Just for Fun

Free Scrapbooking Catalogues: Sources of Tips You can Use

Shendy

Free Scrapbooking Catalogues: Sources of Tips You can Use | So it is spring once again. And you are faced with the idea of doing a general cleaning. In most cases, you find the most valuable materials you’ve always kept when you clean up your rooms, right?

It is not impossible for you to come across with pictures of you with friends and family on several occasions. They may have been just left out in a box or in one corner of the room. When suddenly the idea of compiling them strikes you. How can you compile them by the way? What idea do you have in mind? Would you not allot time for creating a scrapbook for those photos you’ve suddenly found? Yes, a scrapbook will be the best way to keep the memories in the photos alive once again! Are you ready for this venture then?

Several individuals are too much hooked into the idea of scrapbooking. They see the creation of scrapbooks as one fine way of spending a leisure time. While this may be a happy experience for most people, there are also those people who have not even experienced the joyous pleasure brought about by scrapbooking but who are always willing to give it a try.

When you are a novice in scrapbooking, free scrapbooking catalogues can be of great help to you. These free scrapbooking catalogues may be available online or in several local arts and crafts stores. They are in themselves filled with worthy information when it comes to scrapbooking. Simple steps are also given out plus the most essential scrapbooking information that novices will need to know about.

At a simple glance in your photos, they may have been mixed up with those from other occasions. Why not sort them out first according to events? In such way, your photos for scrapbooking will be organized. The essential steps that you need to dwell in before starting with the scrapbooking are gathering your photos, sorting them out, labeling them, and of course finally, storing your photos in the scrapbooking album. These steps are likewise included in the free scrapbooking catalogues that you will likely find whether within your locale or via the internet arena.

Let us dwell with the discussion of the steps first.

Gather all photos you have. As time passed by, you’ve earned a lot of photos and all throughout these years you may likewise have misplaced them. They may be in the garage, in the attic, in the closets or drawers, in the basement, and so on. Cleaning time provides you with the time to gather them up and recall the moment when they had been taken. What occasions are involved in the pictures? Who are with you? After gathering them up, go to a larger space so you can all spread them out. In this way you can decide on which photos to include in the scrapbooking. Think of what kind of scrapbooking album you will use. The size of which is determined by the number of photos that you will include in your scrapbooking project.

Start sorting out the photos. There are certainly several ways to sort out your photos like doing it according to family, relatives, and friends or by sorting them out according to chronology. Most people go for the latter option. Your pictures may date back to several previous years but that will be okay. Just allot time to do that. After you have sorted them out, start thinking about the theme of your scrapbook. Will it be holiday seasons-related? Baby’s baptismal? Heritage or family stuff? Whatever theme you are able to come up with, make sure that the photos you’ve chosen will explain a story and will definitely make sense!

Label the photos. After sorting them all out, label them according to occasion or event so that you will be given a clue as to what category they belong to. You need not label each photo for it will be too hard on your part. Simply categorize some portions or better yet put them inside an envelope with labels so you know what to get once you start with your project.

Finally, store them in safe places. When you are not yet ready with your scrapbooking materials, first keep the photos safely. Likewise, safe keep the rest which you will not be using. Three elements must be kept away from the photos. They are the humidity, heat, and light.

You see how beneficial free scrapbooking catalogues are? They surely mean to help you a lot!

Free Digital Scrapbooking Programs: Product Samples to Test before You Buy the Real Stuffs

Shendy

Most of us have been so used with the idea of scrapbooking as a combination of paper cutting, photo gluing and sticking bits of nice materials together. All these would be laid on a piece of cardboard, paper or any foundation the scrapper would like to use as a medium.

But there's nothing that computers can't infiltrate. They influenced literally everything from our works to our personal lives and even the crafts that were supposed to be made by hands. Well, some people may have viewed these changes negatively. Nonetheless, so long as a person does his art on whatever technique he prefers, he still is able to fulfill many of life's pleasures.

Computer scrapbooking or betterly known as digital scrapbooking is done by means of laying out pages with the aid of computer softwares. This basically entails the manipulation of photos, graphics, borders, texts and add-ons using digital devices.

Like with conventional scrapbooking, the pages may be printed on high-resolution color printers that the scrapper will then paste on traditional scrapbooks. If you would not want to get bothered with pasting or the bulk of storing albums, you always have the space saving option of strong these in your computer or on a CD or DVD as tokens of memories you would want to share with others.

There are a number of computer programs that you can make use of when doing digital scrapbooking. The three most popular are Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2.0 and CS, Microsoft Picture It!, Lumapix, and JASC's Paint Shop Pro.

All these programs are so effective in helping their users manipulate the designs. The basic features include photo cutting, background replacements, change of colors, text adding, border placing and over-all graphic designing.

The common problem though with many computer softwares for digital scrapbooking is that users tend not to get the full controls. All have their learning curves and would require some mastery. Often, it is difficult for the user to make the program do things as they wish. Now, if you are more experienced with a single program, try to master it first before you choose to switch softwares. After all, if it worked great for you then it might help you better with your other projects.

Aside from the softwares we have already mentioned, it would be good to point out some other choices that you would find interesting. Some of the easiest programs that you can manipulate are the Hallmark, CK, Scrapbook Studio, and Scrapbook Assistants.

All these are designed specifically for digital scrapbooking. S compared with high-end softwares such as those we have mentioned above, these lower-end choices are quite less expensive and easier to use. However, they offer less flexibility in creating layouts.

Digital scrapbooking softwares that have higher learning curves have the tendency to require you to bring out the best of your creativity especially when you're done figuring out how the whole thing works. on the other hand, there are programs that are so versatile that they would allow good use other than scrapbooking purposes.

If you would want t meet the balance and stay in the middle of the road, you might want to choose Microsoft Digital Image Pro. It is less expensive than PhotoShop and will offer lots of advantages over scrapbooking programs. It is not also as hard to master as compared to other programs.

