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Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Slice Safety Cutter











When I received the  slice™ Safety Cutter - Great for couponers   in the mail last week I  immediately put it  to use cutting my first coupon.   The coupon that I cut was in a pile of numberous papers. Just to put it to a stiff test I  decided to try cutting the coupon out while it was placed on the other papers in the pile.

Guess what?  The slice™ Safety Cutter - Great for couponers     effortly sliced out the coupon in a jiffy. I was so impressed but certain that it had also cut through several other sheets of paper that were piled underneath of  it. Guess what? It  only cut through the sheet of paper that the coupon was on. All of the sheets of paper underneath were virtually untouched, uncut.

This little dynamite precision cutter is a must for every household. It  is so versitile with so many uses. It is also a handy tool to effortlessly slice through packaging tape, open CD's, DVD's, etc. It has an endless amount of practical everyday uses. This amazing tool is so much safer than using a knife or other sharp object  which saves on cuts and injuries.

You can learn more about the slice™ Safety Cutter - Great for couponers by visiting the slice™ Safety Cutter - Great for couponers website.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.comhttp://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM50b5466113c42d57266bdc79e34cda52">Tomoson.com>. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

LET'S TALK PILLOWS

                          Cocoa Brown Suede Flower Pillow

Yes, I'm going to talk about PILLOWS today!  Decorative Throw Pillows to be specific, can add a lot of decoration and fun to your home whether they are large, medium or a small size. They may feature embroidery, hand painting, stamping, stitching or applique and more.

Pillows have a long history dating back to ancient Asia where they were used by only the wealthiest of men. Highly decorated pillows were a prized commodity in ancient Persia and China and later in Medieval England before the Industrial Revolution made mass reproduction of pillows available to the general masses. Did you know that some ancient Egyptians even slept on pillows made of stone?

Thankfully, pillows of stone are out of vogue and have evolved into the soft and luxurious necessities that they are today. Pillows can be found in an infinite array of colors, designs and fabrics, mass produced and handmade.

I have searched the web for the most attractive accent  throw pillows available for purchase, these being mass produced, of course. Would you be surprised to know that I found only about 15 percent of them even attractive enough to considering for  purchase.

Personally, I prefer the handmade   throw pillows which are much more attractive and suitable for  accenting the home. Handmade accent throw pillows can be compared to art... a mass produced print to  an original oil painting. Of course, the original oil painting has more quality, endurability and attractiveness than a mass produced print picture. It's the same comparision with accent throw pillows, the handmade is generally of higher quality, has much more endurance and is much more attractive to the eye. They also come in One Of A Kind designs and  in designer fabrics that really showcase your home decor and reflect who you are.

After searching the web I discovered that the most attractive and well made accent throw pillows were handmade by etsy.com artisians.  These artisians handcraft their custom accent throw pillows with the finest materials, design and sew them with quality, endurance and attractiveness in mind. These artisians love what they do and are trying to continue to keep the handmade movement alive.

They come from all walks of life, housewives and stay-at-home moms,  grandmothers, granddaughters, grandfathers and sons, professional persons, young, old and in-between. They can be found in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin American, Asia and all over the world. Etsy artisians are made up a huge worldwide family working together to make a difference.

Etsy artisians design and handcraft an infinite array of products at an affordable price for you and your home and even your dog or cat. If it can be made, you will find it in an etsy shop.

Here are a few of my favorite  accent throw pillows that I found in Etsy shops. Keep in mind, however, that this is just an extremely small sample of the accent throw pillows available in Etsy shops. There are hundreds and hundreds to choose from.
Americana Red Star by Unique Cozy Treasures

Joel Dewberry Sparrows Designer Print By beckorama

Horse Pillow By Crocheted By Charlene

Bird in Teal By Pillow Mio

Pine Cone Print Pillows By Unique Cozy Treasures


May Your Holiday Season be Joyous!

                                          Deb

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Winter Care for Pets

By Deb Shenkle
AKC German Shepherd Dog Breeder


As the late autumn days and nights  draw ever closer to winter,   it's important to keep in mind the needs of our favorite furry friends. It's really getting cold outside especially at night so it's time to think about providing adequate winter care for pets. Providing an adequate winter shelter is essential for our pets  to stay warm and healthy throughout the coldest of this winter season.

We may think that  the fur coats on dogs and cats will keep them plenty warm, but that is only true to a certain extent. When the thermometer starts dropping into the 40's and below  or if  there is a cold rain or snow coming down, our pets need more than just their own furry coats to keep them warm and protected.

I have yet to figure out why some pet owners will leave their dogs and cats out in the pouring down cold rain/snow or leave them out at night shivering and miserable with absolutely no shelter. Dogs and cats do have feelings and get cold. They can easily die of exposure or freeze to death. Puppies and kittens are especially at risk from the outdoor elements.

Most pet owners are very sensitive to their pet's needs and take wonderful care of them. However, I am  simply amazed at how many pet owners just give little thought to their pets needs. I suppose many just think that a pet's fur coat is adequate enough to keep them warm and protected.

Providing an insulated pet house will help them out tremendously. Outfitting it with  a heating pad made just for pet houses will provide some extra warmth for  your pets.  If  they spend alot of time outside in the cold,  providing an added wind break such as a shed, garage or outbuilding will also give your pets some added protection from the cold. If your dog is spending time in a kenneled area, consider adding a windbreak and cover for more protection.

If you have a safe place available to hang a heat lamp above your pets outdoor sleeping area it will really  make their life more comfortable and tolerable during the cold winter months. Remember, that even with all of these protections in place, in some areas there will be  days and nights it will be just too cold for your pets to be outside for more than just a few minutes at a time. So having a safe place indoors for them to hang out is a must.

Many pet owners also find that using paw covers will help protect sensitive paw pads from frostbite. And what about those cute sweaters that I see some of our canine friends wearing?

