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The possibilities are endless when it comes to hair bows. Some mothers like their daughter’s hair bows to be as small as can be no matter how old they get, and some mother’s like their daughter’s hair bows just as big as we can make them no matter how little their daugher is. You can have hair bows with just a simple look to them with only four loops with one solid color, or you can have bows that are holding so many different styles and patterns that they can have about fifteen different ribbons in them. Some people like them to be as flat and close to their daughter’s heads as possible, and some want the hair bows to stand up just as poofy as the ribbon will allow.

There are so many different kinds of ribbons being used in making hair bows. Here are just a few: grosgrain, organza, single faced satin, double faced satin, acetate, jacquards, velvet, sequin, ruffle, lace, marabou, frayed denim, sheers, metallic, polka dots, stripes, patterned, textured, stitched, printed, reversible, woven, checkered, plaids, glitter, gathered, frayed, and the list could go on I am sure. We haven’t even talked about all of the extra things you can add to hair bows like appliqués, hand-painted ceramics, jewels, crystals, monograms initials, names, rickrack, buttons, and so many other things that people get creative with.

There are so many hair bows web sites and eBay auctions now, that it is hard to find that one hair bow you are looking for, and for the right price. Don’t be afraid to try out a few different places, and try ordering just one hair bow from a few different places before you settle down on your favorite hair bow maker. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the maker questions about their hair bows. Read all about how they make them and see if they put a lot of time and effort into making them in a boutique style and boutique quality. I would also encourage you to try different sizes as well. Just because your girl is little, doesn’t mean she won’t look just like a little princess in with larger hair bows. If she looks cute in pig tails or two pony tails, try getting two small hair bows or two medium sized hair bows. Read what the widths are on each site because what one company may call small another would call medium.

There are a large variety of hair bow sites now offering to share with you their secrets to making beautiful bows like they do. Look for instruction books, CDs and even DVDs. Once you start to make your daughter’s, grand-daughter’s, or niece’s bows, you just might love it as much as we do.

Ribbons are back in style again, and everyone can’t get enough of them! There are many sites now making it a lot easier to get fancy ribbon for a more reasonable price and better selection than any craft store could offer.

Bows For Best Friends (http://www.bowsforbestfriends.com) designs and sells high quality hair bows, hair bands, hair accessories, jewelry and detachable bow flip-flops using the finest quality ribbon and seasoned hand crafted techniques. From infant to teenager, Bows for Best Friends has the hair accessories for your girl.

Jessica Furtney is President of Bows for Best Friends http://www.bowsforbestfriends.com , a company based in Simpsonville, South Carolina that manufactures and sells boutique quality hair bows and hair accessories.

Choosing a Florist

Start the process of choosing a florist by looking online for example works, attending bridal shows and by asking friends and family for referrals. If the flowers at a recent wedding were particularly exquisite, ask the bride which florist she used. Once a list of several has been formed, make an appointment with each to sit down and talk about options and to view photos of past arrangements and weddings. The first appointment will usually take an hour or so.

Before keeping that appointment, assemble some items that will help the florist to help you. First, work out a general budget for your wedding flowers. Ask yourself questions like:

o How many bridesmaids and groomsmen will there be?

o Who outside the bridal party will receive flowers to wear?

o Will the florist decorate the pew ends or the altar in the church?

o Will flowers be required for the wedding cake?

o Will the florist decorate the reception site, including the head table and other tables?

In addition to budget information, your florist will need you to bring such helpful items as photos or magazine clippings of flower arrangements you like, a photo of your wedding dress so she can match the style of the flowers with it and a fabric swatch from your bridesmaids’ dresses for color comparison.

Cost

The cost of wedding flowers can vary widely depending on several factors. Exotic out-of-season flowers will, of course, cost far more than locally-grown and easily obtained in-season flowers. Upscale, cutting-edge floral designers will most likely be more expensive than a more traditional florist. Bouquets rich in certain flowers and light on greenery will certainly make a dent in your pocketbook. Though the conveniences of having a florist decorate the church and reception site can be more costly, it is usually worth the amount of stress it will relieve and provides beautiful end results!