Well, if you are having doubts on what computer program to buy or you are still more comfortable with traditional scrapbooking, the option of downloading free digital scrapbooking programs in the net is always available for you.

Be forewarned though that many free digital scrapbooking downloadable are not as efficient as those you can buy from online and local retailers. They serve more like samples from which you can base your judgement of the products. Well, that expected. The web is a large pool of business propaganda and advertisements. We mean nothing wrong with this, only you have to lower your expectations. After all, websites are not giving you the products, they're only showing you how a specific product works.

If you are wondering how to make things work, be assured that most free digital scrapbooking programs are equipped with tutorial lessons that will lead you to simplified step by step instructions.

Digital Scrapbooking Software: Preserving Memories Without Hassles and Extra Expenses

Shendy

There was a time when taking pictures and collecting them can really put a big hole into your pocket. Aside from the initial photo taking, there would be the hassle of choosing where they will be developed so that you will get the perfect photo quality. After that, you still need to buy the things you need to make a scrapbook. Sometime later on, you will finally see the end result with only a few dollars left in your pocket.

That was before. With the creativity of human mind along with technology, people can use digital tools and equipments to save on the effort and resources needed to have those photos stand the test of time.

People can now say goodbye to films and albums that are only left in one dark corner of the house. Photos can now be saved in computers complete with scrapbooks that you can add words and messages into.

The need of digital photos and scrap booking arose from the need of people to take more and more pictures of themselves, their families and friends to look into some years from now. The need to share them with other people is also another reason.

The traditional way of sending pictures through mail can be a great waste of time. Besides that, you are never certain if the photos will arrive on time and in proper condition.

The Internet has brought about the modern way of sending photos without you leaving the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is compile them into a scrapbook file and share them with people in any part of the world. Before you know it, your photos will be seen by your loved ones wherever they may be.

With all these capabilities, the only thing that is required of people is to be creative on how they are presenting their photos. Digital scrap booking is the solution.

It is said that when digital scrap booking was introduced, its market already reached up to millions. Just imagine the number of people wanting to have their photos stored and shared to others and you will be able to figure out why they embraced this technology easily.

This has become the answer to keeping photos intact and in good condition so you can always look back at the happy times whenever you find yourself lonely and out of contact with the persons that you love.

This is also the solution to eliminating the need to have an expert do the work for you. You may find yourself out of idea on how best to present your picture and is just wasting your time staring at them laid out in front of you.

Have you also ever felt frustrated when you cannot seem to get the proper shade of color or the perfect background when you took your picture? With digital capabilities, you will be able to do that with just a click of your mouse. All you need to know are what functions to use and how to better enhance the quality of your photos using the software available.

Digital scrap booking will let you have the designs and styles you need and make it look like the real thing. The only advantage is that you need not visit every bookstore of stationery and shop around just to get the right materials. These things are already built-in in the software of your choice.

You can start by looking into sample of scrapbooks that are available in every software package. Once you have an idea on how to make your own, you can make use of your creativity to make one that suits your personality and style. You do not need to cut out or choose lettering styles. You can do that with the drag on your mouse.

If you want to take your creative juices into another level, you can also do slide shows and turn your pictures into screen savers. With the Internet at your disposal, you can look up tips and techniques to use with your digital scrapbook. There are articles and advices you can read online on how to perfect that scrapbook.

You can also take an online tutorial from the experts who can help you with layouts and designs. You do not have to have that talent within you. Your creativity is enough to make you a scrapbook that your family and friends will love and will want to see some more of.

Digital Scrapbooking: Is it for you?

Shendy

The digital artwork is making its way into the mainstream; so as the digital scrapbook. For sure, we have certain understanding about digital art, but what about digital scrapbook? Is it the same with digital art?

The two are both similar and different in many ways but we are not here to discuss deeply their differences and similarities. We are here to focus on the digital scrapbooking as an alternative to the traditional scrapbook making.

Traditional scrapbooks are make by hand with several materials such as papers, pens, letter cut outs, adhesives, and other embellishments you can think of. The main principle is; to create a wonderfully decorated page that would give better meaning on the message you want to address. Digital scrapbooking works on the same principle too. You create unique page with decorations to enhance the meaning of the massage you want to address.

What sets the two apart is the method of achieving this principle. As mentioned, traditional scrapbooking uses material such as papers, pens, letter cut outs, adhesives, and other embellishments. Digital scrapbooking on the other hand uses computer graphics that replaces these traditional materials. You may say it is harder to work on the page design on the computer than on the actual page (traditional scrapbook). But, to be honest, it is almost the same.

Take the following for example:

The traditional scrapbook will work on a background or layout (sometimes called a template), pictures, texts, and embellishments. The process goes like this: you place the pictures on the background, place some embellishments of your type, and write some texts.

The digital scrapbook will work on software with all the available digital embellishments and texts. You have scanned pictures to be placed on a chosen background. Put some texts and add more design. Then, with some more editing on the colors and borders, you have created a scrapbook page.

(Speaking of software. There are several software that would let you create digital scrapbooks. These are Microsoft® Digital Image Pro, Photoshop® Elements or Adobe® Photoshop®, Ulead PhotoImpact®, or Jasc Paint Shop Pro®, to name a few.)

Oftentimes, it is much easier to create a digital scrapbook than a traditional one. This is because software that lets you create digital scrapbook with ready to use templates for texts and backgrounds, not to mention the editing tools you need. These features make it easier to create one unique page. Downloadable templates are readily available over the internet to widen up your choices on text, embellishments, and background. This is unlike traditional scrapbook that every thing is yours to make; from the background to the cutting of the decoration.

To further illustrate how does a digital page is created, here are the steps to follow:

· Create a new image from a blank canvas

· Define the size of the page you will use.

· Enter the settings you want to adapt.

