Make your own nightlights, Napkins, Tablecloths and many more...! (By 4Ernesto)

Creating anything is exciting! Imagine creating things for your own house, office or even your car... You will not only entertain yourself by doing that, but you will save money as well. Not to mention that everything that you do it is going to be unique, even if you follow instructions. Just try this experience and believe me it is going to be an addiction for you. Here you will find several ideas that you might like. Try them, enjoy and good luck!

Nightlights from tin cans
Candles at the table always create an intimate atmosphere and make an unusual centrepiece. These nightlights are based on Shaker-style punched-tin lanterns.

You will need:
- Plain tin cans of varying sizes, used for fruit or vegetables (not soft drinks)
- Tracing paper
- Masking tape
- Drill with a metal bit
- Candles

1. Take the top off the can using a traditional can opener with a butterfly side handle that leaves the rim intact.
2. Cut the tracing paper to match the depth and circumference of the can. Work out the pattern on the tracing paper - keep to simple shapes that are easily identifiable, such as stars, hearts or fish.
3. Mark dots at intervals along the outline of the shapes - not too close together - and tape the tracing-paper image around the outside of the can.
4. Using a metal bit on your drill, drill holes where you have marked the dots. Be careful not to let the can or drill slip. The can may buckle under the pressure, but it is easily straightened.

Remnant napkins
Napkins are the easiest thing in the world to make. If you use leftover fabrics they can match the rest of the room. Just make sure that any fabric you use is washable.

You will need:
- 50 cm cream fabric for each napkin
- 2 m ribbon for heart napkin
- Matching thread
- Contrast fabric for heart, patchwork and applique napkin
- 4 m ribbon for buttonhole napkin

Heart napkin
1. Cut the napkin fabric to 50 cm square. Turn a 1.5 cm hem on to the right side of the fabric and iron to keep in place.
2. Cut four 50 cm lengths of ribbon, allowing for a 1.5 cm hem on each length. Pin the ribbon to each hemmed edge of the napkin, turning under the hem and overlapping the ribbon at each corner. Stitch the ribbon in place.
3. Trace a heart shape on to contrasting fabric. Cut it out and pin it on to the corner of the napkin. If you have a sewing machine you can satin-stitch around the edge of the heart. If you are sewing by hand, use two strands of thread together for a more substantial edge.

Patchwork napkin
1. Cut four 15 cm squares from four complementary fabrics.
2. Sew four of the squares - one of each fabric - together in a strip, with a 1 cm hem on each seam.
3. The next three strips are sewn together in the same way but each square moves along one place horizontally.
4. The four strips are then sewn together to make a square.
5. With right sides facing, sew the square to plain fabric the same size, leaving an opening to turn the napkin right sides out. Press and sew up opening.

Applique Napkin
For this one I used a wavy flower pattern, cutting the pattern to follow the design of the fabric. You could use any fabric with a simple pattern - maybe leftover curtain fabric.

1. Cut the napkin fabric to 50 cm sq and cut two wavy strips in contrasting fabric for the applique following the printed pattern.
2. Pin the applique fabric to the napkin fabric, keeping the design towards the centre so that it can be seen when folded. Carefully satin stitch the applique in contrasting thread.
3. Turn a hem on the reverse side to hide the raw edges.

Ribbon and buttonhole napkin
1. Cut the napkin to 50 cm sq and turn under and machine a narrow hem.
2. Mark out the position of the buttonholes with a pencil - one on each corner and four along each side of the napkin - so that the ribbon threads through the holes and ties in a knot at the corner.
3. Sew each buttonhole by hand or by following the instructions given with your sewing machine. The length of the buttonhole will depend on the width of the ribbon you intend to use.
4. Cut four equal pieces of ribbon, at least one and a half times the length of the napkin. Thread through the buttonholes, with two ends coming out at each corner and tie in a loose knot or a bow if the ribbon is long enough.

Pleated tablecloth for a round table
Tablecloths never seem to fit round tables properly. This pleated cloth fits perfectly and uses about two metres of fabric, depending on the size of the table. Be sure to choose contrasting complementary fabrics for the cloth and internal pleats.

You will need:
- 2 m fabric
- 50 cm contrasting fabric
- Matching thread
- Sewing machine

1. Measure the dimensions of the table top - the one I used had a 104 cm diameter and 320 cm circumference. The drop of the tablecloth is to be 20 cm.
2. Cut a circular piece of fabric for the table top, adding a 2 cm hem allowance. Cut four rectangles of the same fabric, 82 cm x 22 cm for the drop. Also cut four 22 cm squares of fabric from a contrasting fabric for the inverted pleats.
3. Join all eight pieces together alternately, giving each join a 1 cm seam.
4. With right side facing, place a pin vertically in the centre of the contrast fabric pleat and fold the border fabric in towards the pin and then back on it. Pin the fabric in place and repeat on the other side. Pin the other three pleats this way.
5. Pin and tack the border on to the circular top and sew in place.
6. Turn up a 1 cm hem and press. The cloth should fit the table exactly.

Variation:
1. To make the border, instead of cutting four rectangles of fabric, cut one strip, 15 cm by the circumference of the table, plus 1 cm seam allowance at each end.
2. Cut another strip of cream contrast fabric, 7 cm deep by the same length.
3. With right sides together, sew them horizontally with a 1 cm seam and press the seam open. Then join the two sides together with a 1 cm seam. Press this seam open. Join the border to the top fabric with a 1 cm hem.

Painted glasses
Paint glasses to match your china or decorate them for a special occasion such as a birthday or wedding. Glass paint is reasonably permanent so wash glasses by hand using a soft cloth or sponge and do not rub the design.

You will need:
- Glasses
- Pearle-scent glass paint
- Paintbrushes

1. Wash the glasses in hot soapy water and dry with a glass cloth. Remove any glue from price labels with methylated spirits.
2. Use one colour at a time or the paints will run into each other. To make the spots, dot blobs of paint and leave to dry.
3. Outline the spots in a different colour and leave to dry. Continue building up the layers of paint until you get the intensity of colour that you want. I usually give the glasses I paint four coats of paint.

Variation:
- Cut shapes from sticky-back plastic to stick on to the glass. Trace numbers from a book to encourage children to count, or cut thin strips of different colours and stick on in a continuous spiral.

Winter Bird Watching in Ohio

Winter Owl Watching
Each winter, the Ohio owl population temporarily expands from four species to include seven species. This is because short-eared, long-eared, and northern saw-whet owls fly in and join the Ohio indigenous species for the winter. One of the best places to spot these three wintertime additions is the Killdeer Plains State Wildlife Area in Wyandot County, Ohio.

Owls are a perennial favorite among many Ohio birdwatchers. The short-eared owl is the easiest to catch sight of because it is diurnal (day) and nocturnal (night), active from late afternoon through the morning hours of the next day. These owls roost almost wholly on the ground in tall fields and hedgerows. You can also see them perched on roadside fence posts on occasion, but they prefer the ground.

It takes a "night owl" bird watcher to catch sight of the long-eared owl in flight. This is an nighttime owl, active only from dusk to just before dawn. It flies silently through nighttime woodlands and fields, searching for food. During the day, it roosts in heavy forest coverings, often among pines and evergreens. To avoid being seen, the long-eared owl stretches its body out in order to camouflage itself by appearing to be a tree branch, and it is very hard to see.

The northern saw-whet is a tiny owl, averaging just 8 inches long. It is most active at dawn and at dusk, hunting in wooded and heavily brushed areas for insects and small rodents. Bird watchers can occasionally creep within inches of a saw-whet owl, because it will not wake up easily when asleep. However, you should never disturb any owl, because you might reveal its roosting site and make it vulnerable to attack by other birds and predators.

Bird watching near Columbus, Ohio
Clear Creek Valley is just southeast of Columbus and is a part of the Columbus Metro Parks system. It is one of the most secluded and untouched natural areas in Central Ohio and affords many bird watching activities. In addition to over 150 species of birds present, there are over 800 plant species to see, many of which (birds and plants) are rare. Overall, you can see turkey, deer, ruffed grouse, coyote, black vultures, and even bobcats along the park's 15 trail miles. Oak and hickory forests, giant hemlocks, and ferns join some of the only rhododendron colonies left in Ohio in the park.

Clear Creek park contains over 5200 acres of land and is located at 185 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge, OH 43149

Directions: From I-270, take U.S. 33 southeastward toward Lancaster for approximately 31 miles. When you reach Lancaster, continue on U.S. 33 south for seven miles to Clear Creek Road, which is State Route 116.Turn right on Clear Creek Road and proceed to the nearby park.

Audubon, the local birding association
Columbus Audubon was founded in 1913 and has about 3000 members in Central Ohio, making it the largest Audubon chapter in the nation. Its mission is to promote the appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for present and future generations. For information, call 614-224-3305.

National Audubon Society annual Christmas Bird Count
The 107^th Christmas Bird Count will begin December 14, 2006 and end January 5, 2007. During these three weeks, several groups of volunteers (called count circles) will record each bird and every bird species they see or hear within an assigned radius of 15 miles. This is exciting if you are a bird lover, and you are invited to join the effort. You can learn more about Ohio winter birds and Ohio conservation efforts, and make friends by joining the annual bird count. To join a count circle, call Audubon Ohio at 614-224-3303.

