Saturday, March 20, 2010

Design Style Guide Easter Giveaway is here

It is Super Easy to Enter. We will have 8 winners and our Grand Prize is worth $225.

This Giveaway will end on April 3rd

Friday, March 12, 2010

Check out Turquoise Inspiration


I want you to take a look at: Turquoise Inspiration

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Finding The Table Of your Dreams

Not many people think when they sit in the comforts of their homes, how important a table is in relationship to the rest of the furniture. If you didn't have tables your room wouldn't be complete.

One of the biggest investments you may ever make next to bedroom furniture is designing your dining room. This is an elegant room in any home with the hutches displaying china, butler's tables, linens, and more. The table of course is the main attraction. There are several chic looks that will add luxury to your room. There are tables with leafs, round tables, squares, and more.

When you decide it's time to furnish your room with a table, the style and size will be dependent on the amount of space you have and the furniture you want the table to compliment or the room you want to enhance. There are table that'll fit any style to create any look.

Start with thinking about the size of the dining table. An ideal way would be to think about the size of the room where the table has to be placed. It is proportional to the size of the dining table. A bigger room calls for a bigger table to harmonize the size of the room. A smaller room needs a smaller table.

Although, this is not the only criteria for the size of the snacking table. You would also want to keep in mind that all your family members should be able to sit around the snacking or eating table. Try getting a table that has chairs for all your family members keeping a spare chair or two for an unexpected guest.

Another step is to think about the shape of the table. If you want an intimate setting then the square table is best. This will seat four diners comfortably and it will save a little space in your room.

The table that is a rectangle in shape will not only seat more diners but it will make the smaller room look more spacious. If you want a table that makes conversation easier than a round table is a good choice. With the round shape the diners are not straining to see each other down the length of a long table but the round sized table will consume a lot of space.

Once you determine what size and shape dining tables the room can accommodate look at colors. For colors of the dining table, go for the scheme that goes with the rest of the furniture.

For height of the table, make sure that you don't have to bend to eat or to reach high to the table. It should be in level with elbows and abdomen while in a sitting position. Go for a modern yet subtle look since dining tables have to be kept for longer periods of time than any other piece of furniture.

Another factor is to look at the room to see if you would like to create a formal dining room or an informal dining room. The nearby furniture and décor will help make the best decision.

When choosing a table it is often easiest to select the design, then look for the material that is best suited for the activities that will take place on the table. The tables that are best suited for growing families can be attractive and still be functional for all members of the family.

Finding the table of your dreams is not hard. Before you buy, take the time to shop and compare online. You will get a view of the unique designs and styles that will add beauty to not only your room but your home and meet your needs.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

How to decorate your childs bedroom


Do you want your children to dream fairies and angels when they sleep? Well you need to then assure that you decorate your child's sleeping room not just lavishly but also reasonably so that the colours and the room's environment motivate and promote the kids.
Here are some quick ideas that you could use to creatively decorate your child's room and feel proud when your child loves to stay in that room. Gone are the days when people used to decorate the boy's room in blue and girl's room in pink. Try to use attractive but sober shades so that it gives more of a pleasant environment. The next most important thing is the bedding. Always make sure that this goes along with the colour of the walls. It need not be the same and as that might result in a monotonous look. Ensure that the bed spread on the bed has an image like a Spiderman if it is a boy or a Barbie if it is a girl. You could also use Peppa pig toys.
Use the radium effect on the ceiling with the moon, the stars and the asteroids so that it gives an impression of a sky in the night. This is simple and you could do it yourself as these are just stickers that you need to adhere on the ceiling with a white backdrop. Ensure that there is an attractive rug that is put right beside or before the bed.
Always ensure that the room has a natural ventilation to bring in fresh air and light. Apart from the natural light you could go for lamp shades that give bright light and do not make it dull looking. The curtains and the window shades should be bright coloured but not gaudy. They should be able to prevent light entering the room in the nights so it does not disturb your kid. Always assign a corner for your kid's study place with a table and a chair and also try to put up some art work so that your kid feels proud to show his room to any visitor.

