Designing Web Success

For more dramatic results from your photographs, trying weaving two copies of the same photograph together. This technique creates a three-dimensional artist look. This technique would look great on a scrapbook for a graduating art student or a scrapbook for a friend who is quite artist and creative. This technique might also look good on a child’s scrapbook with a kid’s art background giving the whole page an abstract look.

To achieve this technique, first you need two copies of the same photo. On one photograph, draw evenly spaced vertical lines on the back of the picture. Cut along these lines with scissors or an exacto knife. On the other photograph draw and cut along evenly spaced horizontal lines.

Next, using alternate strips, from photograph one and then photograph two, weave the pieces together. To preserve the rectangular shape of the photographs, start your weaving in the center of the piece and work outwards.

Collages are congregations of photographs or news clippings. These items can be placed in any order or pattern. Collages can have a theme such as a single individual or an entire family group combined.

Collages create great funky scrapbook pages. This method is especially useful for surprise scrapbooks meant to overwhelm the reader either with all of their accomplishments or all those that care for them.

In addition to photographs and news clippings, collages can also contain blocks of text or embellishment. These additions can be used to increase the busyness and overwhelming nature of the collage or reduce the effect slightly by distracting the focus away from the collage.

To reduce shifting of the photographs as you select an appropriate collage design, place temporary tape on each photograph or newspaper clipping. Once the display is set, start permanently attaching the collage to the background.

Mia LaCron is the founder of 101-scrapbooking-tidbits.info - http://www.101-scrapbooking-tidbits.info - devoted to helping individuals record, store, and preserve their most cherished memories via the art of scrapbooking.

Memories are priceless, but the cost of preserving them can be high.
Here are nine tips for making the most of your scrapbooking budget.

1.Be on the lookout for scrapbooking supplies everywhere you go.
I once made the cutest shabby chic card with the corrugated cardboard
liner in a light bulb box. Another example: you can buy 100 brass brads
for less than a dollar at the local discount store and then customize
them to match your layout with acrylic paint and/or sandpaper. Or
look in the clearance bin for ribbon, fiber, and fabric remnants - or
bouquets of silk flowers, which you can take apart and attach to your
cards and layouts with brads, eyelets, bottlecaps, or button. You’ll
find all kinds of treasures at office supply, hardware, and dollar
stores, as well as flea markets and garage sales.

2. Keep your supplies organized. When your papers and embellishments
are logically arranged and easy to find, you’ll always know what you
have, which means you’ll buy fewer duplicates. And you don’t need
expensive racks for storing your paper. The large 14″ Ziploc bags
are perfect for storing 12×12 paper. You can even hang the labeled
Ziploc bags from skirt hangers to maximize your space. A few
inexpensive baskets or plastic containers can hold your adhesives,
pens and trimmers. And a common tacklebox is great for small
embellishments. Or use resealable Ziploc bags to organize brads,
eyelets and other small embellishments by type or color and store
in a shoebox.

3. Here’s a little known secret. You can join a scrapbooking direct
sales company, simply to get the discount on your own supplies. Of
course, you’ll need to make sure the monthly minimums are low enough
that you’ll be able to meet them with your purchases alone. Here is
one such company with monthly minimums of just $25 wholesale per month.
Details are here:
http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/wholesale-scrapbooking-supplies.htm

4. Use your scanner to create a unique patterned paper, perfect for your
layout. Scan items of clothing, for example, that match the clothing in
your photographs. Print the paper and use as part of your background or
as a tag or other embellishment.

5. Do a google search for “free fonts” and “free scrapbooking.” You’ll
find thousands of free templates, fonts, and other free resources for
scrapbookers.

6. Check your local paper for 50% off coupons at large discount
crafting stores. Save these coupons for your larger purchases.
Subscribe to Joann.com’s email newsletter at the store’s website:
http//www.joann.com. This store frequently offers special
discount codes to newsletter subscribers. But keep in mind, when you
are shopping the sale aisle, a good deal is not a good deal if you
never use the product. Buy only those things that you love - and
know you’ll use.

