Duct Tape is a fabric based, adhesive material mainly used for sealing joints in sheet metal ductwork. This cloth tape, an indispensable item in tool kits, has polyethylene resin coatings on one side and a rubber based sticking material on the other side. Duct tape is nickname ‘the ultimate material’ because of its high holding power and versatility.
Duct tape originated in 1942, during World War II. Permacel, a former division of Johnson and Johnson Company, invented the tape as a waterproof material to seal ammunition cases. The tape, initially made from cotton duck, was also used to repair various military equipment including guns, aircrafts, and jeeps. After the war, the color of the tape changed from its original olive green to silver and the material was found very useful in the housing industry. As a result, the demand of this adhesive material increased great deal and it was made available to the public under the name duct tape.
Before the final product is made available, duct tape undergoes a serious of processes, which include adhesive compounding, adhesive application, coating, respooling and slitting, and packaging. Once the manufacturing processes are over, the duct tape is checked for quality as per the directions of the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Duct tape is available in a variety of colors, of which the most common are silver and black. This malleable and soft material usually has a width of 1.88 inches. Duct tape comes in various grades, which differ in the tensile strengths. The application varies as the grade varies. Commercial grade tapes are classified into utility, general purpose, and premium grades. There are specialty grades, which include nuclear tape for reactors and a ‘200-mile-an-hour’ tape for racecars.
Monday, May 31, 2010
The Quick And Easy Formula For Hammock Buying
Here’s really simple way to buy your next hammock and make sure that you don’t get ripped off in the process. Hammocks bring back memories of lazy days spent in beach nations where time seems to stand still. This is our memory too- don’t worry- we’ve clearly been to the same destinations (and boy, we can’t wait to get back to Jamaica!). We are going to run through a three point system we use to make sure you get the best deal you can when shopping for a new hammock. Let’s start with a few places for you to check out when you are shopping that you might not think would carry an exotic item like a Hammock.
1)Check out camping stores. You might not think a place like REI would have hammocks, but they do. Nice ones. Lots of them. I do not work for REI nor am I associated with them in any way. However, I’ve shopped there a few times over the last 10 years. I’ve been overwhelmingly impressed with their selection of camping items and general supplies. They always have new stuff at decent prices. What I didn’t know is that a hammock must be a fairly popular camping item because REI (at least the one I went into) stocks them. I suppose some campers must like to use them after a hard day of mountaineering. This is great for you if you only need one for your home. Check out camping stores near you.
2)Compare prices and use Ebay. I love Ebay for more reasons than I can count. One of the best features of Ebay is the fact that I can readily compare prices of hammocks (and everything else from used fuzzy dice to camera phones) and then make my decision. If nothing else, use Ebay as the first stop in your research process to get a feel for what is selling for how much and what general range of prices you should be looking for when you finally do make a purchasing decision. Just take a look through their listings tonight, there are people from all over the world selling hammocks at good prices. If you are going to actually buy a hammock, just make sure the seller has plenty of positive feedback. It’s a great insurance policy.
3)This is the most important part of the hammock buying process. Without knowing the quality of the hammock you are investing in, there is not way of knowing whether not its going to last or whether its going to be comfortable. Not all hammocks are created equally to say the least. In fact, this is an understatement. The old adage of “you get what you pay for” is equally as valid today as it was at the turn of the (20th) century.
To give you an idea, we recently went on a trip to the Caribbean. There were $20 hammocks available at very low prices everywhere we looked. However, a quick quality check of these revealed them to be of a lower quality (and therefore wouldn’t be the most comfortable of thing to use in a few years after they wore out).
Hammocks vary in quality from the superb to the dismal. Ask anyone who has ever bought substandard hammock what the difference is and you really will get an earful. You must know what to look for to get the most comfortable hammock available at the best price.
1)Check out camping stores. You might not think a place like REI would have hammocks, but they do. Nice ones. Lots of them. I do not work for REI nor am I associated with them in any way. However, I’ve shopped there a few times over the last 10 years. I’ve been overwhelmingly impressed with their selection of camping items and general supplies. They always have new stuff at decent prices. What I didn’t know is that a hammock must be a fairly popular camping item because REI (at least the one I went into) stocks them. I suppose some campers must like to use them after a hard day of mountaineering. This is great for you if you only need one for your home. Check out camping stores near you.