10th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
Join others to help count birds in the American Great Backyard from February 16-19, 2007. The Audubon Society is sponsoring a bird-counting weekend near you. There is no fee or age limit to participate and you can count birds in your backyard, schoolyard, park, wildlife refuge, or other areas near your home. Call 614-224-3303 for information and to register at no charge.

Prepare bird-nesting boxes for Spring 2007
Birds often need help to provide them with enough protection from predators and harsh winter weather. They also need cover for their nests. Building nest boxes is a worthwhile and fun winter project, and boxes can be put up anytime. You do not have to wait for the springtime. Some birds may use nest boxes as a place to roost during cold winters, so if you put them out now, the birds will be grateful and you'll help to save wildlife. Nesting box plans can be found at your local library.

Rag work Creations (By 4Ernesto)

Handbag Mirror Frame

Make the following small-scale rag work project as an original present for a friend or relative. The bright pink jersey fabric contrasts strongly with the shiny yellow foil, but you can use any combination of two colours. Small projects like this are very quick and satisfying to make. They demonstrate how what was traditionally a rug technique can be updated and used for many other designs, small or large.

Materials and Equipment you will need:
- Card
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Hessian, 25 x 25 cm
- Marker pen
- Embroidery hoop
- Pink cotton jersey fabric
- Hook
- Yellow foil crisps or sweets packets
- Latex carpet adhesive and applicator
- Clear-drying impact adhesive
- Two pieces of black felt, each 9 x 8 cm
- Needle and matching thread
- Dressmaker's pins
- Mirror, 8 x 7 cm

1. Make a card template measuring 9 x 8 cm, with a frame depth of 2.5 cm. Place in the centre of the hessian and draw round both the outer and inner edges, using a marker pen.
2. Put the hessian into the embroidery hoop. Cut both the fabric and the foil packets into strips 1 cm wide. Start hooking the frame with the pink fabric, beginning just beyond and outside one edge of the inner rectangle.
3. Work the pink fabric round the inner rectangle. Hook a second rectangle, using the yellow foil. Complete the frame with a final row in pink fabric.
4. Remove the hessian from the embroidery hoop, and place face down on a flat surface. Cut round the outer shape, allowing an extra border of 2.5 cm. Apply a thin layer of later adhesive over the back, including the central area and the border. Leave to dry for 3-5 minutes.
5. Cut a cross into the corners of the inner rectangle. Turn under the edges and press down firmly. Trim any excess hessian. Apply small dabs of clear adhesive on the back, and then cover with one of the pieces of felt. Slip stitch together. Carefully cut out the centre.
6. Use the other piece of felt to make a pocket. Pin it to the back of the mirror frame, then blanket-stitch round three sides. Leave the fourth side open to slide in the mirror.

Striped Hall Runner

This bold design of stars and stripes was inspired by 1950s textiles. The black at either end and between the stripes contrasts with the other colours, making them seem even brighter. Before beginning this project, you need to sort the fabrics into separate colour groups. Use a mixture of fabrics, blending wool and lycra with cotton and crimplene to create a cut pile surface which is very hardwearing for a floor rug. Alternatively, you could adapt the design to make a smaller runner to sit on top of a pine chest.

Materials and Equipment you will need:
- Marker pen
- Ruler
- Two pieces of hessian, at least 126 x 72 cm and 100 x 46 cm
- Staple gun
- Wooden frame
- Assorted fabrics in black, pink, mint green, navy, red, yellow and blue
- Hook
- Scissors
- Latex carpet adhesive and applicator
- Carpet webbing tape, 3.5 m

1. Using a marker pen, draw a rectangle measuring 100 x 46 cm on the larger piece of hessian. Allow an extra border of at least 13 cm all round. Working within the rectangle, draw a panel at each end measuring 11.5 cm deep. Draw four star motifs evenly spaced across each panel, as shown. Sort the fabrics into groups of each colour. Cut into strips 1 cm wide.
2. Using a staple gun, attach the hessian to the frame. Hook the star motifs, as shown, working the loops close together. Shear across the top of the loops with scissors to create a cut pile surface.
3. Fill in the panel background with black fabric. Bring the ends of the fabric strips through to the top of the work, and trim off any excess.
4. When the panel at this end is complete, you can start the striped part of the runner. Hook the first horizontal stripe right across the width.
5. The colour sequence repeats every eighth row. To work the black and red stripes hook two rows, for the other stripes hook one row. Continue hooking up to the other panel. Fill in the panel design as before.
6. Remove the runner from the frame, and lay face down. Cut round the design, allowing a border of at least 5 cm.
7. Apply a thin layer of latex adhesive to the back of the runner. Leave to dry for 3-5 minutes.
8. Take the second piece of hessian and place this over the back of the runner. Press and smooth down.
9. Spread a thin layer of latex adhesive on the border of the runner. Leave to dry for 2 minutes. Turn over the border, folding in the corners. Cut off any excess hessian to leave a flat surface.
10. Cut the carpet webbing tape to give two lengths measuring 100 cm and two measuring 46 cm. Smear a thin layer of latex adhesive on one side of the tape, and stick over the raw edges of the hessian backing cloth. Leave the runner to dry overnight.

Rectangular Flower Rug

Bring summer indoors with this charming little flower framed in a trellis border. The diamonds of the trellis and the flower are outlined first in a dark colour, which gives emphasis to the design and contrasts with the subtle, random colours and textures used to fill in the rest of the rug. A mixture of fabrics was used here, including tweed offcuts and cotton jersey. Contrast the bright colours you choose for the central flower panel with the softer colours of the trellis border.

Materials and Equipment you will need:
- Two pieces of hessian, at least 96 x 76 cm and 90 x 70 cm
- Marker pen
- Ruler
- Dressmaker's pins
- Needle and strong thread
- Wooden frame
- String
- Large-eyed needle
- Hook
- Assorted fabrics, including tweed and cotton jersey
- Carpet binding tape, 3.5 m

1. Using a marker pen, draw a rectangle measuring 80 x 60 cm on the larger piece of hessian. Allow an extra border of 8 cm all round. Draw the flower design in the centre, and then use a ruler to mark out the trellis border.
2. Turn under a 5 cm border all round and pin and tack. Attach the hessian to the frame by stringing or by sewing the border to the bonding tape attached to an adjustable frame.
3. Hook the trellis shapes, using a dark coloured fabric. Make the loops approximately 5 mm high.
4. Fill in the diamonds, working in rows and using a variety of rich colours.
5. Hook the central flower motif, using a dark colour. Start by working the stalk, and then move up towards the outline of the flower head.
6. Fill in the centre of the flower head, using a bright colour.
7. Continue hooking until all areas of the design are filled.
8. Remove the rug from the frame. Take the second piece of hessian, turn under the excess fabric and pin to the back of the rug, with the raw edges inside. Using double thread, tack round the edge.
9. Cut the carpet binding tape into four strips, measuring the same length as the four sides of the rug. Roll the ends of the tape and stitch to prevent fraying.
10. Pin the tape in position to cover the hessian border round the rug. Slip stitch to the front and back.

(Hessian was originally an old sacking cloth which was used to hook or prod through. It is available in different weights and it is perfect for rag work.)

Advanced Shooters

Point and shoot cameras have never been the same since the invention of internet, cell phones, ipods and other wireless connections. We are in the newest trend of versatility, technology and style where connection to internet is endless. This trend have mastered and applied to various electronic mediums and sophisticated cameras have no choice but to follow this smart technology. These features are larger LCD's for satisfied viewing experience, compact ability that promises durability as well as anti-shake protection and recently Bluetooth or wi-fi access. Smart idea, isn't it. If you can picture from your cell phones and without wire transfer JPEG document to computer that so easy as a push of a button so are these impressive cameras.
But wait, before indulging into window shopping to upgrade your point and shoot cameras. Think of the features that do give satisfaction of having one of these aside from looking on its prices. These are the brands and their excellent features.

Large Screens

Nikon Coolpix S6 and Kodak Easy Share V610 and Casio EX-Z600 has large screens almost occupying three-fourths of the total size of the size of the camera having crisp detail as to the picture itself. Whenever you have difficulty in visualizing the full picture then these two smart cameras are just right for you. Although too much power usage means power drain. Among the top cameras who showed high performance during the actual test does ultimately has its own disadvantage. It cannot deliver power for lasting picture taking however Casio EX-Z600 delivered the most among them. Picture shots ranges from 150-200 images only but with Casio it can double the image captured with a guaranteed 500 shots. Casio Exilim EX-Z600 has also zoom selector although inconvenient for large fingers due the small button that it has.

Avoiding blurred shots

Another feature in cameras preventing images from blurring as its electronic processing that can adjust to different light exposures. Camera owners especially those who are not professional do not recognize techniques as to how pictures are well photographed in different types of light exposures. In this kind of demand of quality images the Fujifilm finepix F30 gave the outstanding rating compared to other cameras and followed by Olympus Styles 720 SW. Before busying a camera, better ask for ISO rating because the higher the rate is also light sensitive and adjustable feature. Fujifilm Finepix F30 produces accurate exposures adjusting to varieties of lighting situations. It also has 3x zooming capability. It also has xD-Picture card different from commonly used SD media card.

