Craft and Hobby

Patios: The New Trend in Home Remodels

2009-06-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

Patios: The New Trend in Home Remodels
by: Jill Dow
In years past a patio was sort of a throw on to a home. It was typically a concrete slab to keep your feet clean on your way in or out. Then you'd plunk down a couple of chairs and a table and enjoy your patio when the sun went down. More recently, covered patios have become very popular. Adding a patio or "outdoor living area" to your home is both a great investment and a relaxing extension of your homes interior that you can enjoy all day and all yearlong. You might want to consider the following features.
1 Add an outdoor kitchen to your patio for easy entertaining. When planning your kitchen think about storage, clean up and prep areas. You can buy pre-made outdoor grills with these features or build your own custom kitchen.
2 Patio furnishings can be quite luxurious because they're protected from the elements. Think outdoor living room with comfortable chairs, lounges, couches and plants all around.
3 If you have a spacious patio you might add a home spa. You can make this a focal point of the patio with container garden landscaping, intimate lighting, tiki torches or candles. ItÃƒÂ¢??s sure to be a feature you'll use year round.
4 Patio Heaters. There is a fairly extensive line of patio heaters available that allow you to enjoy your patio even on cold days. You might also consider an outdoor fireplace, or fire pit to heat your patio on the coldest of days.
5 Patio Misters are a wonderful addition if you live in a climate where summers can be unbearable. You'll keep your guests comfortable on even the hottest days.
6 Patios for children. If you have children you should think about a child friendly area. You can provide storage for outdoor games, pool and sprinkler fun, as well as keep towels and a change of clothes or shoes handy.
When planning your new patio addition consider your hobbies, family life style, and entertaining habits. Have fun with your patio design and make it your own!
For more information on patio design see www.patioportal.com You'll also find great buys on patio furniture, umbrellas, hammocks, grills and more!

Online Garden Seed Exchanges

2009-06-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Online Garden Seed Exchanges
by: Jill Dow
If you've been gardening for any length of time you have probably realized a couple of things.
1 Gardening can be quite expensive 2 Finding the plants you really want can be a daunting task.
If you're anything like me, you enjoy making changes to your gardens on pretty much a yearly basis. I call this "puttering". I'm always adding, moving, and redesigning. After all, what good is puttering in the garden if there's little to do? While this is good therapy and for many like myself the ultimate form of relaxation mixed with exercise, it can cost a bundle!
I'll remove a section of garden with a brilliant new garden design in mind and head off to the local garden stores, only to find they have nothing I wanted. In the past I've settled for what was to be had, only to find myself not happy with it next year and the "puttering" begins again.
Then I discovered.. ONLINE SEED EXCHANGES!!!!!
Online seed exchanges are simple online forums where gardeners can post notices of excess seed they have and are willing to exchange for what you have. You can also post requests for seed youÃƒÆ’????d like. This is a remarkable service! It costs you nothing but a few cents postage to find the garden seed youÃƒÆ’????ve been looking for and to share your seed with other gardeners. I'm always thrilled to acquire seed in late fall and propagate them in winter so they're ready for next springs puttering season.
Here's are some of the best online seed exchanges.
The Garden Web Seed Exchange http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/exseed/
Emily Compost Seed Exchange http://www.emilycompost.com/seed_exchange.htm
The Garden Helper Seed Exchange http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/forum/8.html
Happy puttering!
For more information on growing bulbs and seeds see http://www.bulbandseed.com

