November, 2010

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19
Nov 10

How to Sell Crafts

Crafting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, with many people expressing their creativity through a wide range of crafts.

If you enjoy crafting and have received comments like, “You should sell your crafts!” or “Where did you buy that?” you may want to consider selling your winter crafts. This is a great way to not only enjoy your hobby, but make a little money from it as well.

These are a few ideas of how to sell winter crafts.

Enter Craft Shows

Most cities have craft shows and fairs that allow you to pay a fee (this can be inexpensive or very pricey, depending on where you live and the type of show), then go to the show and set up a booth for your crafts. This is one of the best ways to sell your winter crafts, as many crafters and people who love to decorate their homes with crafts will attend these shows.

Check the Internet for local craft shows in your area and see how much it costs to enter them. Be sure to do this early, however; many times, the slots fill up quickly and there is a deadline for your entrance fee. Once in the show, you might want to consider bringing brochures or fliers of your other work and your contact information, so people can call you for special orders or crafts you make for other holidays and seasons. Craft fairs are a great way to drum up business that lasts year round.

Host an open house and invite your friends

If you don’t want to pay to have your crafts in a fair, consider hosting your own craft fair. Invite a few of your friends who craft or make jewelry or other items to come to your home and set up tables to sell their goods. Invite friends, neighbors, and relatives, or take an ad out in the paper or craigslist advertising your sale.

Not only is this a great way to socialize, but it can also help you make a little extra money from your winter crafts and people will hear about them through word of mouth.

Don’t wait until winter

You don’t need to wait until winter or after Halloween to start marketing and selling your winter crafts. If you are going to enter your winter crafts in shows, you will need to enter deadlines and give yourself time to make plenty of crafts to sell.

In addition, many people attend “Christmas in July” craft shows and parties. People even set up booths at county or state fairs. This is a great way to sell winter crafts all year, not just during the winter.

Get a booth at the mall

Walk through the mall and you’ll notice kiosks or booths set up throughout. If you have the money (rent can be pricey!), this is a good way to sell your crafts. Thousands of people pass through malls during the winter months, so you stand a good chance of making good money.

If you don’t want to spend the money for booth rent, consider asking a friend who also crafts to split the cost with you in exchange to being able to sell her crafts too.

Making winter crafts is a fun hobby, and many people turn their hobbies into money-making ventures by selling their crafts. These are a few ways to sell your winter crafts.

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18
Nov 10

Ice Age 3 Birthday Party Supplies to Create a Mammoth of a Party

The movie Ice Age 3 is filled with the same fascinating characters as the first two films. Lucky for you, they’ve all been cast in a set of outstanding Ice Age 3 birthday party supplies.

Start your party planning by sending out some Ice Age 3 Invitations. You’ll attract a herd of wooly mammoths who will come pounding down the street to your door, ready to celebrate. When the dinosaurs come hop, hop, hopping along behind them, you’ll know it’s going to be a mammoth of a party.

Before they get there, don’t forget to stock up on all the Ice Age party supplies you need. The Ice Age 3 Deluxe Party Pack is an easy way to do that. Not only does it have those terrific invitations as part of the package, but also plates, cups, activity placemats, and so much more.

It also holds 18 inflatable balloons, a Mylar balloon, crepe paper rolls, curling ribbon, and a whole lot more. You’ll get everything you need for serving refreshments and massive goodies for decorating.

If you need an extra tablecover for that game room table, no problem. Order one separately. Ditto, if you need extra napkins. Each item will turn your party room into a wild place ready for an even wilder time.

To keep all those party animals calm while you prepare, hand out some Ice Age 3 Tattoos. The package includes 2 sheets with 6 different characters on each, a total of 12 tattoos! Manny, Diego, Scrat, Sid, Crash and Eddie, and T-Rex…. They’re all here. The tattoos come off with a little soap and water but the excitement will remain long after.

