:Wise Money Tips

Ask a majority of scrapbookers what their “weakness” is…and they will say paper. From unique colors of cardstock to beautifully patterned paper, we often use the logic, “Buy the paper and the layout will come.” In the meantime, your scrapbook space, big or small, becomes overrun with stacks and stacks of paper waiting to be used.

So, it’s time to get organized…but what is the best scrapbook storage solution?

As with everything scrapbook related, there is no correct answer, just what best fits your situation and we’re here to provide you with some ideas on how to best store your scrapbook paper. Let’s start with horizontal scrapbook paper storage!

Most scrapbook stores will store their paper horizontally because they have the room for rows and rows of shelves and racks. Now, most of us don’t have room for all those shelves, but horizontal storage is still a possibility with 12″ x 12″ plastic snap top cases. You can buy them individually, or as part of a three-drawer or six-drawer cart, so you can make the most use out of your vertical space. These snap top cases are also great for storing the components of individual projects. Working on a mini-album for your son’s birthday? Keep all your paper, pictures, embellishments, etc. together in one case, so you don’t have to dig around for all the pieces when you actually have a minute to work on it.

If you don’t like to stack your paper or have skinny bookshelves that can’t take a wide storage solution? Try vertical paper storage. Depending on your preferences, you can use traditional magazine storage files for 8.5″ x 11″ paper, but you will have to get special storage files for 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper. Vertical paper storage is best for cardstock or other papers that you will be accessing frequently because you can just slide the storage file out and pick the paper you need. These paper holders also come with dividers, so you can store multiple colors within a singe file! Just one thing to keep in mind is that you will need very tall shelves if you plan on using these vertical storage files in a bookshelf.

In the end, you may decide that you want to use a combination of horizontal and vertical scrapbook paper storage, it’s all up to you!!

Happy Scrapping!

Michelle has been scrapbooking for over five years and is the owner of Choubox Scrapbook Design (http://www.creative-scrapbook-layouts.com). Choubox is your source for pre-made scrapbook layouts, quality scrapbook supplies and valuable information on how to start scrapbooking.

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I have holidayed in different alpine snowboarding hang outs for instance Courchevel, Bessans, Montgenevre and La Plagne, but through all our ski holidays Chamonix village is our number one resort to go for luxury ski holiday.

The birthplace of French Alpine history and dwelling to the formidable Monte Bianco - at 4807m Europe’s loftiest point - Chamonix Mont Blanc touts a unmatched historical snow register, a endless snowboarding season (November-April), incomparable steep telemarking, and scenes to die for. Not withstanding Chamonix Haute Savoie has an far reaching repute since it has a few of the most striking, provocative, and thrilling downhill skiing on hand anyplace in the planet.

Chamonix is extensive and every bit as intimidating, and that’s before we even count the adjoining ski resorts; including Val Cenis, Les Arcs, La Grave, Le Grand-Bornand and Megeve.

The Monte Bianco lift pass covers 8 Chamonix town, and sixteen departmental skiing domains; with land as high as 3840 metres, more than 210 lifts, and 770 km of skiing runs - and the absolute majority of the skiing resorts above 2050m. It provides for every tier from starters right through to experts. Come to the snowboarding towns page for detailed look at all of the main domains: Les Contamines-Montjoie, Auron, Espace Killy, Gourette, Brevent and Les Orres.

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A true crafter does not look for shortcuts in making a product if it means that product will decrease in quality. But a true crafter can surely appreciate good crafting tips that may lessen the working time while still providing excellent quality.

Below are seven crafting tips that one may find useful to have:

1. A thin layer of plaster may be used with stencils to create a raised effect. Be sure to clean the stencils immediately.

2. To spread plaster when using stencils anything stiff will work. I use an old insurance card!

3. If you need to measure an item but can’t find your ruler then pull out a $1 bill. A $1 bill is six inches long, so obviously when folded in half is three inches long.

4. When working with polymer clay, if you need to create a small dome shape, then slightly press the polymer clay into a paint pallet.

5. Paint brushes when cleaned with hand soap and rinsed well will become very soft.

6. If you have several containers full of ribbon, cut a small strip from each roll of ribbon and tape the strips on the front of the container. This way you don’t need to open every container to find the ribbon you are searching for.

