Who Do Admire Enough to Want Their Autograph?

I'll go first, because I asked the question. Besides several distant presidents and the likes of Michelangelo, Thomas Edison and Ben Franklin, I am thinking of the more recent past. I doubt if I could ever afford a Shakespeare signature, which is said to be the most rare of any kind. And Jesus never signed anything, to the best of our knowledge. No, I would have to settle for someone else. I'm an artist and gravitate toward certain painters. Over the years, of collecting fine art, I've managed to obtain signed works of everyone from Picasso and Marc Chagall to Leroy Neiman and Peter Max, my most recent. But, let's be more objective. Who is admirable and why would one want their signature or autograph?

We have the right to envy other famous people for what they have accomplished and who they were. We desire a part of them and a signature is something quite personal. If it happens to be on a photo, album, t-shirt, or other specific document, then all the better. It brings us closer to them in a way that allows a cosmic connection, while providing a degree of satisfaction. Which brings me back to the main question.

Some former presidents come to mind. I loved Kennedy until that fateful day in Dallas. Many TV stars were my heroes, like Rod Serling for his writing and anyone on Star Trek, but they were just actors. I loved the Beatles and Billy Joel, for their amazing writing and music. I think highly of any inventor and other creative individuals. In the business world, there is Steve Jobs of Apple, Bill Gates of Microsoft, and Warren Buffet, to name a few movers and shakers that have altered the corporate landscape.

We have our share of prolific writers like Stephen King, Tom Clancy, and Dean Koontz. Yet there are so many to worthy to choose from, where do you begin? Neil Armstrong who was the first to walk on the moon or perhaps Prince Charles, the future King of England? On a personal level, my wife treasures a book signed by Eleanor Roosevelt. I have a personal letter from Salvador's Dali's secretary while he was staying in New York and a signed photo. I also have a photo of Robert Redford taken at an event I attended. But I have someone else in mind on the top of my "most admired" list. He was someone that changed America and arguably, the world. His vision, creativity, and passion was to affect children and families for decades to come. It began with a mouse featured in a movie named Steamboat Willy in 1928 and the rest is history.

Walt Disney made animated movies and redesigned the American theme park. Today there is barely a man, woman, or child on this planet that hasn't seen part of his legacy. Whether it's an image of Mickey Mouse, one of the many Disney-Lands, toys, pictures, or TV shows, his stamp is everywhere. I sought out something special of his that could not be faked or duplicated. Today, I own a check he signed in 1963 out of his Anaheim bank account while he was building Disney World. It was authenticated by Phil Sears, a noted collector and verifier of Disney memorabilia. It makes me smile every time I look at it, just to remember the joy that Walt brought, and still brings, to millions.

I may buy a few other autographs of other influential people, but none will be as special. So, was it worth the expensive and effort? I'll say yes for myself without any regrets. Walt passed away in December of 1966 at the relatively young age of 65. That check is and was part of his legacy because it helped fund his many projects. But enough about my collection.

Who would you love to connect with via a signature or autograph? Who is a hero or heroine to you? What part of their legacy or successes would you like to share by way of a signature? Even if they passed away, you could probably still obtain one like I did. The Internet is a great resource with dozens of legitimate businesses that specialize in that subject. By the way, if you like my articles and have followed my career, I'd be more than happy to send you my signature, although I wouldn't count on it going up in value any time soon.

Cottage Style Decorating Adds Warmth and Comfort to Your Home

The cottage style is a style where everything old is new again! If you're a champion bargain hunter who loves to navigate flea markets and Grandma's attic for that perfectly charming wagon, hat box or antique plate, and you want a style to match your passion for quaint decor and your casual lifestyle, then the cottage look may be perfect for you. Almost anything goes when putting this look together, and that's just how you like it.

As far colors go, perish any thoughts about electric pink and neon green. Modern, overly bold colors need not apply for the cottage look. However, the rest of the color world is left to plunder to your liking. For a picturesque, English-style Cottage, go with rosy pinks and ivy greens. Or, go coastal with blues, beige and other calming neutrals. And for rustic, go forest green and tawny brown. And don't forget your whites, off-whites and grays. Because it's easy to make a mistake mixing prints and colors, make the foundation an easy to match neutral (like ivory or cream) and use one unifying color per item or textile accent (lilac, for example).