Guests bring gifts, but you’d like to return the compliment. So, stock up on some Party Favor Boxes. Each contains a sticker sheet, glow stick, glitter bounce ball, a mask, and a pair of binoculars. You can greet your guests at the door with one, or hand them out as they’re leaving. Either way, prepare to hear roars of delight.

There are lots of other masks to choose from, too. Every party animal can become the animal character he or she likes best. They have elastic backs and paper fronts so they’re safe and comfortable. You can get Diego, Sid, Crash, and T-Rex and watch everyone become a favorite prehistoric pal.

When your party is over you’ll want to express your gratitude for all the great gifts and companionship. Ice Age 3 Thank You Notes make that effort effortless. With 8 Thank-You notes each with their own individual envelope and Ice Age design, they’ll be highly appreciated, first by you, then by the recipient. The pre-printed text gets you started and you can add your own special animal sound.

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18
Nov 10

Greening the Nursery Part One – Mattress Alert

Since 1973 U.S. laws have forced mattress manufacturers to treat their mattresses with fire-retardant chemicals. The most common of these chemicals, polybrominated difphenyl ethers (PBDE’s) are linked to significant health risks including immunodeficiency disorders, cancer, and endocrine disruption. As with many chemicals and environmental toxins, these chemicals are especially detrimental to the health of developing fetuses and infants. PBDE’s are in the same family as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which were banned in the 70s due to their health risks.

The reason flame retardants were deemed so necessary, is because most mattresses are composed mostly of polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is derived from petroleum and the National Association of State Fire Marshals calls it “solid gasoline.” In other words, it’s highly flammable. Additionally the chemicals used to make the foam have been associated with thyroid, liver damages and changes in motor behavior and brain functions.

PBDE’s are just one of the many chemicals used in the process of making conventional mattresses. Other chemicals such as toluene, and formaldehyde can cause health problems when they off-gas from the mattress. While some people do not notice adverse side effects from sleeping on these mattresses, many have experienced breathing problems, skin irritations and even depression. While immediate side effects are not always realized, long-term exposure to toxic substances can contribute to health problems that are hard to pinpoint later. PBDE’s have been found in measurable amounts in breast milk and the widespread use is increasing. PBDE’s are also toxic to animals and have been found in the body fat of whales in the Atlantic Ocean.

If you want to decrease exposure to these harmful chemicals, consider purchasing a natural organic mattress. There are multiple varieties available and they are naturally flame retardant and dust-mite resistant so they can be used for multiple children. If you have already purchased a conventional mattress, consider purchasing an encasing to prevent off-gassing and keep out the dust mites. Also, take the opportunity on sunny days a couple times a year, to air out your mattress outside. If you are purchasing a new mattress be sure to air it out for a few days before sleeping on it. Vacuum mattresses weekly to eliminate dust-mites and help remove chemical residues.

Are you planning on co-sleeping? Natural organic mattresses are also available for adult beds and for co-sleeper attachments.

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18
Nov 10

Top Maternity Dresses for Summer

Summer is fast approaching, so now is the time to begin shopping for maternity dresses before the pickings are slim. If you have been pregnant for more than a few months, you doubtless have some good basics, but you may not have begun the dress hunt yet. Late spring and early summer is definitely the dress season so many with graduations, weddings, outdoor parties, not to mention baby showers! You will most likely find you could easily use a few choice casual dresses for those hot summer days, an occasion dress for a wedding or shower and maybe a few versatile office dresses.