Besides adequate warmth and shelter, our pets also need plenty of food and fresh water  available.  Installing an inexpensive water tank heater into their outdoor water source will ensure that they have plenty of fresh unfrozen water available at all times.

I'm sure that many of you have additional winter care for pets tips that I would love here about. Please feel free to leave your winter care for pets tips in the comment section of this blog.

Have a great late autumn day! Deb

PetSmart

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Pies Made Easy

With the Holiday Season in full swing, cooks everywhere are planning their special pies for the upcoming festive dinners. Some may find making pies to be a real chore, as I did, until I finally mastered the skill of making pie crust from scratch.

My mother helped me with the first pie crust that I ever made when I was about 18 years old. She made it seem so simple and the cherry pie that she tutored me though came out perfectly. It was a fact widely known that mom was a wonderful pie baker. She always made those pies look so easy to make and she could whip one up in no time flat.

Mom once told me that her first pie was a disaster. The crust was a mess and she became very frustrated with the whole ordeal. Well she kept at it to become one of the best pie bakers around. I found it frustrating too and it took me a good amount of time to achieve her status as pie baker.

With that said, I'm going to share with you some tips on how to make the perfect pie crust the easy way. You can learn how quickly and avoid a lot  the frustration by viewing my YouTube video here.




I hope this video will make your Holiday pie baking just a little easier.

Please view my other pie how-to videos:

"How to Easily Place a Pie Crust into a Pie Pan"
http://www.youtube.com/user/videohomeandgarden#p/a/u/2/EZDYmYjDC-U

"How to Flute the Edges of the Pie Crust"
http://www.youtube.com/user/videohomeandgarden#p/a/u/1/7Jg0NpoChoo

Deb

Saturday, November 19, 2011

"HOW TO CATCH HAPPY"



A Book Review

With all of the demands put on us day in and day out in this fast paced and high stressed world, sometimes we forget how to be truly happy. Recently I read a short Kindle book by Jim F. Kukral entitled, "How to Catch Happy", which reminded that it's just the simple things of life that bring us the most happiness.

"How to Catch Happy" focuses on the author, Jim F. Kukral along with three key people that he  met along his life's journey and how they all found happiness in different ways. All were from different economic backgrounds with different life experiences, yet they all seemed to find some genuine happiness in their lives.

I enjoyed reading  "How to Catch Happy" as it gives the reader insight  into how to find some real happiness in this sometimes unhappy world. It is written in an easy to read style and it leaves the reader with something beneficial to use in their daily lives.

Learn more about "How to Catch Happy" , By Jim F. Kukral.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Winster, Social Gaming Where Friends Help Friends

Winster is a new Social gaming community designed to help women to interact with other women and help each other to win valuable prizes.

Women can join for free to play really fun games and solve puzzles targeted at fulfilling women's gaming interests.

Northern California housewife, Michelle Kaplan, was the creater of Winster who loved to play games online but found that most of the games to be found were targeted for men's interests. Michelle along with her husband, Jerry Kaplan, CEO of Egghead.com, founder of Onsale.com and author of the Best Selling novel, "Startup: A Silicon Valley Adventure", teamed together to create Winster, a interactive game where people can earn prizes quicker if they work together.

With Winster, you pick your prize, then play games with others who help you win your prize.

You can learn more about Winster at winster.com

Try This Hot New Pen!


The UGLee pen  is a revoluntionary designed  erogonomic pen that was designed by a real physician, James Lee M.D. to help people reduce several types of hand and finger pain associated with the use of typical hand held pens.

The UGLee penThe UGLee pen weighs less than one-half an ounce with a shape that is perfectly engineered to follow the anatomy of your hand. It grips you, you do not have to grip it. It is so comfortable to use that you really must try it yourself.

You can learn more about the UGLee pen and where to purchase one at the UGLee pen website:http://www.ugleepen.com


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Color Mixing Part 9

Now that we've reviewed the basics of the color wheel and how each color complements another, we will focus on practical everyday use of the color wheel. The items shown below are examples of the use of complementary color application.

Red and Green are opposite of each other on the color wheel so they complement one another. Adding the white really sets off the red and green colors as shown below.

Christmas Pillows Holiday Pillow Shams SUZANI 20 x 20 inches Festive Holiday Pillows 20" Red, Green, White Pillows
By beckorama

Apples Painted Wood Sign  Orchard
By uniquecozytreasures

Vintage Wyandotte Metal Stake Truck 1930"s
By uniquecozytreasures

This handcrafted clutch features the three primary colors: Yellow, Blue and Red.
Yellow Red and Blue Flower Mini Clutch
By MarianRuth

Here is an example of using triadic color harmony. The primary colors are Blue Green, Yellow Orange, and Red Violet. A little white is splashed in for contrast.
Set of Two Crocheted Cotton Pot Holders
By crochetedbycharlene

Next week I will continue the series on color mixing featuring some our talented etsy artisians handcrafted work.

It's a rainy dreary cold day here in Iowa. There is some snow forecast for later this evening. These colorful items that my fellow etsy friends have created will certainly brighten any  day.

Deb

Thursday, November 3, 2011

A New Type of Dental Floss?



Did you know that ADA statistics show only 12% of the population flosses regularly? Why? Because many feel that dental floss is not convenient to use.
BrytonPick oral care dental floss is a new and unique interdental cleaner which claims to be more convenient and discreet to use.  It is designed to use on the go to remove food and plaque from between the teeth.

It is FDA  Registered and is made in the USA from completely recyclable materials. The BrytonPick is not like a string floss. It is made of germ-resistant stainless steel  cleaning strips that can be carried  conveniently in your wallet or purse.