You want your room to look like it's always been lived in and loved. Consequently, now is not the time to refurbish your wood floors, but count your good fortune in every distressed detail of older planks. If warmth and comfort are you main concerns, throw a plushy braided throw for a homey, inviting look. When picking rugs, choose softer, faded-looking colors and consider the patterns on your walls and fabrics to ensure a good match.

Vintage-looking light fixtures are your friend. Lights that lack that shiny new feel are appropriate for your decor, as are ones that appear to have jugs, vases or some other charming component as a base. Crystal chandeliers or wrought iron fixtures work well too!

Qiviut Yarn - Finer Than Cashmere, Warmer Than Wool And A Joy To Work With

There are many so called 'new' yarns on the market today but without doubt, the most unusual, luxurious and beautiful has to be Qiviut yarn. Until recently, this rare and expensive yarn was only available if you went to the Artic and purchased it there but now you can get this exquisite yarn on-line from many specialist manufacturers like Oomingmak Musk Ox Producer's Cooperative and Windy Valley Musk Ox Yarn.

Qiviut, (even its name sounds exotic) is pronounced ki - vee - ute. It is an Inuit word meaning down or underwool and refers to the soft greyish-brown underwool of the rare Arctic animal, the musk ox (called Oomingmak in Inuit).

Musk oxen are large animals that are found in artic regions like Alaska, Canada and Greenland. They look a lot like bison or buffalos, but are significantly smaller than cows and provide wool like sheep. But unlike sheep, their coat is never shawn, rather, it sheds naturally or is combed off in great swaths during Spring, which is a much kinder way of collecting fiber.

Qiviut yarn is eight times warmer than wool and is incredibly lightweight and soft to the touch. It's been said that if a small amount of qiviut fibers were placed in your hand with your eyes closed, you would not feel the fiber touch your hand. It's also been said that putting your hand into a ball of qiviut is like putting your hands into a cloud.

Qiviut, apart from being incredibly soft, also has other unique qualities. Muskox yarn is hypoallergenic. Unlike wool, it doesn't shrink and can be hand washed in mild soapy water and qiviut yarn actually gets softer the more it's washed. It's odourless and retains heat even when wet.

Qiviut yarn takes on color beautifully. Manufacturers like Windy Valley Muskox Yarn produce traditional and custom-dyed qiviut yarn in beautiful colors.

There are some characteristics of musk ox yarn you should be aware of. Muskox yarn doesn't have the same elasticity of sheep's wool and so can sag. If you don't like sagging, you can buy qiviut/wool blends but these yarns won't be as soft as 100% qiviut. As well as producing 100% qiviut yarn, Windy Valley Muskox Yarn produces two exceptional blends: Qiviut Luxury Blend, which comprises 45% qiviut, 45% merino, 10% silk and Qiviut Royal Blend, which is 50% qiviut, 50% mulberry silk and is hand-spun in Peru.

Also, there is the price tag. Qiviut is one of the world's rarest yarns and you can pay upwards of $60 per ounce for fingering-weight musk ox yarn.

Muskox yarn is a very versatile fiber. You can create warm and soft hats, gloves or mittens for the winter and, if you can afford it, qiviut yarn makes an elegant shawl to place about your shoulders and your evening dress.

More and more fashion designers are taking notice of this unusual fiber. Qiviut yarn is no longer labelled something that is used in making folk art and now, thanks to people like the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producer's Cooperative and Windy Valley Musk Ox Yarn, the popularity of this truly remarkable yarn is spreading far beyond the frozen North.

Creating Connecticut-Themed Gift Baskets

Situated in the New England region of the United States, Connecticut represents the northeastern part of the country. Often, the area is grouped with New York and New Jersey as being part of the Tri-State Region, but this destination packs a variety of unique characteristics that can make a Connecticut-themed gift basket shine on its own. Thanks to major cities, such as New Haven, New London, Norwich, Milford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Danbury, tourists are never at a loss for a distinctive cultural exploration of the state.

To trace a historical link for a gift basket theme, you can look all the way to the beginning of 1614 when Dutch settlers first set up shop in Connecticut. By the time 1636 rolled around, the state became a British Colony. When the Thirteen Colonies led a revolt against British control during the American Revolution, Connecticut was one of the memorable participants. Connecticut residents eventually earned the nickname "Yankees," which came with its own set of cultural characteristics.