The biggest advantage of maternity dresses in summer is that they are easy to wear and non-restricting, cooler than pants, and can really flatter your maternity shape and allow you to feel 100% woman! Here are a few top style picks for summer maternity dresses:

The Wrap Maternity Dress

Summer is packed full of long hot days and with your body temperature rising and increasing pregnancy weight gain, you will want to cool off in something easy to wear and very comfortable. In terms of easy to fit and timelessly stylish, there is nothing better than your basic wrap maternity dress. Japanese Weekend makes a classic Short Sleeve Collar Maternity Dress in both a solid navy and black in a jersey fabric. This dress can easily transition from the office to out to dinner or can be worn as a casual weekend dress. Another great wrap dress is JKU’s short sleeve Wrap Maternity Dress. This versatile V neck wrap maternity dress is similar to Japanese Weekend’s, only minus the collar and with an adjustable front tie. JKU’s Wrap Maternity Dress comes in a beautiful dusk blue solid color in a super soft and stretchy Rayon/Spandex blend.

The Maternity Sundress

There is no better time to buy an awesome sundress than when you are expecting. Sundresses are so easy to wear and allow you to bask in the sun without sweltering in the heat. The Maternal America Embroidered Dress in cool mint is an understated yet beautiful sundress that can be worn for everyday casual or for a special occasion. This dress hangs beautifully on your figure and does not wrinkle. The garment dyed mint color is accented by floral embroidery throughout and the ruffle detail allows a casual elegance and effortless beauty that is only enhanced by your pregnancy. On a similar theme, Juliet Dream’s Embroidered Maternity Dress is a versatile lightweight cotton paisley pattern sundress. This dress has that casual summer sundress feel with adjustable tie shoulder spaghetti straps, tube smocking and ruffle hem which hits a bit above the ankle. This is another great example of a maternity dress that be worn extremely casual or even to a wedding.

The Transition Maternity/Nursing Dress

If you are due during the summer and hope to get more mileage out of your summer maternity dress investment, choosing a dress that can be worn during and after your pregnancy is a good idea. Majamas, a label that specializes in nursing and transition fashions, has a number of great choices. Their Praline Maternity/Nursing Dress does not look like a maternity or nursing dress but is designed for both. This dress has a fun kaleidoscope pattern with a stylish black accent band above the hem. The pretty cap sleeve with V neck style is flirty and cool for summer and the front cross over design easily doubles as a nursing dress. It’s stretchy rayon/poly/lycra blend will stretch with you during your pregnancy and spring back into place for wear after you have your baby.

The Sleepy Nursing Dress is another great transition wear dress by Majamas. This dress has been around for years and is a favorite for expecting and new moms everywhere. The Sleepy Dress is a tank style dress, with built in bust support which is also nursing bra friendly. This dress features a cross over front design for nursing and the hem hits just above the knee. This dress can be worn casually or accessorized for a more formal occasion. The cotton/lycra blend allows this dress plenty of stretch so that it can also be worn during pregnancy. The Sleepy Nursing Dress is such a popular dress that it comes in many different colors and patterns including a beautiful merlot and twilight as well as classic black.

So whether you are looking for a few choice office dresses, a casual summer sundress, or a some versatile transition wear dresses, there are some great pickings out there! A few pretty and easy to wear summer maternity dresses will make your summer even more enjoyable while you are expecting.

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18
Nov 10

eye of tianjin

it is one of the symbolic feature spots in tianjin open to visitors recently. yesterday my elder sister and i paid a visit to it and it was paid by a brother.!the eye of tianjin is a skyscraping round, its diameter is about 110m, and it takes us 28 minutes per cycle.from the waiting to the end , there were so many phychological changes in my mind. curious expectant and courageous at first, and then a little worried in the middle. then talking and looking far and forth in order to defeat the fear. and sometimes want to quit. in fact i knew it was impossible to stop. once in a while, i thought if i drop from the highest ……at that time i already knew how absurd the idea was. because it was also impossible. then pass the highest, the mind was not so nervous as before. we began joking and enjoy the viewpoint from the great height.then , at last ,we reached the ground!and we were safe !haha , so hard to forget!