Cleaning Tips for 2010


For you, how important is cleanliness? Do you like living in a house that is full of mess and dirt? I'm sure you don't. Living in a dirty house is not pleasurable, but the thought of maintaining its cleanliness is tedious, too. Make sure this new year you give your house the cleanliness it deserves.
Plan a schedule. I know most of us are busy with our lives, we work more than 8hours a day, take care of the children, cook meals, run errands, etc. We don't have time to commit at least 5 hours a day for cleaning or sometimes we prefer not to. The better way is to manage your hectic schedule and find time where you can have a one on one session with your house.
Motivate yourself. Cleaning is not everyone's favorite activity, and we also don't want to make ourselves miserable by doing it. You have to ask yourself, why are you cleaning? Because you are asked to or because you want to? Look forward for the positive results. Enjoy cleaning. Wear those comfortable clothes, put those upbeat and fun music, and reward yurself after doing it.
Have a plan. No plan of attack results to inefficiency. Before starting, plan on what part of the house you will begin cleaning. Having a sense of direction can touch all the areas of the house that probably you might forget when cleaning.
Mix your own cleaning solutions. Sure you can buy those commercialized cleaning solutions out there. But in the middle of your cleaning session and you find out that you ran out of this and that, it is hassle to dress up again and head to the nearest store. In your own home you can find good alternatives. You can use Ammonia, diluted with 3 parts water in an empty spray bottle can be used to clean windows, appliances and countertops. Full strength it can remove wax build-up from the kitchen floor. 1/2 cup vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon salt is an excellent way to scrub copper and brass. Using pine oil in full strength is great for deodorizing garbage cans, as well as scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom floor. Instead of scouring powder, you can also use baking soda to remove stains and odors from refrigerators and coffee pots. Sprinkling dry baking soda before vaccuming will freshen up the carpets.
Green cleaning. Cleaning Do not limit cleaning only inside your house and around your front yard and back yard. Environment should also be included. It is not hard or complicated. Begin with your own, simple way. Keep away with toxins and imporve your home which affects the bigger picture. Switch to eco-friendly alternatives and make your own cleaners. Observe proper waste disposal, conserve water and recycle.
Our house should be our protection right? If you do your job well, it can do its job well for you too. Keeping your house clean is your number one job. Time is not a hindrance and a reason why you are not able to maintain the cleanliness. The home is where everything starts, so it is better to keep it safe and clean.

Friday, March 5, 2010

How to make the most of colour and tone in painting


A significant part of any painting, whether a pet portrait or abstract picture, is the relationship in colour and tone. Tone is the level of light and shade in the picture, it exists independently of colour and can be calculated on a scale which goes from white through greys to black. The awareness of colour is created by the eye's response to light in different wavelengths; pure colour exists only as light, and as far as painters are concerned, all colours are also modified by tonal value. Pigments are not pure colours, and their range and behaviour is completely different, so painters can only hope to imitate the true colours of nature, by being adept at using their palette and visual tricks. Paintings are not mirrors, but abbreviations of reality, which make sense if key colours, tones and outlines have an internal logic and consistency.

Controlling light
Since colour and tone are both dependant on light, it is a great help if both the lighting the subject, and the environment in which the painter works, is kept under control. Portrait painters usually prefer to light their subjects from only one direction, enabling them to become familiar and easily predict the way the light falls on a face. Others will choose to paint at a particular time of day when the lighting conditions are an average quality, and shadow lengths are suited the painters style. An additional technique uses diffused light, which softens light and removes harsh shadows. To accomplish this, paper saturated with drying oil and allowed to dry can be used to cover windows, or pasted onto screens to create the desired result. If you use pale coloured paper it also has the benefit of harmonizing the colours in the subject. This is also a useful trick if you are having to paint in a room which is subject to full sun. Alternatively, studios that are too dark should be painted white to reflect as much light as possible back into the room.

Using a Claude glass
A Claude glass is a black-coated mirror used to assess the tonal relationships in a picture. Being black, it nullifies the colours in the subject reducing them to tonal values. This then makes it simple to see the tonal relationships in the picture with any errors quickly being shown. You can make your own Claude glass by painting one side of a piece of glass with black paint or by placing a piece of smoked glass in front of a mirror. For landscape paintings, it often better to use a Claude glass with a curved surface, this enables you to regard the scene in its entirety.

Your palette
Above all, it is important that you know and understand the colours you use on your palette. This will only come with experience, but to be a great colourist an artist has to know how colours relate to each other, how each individual colour reacts when blended and how well it performs as tints. Skillful colourists exploit favored colour effects, tending to use a limited palette of colours but knowing and understanding them perfectly.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

OUR VERY OWN FIRST SWEEPSTAKES


OUR VERY OWN FIRST SWEEPSTAKES IS HERE!

We are excited to announce that from now on we will be running our very own SWEEPSTAKES every month.
The winner will win 1 YEAR 3 STAR MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE – FREE (value of $64)
If you already have listings on our main website http://www.designstyleguide.net, you will be automatically entered, however if you tweet the message it will give you an additional entry .
If you do not have any listings on our main website – enter our sweepstakes today for a chance to win. Only those applicants that have their own online store – selling handmade items related to Home Decor will qualify.
Good Luck!

