So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Friday, January 2, 2009

Jewlery for Men: Design Some Today

By Elias Riftinger

Is it true that there are diamond jewelry pendants for men? Do men love diamonds as much as women? For women there is a plethora of options. Diamonds come in drops, hearts, and flower shapes. Then there is birds and geometric shapes as well, and that is just the beginning. But do men have all of these options? Men should have the same options as women for designer diamond jewelry. Some of the most popular shapes for men are crosses, nuggets, and coins. However, there should definitely be some unique opportunities for men and designer jewelry as well.

Perhaps the best option is custom design. This allows the man to be as simple or as intricate about the design of his diamond pendant as he wants to be. His imagination and his ability to explain his design to the jeweler are the only limitations. Some designs that have been done are bezel settings and infinity symbols.

Popular symbols can also be taken into consideration and altered to make them more personal and then into a custom piece of jewelry. Geometric shapes are popular as well as using more manly materials like stone. The options are truly endless. The custom jewelry created by men are an excellent way for them to display their style and be involved in the process as well.

There are always going to be some men who think that diamonds are too flashy or that designer jewelry is purely a feminine experience. However, diamonds do not always have to be their usual color. Diamonds are available in black, brown, and many other colors that may suit the more manly man better. They are still the same as typical diamonds in their strength and durability and therefore remain a more masculine choice. Men can enjoy diamonds too without feeling like they are treading in thin ice with their manhood.

Designer diamond jewelry that is customized for men is an excellent way for men to enjoy diamonds as well. With the colors and shapes that are available, it is a great opportunity for men to display their style and personality as well. Sometimes trends dictate what is appropriate for men, but truth is, men can definitely make their own standards but also settings that are operational. Men should visit a designer shop in their own cities so that they can start to make their creation today from pendants to trendy rings.

Jewelry is a great expression of personality and women should not be the only ones allowed to express themselves in this manner. However, it is important to also look at current trends so that it is not over done. This is of course a rule that women should follow as well.

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Power Log Splitter - An Investment In Time

By Nash Wendin

Everyone who has a fireplace or a wood stove has heard the age-old saying, "Firewood warms you twice; once when you cut it and once when you burn it." This was true for decades, as men and women used sledgehammers, mallets and wedges when splitting firewood. But in the last few years hydraulic, gasoline and electric log splitters have replaced much of the manual labor. The result: people spend more time relaxing by the fire than before.

What is important when shopping for a quality log splitter? The first question to ask would be: Will this be used for personal firewood only or will it be used to split wood that will be sold to others? If the wood is going to be used in a home stove or fireplace, then smaller equipment is sufficient (beginning in the 2 to 5 ton range). But for commercial log splitting, it will be necessary to purchase equipment that exerts up to 20 tons of pressure. Purchasing a splitter that is much too small is an invitation to trouble, as the engine will overheat or be damaged because it is overtaxed.

Some individuals have found that the quality log splitter is excellent for uses beyond the simple task of providing wood for the stove or fireplace. Some have incorporated their splitter into a furniture-making process, creating excellent chairs, tables and other items from rough wood that is initially split with the hydraulic or electric splitter. Commercial-grade splitters are used by forest-product suppliers to create rough-cut planking, prepare large trees for transport to the mill and so on. In every case, the modern log splitter has become an important tool for both private and commercial use. All of this translates into time saved and money saved.

Log splitters of sufficient strength and quality to last for years may cost hundreds of dollars. While it is possible to purchase an electric splitter for personal use, the larger hydraulic splitter can generally be more powerful and are good for commercial and heavy-duty use. These high-end items may cost thousands, rather than hundreds, of dollars.

If the log splitter is to be used only for home firewood, when the stove or fireplace is more a luxury item than a necessity, the smaller splitter should be sufficient. If the splitter will be used in a firewood business, even on a part time scale, it may be wise to figure out how much wood can be split per hour or per day, to get some idea about cost. Hydraulic log splitters can also be a tool for creating log furniture. In this case, it is also very important to get a splitter that is powerful enough and durable enough. It would be wise to take a bit of extra time to learn more about splitters, their capabilities and their costs, before choosing one that is too small.

With any power equipment, there is the issue of safety. While many new models of log splitter are self-lubricating and require very little maintenance, the more the individual learns about the equipment the safer it will be when in use. Tip: Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you.

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Beginning a Web Ecommerce Business Through Nicheblueprint

By Tom Bills

Don't you think it's about time you fired that boss? Is that daily commute to your workplace driving you mad? With all the job cuts predicted throughout 2009 do you now feel insecure in your current job?

Maybe it's the right time in your life to start building your own business from the Internet! Why the Internet I hear you ask? Well quite simply because the Internet industry is continuing to grow despite all of the global economy problems of late.