Bluetooth or Wi-fi to send photos

Just think of the convenience it gives if your camera has Bluetooth or wi-fi connectivitiy since sending it is as good as wireless. No more memory flash drives and cable connections. This is one advantage of Nikon Coolpix S6 and Kodak easyshare V610 can do the job without any fuzz, so by sending whether to your cellphone or computer is very much possible. Nikon Coolpix S6 is in pocket size and can transfer picture to laptop via wi-fi within 32 seconds.

Stitching Photos

Since cameras has capability of integrating pictures as one so you need a photoshop or coreldraw or any software that can crop, copy and paste. But with HP Photosmart R927 and Kodak V610 can do all the stitching but both has different capability as to the number of photos being stitched. HP Photosmart R927 is made of a durable metal body making it antishake technology and stitching feature that can combine 5 pictures into one view without overlapping.

Perspective Correction

With the point and shoot camera, we cannot avoid to take pictures in angles that give awkward view in picture output. This perspective correction feature just allows the picture to adjust as though you are taking a shot straight on from an odd angle. The casio Exilim Z600 can do this unique feature plus a superior battery life.

Design and Grip

Consider the style of the camera as far as it compliments to your taste and making sure that what it guarantees is what it can deliver. Fashion wise, cameras are considered as accessories just like cell phones. Keep away from fancy cameras that in the end does not compliment to the style having a poor performance.

Scrapbook Journaling Ideas

By Christina VanGinkel

It might seem as if it would be obvious as to what to write when it comes to adding journaling to your scrapbook layouts, but that is not always the case. Often, you find yourself sitting and staring at your journaling blocks wondering why you ever chose to add a spot for the journaling in the first place. This, of course, is not always the case. Sometimes the journaling just flows. However, sometime it does not, and the only journaling block is the one between you, and what you want to write. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get those creative words flowing.

Grab some scrap paper and ask yourself what it was about the pictures you used in the layout in the first place that prompted you to use them. Do you recall the event when the pictures were snapped? What was the day itself like? Consider the season, the temperature, the place, the time, etc. Were there other people involved in the goings on that are not obvious in the frame of the picture? Is there something special about where the picture was taken that is not obvious? All of these points can be obvious leads to the rest of the journaling.

Sometimes, you know what you want to say, but the words never seem to come out right. Would the journaling be better as a list of things instead of as a block of text in a sentence structure? On the other hand, could you set it up as a question and answer layout, much the same as you often find in magazines?

Ask yourself who is going to be reading the journaling now and in the future, and consider if there is anything that pertains to the intended audiences that might possibly influence what you would want to say. For example, recently I was stuck on some journaling I had hoped to include on a layout I created that focused on my now three-year-old grandson. After several starts that just did not convey what I wanted the words to say, I decided to use the journaling block as if I were writing a letter to him to read when he is much older then his current age. You might also find that when you take into context the fact of the intended audience that you have more to say, simply because it is easier to write things down when you have an intended audience.

With the thought of an audience in mind, try to look at the layout as they would, and consider the questions your audience might ask you. Depending on the audience, these answers might be simple, or they could bring you to the reasoning that you need to be as descriptive in your journaling as you possibly can be, otherwise you risk them not understanding the context of the layout at all.

While not as common, but that can be an issue, is when you find that you have much more to say than you had planned for. If this happens, ask yourself how you could incorporate more space than you have allotted for the journaling. Consider making your journaling block that you planned for into a space for an accordion fold out journaling block, or even a hidden journal. Both can provide you with the extra space you need to add all the text you want to.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to add journaling to a layout. Some of us are short on words and others of us are much more long winded. Some of us will think that those who view our scrapbooks should be lucky to even have a scrapbook from us to view, while others of us would not consider a scrapbook layout complete without at least a few words on every page. Whichever type of scrap booker you are, adding journaling to your layouts is a personal choice, and you cannot do it wrong. Write what your heart tells you to, and when you look back at the scrapbook layouts that you chose to include journaling on in the future, you will be glad that you at least took the time to journal, be it short or long.

Collecting Fossils

By Simon Woodhouse

Most hobbies require at least one or two pieces of basic equipment to get started. They may also need a certain amount of space - a nice, quiet room away from everyone else where the hobby can be enjoyed without interruptions. Besides equipment and space, there's also a good chance money will have to change hands. You might need to buy the equipment, or pay dues to belong to a club.

Collecting fossils only has one prerequisite - time. Obviously all hobbies require this, but in the case of collecting fossils, that really is it. Ok, perhaps you need one more thing - an inquisitive mind. So you've got some time on your hands, and a desire to find out about the past, what now? To know where to start, you need to know what a fossil is.

In a nutshell, a fossil is the remains of a creature that lived a long time ago. It's very rarely the actual creature itself, because the fossilization process replaces the original material. What you have in a fossil is rock like minerals that are squeezed into the dead thing over the eons, and compressed by the weight of the material (rock and earth) pushing down on it. Soft, fleshy tissue decays before the fossilisation process can take place; so most fossils are what is left of the animal's harder parts - bones, teeth, shells etc.

In order for the fossil to survive the fossilisation process, it needs to be surrounded by a type of material that won't actually squash it flat or twist it out of shape. Sedimentary rock (sand, clay and chalk amongst others) is the best material for preserving fossils. It's also very easy to dig through, something that's a real bonus when collecting. But because sedimentary rock is so soft, it's very susceptible to erosion. This means it's not all that difficult to find fossils without needing to dig at all. Erosion wears away the rock and brings the fossils to the surface.

So now you know what fossils are, and where you can find them, it's time to start looking. Cliff faces and quarries are traditionally seen as good places to look, but I'd advise against this. By definition, sedimentary rock is quite soft, and so standing beneath a whole cliff of the stuff might not be the wisest idea. To them start chipping away at said cliff with a hammer might encourage part of it to fall down on you. Beaches or freshly ploughed fields are a much safer locale. Before you start, however, you'll need to get permission from the owner if you're going to go onto private land. As a general rule, landowners own the fossils on their land. If you take them without asking, you could be in all sorts of trouble.

For this reason, a beach is probably your best bet. Another good thing about collecting on a beach is that the sea does a lot of the hard work for you. Strong tides and heavy swells expose what's beneath the sand every day. All you need is a bit of patience and you're bound to find something. Whilst you're on the beach though, keep an eye on the tide. It's easy to get carried away with the searching, only to look up and find you've been cut off by the incoming waves. Also, beware of heavy, muddy sands - it's easy to get stuck.

So you're on the beach, but what are you likely to find? Well, that all depends on where you are, but the most recognizable fossils are probably ammonites. These look a bit like a snail's shell, but they're flatter and have more spirals. In actual fact, the animal that used to live inside the shell wasn't a snail at all, but rather a relation of the octopus and the squid. Ammonites come in a variety of sizes, with the smallest being comparable to a coin, while the largest can be as big as car tyres. Thanks to their intricate patterns, ammonites make excellent finds.

As well as needing no special tools or equipment to find fossils, taking care of them is equally as easy. When you get home from the beach, you might want to soak what you've found in water to remove any salt that's encrusted on it. Some people varnish their fossils. This gives them a nice shine and also helps protect them, but it's not absolutely necessary. Storage requires no special considerations, with cardboard boxes being as good a means as any. You might want to label your fossils so you know where and when you found them. This labelling can be the fun part, as it means you might need to do a bit of research to discover exactly what it is you've found. Thanks to the internet, this shouldn't be too difficult.

As your collection grows, you'll probably have favourites. You'll also find that people are quite happy to receive fossils as presents, especially if you found it yourself, and can tell them where and when. So there you have it, the basics of a cheap but interesting hobby - happy hunting.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas you can make with your Paper Crafting Supplies

By Christina VanGinkel

With the holidays coming up fast, making a few simple gifts for those unexpected guests is somewhat of a tradition around my house. With paper crafting (scrapbooking and card making) tops on my list of favorite hobbies, I often turn to my paper crafting supplies for both ideas and materials.

This year, I am making bookmarks, tucked into a variety of books that I picked up at our local dollar store. The books include a few books for children, a couple of titles that would be appropriate for a woman, and even a couple of titles that are more fitting for a man or teenager who is sports oriented. I am also going to make a supply of decorative and fun, candy bar wrappers that will fit a standard sized chocolate bar.

Bookmarks

As to the bookmarks, they are crafted from cardstock and an assortment of embellishments, then are laminated to give them wear and tear value and to provide that special finishing touch.

To start, trace an existing bookmark onto cardstock. Repeat for as many bookmarks as you are going to make. If you have a graphics program on your computer, check to see if it has a bookmark pattern if you plan to make quite a few. Print directly onto the cardstock you plan to use from your printer. Cut out all of your blanks once they are traced or printed.

I plan to give these to both kids and adults, so I chose embellishments fitting for a wide age range and along a variety of themes. Do keep your embellishments to those that are as flat as possible. You can use markers, stickers, brads, eyelets, ribbon, dried flowers, just about any embellishment that you might ordinarily use in card making or scrapbooking. Laminate each bookmark when it is finished, then top them off by using a paper punch to make a hole at the top of each and run a length of ribbon through. If you happen to be a beader on top of enjoying paper crafts and have spare beads you would like to use up, slip a few in coordinating colors onto the ribbon for some added bling. Place each in a book that would appeal to the age or genre of the bookmark, and keep in a basket for quick and easy gift giving when you suddenly find yourself in need of a last minute gift.