Renovation Project Using Natural Wood? Don't Forget To Treat It With Hard Wax Oil


Osmo Polyx Oil and Fiddes Hard Wax Oil both provide great protection for any wood surfaces around the house, but is one superior?

As many homeowners look to renovate, not relocate, the popularity of natural wood flooring and kitchen surfaces has increased.Synthetic materials could never create the effect and style of a room like a new hardwood floor or some natural wood kitchen cabinets.

You Need To Protect Your Wood!

Although natural wood surfaces require a bit more attention and special care, it doesn't have to be a chore. It doesn't even require a professional's touch to maintain the beauty of the wood. Several products currently on the market make it easy for the average do-it-yourself enthusiast to keep those natural surfaces looking top-notch.

Of course, a durable, long-lasting and easy-to-maintain product is needed for high-traffic areas.The finish will also need to be non-toxic if small children will be crawling and playing on the floors. Many types of wood oils are available, but general consensus says that a quality hard wax oil is just the ticket.

Why Hard Wax Oil?

Hardwax oil is one of the most versatile and easy-to-use products around. Not only is it suitable for use on most interior wooden surfaces including wooden flooring, kitchen worktops, cupboards, skirting, spindles, doors and furniture, but even unsealed terracotta tiles and quarry tiles will benefit due to their porous, wood-like properties.

Matte, satin and satin gloss finishes are currently available, making it perfect for almost any job.Application is a breeze, too: just use a good quality cloth, floor applicator, or paintbrush...basically, use whatever best-suits the job to be done. There's hardly any smell, and it penetrates the wood to provide a finish that is tough and resistant to wear and liquids.

If Price Is A Factor

The first and most obvious difference is price. On average, the cost-conscious consumer can expect to save around £13-£14 (based on a 2.5 litre container) by opting for the Fiddes hardwax oil. Of course, the savings increase if a larger size is purchased. But saving money is no good if you get inferior results, so how do Fiddes Hard Wax Oil and Osmo Polyx Oil match up performance-wise?

Drying Time

Both Fiddes and Osmo wax oil provide a water-repellent seal and are easy to maintain; however, Osmo's Polyx Oil takes about twice as long to dry at approximately 8 hours per thin coat.Osmo do provide a quick-drying version, but at a higher price.

Colours

Fiddes comes in 9 satin colours including the popular walnut, whiskey, American and white, and the clear version comes in matt, satin and gloss finishes.

Osmo have clear versions on offer, in addition to the four colours in their foundation wood finish range: light oak, mid oak, dark oak and white.

Colours can be intermixed to create new ones, which helps with colour matching, and both Fiddes and Osmo hard wax oil are non-yellowing.

Ingredients

Osmo Polyx Oil contains only natural ingredients.

Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is probably 98% similar to the make-up of Osmo.

Safety

Both products are suitable for applicaton onto children's toys, having been approved by the EN71 Toy Safety compliancy test.

History

Osmo Polyx Oil, the original hard wax oil, was created six years ago by the maker of the same name.

In recent years, Fiddes have developed their own hard wax oil, which has become a popular option for many people.

Check If Samples Are Available

Of course, most retailers will allow you to purchase a sample of any product you're thinking about using. Testing a small, out-of-the-way section of the wood is also a must to ensure you're going to get the finish you desire. In addition, you should keep in mind that using a coloured hard wax oil is going to give you a different look depending on the type of wood on which it's applied - another reason to make sure you test it out before committing a large area to one particular finish.

If you would like to get an idea how a particular type of wood will look once it's been finished with a clear wax oil, simply use a little water to wet a section, wipe off the excess, then let it dry for about 10 seconds. The resulting shade is a close approximation of the finish you'll get.

Summary

For more colours and to save some money, use Fiddes Hard Wax Oil.
For 100% natural ingredients and a slightly more durable finish, use Osmo Polyx Oil.

The flexibility and protective qualities of hard wax oil is apparent, so which brand is chosen is not really so important.When a long-lasting, hard wearing finish is needed for hardwood floors, cabinets, work surfaces or even children's toys, hard wax oil is a must-have.