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17
Nov 10

TV Insider Shares Seven Easy Tips to Creating Home Video Keepsakes With Any Camcorder

If you’re like many folks, you probably spent a tidy sum on a nifty little camcorder to record home videos of the kids, family gatherings, little league games and a whole lot more. But how much are your home videos really worth? They’re priceless, right? You bet they’re priceless! So before you take that camcorder to your daughter’s dance recital or on that next family vacation, here are just a few tricks of the trade to help you make the most of your camcorder. With these simple tips, you’ll create home video keepsakes you and your family will treasure for years to come.

Hold the camcorder steady long enough

1. One of the simplest things you can do is hold the camcorder steady long enough. If you’re constantly moving the camcorder all over the place, there’s never a chance for everyone watching to get a good look at the subject and make sense of what’s going on. (Not to mention, your wandering camcorder may leave everyone feeling a bit seasick) There’s no magic number, but a good rule of thumb for holding a shot long enough is 10 seconds. If you edit your home videos, you can always edit out what you don’t need.

Stop shaky shots

2. So how do I keep the camcorder steady, you ask? Well, there are number of tricks to combat this pesky little problem. Here’s one simple tip. Keep your elbows tucked in against your body. Rather than holding the camera out away from you, keep your arms up against your chest. When you use your body as a tripod, your home videos wont look like they could register 8.1 on the Richter Scale.

Use camcorder effects in moderation

3. Today’s camcorders have lots of fun effects, but that doesn’t mean you should use them when recording your home videos. It’s best to add effects when you edit your home videos on your computer – this way you always preserve your original footage. Remember, today’s clever camcorder effects may not be so clever looking in a few years. Plus, you alter what the subject really looked like when you add effects over your video. And once they’re recorded on the tape, you’re stuck with those effects for good.

Pay attention to the background

4. Before you press that record button, be sure to pay attention to what’s going on behind your subject. No doubt about it, the background can really work for or against you. Try to take notice of anything behind your subject that might be distracting or unsightly. For instance, that beautifully decorated antique car parked behind the bride and groom can add fun and interest to your home video, but that beat-up pick-up truck parked in the background will spoil any home video of the happy couple.

Don’t forget close-ups

5. For some reason folks tend to record home videos with a lot of wide shots, and that’s really too bad. Nothing captures someone like a close-up, it really lets their personality shine through. So the next time you pick up that camcorder, don’t forget about close-ups.

Good lighting

6. Good lighting is key to any good looking home video. The better the lighting, the better your home videos will look. Images will be sharper and colors will be truer with good lighting. It can be as easy as flipping on a light switch or moving to a better lit area.

Let natural sound tell the story

7. Don’t forget about natural sound. Rather than constantly talking over what you’re recording, keep it quiet and let the natural sound tell the story. If you’re videotaping your daughter cheerleading, let’s hear some of that school spirit.

So what are you waiting for? Start capturing life’s magical moments and create tomorrow’s home video keepsakes today. Don’t let another birthday party, family reunion, or vacation pass by without putting these simple tips into practice. You’ll be glad you did!

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17
Nov 10

Be My Valentine

Before there was a Saint Valentine to bring romance into the equation, mid-February was an important date for lovers. From 400 years BC, the Romans held an annual lottery in the name of their god Lupercus. The names of teenage women were put into a box and drawn at random by adolescent men. The ‘winners’ were legally paired for a year.

Meanwhile, the mad emperor Claudius banned marriage for young men – he believed that single men made better soldiers.

A Christian bishop, Valentine, disagreed with his Emperor and secretly performed marriage ceremonies until Claudius found out and first imprisoned him, and finally had him clubbed, stoned and beheaded on February 24th, 270.

While he was imprisoned, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer and when he was taken to be executed, he left her a note signed, ‘From your Valentine.’

Taking Valentine’s name in vain, the Church, in AD 496, decided to finally abolish the annual pairing off lottery held in honor of the god Lupercus and so decreed a small change in the rules:

From then on, both the young men and the young women would pick a name out of the hat, but instead of getting a year of companionship (and often lust), they drew the name of a Saint whose life they had to spend the next year emulating.

