2012.

It is that simple, so don't wait, enter now and don't forget that Flood® is the best solution for any wood care projects any of us may take on this summer!

Broom Straw Art

There is a lot you can do with broom straw besides making a broom out of it. There are craft and hobby projects galore which can either have a functional or just a decorative purpose.

You probably already know the scarecrows crafted from broom straw which you can admire during fall, Thanksgiving and Halloween, or have seen broom straw wreaths hanging on the doors. It is also good material for creating stars, crosses, baskets, belts, flowers, placemats, bowls, and handbags.

I didn't know that broom straw was widely used for making jewelry. This technique is called "Straw casting" and is done by pouring melted gold or silver over the wet ends of broom straw which are standing up. This results in unique designs with which modern jewelry is made.

The broom straw itself can also be used for weaving bracelets, earrings, necklaces or hair accessories, but a lot of other small works of art belong to the possibilities as well such as this straw doll.

You actually don't even have to go through all the trouble of coming up with an original, decorative piece. You can simply take the broom as is and adorn it with all kinds of other craft materials, ribbons, lace, and whatever else you have handy.

By hanging it on the wall, it will get all the attention it needs and when the situation occurs; there is a new broom up for grabs that sweeps clean!

See also:
Broom Straw Art History
Broom Straw Art Materials and Equipment

A Win-Win Situation

This post brought to you by Kia Rio. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are staying at home this summer, but still would like to do something creative then how about a scavenger hunt? I got the idea after watching this Kia Rio Scavenger Hunt video and thought how much fun and how exciting a challenge like this must have been.

How would you like racing through Los Angeles and going to The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round to answer a trivia question, or sifting through the popular and historic Amoeba Records store to find one particular CD? Maybe counting palm trees on Rodeo Drive would be more to your likings or finishing a hot dog named after a Hollywood celebrity at Pink's Hot Dogs to get to your next clue and to top it all off; locate and meet with a celebrity at The Roosevelt Hotel?

After watching the video, it seemed to me that finding that CD was the most difficult challenge. You may have a different opinion and I sure would like to hear your thoughts on the video which you can do by leaving a comment on this post. Thanks.

One of the advantages these two pairs of best friends had on the Zip and Dash geocache challenge through Los Angeles was that they had UVO Technology powered by Microsoft® right at their fingertips. The Kia Rio is equipped with great features such as Bluetooth, a USB jack, advanced voice control, color touch screen, HD radio, easy feature updates, a digital jukebox and rear view camera display. I personally like the last, since parking is not one of my best qualities.

Another advantage they had was being able to cruise around in the sleek, high tech, user friendly, 2012 5-door Kia Rio in their search of Christina Milian. Check out the Rio Explorer Page at Kia.com to gather up more information and explore all the options and possibilities.

A scavenger hunt in such an innovating car is a win-win situation for everyone who participates!

Paracord Art Materials and Equipment

Paracord is rather cheap and comes in a wide variety of colors, but can also be bought according to strength, width, and the amount of threads which make up the core.

There are 6 types of cord and the most commonly used type is the 550 cord. This holds up to 550 lbs and is usually made out of 7 to 9 threads. Besides this type of paracord, you also have the option to purchase cord which differs in strength and has more, fewer, or no threads at its core. The strongest paracord holds up to 750 lbs.

Be aware though; the cord's qualities are not uniform and it hinges upon what manufacturer you buy it from. To ensure you got good cord, examine the way it is made, its quality, strength, how many strands make up the core and if those strands are individual, nylon threads. You don't want to find out you got the lesser quality when you have to use it.

As far as crafts go, there are lots of projects which can be made with paracord and you are not restricted to just one 'knotting' technique.

I didn't find any books concerning projects, but you will have no problems finding those online, including instructions on how to create them. There are several instruction books about all types of knots though, which might come in handy.

You may need a pair of scissors, a clasp, a lighter to sear the ends, your hands and maybe a little practice. This is not really a difficult craft and I sincerely doubt you will end up with a Gordian knot. Then again...., you never know! Grin.

Artfully Designed Fluorescent Lighting

It is essential to have good lighting when you are practicing your hobby and/or craft. Most of the crafts are rather tedious and you can not afford to slip up, because that could result in having to start from scratch and I know from experience how frustrating that can be.

Many professionals need more then just good light; they require excellent illumination and when you take surgeons in consideration, you can understand why. That doesn't necessarily mean installing so many light sources that everyone gets blinded by the light; artfully designed Fluorescent Lighting often already does the trick.

I wasn't aware of the fact that there are so many options where shining a light in a room or space is concerned. Direct or indirect fluorescent light can make a huge difference pertaining to the feel and atmosphere of an area and spaces which are sparsely used would benefit by using the Occu-Smart® lighting system.

When, in the cold light of day, you ponder on your craft projects and/or work at hand, you may realize how meticulous and intricate the job is and how it demands all your attention. Not having to worry about whether you can see what you are doing, or not, makes light work of accomplishing any task.

Looking into your lighting situation may be a bright idea!