7. When shopping for tools, keep quality and versatility in mind.
Investing in quality tools will ultimately save you money, because you
won’t need to replace them very often. You’ll also want to look for
trimmers and cutters that allow you to replace only the blade - and not
the entire cutting system. The Coluzzle, by Provocraft, is one of the most
versatile cutting systems available. It takes a little practice, but
once you get the hang of it, you can cut a huge variety of shapes and
alphabets, as well as envelopes and tags - all with very inexpensive templates.

8. Save and organize your scraps. It’s amazing when a small scrap is perfectly
suited for a card of scrapbook. And you can always use the backside of
white-core cardstock or patterned paper when you need white. Or give
your scraps to your children. My kids are constantly making friendship
cards out of my scraps. They each have a basket on the family scraptable,
and at the end of a project, I divvy up all my scraps in the three little
baskets. They love the new art supplies, and I love to share my love of
scrapbooking - and my time spent scrapbooking - with them.

9. Network with other scrapbookers for more low-cost ideas. Arrange a
supplies swap with your scrapbooking friends. And read through the scrapbooking
magazines for more money-saving ideas. In the last few issues of Scrapbooks, Etc.
and Memory Makers, for example, I’ve read (and then used) the following ideas:

(1) Take photos of interesting signs and cut out the letters for fun, eclectic
alphabets.

And (2) make your own stamps from your favorite font or images with a
computer printout and some foam board.

You can subscribe to these magazines at significant discounts online.
I’ve compiled the best deals on the industry-leaders here:
http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/scrapbooking-magazines
or see if you can check out current issues from your local library.
Scrapbooking magazines often feature sweepstakes, drawings, and layout
contests, in which you can win free supplies, as well.

You can also save on scrapbooking idea books and techniques books by
shopping online. Overstock.com often has these books at an even greater
discount than amazon.com, and their shipping is usually much less, too.
http://www.overstock.com

Copyright 2005 by Susie Cortright

About the Author:
Susie Cortright is the founder of momscape.com - http://www.momscape.com and Momscape’s
Scrapbooking Playground - http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking - devoted to helping
visitors record and preserve their cherished memories. Susie also trains and supports
new scrapbooking instructors with a new and rapidly- growing direct sales scrapbooking
company. Find out how to join her team here: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/business.htm

Get ready to have a blast making custom rub on transfers. We spent hours researching the best way to make smudge free, rub on transfers that could be used in scrapbooking and rubber stamping craft projects. We had a wonderful time using computer fonts to create titles for scrapbook pages as well as unique rub on embellishments for our homemade cards. This fast, inexpensive technique can be used to make some incredibly wonderful designs for your next project!

Supplies:

1 Rub On Transfer Film (Included)
Fine Mist Hair Gel (LA Works Mega Hold)
Hairspray
Hair Dryer
Ink Jet Printer

Instructions:

Step 1: Spray the fine mist hair gel on the transfer film. Holding the film a few inches from a
mirror allows you to see if you have a good even coverage over the film. Only spray enough to cover the film completely. You don’t want the gel to “run” down the page, yet you need enough gel to cover all areas of the film

Step 2: Using the hair dryer, dry the gel to the film. It should only take between 20-45 seconds if you placed the correct amount of gel on the film.

Step 3: Prepare your artwork using any number of design or word processing programs. You can also stamp the images on the film with dye or pigment based inks. *Important: The design or image will need to be reversed. You can flip the image in your desired program or complete the image mirror in the printing step.

Step 4: Set your printer to the “T-shirt Transfer” mode or select “Mirror Image” in your printer options. (Refer to the manual that came with your printer for assistance.) If you already flipped the image in your design software or word processor, you can skip this step.

Step 5: Print your image on a normal print setting. This should provide enough ink to make a wonderful transfer while making sure the ink does not run. You may need to experiment a few times to get the right setting. *NOTE: Only print exactly what you desire to rub-on and not excess images. You will be able to use the film many times.

Step 6: Allow the ink to dry in place. You can speed the drying process with a hair dryer, but be careful not to blow the ink out of place. Place your image flat on a surface and spray with a light coat of hairspray. Using the hair dryer, dry the hairspray in place.

Step 7: Gently lay the rub-on onto the artwork. (Practice first!) Using a spoon, rub the image in place. Make sure to rub the entire area thoroughly to release the image. Gently peel away.

Kathy Williams writes about rubber stamping and rubber stamps and loves to use them for card making, scrapbooking, and other paper craft projects.