Unusual gifts for all the family


The common hot water bottle seems to do the opposite to some furry mammals, who at this time of the year are beginning to hibernate. Until it senses the first signs of a chill, it lurks in the corner of some cupboard or box. Then, voila! It sits there at the bottom of the bed
Of course this is nonsense, but I just wanted to highlight that for most of us hot water bottles are. I can't even remember the last time that I actually bought one. it would have probably been a last minute Christmas present for an elderly relative.
We as as nation still appear to be 'tied' totally to them. We were once as a nation ridiculed by a Hungarian born author, George Mikes. He is quoted as saying "Continental people have sex lives, the English have hot water bottles", in his funny book entitled 'How to be an alien'. It is possible that there was an element of truth in the parody, especially in the days when designs were bland and uninteresting. These are adjectives that probably match a typical continental view of Anglo Saxon sex.
But wait a minute! Things have changed. i wouldn't have believed it, but these things are actually now considered to be 'sexy'? I found this site the other day that stocks styles and shapes that are quite different. If I was ever searching for an unusual gift to buy, special objects not normally seen in the shops, this place would be the place begin looking. They have everything here, from a buddha statue to retro phones, and most things in between!
For anyone interested solely in hot water bottles, the ones that appealed to me were the cushioned shaped products. These looked extremely comfortable, and may even offer great therapeutic value - especially to sufferers of aching necks and lower backs. They are made from 100% recyclable materials, and are guaranteed not to fade - perfect for the environmentally conscious.

New Furniture In The Home?


It does seem like a bit of a strange question but the chair is a very important part of the home and each room usually has a different style unless of course you are in your mid 90's and have the same chairs across the house to match both your carpet and your old fashioned wallpaper.

Is there a way you can tell what furniture is right for each room? Well the first thing you may want to think about doing is getting in an interior designer in as the will know the best thing to do with your home. Although many people think that their jobs are very pointless indeed if you hired one just for a couple of days you would really start to see how they could help you out, they can suit to people with low budgets or people that like a very strange style.

Of course you could just take a trip to the furniture online as this way you get to choose everything yourself. However the one disadvantage you have for shopping in store is that you always get that irritating sales guy badgering on about how you should get this and how you should get that.

But it is also true to say that there are disadvantages of shopping online an it would seem that the major one is that you cannot get a good feel for the furniture.

So it is really up to you what kind of furniture you buy whether it is modern furniture or not you will know what kind to get once you really start to inspect the room.
One of the best ideas to take is to take a good look around the house to see the best route to go down first, always try to do one room at a time.

Make Furnishing Your Home Environmentally Friendly


If you are always looking for ways to make your home greener, you've probably seen this post title many times before. Despite the title of this post suggesting it's a standard 'make your home greener' post, it's not.
The majority of the other posts are based on improving your home and how you can save money in the process. They tend to talk about having loft insulation, double glazing, not leaving your TV's on, things like that. This post is all about, what you can do after you've done all that.
Although you may have managed to stop your home from wasting so much energy, there is one aspect that's commonly forgotten. Every so often we decide to redecorate our homes, this often leads to changes in everything from wallpaper tobathroom accessories.This is where you can make some improvements.
When buying new furniture, you rarely think about the environmental consequences. I guess it's a tough enough job to find something that everyone likes, without it being environmentally friendly too. But when you think about it, a lot of energy has gone into making these products. They tend to be constructed in large factories which waste large amounts of energy, they are then shipped back to the UK after being made abroad.
Fortunately, due to everyone becoming more aware of our impact on the environment, many retailers are offering greener, more eco-friendlyhome furnishings.
From everything fromtableware to kitchen accessories, there are lots of products out there that you can buy that are better for the environment. All these little things, and big things, that you need to buy for your home have an impact on the environment. This is something that should be in the minds of everyone when it comes to furnishing your home. Reducing the amount of actual energy your home wastes isn't the only way you can reduce your home's impact on the planet. Although it can't be avoided with some home accessories, you'd be surprised at how many you really can buy that are more environmentally friendly.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

How To Make Whitewash Furniture


whitewash furniture has peaks and troughs in its popularity. Currently it has found its popularity has reached new heights and pieces have been known to sell for incredible amounts of money. There are places that you can buy high quality white furniture such as beds and bedside tables for good a good price, but if you want to make your own here is how.

1.First you need to sand down whatever pierce of furniture you wish to whitewash. This can be done just by using a piece of sandpaper or an electrical sanding device. If the piece has many layers of paint on it, you might need to use chemical paint stripping.You then need to clean the wood thoroughly to remove all dirt, dust and sawdust. Wait for wood to dry

2.Next find a container and mix two parts white paint (ideally latex paint) with one part water. you need to get hold of a 3" high quality paint brush and make sure you have a moist clean cloth to wipe away any mistakes you make. Using long sweeping strokes, brush over the wood following the grain. because the paint is watery, the wood will soak it up so you need to make sure you go over each patch well.

3.When the piece is completely covered and still damp, wipe over it with a clean cloth until the grain starts to show through again. This is give the wood a light stain look but if you want a deeper more expensive look, just repeat the previous steps as many times as you like, four should do it though.

