Electric Blankets or a Hot Water Bottle

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Electric Blankets or a Hot Water Bottle?
Author: john
Winter nights can be very, very cold – so cold, in some places, that no matter how many blankets and quilts you put over yourself, you never seem to get any warmer. The solution to the problem, of course, is to snuggle yourself under an electrically heated blanket: just plug it in, and keep warm. Seems easy enough, right?

Well, not really. Unfortunately, electric blankets have got something of a negative reputation. As recently as a decade ago, they had a tendency to injure their users, by causing electric shocks, burns or even fires. Older electric fires are still causing thousands of fires a year today, and people who can't feel heat can still be burned even by safer modern electric blankets.

Used carefully, however, electric blankets can be safe, as long as you make sure to buy a new one (never buy one second hand) and check that you are sensitive enough to heat to feel if it gets too hot. You may also consider simply using the electric blanket to warm the bed up before you get into it, but not actually sleeping underneath the electric blanket, instead unplugging and removing it before you go to bed. Make extra sure that the blanket never gets wet, and that you don't use it together with any other blankets. Finally, you should replace the electric blanket every few years, or sooner if it starts to look like it is in bad condition.

For many people, though, having to deal with all these risks to use such a simple thing seems too much trouble. The best and most common alternative to the electric blanket is probably the hot water bottle, as hot water bottles cool down rather than getting warmer over time, and can be fitted with special soft covers to avoid burning you. They are also much cheaper.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

John Gibb is the owner of electric blanket resources , For more information on electric blankets please check out www.electric-blanket-sources.info

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Discover the Joys and Benefits of Quilting An ins

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Discover the Joys and Benefits of Quilting. An inspirational and creative form of craft.
Author: Rose Mary
Copyright 2006 Rose Mary

Quilting was a common social activity in the past. During earlier times, quilting fabric was an activity which farm wives like to get together to do. These are opportunities for them to retreat from their straining physical chores of farm life and do something light and useful together. At that time, quilts were an essential article in households, not only as bed coverings, but also as curtains, and petticoats and waistcoats to keep the body warm. In fact, patchwork quilting was created by homemakers during the time when there was a shortage of fabric. Worn out sewn items were often recycled into patches for quilts.

Today, quilting is no longer practiced to satisfy economic or social needs, but for expression and enjoyment. Patchwork is not longer simply a form of frugality, but rather another form of art. Although quilts are still sometimes made from fabric scraps, the quilt maker is more likely to use the scraps to recreate the charming look of old quilts or to commemorate an event, rather than out of necessity. Quilting is now used as a creative and inspirational form of craft. Having a long history, quilting has shown itself to be admirably versatile and its ability to change and adapt is a hallmark of a successful craft.

Many people, today, used quilting as a hobby because they find it fun, gratifying and enriching. Quilting offers them an opportunity to express their creativity and helps to enhance their lives. Most people enjoy the process of choosing or designing a project, the process of selecting the fabrics and the satisfaction of creating something unique and special. It gives them an opportunity to experiment with color, design and texture. The completed piece of quilt gives the maker a great sense of achievement and delight. Most people engage in quilting because they want a creative experience and an emotional expression. It is no wonder that some people find it healing. Stressed mothers of young children, exhausted caregivers of ill parents, wearied working women and men seeking a creative outlet often find the process of making something soft and warm, like quilt, is more restorative than the usage of any kind of available drugs.

As quilts provide warm and comfort, they are used for clothing and bed coverings. There are those which are kept as attractive works of art. They have been showcases for the talents and skills of their creators. The range of quilted items, nowadays, has expanded to include placemats, wall hangings, cushion covers, table runners, bonnets, diaper totes, eyeglass cases, makeup bags and hanger covers.

Making quilts today is easier than you may have ever imagined. The making of quilts does not require any special skills, just a general knowledge of sewing. If you can sew a button or mend a hem, you can certainly make a quilt. Quilting is simply using a technique to stitch together layers of fabric using a decorative pattern to create a variety of beautiful and practical objects. A completed quilt is actually a creatively stitched together sandwich of fabric and batting. The basic equipment for quilting include needles, pins, thread, scissors, thimble, beeswax and a frame or hoop to quilt on. Other necessities are a long ruler, masking tape, drawing paper and a marker for transferring quilt patterns onto fabric. Although machine techniques may have replaced the tedious hand sewing one, modern quilt makers still take inspiration from old quilts and try to adapt those designs and techniques to today's lifestyles.