The emphasis of education was strong among the Yankees, which led to the establishment of well-respected learning institutions, such as Harvard College and Yale College. Advanced schools for medicine, engineering, and law also flourished. Thousands of proud parents have been known to purchase gift baskets for their children attending these esteemed institutions. Instead of sending a care package, a beautifully decorated gift basket in school colors further exemplifies college pride. Inside, brain food and other gourmet snacks are sure to bring a smile to the face of a student in study mode.

A large amount of boarding schools also call Connecticut their home, meaning there are a lot of students needing a pick-me-up when away from the comfort of their family. Newly arrived attendees of Miss Porter's School and Choate Rosemary Hall would certainly benefit from gift baskets showcasing the warmth and inviting nature of Connecticut with a variety of city-related items.

As far as nicknames for Connecticut go, the official moniker for the state has been "The Constitution State" since 1959. Unofficially, it has also been known as "The Nutmeg State." This particular spice holds a historical significance due to the connection of the spice with the voyages that took place during the 18th and 19th centuries. In New England, nutmeg was viewed as a prized possession. A gift basket containing products showcasing the spice is a real treat to discover. For example, Indian cuisine utilizes nutmeg in their sweet treats, while Europeans add the spice to their processed meats, soups, sauces, and baked items. Some varieties of Japanese curry powder contain the spice. Mulled cider and wine, as well as eggnog may contain nutmeg. All of the above items can be placed into an interesting edible arrangement, sure to please tourists and locals alike.

Vintage Hankies Handkerchiefs Display Ideas - What Can You Do With Them?

Vintage ladies handkerchiefs make a wonderful collectible, and they are still quite affordable. People often ask me though...

What do you do with them? How can you display them?

Here are a few ideas for you.

• You can display them framed in clear acrylic clip frames
• Use them as doilies on tables & nightstands
• Show then off under glass on a coffee table
• Sew into quilts, pillows, sachets, tablecloths, or potholders
• Make a valance by clipping them onto top of curtain with clothespins
• Display them in a vase or hang them from a towel bar
• Wrap small gifts with them
• Sew a monogrammed hankie onto the front of a little girls bib overalls
• Use them to line your Longerberger baskets (or others)
• Trim the edges with beads & make a "cozy" for your teacups
• Tie them onto your ponytail, belt loop, or purse
• Tuck them into birthday, get well or any holiday card
• Use monogrammed handkerchiefs for the "something old or something blue" for a bride to be
• Give as gift to bridesmaids, flower girls, mother of bride or groom
• Display them hung by little wooden clothespins on a vintage indoor clothesline, or satin ribbon
• A customer gave me this idea to pass along. She is giving a monogrammed hankie to her son's girlfriend as a small gift for her prom night. A nice tradition to start!
• Another customer idea! They look lovely draped over a nitelight for soft romantic lighting
• Use any type of vintage rack for display

ENJOY - I HOPE THIS GIVES YOU A GOOD START ON SOME DECORATING IDEAS FOR YOUR VINTAGE HANKIES! HAVE FUN DECORATING

Oil Painting Lesson - An Introduction To Oil Painting Supports

An oil painting support is any surface that oil paint can be applied to. There are a variety of different surfaces that artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and even metals can serve as supports for oil paint. This article will introduce you to those various supports and hopefully help you decide which support is best for your style of oil painting.

LINEN

Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. The plants are harvested and then left to soak in water until the outside of the plant rots away leaving the fibers underneath. The fibers are then processed into yarns or threads which are then woven into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are long and quite strong and make for a very interesting and durable painting support. Paintings executed on this surface have withstood the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a favorite amongst professional oil painters. Unfortunately linen canvas is rather expensive and may not be the best option for beginners. If you are interested in learning more about linen canvas, check your local art store or go online and do a search. There are a variety of different linen canvases available, from rolled canvas to pre-stretched. It comes primed for acrylic and oils, or you can get it unprimed as well.