Many may find that they benefit from this new type of floss. However, I personally did not care for the product when I used it on my teeth. I found that even though the stainless steel strips are very thin, they did not even slide through my teeth and I felt they may  have the potential to cut my gums if it came in contact with them.  I  found this product of no use to me personally. That is only my personal opinion as a user and a former dental assistant. In the dental office we used a simple product for a different application of which I believe it was originally designed for.

***My  opinions do not reflect that  of others who may possibly find this product safe and useful to them. I have received this product free from the company which produces it in order to write an honest review about it. I am not being paid by BytonPick to review this  product.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

COLOR MIXING PART 8

Now that we have reviewed the main components of Color, it is important to have a quick reference guide  to Color and it's definitions. The chart below gives Color definitions for your convenience.


COLOR: Described by the three dimensions of intensity, hue, and value.

Intensity: Also known as Saturation or  Chroma. Means the relative degree of brightness or dullness of a color.

Hue: A specific color family with it's relative degree of warmness or coolness.

Value: The relative degree of lightness or darkness of a color.

Primary Color: Yellow, Red and Blue. These colors cannot be mixed from any other colors.

Secondary Color: Two primary colors mixed together resulting in Green, Orange and Violet.

Intermediate Color: Also known as Tertiary Colors. Achieved when one primary and one secondary color are mixed together.

Warm or Advancing Colors: Yellows, Reds and Orange colors.

Cool or Receding Colors:  Greens, Blues, and Violet colors.

Tint: White plus  Color.

Tone: Gray plus Color or it's compliment.

Shade: Black plus Color.

Key Color: A Dominant Color in a color scheme or mixture.

Neutral Gray: A Combination of  White and Black.

Chromatic: A Color with hue, including Red, Green and Violet, etc.

Achromatic: A Color without hue, including White, Black and Gray.

Achromatic Color Scheme: A Color scheme using only White, Black and Gray.

Monochromatic Color Scheme: a Color Scheme using one color in different values.

Analogous Color Scheme: A Color Scheme using colors that lie next to one another on the color wheel.

Complementary Color Scheme: A Color Scheme using colors directly opposite on the the color wheel.

Split-Complementary Color Scheme: A Color Scheme using one color plus the two colors next to it's complement on the color wheel.

Triad: Three Colors equally spaced on the color wheel.

Tetrad: Four Colors equally spaced on the color wheel.

Now you can use this quick reference guide along with Lessons in Color Mixing Part  1 through Part 7 when designing your craft items, crochet and knit pieces, your art work and in decorating!

Future articles will feature examples of the practical use of Color Mixing in everyday life using the color wheel to enhance your favorite projects.

It's snowing here in the Midwest this afternoon :(  I think winter is about to arrive.  Keep warm and safe everyone! Deb..............

Friday, October 28, 2011

5 Smart Ways to Stay Toasty Warm This Winter


The beautiful autumn season has arrived with it's colorful display of changing leaves and gorgeous sunsets. Warm dry sunny days followed by cool brisk nights remind us of the ever impending cold blustry days of winter just around the corner.

Winter can provide us with breathtaking views of  fluffy snowflakes sparkling  through vivid sunrays as they gently fall from the sky. Yes, winter can be a joyous season for all when we are amply prepared for it. Being prepared for winter warmth is possibly the one of the best ways you can insure that you and your family stay  healthy and happy  during the cold winter months.

5 Smart Ways to Stay Toasty Warm This Winter:

1. Prepare now by checking your furnace to make sure it is in good working order. Many families today are also choosing to supplement their  heating supply by using  a duraflame infrared quartz heater  . These nifty heaters offer an economical way to quickly warm your entire home or just a room depending on the model that you choose.



2. Seal all drafts and insulate your attic area and all outer walls. Caulk around doors and windows and/or cover with insulating clear plastic.

3. Wear warm clothing including lightweight insulating underwear, meringo wool socks and sweaters, down filled clothing, coats, gloves and scarves. Be sure to wear a hat to keep the warmth in your body.  Don't forget your feet.  Keeping your feet warm with adequately warm moisture repelling leather boots is a must! 

4. Have a portable generator lowes generators on hand just in case a power outage occurs. 

5. Using bedding such as a tie dye bedding  comforter  helps keep body warmth under the covers so you stay toasty warm. 


These are just some of the may ways we can prepare for the cold wintry days ahead.  Just taking a few simple steps to prepare for warmth will ensure that our families stay warm, happy and healthy.










































Tuesday, October 25, 2011

COLOR MIXING PART 7

TRIAD & TETRAD COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

Learning how to use the color wheel in every day applications can be both challenging and rewarding.

We have reviewed several color harmonies using the color wheel during the past few weeks.

The final two color harmonies that we will be discussing are Triad and Tetrad complementary colors.

Triad colors are three colors that are equally spaced on the color wheel as shown in the diagram below:
 Tetrad colors are four colors that are equally spaced on the color wheel as shown in the diagram below:

Next week I will be sharing with you a list of important Color Definations that you can use as a reference guide.  In the weeks to come I will be showing you how to use all of the information found in my complete color wheel tutorial for everyday application and design.

Have a great day! Deb

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A LESSON IN COLOR MIXING PART 6

SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

Split Complementary Colors are a color and the two colors next to it's complement on the color wheel.

This is shown in the color wheel shown below:
The Chart below shows how Split Complementary Colors complement each other:
Using Split Complementary Colors to design fashions, knitting, crocheting, art work, in decorating,etc. makes them more interesting and pleasing to the eyes.
Have a great day! Deb

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A LESSON IN COLOR MIXING PART 5

Our lesson on color mixing today will focus on Triadic Color Harmony.

To find a Triadic Color Harmony on the color wheel, select a color, then choose two additional colors that are equally spaced apart. This concept is shown in the color wheel diagram below.


The color chart that is located below the color wheel above shows how triadic colors compliment each other.

Using the concepts of selecting color harmonies is helpful in everyday living as we choose pleasing colors to design knitting, crochet & sewing projects, designing home decor, entertaining, cooking, creating artwork and in almost every aspect of life.