7. Place a plastic sack over a freshly painted area, and press down on the sack to cover the area. Then lift the sack off the painted area to reveal an unusual design.

These seven tips will not decrease the quality of your craft item and may make your crafting more creative!

Join the FREE Newsletter, Crafty Corner, by visiting http://www.craftycorner.makes.it and participate in the current Crafty Corner Contest being held through February 17, 2006.

Brandi Clark is the owner of Floral Creations. At Floral Creations we offer baby gifts, home decor and more! Visit http://www.craftycorner.makes.it

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It is a wonderful feeling when you finally finish sewing your doll. She is SO cute, her frock is just adorable and her hair is exactly the way you wanted it. She is just perfect! The only thing left to do is to draw her face.

This is the part of doll making that can cause the most anxiety amongst doll makers, but by following a few simple “rules” you can confidently achieve a gorgeous face every time.

Always begin by drawing your doll’s face on paper. Practice positioning your doll’s features to ensure you have the right proportion and position.

Have fun experimenting with different styles and observe those around you. Babies, small children and characters in children’s books often have cute features, which can provide inspiration.
I encourage you to use your imagination to personalise your doll and make her a “one of a kind” heirloom.

On a sheet of paper, draw a shape similar in size to your doll’s head.

Lightly draw a line horizontally and vertically through the centre of the “face”.

Look in the mirror and you will notice your eyes are approximately midway between your chin and the top of your head. Mark the centres of the eyes on the horizontal line an equal distance from the midline. By placing the eyes slightly lower on the face, your doll will have a younger appearance.
Divide the lower half of your face into thirds and mark a small dot on the centre line at these points. These will be the positions of the nose and the mouth.

Next, you will need to choose the style of face you would like. The style you choose should fit the character of your doll. A naive style doll will have a much simpler face than a more formal doll.

Experiment with different shapes for each facial feature. You may like to try round eyes and oval eyes, with or without eyelashes and eyebrows, a little button or a straight nose and different sizes and shapes of hearts or smiley u shapes for your dolls mouth. Some dolls look gorgeous with two tiny “commas” for nostrils instead of a nose. The more styles you try out the easier it will be for you to choose a face that really complements your doll.

When you are happy with the style, size, shapes and positioning of all of your doll’s facial features it is time to add some colour to bring your doll to life.

Pigma micron 01 made by Sakura are the brand of pen I prefer. They are waterproof and fade proof and they contain archival, pigment ink. They are also available in a range of 6 colours. Derwent artist pencils also provide a high quality finish to your doll’s face and you can purchase them individually in your favourite colours. If you plan to continue doll making then purchasing good quality pens and pencils to finish your doll is an excellent investment.

Choose eye, mouth and cheek colours to complement your doll. Use the black pen to draw the eyes and eyelashes, the brown pen to draw the nose and eyebrows and either the brown or the red pen for your doll’s mouth. Be careful when using drawing pens, they have a very fine tip so always hold them in an upright position (not slanted) to prevent damaging the pen tip.

Before adding pencil colour to your doll experiment with the various ways you can apply this. You can achieve many different effects by using either a sharper or a blunter pencil. You should also try the side of the pencil as well as the point. A good way to add shading is to apply the colour to a scrap of paper or calico and carefully rub this over the area you want to colour. Gradually build up the colour in layers until you obtain the desired look. Just remember it is easier to add a bit more colour than it is to try to remove it. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of the colours you have used, just jot down the names of the colours and any special techniques you may have used to apply them alongside your diagram as a reference for future use.

Once you are completely satisfied with your doll’s new face, it is time to transfer it onto fabric. However, before you take the final step, it is a good idea to practice one more time just to make yourself comfortable with working on fabric. The slightly uneven texture of the fabric will make a difference when you are drawing the face and the colours may need adjusting to suit.

Place a piece of fabric in an embroidery hoop and follow the steps listed above, once again. Once you have added all of your doll’s features to the fabric and you are satisfied she has just the attitude and expression you are trying to achieve then you are ready to complete your doll!

You should feel completely comfortable now applying your doll’s face!