Must have been quite a disappointment for the hot- bloodied young Romans!

They named the day after Saint Valentine whose involvement, 226 years after his death, was more to usurp the pagan god than to signify love.

Thankfully, public memory was more powerful that political will and Saint Valentine remained associated with lovers. Young Roman men, deprived of their lottery, took instead to handing hand-written notes to the women they admired on February 14th.

The tradition of the Valentine card was thus started over 1500 years ago!

The earliest known card that still exists is currently in the British Museum. It was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife. He was a prisoner in the Tower of London at the time and so his feelings of love were probably more acute than most!

In the sixteenth century the Bishop of Geneva tried to reinstate the annual Saint’s name lottery, but his efforts were short-lived. February 14th was by then too firmly associated with lovers for the Church to successfully interfere.

In 1797 a British publisher, who would have done very well in modern Internet times, published ‘The Young Man’s Valentine Writer’ which offered scores of suggestions of sentimental verses for the creatively challenged.

The practice of sending cards anonymously began with the Victorians, who secretly loved anything of a racy nature, but publicly needed to maintain a show of respectful purity. Hence, the verses in the cards became more and more obscene, but the authors remained hidden behind a respectful anonymity.

The first publisher of Valentine’s cards in America, Esther Holland charged up to $35 for each card. And this was in 1870!

Finally, kisses are written as ‘x’ because in days of illiteracy, your signature was a cross. To convey the effect of an oath, people would draw their cross and kiss it – in the same way that they would kiss the Bible. So the x and the kiss became one and the same.

Have a lovely Valentine’s day! X

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17
Nov 10

Safe, or Not? What You Need to Know About Children’s Outdoor Toys

With the recent spate of playground related injuries, parents are starting to become more aware of what is and isn’t safe in an outdoor child toy. The sad thing is, hundreds of thousands of children are still injured each year in toy related incidents. So how can you make sure that your child is safe when he or she plays?

First of all, it’s important to remember that it’s impossible to keep a child completely safe during play, or any time, for that matter. Some bumps, bruises, scrapes and cuts have to be expected on the rocky road to growing up, and little injuries like that are good for children; they give them an idea of the world around them, and teach them what the laws of physics will and will not allow them to do. But with that said, no child should ever be hurt so badly while playing that he or she had to go to the emergency room. And the best way to keep that from happening is to know what’s going on with your child, at all times.

However, it’s equally important, especially with very young or very small children, that they play with toys that are suitable for their age unless you’re right with them. It’s one thing to hold a toddler on a bicycle seat and let him pretend he’s riding it; it’s quite another to let the same toddler clamber over the bicycle while it’s lying on the ground and you’re at the other end of the yard. Just as toast always lands butter side up when it falls, a child left on his own will get hurt if he possibly can. Check for small parts or sharp edges on any toy before you allow your child to play with it without you right over them. Mind you, I’m not saying that you should become a second shadow; if you have more than one kid, you won’t be able to, anyway. I am saying that you should always be close by when your children are playing, and always make sure that the toys they’re playing with won’t be able to hurt them if you should turn your back for a few minutes.

Check labels. Most toys will come with warnings that say “3+” or “Not for children under four”. Pay attention to those labels. Heed them. But don’t just assume that because a label says “For ages three and up” and your child is four that the toy is automatically safe. Check for sharp edges. Check for places where curious little hands might get stuck. (The chain and gears on bicycles are particularly bad about that, for example.) Above all, be aware, and use common sense!

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16
Nov 10

Your Gas Powered RC Helicopter – Tips To Make Maximum Use Of It

You may have heard or maybe you know from experience that the best helicopters are the ones that have had a lot of time put into it. I am one of these people look at flying gas helicopters as more than a hobby.

For example… remote control gas helicopters require continuous awareness and care to every detail whether it is a cleaning, preparation to flying, the actual flight and taking it down and the storage cleaning. It is often times that people will purchase these helicopters again.