It is important that while working on selected quilting patterns, a quilt maker should not just replicate the patterns and colors shown in the samples but also to adapt the patterns to his or her own color preferences and ideas. He or she should attempt to create his or her own unique designs and try out new techniques. In this way, he or she can make progress by gaining new technical skills as well as new insights into the design process.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

More information on quilting techniques can be obtained from the LINK. Enjoys various handcrafts, hobbies and cooking. Special interest in caregiving. Freelance Writer. www.internetbizcenter.com/quiltingfabric/quiltingfabric.htm

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Creative Ways to Decorate Your Walls

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Creative Ways to Decorate Your Walls
Author: Kathy Burns-Millyard

Moving into a new house can sometimes cause a quandry. You can stand and stare at large... blank spaces for weeks wondering just what to do with them. These blank spaces are the walls of your new house or apartment.

Most people have a hard time figuring out what to do with their walls, because their thoughts are limited to just paint and pictures. There's actually quite a bit more you can do to decorate your walls though, and here are a few of my favorite tips:

1. Create shadow boxes. These are especially nice to do as remembrances of loved ones who are no longer with us. If you want to create a shadow box for grandparents for instance, but you don't have anything handed down from them that could easily be used in this decoration, try visiting around to yard sales and flea markets. Find items that fit the timeframe of your grandparent's lives, or that remind you of them fondly. Use these items in your shadow boxes, then display them in a nice area of your home to symbolize both the love you had for them, and the legacy they left behind.

2. If you love blankets or quilts, there are some very unique ways to decorate your walls with these. Simply attach pieces of wood to your wall, drill holes in them, and put dowel rods in the holes. On these rods you can hang your quilts or blankets just like you can on a regular quilt rack, except this way they decorate your walls. Placing the items just above a sofa is a great way to keep blankets nearby when you watch movies or snuggle up next to the fire. Also, if you enjoy quilting or sewing, you may want to use a similar structure on the wall to hold bolts of fabric for your creations. The walls look lovely, and you're also organizing your home!

3. Here are just a few other ideas: You can use old windows and some curtains to make a faux window in a room without enough windows. Your can use old picture frames to "frame" an oil painting or collage or quotations. Using small vases, you can have fresh flowers hanging on your wall. You could also make part of your wall into corkboard or a set of box frames so that you can display your children's artwork.

So there you have multiple, easy, and inexpensive ways to uniquely decorate your walls!

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard.

This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com " http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large home decorating website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular decor shopping. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

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Country Home Accessories

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Country Home Accessories
Author: Lisa French

Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it's no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.

Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor.

Although the kitchen is primarily a working area little touches can make a big difference:

Pie safes or glass door cabinets can be used for displaying antique china.

Hanging potted plants from the ceiling or placing them in the window.

You can also display:

• Cookbooks

• Wooden spoons

• Bowls or baskets of fruits or vegetables

• Vases of fresh flowers

• Pottery

• Old tin canister:

Pot racks are great for hanging:

• Copper pots

• Baskets

• Dried herbs

You can add a touch of country to your bathroom simply by adding:

Old glass jars, which are great, for holding cotton balls, Q-tips, or a fresh flower.

Decorative baskets, a galvanized pot, or a wine rack used in the bathroom are good for holding towels.

Baskets and pots can hold magazines, books, towels, oils, soaps, shampoos, sponges, and lotions.

Shelves can be used to display a collection of:

• Knickknacks

• Candles

• Potpourri

Don't forget you can hang pictures or display your kid's artwork, in the bathroom.

You will want your living room to have a comfortable lived in look that will always make your friends and family feel welcome.

Some charming accents can be displaying:

• Beautiful hand made quilts

• Throw pillows

• Rugs

In your living room you can also arrange:

• Candles

• Potpourri

• Plants

• Flowers

Be consistent in your choice of home interior color, styles and materials so as to avoid a patchwork look that is indicative of bad planning.

About The Author

Lisa and Charles French would like to invite you to visit their site at http://www.decorating-country-home.com " http://www.decorating-country-home.com

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Country Bedding and Bedrooms

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Country Bedding and Bedrooms
Author: Jared Winston
There are few places in the home where country decor can shine better than in the bedroom. All the warmth, welcome, and simplicity that characterize country decor is simply the most effective in bedroom decor. Country bedding and furniture can easily create a comforting and relaxing setting that is unrivaled by any other decor style. This makes a country decor the perfect choice for a guest room, for instance, as it will do an excellent job of setting your guests at ease in your home. Furthermore, country bedding is the perfect balance of aesthetic appeal and functionality, which means that your bedroom will both look and feel great.