You might like to add your doll’s photo to an online Photo Gallery so others can see her online. A really professional, friendly & helpful photo gallery for cloth doll’s and patchwork can be found at http://www.kitsnpieces.com.au

You can find a great template for drawing your dolls face at http://www.kitsnpieces.com.au/face_tips.htm

Karen Bennet is an authority on cloth doll making who provides articles and craft tips for several leading e-zines and craft magazines including Country Threads and Handmade.

Karen Bennet

Kits ‘n’ Pieces

http://www.kitsnpieces.com.au

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Technique of watercolor painting is intended for a wide variety of painters from absolute beginners to more advanced painters. Although the texts are specifically for watercolorists many of the matters discussed are of interest also to both painters in oil and other mediums.

This series of articles is about Technique.

Technique is the way a task is performed. It includes dexterity of hand and brain to successfully work tools and materials to reach the objective desired in the finished work. Brain is controlled by Mind the creative aspect of intelligence.

An Artist is a painter who has developed a high level of technique. An Artist therefore is a good painter by definition. A good painter is one who has good technique. A painter who has a poor technique is a painter but not an Artist. An Artist is one whose work is Art. Art is not a differentiation between trades such as between plumbing and masonry. An Artist is a Master painter and a master of technique.

Which would you rather trust - an airline pilot who has poor control and understanding of the way a plane flies or one who has studied and been shown by trained trusted and experienced pilots who know how to do the job properly.

Many painters dismiss technique believing striving for this undermines their creativity. Creativity cannot be undermined. Creativity is more powerful than any lack of it. The search for higher levels of technique is an essential process needed before contact with full artistic expression can be attained.

Watercolor painting is a delightful medium to work. It helps the individual to open the eyes and see the subtlety and power of the natural and our so-called manmade world. It is suitable for all ages and classes of persons. At its best its ablest proponents can stand comparison next to the greats in any other medium. This does not mean the best painters in oils are the best in watercolors and vice versa. The skill required for watercolor painting stands on its own and can panic the most able of oil painters.

When a watercolor painter applies a wash to the ground [paper] the water energizes the pigment into having a life of its own. To an extent when the pigment moves it also often seems in addition to have a will of its own. An oil painter dabs some pigment on a canvas ground and the pigment just stays there dumb as if it has no intelligence. The oil painter has to impart energy into the work for success while the watercolorist to some degree allows energy to emerge from some mysterious place within the painting.

Watercolors are suitable for most subjects. They are also suitable for most persons at any age. Yet the medium does have its own set of unique restrictions.

For example to be able to control a wash the painter normally has to be within arms length of it to maintain this control. The oil painter can step back twenty feet to judge its effect and this will not make the slightest difference to the position of the paint. This is not so with watercolor for two reasons. One the painting must be vertical to judge it from a distance and by the time this is viewed from almost any distance most of the painting will be on the floor.

The other drawback is the maximum size of the ground. Painters in oils seem to have no practical limitation as far as area of canvass is concerned. Graffiti is testament to this. I know of no watercolorist graffiti culture. Rolls of watercolor paper can be bought but I think only for suppliers to cut their own sizes for retailing or reselling painters’ blocks.

One subject loved by watercolorists is the landscape. There are many aspects to this. The four elements of antiquity are Earth Air Water and Fire. There is nothing about oil here therefore oil is evidently in some other sub-category. The actual natural landscape contains three of these elements and can be proved to be so every day of the week by simply looking out of the window. The watercolorist uses water and without it watercolor painting would not exist. This gives the watercolor painter a unique bond with the natural landscape and the water it contains in land sea and air in all its forms such as ice water vapor and steam.

Watercolorists are also preeminent in the painting of natural history subjects. This is because the medium is more easily capable of precise work. Early watercolorists perhaps concentrated on flowers and foliage. This suited a drier use of the pigments and made the medium suitable also for those who were not so creative but were patient and content to paint as an extension to their interest in freehand drawing.

Many painters from these beginnings became creative painters. They included middle and upper class women well educated in writing singing and needlecraft. It was their social class who were largely involved in the expanding sciences. Graphic images were needed to spread scientific ideas to the wider public for its support. This entailed printing from engraved plates copied from drawings and paintings to satisfy the wider demand for illustrated books of all kinds both before and after the invention of photography.