3 Things to Consider when Building a Greenhouse

2009-06-10T18:25:00.000-07:00

3 Things to Consider when Building a Greenhouse
by: Greenhouses and Gazebos
A greenhouse has the potential to provide many benefits for the average flower-lover. However, if they are not built in the appropriate location the results can be detrimental. That said, before you build a greenhouse, it is important to consider all aspects in order to ensure you receive the best results possible.
If you are thinking of building a greenhouse, but are unsure of factors which can affect the outcome, read the information below which will inform you on everything you need to know before you start building. Consider the following factors when determining where you are going to build your greenhouse:
1. Light â€“ Everyone knows that plants need light to grow and sunlight is even more crucial for greenhouses because there are so many different types of plants and flowers requiring light. You do not want to build your greenhouse in an area which receives no sunlight at all however you do not want to build it in an area which receives too much sun either. Not enough can be harmful to the plants and flowers, yet so can too much sun. You will want to build your greenhouse in an area which receives a minimum of 6 full hours of sunlight a day. You may also want to consider planting a tree on either side of your lighthouse which will provide some shade through the day. Overhanging trees are not a good idea and may put your greenhouse in danger due to falling branches.
2. Convenience â€“ You will want to build your greenhouse in a convenient area which can be easily accessed, but is not in an area which may be targeted by high winds. You donâ€™t want to have to walk a mile just to get to your greenhouse because chances are you wonâ€™t maintain it as well this way. Other things to consider when building your greenhouse are access to electricity and water. These are important in the successful functioning of your greenhouse.
3. Setting â€“ The actual setting of your greenhouse will greatly affect its overall performance. Many areas throughout the world receive high levels of rain during certain times of the year. This can be detrimental to operation of your greenhouse since too much rain can cause flooding inside. The best way to ensure this doesnâ€™t happen is by building your greenhouse in a high level area that is a great deal higher than most of the other property.
Choosing the location of your greenhouse is the most important factor you will need to consider. Take your time and research all your options before you start building. A greenhouse is a large investment and you want to make sure the money you spend now will be worth it in the future.

Container Gardening

2009-05-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

Container Gardening
by: Jill Dow
Container gardening is a wonderful idea whether you have a garden bed or not. It's perfect for apartments or small areas, but can also really enhance your patio. Here are some tips on gardening in containers.
Every Garden can benefit from the addition of container gardens. They add interst and variety, plus are easily moved around. If you live in an apartment or have a small area to work with this may be the only solution for you.
Your Container
Your container can be pretty much anything and is only limited to your imagination. Just make sure there is adequate drainage for your plants. I love old buckets, discarded kitchen pots and baskets for a rustic feel. For a formal garden choose a more traditional container. Regardless of your choice of container, make sure it's not to big or too small for your planting.
Your Soil
Do not use garden soil for your container plants. Garden soil is too heavy, dries out too quickly and will not provide the needed nutrients your container plants need. You can find good potting soil at your local garden center or you can mix your own.To mix your own make sure you include soil, peat, sand and a slow release fertilizer.
Maintenance
You'll need to pay close attention to your container grown plants -- much more than plants in your garden beds. The soil will dry out more quickly so frequent watering it a must. You'll also need to fertilize more frequently. Water in the morning or evening whenever the soil is almost dry and water thoroughly until water comes out the bottom drainage holes.
One thing I really love about container gardening is mobility. If a particular grouping doesn''t work you can simply move your pots and change your garden design.
Have fun, experiment and be creative!

How to Place Home Theater Speakers

2009-05-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

How to Place Home Theater Speakers
by: Jon Martin
You have your television and home theater receiver; you just bought your new speakers and subwoofer and are ready to test things out. It's time to break out the measuring tape because precision is vital to achieving the full potential of your home theater system. For this article, we are going to focus on a 5.1 surround sound system. The term "5.1" refers to the number of speakers and subwoofers in the system respectively. So for a 5.1 surround sound system, there are five speakers (the center channel, the two front speakers, and the two rear speakers) and one subwoofer. When placing your home theater speakers, try to use the same amount of speaker wire for each type of speaker. For example, use the same length of wire for each of the front speakers. This will allow the signal to reach each speaker in about the same instant. I say â€œaboutâ€ because there are variations in the wire which could cause the signal to reach one speaker slightly (fractions of a fraction of a second) before the other. By making the two lengths equal, you ensure that this delay remains tiny and unnoticeable.
Center Channel The center channel should always be placed either immediately above or immediately below the viewing screen. Make sure the speaker is pointed directly at the audience.
Front Speakers The two front speakers should be the same distance from the audience as the center channel. Doing this will ensure that the sound will travel from each speaker to the audience in the same amount of time and reduce the chances of there being a noticeable delay between what takes place on screen to when you hear it. Each of the front speakers should also be positioned an equal distance from the TV on either side. This distance is dependant on your specific tastes; just make sure that the distances are both equal.
Rear Speakers The rear speakers should be mounted on the walls on either side of the audience. Their purpose is to provide a sense of atmosphere, not provide the main sound for your home theater system. Therefore, they should not be pointed directly at the audience's ears or you risk over powering the center channel and the two front speakers. Again, distance is important. Try to have the rear speakers the same distance from the TV in order to use the same amount of speaker wire and if possible have them placed equidistance from the audience.
Subwoofer Bass tones by their nature are more difficult to localize than the midrange and high notes of the other five speakers. This will give you more freedom as to where to place the subwoofer. However, the location surrounding the subwoofer can greatly influence the bass tones you hear. Placing the subwoofer in a corner or under a table will create a deeper resonating tone as the sound waves reflect off of the surfaces. The placement of the subwoofer is up to you, depending on the type of bass you want. Experiment with different locations and find the one that best suits your taste.
Realizing the full potential of your home theater speakers is not a difficult task. By following these guidelines, you will be ready to enjoy your home theater the way it was meant to be heard.