· Add the photo

Photos determine the color scheme of the layout, therefore, you may want to see first what picture will you going to use before determining the mat of the canvas.

To add a photo, you must first save one on a file. You can either scan pictures or take them from your digital cameras.

· Create the background

Now that you have a determined canvas and photo, it is time for you to select your background. Here, the choices are endless. You can download images from the internet or use your photos to be the background itself. You can edit the texture of the background to match the theme you want to achieve.

· Create the photo mat

Photo mats let the background and the photo meet on a certain point.

· Add the text and embellishments

Ready made texts and embellishments are one good feature of digital scrapbooking software. This helps you to put important touches fast and easy.

· Apply some finishing touches

Final editing in scrcapbooking is as important as placing everything in order. Make use of built in features such as shadows, emboss, effects, and others. This would help your page look more attractive as it highlights whatever you want to be highlighted.

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her

Shendy

If you want to get a special valentine'e day gift for her this Valentine’s Day this article has you covered and will give you a few pointers. I will give you some tips and then will give you a link where you can see the top 10 predicted best sellers for Valentine’s Day so you can get a few ideas.

First off here are some pointers to make sure she is very happy during Valentine’s Day:

Bigger Is Not Always Better.

At least not where gifts are concerned! What you need to think about is what would be really special for her on Valentine’s Day and that does not always mean getting the biggest, most expensive gift on the market. In fact in most cases a romantic dinner and a dozen red roses can be a better choice.

Romance Is Key

Another thing that you have to remember if you want it to be a special say for her is that romance will be key. If you are taking her out to dinner remember to dress up smart, talk about her and obviously simple things like holding the door open and definitely paying the bill are a must.

In short let her know how much she means to you in your actions.

Ideas For Gifts

I have compiled the top gifts for Valentine’s Day so you can see which are the predicted best sellers and make an easier choice. A gift is the best idea if you are a new couple or if you want to remain anonymous.

One thing is for sure, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to rekindle a romance or start a new one so make sure you pick an awesome gift for her and focus on being romantic!

Valentine’s Day Gifts On A Budget

Shendy

If you are looking to save money on Valentine’s Day and get a gift that will be loved without going overboard here are some pointers.

View This Site

That’s right, you are in the best place as I have compiled a list of the top 10 predicted best sellers for Valentine’s day and you are be sure to find a bargain. You can find gifts under $20 there and if you add a card to that and a dozen red roses you should be on the right track.

Be Wary Of Auction Sites

One thing to remember if you are looking to save money on Valentine’s Day is to be wary of auction sites. This is for a few simple reasons:

Brands

A lot of the discounted items you will see on Ebay.com and other auctions sites are brands and they are mostly cheap copies. Of course there are a few bargains but the main rule of thumb is that if you find something way under-priced and it looks too good to be true it normally is!

Delivery

As Valentine’s Day is fast approaching you need to make sure that the items you ordered are going to get delivered fast and this can be another sore point with Ebay.com.

Again, not all sellers will be slow with delivery but the main point is that you do not have any control over this. The worse thing that can happen is that you end up without the Valentine’s Day gift you ordered.

To make sure you pick an awesome Valentine’s Day gift and to see our top picks even for a limited budget check out the predicted best sellers here.

Best Valentine’s Day Gifts

Shendy

If you are searching for ideas for the perfect Valentine’s Day gifts then this article will give you a few pointers. Depending on your budget, who you are buying for and what the occasion is you will want different things during Valentine’s.

If you are thinking of proposing then we would suggest instead of material goods that you take that special someone out for dinner, the theatre and give them a big night before you pop the question as you will need to look at engagement rings as well.

If you are not the ‘going out’ type of couple then a romantic meal indoors with candlelight can be just as awesome and even more special.

If you are just looking to send a gift to your Valentine’s and they don’t even know they are your special someone then we suggest a dozen red roses and a card.

Of course if you are looking for gifts it can be tricky to pick something that will be romantic and also loved so you can check out some of our top 10 product reviews which will showcase the top gifts for Valentine’s Day 2014.

There are plenty of ideas online to suit any budget and whether you are buying for a male or female you can go for something really romantic or something playful and fun. The beauty is that Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to let your loved one know you love them or let someone know if you have fancied them for a long time.

Have a look at the top 10 valentine's day gifts and select the best gift for Valentine’s Day and you will also save money too!

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Him

Shendy

Traditionally Women are the focus of Valentine’s Day but if you are thinking of making him happy this year than men should not be forgotten. In fact over the last 5 years Valentine’s Day gifts for men have become increasingly popular.

The main concern is that if you are looking for something really special then your budget can get in the way. The good thing is that we have compiled a list of the Top 10 gifts for Valentine’s Day so you can be sure that you will get him something really special that does not break the bank.

You can check out our Top 10 Valentine’s Day Gifts or here are some other ideas for Valentine’s Day Gifts For Him:

Personalized Gifts
These items are sold all year around but there are not many better times in the year to grab one. A personalized gift can add that special touch and let that special someone know you love them. Most items will be able to be personalized and some ideas include picture frames, books, house goods etc…

Sports
Most men are into sports and you could aim to get them an autograph off of their favourite sports star, clothing or even tickets to the football game is a good place to start.

TV
Everyone loves a bit of TV and if you’re special man does, then you can think about a Netflix subscription to a DVD bookset for some ideas.

Jewelry
Jewelry is not just for women as you could go for a ring, necklace or even precious stones, gold, silver, platinum and more.

You can also check out or top 10 gift ideas for Valentine’s Day if you need a few pointers.