2)Compare prices and use Ebay. I love Ebay for more reasons than I can count. One of the best features of Ebay is the fact that I can readily compare prices of hammocks (and everything else from used fuzzy dice to camera phones) and then make my decision. If nothing else, use Ebay as the first stop in your research process to get a feel for what is selling for how much and what general range of prices you should be looking for when you finally do make a purchasing decision. Just take a look through their listings tonight, there are people from all over the world selling hammocks at good prices. If you are going to actually buy a hammock, just make sure the seller has plenty of positive feedback. It’s a great insurance policy.
3)This is the most important part of the hammock buying process. Without knowing the quality of the hammock you are investing in, there is not way of knowing whether not its going to last or whether its going to be comfortable. Not all hammocks are created equally to say the least. In fact, this is an understatement. The old adage of “you get what you pay for” is equally as valid today as it was at the turn of the (20th) century.
To give you an idea, we recently went on a trip to the Caribbean. There were $20 hammocks available at very low prices everywhere we looked. However, a quick quality check of these revealed them to be of a lower quality (and therefore wouldn’t be the most comfortable of thing to use in a few years after they wore out).
Hammocks vary in quality from the superb to the dismal. Ask anyone who has ever bought substandard hammock what the difference is and you really will get an earful. You must know what to look for to get the most comfortable hammock available at the best price.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Pride Luxury Line
Over the past 20 years there have been many changes around the world. We have seen the destruction of the Berlin Wall, the connection of millions through the internet, and the boom and bust of the dot com bubble. There have also been tremendous changes and advancements in the home mobility equipment industry which has greatly benefited those who are, or those who take care of people who are, mobility challenged. One company that has helped to lead the charge in refining and developing medical technology is Pride Mobility Products Corporation. They have devoted millions to researching, engineering, and testing home mobility equipment with the customer's well being at the center of their heart. No product leaves their doors with out being fully inspected and evaluated One of the areas that they have helped to spear head is the lift chair industry and they have several well known and quality lines of lift chairs that are suited to fit the needs of millions of Americans.
One of Pride Mobility's most deluxe lines of lift chairs is the Luxury Line. There are over 20 chairs in the Luxury Line. All of the chairs in the Pride Luxury Line incorporate a state of the art lifting system with an elegant and well built hardwood frame. Most include a lifetime warranty on the steel lift frame, and a 7 year warranty on the rest of the mechanical parts. The luxury line incorporates an environmentally friendly foam that uses very little petroleum in its production. The use of this foam in no way degrades the sitting experience and actually greatly improves it because it is so comfortable. The chair itself is flame retardant and can withstand contact with an open flame for up to 12 seconds. Depending on the model they have a seat width of 18 inches to 26 inches and can support between 300 and 375 pounds.
There are many different lift chairs in the Luxury Line that offer special added features. The Pride LL-670 Lift Chair Bed includes a mattress that is designed to fit on top of the lift chair making it much more comfortable to sleep. The Pride LL-571 has flip open armrests that offer drink holders as well as a place to store things like remotes and books. Another model with functionality and comfort in mind is the PMR-570T. This chair has removable armrests that make transfer into and out of the chair much easier. All of the models offer superior comfort and quality.
The lift chairs manufactured by Pride Mobility Products are some of the finest in the industry. They are all designed with comfort and usability in mind. The Luxury Line goes one step farther and establishes an incredibly high standard that is used as a benchmark for other companies in the home mobility equipment industry. With all the added features and luxuries it would be easy to think that a lift chair in the Luxury Line was very expensive, but this is not the case at all. The Luxury Line is very well priced and offers comfort that can not be matched.
One of Pride Mobility's most deluxe lines of lift chairs is the Luxury Line. There are over 20 chairs in the Luxury Line. All of the chairs in the Pride Luxury Line incorporate a state of the art lifting system with an elegant and well built hardwood frame. Most include a lifetime warranty on the steel lift frame, and a 7 year warranty on the rest of the mechanical parts. The luxury line incorporates an environmentally friendly foam that uses very little petroleum in its production. The use of this foam in no way degrades the sitting experience and actually greatly improves it because it is so comfortable. The chair itself is flame retardant and can withstand contact with an open flame for up to 12 seconds. Depending on the model they have a seat width of 18 inches to 26 inches and can support between 300 and 375 pounds.