Poetry World is a poetry website list I’ve put together that features so many great poetry forums and poets for your reading pleasure. For example some of the newest members of the site to join and include their work on the list are people like Marine and famous poet Thomas L. Vaultonburg of Zombie Logic Press and Janet Kuypers who has written many books and Brian Douthit who is enjoying great success with his book Perfectly Said when words become art. Also people like Carolyn Edwards you can find listed on the site so check it out because it’s jam packed full of poetic talent.

Visit Vaultonburg’s site and just see the good things celebrities like Gary Busey and Henry Rollins had to say about the man and that alone is worth the click. So come and enjoy the many poetry resources you can find at Poetry World.

Here is a poem of mine for your enjoyment and I hope you do like the poem and decide to visit Poetry World.

I could Really Love You

There’s something right in front of me that I can’t leave behind
It’s always in my dreams and keeps on dancing in my mind
I don’t know if I’ll lose it just because of circumstance
Cause I could really love you if I only had the chance
I could make you happy and I’d chase away your fears
I could hold you close to me and wipe away your tears
And I could hold your heart and show you love that’s pure and true
Cause I could really love you if you only loved me too

Jeffrey Michael Miller

jeffreymichaelmiller.topsiteworld.com

Japanese netsukes are superb little carvings, mostly made out of ivory or wood, as handling pieces, or toggles. So one good way of judging a good netsuke is to handle it – it should feel very comfortable and interesting, in the hand, having no sharp points Netsuke are often only about an inch high, yet these tiny sculptures are very powerfully carved and so full of character.

Each netsuke will always have a couple of linked holes (or a deliberate gap often between a tail or leg) for a cord to be attached so that they could be used as a toggle. They were then most often attached to an inro. Yet there are many collectors that only collect netsuke without owning any inro.

So what is an inro? These are finely decorated lacquer containers, consisting of a number of interlocking compartments (often between 3 – 6 sections) all held together on a cord. An ojime (decorative bead) was then threaded onto the cord that once pushed down towards the inro, kept all the compartments closed. Ojime can be exquisitely carved metal, ivory or stone beads. These inro were then used for carrying such small personal items as seals and pills and became fashionable with the Kimono.

The kimono had no pockets so the inro, held closed by the ojime, would be worn hanging from the sash; the netsuke was then, pushed up under the sash, thus trapping and holding the inro in place.

The Japanese lacquer work on inro is so beautiful, yet it is such a difficult medium to work with as well as being a time consuming process. Not only does it involve building up a very large number of layers before any decorative work can be introduced, but there are also then several different very fine skills required in completing the decoration. Techniques involve using coloured lacquer, shell inlay, metal work and amazing applications of tiny bits of gold. What is extraordinary too, is that having completed the decoration, the lacquer and any metal, or shell decoration, often can be quite thick, yet all the inro sections fit into each other so smoothly that when the inro is closed, all one can see, are very fine lines that are really the dividing gaps between the various compartments.

The designs used by the lacquer artists were not only very finely executed but were often deliberately worked around both sides of the inro in such a way as to maximise curiosity – thus forcing one to want to turn the inro over to see what is on the other side.

What does seem a pity these days is that there are collectors that only collect netsuke, or inro, some even only collect the ojime! No doubt this has a great deal to do with the escalating cost of these treasures, but really these particular Japanese antiques all belong together. It is so much more satisfying to find the ideal netsuke and ojime that relate well together with a favourite inro. To simply own an inro and ojime (these are often sold together) but without a netsuke makes the inro look so incomplete.

The author has been a very keen collector for many years in helping to create ‘The Cohen collection’.

To see more articles with photographs please use the following link: -
http://www.jncohen.net/antiques/articles.htm

For more about Netsuke please use the following link: -
http://www.jncohen.net/Netsuke/index.htm

For more about inro please use the following link: -
http://www.jncohen.net/Japanese_inro/index.htm

Dollhouses can be defined as a replica of a house. A dollhouse is mostly used by children in play where they imitate real life domestic scenes. Dollhouse have also become very popular with adults as a hobby. This is because the making decorating styles and display of dollhouse is very fascinating and interesting.

Dollhouse made for children come in various sizes which should suit the sizes of the dolls used in play by them. The styles and degree of sophistication are very wide, from the ad-hoc to the complete scaled downed version of an actual house.