The next lesson on color harmonies will show how to use  Split Complementary Colors.
See you then, Deb

Sunday, October 9, 2011

What Is My Dog Eating Anyway?

German Shepherd Puppy Dog
Well, I could write pages and pages about this subject. However, I'm going to stick with the basics today. There are hundreds of types of commercially processed dog foods to choose from and everyone has their own favorites for one reason or another. But, you may wonder... Are all dog foods equal and are they all really healthy for my four-legged friend? How can I identify good and bad dog food? We will explore these questions in this issue of my


MAKE OR BREAK YOUR DOG'S HEALTH

The food that you feed your dog is the foundation of his/her health and longivity. Did you know that dogs are living shorter lives these days partially because they are not getting the proper nutrition needed? And, did you know that you can actually save alot of visits to the vet's office and ultimately alot of money just by feeding your dog a healthy diet? This is why it is so important to choose wisely what you are feeding your dog. There are pros and cons to feeding either "commerical dry or canned food", the "table scrap" diet or whether to feed the "raw meat" diet.
This is your choice, but for most of us the "raw diet" is too expensive, labor intensive and if you start feeding your dog raw chicken or beef, the next time he/she is near a flock of live roosting hens or a herd of cattle.... well, you know the rest of the story....they become live meat hunters! Oh, and if you have a pet bird, well.... just make sure there is an iron barrier around it's cage!
The "table scrap" diet is an option for some provided you have that many table scraps leftover (which, if you have a healthy eating family as I do, you won't have even a tablespoon of food leftover for the dog). Also, just table scraps may not contain the balanced variety of nutrients that your pet needs to maintain excellent health.
So, this leaves the "commercial dog food" diet which seems to be the best option for most of us busy families today. It's quick, easy and fairly economical. However, it can be very daunting trying to figure out which dog food to choose for your pet.
As a successful German Shepherd dog breeder I'm going to offer my advice in choosing the best commercial dog foods. My findings are based on experience, research and recommendations from several veterinarians that we have routinely used over the years. I encourage you to please make your own educated choices, however.


GOOD INGREDIENTS vs. BAD INGREDIENTS


A good rule of thumb when choosing a healthy commerical dog food for your beloved friend is to check all of the ingredients listed on the dog food can or bag. Keep in mind that the majority of dog foods contain ingredients that are actually fillers and are very unhealthy for your pet. The following is a list of bad ingredients, mainly because the dog can neither digest these ingredients, they provide little or no nutritional value or they give your dog loose stools, all of which leave the pet open to a number of health problems. **Also, you will be buying twice the amount of dog food monthly that the dog would actually need if he/she were eating a proper balanced dog food.


"No-No" Ingredients:
1. All meat by-products!
2. Wheat, Soy, Corn! (Can cause allergies, including but not limited to excessive hair &
weight loss, and vomiting.)
3. MSG or Preservatives! (Can cause allergies, including but not limited to excessive hair & weight
loss, and vomiting.)
4. Large quantities of Sodium(salt)!
5. High Frutose Corn Syrup or Sugars. (Contributes to canine diabetes & poor dental health.)
6. Pork.
7. Chocolate
8. Raisins
9. More on this at www.debsdogblog.blogsot.com

Following is a list of essential dog food ingredients that actually encourage excellent pet health and may add years to the life of your dog:

"Healthful" Ingredients:
1. REAL Meat! This should be the First ingredient listed.
2. A nice variety of fruits, vegetables, and including rice, flaxseed, oatmeal, barley & millet!
3. Probiotics! This will keep your dog's intestinal tract healthy, warding off a number of contagious
transferable bacteria, that can cause loose stools, vomiting and excessive hair loss.
4. A balanced variety of essential vitamins, minerals, crude protein, fat and fiber.

MY CHOICES
I have tried and tested many a brand of dog food over the years until I was educated in the "Truth About Commerical Dog Food" from a veterinarian friend of mine. It was enlightening to say the least
to find out that what I had been feeding my dogs for years(not our German Shepherds, of course) were actually full of "garbage" ingredients which were doing them absolutely no good, contributing to poorer health, shorter life span and HIGHER VET BILLS! I also realized that when I started feeding "Good" dog food to my pets, they actually ate about 1/2 as much food, so the cost of the higher priced dog food was actually saving me a considerable amount of money each month.
Here are a few brands of Great Commercial Dog Food that I have found to be excellent choices:
1. Blue Buff (high priced but contains all of the above essential ingredients.)
2. Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul (medium priced and contains all of the above essential ingredients.)

***These dog foods can be purchased at pet supply stores, some Home Improvement and Farm Supply Stores, and of course online at a variety of websites.   

*I do not receive any compension by any company or business recommended in this article.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

A LESSON IN COLOR MIXING PART 4

Today's Lesson on Color Mixing will focus on Color Harmonies, colors that go together. These color harmonies include, Complementary, Triadic Harmony, and Split Complementary.

The first of the color harmonies, Complementary Colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel as shown below. The chart below the color wheel shows how the colors complement each other.





Learning how colors can complement one another is so important in every day life and will help us in designing handmade crafts, fine arts, decorating, in our wardrobe, etc.

Next week I will be sharing with you  Triadic Color Harmonies and how they complement each other.
                                                                          *****

Please take a minute to voice your opinion in my short  blog reader poll below.  And, if you haven't already become one of my blog followers, please do so. Or, if you would like this blog to be automatically sent to your email please enter your email address in the form below. Thanks and have a great autumn day! Deb
            

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A LESSON IN COLOR MIXING PART 3

Now that we have reviewed PRIMARY, SECONDARY & INTERMEDIATE colors, TINTS, TONES & SHADES, we will now  learn which of these colors are WARM or COOL colors.