While it may seem odd in our culture because to us anything that is best is when you put less work into it and get more in return from the investment. Understand though that if you consider helicopter flying a business venture or hobby, you are missing out. It really is just a way of life. Many have purchased cheap helicopters based on this theory and often times they will not clean it as it should be after a flight.

This infuriates and frustrate people who take the time to clean off and out their helicopters right and to have pride and joy in them only to share the space with others who really do care less and clog up the airspace with the inadequate and poorly flown remote controlled gas helicopters.

With that being said, some people have expressed genuine interest in learning more about my helicopters. If this is the case, I am more than happy to show them; often times I end up explaining why I spend more time on one helicopter over another.

The way I feel, remote control gas helicopters, really any helicopter, is a wonderful investment and one that may be considered a cherished heirloom as years go by. When it boils down right to it, gas operated remote controlled helicopters will be the archetypal helicopter of all times and will always be thought of first when the talk of helicopters occurs. Children will be amazed how graceful a gas helicopter can fly as long as it is paired with a excellent pilot who knows about them.

One thing I look forward to most of all is sharing my collection of helicopters with my children because I feel that if I pass them down and express my love for them, my children could have instinctive sense and passion for these helicopters that are wonderful and enigmatic.

I believe helicopters are one of the amazing manmade items in this world today because they can mimic nature. Anyone interested in starting a collection of some sort should really think about beginning a helicopter collection. Why is this? Because these soon-to-be fans can spotlight their attention on model helicopters that do not fly and usually bought for decorations. If they really want to go all out, they can buy a remote control gas helicopter, which is cost more money but sure to be enjoyed for a lifetime.

No doubt, the decision to purchase one or not, is left entirely up to you. However, helicopters can bring joy and excitement to all those buy them. You could become more like me… a fanatic and professional flyer who has always loved helicopters and will have a special place for them in my heart.

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16
Nov 10

Fictional and Celebrity Names For Your Baby – a Good Idea, Or Not?

Choosing the perfect name for your baby is important. Your child will identify themselves with this name for the rest of their lives, so it’s one of the most important gifts you will ever give them.

For some parents, the name of choice is easy and straightforward. For others, it’s a bit more complicated. You may find yourself looking through books for inspiration, or looking up meanings of names on the Internet. Or perhaps you are tempted to choose a name from your favourite novel characters or celebrities – people who have made an impact on your life.

If you are pondering on naming your child after a fictional character or celebrity, there are a few things to take into consideration:

How unique is the name you are considering? Some names endure, others are more contemporary. If the people you admire are, for example, Jack Nicholson, Robbie (Robert) Williams, Catherine Zeta-Jones or Sarah Jessica Parker, there shouldn’t be a problem with this. Names like Jack, Robert, Catherine and Sarah have lasted through the ages.

Other names are more uncommon, and when considering names such as Soleil, or Axl, Oprah or Kiefer, be sure that it is a name you really love, not just the person you are tempted to name your baby after.

You may wish to consider how long you have admired the person in question. Has this actor, singer or writer truly made a deep impact on your life? Have their careers lasted? Can you foresee yourself still admiring the person in ten years’ time? Some stars only twinkle briefly. Boy bands come and go. One hit wonders are not unusual. This may be something to keep in mind.

If you are thinking of naming your baby after a fictional character, again it is worth considering how common or uncommon the name in question actually is. You may love the idea of an unusual name for your little one, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, when your child is a bit older, how much will they truly love a name like Draco or Sephiroth? Will your child find joy in their name? This will depend not only on others, like their peers in school, but also on you and your explanation of how you came by the name.

Don’t be scared to be creative. Naming your child should be special, even fun. I may have presented you with questions to consider, but ultimately you, the parents, will know what is best for your baby. Don’t worry, you will find the perfect name for your newborn!

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