4.When you achieve a look that you are happy with, give the wood another light sanding down to expose the grain and and then seal the wood using a satin clear polyurethane. let the substance dry before taking an abrasive nylon pad to it and rubbing gently over it. Repeat this as many times as you like until you get a look you like. Use this method to create a great white wardrobes, bedside table or even dresser.

Best Way To Use Glass When Decorating


Interior design has evolved over the decades and indeed centuries. Trends and materials have moved into and out of fashion and availability, and it is possible to identify different periods of history from decor alone. It has often been the case that interior design fashion was influenced by the aristocracy and glassware has always been an important part this. Good pieces of glass have always had some level of expensive attached to them and this has meant they have always been considered something of a luxury. Because glass has always been associated with good form (often over function), it has remained a staple ingredient in many interior design work. But how do you get the most out of it?

Minimising colour scheme. Whilst coloured glasses can look very attractive, it is all too easy to get carried away and mix too many colours of glass-vases or glass bowls together for example. If you don't want to end up with your rooms looking there has been a paintball fight going on in them, you should not go crazy with the colours. It is a much better idea to stick to two or three colours or use different shades of one colour scheme.

Use to improve light
. The ability of glass to refract light entering a room and re-distribute it in multiple directions has made it a very valuable tool or manipulating light. Of course this is most effective when the glass is thinner and has lower levels of pigment, but thicker glass can still work when the light is quite intense. In rooms with low light, you can place some vases or wine glasses near the window and it will help move the light deeper into the room, and avoid it being concentrated in only one area.

Mix with opposites
. It is often the case that opposite work well together in interior design. Glass is well known for having a shiny and polished finish, and with this in mind it often works incredibly well in interior design when placed alongside less reflective and more rough materials. A pair of whisky-glasses and decanter set to a background of concrete or brushed steel works really well for example. Or what about using a glass chandelier against an artex ceiling (not that artex looks good)?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

2010 SPRING COLOR TRENDS.




Design Style Guide talks about 2010 SPRING COLOR TRENDS.


Designers bring splashes of sunshine  for spring 2010. Vibrant brights add a sense of excitement to the color palette, while practical neutrals provide a safety net for cautious consumers.
Spring hues featuring light colors white or pink are ideal for a girl's bedroom this year. Using a polka dot pillow as inspiration is the main point for a focal wall for this room. The whole effect is even more highlighted by using polka dots in 2 different sizes in the same room. Damask fabric in apple green complements the vivid pink wall, while a white headboard and bedding give the space a crisp, fresh look. Because of the simplicity of this design and clean lines the colors contrast really well with each other. I also like the small details like black outlines on pillows.


Design Style Guide finds some accessories perfect for this room.


Tips for the best way to paint these pretty polka dots on the walls, ceilings or anywhere else you want to put polka dots! The instructions for this polka dot painting technique very is simple.


1. Go to to the kitchen and find one, larger round dish like a plate to use as a template.
2. Simply trace the cirles in the pattern of your choice.
3.  A flat painted surface is preferable to a semi-gloss or eggshell paint. To get good adherence, the shine has to be removed from the original surface for each and every painted circle or polka dot.
4. You might have better control of your painted patterns using sponges although with sponge painting your polka dots will have a slightly differnt and textured look.


If you don't feel confident about painting polka dots on the wall, you may want to give painting polka dots by using stencil patterns a shot or purchase white circle wall decalls that are the same size and simply adhear them to the wall. If you simply do not have time and do not mind the cost than simply find a wall paper with large polka dots and you are set.
Preserved plants and flowers : how to keep them safe

Preserved floral decoration

Floral DIY enthusiasts know since long time how to use silk flowers to create floral arrangements.

Considering the success that preserved flowers are having , and the fact that preserved flowers are conquering a large slice of the market belonging to silk flowers , Il Numero Verde decided to release this small How-to to help our customers ( and potential ones ) to better understand how to use at best their brand new preserved flowers.

This tutorial is organized in small paragraphs to be easy to understand and put in practice .

1- HINTS TO KEEP YOUR PRESERVED FLOWERS

This is a small list of practices to avoid damaging your preserved roses

- keep them beetween 12 and 28 Celsius degrees

- do not water them

- avoid touching petals and parts of the flowers with water

- keep them in dry environments without dust

- do not put them out of the boxes until you have to use them

- do not keep them less than 50 cm to warm electrical lights , because on a long exposition to hot lights preserved flowers will begin to lose colour

2 - BEST USE PRACTICE

To avoid ruining your preserved flowers while you are using them ( for example : by breakingleaves ) follow these giudelines :

- when you fix preserved heads with glue , always wait 10 seconds before putting the flower's head at contact with the hot glue