Top 10 Valentine's Day Gifts

Shendy

Lets keep it simple. I have gathered Top 10 Valentine's Day Gifts 2014. And here are the list:

1. 14K Yellow Gold White Pearl Necklace 18" and Stud Earring Jewelry Set

If you really want to show the lady in your life that you love her on Valentine’s Day then a perfect gift would be this 14K Gold White Pearl Necklace and Stud Earring Jewelry set. This actual Pearl Necklace and Earing set is going to be one of the best sellers around the Valentine’s holiday 2014 so it makes for an awesome gift but you need to be fast as they are in high demand.

Check out the link below to see our recommended 14K Yellow Gold White Pearl Necklace 18" and Stud Earring Jewelry Set and save a whopping 69% off the RRP plus Free Shipping and Free Returns at Amazon.com

Buy Now From Amazon.com

2. Michael Kors Women's Chronograph Tortoise Watch

If you have arrived here looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift for that special woman in your life you cannot do much better than a Michael Kors Chronograph Tortoise Watch.

This product is touted to be one of the best-selling Valentine’s gifts in 2014 and is an ideal gift for any woman!

For a truly outstanding gift on Valentines for that special girl check out the Michael Kors Women's Chronograph Tortoise Watch below and save 48% off of your purchase at Amazon.com

Buy Now From Amazon.com

3. Polo Ralph Lauren Black Leather Wallet Bifold Wallet Credit Card Holder

If you are looking for a special gift for that special man then you cannot do much better than a Ralph Lauren Wallet. Ralph Lauren is a name that is synonymous with style and quality in fashion and the wallets are no different.

The gift that we recommend gives you not just an outstanding wallet but it will also give you a Bifold Wallet and a Credit card holder as well.

We recommend if you are going to buy the Ralph Lauren Wallet set which includes the black leather wallet, Bifold wallet and credit card holder you order from Amazon.com. This is the #1 trusted retailer for online goods and you can also save 42% off of this gift at the moment. To be sure to put a smile on your man’s face and get a genuine Ralph Lauren Wallet click the link below:

Buy Now From Amazon.com

4. Justin Bieber Someday Gift Set

If you want to show that special girl that they are the one this Valentine’s Day then one of our top picks is the ‘Someday’ Gift Set bought to you by Justin Bieber. All you need to do in most cases is mention ‘Justin Bieber’ to any young girl and you are sure to see them blush!

If you want to be sure of a date this Valentine’s Day and a very happy Girlfriend the Justin Bieber ‘Someday’ Gift Set is our top pick.

If you want to make your girl happy this Valentine’s Day 2014 and also keep a smile on your face without having to break the bank the best deal we have found for the Justin Bieber ‘Someday’ Perfume Gift set is at Amazon.com. They have this awesome gift set on sale there for just $26.66 - you save $23!

Click the link below to grab the Justin Bieber Someday Gift Set and be guaranteed to be in your girls good books this Valentine’s Day 2014

Buy Now From Amazon.com

5. 1 Million by Paco Rabanne Gift Set for Men

If you have landed on this page as you are in search for the perfect Valentine’s Gift for the special man in your life then we recommend the 1 Million Paco Rabanne gift set as it is bound to put a smile on his face.

This is one of the most sought after gifts for Valentine’s Day 2013 for men and is set to be a best seller over the Valentine’s Day holiday.

If you are looked for the 1 Million Gift Set for men we recommend that you order from Amazon.com as they have a special offer on at the moment for the set which means you save money!

At the moment you can purchase the set for $75.99 and this is a massive saving of 24% off the standard retail price. Click The Link Below To Check Out The 1 Million 2 Piece Gift Set And Grab A Bargain For Valentine’s Day

Buy Now From Amazon.com

6. Black iPad Mini 16GB

If you really want to put a smile on the face of your special someone this Valentine’s Day and you are prepared to spend a little more than the new iPad mini is the gift for you.

This iPad is a slightly smaller version of the popular iPad and is cheaper too. You can also get a few different versions such as 16GB, 32GB and various Wi-Fi options that go from standard Wi-fi to Wi Fi + Verizon 4G.

We recommend that to get the best price and guaranteed fast delivery you order from Amazon.com where the standard option starts at just $299.99. Obviously if you select a bigger memory size or different Wi-Fi options the price will go up. For the perfect Valentines Gift click the link below for the iPad Mini at Amazon.com

Buy Now From Amazon.com

7. Ray-Ban 2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses

If you are looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift but you do not want to be obvious in what you are getting then you might consider the Ray-Ban 2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses! Although it is only February these shades are set to be one of the top selling items during the Valentine’s Day holiday period!

The Ray-Ban shades are a cultural staple and have been worn by everyone from Bob Dylan to the Blues Brothers! In short they are super cool! One thing to bear in mind if you are going for the Ray- Ban 2132 New Wayfarer model is that they are a little smaller than the old style to make them look more up to date and modern. With the new style you will also get two sizes and these are 52mm and 55mm. As a recommendation unless you know specifically which size I would say to go for the 55mm to be sure you get a size and shape that reflects the old style. If you buying for a lady you could give the 52mm version a try and they should fit fine.

If you are after these cool Wayfarer Ray-Bans we recommend that you order from Amazon.com as you will be able to choose from dozens of different styles and colors.

The main reason however is that on the Ray-Ban RB2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses they have an offer on and you can save 42% off of the standard purchase price. Click the link below to see the savings on the Wayfarer Sunglasses from Ray-Ban and save money this Valentine’s Day

Buy Now From Amazon.com

8. Dyson AM04 Hot + Cool Fan Heater

For a Valentine’s gift that will be loved and not expected you might want to take a look at the range of the Dyson AM04 Hot + Cool Fan Heater.

Dyson changed the market of vacuum cleaners and now they have burst into the cooling and fan heater market and design some of the most desirable products on the market. Valentine’s Day is an awesome time to get a gift that will be loved by that special person.

If you are looking to buy the Dyson AM04 Hot + Cool Fan Heater we recommend that you order from Amazon.com in order to get peace of mind, fast delivery and genuine Dyson goods!