Dollhouse owe their origins to the ancient times of the Egyptians who crafted miniatures of every day objects. Dollhouse have carried on as a hobby for adults since then. The most common scales used by dollshouses are the 1/12th or 1” scale and the 1/48th. You can also see in other scales.

Doll houses as hobby has become very popular with adults and has expanded considerably. Those can be seen from the fact that there are many magazines and websites devoted to doll houses and there are a number of suppliers of doll houses materials and accessories. There are also doll house clubs which meet regularly and chat rooms on the internet on which you can share your views and collections with other collectors.

There are various types of styles of adult doll houses. They can be accurate versions of historical styles of houses or a doll house construction of your own choice.

Annureeta Chauhan

Going back to the time of the Civil War most people don’t realize that over one thousand different kinds of cartridges were used. This is one explanation that Civil War cartridge collecting has become a favorite diversion. Another explanation is that during the time of the Civil War we saw changes occurring in the development of firearms and ammunition. The old circular musket balls of the Revolutionary War were being substituted with cartridges in the form we are used to.

While musket balls are found on Civil War battlefields, the most ordinary class of cartridge utilized was the .58-caliber projectile with three rings around the bottom. Numerous cartridges discovered are splattered out of form. If you’ve many times been fascinated by the Civil War and firearms, Civil War cartridge collecting is an avocation you probably will appreciate.

With the invention of the Internet and buying and selling on Ebay, Civil War cartridges have become more collectible, and the prices have gone up rapidly. Occasionally, sellers are not informed and ask more than the cartridge is valued. For these reasons, if you are just now starting out in Civil War cartridge collecting, you will most likely wish to buy a value manual. You may even discover a cost guide on line if that works better for you.
Numerous Civil War cartridge collectors also amass cartridge molds and other relics from the Civil War era. A genuine fan may even study the possibility of becoming a Civil War reenactor, acting out battles with other collectors in towns and fields across the Southeast.

Civil War cartridges can be collected by purchasing them from other collectors, or you can start by going straight to the battlefields to dig and search. A metal detector will make Civil War cartridge collecting much easier. You may also discover buttons from uniforms, cartridge molds, sash buckles, and other metal items from the conflict. A few of the cartridges may be buried very deep. You will probably need to put on a headset and pay very close attention to the changes in sound in your metal detector. Chasing after Civil War relics is not allowed on guarded battlefields, but there are still a few old home sites where battles were fought. Be certain to get consent from the proprietor and fill up any holes you dig.

Some individuals have the concept that searching for cartridges with a metal detector indicates a lack of consideration for the soldiers who died at that location. They get this notion because occasionally cartridge hunters find bones along with the cartridges. The truth is, nonetheless, that many of the cartridge hunters who have discovered cartridges this way have chronicled and mapped out their finds, resulting in many of the facts that we now understand about the Civil War.

The Civil War fascinates Americans because of everything it stands for. While most everyone agrees that slavery is a terrible stain on the history of the U.S., there are a few persons who still deliberate the issue of states’ rights versus a strong centralized government. Civil War cartridge collecting is an interesting hobby, although rather sobering at times when looking at the huge number of casualties. The recollection of kinsman fighting against kinsman out in the cornfields and pastures will not ever go away. Civil War cartridge collecting is one way to consecrate this staggering recorded episode.

Glen Stevens

Civil War Era Secrets

Amazing American Civil War Discoveries

Do you want to give gifts to your friends or family for birthdays, Christmas or some other holiday, but you just don’t know what to get them?

Just take a decorative basket and you can create a gift basket filled with great items that either your friends or family will love.

The items basically you will need to create a gift basket will include:

**A decorative basket;

**Shrink wrap;

**Any color tissue paper;

**Different assortment of shredded paper. You can use your shredded paper if you have a paper shredder;

**An assortment of items to fill those gift baskets

All the above is all you need to make the basket and can be purchased at your local arts store or Wal-Mart. There are dozens of designs created for all of those popular holidays and birthdays.

It’s a good idea to keep a supply of them on hand so when you want to create a gift, it’s right in front of you. You can purchase an assortment of baskets in different sizes, shapes and colors. You can stock up on gift items to fill the basket.