Also the great thing about the Internet is that most of the time you do not have to have an awful lot of money to invest initially in your business.

There are many things you could build a business around on the Internet, however one sector that has if anything benefited from the economical crisis so far has been web e-commerce.

This is because as shoppers try to tighten up and spend less money they are looking for cheap, more economical places to shop and most of the time the Internet is the cheapest place to purchase goods since there are far less costs involved for the vendor.

However getting involved in web e-commerce or any other Internet business will take a lot of time and effort on your part to learn everything necessary to be successful. This is where a course like niche blueprint can really help you out.

Niche blueprint isn't just a course, apart from explaining to you in written and video form everything you need to know, it also provides you with all the tools and materials necessary to get going.

Niche blueprint hasn't actually launched just yet (well not at the time of writing anyway) but it will be available from the 12th of January 2009. This course has an awful lot of expectation since it is the follow-up to the extremely successful commission blueprint course launched last year and I would have to highly recommend it.

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Hot Tips On Nissan Auto Body Parts

By Tope Olawumi

Nissan auto body parts tower above others in quality performance. They last long in operation and are highly reliable. Being a car that is widely famous among auto lover internationally, some of the brands are recognized for their classic family design while others are crafted with a sports car theme. No matter your interests you will always find your choice in Nissan vehicles. That also goes for the auto body parts, they play a major role in the shape and ability of your car.

Sound Auto Body Parts Lead

You must understand that auto body parts together with several other auto parts and accessories form the livewire of your car and so must be well catered for for high level performance of your car. Nissan products can only work well with high quality parts, the reason why all their products are carefully crafted and highly tested for high performance. Apart from the fact that sub-standard Nissan auto body parts can badly affect the performance of your vehicle it also leads to frequent repair and maintenance work and changing of parts. Most less-standard cost less when compared a good and quality one however you end up paying more in future and at the same time not having value for your money. You have to be penny and pound wise.

Locate Authorized Nissan Auto Body parts Shops

Where you buy your auto body parts determines the quality and service that you enjoy. If you can just locate the right dealer every other things will fall in place. There are many Nissan-approved auto stores that stocks many parts and accessories of their products. Because they are directly affiliated to the auto maker, some of them sell at discounted prices, which is also a big advantages to you. in addition to this, some of them also have aftermarket auto body parts which are products from independent manufacturers, that can also work well with your car due to their high standard. Thus, you have lots of products, and quality brands to choose from, if and only if, you patronize approved Nissan auto body parts dealers.

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Ways To Minimize Your Vehicle Insurance Costs

By Cathrina Maree

Many times, when people are in the passion of purchasing a new car,they forget to calculate the cost of the auto insurance policy they will need to safeguard their pristine ride.This can put people under financial stress because they are time and again stretched to the very confines of their monthly budget for the car payment, neglecting to add in the price of their car insurance premiums.

It is extremely essential these days to include a first-class automobile insurance policy. Being protected is important for two primary reasons. It is lawfully obligatory in virtually every state and province in the US and Canada, but also since it protects persons from a disastrous financial situation, should a major accident transpire that causes property damage and/or bodily injury.

On top of that, any time that a vehicle is purchased with financing from a lending institution, there will also be a requirement from the lender that the purchaser has collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage, in addition to liability coverage. This type of coverage protects the owner and the lender from any loss that might arise from an accident. Once the loan is paid off, the purchaser can drop this additional coverage if they choose to.

Here are the distinct components to a general auto insurance policy. The most important aspects of the vehicle insurance policy contain liability coverage, which is the negligible insurance most states expect a driver to carry, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, personal injury protection, medical cost coverage, accidental death benefits, property damage coverage, and uninsured or under insured motorist coverage. It is valuable to understand these various types of coverage in order to effectively compare auto insurance rates.

Liability insurance is the most fundamental mode of coverage and is also the most customary, since it is essential by law in many states in order for a driver to be thought of as satisfactorily covered. A liability policy gives coverage for property damage and injury to others that is caused by the driver carrying such coverage. It does not include losses that the driver incurs, but only the losses that other parties experience as the result of an accident that was the failing of the covered driver.

Collision coverage will help you to fix any damage to the driver's vehicle as the result of a fender-bender. Comprehensive automobile insurance will protect the individual carrying such a policy against other types of loss too, such as theft, damage caused by floods and storms, falling objects, explosions, earthquakes, riots and other such events. Some comprehensive coverage will additionally include reimbursement for lost wages as a result of an mishap.