Holiday Candy Wrappers

These are quite simple to make, yet they are the perfect gift for those unexpected times you need a quick but unique gift during the holidays. These candy wrappers are also fun to tuck into gift baskets and stockings for those extras that are always nice to include.

You will need a standard sized chocolate candy bar to use as your pattern. Carefully unwrap and use the wrapper for your pattern. Trace onto holiday themed or plain colored paper that you can decorate. Once you have your pattern, cut out, and decorate as simply or as lavishly as you would like. You can also buy ready-made patterns that you can print directly from your computer and printer. I came across several very seasonal patters at an online store that I frequent for lettering that I use when scrapbooking. You can check them out at Lettering Delights online. You will need to pay a small fee for each pattern (when I checked, each cost just one dollar, or five dollars for the Christmas Candy Bar Wrapper Bundle), then download them, and print (they come in the easy to use .pdf format which requires the free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader). Trim each before wrapping around a pre-made candy bar and run a small amount of non-toxic glue along the back of each to adhere.

To find all of the holiday patterns they have available, just put the words candy bar in their on site search box and you will be provided with a long list to choose from, including:

Christmas Candy Bar Wrapper Bundle
Season's Greetings Reindeer Candy Bar Wrapper
Merry Christmouse Candy Bar Wrapper
Ho Ho Ho Candy Bar Wrapper
Hark the Herald Candy Bar Wrapper
Happy Holiday to Moo Candy Bar Wrapper
Friends are Flakes Candy Bar Wrapper

You will also need a colored printer to fully appreciate these designs, but the results are fun to use and everyone you give a gaily-wrapped candy bar to will love the very thoughtful gift!

Creating Your Own Accent Pillows

Pillows, without them, a beautifully decorated room is not quite complete. Pillows are a great way to accent an existing color palette or to introduce new color tones to your design. They can be used to bring together tones and different textures that are spread throughout a room. They can be used to covert conflict into agreement. The solution to most decorating problems may be as simple as adding a few color-matched throw pillows. For a minor amount of time and money, throw pillows can lift the spirit of a drab decor and change the entire
atmosphere of a room. The selection and use of bright colors can give any room an immediate and a noticeable change and uplifting feel.

If you are not a stranger to a sewing machine and have basic sewing skills then making pillows should be a fun project.
You can make pillows in any size and shape desired. They can be made durable enough to withstand the definite abuse from children's pillow fights and every day wear and tear or design them from fabrics so fragile that they would be used for show only. Something so simple can offer so many decorating possibilities. They can be made plain or fancy, large or small, stuffed with fibers, foam, or feathers, in almost any fabric you desire. The potential is only limited to your imagination.

When making your pillows consider how they will be used, are they for display, or will they be getting a lot of wear and use on a daily basis. Pillows that will be used in a family area should be made of durable fabric but should also be comfortable and washable. Closures that are convenient for easy removal. And pillows with that special softness for those leisure naps. Trims such as lace and other high maintenance details should be used on pillows that are for show only. Other embellishments like tassels and braids may not be a good idea for the family room but elegantly at home in a formal living room or bed room.

Before starting a pillow project, consider the size of the piece of furniture the pillow is to be used on. Don't make a pillow that's so large that it overpowers the furniture piece, or so small it’s not noticeable on the furniture. Keep in mind the scale of the desired fabric. Small prints are suited for almost any shape or size pillow. Some large prints are not entirely adaptable.%2

Being Creative with your Scrapbook Layouts

By Christina VanGinkel

Creating a scrapbook layout can be a somewhat simple task. Choose a color or theme, an accent or two, and adhere your photos and journaling if you are the journaling sort. After a while though, your layouts might begin looking similar to each other to the point that you become lackluster in your approach to scrapping altogether. Being creative in your scrapbook layouts will not only keep your layouts looking fresh and unique, but it will also provide you with the enthusiasm to keep scrapping all your fabulous photos and memories.

So how does one be creative with their scrapbook layouts?

Pay attention to the Market

Keep an eye on what is popular in both the scrapping world and other crafts to begin with. This does not mean that you have to run out and buy every sheet of every new line of paper or embellishments that hits store shelves. Browse online stores, and your local scrapbook store. Pay attention to what is being advertised for the scrapbook market, and take note of those items you like. Ask yourself why as this can often lead to the discovery of other products and tools that may enhance your scrapping time.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

If you find yourself turning to the same color scheme, same layout, same old same old every time you sit down to scrap, take those offending items, and put them in a drawer or the back of the closet. The old adage about out of sight, out of mind really does work. Make a vow not to use them for the next two or three layouts that you create. To make sure that you do not go from one rut to another, do not allow yourself to repeat more than on or two things from layout to layout either. For example, if you used glitter and placed your title across the top of the page on the last layout you made, skip the glitter, and come up with some creative alternative for placement of the title on the next layout you do.

Check out what other Scrapbookers are Doing

If you have friends who scrap, ask them to show you their pages. You can also browse online galleries for inspirations. If you actually borrow someone's page idea, do not fret, as there is even a term for this and it is called scraplifting. While it is unethical to scrap lift a page for something you plan to profit from, (an example would be if you were selling pre-made pages on eBay), it is very acceptable to do so for your own personal albums and layouts.

Magazines can be a Scrapbookers Best Friends

Pick up a magazine or two. Scrapbook magazines are rife with ideas for bringing out creativity in your layouts, from reviews of new products, to tips on how to use supplies and tools in ways we might never have thought of, to page after page of other scrapbooker's layouts and projects. Do not just stop at scrapbook magazines for inspiration though. Pick up your favorite magazine, no matter the title, and page through it. What pages catch your eye and why? If it is an ad, is it the colors, the designs, or design of the layout, or the overall page itself? By noticing what it is about the pages that grabbed your attention, you can possibly borrow some of those same aspects to pump up your own layouts.

Be Brave and Try Something New

Try new things. As simple as the idea sounds, it is something that many of us who scrap forget to do after a while. One advantage of scrapbooking being as popular as it is is that there always seems to be something new on the market. Other crafts also lend themselves well to the hobby of scrapping. One of my personal favorites for use on layouts is wire. I purchased a wire jig for jewelry making some time ago, and one day as I sat at my scrapbook table trying to come up with a way to create a wave effect for a beach layout with not much luck, I happened to glance at my jig. A little while later, I had torn out some paper and edged it with some gently sloping wire waves to define the edges of the paper. Voila, I had unique and creative waves. I have since made letters from wire, and a variety of shapes for embellishments from both metallic and colored wires.

Rug Hooking

By Christina VanGinkel

The first time I was introduced to rug hooking was when I was all of about ten years old and my mother bought a pillow kit for my birthday that needed to be hooked. In no time at all, she was pushing the hook through the fabric and pulling up the yarn, hooking it so that it slowly filled in over the fabric below to create the plush top of the pillow. She then took the pillow top that she hooked and made a pillow out of it. It was small, sized to be a throw pillow for my bedroom, and when finished, it portrayed a picture of a tiger's face. I was quite thrilled with that pillow and I had it for many years. I made a similar pillow with a Dallas Cowboy theme for my boyfriend (who later went on to be my husband) when I was about sixteen years old. He kept it for many years until a puppy of ours decided it would work as a good chew toy.

Both kits came complete with pre-cut strands of 4-ply yarn in all the required colors, the pictures stamped onto fabric panels that looked somewhat like a cross between fabric and netting, and each had a wooden handled metal hook that rather resembled a crochet hook, but not. I worked on several other rug-hooking kits through the years, but those two are the ones that I recall most fondly.

Too often, when people think of rug hooking, they do recall some boxed project similar to the ones I was first exposed to in my recollections. The picture or form, possibly a rug or wall hanging instead of a pillow for example, might have been different, but the basic pre-cut 4-ply yarn, with a stamped picture, will be the same. Rug hooking has certainly come a long way since that time, in a sense.

I say, in a sense, because rug hooking was a popular art form long before someone thought to assemble the makings of a kit into a box. Not to mention that these basic kits barely touch on how beautiful of work rug hooking can produce. Thankfully, there is now access to kits that offer up much more detailed pieces when finished. There might have been even then, but not where at the local Ben Franklin where my mother shopped.

Rug hooking in its most elegant form can produce stunning pieces of artwork. Rug hooking can also produce some very utilitarian pieces, including rugs that are sturdy enough to stand up to both time and heavy use. Rug hooking can incorporate similar materials as to what I used in the boxed kits that I made, but it can also mean the use of wool and specialty yarns and fibers, fabric strips and even scraps.

Some who hook may prefer a certain yarn or fabric to another, using exclusively wool yarn for example, while others may find that they enjoy mixing fibers and fabrics for a variety in both texture and colors of their finished pieces. Others yet may choose to go with one choice over another, again using wool as an example, because they have access to it in its raw form and like to dye their own according to each particular project, and wool takes to dye quite easily, keeping this part of the process as simple as they can.

Rug hookers of various skill levels may also choose to follow a pattern, or design each piece they make from scratch. With all of these choices, it is no wonder that rug hooking is such a popular hobby, now and in the past.