- if you fix with iron wire , never insert the wire form the bottom of the head but always from one of its side . This will avoid the bud to crush or lose petals

- although the quality of foam is not a must , use professional foams when working with preserved flowers , for example choose the brand Oasis to be sure that your stems won't suffer or dry

- do not use preserved flowers or petals with cold glue or adhesive tape beacuse petals will get damaged

- do not mix in the same floral arrangement preserved flowers and fresh cut flowers , because when people will water the fresh ones , the preserved flowers will get damaged . But you can mix without problems preserved roses and artificial greenery

We hope these small hints will help you enjoying the best results possible with your beautiful preserved flowers. And if you are looking for preserved flowers have a look at our online boutique , proudly specialized in providing to floral professionals the best preserved plants since 1999.

8 day cuckoo clock spices up your home


As we all know by now, it was during the mid 1700s that the world famous cuckoo clock, famed for its beauty and craftsmanship, originated in the deep and cold black forest region of Germany and Bavaria. This writing is a discussion of the high quality 8 day cuckoo clock.

Cuckoo clock lovers choose the 8 day cuckoo clock for its antique value and quality. These clocks are needed to be rewind every 8 days. When the clock strikes a full hour, the uniquely crafted door will open and the cuckoo bird will call out the number of hours.

For example, the cuckoo bird will croon 5 times when it's 5 o' clock. The bird also announces the half hour as the clock strikes.

To distinguish between the 1 day and 8 day cuckoo clock, you can look at the weights. The weights in the 1 day cuckoo clock are usually smaller, lighter than the ones in the 8 day cuckoo clock. These 8 day cuckoo clocks are relatively more expensive than the 1 day cuckoo clocks. An 8 or the letter A is usually written on the 8 day cuckoo clocks to denote their 8 day mechanical movement.

There is also the 8 day musical cuckoo clock. So what are the differences? Again this 8 day cuckoo clock is quite similar to its previous variety I mentioned above. One distinct feature, as its name suggests, is that the 8 day musical cuckoo clock can also play music and sometimes may even have more animations. Wind up every 8 days is still required.

Every hour, a cuckoo bird will come out of its gate and announce the number of hours. This is usually followed by a special melody. As the clock strikes the half hour, the cuckoo bird will call out once by a different melody. A rotating drum is used to alternative different tunes every hour.

In the musical 8 day cuckoo clock, M indicates music, while 8 or A indicates the 8 day mechanical movement. You may also find a T sign that denotes movable objects like animals, water mills, moving dancers or other things that can turn or move.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Don't let muddy colours spoil your paintings


Whether an artist is specialising in pet portraits, landscapes, or traditional portraits, keeping colours as bright as possible is an important part of producing paintings that appear fresh an clean.

The appearance of any colour is dependant on the circumstance in which it is seen. The way a colour is seen is effected by the colours next to it and on which it is placed. For instance, yellow will seem washed out and pale next to white, but strong and bright next to black. Colour also has tone and can be put into groups. Lemon yellows, golden yellows, oranges and yellow earth colours can be subsituted for one another in mixtures or used to shade each other when describing form. Also, many colours will have an undertone, meaning that they have an element of another colour in their make-up. For instance, red may range from having pronounced yellow undertones to blue.

Laying out your palette
Firstly, the artist should always consider the permanence of his or her colours and limit these to as few as possible, try to avoid colours that are very similar. Laying out your palette properly is important, as it'll make the whole painting process easier. Messy palettes, where colours contaminate each other, muddying their appearance and hence, the appearance of the painting. For complicated techniques, that involve several stages, it's best to lay out a selection of palettes representing each stage of the process. The aim is to have colours placed far enough away from each other so that they do not get contaminated plus, the area where you mix these colours, should also be kept away from the original colours so that you keep them as bright as possible. Best practice for colour placement, is to put them in a line in order of importance along the top of the palette, so that the most used colours are within easy reach. White is ordinarily placed nearest the thumb (in the 'top' spot as it were), but some artists like to have the white in the centre of the line. If particular colour mixes or shades are anticipated, these can be laid out in lines under the main colours.

Colour mixing
The permanence of colour is decreased when mixed, a few colours can become very impermanent if diluted too much. Indeed, when mixing colours, you should keep the amount used to just two or three, this will avoid colours getting too muddy. All the same, you need to be aware that many commercial colours are already a mix of different pigments, so will be more likely to produce muddy colours if over mixed. Brighter tones can be achieved without the loss of colour saturation by mixing with sympathetic colours.

Sewing Machines - What Types Are Available?


Choosing the best machine for your needs can be a tedious task because there are so many models on the market. Luckily, they fall within three general types, and knowing which type you require will make your search for the perfect one significantly easier.