There are many different lift chairs in the Luxury Line that offer special added features. The Pride LL-670 Lift Chair Bed includes a mattress that is designed to fit on top of the lift chair making it much more comfortable to sleep. The Pride LL-571 has flip open armrests that offer drink holders as well as a place to store things like remotes and books. Another model with functionality and comfort in mind is the PMR-570T. This chair has removable armrests that make transfer into and out of the chair much easier. All of the models offer superior comfort and quality.
The lift chairs manufactured by Pride Mobility Products are some of the finest in the industry. They are all designed with comfort and usability in mind. The Luxury Line goes one step farther and establishes an incredibly high standard that is used as a benchmark for other companies in the home mobility equipment industry. With all the added features and luxuries it would be easy to think that a lift chair in the Luxury Line was very expensive, but this is not the case at all. The Luxury Line is very well priced and offers comfort that can not be matched.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Power of the Unconscious Mind - one of the secrets to easier childbirth
Copyright 2006 Lisabeth Protherough
One of the best ways I know to give a massive boost to your ability to learn new things, and then to put into practice what you have learned, is to leverage the immense power of your unconscious mind. This applies in any area of learning, whether academic or practical. Pregnancy and childbirth is a key area where women hold negative beliefs that do not serve them. They so often associate it with pain, difficulty, medical complications, as well as with the joy of the baby at the end of it all. Yet.......this can be changed to make the whole experience of pregnancy and childbirth positive and harmonious.
‘The thinking process is unconscious. We become aware of the results consciously. All change takes place at the unconscious level. We become aware of the change consciously when we are ready.’ Joseph O’Connor
What on earth does this mean???
Well, read on ……
Roughly two million bits of information per second come into the human nervous system. We are literally bombarded with information. To maintain sanity, our conscious mind filters out most of the stimuli and Miller (1956) discovered we can consciously handle only seven plus or minus two bits of information at a time.
The unconscious mind deals with everything else over and above the seven (plus or minus two) bits of information that you are not consciously paying attention to at a particular time. As soon as we switch our attention to something, then it becomes conscious. Some parts of your physiology will always be unconscious. This should not surprise us really. Our unconscious mind takes care of us all the time! We do not run our heart, lungs, kidneys, immune system etc… consciously do we?
I want to show you how to bypass the conscious mind in order to access the immense powers of your unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is around 90% of your total mind power as opposed to the 10% of the mind that you usually use in your normal daily waking state. The unconscious mind is a source of great treasure - of skill, of memory and experience.
Many people however, are in the habit of negative thinking - of dwelling on problem areas in their life by repeating exactly what they do not wish to happen. This often ends up compounding the original problems and making them even worse. For example, a Mother to be might keep on saying to herself:
"I’m scared of what will happen in childbirth".
Or: "Everything I’ve heard about childbirth says it will hurt a lot".
Or: "I simply won’t be able to take the pain".
The woman who constantly repeats these negative thoughts, either consciously or unconsciously, will be much less likely to have an easy or harmonious childbirth experience.
Underlying almost every negative emotion is a thought or belief, and most often these are unhealthy thoughts or beliefs. By unhealthy I mean they are not effective in getting you what you want in your life. They don’t serve you.
The belief (often unconscious) is like a trigger. It sets you up to be fearful and to fail in certain situations.
Remember this! If you do not THINK and fill your head with positive thoughts and beliefs, then negative ones will always come in to fill the gaps.
Please NEVER, ever, ever, ever underestimate your own ability to create positive thoughts, which serve you. It is never a question of can you do something. The real question is will you?
The power of positive thinking can be significantly enhanced and reinforced by the use of affirmations. An affirmation is a short statement in the present tense repeated frequently to impress itself onto and be accepted by the unconscious mind. The ideal affirmation must be short and totally unambiguous. This is very important, as the unconscious mind cannot easily assimilate long or complex statements. The unconscious mind is much more easily influenced by short, appropriately worded statements.
In the examples above, the woman was repeating the negative affirmations in her head. She should instead replace them with the equivalent positive affirmations. Such as:
"I know I will be confident and strong when I give birth to my baby".
Or: "Childbirth is natural and normal, and my body is designed for it".
Or: "The contractions are there for a reason - to help me give birth to my baby".
This might well seem difficult to do, particularly if you currently feel that reality is totally the opposite. However, believe me, like most things, it is just a question of practice.
Where attention goes, energy flows! You become what you think about most of the time.