The main reason is that right now you can save 25% off the purchase price and save yourself $55 off of the Dyson AM04! Click the link below to grab this awesome gift for Valentine’s Day

Buy Now From Amazon.com

9. Beats Studio Over-Ear Headphones By Dr. Dre

If your special one loves music then you should consider the Beats Studio Over-Ear Headphones by Dr.Dre. If you have not tried them before then you NEED to experience the sound that comes out of these headphones. Normally when you listen to music on your computer it can sound flat or you do not get the full ‘arrangement’ or how the music was intended to be listened too.

These headphones are super comfortable and covered with ultra-soft breathable materials so you can have a marathon listening session without getting uncomfortable. You also get in line control using the Beats Studio headphones and will be able to take calls and adjust volume.

If you are looking to buy the Beats Studio Over-Ear Headphones By Dr. Dre we recommend that you use Amazon.com. There are a couple of reasons for this and the first is that you are guaranteed to get the real thing and not a cheap copy. If you order from Ebay or other Auction sites you have no way of knowing what you will get!

The other reason is that you can save money through Amazon.com and grab these headphones for just $279! Although the cost might seem initially off putting they are luxury headphones and the sound out of these is amazing! Click the link below to check out the Beats Studio Over-Ear Headphones By Dr. Dre

Buy Now From Amazon.com

10. Chef's Choice M840 WafflePro Express Waffle Maker

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, well it works both ways! If you are struggling to find the perfect Valentine’s gift for the special day this year you should have a look at the Chef's Choice M840 WafflePro Express Waffle Maker.

The beauty of this waffle maker is not just the tasty waffles you will get but the fact that it will make 5 heart shaped waffles at a time. You also have a Quad baking setting that will allow you to pick the texture, color and you also have a fast temperature recovery. If your loved one loves Waffles then this is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day and is bound to put a smile on their face.

To check out the WafflePro click the link below and you will be able to save 26% off the RRP at Amazon.com

Buy Now From Amazon.com

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Shendy

If you have arrived on this page then you are most likely looking for Valentine’s Day Gift ideas and it can be tricky to know what to get that special one. The main thing you have to think about is the stage of relationship you are at and of course your and their age.

If you are still at school then a card can do the trick and make sure you write them a really nice poem. If you are a new couple then a perfect Valentine’s Day gift is to get them a gift they would love and for that you can check out our list of the top 10 Valentines Gifts.

Of course Valentine’s Day can be an awesome time to rekindle the magic in a relationship and you can do this by getting a card and a dozen red roses. Another good tip is to take them out to dinner and while you are there focus on romance.

If you are unsure about how to be romantic the main thing is to talk about them, compliment them and simple manners go a long way. Hold the door open, take their coat off for them and of course it is your job to pick up the cheque.

If you are still looking to buy an awesome gift for your loved one and get some good pointers you need to check out our list of the Top 10 Valentine’s Day Gifts that are arranged as the predicted best sellers.

Some other ideas to consider are their interests, personalised gifts and of course vouchers that can be used anywhere.

Assembling the Top Craft

Shendy

Wall hangers are easy to create. The minute size quilts once created will make a nice gift and/or decoration for your home.

Once you have your parts together, as well as have your tools you can get started making a wall hanger. If you are new to quilting, do not worry since the hanger we are making is one of the easier groups of craft to create.

Do not forget to get your rotary cutters on hand, since throughout your quilting project you will need to cut ¼-inch allowances for your seams. Now, assuming you have your green, tan, blue, yellow, and peach print in order we can get started making your top section of the quilt.

Briefly, I will go over the sections to help you prepare.

You should have two, 2 ½ x 19 ½ inches of upper and lower borders in the green prints.
You should have another two borders in green at the size of 2 ½ x 27 ½ inches.
You should have the value of 36 for your D Square and the size at 1 ½ x 1 ½ inches.
Tan print has six parts, i.e. A-strip, B piece, C-Strip, D-E square, and F-strip.
Blue only has one part, while yellow has three and peach has one. The yellow is C-strip, D-square, and the last value of four is the cornerstone. C values eighteen, and measures at 1 ½ x 1 ½ inches, while D values 12 and measures at 2 ½ x 2 ½ inches; F is the peach strip, Peach, which values four and its gauge is 1 ½ x 3 ½ inches. Peach has the G-strip, which values four and measures at 2 ½ x 5 ½ inches.
The rust prints include the value of six, which makes up the sashing #1 vertical at measures to 1 ½ x 13 ½ inches.
The second sashing creates three and measures to 1 ½ x 21 ½ inches, while the last H strip values four and measures at 1 ½ x 7 ½ inches.

You will need to cut these pieces of your quilt out. Use the guide above to achieve a precise cut. Now you can crown your quilt. Start by creating a row and a block. Use your block, row, and begin stitching your D-Blue Square to attach to the A-Tan narrow pieces. (Strips)

Continue to the next color arrangement to complete the second block. Use the D-Yellow Square in the second block and create a couple of narrow pieces per color arrangement.

Now stitch two pieces of the tan print together to create a starting row two and in the first block. Use Tan B, a couple of Blue Cs, a Yellow C and overturn so that the yellow/blue has a gateway through the color arrangement at the second block. You want to create double narrow pieces.

In the third row, create a couple more rows and arrange the colors according in the blocks. In the fourth row, create another two rows so that you have a nine pattern in your color arrangement, which should extend crosswise. Alternating, add stitches to the blocks (2) and make your center by creating #2 sashing narrow pieces equaling three. Now press your fabric. Use an iron without ironing, rather pressing as you move along.

You are ready for your borders. Starting with the #2 border, stitch the narrow pieces so that it moves left to right, and to the sides at the right of your quilt, stitching toward the middle. Add 2 ½ x 2 ½ inches, by stitching the yellow print square. Stitch along the shorter ends linking it to your dual borders. (Strip #1) Moving along, at the edges along the top and bottom, stitch the narrow pieces, stitching along the middle. You are now ready to complete your project.