The average cost of wedding flowers lies somewhere in the $800 to $6,000 range for most medium size weddings. Some brides avoid some of this cost by arranging the flowers themselves, but this can be a stressful and tricky operation. If considering this option, remember that the flowers will have to be prepared either the day before or the day of the wedding and will need to be refrigerated. Someone will have to transport them to and distribute them at the church. Is the added responsibility worth the money saved? Only the bride herself can answer that question.

Bouquets & Such

Color saturation is the watchword for today’s bridal bouquets, according to local florists. They say that blue is still a very trendy color for flowers, especially when paired with purple or a periwinkle color. Subdued colors such as taupe tinged with pink are edging their way into bouquets everywhere, too. These colors go well with the taupe and pewter dresses worn by today’s bridesmaids.

As for bouquet shapes, they say that ‘simple elegance’ are the first words out of every bride’s mouth. Many brides today seek out a pavé arrangement, which is a tight cluster of blossoms. Such bouquets might consist of a single type of flower in the same or related colors or it might include several different varieties of flowers. These arrangements have very few, if any, greens, which can make them costly. This is a very balanced, geometric look made popular in recent years.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the European hand-tied bouquet retains its favor with brides everywhere. This arrangement has a fresh, natural appeal and can include a diverse selection of flowers. Most often, these bouquets have a casual simplicity that many brides find particularly appealing.

What flowers do brides choose to include in their bouquets? Romantic roses, as always, top the list. Brides also choose fresh lavender, sages and other herbs. Berries, Lisianthus (also known as the false rose) and hydrangeas make regular appearances, too. Silk flowers remain popular, especially top-of-the-line silks, that can hardly be differentiated from fresh. Some brides even include delicate silk fruits in their bouquets.

To set off the simple look of today’s flower arrangements, whether formal or natural, florists employ different styles of rich-looking ribbon. Satin ribbon might wrap around a bouquet’s stems to hide them and to ensure unstained, unpricked hands. Wide satin ribbon in silk gives a lush simplicity when tied in a simple bow. Sheer ribbons add a fairy-tale feel to a tight cluster of elegant blooms. Ribbon colors range from deep cocoas to pearly white.

Today’s boutonnières also have a new look, pared down and simple, often with a satin ribbon to accompany them. And like the pavé bouquets, boutonnières often forego the greenery to achieve a single-minded elegance.

Floral Decor

That elegant simplicity has changed the way churches are decorated for weddings, too. A lot of brides are doing more at the reception than they used to. The church look is simpler — the (decorating) money is spent at the reception. That means receptions have blossomed. There, topiaries and wheat sheaves decorate tables with elegance. Again, pavé clusters of single or several flowers adorn tables like jewels.

Preserving the Flowers

With all the effort, time and money that go into the wedding flowers, one final detail that is often overlooked is preserving them. For centuries brides have discarded or left their bouquets to dry and shrivel away. Now brides can keep their bouquets with the latest technologies in flower preservation. The process of flower preservation is incredibly involved and time consuming if done correctly. Floral preservationists know how to handle each flower to provide you with the most “life like” look possible. Keep in mind plans must be made in advance if floral preservation is desired. Consult a floral preservationist at least two months prior to the wedding to arrange to have the flowers shipped, delivered, or picked up immediately after the wedding while they are still fresh. Preserved flowers are attractive accents for any home. Special display pieces can be made using the flowers and other wedding keepsakes. Just as the wedding gown, photographs and other sentimental memorabilia can be a reminder; bridal flowers too can bring a lifetime of enjoyment!

Rebecca Sherman is an editor at ModernWeddingPlanner.com Planning a Wedding? Our Free Wedding Planner and Wedding Planning Guide has sections to track guest information, RSVPÂ’s, budgets, shower and wedding gifts and More! Plus export your data to Excel.

A Baby Shower usually lasts from 2-4 hours depending on budget, location, and guest list. Games are a great way to fill up some of that time. They also allow your guests to participate directly at the baby shower.

Baby Shower games are great ice breakers for guests who may not know each other. For a two hour shower you should have about 2-3 games. There are games that can be played by everyone at the same time. These include Baby Gift Bingo or a Baby Scratch Off game. Other games last the entire length of the shower, such as the Pacifier Game.