Country bedding is most certainly one of the most appealing parts of using country decor in the bedroom. In fact, it is one of the high points of country decor in general. This is the case due to one thing: the quilt. Quilts have been around for hundreds of years, and for good reason. When it comes to warmth, there is little that can outmatch a quilt, and when you want something that is aesthetically pleasing, quilts deliver in spades. When setting out to apply a country decor to your bedroom, a quilt is an excellent place to start, as you can use it as an inspiration for colors and patterns.

Quilts can be used for more than just country bedding, though. In fact, a quilt can be used similarly to a tapestry, making it a central display piece. This is also a great way to keep your quilts in use during the warmer months, when they will not be necessary as actual bedding. This role makes quilts even more important to your decor, as it becomes the unquestionable focus point of your entire room. This will require care when choosing other elements of your room, but it is well worth the effort for the results you can hope to achieve.

When working with your furniture and such, it is important to work back to the colors that you used in your country bedding. For instance, if you are using a quilt with predominant dark colors, then working with a dark painted wood for your furniture is probably best. If you have a lot of deep reds and browns, then your furniture is best if using a deep, rich stain to bring out natural wood grains. Lighter colors in your country bedding call for lighter colors (whether this is achieved by the use of paint or by the use of light colored woods.)

Of course, the style of your furniture is also important, both for your decor in general and for your bedding. If the patterns of your bedding are fairly simple, then you would do well to have fairly simply designed furniture. If your patters are more complex and varied, then your furniture can follow suit and be a bit fancier. Also, think about the shapes in the patters. For instance, if your patterns have a lot of rounded shapes, then you may want to use furniture with some kind of rounded features.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Stop by Rustic Embrace to receive free interior design advice about everything from making rustic furniture to design concepts such as log cabin home design .

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Country Bedding and Bedrooms

Quilts
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Country Bedding and Bedrooms
Author: Jared Winston
There are few places in the home where country decor can shine better than in the bedroom. All the warmth, welcome, and simplicity that characterize country decor is simply the most effective in bedroom decor. Country bedding and furniture can easily create a comforting and relaxing setting that is unrivaled by any other decor style. This makes a country decor the perfect choice for a guest room, for instance, as it will do an excellent job of setting your guests at ease in your home. Furthermore, country bedding is the perfect balance of aesthetic appeal and functionality, which means that your bedroom will both look and feel great.

Country bedding is most certainly one of the most appealing parts of using country decor in the bedroom. In fact, it is one of the high points of country decor in general. This is the case due to one thing: the quilt. Quilts have been around for hundreds of years, and for good reason. When it comes to warmth, there is little that can outmatch a quilt, and when you want something that is aesthetically pleasing, quilts deliver in spades. When setting out to apply a country decor to your bedroom, a quilt is an excellent place to start, as you can use it as an inspiration for colors and patterns.

Quilts can be used for more than just country bedding, though. In fact, a quilt can be used similarly to a tapestry, making it a central display piece. This is also a great way to keep your quilts in use during the warmer months, when they will not be necessary as actual bedding. This role makes quilts even more important to your decor, as it becomes the unquestionable focus point of your entire room. This will require care when choosing other elements of your room, but it is well worth the effort for the results you can hope to achieve.

When working with your furniture and such, it is important to work back to the colors that you used in your country bedding. For instance, if you are using a quilt with predominant dark colors, then working with a dark painted wood for your furniture is probably best. If you have a lot of deep reds and browns, then your furniture is best if using a deep, rich stain to bring out natural wood grains. Lighter colors in your country bedding call for lighter colors (whether this is achieved by the use of paint or by the use of light colored woods.)

Of course, the style of your furniture is also important, both for your decor in general and for your bedding. If the patterns of your bedding are fairly simple, then you would do well to have fairly simply designed furniture. If your patters are more complex and varied, then your furniture can follow suit and be a bit fancier. Also, think about the shapes in the patters. For instance, if your patterns have a lot of rounded shapes, then you may want to use furniture with some kind of rounded features.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Stop by Rustic Embrace to receive free interior design advice about everything from making rustic furniture to design concepts such as log cabin home design .

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