Assembling the Crown of your Crafty Quilt

Shendy

You have created flowers, basket, handles, etc, so now it’s time to assemble your crafty quilt. Let’s get started.

How to Assemble:

You are assembling the crown of your quilt at this point. If you haven’t started your craft project to create the Spring Basket, leave this work to those who are at the crown. To collect your crown use your threads that counterpart and begin blind stitching across your fabric, sewing your flower onto the fabric, as well as two of your foliages. Sew to the center bloom as well, and stitch en route for the wrong side (left) of your created 3-block baskets. Stitch to the right and finish your final blocks. (3)

At the lower region of your basket, affix your blooms so that they join with the handles. Now, snip your lighter shades of filaments/strands, and shades of pink (6) silkworm fibers (Floss), cutting lengthwise so that it is corresponding with the measurements lengthwise of your arm. You want to create strands (3) on each section of fiber. Divide and use needle and thread (large eye needle) along with the length of your three filaments and stitch so that it forms a circle. You are making your granny knots, to create the French version that will stretch about your center flower and the dark flowers you have created.

Again, trim your darker shades of six-pink, filaments, and silkworm fibers, cutting it along the length so that it is equivalent to your arm span. Generate 3-filaments on each section of your fibers. Partition and make use of hand used needle and filament, stitching the length the three threads. Stitch until it shapes a loop. Starting at the shades of green, snip the narrow sash pieces and cut the pieces into 1 ½ x 10 ½ inches. You are making your D-block. Snip another three narrow pieces until you achieve measured parts at 1 ½ x 28 ½ inches. You will use these parts to make your E-block. Alternatively, snip your D-block, cutting three from your pattern and form 4-D narrow pieces. You want your ducks in a row. (I.e. Blocks) Use only 2-blocks to form a row at this time and begin stitching the blocks forming 3-E narrow pieces. This is the middle region of your coverlet, or quilt. Use the variety of floral prints and snip the inside borders of your narrow pieces. Snip at least two narrow parts at 1 x 23 ½ inches. Use the parts to create the F-borders at the side. Now, snip another one x 29 ½-inch narrow pieces to create G-borders at the lower and upper region of your quilt.

Continuing, sew the border sides to the center of your coverlet. Continue to sew the drop and greater borders. Begin at the floral region, i.e. the print textile press with your iron. DO NOT IRON rather gently press? Lift; relocate, etc.

Now, you are ready to craft your binds for your quilt. Use your floral materials and sew the greater, drop, and sides of your borders. Now fill it in with the center of your quilt patterns.

You have done a great job, so now it is time to finish your work. Use your backing cloth, batting, and crown of your coverlet and coat. To prepare your coverlet, pin baste to layer, followed by hand sewing or machine sewing your quilt. Use your machine at the crown to sew the untreated edges. If you have extra batting, cut it. Do the same for backing cloth. Now bind and snip your satin, yellow ribbon to form your bow. Cut six even parts. Finish by tying your ribbon, forming a bow and stitch by hand your bows, one for each side of your handles on your basket.

Top 10 Tips to Get Through the Airport Checkpoint Quickly

Shendy

Seems travelers love to hate the screeners at the airport. Dont forget, the front line personnel that you see as you produce your way toward the gate are just the worker bees. They’re not Congress and they’re not the huge wig choice makers. If at times they seem like robots, deviating extremely little from their spcheel, it’s because they've procedures that they must follow and deviating from the standard operation procedure isn't an option.

There are a number of things you are able to do yourself to speed things along. Listed within are the top 10 tips to help your visit to the airport security checkpoint hassle-free.

Have your boarding pass and government issued photo ID readily available. A few airports have someone checking your boarding pass and ID as you 1st approach your concourse, then shortly thereafter there exists an additional employee requesting for the equivalent thing. As a matter of fact they can be requesting for the equivalent thing, however these employees, typically 1 a federal employee and 1 a personal company employee, while searching at the equivalent thing, aren’t trying to find the equivalent thing. Every individual has a different role to fill. If you have to burrow for your purse or even wallet for these things, that will increase the hold off time. Make sure your boarding pass is pulled out of the airline envelope.
Have on tennis shoes or even known airport friendly footwear so you’ll avoid setting off the alarm on the hike through metal detector. Quite a lot of the time the screeners will encourage you to take your shoes off prior to passing through the metal detector. What many passengers fail to recognize is that many, many shoe manufacturers place steel shanks (supports) in the souls of the shoes. Just because you don’t see metal, doesn’t mean it is metal-free.
Laptop computers and streaming video cameras that utilize cassette tapes, not digital cameras, want to come out of their carrying case before passing through the x-ray machine. Have these things out of the case prior to you reach the table to divest your items.
Only undeveloped film with a speed of 800 or even higher should be hand checked. All more disposable cameras, film of one-hundred, 200 or even 400 speed and digital cameras are safe to pass through the x-ray. Know your film speed prior to reaching the x-ray machine.
If you have an inkling that your belt buckle or even larger metal watch will set off the metal detector, dislodge them while you’re waiting in line and have them ready to place into a bin.
Don’t have on pants or even suspenders that contain a lot of metal. If you can’t dislodge the metal before passing through the metal detector, you’ll be sent for extra screening, so increasing your hold off time.
Virtually all smell jewelry like rings, necklaces and earrings will not set off the alarm. Don’t bother wasting time removing them.
Yes your butt package, hidden money belt and wallet on a string around your neck must pass through the x-ray, have it ready to place into a bin.
Leave all tools, Swiss army knives, pointed end scissors, and bladed corkscrews for your checked bag. You are likely not to provide them onboard the aircraft for your carry-on bags. If your bag must be searched to find these items, it’s obviously going to increase your hold off time.
Strollers and pet carriers require to pass through the x-ray machine. Dislodge your infants and pets from this equipment before reaching the x-ray.