Baby Gift Bingo

Purchase or create a blank Bingo Board. Many styles and themes are available. Hand one to each guest before the mom to be opens her gifts. Instruct your guests to fill out what they think the mom to be will receive as a gift. As the mom to be opens her gifts, each player will mark off a match on her bingo board. You decide what wins: straight bingo, X, four corners, etc.

Pacifier Game

Give each guest a pacifier necklace when they arrive and explain the rules to them. The rules are: If you say “baby” and someone hears you, that person gets your pacifier necklace. The winner is the person with the most pacifier necklaces at the end of the shower.

Some popular games are word searches, gift bingos, raffle tickets, and even pin the pacifier on the baby! If you are not sure of what your guests will enjoy, why not choose what the mom to be will enjoy! Games can be coordinated with your shower theme. Be creative and have fun!

Ribbon Game

Purchase spools of ribbon or string. They don’t have to be expensive, just make sure you have enough for people who get carried away. Go up to each guest and instruct them to choose a length of ribbon or string that they think will fit perfectly around the mom’s belly. Cut the ribbon and have the guests hold on to them. Once everyone has their ribbon, each guest will wrap their ribbon around the mom’s belly. The guest who was the closest wins the game!!

There may be some mom’s who are sensitive about the size of their belly. Have an alternative game planned in case mom to be isn’t comfortable playing this game.

Baby Food Jar Game

Guess the baby food flavor!! Take 3-5 jars of baby food and mark the bottoms with letters (A, B, C, etc). Make an answer key with the baby food flavor and corresponding letter. Remove the labels and place on a tray. Have your guests label a sheet of paper A-C (or A-E if you have 5). Move the tray from table to table and have guests guess what flavor the baby food is. The person who has all 5 right, or closest, wins.

Who has the dirty diaper?

Create diapers by taking napkins and folding them into diapers. Fold into a triangle, and then bring in the three corners to touch. Secure with double sided tape. Make sure there is room to peak inside the diaper. Decide on the number of winners you want. Take as many diapers and smear a chocolate bar inside to create a “dirty diaper”. Tip: Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 5 seconds to soften. Ask your guests to choose their diapers from a basket or place them under their seats before they arrive. The guests with the dirty diapers win!

Baby Related Items A to Z

Create sheets using a word processor marked A through Z. Pass out the sheets to your guests and tell them they have limited time (3 Minutes) to think of baby related items from A to Z. Everyone will get a kick to hear some things that people come up with!

Christina Crea is a leading expert in baby shower ideas and has written a number of articles related to baby gifts, baby shower favors, baby shower games and so on. Please visit Baby Shower Depot to read her other highly regarded articles or to view fun baby shower games or unique baby shower favors.

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My goal, in the short space this article allows, will be to tell you how to upgrade from a CD-ROM, to a DVD burner.

First, unplug your computer, and disconnect all cables leading to the keyboard, mouse, printer, and monitor. Remove the computer’s side panel.
Before reaching inside the computer, discharge your body’s static electricity by touching metal. If you have one, use an anti-static strap that you can attach to your wrist, grounding the other end to an outlet.
Now, look at the back of your CD-ROM. You will see three cables connected to it. There will be a small audio cable, a large ribbon cable, and a power cable.

Unplug these carefully. The ribbon cable, and the power cable will be especially tight.

With the cables unplugged, now turn your attention to the sides of the CD-ROM. You will notice it is held in by two screws on each side. Remove the screws.

Warning: please do not use a magnetic screwdriver while working on a computer. Remember, your computer stores data magnetically. Think of the mischief it could cause.

After the screws are removed, slide the CD-ROM out the front of the case.
Note that on the back of the CD-ROM is a rectangle containing six pins. Two of these pins will be jumpered together. Directly above the jumper will be the letters “CS”, “SL”, or “MA”. Remember this setting!

Take your new DVD burner, and look on the back of it for that jumper. Put the jumper in exactly the same setting as on the back of the old CD-ROM.
If, for instance, it was underneath the letters “MA”, then set the jumper to “MA” on your new DVD burner.