The more often an affirmation is repeated, consciously or otherwise, the more quickly and effectively it will become real. But do take care because this works just as effectively for both positive and negative affirmations. An excellent time to repeat positive affirmations is just before drifting off to sleep at night or just after waking in the morning before you get up. At these times your conscious mind communicates best with your unconscious mind. If you can repeat the affirmations throughout the day and even write them down and place copies around your home, so much the better.
An even more powerful possibility exists as an alternative to affirmations that are stated aloud or within the mind. This is the power of "Subliminal messages".
The power of subliminal messages has been proven over many years to be a highly effective way of programming the unconscious mind by using either audio or visual methods. In fact, subliminal messages are so powerful in the way they work on the unconscious mind, that in 1974 the US government banned all forms of subliminal message advertising on radio and television.
Subliminal messages reach the unconscious mind by working at a level that cannot be detected by the conscious mind. The conscious mind therefore never has an opportunity to reject them and the unconscious mind can receive and act upon them.
There are two main ways of using subliminal messages in a most powerful way - visual and audio.
Visual subliminal messages are affirmations that are flashed before the eyes so quickly that the conscious mind cannot perceive them. The affirmations therefore go directly to the unconscious mind, which perceives and acts upon them immediately.
Audio subliminal messages work in a similar way by being played at a frequency that is just above the normal threshold of human hearing. Again, as with visual subliminal messages, although the conscious mind cannot perceive these affirmations, the all-powerful unconscious mind can perceive them, and will therefore immediately act upon them.
Both audio and visual subliminal messages are extremely powerful in accessing the enormous potential of the unconscious mind.
Once you understand the power of the unconscious mind and start to harness it, you can literally re-programme your mind to eradicate fears and become confident and positive about the childbirth experience that you will have. This is true even if you have had a poor experience of childbirth in the past.
One of the best ways I know to give a massive boost to your ability to learn new things, and then to put into practice what you have learned, is to leverage the immense power of your unconscious mind. This applies in any area of learning, whether academic or practical. Pregnancy and childbirth is a key area where women hold negative beliefs that do not serve them. They so often associate it with pain, difficulty, medical complications, as well as with the joy of the baby at the end of it all. Yet.......this can be changed to make the whole experience of pregnancy and childbirth positive and harmonious.
‘The thinking process is unconscious. We become aware of the results consciously. All change takes place at the unconscious level. We become aware of the change consciously when we are ready.’ Joseph O’Connor
What on earth does this mean???
Well, read on ……
Roughly two million bits of information per second come into the human nervous system. We are literally bombarded with information. To maintain sanity, our conscious mind filters out most of the stimuli and Miller (1956) discovered we can consciously handle only seven plus or minus two bits of information at a time.
The unconscious mind deals with everything else over and above the seven (plus or minus two) bits of information that you are not consciously paying attention to at a particular time. As soon as we switch our attention to something, then it becomes conscious. Some parts of your physiology will always be unconscious. This should not surprise us really. Our unconscious mind takes care of us all the time! We do not run our heart, lungs, kidneys, immune system etc… consciously do we?
I want to show you how to bypass the conscious mind in order to access the immense powers of your unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is around 90% of your total mind power as opposed to the 10% of the mind that you usually use in your normal daily waking state. The unconscious mind is a source of great treasure - of skill, of memory and experience.
Many people however, are in the habit of negative thinking - of dwelling on problem areas in their life by repeating exactly what they do not wish to happen. This often ends up compounding the original problems and making them even worse. For example, a Mother to be might keep on saying to herself:
"I’m scared of what will happen in childbirth".
Or: "Everything I’ve heard about childbirth says it will hurt a lot".
Or: "I simply won’t be able to take the pain".
The woman who constantly repeats these negative thoughts, either consciously or unconsciously, will be much less likely to have an easy or harmonious childbirth experience.
Underlying almost every negative emotion is a thought or belief, and most often these are unhealthy thoughts or beliefs. By unhealthy I mean they are not effective in getting you what you want in your life. They don’t serve you.
The belief (often unconscious) is like a trigger. It sets you up to be fearful and to fail in certain situations.
Remember this! If you do not THINK and fill your head with positive thoughts and beliefs, then negative ones will always come in to fill the gaps.
Please NEVER, ever, ever, ever underestimate your own ability to create positive thoughts, which serve you. It is never a question of can you do something. The real question is will you?