Some great gift ideas that can be used for many different occasions include stationery supplies, shampoos, candles and can even be books and toys. The ideas for your gift basket are virtually endless. Use your imagination and you can create a gift basket that suits every occasion.

To create one of these beautiful gift baskets here are five easy instructions:

**Start with a gift basket big enough to hold your gift items.

**Stuff your tissue paper at the bottom to form a base for your items. You could also add shredded paper for decoration.

**Arrange theitems in the basket so that it looks attractive;

**Take the shrink wrap and spread it on a flat surface. Place the basket in the center.

**Now gather the shrink wrap at the top of the basket and secure it with a pretty bow or ribbon.

Here are examples of gift basket ideas:

For Housewarming gifts, you can select potholders, towels, boxes of pasta, coffee or tea. You can also take a set of measuring spoons and place them on the ribbon so they dangle in front of the basket.

For a Baby shower you can start with the large white basket. Find some colored flowers without stems. Then glue them around the basket. You can use a glue gun for that. You can place a receiving blanket, cute little outfits, baby bottles. You can put a baby rattle outside so it hangs out in front of the basket.

For a Wedding gift a lot of times the wedding couple has everything they need already. Why not give them a honeymoon gift basket. You can put scented oils, massage oils and maybe even a bottle of champagne. Of course, don’t forget a box of matches to light those candles.

Gift baskets can be fun and easy to make.

Copyright 2005 Fern Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes

http://www.diabetestestingcenter.com
http://www.diamondreviews.info

You may reprint this article as long as you keep the links active

Acrylic paints are so nice to work with. From easy clean-up to an array of brilliant colors―who could ask for more? In working with acrylics, I’ve noticed a few aspects about this water based paint that I’d like to pass on.

Most of my art students peers preferred working with acrylic paints as I do, mostly due the affordability of it. I have to say, art professors encouraged the use of it too. In looking back, I’m wondering if professors liked acrylics due to the easy clean-up. Typically, art classrooms are not the cleanest classrooms on campus anyway; and if most students used oils instead, I can’t imagine what the classrooms and sinks would have looked liked!

One tip I learned in school had to do with what acrylic paint is actually made of. Acrylic paints are colored liquid plastics (even though some acrylic paints are flat and others are high-gloss). Perhaps this is why acrylic paint is considered to be craft paint. Since it is plastic, acrylics dry quickly which is what most of us want. But, to slow down the drying-out process on your paint palette, put a couple of damp paper towels over it and squirt the paint directly on top of it. Surprisingly, the paint hardly spreads out and absorbs.

Unfinished, dry acrylic paints are quick to scratch prior to applying the final finishing touches (sealer paint). When acrylics are applied to tinware, scratches are more susceptible than usual. Even if you are painting on canvas, expect to varnish your paintings upon completion. You can spray on a water base varnish or brush on a water base antique glaze to seal the acrylic paint. Acrylic paints are not only fun to work with, but most assuredly, the results are consistent and durable for both indoor and outdoor use. (revised 2/12/2006)

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com

we have a cause
we all have a noble cause
we had a dream,
we all dreamt a hopeful dream

how long shall we watch

as they bulldoze our homesteads?

for how long shall we watch them
destroy our farm crops and pollute the rivers?

they denied us, all that nature has freely given
and created uninhabitable environment around us
no longer shall we drink from the rivers…

or harvest our laboriously planted crops
for our waters are poisoned and the fields covered by oil spillages

they said, we have streams of oil fields

and, gave us hope that would sustain us
hope, that could have natured us into a fulfilled nation
we gave up the fields; our crops and cleared out path for the oil rigs
has hope sustained us?

now, we are weary

our hands are bare in wants

our dreams were drowned and the noble cause, thwarted against us
how much longer shall we wait for the new tomorrow?
when before us our dividends are cast into lots…

bitterly, we have complained

but, all we ever got was rain of bullets…
to quell our flaming call for justice
we have screamed for dialogue; had beckoned for attention
but, our situation remained same

in our sweat, we worked the rigs
in our oil fields, we gave them gold..
we gave them gold that watered their deserts
they built up castles and, lived up our dreams
leaving behind for us, an abode of squalors

we have a cause,
we all had noble causes
we had a dream,
but, our dreams are now differed

A Nigerian artist and a poet