These letters “MA” stand for Master, meaning it is the master device on the ribbon cable. “SL” means Slave, and “CS” stands for Cable Select.
Slide the DVD burner into the front of the case, getting it flush with the front surface. Attach it to the chassis, using the two screws on each side that we removed earlier.

Plug in the audio cable, the ribbon cable, and the power cable. The power cable is keyed so it can only be plugged in one way, and the ribbon cable port has a pin missing that corresponds to a blank spot in the plug, so these are easy to get in right. The audio cable is trickier. You must turn it so the white wire is pointed toward the ribbon cable.

Put the side panel back on and reconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and any other devices you may have. Hook up the power cable, and boot up.
Any Windows operating system 98SE or later will recognize your new equipment and load the appropriate drivers.
You are ready to burn DVD’s!

Michael Quarles asks you to visit his website http://www.monkeyseemonkeydobooks.com.

You’ve spent the time and effort to bake your delicious homemade cookie gifts, now it’s time to package them!

Don’t spoil all your hard work with boring cookie boxes and packaging ideas.

You want cookie gifts that say “Yummy!” – Perception is everything!

First impressions are truly important. So it’s unavoidable that you make a little effort to package your home-baked treats.

But where do you start? Here it is…

Theme:

Think about what the theme is for your cookie gift packages. For example, it is a birthday gift or for Christmas holiday giving? Perhaps it’s for your Valentine? Use the theme on your packaging.

Ingredients:

What are the main flavors or the cookie ingredients you used? Apply this element to help enhance the aroma that you may want to portray on your cookie boxes or packages.

Protection:

Are your cookies fragile? Or do they need to be air-tight and stored in the fridge? Consider using for example, zip seal bags, if necessary.

Hygiene:

Always clean any used containers (or even store-bought new boxes) and dry before using.

When decorating your packages, be sure to use food safe items. Eg. Don’t use glues where cookies may be in contact. Consider the point that your cookie gift recipient may not always be as careful as you when replacing cookies back into containers. Think from their viewpoint and see whether there is an alternative method for better hygiene.

With that said and done, here are your “8 Yummy Creative Package Ideas”:

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 1:

“The Coffee Cup”

You may have seen a similar idea before, using a mug or coffee cup, but this is really a brilliant idea as people associate coffee cups with aroma.

Whether it be coffee or tea, this idea spells: ‘Good times with a friend over a cup of coffee/tea and some sweets!’

- Pre-pack about 2 – 4 cookies in cellophane or sealed bag and place inside cup.
- Embellish with a gift tag and fabric ribbon around cellophane. (You can also write a message or recipient name on the mug).

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 2:

“Milk Carton”

This is perfect for butter cookies or packaging cookies for children. Either way, the milk carton makes a great packaging box.

- Wash and dry container before use. Carefully open the top without tearing the cardboard.

- Place cookies inside.

- Seal top with staples or strong sticky-tape. (Do not use glues as they are unhygienic and not re-openable.

- Decorate exterior with wrapping paper or fabric and ribbon.

If you are computer savvy, you could create a milk carton label with recipient name, theme graphics and colors to print and apply to your cookie carton!

Use one litre carton for giving to an entire family or a smaller carton for children or single recipients.

This is a great container for refrigerating your cookies also. Plus, the benefit is that the design of the carton semi-closes on its own with the folding techniques incorporated.

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 3:

“Peanut Butter Bottle”

Great for peanut butter cookies! The theme, feeling and association is already there! And you don’t even need to worry about pealing the bottle stickers off. Use it instead to create a quirky cookie packaging.

Use a square piece of fabric almost twice as large as the lid size and cover cookies before closing with the lid to create instant effective packaging.

Create a label digitally and print out for a dynamic gift. You don’t have to cover the entire glass or bottle, leave a bit of room so they can take a peek at the yummy cookies you baked.

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 4:

“Butter or Margarine Containers”

Unusual but very effective and fun. What’s more, it has a lid and is lightweight for posting your cookies. Just keep in mind that most butter containers aren’t air-tight.

You can decorate the exterior by creating your own labels, or sticking appropriate wrapping paper over. I recommend a food style, earthy tones and colors for this method.

Lastly, tie a ribbon around the package like you would a gift box. Large wide ribbons would give you a dazzling package.

Great for milk and butter cookies.