COTTON

Cotton canvas is the most popular support for beginner oil painters. It is a relatively strong material and much cheaper than linen. It has a very even and mechanical weave. There is a big debate going on in the art world over which is the better painting support, linen or canvas? What support will last longer? This is really a matter of personal opinion and taste. I know many artists, including myself, who use cotton canvas exclusively. Other artists swear by linen. If the surface is sized correctly, then your painting will be well protected from rot and will last a long time. So when deciding between linen or cotton, I feel your decision should be based on how you enjoy working with the material itself and not whether or not it will be around in three hundred years. If you are really concerned about the durability of cotton, then purchase a heavy grade cotton canvas and try stretching it yourself. Cotton canvas is available in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed. �

CANVAS PADS

For those artists who may be on a tight budget but still want a descent quality surface to paint on, then canvas pads are a good choice. Canvas pads come in a variety of different sizes and are great for beginners who are just starting out. Canvas pads are great for practice or doing studies. Make certain you get a heavy weight canvas pad suitable to hold oil paint.

MASONITE OR HARDBOARD

Masonite is another popular oil painting support for artists. Masonite is actually a trademarked name for a synthetic hardboard made from wood particles. Hardboard is inexpensive and rigid. If you plan to use large hardboards, it is recommended that you reinforce them with a frame, as they can bow or bend. You can purchase plain hardboards or other varieties like canvas boards, which are hardboards covered with a ready to paint canvas material.�

WOOD PANELS

The earliest known oil paintings were created on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was covered with a uniform ground made of animal skin glue and chalk. The ground was then polished smooth to create a surface suitable for oil paint.

Pure hard wood panels are not the most popular ground for oil painters today. They are costly and rather difficult to lug around. A good alternative that oil painters use is plywood. There is good quality plywood available made of birch, poplar or mahogany that is suitable for oil paints if prepared correctly. Do not paint on soft woods such as pine because they contain more resins and do not resist moisture very well.

The above are the more popular oil painting supports in use today. There are others that artists use when they are feeling adventurous. Metals like copper and aluminum are sometimes used as a painting support. Obviously metals are quite heavy, so paintings on this type of support are usually on the smaller side. There are also other fabrics used in oil painting like jute, which is a strong natural fiber with a rough texture.

Your choice of oil painting support really depends on your style of painting. Experiment with the variety of painting supports available and have fun. You will eventually find one that works best for you.

Care and Maintenance of Area Rugs - Some Timely Suggestions

Flooring is a significant part of the cost of home renovations. Area rug care and maintenance will protect your investment for a long time. Properly maintaining area rugs and carpets is necessary, especially in spots with the most foot traffic such as stairs, doorways and halls. And don't forget that spot right in front of chairs and the couch.

When you notice that a rug begins to appear soiled, work on the spot so it will not spread. If you leave the mess it could very well make the proper care more difficult. Make sure to use a disinfectant to regain the rug's freshness - this is particularly important when it comes to food or pet odors.

Caring for a rug means prevention as well as just maintenance. Use small easy care throw rugs at door ways in order to cut back on the soiling and moisture that results in damage.

To prevent fading, draw the shades and curtains so damaging uv rays from the sun will not harm the rugs. Vacuuming is basic and so is urgent stain removal with cleaning products that do not affect colorfastness.

Maintain the fresh good looks of your area rugs. Colors will lose their luster fastest in the busiest spots. For colors to remain vibrant it is necessary to clean the rug on a regularly scheduled basis.

Even with frequent vacuuming, soil particles will adhere to fibers, reducing not only the life of the carpet but dulling its beauty. It's a good idea to vacuum about twice a week or so (the amount really depends on how many people come walking with their shoes or boots across your rugs every day) and make sure carpets are cleaned by professional carpet cleaners.

Commercial hot water extraction cleaning every 1 to 1 1/2 years is a significant part of rug maintenance. Write it on your calendar so you don't forget. Professional cleaning is good to restore carpets as well as to block premature ugliness. Treatments will control crushing and matting and remove the grit and dust that have been forced deep into the pile.

Area rugs and carpeting take a lot of abuse from wet feet, drink spills, pet odors and dirty shoes. If you want to do it yourself, make use of carpet cleaning tips about which equipment, chemicals and machines to buy. Look for guidelines and instructions that will protect your investment, keep the carpet cleaner and remove stubborn spots that damage fibers.

The moral of the story is be aware and diligent - for the best protection of your area rugs, set up a schedule of regular maintenance and care.