Only the very best watercolorists are able to paint portraits. This is a nightmare area for most watercolorists. There seems to be two types of watercolorist portrait painter. One who paints very dry and produces precise images whose subjects are easily recognizable.

The other is the free impressionistic portrait that looks as if it has been completed in a couple of minutes. Often these are bleary looking subjects apparently in the advanced stages of decomposition. A painter is either a natural for portrait painting or best to leave it alone. I leave it alone!

Architectural painting is also a natural subject for watercolorists. The subjects lend themselves to spontaneous technique if the painter understands the significance of architectural details. Also the long slow painstaking rendering of measured work is very satisfying. Architectural perspectives are well know for their dramatic effect and use for promoting designs in competitions.

Modern impressionistic painting is a natural watercolor outlet for the watercolorist. In spite of what many think this type of painting is very structured. Like a sentence a painting is an idea but conveyed in paint. An idea that has no structure is not an idea. Most impressionistic paintings are simply moods a sense of being. A sense of being is simply the brain wafting around using energy to no purpose. A mood is without consciousness.

Art is the expression of heightened consciousness.

Some painters think or feel all they need to do is to relax in an artistic pose and the result will be a work of Art. This may in rare cases be so but in the majority what will be expressed will be only a distortion caused by illusion. It is in fact self-delusion expressing an illusion.

In a gallery show a viewer may ask you if you have anything in purple because of some wallpaper problem they have in one of the bedrooms at home. This poses a problem because the temptation is to go off in a hurry and paint one. Sympathize with but ignore.

Then again when you have completed a painting you think is the best you have ever done a stranger perhaps might tell you he sees a white stallion in your painting rearing up into the clouds and wants to know what your precise thoughts of this horse actually were at the time. The truth is you have no idea what he is talking about. It is surprising how simple it is to construct some sort of metaphysics to explain this horse.

On one occasion I was sitting in my studio gazing idly at the wall when from a very acute angle one of my paintings of trees in a wood came into sharp focus. What I saw instead of trees occupying most of the area within the mount was a magnificent beautiful nude sixteen-year-old girl with pure pink-white skin sitting laid back in the arms of a most revolting looking equally nude but hairy leering devil. So be careful.

Pictures seem to be a record of all our thoughts at their time of painting. Perhaps these images are not what we believe to be hidden away deep in the unconscious part of us but they may well lurk there. Let us always be careful what we think because what we think as well as what we have thought in the past is part of what our paintings and we ourselves are today.

Technique takes time to develop. The search for a true technique will lead us along many blind alleys and a lot of watercolor has to flow under the bridge before we even get near to where we think we wish to be.

This is why the emphasis here is on Technique and part of this technique is drawing - the basis of all painting. Painting is drawing with paint.

Next Subject: Technique of Watercolor Painting WC02 WATER

John Blenkin is a retired architect and is now a watercolor painter and article writer. His interests are wide covering both technical and philosophical subjects. He also writes online articles on the technique of watercolor painting.
http://www.freefolios.com/
foka@spidernet.com.cy

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In Australia, the back shed is like a haven, somewhere to escape
from the world and, well, just do your own thing. Some men set up their shed to play pool, darts, or old time Pinball machines, many even install a drinks bar so they can invite a few mates around and have some fun.

What do you do in your shed?

Let me tell you what the more industrious or creative types do
in their sheds. There are many sheds around that have fantastic
machinery installed where by all sorts of special projects can be created by retired engineers, professional trade workers, and semi-skilled self taught home handy man type of people. There has been some amazing home built creations that have emerged from the humble backyard shed.

A mans got to have a shed to relax, to create, to repair, to rebuild, or to just lose himself for a few hours. A mans shed is his castle.

Here is what some men build in their sheds:
Woodturning is a widespread practical type of hobby that almost
anyone can do, it is not hard to learn, and equipment & tools can be home built, and the main consumable material of “timber or wood” is plentiful. The skills to do woodturning can be mastered by anyone with the desire to learn.