If you’re standing in line just waiting for your turn to hike through, utilise this time to your benefit. If everyone were already ready to hike though the metal detector Prior to it was actually their turn, the hold off times would be greatly decreased.

Next time you fly, instead of grumbling about the procedures that neither you nor the front line screeners can change, try having a few fun, being prepared and perhaps even thanking the screeners for doing their portion of keeping the aircrafts safe.

Best Time to go to Disney World

Shendy

When deciding on the best time for you and your family to visit Disney World, the main issue is usually the crowds. When visiting any major theme park, you are going to experience large crowds; And since Disney World is the most popular theme park in the world, there is hardly a day at the park without large crowds. If you do your research, you can find certain times of the year, January and September for example, that are less busy at Disney World. Even though you may enjoy shorter lines during these times, there are downsides to going at these less busy times of the year. For one, Disney has more festivities planned during certain times of the year like Christmas and New Years. For many people, it is worth fighting the crowds to be at Disney World during these times of major festivities.

Crowds are not the only factor when deciding on the best time to visit Disney World. It is also a good idea to take the weather into account. Many people assume that any time of the year is perfect weather in Florida but that is definitely not the case. The summer time can bring extreme heat and severe thunderstorms to the Orlando area that can ruin your day at Disney World. The brief showers are usually a great time to go inside and take a break. Some of the best weather at Disney World comes in the evening with mild temperatures so make sure to rest up during the day so you’re ready to go out at night.

Other tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to Disney World:

If you are ok with taking your kids out of school for a trip, do it! Any time other kids are at school is a great time to go to Disney World because you can expect smaller crowds and shorter lines
Keep a close eye on park opening and closing times so you can take advantage of late nights and early starts
Two weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday is a great time to go to Disney World because the crowds are minimal and the Christmas decorations are already up.

So when is the best time to go to Disney World? When it’s called the happiest place on Earth, every day of the year is the best time to go.

8 Things Not To Forget When Traveling to The Tropics

Shendy

Sometimes it is hard to pack for a place or climate that is new. When packing to go to the tropics there are some items that you don't want to forget.

1. Appropriate Identification: With tighter security these days it simply makes sense to carry a passport and photo ID. Also be sure to have identification for your children traveling with you.

2. Contraceptives: Well... If you think you will be getting down and dirty on your trip you should bring contraceptives.

3. Appropriate Clothing: Yes the tropics are warm but if a sudden storm rolls in it can get quite cool, fast. Always bring good shoes, pants and even a light jacket.

I find it is better to pack lightly, You never know when you will need to carry your luggage for a distance. 3 or 4 full changes of cloths will often be enough.

4. Sunscreen: SPF 30 minimum. Any less and you stand to get burned. A sunscreen should also contain either zinc oxide or titanium oxide.

Before leaving on your trip it is a good idea to spend some time in a tanning bed. This can give you a good base to withstand the intense sun near the equator.

5. Medication: Obviously bring any prescription medication but you should also think about Aspirin, Pepto Bismal and other pharmacy items.

Be sure to carry any medicine in the original package and carry copies of your prescription as well.

6. Guide Book: A guide book to the area that you are visiting can come in real handy. Besides showing you the attractions in the area it will also have important phone numbers in case of an emergency.

7. Cash: Having a credit card and travelers cheques with you is a must. Also carry enough American cash for 2 days of emergency living. You never know when a storm will knock out the power.

8. Snorkel: If you have any plans to go snorkeling you may want to bring you own snorkel and mask, or at least a snorkel. Rentals are shared by many people. If you are packing light a snorkel takes up almost no space.

5 Reasons to Take a Holiday in New Zealand

Shendy

Here are the 5 Reasons to Take a Holiday in New Zealand

1. Queenstown in the South Island is considered to be the "Adventure Capital of the World". You can bungy jump or go on a thrilling jet boat ride, go heli-skiing, sky diving, fly-by-wire, and luging to name a few. Both bungy jumping and jet boating were invented in New Zealand. New Zealanders have a saying about Kiwi ingenuity which is borne out in the tourist spots within New Zealand.

2. There is a wide array of different accommodation options to cater for all tastes. At the upper end there are Lodges which are the height of luxury. These lodges are ordinarily located in very scenic and secluded areas and all gourmet meals are included in the price. The price of this type of accommodation reflects the luxury and inclusions.

The next level of accommodation is hotels, from international 5 star down to 2 star for basic accommodation. The hotels will tend to be serviced on a daily basis and usually include one room and a bathroom. Hotel rooms will include tea and coffee making facilities, fridges and most hotels would include a restaurant.

A favored option for families is the ever increasing numbers of apartments. The apartments are generally self catering as opposed to a hotel stay but the advantage is that they provide more space and are self catering which means that you don't have to eat out all the time thus saving you money to spend on sightseeing.

Then we have motels. Generally speaking motels offer more space than hotels and tend to be serviced daily but do not tend to be as luxurious. Motels often provide a separate bedroom or two and sometimes cooking facilities. You would need to check this out when booking.

There are also an increasing number of Bed and Breakfast's. These vary dramatically and can vary from 5 star establishments to the fairly basic. If you enjoy "getting to know the locals", the B & B option could be a good one for you. Generally breakfast will be provided as part of the price. Dinner would be by special arrangement only.

If you are on a budget there are plenty of backpacker hostels to choose from which are centrally located and well priced.