If you are interested in trying rug hooking, I would suggest that you first browse online to various websites that offer up full color artwork of some finished pieces, to give yourself a better idea of all that is possible with this fascinating craft. A boxed kit is still a good way to try this hobby, just be sure to shop around for one that includes the fabric backing, yarn or fiber, and hook, all in a complete kit. Also, be sure to choose a pattern that you find interesting enough to want to complete. Kits have come a long way since I was given my first one, and there are many intricate kits just waiting for the right person to work them together into the fine finished pieces that they have the potential to be.

Easter Decorations -New creations- (By 4Ernesto)

As I promised here I am with some new Easter Decorations, some of them can be used for other occasions as well!!!

Egg Place Marker

1. To make an unusual place marker, pierce the top of an egg with a pin and the bottom with a darning needle, plunging the needle well in the break the yolk. Hold the egg over a cup and blow through the smaller hole, forcing the contents out through the bottom. Carefully rinse the shell. Pencil on the name and design.

2. Using a white water-based paint, fill in all the areas that will be painted in light colours. This will help to ensure that the colours are true.

3. Use your chosen colours to paint over the white areas. There is no need to worry if the outline is untidy, since the darker background will cover all the edges. Finally, paint the background in a dark colour.

This hand - blown egg can create a useful table decoration!

Easter Egg Gift

1. Take an egg shaped box. Choose the flowers to reflect the colours of the box so a coordinate effect can be created. Cut a section from a sphere of florists' foam and put it in the base. Secure with tape. Place the lid about a third of the way across the foam and again tape in place.

2. Build up the outline using brown grass and green amaranthus (love-lies-bleeding). Use some of the amaranthus leaves to add a contrast of texture. Intersperse the display with a few small bunches of tiny red helichrysum, placing them deep into the arrangement.

3. To finish, dot a number of South African daisies (a form of helichrysum) throughout the arrangement. Provided the stems are strong, these can be added singly without wiring.

You can fill this egg-shaped gift box with pretty dried flowers as well.

Spring Chick

1. Cut two cardboard circles the same size then cut a small circle from the centre of each. Put both rings together and wind yellow yarn around them, passing the yarn through the centre. Continue until the rings are well covered and the inner circle is almost full of yarn.

2. Snip through all the yarn along the outer edge of the rings. Pass a length of yarn between the two rings, wind it tightly around all the strands and tie it firmly, leaving long ends. Cut off the cardboard circles. Make a bigger ball for the body from two larger rings and, before cutting, pass a pipe cleaner through the rings to form "legs".

3. Tie the two balls together firmly. Bend the "legs" up at the ends and wind a section of pipe cleaner around each foot, leaving a "V" shape on either side so each foot has three "claws"; paint the feet and legs red. Make eyes and beak out of felt and glue into position.

This bright yellow pom-pom chick adds charm to any Easter gift.

Chick Mobile

1. For each chick, you need two pom-poms (see "Spring Chick", above). For the larger pom-pom use cardboard circles 6 cm in diameter with 2.5 cm holes. The small circles are 5 cm across with the same size hole. When the larger one is ready to be cut away, push a pipe cleaner through the hole to form the legs and feet.

2. Now cut and tie the pom-poms, joining the head and body together by tying the spare yarn tightly. Make one or two stitches through the head and body to hold them in place.

3. Trim each chick with a felt beak and wings, and a feather for the tail, sticking them on with a dab of glue. Tie a piece of shirring elastic around the neck, and use it to attach a piece of rickrack or ribbon to the chick. Then hang it to two crossed sticks, tied together. Glue the rickrack in place to prevent the chicks from slipping.

These little fluffy pom-pom chicks make a charming mobile for a room.

Host of Daffodils

1. For the base of each daffodil head, cut a section from an egg box (carton) and trim it down to an even edge. Use a yellow one if you can, or else paint it yellow. Next take a flexible paper or plastic straw and roll it in a strip of green tissue, gluing both long edges. Trim the ends and bend the straw without tearing the paper.

2. Insert the stem through the daffodil base. Then cut out some yellow tissue petals and glue first one row, then a second, around the inside of the yellow egg box base.

3. Finally scrunch up a small piece of orange tissue paper and glue it to the centre of the flower. Make a bunch of the daffodil flowers for an extravagant display.

A big bunch of these yellow daffodils makes a long-lasting display!

Apricots and Cream

1. A mound of luscious apricots, flowers and leaves makes a pretty centrepiece for a spring buffet or dinner party. Place a white doily on a glass or china cake stand. Carefully push ivy leaves underneath the edge of the doily. The leaves should be washed and can be wiped with cooking oil for extra shine.

2. Holding the doily in place with one hand, arrange the apricots in a pile. If the apricots are to be eaten, do not allow them to touch thy ivy leaves, which are poisonous. Then arrange a few sprays of cream-coloured freesias around the pile of apricots.

3. Finally, slot flowers into the gaps between the apricots - any small cream or white flowers will do; I usually use narcissi. Check with your florist that the flowers you choose are not poisonous.

Tip: apricots, freesias and ivy make an eye-catching display on a glass stand.

Silver Tree

1. Spring is in the air with a shiny silver pot plant, blossoming with pink flowers. For this project, you need a small plastic pot and a small, graceful tree branch. Spray them both with silver paint.

2. Push the silver branch into the middle of a block of modelling clay and fix the clay into the pot. If necessary, weight the base of the clay with a stone for stability. For the "earth" scrunch up a piece of silver foil and arrange it around the base of the branch.

3. For the blossoms you need little pink silk flowers, scrunched up pink tissue paper, green tissue leaves, and pink and green gift wrap ribbon. Glue these along the branch as shown, spacing them to look reasonably realistic.

Tip: for a stunning effect decorate a silver branch with silk flowers.

Gift and Flower Baskets (By 4Ernesto)

Creating baskets for gifts or for decoration purposes will give you joy and satisfaction. This hobby can make your friends wonder why all your gifts to them are so unique!

Gift Basket

1. You will need a sheet of paper 20 cm square. Fold the square in half diagonally, then diagonally again. Place the triangle with the single fold running vertically. Bring the upper of the two free points up to meet the single point, opening the flap out as you do so to form a square. Crease the folds and repeat on the other side.

2. Position the newly formed square with the free edges pointing away from you. Fold the top free corner down to meet the opposite corner, and then fold it back on itself to the horizontal centre line. Fold in half once more. Repeat on the other side, as shown. Turn the top left flap over to the right side, and then fold it back on itself to meet the vertical centre line.

3. Fold the left hand corner in towards the vertical line also. Turn the basket over and repeat on the other side. Open out the shape slightly and fold the top two flaps down inside the basket. Flatten the base of the basket. Cut a thin strip of paper for a handle and slip the ends into the slots on each side of the basket rim. Staple in place and decorate with ribbons or lace.

Flower Basket

1. These pretty baskets make a delightful centrepiece. First line the basket with a piece of plastic, using black for a dark basket or white for a light-coloured basket. Add a layer of damp sphagnum moss. This will prevent the roots of the plants from drying out.

2. You can leave the basket plain or add a paper doily for a pretty trim. Cut two doilies in half and fold the edge of each half around the rim of the basket before inserting the flower pots.

3. Arrange the plants on top of the layer of moss, adjusting them if necessary so that they will relate well to each other. Then tie ribbons around the handle of each basket to provide the finishing touch.

In general baskets filled with flowering plants make attractive centrepieces. Choose the flowers according to the occasion.


Flowers in a Hat

You can revive a straw hat by using it as a base for a flower arrangement.

1. To start, tape some soaked florists' foam to a saucer and place it in an old straw bonnet. Create a soft and spidery outline with stems of sprengeri fern. Next, take three or four stems of white stock and insert them into the heart of the display, bringing just one stem forward over the brim of the hat.

2. Use white chrysanthemums to fill in the outline and give substance to the design. Generally, chrysanthemums are good survivors when cut, but they will last even longer if the stems are placed into boiling water before being inserted in deep water for a long drink.

3. In among the white chrysanthemums recess some lilac hyacinth heads to create depth and a contrasting texture. Finally, complete the display with deep purple anemones. These are the main flowers, so use plenty, spreading them evenly throughout the whole arrangement.

Spring Sunshine

1. Prop open the lid of a yellow case with a small stick, and insert a brick of soaked florists' foam wrapped in cling film (plastic wrap). Begin by grouping some closely cut, white iris to the right of the case, standing them upright at the back. Next to them, insert a bunched piece of white net.

2. In front of the iris, group eight to ten yellow Persian buttercups and a touch of foliage. Six or seven white double tulips fill virtually the rest of the case. Retain their leaves, as these add an attractive contrast of colour to the display.

3. On the far left of the case, and in among the tulips, slot three or four purple hyacinths. For the finishing touch, add a little piece of lilac net, bunched on some wire, in the top right hand corner to balance the colour scheme.

Tip: sunny yellow provides a perfect backdrop for bright flowers.

Pottery For Beginners

By Simon Woodhouse

Everyone knows what the oldest profession is, but what's the second oldest? Perhaps a definite answer has been lost in the annals of time, but pottery has got to be a major contender. Why is pottery so close to the top of the list? Probably because in its most basic form, it requires very few raw materials (clay and water) and not much practice. For this reason, amongst others, it makes a good beginners hobby. Also, it's the sort of pastime you can do on your own. And if you enjoy working with your hands, it's even more likely to be your cup of tea.