The power of positive thinking can be significantly enhanced and reinforced by the use of affirmations. An affirmation is a short statement in the present tense repeated frequently to impress itself onto and be accepted by the unconscious mind. The ideal affirmation must be short and totally unambiguous. This is very important, as the unconscious mind cannot easily assimilate long or complex statements. The unconscious mind is much more easily influenced by short, appropriately worded statements.
In the examples above, the woman was repeating the negative affirmations in her head. She should instead replace them with the equivalent positive affirmations. Such as:
"I know I will be confident and strong when I give birth to my baby".
Or: "Childbirth is natural and normal, and my body is designed for it".
Or: "The contractions are there for a reason - to help me give birth to my baby".
This might well seem difficult to do, particularly if you currently feel that reality is totally the opposite. However, believe me, like most things, it is just a question of practice.
Where attention goes, energy flows! You become what you think about most of the time.
The more often an affirmation is repeated, consciously or otherwise, the more quickly and effectively it will become real. But do take care because this works just as effectively for both positive and negative affirmations. An excellent time to repeat positive affirmations is just before drifting off to sleep at night or just after waking in the morning before you get up. At these times your conscious mind communicates best with your unconscious mind. If you can repeat the affirmations throughout the day and even write them down and place copies around your home, so much the better.
An even more powerful possibility exists as an alternative to affirmations that are stated aloud or within the mind. This is the power of "Subliminal messages".
The power of subliminal messages has been proven over many years to be a highly effective way of programming the unconscious mind by using either audio or visual methods. In fact, subliminal messages are so powerful in the way they work on the unconscious mind, that in 1974 the US government banned all forms of subliminal message advertising on radio and television.
Subliminal messages reach the unconscious mind by working at a level that cannot be detected by the conscious mind. The conscious mind therefore never has an opportunity to reject them and the unconscious mind can receive and act upon them.
There are two main ways of using subliminal messages in a most powerful way - visual and audio.
Visual subliminal messages are affirmations that are flashed before the eyes so quickly that the conscious mind cannot perceive them. The affirmations therefore go directly to the unconscious mind, which perceives and acts upon them immediately.
Audio subliminal messages work in a similar way by being played at a frequency that is just above the normal threshold of human hearing. Again, as with visual subliminal messages, although the conscious mind cannot perceive these affirmations, the all-powerful unconscious mind can perceive them, and will therefore immediately act upon them.
Both audio and visual subliminal messages are extremely powerful in accessing the enormous potential of the unconscious mind.
Once you understand the power of the unconscious mind and start to harness it, you can literally re-programme your mind to eradicate fears and become confident and positive about the childbirth experience that you will have. This is true even if you have had a poor experience of childbirth in the past.
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Perfect Party Favor
Throwing a perfect party is a hard task to accomplish. There are parties thrown every day by a variety of people for countless reasons. Whether the party is to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or the coming of a new baby, there are some elements that almost all parties hold in common. The giving of a party favor to each of the guests is no exception.
I have no idea when or why the idea of giving a party favor to each party guest began, but I think that it is one of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a party that people will remember. Why? It's simple. Everyone loves receiving gifts. So naturally, giving a party favor to your guests will help them to set your party apart from all of the other parties they attend. And we all know that there are enough parties to attends these days that something really unique has to happen or be given in order to make a party more than just okay.
I will offer a few small suggestions to help you in finding and giving the right party favor to your guests. A good rule of thumb is to never give a gift to someone that you wouldn't enjoy and use yourself. Are you tired of all the smelly samples of lotion and bubble bath? If so, don't try to give them to your friends as a party favor because they probably will not like it either. Before purchasing any party favor take a moment to consider how you would feel when receiving that same gift.
A great party favor should be something unique. A unique party favor can be based on the theme of your party if there is one. For example, if you are throwing a beach themed party, consider giving little baskets with sun tanning lotion and a gift certificate for sun tanning minutes at a local tanning salon. Or consider giving each guest a set of personalized stationary with a fancy pen. Another way to choose a unique party favor is to think about the person you are throwing the party for. If she loves photography you can give each guest a small photo album and a roll of film as a party favor. Throw in a coupon for free film developing to make the party favor even more unique.
Giving the perfect party favor to your guests should be easy and fun. Keep in mind the things you like, keep in mind the theme of the party and the person you are throwing the party for. Then simply be creative. Decide on a party favor that you have never seen given before and wrap your favors in a unique way. Your guests will remember your party for ages after they receive the creative party favor you give.