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 5:

“Milo or Food Tins (with lid)”

Tins come in all different sizes and are great for air-tight cookie storing. And you won’t have to pre-package your cookies in bags first.

Ideal for cookies that do not need to be refrigerated.

Also makes a great cookie gifting idea for boys or men.

You can even etch in writing or graphics onto the tin if you have the proper tools and use correct safety precautions.

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 6:

“Candy or Chocolate Boxes”

Candies and cookies go hand in hand! These are little treats that the whole world love!

- Place your cookies lying flat into the box. You may need to take out the pre-made mould shapes used and use cardboard dividers to separate your cookies.
- Simply tie with ribbon and gift tag the package!

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 7:

“Cocktail or Martini Glass”

Great for alcohol-based cookies like rum balls during Christmas season!

- Place one cookie or two in cellophane, seal and place inside glass.
- Seal glass with clear food wrapping. Add ribbon and gift tag on glass stalk.

HOME-BAKED COOKIE PACKAGING IDEA 8:

“Tea Box”

Use small aroma infusion tea packaging boxes – usually ones that have only 10 tea-bags in each box. You can pack 2 to 3 cookies in each box and give more than one tea box for fun.

- Seal cookies with cellophane or food bag first and place inside decorated tea boxes.

Why not leave one tea bag in front of your cookies? It’s a perfect invitation to a relaxing snack with a drink.

If you do not have any of these containers handy, you can easily buy them and transfer contents to other containers. Just make sure that it’s well washed and that most of the original scents are gone (except in the case such as the peanut butter bottles).

Not only are these 8 Yummy Ideas creative and fun, they also bring out the aroma of your delicious homemade cookies.

Start using these mouth-watering cookie packaging ideas. It’s a sure way that your cookies will be eaten instantly!

Copyright 2006 Janlia Chong

~* Janlia Chong has held onto her title as Baking Sensation because of her near endless knowledge of baking and packaging treats. Her ability to impress is one of her biggest traits. What’s her trick? Simple, she takes something that sounds difficult and makes it easy and fun. Follow Janlia’s advice and you’ll be busy baking treats for the entire family. Visit http://www.BakingHugs.com *~

The first of May is Beltane or May Day, a time to celebrate the leaping fires of passion. It marks the height of spring and the flowering of all life. Beltane is a festival of sensuality, sexuality, flowers and delight. It is a traditional time to make love, preferably outdoors.

There are many lovely old customs associated with this time. Here are seven simple ideas for celebrating this wild red time of year:

1. Make a May basket. Fill it with flowers or other outdoor objects. Leave it on a doorstep of someone who cannot get outside, such as an invalid or elderly person.

2. Make a wreath of freshly picked flowers and wear it in your hair.

3. Perfume your house with delicate scent of woodruff, a tiny, star-like flower that blooms around this time in the Northern Hemisphere.

4. Dress in bright colors, especially hot pink or crimson, the traditional colors of Beltane.

5. Erect a Maypole in your yard. It doesn’t have to be tall. You can use a yardstick, broomstick, or even a twig. At the top of the pole affix different colored ribbons. Get a group of friends, and have each choose a ribbon and make a wish upon it. (For example, “I choose this red ribbon for more passion in my life.”) Dance around the Maypole entwining your ribbons together. Then take the entwined ribbons and make a hair wreath out of them. Take turns wearing it.

6. Embrace the ones you love. Hugs and kisses all around.

7. Write poetry about Beltane, and then recite your poems aloud, preferably outside. Try haiku, an ancient Japanese poetry-art form. Haiku consist of three unrhymed lines of five, seven and five syllables. Here are three haiku about May to give you the idea:

Happy women weave

colored ribbons round their hearts

dreams become prayers

flap your black swan wings

hoot like a young chimpanzee

dance a lively dance

petals will open

roses show their hot male hearts

make love to yourself

Holidays are days made holy by the attention we pay them. Simple practices such as the ones listed above remind us that we too dance to the natural rhythms of the earth.

Kim Pearson is an author and ghostwriter who has ghostwritten or edited more than 30 non-fiction books and memoirs, plus authoring 7 books of fiction, poetry and non-fiction of her own. For more information click here.