3. New Zealand has a great culinary landscape. Being a small island country surrounded by the sea, there are a multitude of seafood delicacies on offer. The ocean surrounding New Zealand is cold water thanks to Antarctica being relatively close. Cold water fish tend to have a delicate flavor. As well as fish from the sea, there are large lakes which are trout and salmon breeding grounds. Trout can not be caught commercially so there is no danger of supplies running out. New Zealand is also quite big on game and most of the more up-market restaurants will have a game option on the menu. You will find that there are dining options to suit every taste and budget. New Zealand might be quite removed geographically from the rest of the world but it is quick to adopt new types and styles of food and the kiwi ingenuity mentioned earlier in the article is demonstrated in the food served in restaurants. There are coffee bars and cafes, wine bars serving food, pubs with restaurants, family dining options, buffet's as well as the more up-market al la carte options.

There is also a thriving wine industry in New Zealand. Wherever you go, you will see vines and many of the wines produced are top quality. If wine is your thing, you won't be disappointed. Marlborough located at the top of the South Island is one of the oldest and best known wine areas, most famous for production of Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand is also becoming very well known for producing excellent Pinot Noir, a notoriously difficult wine to produce.

4. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you will know that the recent series of movies was filmed in different parts of New Zealand. New Zealanders are very proud of this and whilst traveling around you will come across many mentions of parts of the movies which may have been filmed in certain spots. There are also tours catering specifically to Lord of the Rings fans.

5. New Zealand has an interesting cultural history. It is thought that the Maoris who came from Polynesia settled in New Zealand about 1000 years ago. New Zealand became a British colony in 1840 after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. There are many excellent museums within the cities and towns which offer a great overview of the relatively short and violent history of New Zealand.

Visit Rome a Historical City

Shendy

Do you bear a passion for history? Are you interested in ancient architecture and temples? Do age-long and legendary activities beckon you? If so, then you must definitely explore the ancient lands of Rome, at least once in your lifetime. With an area of about 150 square kilometers, and a population of 3.8 million, Rome still stands tall in the vast field of world history. Whenever we come across Rome, Etruscan tombs, Republican meeting rooms, Imperial temples, ancient Christian churches, medieval bell towers, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque basilicas strike the core of our mind and we enter the superficial world of history and architecture. Rome takes us through the pages of history.

Rome is situated halfway down Italy's western coast, about 20 kilometers inland. Rome is a large city, though the historical area is quite small. A majority of the Rome historical sights are restricted within a reasonable distance of the central railway station, Stazione Termini. All the main Rome monuments are situated west of the train station in Rome. However, it is always advisable to use the map of Rome, once you arrive in Rome.

Attractions

The central attractions of Rome are the Palatine Hill and the Forum. Via Del Corso is located north from the Forum to Piazza Del Popolo, accompanied by Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain on the east. The Vatican in Rome is situated northwest of the Forum, across the River Tiber in Rome.

Rome offers a great deal of pleasure with the likes of the arrogance of the Vatican, the immemorial haunting memories of the Coliseum or the sheer thrill of going back to centuries ago of timeless history.

Rome offers you a wide range of excitement, adventure, and enjoyment. The thrill and sheer experience of Rome is very distinctive and unique. Rome gives you the liberty to thrive on wine, architecture, history, and sunshine.

Burning Bush Craft

Shendy

These crafts to illustrate the lesson of Burning Bush range from simple to involved. A couple can be adapted from their original idea to specifically fit this lesson.

Materials:
Paper bowls
Glue
Water
Paintbrushes
White construction paper
Scissors
Red and yellow tissue paper

Instructions:
1. Using the red and yellow tissue paper, cut into 2-inch teardrop patterns, and make several of each color per child.
2. Give each child a white piece of construction paper and a paintbrush.
3. Set out bowls containing a mixture of one part glue and one part water.
4. Have the children place red and yellow tissue flames on the paper at random, overlapping the yellow and red flames.
5. Have the children paint over the flames with the glue mixture using a paintbrush. The overlap of the yellow and red flames should produce orange flames.

Aluminium Fish Craft

Shendy

I always hate to throw away used aluminum foil because I feel there has to be some great use for it that I just don't know about. I decided it was time for me to do a good search for the best foil crafts, and if I was able to find more than just a couple of foil crafts, I would share them with you.

I'll share with you pictures of the foil crafts that I found, plus the name of the site where you can find the project. All you'll need to do is just click on the site name and you'll be taken directly to the page with the directions and, if appropriate, patterns.

Materials:

2 aluminum pie plates
Heavy poster paper
Pencil
Scissors
Stapler
Scrap wood pieces to create a base for the fish
Water-based paint
Paintbrushes

Instructions:

First, place the 2 pie plates together (bottoms facing out) and secure with staples. You can always use masking tape instead but the staples work the best.
Next, take 2 pieces of poster paper and draw out the following shapes: a fish head, a top fin, a bottom fin and a tail.
Cut these shapes out both pieces of paper so you have 2 of everything.
Staple or glue or tape the fin, tail and head pieces together, but only along one side. You need to keep one of the sides open so that you can attach it to the pie plate.
Attach the fins, head and tail to the pie plates.
Create a stand for the fish. Fasten the fish to the stand using tape or glue. (Attaching the fish to the stand prior to painting makes decorating much easier).
Finally, your kinder artists can decorate the fish using colorful paints, construction paper or markers.

Cool Face Painting Ideas For Kids

Shendy

If there's one thing we can be sure of, is that kids love to have their faces painted...most of them at least! These 30 quick & easy face paint ideas for kids will give you some insight into the world of face painting, and also help you give your child or client an amazing experience!

These face paint ideas are easy to replicate and follow along to, thanks to our very talented and knowledgeable face painters. Whether you're looking for new ideas, or want to perfect that cat face paint, you've come to the right place! Below, we've compiled 30 of our best, easiest, and quickest face paint ideas for kids so that no matter how skilled (or not) you are, you CAN pull these off!

Now of course these are intended mainly for children, but there's nothing in the rule book (what rule book?!) that says adults can't rock these face paint designs! Grab your paints, sponge and brush and check out these 30 quick and easy face paint makeup ideas for the face and body!