WARM and COOL colors are colors that reflect emotional values. They add warmth or coolness to a painting,  handknitted or crocheted item or to any number of other artistic pieces.

The WARM colors are: Yellow to Red-Violet on the Color Wheel.

The COOL colors are: Yellow-Green to Violet on the Color Wheel.

Next week I will be discussing  COLOR HARMONIES; colors that Go Together. Learning COLOR HARMONIES helps us develop harmonies in color and color patterns that are useful when developing designs for hand knit or crochet projects, painting, and in  many other artistic pursuits.



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

A LESSON IN COLOR MIXING PART 2

In today's lesson on color mixing I  will share with you an easy way to mix INTERMEDIATE COLORS  and how to mix TINTS, TONES and SHADES.

INTERMEDIATE  colors are  reached by mixing one primary color +(plus) one secondary color as shown in the diagram below.
TINTS are achieved by adding  WHITE to a color.

TONES are achieved by adding GRAY to a color.

SHADES  are achieved by adding  BLACK to a color.

The amount of WHITE, GRAY or BLACK  that is added to a color will determine the intensity of the TINT, TONE, or SHADE.

Next week I will be sharing with you how to determine WARM and COOL colors.  Colors that reflect emotional values.

I hope you have enjoyed this week's lesson on color mixing. Please stop by next time for more on color mixing technique.

Have a great day............Deb


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A LESSON IN COLOR MIXING

For many years I had wanted to learn the art of oil painting on canvas. However, it just seemed to intimidate me  Why? Because I felt it was important to learn the art of mixing color in order to feel comfortable painting. I took a few private lessons from a relative who is a fantastic artist, but the colors just weren't quite correct in the painting that I first did. 

Of course, I also chose a harder than life subject to paint which didn't help(lol). I was a bit discouraged so didn't pick up a brush for awhile. I didn't have my own oil paint and supplies at the time, so decided to wait until I could invest in those before attempting another painting.

I had been mentally absorbing Mr. Bob Ross' technique for years through viewing his programs on public TV and was anxious to see what I could do with it. Since learning to oil paint had been a lifetime goal, I decided to take the plunge and order the supplies needed to get started.

Through Dick Blick mail order art supplies I ordered everything I needed to get started including the Bob Ross master paint set. I was very excited to get started and actually completed my first masterpiece in about 4 hours!  Then a few days later painted another and and then several more.

My family and friends were so impressed they started comissioning paintings from me.

One thing is missing here though. Bob Ross doesn't teach the art of mixing oil color in the master paint set. So now, I still didn't know how to mix various colors of paint. Several other TV series featured oil color artists who kept mentioning that they only use 3-5 colors of paint, then mix any color under the rainbow with those colors. However, they never did teach how to accomplish that.

Finally, I got an email one day from an artist in Australia who was giving a live video showing over the internet about mixing oil color. I had my own  color mixing chart, but really needed a bit more mentoring to figure it out so I watched the video. It was absolutely enlightening.

I'm going to share with you today some of what I learned about mixing oil  color. Part 1 will be featured this week, with several other parts to follow each week until complete.

PART 1 PRIMARY COLORS

Below is a chart showing the three primary colors; Red, Yellow, Blue. In Oil paint that would represent, Cadium Red, Cadium Yellow and French Ultramarine Blue. These three colors are from which ALL others are made.
Now if you mix these primary colors together in various combinations they will make up SECONDARY colors; orange green and violet.



Then by mixing various combinations of these secondary colors, you will create six INTERMEDIATE colors and so on.

Next week in Part 2 I will be sharing some information on how to mix the intermediate colors, as well as, how to create tints, tones and shades from the colors that you've mixed.

It's a beautiful fall day here in Iowa, a great day to paint a picture. However, I will have to do that another day as I must get outdoors to finish painting the exterior of my house. Have a great day everyone!

Deb

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

New Look

It's a new month so I've decided to give my blog an uplift with a new name and new look.

All the content is the same I just decided it was time to change my blog name  to freshen it up a bit and coordinate with my etsy shop, uniquecozytreasures.

Hopefully, many of my Promotional  Frenzy Team friends have made a lot of sales in August through our team effort. It's been a slow month for me but I'm optimistic that sales will pick up as we are soon to be entering the Holiday buying season.

I guess it's time for us all to start thinking about getting our shops ready for the holiday season.


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Scouts are Out!

August has been a busy month for the PromoFrenzyTeam! We've been part of a huge team effort to help people find our shops and items on Etsy.com

For many of us that has meant increased exposure and sales! Even though August hasn't been exactly the greatest month of sales that I've had, but it has been an encouraging month. Why?

Well, I've learned at least one thing this month. That even if sales are slow, I need to remember that the SCOUTS ARE OUT. Yes, the scouts are out searching through the thousands  of etsy shops looking for unique items that they need to feature in their magazines, books, etc.

They may be looking for the just the item that you have created or designed. I had really given that little thought until last week when a well known publisher from New York City contacted me though an Etsy  convo asking about my eBook, "Vintage Ice Creams, Heirloom Recipes".

Yes, I about passed out. At first I thought it must be some type of scam as they were asking me to provide a hard copy of my ebook to them for review. However, since I am sceptical to just send a copy  to someone that is asking for it, I decided to make sure that this wasn't a scam. So I asked her to provide a phone number where she could be reached later in the day.

Sure enough she fired back an email with the phone number. I checked the phone number out with the publisher's website and sure enough it was legitimate. I was really excited then, but a bit nervous to talk to a big book publisher. The phone rang into the main switchboard at the publishing house, then listed off the names and extentions of the important company contacts. Sure enough her name was on the list, so I rang into her office. A nice young lady answered and we had a relaxed business conversation about the content of my eBook and what they needed from me.