First of all, before you start thinking about clays and glazes and the few tools you'll need, you're going to have to make sure you can get access to a kiln (unless you have your own, which is very unlikely if you're reading an article called Pottery For Beginners). Now this isn't as daunting as it sounds. Ceramics shops that deal with 'hobby' ceramics are everywhere, and most of them will be happy to let you use their kiln - for a fee of course. By the way, if you're not sure what a kiln is, it's an extremely well insulated oven that can get very hot. Besides letting you use their kiln, the ceramics shop people will be all to pleased to sell you all the necessary bits and pieces to get you started, as well as give you friendly advice.

So what will you need to get started? The simple answer is, not much, and some of the things you will need, you probably already have lying around the house. Sponges, both small and large, are good for smoothing and shaping, as well as cleaning up after you've finished. Plastic bags are also handy, as they help to stop your work drying out if you have to leave it before it's complete. A spray bottle full of water is good for keeping your work wet whilst shaping it, and a rolling pin is excellent for working larger slabs of clay.

When most people think of pottery, they picture a skilled expert sat at a potter's wheel, shaping all sorts of wonderful items as if by magic. If you're just starting out, chances are you haven't got a potter's wheel at home (much in the same way you probably don't have your own personal kiln). But that's no reason to be discouraged. An excellent way to get a feel for basic pottery techniques, and also to become familiar with the consistency of clay and how it handles, is to 'hand-build' items. As the name suggests, this involves creating things with your hands instead of a potter's wheel. One of the simplest projects (and therefore a very good place for beginners to start) is a pinch pot. To make one of these, all you need is some clay and the ability to pinch. To start with you take a lump of clay about the size of a tennis ball, and work it into a vague circular shape. Push your thumb into the middle, not too deep, probably up to the first knuckle will do, and then give the clay a pinch. Keep pinching, whilst at the same time turning the lump of clay in your hand, until the hole is big enough to get your other thumb in there as well. Now you can pinch with both hands. Keep turning the pot as you go, as this'll help to make sure the sides are the same thickness the whole way round. Finally, tap the bottom gently on a level surface to give the pot a flat base. And that's the first stage over with, but the pot's not quite complete yet.

Now put it in the plastic bag so the drying out process takes a bit longer, and therefore means it'll be more even and the pot is less likely to crack. From here you need to take the pot along to your local hobby ceramics shop, and ask them to fire it in their kiln. If you bought the clay you used from them, this'll be a great help. I'll explain, but not in too much technical detail. As far as putting stuff in a kiln goes, clay comes in two basic types - earthenware and stoneware. Earthenware clay fires at a lower temperature than stoneware, quite a lot lower, nearly 400 degrees in fact. If a piece of earthenware is fired at stoneware temperatures, it'll melt and create a horrible mess inside the kiln. This will make the people in the ceramics shop very angry. However, if you bought your clay from them, chances are they'll remember you and thus know what sort you bought.

Ok, so you've made your pot and had it fired. Now it's time to apply some glaze and perhaps a little paint. If you're going to paint it, that comes first. The paint is also referred to as underglaze, because it's made of similar stuff to regular glaze. I suggest only painting something simple on your first pot. Geometric shapes are good - circles, triangles, squares, that sort of thing. Rather than worrying about the shapes and patterns, try to have a bit of fun with the colors. Once you've got the paint on there, it's time to put on the glaze. Glazing seals the pot and makes it water proof. Once it's glazed you'll even be able to drink out of it. For the glaze to do its stuff, the pot needs to go back in the kiln. Inside the kiln, the glaze will melt onto the pot, thus creating the waterproof seal.

After this second firing, the whole thing is done. I suggest keeping this first piece of pottery out of harms way. There's nothing more satisfying than looking back at your first piece, and seeing just how much you've improved. But don't be embarrassed by you early efforts. Hand made pottery has an endearing quality, especially if it's a bit 'rough around the edges'. It's the uniqueness of each piece that sets it aside from the mass-produced, store-bought stuff.

What you'll probably find, after having tried a bit of basic pottery, is that you'll want to become more adventurous. Joining a pottery class is an excellent way to learn, and before you know it, you'll be knocking out pots like a pro.

Scrapbook for Money

By Christina VanGinkel

If scrapbooking is your passion, but you scrap so much that everyone in your immediate and extended family is becoming a little shy when you come towards them once again with camera in hand, or heaven forbid, you are constantly running out of your own things to scrap, maybe it is time to focus your scrapping energies outside of your own. Accomplish this by opening your own scrapbook business. This way, you can continue to enjoy the hobby you so enjoy, and make money at it at the same time.

There are actually several avenues someone could follow to have a business that revolves around scrapping, with one of the more obvious ones being a consultant. While this can be a good job, and comes with benefits such as discounts on supplies, it has its drawbacks, possibly that you would be spending so much time selling and hosting shows, you would miss your own personal time to scrap. With that said one business that involves scrapbooking that seems to have growth potential as more people discover scrapbooking but do not have the time to devote to it themselves, is to put together layouts and albums for others. You get to scrap, albeit for others, and you are paid for it!

Scrap Other People's Pictures

Starting a business such as this would take some planning and thought. You would have to question yourself on whether you think you would be comfortable talking to others about what they would expect. Some people might like the idea of just handing over a box of old photos and telling someone else to organize them all into an album or two. Others might have a few select pictures that they have definite ideas about, but lack the creativity, time, or inspiration to pull the layouts together themselves. Others might have very specific ideas in mind, but do not want the bother of the time or gathering of the materials, or maybe they do not have a place to scrap. For all of these reasons and many more, there is a client base out there just waiting for some scrapbook enthusiast to come foreword and offer to do it all for a set rate.

If you are the sort who loves a challenge, can converse well enough with others to find out what they expect, and have the room to work on projects for others, this could be the ideal job for you to involve yourself in. Do keep in mind that while you know you will enjoy the actual scrapping part, the dealing with the people can be tough.

Setting prices will also be something you will want to give thought to beforehand. Supplies and time can add up, so you will want to have a set rate for all that you offer up front. This will help avoid any disagreements when it comes time for clients to pay too. Also, plan to ask for the cost of supplies, or at least a portion of them, up front. The nature of the business, where the work cannot really be sold elsewhere due to its personal focus, will require this. If someone does not pay, this way you are only out the cost of your time (still a big factor), but at least not the cost of the supplies.

Scrap Ready to Fill Layouts and Albums

Another way to approach such a business would be to create finished layouts and albums based on themes, where you sell the finished products, and the buyer inserts their own pictures. You get to create an almost finished product, following your own specifications and no input from others (this can be a major improvement over having to deal with people directly before you create), and still make money. You could still take requests as far as themes go, if you wished, but avoid having too much direct contact with buyers before the product is all ready to go. As for selling pre-made layouts and albums, online venues such as Ebay have specific listing just for these, and you could sell through craft shows and word of mouth.

Making money from the hobby of scrapbooking can take work, but it can also be an enjoyable way to spend more time doing something you love to do, and make some money at the same time.

Check out the Xyron Design Runner

By Christina VanGinkel

If you are the sort that likes to have all the newest scrapping tools and gadgets, then you have probably heard of the Xyron Design Runner. If not, this is something you will definitely want to check out.

From the manufacturer of such design inspirations as the Wishblade Media Cutter, and innovative adhesive and lamination products, the Xyron Design Runner looks like a small handheld mouse with a handle when you first glance at it. The handle is a small flip screen, and the top of the mouse like contraption is home to its controls. The runner itself sits atop its chargeable base, as it is cordless, making it even easier to use than one could even imagine. What exactly is it? It is a hand held printer.

Imagine all of the things you would love to print on, but you could not because they would not fit through your typical printer. Odd sized paper or cardstock, fabric, leather, wood block blanks, or just about anything, your imagination could think up. If you would want to print on it, chances are the Xyron Design Runner can. It has interchangeable ink cartridges too, and can print in black, green, or red ink. The ink cartridges look similar to those in a typical printer and are easy to change.

The Xyron Design Runner comes with a convenient to swap design disk, similar to the memory cards that are so popular in various other electronics, such as digital cameras and handhelds. The Design Runner Design Discs are pre-loaded and come in a variety of designs including:

Baby Design Disc
Calendar Design Disc
Emotions Design Disc
Flowers Design Disc
Generations Design Disc
Greetings Design Disc
Holiday Design Disc
Occasions Design Disc
Pet Design Disc
Romance Design Disc
Summer Design Disc
Travel Design Disc
Junkitz Patternz Karen Foster Design Festive Greetings
Scrapworks Celebrations
Scrapworks Memories

Depending on the disc, it might contain words, sayings and phrases, border designs, and individual designs.

When I first saw the Xyron Design Runner, I thought that it would have very limited uses, but then I saw the many designs it has available and I could think of all sorts of things I would love to print on that never seem to work out right with my printer or are just impossible. For example, I love printing on ribbon, and have always done so by first printing on a sheet of printer paper, taping my ribbon over the printing, and then running my ribbon and paper back through the printer. Doable, but it has jammed my printer on occasion (though rare), and had the ribbon slip (quite common), meaning I have had to start over and toss the ribbon if it printed partially on it before slipping. With the Xyron Design Runner, you can print on ribbon and get near perfect results each time.