Furniture making can also be undertaken by the home craft person,
if you are skilled enough you could create furniture pieces that would be worth many thousands of dollars if you bought them in a furniture store.
Reproduction antiques, modern, or classic design furniture can
be made in the home shed if you have the skills and a good set
of hand tools, think of the basic skills of the old time furniture makers, they did not have access to precision saws, routers, planners etc, basic skills and elbow grease were the secret to their success.

If you don’t like working with wood or timber, then you could try your hand at working with metal, of course you will need different types of tools and skill sets to work with metal, but again, the skills can be easily learnt from books, night classes or even private tuition.
Metal can be cut, bent & shaped into all sorts designs using
special forms or dies, decorative wrought iron designs on domestic gates are created using these techniques.
Is it possible for the home worker to do this in his shed? Absolutely, learn the skills, buy some tools and get the creative juices flowing to make your own metal creations.

Metal Casting, I.E, the melting and pouring of molten metal into
sand moulds is one of the fastest growing creative metal craft
hobbies around the world. Some of the most amazing objects have
been created in humble sheds, everything from simple doorknobs, to handles and levers for machines, to special parts for vintage car & motorcycles, even home built aeroplane engines for micro light aircraft. Or you can design and build things for special projects you may be working on.

You may think that this is just pie in the sky stuff, but it is not, it is happening at this very moment somewhere around the globe, it could be happening in a shed not very far from you,
and you would be surprised at just how many people there might be in your neighbour hood that are busy creating all kinds of things.
You could be one of these special breed of people to… all you need is a shed, some tools, a few basic skills, and a good dose of imagination, it wont cost you much to set up, and the satisfaction value returned to you will be multiplied tenfold in self esteem and personal rewards.

Col Croucher has a life long passion in creative hobbies, a firm believer in keeping old time skills alive and to pass them onto the next generation. Visit our metal casting web site: http://www.myhomefoundry.com to learn about hobby metal casting.

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People who enjoy stitching have for a long time known the
benefits needlework brings. There are many reasons why
people choose use their leisure time to stitch, but there are
also many reasons why this is good for them!

Engaging in a craft such as needlework causes the
embroiderer to slow down, and concentrate on the task at
hand. With such busy lives, many of us find that such
opportunities are precious. They help us to relax, give our
hands the chance to work, while our minds can be at rest.
Sure, needlework requires concentration, but some
needlework falls into a rhythm, which allows our brains to
disengage while our hands’ muscle memory does the work.

In his book “In Praise of Slow”, Carl Honore explains why
slowing down is important, and how in our culture of speed
we need to take opportunities to slow down. Needlework is
a great way to do this. It takes time. It is not something that
can be mastered overnight, nor are most projects
something that can be done overnight. Needlework
develops fine motor skill, but also more intangible skills
such as delayed gratification and persistence.

Needlework allows for expression of creativity. We can use
our embroidery to express ourselves. I do embroidery
because I must be creating something. For me, it is
something I am driven to do. If I do not create, I feel that
something is missing. For me, and many others, the action
of creating something contributes to our mental well being
and feelings of fulfilment.

I feel that there is something spiritual about creating. Made
in the image of God, we share some of His likenesses. God
created everything. When I create, for me it is an act of
worship. Its me saying “God, you are the ultimate creator.
Here is my feeble attempt as an offering to you.”

I often find that many of the students in my needlework
classes have health problems. Needlework classes are an
opportunity for students to completely lose themselves in a
task, forgetting their problems, while enjoying the wonderful
social interactions that embroidery classes typically provide.
One of my students once commented that getting together
with a group of women to sew is better than paying $50 to a
therapist any day! And at the end they have something that
they have made to show off or even give to their family and
friends. The benefits of building social connections and self
esteem like this are enormous.

It seems that many people agree. Attendance at the craft
shows around the nation is up, with many spending up big
on a range of crafts in which to immerse themselves. New
craft magazines are appearing on the newsagency shelves
all the time. The message that “craft is good for you” is
getting through.

It is clear that needlework fills a void in people’s lives: for
social interaction, for expression of creativity, and for giving
people something meaningful and enjoyable to do.

We can now enjoy the knowledge that research backs up
these experiences: participation in the textile arts brings
many benefits, particularly for health and social wellbeing.
Frances Reynolds, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the
Department of Health and Social Care, Brunel University,
UK has published a paper entitled Textile art promoting
well-being in long-term illness: some general and specific
influences.