Comic Book Collecting, Oh what an Enjoyable Past Time it is!

2009-05-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Comic Book Collecting, Oh what an Enjoyable Past Time it is!
by: Comics Galore
Have you ever read a comic book before? I imagine just about everyone, at some time in their life, has read at least one comic book. But do your interests and enjoyment level go beyond that? You may have said to yourself, at sometime or another, I would like to start a comic book collection some day. Heck, you may even have several comic books lying around that you have just never organized.
What do I do to start a comic book collection and what all do I need? Well, as I am sure you realize, you need to start with a passion. You have a passion, you say, but you don't want to be labeled a "comic book geek" and remain alone in your enjoyment. Well, my suggestion to you is "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and believe me, you are not alone. You would be amazed at the multitudes of individuals who have a passion for comic books. And there are a plethora of related sites on the Web.
I couldn't get enough of these colorful action-packed little devils when I was young. But like any supposedly responsible individual, I lay my passion aside when I got older and when to college and got a good job. Well in the last several months, I have rekindled that childhood passion and have spent a good share of my time researching and creating my own comic book website. And what a rush it has been reintroducing myself to myself. I am finding quite an avid interest in all the new comic book hero movies Hollywood is cranking out. I have even started my own comic book hero DVD collection. And this is big business, so I know there are throngs of people out there with my same interests and I hope to connect with many of them through my website.
I ran into a major thrill the other day glancing through the want ads of my local newspaper. Lo and behold, someone was selling a comic book collection. A quick call and a meeting in the shopping mall parking lot and I was the proud owner of 189 comic books kept in beautiful condition. And get this; it cost me $50.00 for the whole collection. I have as yet to determine the actual worth of the collection, but it has got to be substantially more than what I paid for it. As time goes on, I will be organizing all of them in a spreadsheet and using my trusty copy of the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide to determine my new collection's total worth. As I do that, I will be reporting results on my website.
Through all my research over the last many months, I have even created an ebook product on how to start a comic book collection, which is filled with Internet resources. I want to have an inexpensive resource available to help others, with the same passion I have, to get started. If you care to see what the book is about, you can check it out at http://www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-collection.html and let me know what you think.
When you start your collection, you will need to start thinking about sources to purchase your comic books from. You will want to start learning about comic book supplies to help preserve and organize your magazines. You will want to learn how the rest of the industry goes about grading physical condition and what your individual comics are worth. Personally though, I believe some of the greatest worth in a comic book is what it means to you and the enjoyment you receive from owning these little pieces of art. You may even what to find where all the great comic book conventions are and if there are any close to you. All of this information is available on the Net and I am hoping to build a central hub to all this other great info.
Want to start a collection? Come on over and visit me. Kick your shoes off and stay for a while. I don't think you will be disappointed. You may even want to bookmark my site. Have something of value you want me to add or a question that needs an answer? I am all ears. So start scanning the want ads and I will see you at my site. Flame on! Or was that "Up, Up and Away"?