I was worried there would be a learning curve as to how to hold the unit, but the one time I was able to try one, it seemed quite intuitive and worked well. I do not think this would be an issue at all. I have talked to a few people, who actually own one, they have all voiced the same opinion, and that is that they are very easy to use, not to mention fun and even more useful than they had thought before they bought theirs.

I have added a Xyron Design Runner to the top of my scrapbook wish list. It has joined a long list of things I would love to own when it comes to scrapbooking and paper crafting tools, and just as long of a list of projects, I know I would use it on. One such project includes note cards made of a handcrafted paper that is a bit too bulky to run through my printer. Up until now, I have printed my sentiments I use in these on other cardstock, and then glued them in place. Being able to print directly onto them would make them look all the more elegant than they already do.

If you love scrapbooking and are shopping for a new tool to have fun and get lots done with, the Xyron Design Runner might be just what you have been looking for.

Your Must-Know Guide To American Coin Collecting

by Lesley Chew

There are many types of coins to collect but you have decided to chose to specialize in American coins. But do you know that within American coins, there are several areas within American coin collecting which you need to choose from? Yes, although this may seem like a strange thing, since having chosen a specialization on American coin, you may wonder what specialization are there. Well, be surprised! There are well over two hundred years of history to American coins for collecting, and several denominations, so there really are a lot of choices to make! But generally there are two areas which you can consider :

1. Period of American Coins To Collect

There are several periods of American coins, and the different periods meant there are a variety of differences of the coins. This may include different denominations, different materials used, which may affect your decision, so ultimately it is important to do your research and where your interest lies. One example is that the American penny wasn't always made of copper, and the quarters used to be made of solid silver. To pick these periods of these very special coins can make a huge difference in their value.

Sometimes collecting coins that belong to a certain period in time may meant more as a symbol of that period. Many people are like this, rather than collecting American coins for themselves, they look to them to memorialize an event or a particular period. One good example is in World War II, certain metals were more scarce than usual, and had to be substituted in the coins produced during this period. Thus this makes the coins during that period a symbol of the war effort, from the scrap metal drives to the rationing.

It comes down to your personal preferences which period is best for you to choose. Think of your interests. Look to any particular historic event that might really catch your interest, whether it is the turn of the century, the World Wars, or even the modern ages. Do you already have a period in mind?

2. Special Denomination of American Coins To Collect

The denominations of the coins are just as special as the various. Do you know that each denomination has gone through a series of changes. This ranged from the design to the very metal that the coin is made from.

To illustrate, let's take a look at the quarter. A quick glance at the quarter shows an interesting history. History has shown that quarters made before 1964 were solid silver, this gives them a special value as they are also of higher value due to the precious metal. Then in the 1970's when man first walked on the moon, the United States made special coins with a commemorative obverse to commemorate the event. Similarly, in 1976, the bicentennial was commemorated in the same way. The changes have continued to the present day with the celebrated state quarters. These coins were designed to mark each state in the order it joined the union.

Here in this article has just been a quick overview, and there are many more areas to be explored in American coin collecting. However, it is quite impossible to be collecting coins from all areas, unless of course you are a millionaire. What you should do is to identify your interests before deciding on which area you wish to specialize in.

A Beginners Guide to Crochet

by Byran Kempa

Beginner crochet books, guides and classes are becoming more popular as women and men begin to enjoy the ancient art of crocheting. Whether the interest in crocheting comes from a desire to create something, or comes from a desire to engage in a therapeutic activity, beginner crochet products and services are skyrocketing in popularity.

Crocheting, unlike knitting, is done with one "needle". With the right technique, it is possible to crochet everything from blankets and throws, to scarves and hats, to sweaters and wraps and more. Though someone in beginner crocheting will not be making elaborate designs, they will be learning the skills they need to create terrific items.

As with most things, when learning crochet you must first learn the basics. Once you learn the basics you will be able to expand your grasp of the craft and do more elaborate stitches and create more dynamic things.

Many people are surprised to learn that there are many boys, young men and men also learning crochet. Some people learn crochet after a family member or friend shows them what they can do. Also, they learn that crocheting can be relaxing.

If you are taking up crocheting, you should take your time and learn the craft. Try not to go beyond your abilities at first or you may find yourself frustrated. One good thing about crocheting, however, is that you are able to "rip out" the stitches and reuse the same yarn.

Yarn varies in style and texture. Experimenting with different needles and different yarns is a good ideas, especially for someone new to crocheting. Once you get the feel of the stitches and of the particular yarn you are using you will be surprised at how quickly you are able to crochet and master the craft.

When buying yarn, remember to pay careful attention to the dye lot so you can be assured that the yarn is all the same color and shade. If you are making something that requires more than one skein of yarn, you will be surprised to learn how obvious it is if you use skeins from different dye lots.

As you begin your quest to learn more about crocheting, have fun, enjoy and begin to create wonderful things. It all starts with the basics and that means mastering beginner crochet. Remember to take it step by step, and soon you will be a professional!

Lock Auto Focus On The Subject

by Max Ng

Everyone should know what is a Shutter-release button. When the button is fully pressed, the camera will release the shutter and take a photo.

What so special about this Shutter-release button? It is related to how a compact digital camera performs auto focusing on a subject.

Have you ever wonder how does a compact digital camera know which subject you are trying to focus on to take a photo? The truth is the camera does not know, as it cannot read your mind. It simply follows a set of rules to try to guess the subject you are trying to focus on to take a photo.

When a Shutter-release is pressed halfway, the compact digital camera will automatically selects the subject closest to the focus area of camera for focusing.

What is the focus area? It is usually a marking such as [ ] shown on the LCD screen of the compact digital camera to indicate where the subject should be position for auto focusing. It is usually on the center of the LCD screen.

What this feature means to me? Well, if I want to take a photo of a person with beautiful scenery as the background. I may do this:

1)Aim the camera with the focus area on that person and press the Shutter-release button halfway for the camera to auto focus on the person.

2)While the holding the Shutter-release button halfway, I shift the camera a bit so that the person is now at the side of the photo and pressed the Shutter-release button completely.

What I am trying to achieve here is that the compact digital camera will not end up trying to focus on the scenery since the auto focus is locked on the person while I am still holding the Shutter-release button halfway.

If I have just simply positioned the camera with the person at the side and press the Shutter-release button, what will happen is that the camera will auto focus on the scenery when the Shutter-release button is pressed halfway and shoot the photo when it is fully pressed.

In other words, the person may not appear sharp on the photo since the person is not the subject of auto focus.

What I have shown you is just an example of how to make use of the auto focus feature of the camera to your advantage. Try it out and see for yourself.

In short, the simple idea that I will like to share with you is:

Lock the auto focus on the subject before shooting.

Disclaimer: The author, publisher and distributors particularly disclaim any liability, loss, or risk taken by individuals who directly or indirectly act on the information contained herein. All readers must accept full responsibility for their use of this material

How To Take Better Black-And-White Photographs

by Lee Dobbins

Black-and-white photography has become increasingly popular once again. When color photography first burst upon the scene, black-and-white photography fell out of favor. It was seen as "old" and "out." But in recent years, we are rediscovering the beauty of black-and-white, and today we admire the power and purity of black-and-white images.

Here are some important elements to consider in taking black-and-white photographs.

Subject
Choose your subject carefully. Some subjects that look interesting in color look dull in black-and-white. On the other hand, black-and-white can create an unexpectedly intimate portrait or transform a simple scene into a dramatic moment.

Photographs of people look especially good in black-and-white. More and more people are having their wedding pictures taken in black-and-white because it makes the photographs look timeless and therefore more romantic. Black-and-white photographs of couples on honeymoon or on vacation can be equally captivating. Whereas a color picture might be a mere record of a trip, a black-and-white photograph captures emotions and impressions with unusual power. When you're in a festive or exciting place, your first instinct might be to take color pictures, but if you've ever seen a black-and-white photograph of a man kissing a woman on a beach, you know how much more compelling a black-and-white photograph can be.

Black-and-white photographs of children and babies are also very beautiful and sentimental. Children grow up, and babies won't be babies forever, so the nostalgic atmosphere that black-and-white photographs create is especially appropriate.

When you're taking black-and-white photographs of people, it is better if they are dressed simply and in solid colors, not in prints. The fewer the elements in a black-and-white photograph, the more dreamy or dramatic it will be.

Buildings, landscapes, and other scenes are also valuable subjects in black-and-white photography. Keep an eye out for the unexpected. The way the light falls on a table, the shadow of a bicycle on the ground, or the swaying of a tree in the wind could be the subject of your next black-and-white masterpiece.

Background
Make sure the background does not distract from your subject. Sometimes moving your subject a few feet to the right or left is all that you need to eliminate unnecessary elements from your photograph. If that doesn't work, try taking the picture from a different angle.

Light and shadow
You could say that light and shadow are all there is to black-and-white photographs. That's why it's so important to use them to your advantage. Take pictures of the same scene at different times of the day and you'll see how important light and shadow are to the mood of a photograph. You can also experiment with different qualities of light. For example, take a picture of a fence on a bright day, and take another picture of the same fence on a foggy day.

Colors
Some colors that are eye-catching in a color picture can get washed out in a black-and-white photograph. The same thing can happen with color combinations. For example, red and green look striking together, but in a black-and-white photograph, the two colors are nearly indistinguishable. It all comes back to subject. Choose a subject that looks interesting or dramatic in black-and-white and does not rely on color for its beauty.