“It fills occupational voids following early retirement and
enables social contacts. Textile artwork also stimulates
learning and personal development. It draws upon rich
social traditions, facilitating social contact. Many forms of
textile art making are highly time-consuming, fostering
a future orientation, and the creative process is often
socially visible within the home, with positive consequences
for self-image.” says Dr Reynolds.

So as you enjoy your embroidery, rest easy in the
knowledge that what you are doing is good for your health.
And you could even use it as an excuse to buy more craft
supplies and add to your stash… “But its good for my
health!”

Yvette Stanton is an embroidery teacher and the author of
the books “Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature”
(2004) and “Elegant Hardanger Embroidery” (2002, 2005).
http://www.embroidery.more.at

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For many Scrapbookers Journaling is something we just see everyone else doing believing that we either have nothing to say or nothing good enough to say.

The basic rules for journaling is to capture the theme of the picture, for example the who, what and where are just the beginning.
What was the mood? How was the weather?

Here are a few tips to help you with your journaling inhibitions keeping in mind that even if you really do Not have anything to say that there are quotes, sayings,poems, lyrics and one liners that you can add to your layout.

Using a Scrap of paper jot down one worded feelings, emotions and info that are relevant to the day this will make it easier to compose it all together later.

Use adjectives and adverbs. Colorful words make for interesting journaling.

Embellish your journaling with words just like you do your scrapbook pages! Dont rush it, if you don’t feel creative then don’t Journal at that time, right down some notes and come back to it later.

For future reference when you are taking your photos jot down some notes of funny things the kids said, where you were, the time of day etc. all could be helpful for the journaling later.

Time invested in detailed journaling is time well spent for your family and generations to come allowing them an insight into their family history.

This Article was written by Shellie Wilson co/founder of Craftbits.com

Visit http://www.CraftBits.com for 1000’s of Free Step by Step Craft Lessons

Enter to win free craft prizes or browse around our 1000’s of Free Craft Projects.

Participate in a worldwide craft swap or just get some free craft advice or read an article.

For more free craft resources visit http://www.CraftBits.com

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Daughter of Destiny
Child of the Spirit

Yesterday’s is gone
A new day has come
With the fire of My Spirit
You now shall burn and run
Taking your testimony forth
Going into the nations
Boldly arising without hesitation
For the finances shall flow
All fear and doubt go!
Provision you’ll know
My bounty untold
Abundant treasures of old.

As for your audience
You’ll attract them like a magnet
For you attract what you are
And daughter you are much
Much more than you know
Definitely beyond the vain show
For you are a woman of valor
A woman of honor
A woman of strength
None shall dishonor
For I shall be with you
I will guard your back
And silence the enemy
Before every attack
So fear not My daughter
For this is your hour
To arise and shine
Redeem the time
Be at peace and sublime
For you’re in your prime
Prime time has come
Divine destiny is fun!
Together we’ll teach
The nations we’ll reach
And when you open your mouth
Through it I shall speak
My authority you’ll know
My power through you shall flow
Demon power shall go
As you abide in My zoe
The God kind of life
That cuts through lies
With the edge of a knife
The sword of the Spirit
Causing to cease all turmoil and strife
The gifts of the Spirit within you
Far better weapons are they
Yet to be discovered
They’re in you already
Waiting happily to be uncovered
Gifts to be unwrapped
Treasures to be unlocked
Divine ability to explode in you
So you can teach and do!
It’s all yours by faith
Just believe and enter in
Grab it with grace
With a smile on your face
Once you get it
Guard it well
For the jealous devil
Would prefer you in hell
As you freely receive
Freely give
Give it to the nations
Letting God arise
Imparting spiritual sensations
Removing all limitations!

The Dream-Maker is here
In His glory He’s come
To take away the dull
And make life more fun
To cause you to arise
To not despise
Even to remove the scales
From your eyes
Imparting spiritual vision
A burden for the nations
A yearning for revival
And divine impartation
So think it not strange
As I the Lord come suddenly
For I have chosen you
To be a daughter of destiny.

by Paul Davis - poet and prophet

Paul Davis is author of Breakthrough for a Broken Heart a book telling us “How to overcome disappointments and blossom into your dreams!” He is a minister, life coach (relational & professional), dating expert, popular worldwide keynote speaker, creative consultant, humor being, adventurer, explorer, mediator, liberator and dream-maker.