She said it sounded like what their buyers were looking for, but that she needed a copy to submit to them. I could bypass any of the usual requirements like a querey letter, etc. just sent them a PDF copy right away. Well I can tell you that as soon as I got off the phone the PDF copy of my eBook was on it's way via email to the publisher. :)

I don't know how long it will be before I hear anything back from them but I'm assuming it will be a considerable amount of time. And, even if they don't choose to use any of my eBook, I feel really good that they choose to inquire into it and contact me. I feel more comfortable talking to a publisher now and may start writing something else in the future.

So PromoFrenzyTeam mates......even if your sales aren't what you desire.....remember that "The Scouts are Out" there looking and they may just find you!
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1) jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com - 15% off all items over $20

2) Galla15.etsy.com - 30% off all items over $20

3) SymbolicImports.etsy.com - 25% off orders over $10 (some exclusions apply)

4) CalliopeAZCreations.etsy.com - 20% off everything in the shop

5) KrystalsJewelry.etsy.com - 20% off orders over $20

6) SunnyCrystals.etsy.com - 'Summer Special Offer' section - items already reduced plus buy 2 or more of my 3D Decoupage Cards and receive 10% Discount (refunds via paypal)

7) CrochetedbyCharlene.etsy.com - 20% off all orders

8) NewCreationz.etsy.com - 20% off everything Plus free gift Plus entry in to a draw for a voucher to my shop

9) DellCoveSpices.etsy.com - 5% off everything in the shop

10) BountyofBeads.etsy.com - 20% to 25% off Lampwork Beads, Sterling Silver and Polymer Clay Beads (no coupon coded needed, I am using etsyonsale)

11) PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com - 15% off these sections - BLANK CARD SETS, MATTED CARDS and FRAMED CARDS (also using etsyonsale, no coupon)

12) Bijibijoux.etsy.com - Use coupon code frenzyspecial for 10% off any purchase $8 & UP PLEASE

13) TurtleXIII.etsy.com - 15% off entire purchase, NOT INCLUDING destash which is already super cheap

14) delightfulprints.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop, does not include custom orders

15) CrimsonHill.etsy.com - 15% off any order over $10, before shipping with team code.

16) nangatesdesigns.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop

17) Sewinggranny.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop

18) MoanasUniqueDesigns.etsy.com - 10% discount on orders $20 and under, 15% discount on orders over $20

19) lindab142.etsy.com - 10% off of all combined purchases over $15 dollars (except destash and paper items)

20) prodigycrafts.etsy.com - 20% off everything in my shop

21) cigarboxbeads.etsy.com- 20% off everything over $30.

22) vervecolor.etsy.com - 20% off everything in shop before shipping

23) rabbitdogprints.etsy.com- 20% off everything in shop before shipping

24) bloomandbling.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop before shipping

25) Prittyfy.etsy.com – 15% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

26) iaFlowerPower.etsy.com – 20% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

27) Camillescloset.etsy.com- 15% off any order.

28) TheMayFlower.etsy.com - 20% off on any item in shop (sale price already applied! no need for a coupon code!)

29) Five0101.etsy.com - 15% off on any item in shop.

30) PowersOfLove.etsy.com - 25% off your purchase.

31) BellaTheBead.etsy.com - 15% off purchase of $20 or more (excluding shipping)

32) IdeasBloom.etsy.com - 15% off purchase before shipping

33) KrisKraftnMore.etsy.com - 10% off photography prop orders (before shipping). Buy three patterns get one free.

34) CrystalPhotography.etsy.com - In stock section is 30% off. (Prices already reduced via etsyonsale).

35.) cindydidit.etsy.com - use FRENZYSPECIAL to enjoy 20% off

36.) RomanticThoughts.etsy.com - 15% OFF everything in shop, before shipping

37.) Impactjewelry.etsy.com - 15% off all purchases (before shipping)

38.) ToyStoryNutty.etsy.com (Kater's Acres) - 10% off store prices before shipping

39. justByou.etsy.com - 10% off everything in our shop

40.) desertshinejewelry.etsy.com - 15% off everything in our shop before shipping

41) TheCraftingPlace.etsy.com - 20% off everything in our shop OR Free shipping on orders $20 or more (order must still be $20 or more once coupon is applied)

42) Galla15whatnots.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders over $25 dollars!

43) AshlynDesign.etsy.com - up to 20% off all in-stock jewelry designs (coupon not needed, prices are already reduced)

44) GlitterbirdGlamour.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders

45) craftycreations81.etsy.com - 10% off all orders

46) www.etsy.com/shop/TownandCountryVntage -25% off any item (before shipping and DOES NOT include clearance items).

47) kellyjsorenson.etsy.com ~Kelly Designs~ 20% off all PreMade Logo Designs! Prices already reduced, no coupon needed :)

48) babypenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

49) laugingpenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

50) magdamagda.etsy.com - 25% off anything in "ready to ship" section plus free gift

51) IsabellesAttic.etsy.com- 15% off everything!

52) uniquecozytreasures.etsy.com- 5% off everything over $25. All orders receive FREE my eBook, "Vintage Ice Creams".

53) Lostlemonade.etsy.com - 15% off total sales. LostLemonade Club members receive additional 5% off total sales.

54) Uglyducklingbeads.etsy.com - 20% off selected items, listed in the MegaPromoFrenzy section of shop.

55) Greenhouseglassworks.esty.com - 20% off any item that is $20.00 or more....and a free gift with all orders!                   





Tuesday, August 16, 2011

MEET "MIDNIGHT"



About 3 weeks ago I introduced everyone to the little black kitty that appeared in my tree during one night crying out of hunger and fear at the top of his kitty lungs..

When I asked for suggestions on a name for the kitten, the replies were fantastic. So much so that it took me until just this last weekend to finally decide on a name for him.

Since he arrived in the middle of the night and is black, I decided on the name "Midnight" which seemed to be the most popular name suggestion that I received and fits him quite well.