I have no idea when or why the idea of giving a party favor to each party guest began, but I think that it is one of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a party that people will remember. Why? It's simple. Everyone loves receiving gifts. So naturally, giving a party favor to your guests will help them to set your party apart from all of the other parties they attend. And we all know that there are enough parties to attends these days that something really unique has to happen or be given in order to make a party more than just okay.
I will offer a few small suggestions to help you in finding and giving the right party favor to your guests. A good rule of thumb is to never give a gift to someone that you wouldn't enjoy and use yourself. Are you tired of all the smelly samples of lotion and bubble bath? If so, don't try to give them to your friends as a party favor because they probably will not like it either. Before purchasing any party favor take a moment to consider how you would feel when receiving that same gift.
A great party favor should be something unique. A unique party favor can be based on the theme of your party if there is one. For example, if you are throwing a beach themed party, consider giving little baskets with sun tanning lotion and a gift certificate for sun tanning minutes at a local tanning salon. Or consider giving each guest a set of personalized stationary with a fancy pen. Another way to choose a unique party favor is to think about the person you are throwing the party for. If she loves photography you can give each guest a small photo album and a roll of film as a party favor. Throw in a coupon for free film developing to make the party favor even more unique.
Giving the perfect party favor to your guests should be easy and fun. Keep in mind the things you like, keep in mind the theme of the party and the person you are throwing the party for. Then simply be creative. Decide on a party favor that you have never seen given before and wrap your favors in a unique way. Your guests will remember your party for ages after they receive the creative party favor you give.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Perfect Gift is Just a Stitch Away
When it's time to buy a gift for family and friends, the possibilities are endless but, unfortunately, your funds are not. When budgets are tight, there is one thing you can do to make a gift memorable yet inexpensive. Personalize it.
There are thousands of options available to make your gift one-of-a-kind - with the help of a sewing machine. Contrary to what you might think, you don't even have to be a sewing pro.
With the holidays fast approaching, you have the opportunity to turn ordinary, off-the-shelf items, such as towels and pillowcases, into customized gifts that will be appreciated for years. Initials, decorative flowers and shapes make even the simplest items seem posh.
Need a quick gift for the newlyweds or new homeowners? Stitching their initials in the corner (or even just the first letter of their last name) on inexpensive hand towels makes your gift comparable to the items in expensive home decorating catalogs.
While most retail monogrammed items are created with expensive embroidery machines, the same effect can be achieved with monogramming and decorative stitches on a standard home sewing machine.
Other projects such as handmade wine bottle covers and gift bags require a little more sewing expertise, but make a simple gift seem much more unique.
Make a few at a time and store them for last-minute hostess gifts. They can be made with small amounts of fabric and can be as simple or ornate as you like.
Do you have finicky teen-agers in your household? If so, you know they are always looking for the hottest new trend. Why not purchase a plain pair of jeans and turn them into fashionable attire by adding delicate patterns to the waistband or cuffs? A few swift stitches will give everyday jeans instant style and personality.
For those of us who don't have the time to venture through piles of patterns at the local fabric store, Janome.com has innovative patterns and projects for every sewing level. There's even an embroidery-only machine. From handmade holiday stockings to sweet teddy bears for children, there is an idea for everyone on your list. All it takes is a little imagination.
For more projects, techniques and inspiration, flip through Janome Digest Magazine. It's published quarterly and available by subscription. - NU
There are thousands of options available to make your gift one-of-a-kind - with the help of a sewing machine. Contrary to what you might think, you don't even have to be a sewing pro.
With the holidays fast approaching, you have the opportunity to turn ordinary, off-the-shelf items, such as towels and pillowcases, into customized gifts that will be appreciated for years. Initials, decorative flowers and shapes make even the simplest items seem posh.
Need a quick gift for the newlyweds or new homeowners? Stitching their initials in the corner (or even just the first letter of their last name) on inexpensive hand towels makes your gift comparable to the items in expensive home decorating catalogs.
While most retail monogrammed items are created with expensive embroidery machines, the same effect can be achieved with monogramming and decorative stitches on a standard home sewing machine.
Other projects such as handmade wine bottle covers and gift bags require a little more sewing expertise, but make a simple gift seem much more unique.
Make a few at a time and store them for last-minute hostess gifts. They can be made with small amounts of fabric and can be as simple or ornate as you like.