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has also brought revival to many in war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His nonprofit organization Dream-Maker Ministries is building dreams and breaking limitations.

Paul’s Breakthrough Seminars inspire, revive, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.

Paul can be contacted at: RevivingNations@yahoo.com

407-967-7553 or 407-282-1745.

For additional info:
http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV
- http://www.DreamMakerMinistries.com

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How To Select Wood For Your Home Projects

The purpose of selecting your wood is so you end up with a good final product. While all wood typically has flaws, you want to select wood that is reasonably fault free.

Faults and Flaws to avoid include:

1) Twist - Do not use twisted lumber. It will always result in a twisted final piece. Check for twist by laying the piece of wood on a level (horizontal) surface. Use a short level (often called a torpedo level) to determine twist. Check both ends of the board; if the level reads the same on both ends, the piece is not twisted. If the piece is highly twisted, you can see this by looking along the length of the board.

2) Moisture - All wood contains moisture, even after being “dried”. Be sure your wood has a stable moisture content. Standard grade lumber is typically high in moisture and other flaws. You can dry your wood by stacking it with air spaces between all surfaces. Laths are used for this purpose. Be sure that air can get to the bottom of the stack. Typically, I stack my bunk of wood on 4″x4″’s, and then use lath between every layer, also leaving 1/2″ open space between boards.

Stack your wood in a dry area, out of the sun, and give it plenty of time to dry. You can buy a moisture meter to read the moisture content (not necessary) 5% to 10% is dry. 1″ Thick wood will dry in 1 to 3 months, while 2″ thick wood takes 2 to 6 months. If you buy a premium grade wood, it will be at least partially dry. Have your supplier check the moisture content.

As wood dries, wood faults show up, so a board that looks good may completely become worthless as it dries.

Crown: Crown is a fault that can easily be seen by looking down the edge of the board or by laying a straight edge or string line along the board. This fault can be removed by planeing or saw the crown out, but of course, you loose a portion of the board. When working hardwoods, removing crown is just part of the process.

Bow: Bow is a fault that is easily seen. Lay the board on a flat surface; if bowed, it will rock. Bow is usually removed with little difficulty if you have points of attachment; however; avoid boards that are obviously bowed.

Cup: Cup is a fault where the edges of the board curl up. Mildly cupped boards will usually pull down when anchored to another piece of wood. Push down on the outer edges of the board. If you can easily push the board flat (into a plane), you can use the board. If you use a board that has too much cup, it will split in the middle as you pull the cup out.

Shake: Shake is a fault that occurs in the wood as the tree grows. It indicates that the tree is growing under stress and typically the heart area splits open. Shake usually results in twist and should be avoided.

Rot: Rotten wood is discolored and soft. You may use the good portion of a rotten board, otherwise avoid rot.

Loose/Missing Knot: Loose knots can be glued back in and missing knot areas can be filled. I like to use a limb the size of the knot hole and transplant a slice into the board. Of course, this process requires time so judge accordingly.

Summary

1) Be fussy about the wood you chose. Your final product will be no better than the materials you start with.

2) If the lumber company won’t let you sort through the wood, find one that will. You can usually get around their policy by being nice to the yard man. A little B.S. goes a long way.

3) Don’t rush your wood. A home environment is dry and your wood needs to be stable in the environment it’s going to live in.

4) The extra care you take at the start of the project will insure a good finish.

5) Always buy more wood than you are actually going to use. 20% extra is a minimum. Leftovers can be used for something else, and you may not be able to match the wood you started with when you go back for more.

If you have specific questions, just contact us and we will try to help you.

Gene Nellis
Greater Yellowstone Furniture and Designs
www.YellowstoneFurniture.com

Rustic barnwood furniture and rustic log furniture designed and built by Gene Nellis of Greater Yellowstone Furniture and Designs. This rustic barnwood furniture and log furniture will look great in your home, cabin, or lodge!

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