He is now about 9-10 weeks old so we made our first trip to the vet yesterday for his shots, get wormed and an all around check up. He checked out in good health which is great, now he can come inside with my other cat which is where he wants to be now anyway. He has been coming inside at night already to protect him from the other feline predators, but sleeps in a cat carrier which he does not like. By 6:00 am he is crying for breakfast and to get outside.

Midnight has grown twice the size shown in the picture above, I just haven't been able to capture a good photo shot of him as he is always on the move now. Although, today he is still a little quiet and tired from his shots yesterday.

Thanks everyone for all of the name suggestions!!!!

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AUGUST IS SIZZLING WITH FANTASTIC SAVINGS From the Promo Frenzy Team at etsy.com

JUST CHECK OUT ALL OF THESE GREAT DEALS!


1) jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com - 15% off all items over $20

2) Galla15.etsy.com - 30% off all items over $20

3) SymbolicImports.etsy.com - 25% off orders over $10 (some exclusions apply)

4) CalliopeAZCreations.etsy.com - 20% off everything in the shop

5) KrystalsJewelry.etsy.com - 20% off orders over $20

6) SunnyCrystals.etsy.com - 'Summer Special Offer' section - items already reduced plus buy 2 or more of my 3D Decoupage Cards and receive 10% Discount (refunds via paypal)

7) CrochetedbyCharlene.etsy.com - 20% off all orders

8) NewCreationz.etsy.com - 20% off everything Plus free gift Plus entry in to a draw for a voucher to my shop

9) DellCoveSpices.etsy.com - 5% off everything in the shop

10) BountyofBeads.etsy.com - 20% to 25% off Lampwork Beads, Sterling Silver and Polymer Clay Beads (no coupon coded needed, I am using etsyonsale)

11) PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com - 15% off these sections - BLANK CARD SETS, MATTED CARDS and FRAMED CARDS (also using etsyonsale, no coupon)

12) Bijibijoux.etsy.com - Use coupon code frenzyspecial for 10% off any purchase $8 & UP PLEASE

13) TurtleXIII.etsy.com - 15% off entire purchase, NOT INCLUDING destash which is already super cheap

14) delightfulprints.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop, does not include custom orders

15) CrimsonHill.etsy.com - 15% off any order over $10, before shipping with team code.

16) nangatesdesigns.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop

17) Sewinggranny.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop

18) MoanasUniqueDesigns.etsy.com - 10% discount on orders $20 and under, 15% discount on orders over $20

19) lindab142.etsy.com - 10% off of all combined purchases over $15 dollars (except destash and paper items)

20) prodigycrafts.etsy.com - 20% off everything in my shop

21) cigarboxbeads.etsy.com- 20% off everything over $30.

22) vervecolor.etsy.com - 20% off everything in shop before shipping

23) rabbitdogprints.etsy.com- 20% off everything in shop before shipping

24) bloomandbling.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop before shipping

25) Prittyfy.etsy.com – 15% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

26) iaFlowerPower.etsy.com – 20% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

27) Camillescloset.etsy.com- 15% off any order.

28) TheMayFlower.etsy.com - 20% off on any item in shop (sale price already applied! no need for a coupon code!)

29) Five0101.etsy.com - 15% off on any item in shop.

30) PowersOfLove.etsy.com - 25% off your purchase.

31) BellaTheBead.etsy.com - 15% off purchase of $20 or more (excluding shipping)

32) IdeasBloom.etsy.com - 15% off purchase before shipping

33) KrisKraftnMore.etsy.com - 10% off photography prop orders (before shipping). Buy three patterns get one free.

34) CrystalPhotography.etsy.com - In stock section is 30% off. (Prices already reduced via etsyonsale).

35.) cindydidit.etsy.com - use FRENZYSPECIAL to enjoy 20% off

36.) RomanticThoughts.etsy.com - 15% OFF everything in shop, before shipping

37.) Impactjewelry.etsy.com - 15% off all purchases (before shipping)

38.) ToyStoryNutty.etsy.com (Kater's Acres) - 10% off store prices before shipping

39. justByou.etsy.com - 10% off everything in our shop

40.) desertshinejewelry.etsy.com - 15% off everything in our shop before shipping

41) TheCraftingPlace.etsy.com - 20% off everything in our shop OR Free shipping on orders $20 or more (order must still be $20 or more once coupon is applied)

42) Galla15whatnots.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders over $25 dollars!

43) AshlynDesign.etsy.com - up to 20% off all in-stock jewelry designs (coupon not needed, prices are already reduced)

44) GlitterbirdGlamour.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders

45) craftycreations81.etsy.com - 10% off all orders

46) www.etsy.com/shop/TownandCountryVntage -25% off any item (before shipping and DOES NOT include clearance items).

47) kellyjsorenson.etsy.com ~Kelly Designs~ 20% off all PreMade Logo Designs! Prices already reduced, no coupon needed :)

48) babypenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

49) laugingpenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

50) magdamagda.etsy.com - 25% off anything in "ready to ship" section plus free gift

51) IsabellesAttic.etsy.com- 15% off everything!

52) uniquecozytreasures.etsy.com- 5% off everything over $25. All orders receive FREE my eBook, "Vintage Ice Creams".

53) EldoradoSoap.etsy.com - 20% off all orders of $15 or more (before shipping)

54) www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads - 20% off selected items in "MegaPromoFrenzySpecials" section.--- use coupon code "Frenzyspecial"

55.) www.etsy.com/shop/desertshinesupply - 15% off all orders over $20 (excluding shipping). Use coupon code "Frenzyspecial"

56) kristinskeepsakes.etsy.com - free shipping for the month of aug plus a free gift! Just enter coupon code "frenzyspecial"

57. www.etsy.com/shop/lovelacedesigns - 15% OFF everything in the shop (except tax and shipping) :-) Use coupon code: Frenzyspecial at checkout **PLUS** All orders will be entered in a drawing for a *FREE* Wooden Letter of his/her choice!! Winner will be announced Sept 5th.