It is a good idea to either do some online research for automobile insurance quotes on the make and model of the car you are thinking about buying, or phone your insurance agent, before signing any paperwork and finalizing the purchase.Their insurance company can quickly tell them what their new auto insurance rates will be for the car they are considering. This will help them stay within their budget and help them to avoid getting into a financial bind.

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How Do You Thread A Bernina Sewing Machine?

By Davd Trumble

Incorrect sewing machine thread problems often force sewers to seek professional sewing machine care.

Without thread there is no sewing. Thread is an essential. The sewing machine uses thread to attach fabrics together. Indeed, most sewing machines use two threads.

An upper thread is threaded through the eye of the needle. A second thread is wound on a bobbin and inserted under the sewing arm.

The needle moves up and down through the presser foot, fabric, and needle plate drawing the upper thread with it. This thread is caught by the mechanism below and wrapped around the bobbin thread. When the needle rises, the threads pull tighter until they form a locked stitch in the fabric.

Unfortunately, when a sewing machine is improperly threaded, the stitching is irregular or may not form at all. While there are many ways to wrongly thread a sewing machine, there is only one right way. There are many different makes and models, and they do not thread exactly the same way. Therefore, it is essential to learn how to properly thread the sewing machine. Do it right every time.

What about threading an Elna1010? Or a Pfaff 93? Or a Viking 6000? What steps can you do to make sure your are threading the sewing machine accurately? Is there a technique that works for threading most machines, or is threading completely different? What is an easy way to thread a sewing machine?

This easy to follow threading technique will produce great results on most machines. This quick and easy method will give you dependable threading.

Start threading with the top thread spool. There are many different designs of spools fat old wooden spools, plastic fat spools, and plastic narrow spools. They all work about the same, however, some work better horizontally or vertically. Therefore always set the spool pin on the best spool (available) for your machine. Use a spool cap on horizontal pins to prevent snagging.

Before threading further, look from right to left across the top of the sewing machine. You should see at least one and possibly more thread guides. It is essential that you inspect each guide to make sure it is smooth and has not rough edges that might snag the thread. File or smooth out these edges if necessary. Draw the thread from the spool from right to left through each guide sequentially. Make sure the thread flows freely off the spool and through the guides.

Some spool pins attach to the back of the sewing machine, and a few sewing machines have spool pins at the base behind the machine. Many people use an optional free standing accessory spool pin stand. These are usually sit behind the machine. Thread nets may be helpful. Smooth thread flow if vital, so double check by drawing a few inches of thread while you feel for snags.

Once you have threaded the top of the sewing machine, draw the thread through the tension assembly. Older machines have front mounted tension assemblies, while more modern machines have enclosed tensions. Tension assemblies consist of two or more spring loaded disc shaped parts that press against the thread as it moves through them. This creates resistance.

Here is a trouble spot. Threading the tension assembly can be tricky. The key is to seat the thread through tension discs. The thread may snag on rough spots, rust, or lint trapped inside the tension assembly. More often the thread will ride along the top of the tension discs and fail to be properly seated. In the first case, excessive tension will be created. In the second case, little or no tension will result. The thread must be properly seated to insure proper tension operations.

Prevent this problem by lifting the presser foot when you begin threading. Keep it up until you have threaded the needle. The raised presser foot keeps the tension discs open, making it easy for the thread to slide into position. Also clean out the tension assembly. Remove any lint, debris, rust, or rough spots.

Once the tension is properly threaded, draw the thread through the tension spring or take up spring. This device maintains constant pressure on the thread and prevents it from flopping around.

Following the tension spring, the thread is threaded up and through the take up lever. Miss this lever and stitches mess up. Draw the thread through any final thread guides to the needle.

Test the upper threading now by taking hold of the thread with your left hand and gently tugging. The thread should flow freely. If it drags or snags, there is a problem that you must trace back to its origin. Now release the presser foot. Test the thread again. When you tug on the thread you should feel significant resistance. If you do not, double check the threading of the tension assembly. This completes the upper threading once you thread the needle.

Finally, thread the bobbin. Check to make sure the bobbin is smoothly wound on the bobbin " not too tight or too loose. Insert the filled bobbin into the bobbin carrier. Draw the bobbin thread through the bobbin tension.

Pull the bobbin thread through the needle plate by holding the thread behind the needle with your left hand while you advance the hand wheel with your right. Turn the hand wheel around until the needle goes all the way down and rises back up above the needle plate. Pull with your left and to draw up the bobbin thread.

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Learn To Sew " 5 Tips

By Donna Trumble

Discover sewing. Find a fresh new world of creative possibilities. Explore the wonders of texture and color. Enjoy this relaxing hobby that enriches everyone.

Tip One. Envision yourself creating beautiful things. Imagine amazing possibilities. If you can dream it, you can make it.