Do you have finicky teen-agers in your household? If so, you know they are always looking for the hottest new trend. Why not purchase a plain pair of jeans and turn them into fashionable attire by adding delicate patterns to the waistband or cuffs? A few swift stitches will give everyday jeans instant style and personality.
For those of us who don't have the time to venture through piles of patterns at the local fabric store, Janome.com has innovative patterns and projects for every sewing level. There's even an embroidery-only machine. From handmade holiday stockings to sweet teddy bears for children, there is an idea for everyone on your list. All it takes is a little imagination.
For more projects, techniques and inspiration, flip through Janome Digest Magazine. It's published quarterly and available by subscription. - NU
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Vertical Wheelchair Lifts
It is a sad reality that people do not appreciate what they have, and only realize its worth when they lost it. The same goes with our mobility and independence. We, able bodied individuals, perform our daily activities without having to struggle or exert too much effort. Lucky for us, I guess. But for those with limited mobility and freedom, like the elderly and the physically challenged, each activity, even the simplest one, can mean a very big challenge or struggle for them to face.
For those who are confined in the seats of their wheelchairs, climbing the stairs is definitely out of the picture. So, how do they transfer up and down to different floor levels?
Establishments should accommodate guests with impaired physical mobility since this is mandated by law. This is basically the reason behind the existence of elevators and ramps in their buildings. And lately, vertical platform lifts have become available for individuals who move about with their wheelchairs.
There are many types of vertical platform lifts (a.k.a. wheelchair lifts) that can be installed in a property, whether public institutions or residential homes, to assist a person mounted on a wheelchair overcome a few steps or other similar perpendicular barriers.
The powered device has a stage or platform that perfectly fits a wheelchair. The platform is enclosed with walls to prevent the contained wheelchair from stirring while the lift is ascending or descending.
Some countries, like the United States of America, regulate the utilization of vertical platform lifts by setting benchmarks for these devices.
One solid example of a vertical platform lift is the Atlas Vertical Platform Lift introduced by AmeriGlide. This sturdy device makes use of an electric drive system that ensures a reliable and safe operation for its eventual users. This lift can be best used for both outdoor and indoor applications, and for both private and public properties.
The Ameriglide Atlas lift is designed for easy installation and includes everything needed to provide easy access to your residence or business.
For safety purposes, this lift features automatic dual safety ramps on its platform and a safety sensor. Moreover, it has a manual emergency brake to lower/raise the device in case the drive system fails. The AmeriGlide Atlas Vertical Platform Lift is specially designed to abide by the lawful requirements of most safety code in installing and operating such device.
Installing a vertical platform lift is one great way to help wheelchair-bound individuals experience further liberty. When you plan of having one, make sure to confirm the quality standards of that model.
For those who are confined in the seats of their wheelchairs, climbing the stairs is definitely out of the picture. So, how do they transfer up and down to different floor levels?
Establishments should accommodate guests with impaired physical mobility since this is mandated by law. This is basically the reason behind the existence of elevators and ramps in their buildings. And lately, vertical platform lifts have become available for individuals who move about with their wheelchairs.
There are many types of vertical platform lifts (a.k.a. wheelchair lifts) that can be installed in a property, whether public institutions or residential homes, to assist a person mounted on a wheelchair overcome a few steps or other similar perpendicular barriers.
The powered device has a stage or platform that perfectly fits a wheelchair. The platform is enclosed with walls to prevent the contained wheelchair from stirring while the lift is ascending or descending.
Some countries, like the United States of America, regulate the utilization of vertical platform lifts by setting benchmarks for these devices.
One solid example of a vertical platform lift is the Atlas Vertical Platform Lift introduced by AmeriGlide. This sturdy device makes use of an electric drive system that ensures a reliable and safe operation for its eventual users. This lift can be best used for both outdoor and indoor applications, and for both private and public properties.
The Ameriglide Atlas lift is designed for easy installation and includes everything needed to provide easy access to your residence or business.
For safety purposes, this lift features automatic dual safety ramps on its platform and a safety sensor. Moreover, it has a manual emergency brake to lower/raise the device in case the drive system fails. The AmeriGlide Atlas Vertical Platform Lift is specially designed to abide by the lawful requirements of most safety code in installing and operating such device.
Installing a vertical platform lift is one great way to help wheelchair-bound individuals experience further liberty. When you plan of having one, make sure to confirm the quality standards of that model.
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