58. www.etsy.com/shop/pepindor - FREE shipping WORLDWIDE, FREE gift wrapping!!! Enter coupon code " frenzyaugust"

59. www.etsy.com/shop/GreenhouseGlassworks - 20% off items that are $20.00 or more. Free gift with all orders!! Use coupon Frenzyspecial at checkout.

60. Dreameryphotography.etsy.com - BOGO - Buy one print and get another free! No coupon necessary, name your free print at checkout!

61. www.etsy.com/shop/cynthiathornton1 - 15% off all items with team promo code



Tuesday, August 2, 2011

MEGA PROMO FRENZY SPECIALS!



AUGUST IS SIZZLING WITH FANTASTIC SAVINGS From the Promo Frenzy Team at etsy.com

JUST CHECK OUT ALL OF THESE GREAT DEALS!


1) jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com - 15% off all items over $20

2) Galla15.etsy.com - 30% off all items over $20

3) SymbolicImports.etsy.com - 25% off orders over $10 (some exclusions apply)

4) CalliopeAZCreations.etsy.com - 20% off everything in the shop

5) KrystalsJewelry.etsy.com - 20% off orders over $20

6) SunnyCrystals.etsy.com - 'Summer Special Offer' section - items already reduced plus buy 2 or more of my 3D Decoupage Cards and receive 10% Discount (refunds via paypal)

7) CrochetedbyCharlene.etsy.com - 20% off all orders

8) NewCreationz.etsy.com - 20% off everything Plus free gift Plus entry in to a draw for a voucher to my shop

9) DellCoveSpices.etsy.com - 5% off everything in the shop

10) BountyofBeads.etsy.com - 20% to 25% off Lampwork Beads, Sterling Silver and Polymer Clay Beads (no coupon coded needed, I am using etsyonsale)

11) PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com - 15% off these sections - BLANK CARD SETS, MATTED CARDS and FRAMED CARDS (also using etsyonsale, no coupon)

12) Bijibijoux.etsy.com - Use coupon code frenzyspecial for 10% off any purchase $8 & UP PLEASE

13) TurtleXIII.etsy.com - 15% off entire purchase, NOT INCLUDING destash which is already super cheap

14) delightfulprints.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop, does not include custom orders

15) CrimsonHill.etsy.com - 15% off any order over $10, before shipping with team code.

16) nangatesdesigns.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop

17) Sewinggranny.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop

18) MoanasUniqueDesigns.etsy.com - 10% discount on orders $20 and under, 15% discount on orders over $20

19) lindab142.etsy.com - 10% off of all combined purchases over $15 dollars (except destash and paper items)

20) prodigycrafts.etsy.com - 20% off everything in my shop

21) cigarboxbeads.etsy.com- 20% off everything over $30.

22) vervecolor.etsy.com - 20% off everything in shop before shipping

23) rabbitdogprints.etsy.com- 20% off everything in shop before shipping

24) bloomandbling.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop before shipping

25) Prittyfy.etsy.com – 15% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

26) iaFlowerPower.etsy.com – 20% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

27) Camillescloset.etsy.com- 15% off any order.

28) TheMayFlower.etsy.com - 20% off on any item in shop (sale price already applied! no need for a coupon code!)

29) Five0101.etsy.com - 15% off on any item in shop.

30) PowersOfLove.etsy.com - 25% off your purchase.

31) BellaTheBead.etsy.com - 15% off purchase of $20 or more (excluding shipping)

32) IdeasBloom.etsy.com - 15% off purchase before shipping

33) KrisKraftnMore.etsy.com - 10% off photography prop orders (before shipping). Buy three patterns get one free.

34) CrystalPhotography.etsy.com - In stock section is 30% off. (Prices already reduced via etsyonsale).

35.) cindydidit.etsy.com - use FRENZYSPECIAL to enjoy 20% off

36.) RomanticThoughts.etsy.com - 15% OFF everything in shop, before shipping

37.) Impactjewelry.etsy.com - 15% off all purchases (before shipping)

38.) ToyStoryNutty.etsy.com (Kater's Acres) - 10% off store prices before shipping

39. justByou.etsy.com - 10% off everything in our shop

40.) desertshinejewelry.etsy.com - 15% off everything in our shop before shipping

41) TheCraftingPlace.etsy.com - 20% off everything in our shop OR Free shipping on orders $20 or more (order must still be $20 or more once coupon is applied)

42) Galla15whatnots.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders over $25 dollars!

43) AshlynDesign.etsy.com - up to 20% off all in-stock jewelry designs (coupon not needed, prices are already reduced)

44) GlitterbirdGlamour.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders

45) craftycreations81.etsy.com - 10% off all orders

46) www.etsy.com/shop/TownandCountryVntage -25% off any item (before shipping and DOES NOT include clearance items).

47) kellyjsorenson.etsy.com ~Kelly Designs~ 20% off all PreMade Logo Designs! Prices already reduced, no coupon needed :)

48) babypenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

49) laugingpenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

50) magdamagda.etsy.com - 25% off anything in "ready to ship" section plus free gift

51) IsabellesAttic.etsy.com- 15% off everything!

52) uniquecozytreasures.etsy.com- 5% off everything over $25. All orders receive FREE my eBook, "Vintage Ice Creams".

53) EldoradoSoap.etsy.com - 20% off all orders of $15 or more (before shipping)

54) www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads - 20% off selected items in "MegaPromoFrenzySpecials" section.--- use coupon code "Frenzyspecial"

55.) www.etsy.com/shop/desertshinesupply - 15% off all orders over $20 (excluding shipping). Use coupon code "Frenzyspecial"                   

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