1) Mechanical Sewing Machines

These machines are controlled by a rotary wheel. Any adjustment, like the tension or the length, or width of the stitch, is done by simply moving a dial.

These are your no-frills machines that can support your most basic sewing needs. They are also inexpensive, making them ideal for beginners, which is why manufacturers still make them and sell them in large numbers.

If you want an easy-to-use mechanical sewing machine, then consider the Janome Magnolia 7318. It is the perfect machine for simple garmet repairs, crafting and quilting.

2) Electronic Sewing Machines

Many sewing enthusiasts oft for electronic sewing machines as they can create more in terms of stitches and patterns. The most notable thing about an electronic sewing machine is that there are some functions that can be accomplished just by pushing a button.

An electrical impulse shoots the needle up and returns it back to place in a sequence matched by the feeding mechanism which pushes the cloth through the machine. It really makes the whole process much faster.

The Singer sewing machine 7442 model is the most popular electronic sewing machines. This machine comes with hundreds of functions, push-button controls, adjustable stitch length and width and reverse stitching.

3) Computerized Sewing Machines

With the use of technology and modern innovations over the years, sewing machines are now more functional and complex, with the presence of a built in computer now being more than just a novelty.

This can really mean hands off sewing, as you just need to type in instructions, and then press a button or two. A sequence of stitches can be programmed, so you do not have to perform the exact same movements over and over again.

The Brother Quattro 600D is an ideal computerized sewing machine for all sewing enthusiasts. Regardless of whether you are into sewing, embroidery, crafting or quilting, it machine will never fail you.
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How to Purchase Essential Home Furniture


1. Before you go furnishings shopping, decide right away the minimum of what you need to purchase for each room in your home and make a list of essential home furniture. Do not forget about sizes and other preferences to the list. If you have a roommate, be sure to consider his or her opinion before purchasing furniture.

2. Stop at nothing to find wholesalers and discounters. Doing this will save you a aggregation of money. While there are sometimes minor issues on these pieces, they are ofttimes issues will not even notice. Do not over analyze a major decision, one ding will happen very easily once in your house anyway.

3. Decide on a budget. Question yourself, are you purchasing for a home apartment furniture or something else? Set a budget and stick to it. It haw mean making more than one trip to look for sales and such, but in the end it will be worth it as you won't have spent more than you can afford to.

4. Shop at stores like the Rescue Mission and Salvation Army. We have personally gotten some very nice pieces of furnishings by shopping at thrift stores. Some hardware places will clear out high quality items from their hardware areas that have been left behind by people who did not keep up their fees, or others decide they have to have new furnishings every couple of years, even though there is scarce any wear and tear on their older furniture. Whatever the reason, you can ofttimes find bargains on nearly new furnishings at second-hand stores.

5. Buy your furnishings from a furnishings warehouse where the sales clerks are paid on commission. Sometimes you can bargain with the clerk and find out that if you purchase more than one example of furnishings you can get a better and bigger discount.

Having clean carpets is essential


It's good to maintain clean carpets. If you live in Sussex, check out Carpet Cleaning Crawley who are specialists when it comes to carpet cleaning. A large quantity of dirt builds up and it is a tough task to get it all out. Because of this it is essential to keep your carpets clean.
It is recommended that you clean your carpets twice a year. In this way you can rest assured that you always have clean carpets. It could prove wise to contact a company which specialises in carpet cleaning. They have the skill to deal with lots of different fabrics. This is vital because an understanding of the chemical formulas is vital. Another good reason is that the chemicals they use are far more powerful than any you could purchase yourself.
Taking the DIY approach will mean that you'll need to obtain the right equipment. If you have many rooms to clean it might be more efficient to do your own carpet cleaning. But if your house is small consider contacting a cleaning company. If you do take the do it yourself approach make sure you know your carpets well. Depending on the type of carpet you have will determine which chemical formula you use.
It's possible to get rid of lots of bad stains by extracting them with a cleaning machine. Stains you can get rid of include food stains, alcohol stains and many other types of stains. The longer you leave a stain the more difficult it will be to remove the stain. Therefore as soon as it happens take action immediately.
At some point in time you will have to buy new carpets. An expert can advise you on whether it is a simple case of cleaning your carpet or whether you will need to purchase a new one. Normally most carpets keep for at least a decade but it depends on the amount of wear and tear.