The possibilities are endless. Imagine how you can take your ordinary clothes (pants, shirts, jackets) and transform them into amazing wearable art -- Your own wearable art. Think of all the things you could make to decorate your home like table runners, pillows, curtains, lamp shades, wall hangings, comforters, quilts Let your imagination run wild. Explore. Experiment. Dream. Develop your passion for creating beauty all around you.

Tip Two. Learn everything you can. Learn from sewing teachers, sewing courses, and sewing books. The internet offers many resources, and your local yellow pages may reveal local workshops, classes, and sewing machine stores.

Tip Three. Get the right equipment and tools. When you first start sewing, you might think to yourself, I cant afford to invest very much money in sewing equipment, because I might not like sewing or follow through. You are exactly right. Investing in a hobby that you expect to do for only a week or two or project or two, is foolish. To invest money in junk equipment, however, is too.

Start out right. Get a good quality sewing machine. Pay a little more to get the best value you can afford. This will save you hours of frustration and grief dealing with junk equipment. Look for a good local sewing machine store that offers local repair, service, and instruction. You will find quality and get the best value for your investment.

Choosing the right tools and materials is a big deal. While quality tools will make every job easier; junk tools will cause endless frustration.

Buy value every time. Buy quality. When sewing is easy, you will sew more. So avoid cheap tools that make the tasks frustrating. Produce top quality projects with quality tools and materials.

Tip Four. Start sewing with simple easy projects. Understand that success leads to more success. Move from basic sewing instructions to more complex projects. Take your time to master the basic sewing skills you want.

Enjoy your projects. Have fun, while you experience sewing success. When you complete a project, make it a party. The joy of victory produces even more success.

Share your project achievements with all your friends. The support and encouragement of friends and relatives can make your sewing success even more meaningful. Share your successes.

Tip five. Become all you can become. Stretch yourself. Grow your skills. Learn more and more. Complete simple basic projects and move on to more exciting challenges. You have no limits. Go for it.

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Make Movie Theater Popcorn at Home!

By Tom Fischer

Did you know that so many popcorn lovers go to the movies just to eat movie theater popcorn? Yes, its true, but only a few people know that there is an alternative to having to go to the movies for popcorn. You can get the same yummy taste at home!

If you want movie style popcorn at home as well, I would recommend the Whirley Pop Popcorn Popper. This home popcorn popper is a stovetop popcorn maker, which is a simple, yet great kitchen accessory. It is made up of an aluminum pan with a clip on top, that has a stay-cool handle attached to it, which you turn. The rod in turn rotates a stirring dasher inside of the Whirley Popcorn Maker's pan, which makes sure that all kernels remain in motion during the popping process, and are recieving the same amount of heat and oil. The Whirley Pop also has steam vents on its lid, which lets moisture escape.

First things first, you have to decide how much popcorn you'll want to pop and prepare the ingredients based on the following:

Quarts of Popcorn | Amount of Oil | Amount of Good Quality Popping Corn

2 |1 tablespoon | 1/3 Cup

4 |2 tablespoon | 2/3 Cup

6 |2 tablespoons | 1 Cup

8 |3 tablespoons | 1 1/4 Cups

And follow the following steps:

1. There is no need to preheat the popper or the oil.

2. Put the Whirley Pop Popcorn Popper and the above ingredients onto stove (either electric or gas, it makes no difference) and turn it to medium heat. Don't add any seasoning yet, just the corn and oil.

3. Slowly rotate the wooden lever, and adjust the stove temperature so popping finishes after approximately 3 min.

4. Start turning the lever, and continue to do so all the way through the popping process. You may stop when these is only an occasional pop of about 1 every 2 seconds, or when the stay-cool crank becomes hard to turn.

5. Take the popcorn maker off the stove immediately.

6. Pour the popcorn into a serving bowl.

7. Sprinkle with butter, salt or popcorn seasoning and enjoy!

Some Advice on Using Your Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker

* If you set the heat too high, you will burn your popcorn! Medium heat is the way to go!

* Don't use too much oil, 1-2 tablespoons is enough.

* Use good quality corn.

With the recipe above, you will see, that it is very possible to make movie theater style popcorn in your own home. It will be healthier as well, since they add a lot of artificial ingredients and flavors to movie popcorn due to its almost being mass produced, so even though the Whirley pop uses oil, it will still be healthier.

You might also want to try a a hot air if you are very concerned about your diet. Air poppers utilize very hot, rotating air to pop the corn instead of hot oil, thereby keeping the calorie and saturated fat count to a minimum. Add some salt, butter or seasoning at the end, but know that every extra ingredient changes the nutritional values of your snack, and not for the better. But if you want that movie theater taste, you will deffinitelly want to try a Whirley Pop Popper.

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