Shapes
Precisely because of its lack of color, black-and-white photography relies greatly on shapes and lines to provide interest. A black-and-white photograph that is all straight lines can look modern and architectural, but it can also look flat. A subject that incorporates slanting lines, crooked lines, or curves generally looks interesting in black-and-white.

Texture
Like shapes, textures are very important in black-and-white photography. The surface of a straw hat has more visual impact than the surface of a baseball cap. If you're taking a picture of your small son, consider dressing him in a cable-knit sweater instead of a T-shirt.

Perspective
In photography, perspective is one of your best friends. It can help you tell a story, suggest relationships, and bring a boring subject to life. The black-and-white photograph of straight lines mentioned above won't look flat if you take it from an unusual angle. If you're photographing a wall of windows, stand near the bottom of the building and point your camera up. If you're taking a picture of your new puppy, stand over it with your camera, and it will look very small and sweet.

Remember, black-and-white photography is beautiful because it creates images that are so personal and meaningful. Experiment with it and have fun with it. A few years from now, when your children are grown and you've moved to a different town, you'll be glad you made the effort to capture what was around you, when it was still around.

5 Common Digital Camera Users Mistakes

by Joshua Poyoh

With so much misinformation that camera manufacturers have given to buyers, it caused many users to buy too much or inappropriate cameras. Here are some common misconceptions that buyers and users of digital cameras have.

The Mega Pixel Myth

The common belief is that the more pixels the better as you need to have greater and larger resolutions. But really, the question is "Do you really need it?" If you plan to put your pictures on the internet for people to view or email to your friends, resolutions of 640 X 480 is more than enough. You really only need higher resolutions if you are a professional photographer or want to print out your shots. There is a general rule for best print results that states that you need a resolution of 300 X 300 per square inch. This means that for a typical 4R photo, you would need to have a picture taken at 1200 X 1800.

Which Zoom To Use

Some compact cameras described as having "3x optical/4x digital zoom, 12x total zoom power!" While an optical zoom will appear to bring distant objects impressively close, digital zoom simply enlarges a section of the image. It's like making a big blow up print, then cropping it down.

The problem is that while digital zoom enlarges the image, it also enlarges the pixels, and you end up with a low resolution image when you shoot with your camera on "digital zoom" mode. You will not notice the poorer quality in your camera's LCD screen, but it will be obvious on prints. If you want a zoom lens, look at the camera's optical zoom specs, and ignore the digital zoom numbers.

I Do Not Need To Buy Spare Batteries

Once you have a digital camera, you will tend to shoot right away and view it immediately. The LCD tends to consume much power. If you are using the video mode, the power consumption is even greater. It will be best to have an extra set of batteries with you.

My Image Editing Software Can Make Great Pictures

Yes, we all know that Photoshop and other similar image editing programs are wonderful things. But it's always best to start off with the most accurately exposed image in the first place. Remember, no photo editor can create a great picture from scratch. Why not learn to shoot great pictures and you do not have to spend more time trying to tweak the results. If you feel you must work on an image on your computer, work on a copy and not on the original.

Printing At Home Can Save Me Money

Not really true any more depending on how many you want to print. Home printing has many benefits, including instant feedback and control over the final results. A typical inkjet or dye sub home made 4x6 print costs around 50 cents per sheet. If you shop around, you will find online print deals for much less. And you don't even have to buy a printer.

All The Secrets To Art Photography

by Dane Stanton

Art photography is a recently new form of art that has just started to become incredibly popular over the last couple of years as the advancements in digital photography has jumped a level or two. So what is art photography? Basically it's just a form of picture taking that is rendered in a certain way to reflect something 'arty' and that also has some kind of hidden meaning behind it that makes it more special than just a normal everyday photograph.

Many people refer art photography to pictorialism, which then intern means the method of constructing a picture keeping in mind that the picture take must be a form of art or can be turned into a art piece later using computer related technology. In fact this method of taking photos ceased to exist for quite sometime when important artists came to believe that more emphasis was being placed on design rather than on the picture.

With digital work, art photography is becoming more prevalent nowadays and, with the help of a computer, certain effects can be deliberately achieved so photographs can be made to look like an oil painting or as pastel, but this is governed mainly by the expertise of the photographer's own abilities.

Buying art photography at a gallery is relatively a simple task and with the advent of online art photography galleries, buyers can locate photographs that best suit their individual desires and tastes without the need of commuting or attending art exhibitions. Art photography is basically art that is creative, more so when it is visually aesthetic and is mostly appreciated for a having lots of imaginative and intellectual content.

There are two types of cameras that a photographer chooses to use, manual and automatic. The photos are processed by hand and only experienced printers have the ability to make sure the photo is not damaged and comes out perfect in the end.

Many photographers choose to take black and white photos for their art photography as they believe that they can play on more emotions that have the ability to affect the human psyche in a more effective manner. However those photographers who tend to use more color in their photos believe the opposite is true that in fact color has the ability to create more emotions and inevitably stir more senses in the brain that black and white could ever achieve. If you are starting out in the world of art photography than it's best to implement both(perhaps in the same photos if possible)

Scrapbooking For The Busy Person

by Heather Colman

In today's fast paced world, everyone is busy with work and family. There is very little time left to relax and enjoy our favorite hobbies.

For those who love scrapbooking but have very little time to dedicate to it, there are alternative methods that are relatively easy and take up very little time.

You can still create lasting memories that come with scrapbooking without spending a lot of time doing it.

When you are scrapbooking, you are putting together more than just photographs, you are putting together memories that will last a lifetime.

When time is scarce, there are steps that you can take to cut your time in half.

The first is to organize your time and supplies. When you have good organization, you are making the best use of your time. Have the photos that you want to use separate from the others, this saves you the time of sorting through piles of pictures.

There are quite a few things that are needed for scrapbooking. By putting all of the glues, papers, glitter, photos, scissors and ribbons in separate bins, you will have everything you need at your fingertips to create lasting memories in moments.

As a time saver, do not crop your pictures. Trimming edges is not only time consuming but it is unnecessary. Use matting to create a colorful frame that you can either decorate with glitter or other decorations. You can also write anecdotes on the scrapbook border.

You can also use the colored paper to create pockets that you can slide a photo into and change it to another if you choose.

If you want to do the scrapbooking the old fashioned way, it can still be done in less time by using scrapbooking kits that can be found in many craft shops.

These kits eliminate virtually all of the work that is entailed in scrapbooking. This saves a lot of time with the same results.

All that you need to do is crop your pictures and insert into the book.

The Internet offers thousands of links to scrapbooking sites that can give you incredible ideas in designing your own memory scrapbooks. Magazines also have fabulous ideas.

After you have become an expert at scrapbooking, you can start to involve your children in creating lasting memories that can be passed down from one generation to the next. Let them create their own designs to contribute to a family scrapbook.

Why Collecting Diecast Cars Is More Popular Than Ever

by Gregg Hall

There are a wide variety of hobbies that people take up to fill their spare time. Hobbies can range from activities such as knitting or drawing to rebuilding computers and cars. One broad hobby that encompasses many walks of life is collecting. It is such a broad hobby because collections can be comprised of almost anything that pleases the collector. A popular collector item is cars, however, this is also a broad topic. Collectors may accumulate luxury cars, old cars to be restored, or even miniature car replicas. The latter being the most wallet friendly and easy to store makes it a very common collectible item.

If one's interest lies with miniature cars, diecast cars will certainly be visible on their radar. More specifically, NASCAR diecast cars are often sought after by collectors. However, for the novice collector, the cost of building up a NASCAR diecast collection can be quite pricey. Some collectors argue that spending a portion of their life savings to maintain their collection robs them of their enjoyment. One option these collectors have is to seek bargains on Ebay. While some sellers may hike their prices in order to turn a large profit on the mega internet trading website, others are in it for the love of collecting. Therefore, one stands a decent chance at finding NASCAR diecast at affordable prices so that their desire of owning a collection may be satiated. So how does an inexperienced collector differentiate good deals from rip-offs?

Firstly, one must consider the specifications and features of the car before determining its value. The main specification in determining the price of diecast cars is the size, and, as most things go, bigger size means bigger price tag.

For a few reasons the 1/64 scale is an excellent way to get started collecting diecast cars: they are low-priced and easy to store. A good way to get started is to buy in bulk lots. In this way one gets a good amount of cars for a reasonable price and they can then be displayed in a case or on shelving without looking bare. If you are on the opposite end of the collector spectrum and are considering selling some or all of your cars, selling in bulk lots is also a great option. Ebay is a great place to get started buying and/or selling lots, just remember to include ample pictures and thorough descriptions in order to get the most bidders.

There are options for more savvy collectors who desire a more advanced collection. The 1/24 and 1/8 scale cars are more expensive than the 1/64 scale, but they are bigger and often have movable hoods and doors which add a realistic aspect. There are different styles of 1/24 cars such as the Sprint, Nextel, and Craftsman series. All of these series boast quality detail, but the Craftsman series is harder to find because the demand is lower than those of the other series. The 1/8 scale cars are the most expensive and are much larger than the other scales. If space is an issue, consider where you will store these models before purchasing them.