Making A Bird House As Well As Bird Feeder By Following Simple Blueprints


If you can give birds a safe and secure protection, array of food along with treats, and clean water, you can be positive to invite the most lovely and uncommon birds into your backyard.
Bird houses
Bird houses are basically built in many dimensions as well as with a selection of different lumber varieties. The birds take pleasure in a harmless haven subject to the outside temperatures as well as predators and it allows them to nest. Birds always need somewhere to nest, so why not put up a variety of wooden bird houses in distinct dimensions meant for the birds within your area. A basic wooden bird house will be extremely simple to construct, plus will as well be a fun weekend endeavor. You will be able to find various different bird house plans by means of searching the net.
Here are some important things for you to reflect on when building your own wooden bird house:
Do research the surroundings and the different variety of birds commonly known to migrate within your territory.
Do understand the needs of the bird houses, such as the size, as well as location. Having bird house plans can give you better ideas on how to make an adequate shelter.
Don't paint, stain, varnish, or treat the inside or around the hole entry of the bird house, this is going to keep away the birds. There can be various different woods that you may employ to make your bird house, but the most frequently used is cedar. Cedar lumber is a good material which does not require to be pained, stained, or else treated.
Avoid using a perch on a bird house. By putting a perch on the bird house, the bird may become trapped indoors with panic. A perch will permit a predator bird to linger on the perch until the smaller birds to come outside.
Drill the proper entry opening for the bird you are trying to attract. Again, the importance of size. You will want to study the birds in your area after that know which ones you would be keen to invite to the backyard.
Location
The importance of a great location to correctly mount the bird house is a considerable part of your awaited new guests. When you are finished building the bird house, you will have to find a good site, that is away from any hazard, such as cats, in addition to weather. A fine location would be situated anywhere in your property that doesn't contain to much human activity, however it is capable to permit you to observe the birds with no obstruction. The bird house may be hung on a tree, otherwise mounted to a post or tree limb, and it should be situated at least 3 to 10 ft. high.
Bird feeder
Adding bird feeders to your property is another method to attract birds. As declared above, you ought to research the different variety of birds frequently known to migrate into your territory, that is going to present you certain insight as to which sort of bird feed along with treats to fill the bird feeders. When birds notice the recently built bird feeder and the wonderful treats you are providing them, you can expect to start seeing the birds collect to your backyard.
Building a simple wooden bird feeder is not complicated at all, you will acquire several ideas through searching for bird feeder plans on the net, as well as visiting a bookstore or library.
Water
Birds are also attracted by water. Birds need a water area for drinking plus for bathing. This to is a endeavor that you will be able to create on your own, or else if you do not have time purchase at a store. It is recommended that you look into different bird bath plans and see if this is a project you would enjoy to achieve. You can additionally use any shallow container to hold water. You will be able to set them on the ground or above the ground, close to the feeders would be a fine location. If you are known to contain cats in the site it would be recommended that you make it nearer and accessible to the birds so that they will not become prey to such animals.

Easy to Follow Tips on How to Make Stained Glass Step by Step


How to stained glass step by step is one of the biggest questions we receive through our stained glass making website.
Below is an outline of the steps you'll follow as you create your glass art.
There are many methods and techniques and the steps we list have worked wonders for us. Take baby steps and follow a plan which is what we have provided here.
Here it is - stained glass step by step These steps can vary per project, but this provides a nice outline.
Step 1: Lead or Copper foil? We prefer copper foil when beginning. You are literally limited by your own creativity. Use your creativity.
Step 2: Get your glass and supplies/tools. There are many places to buy the items you'll need. Some are cheap and some not so cheap. Some tools you won't even use so research before you decide. Then set up your workspace. It doesn't have to be big, but does have to provide room for a small mess.
Step 3: Get comfortable with your Glass Cutter. This will be one of your most utilized tools when creating stained glass. Learn the techniques it will take to get your first piece looking beautiful.
Step 4: Do you need a grinder?? Things to consider include safety issues, choosing the right head, using water, following the right procedures, and so forth. These are all important issues when grinding.
Step 5: Working with the copper foil. This also takes some practice but because of today's ease of use, you can catch on pretty quickly.
Step 6: Soldering. There is basic soldering, spot soldering, finishing, tinning, and more soldering applications that you will want to learn on how to make stained glass step by step. Again practice with the tools as there are some that you will use quite a bit.
Step 7: Finally, clean, apply the finish, and plan to display your art. Do this as soon as you're done soldering for a clean and professional look.
There you go. Nothing to it right? This is just a simple outline - the key to any art is to learn, do, learn, do.
This is a very simple outline on how to make stained glass step by step. There are a lot of intricacies that have been left out (due to the sheer amount of info) and it is easier to follow these steps with visual pictures, video, etc. so consider that when trying to learn this art form.
If you are really serious about learning how to make stained glass, then you can save yourselves hundreds of dollars and frustration by visiting CreateStainedGlass.com where you'll find an art site filled with stained glass tips and techniques!