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Sunday, June 25, 2017

It's Easy to Combine Rustic and Modern Decor - A Decorating Review You Can Try

Add a Brick Wall to Warm Up a Contemporary Space

Can't afford a Craftsman? DIY the Project

It's not an exaggeration to say young people today tend to prefer a cleaner, slick, modern décor theme.

In fact, if you've recently visited renovated or new homes currently for sale, you've probably noticed that Staged homes are geared toward a contemporary look.

What about People who Prefer the Combination of Two Types of Decorating Schemes? Tying a Little Old with a Lot of New?

Let's take a look at the above featured photo as a how-to guideline for combining rustic with modern.

The obvious focal point and the one that adds the rustic aspect to the space is the brick-wall treatment. The exposed brick contributes an old world tradition to an otherwise modern youthful space.

With exposed brick, you're essentially decorating one (or two) walls to add a cozy, warm, inviting feeling to the space.

Contemporary décor, void of softer tones, texture and color, can come across as cold and uninviting. Texture is especially critical when you want to add warmth. With walls and floors being the two largest most impactful parts of a room, put-your-brave-on and go for it - add texture.

But Exposed Brick is Too Hard to Do Right?

Wrong. Most people avoid it because they're not ready to hire a craftsman to install the brick. However, if you're wearing-your-brave, take that leap, do it! The professional install will only add

Dress-up Your Brick Wall with Canvas Art

and Creative Lighting

value (in most cases) to your home.

But guess what, you can DIY this project. That's right. Yes you can. Faux brick is something you can find and order online, and depending on the type of brick you choose, most go up with a peel and stick backing.

DIY faux brick walls are the easiest and least expensive way to add texture to your space. If you're too nervous to try a large wall, order just enough to do a small feature wall in your home. Once it's up, then decide if it's a look you're interested in pursuing further.

In terms of accents against an exposed brick wall, incorporate furniture with wood and rod iron. Rod iron in particular looks outstanding against exposed brick. Closely check the above photo and you'll see that the chairs have rod-iron legs on them.

Another point of interest in the above photo, is the mix of wood tones. Since the wood flooring, painted walls and kitchen area are completed in light colors within the same family and the exposed brick is in a darker shade in the tan/light brown family, the wood table set works perfectly.

So although you're looking at a space with white/grey/blonde wood floors and a darker wood table, it flows beautifully because the exposed brick wall ties the entire space together.

Give it a try!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Saturday, June 24, 2017

Reviewing the Aire One Floor Fan

Aire One 12 inch Floor High Velocity Fan

With summer and its subsequent hot weather now upon us, our thoughts turn to things that keep us cool. Naturally, this includes fans.

Most people have home air conditioning for sizzling summertime heat. But there are days when the temperatures are mild, the air conditioning isn't needed, and the windows can be open. On those days, a fan is often all that is needed for a bit of air circulation and to keep us comfortable.

There are box fans and floor fans and desk size fans. There are many styles and sizes of fans to fit your need. Today I want to discuss the high velocity floor fan I just bought for my living room.

Pedestal Fans

Image from Pixabay

I have a tall oscillating pedestal fan that I like to keep near the window in my bedroom. It's perfect on low for those Springtime, early summer and early Fall nights where the air conditioning is not needed and the bedroom windows can be open. My pedestal fan is tall enough to provide air circulation over my bed and keeps the bedroom comfortable for sleeping. For several years I have been carrying this pedestal fan into the living room on evenings when the air is warm and stuffy and a bit of circulating is needed. Then I'd carry it back to the bedroom for sleeping. Recently it suddenly occurred to me that there is a solution to all this carrying back-and-forth – buy another fan!

I went looking for a smaller fan to place opposite my living room sofa where I usually sit evenings to watch TV and crochet. It didn't need to be a pedestal fan (which wouldn't really fit in the place I planned to put it) and it didn't need to be oscillating. My requirements included size, price and stability. I found all three in the Aire One High Velocity Floor Fan.

Aire One Floor Fan

The Aire One floor fan has all metal construction and includes three 12 inch aluminum blades. While it is not a fancy fan with built in timer or remote control, and does not oscillate, it does have an adjustable 360 Degree tilt range for custom air direction, and three speeds which put out plenty of air for your comfort. It sits in a triangular base, which keeps it from tipping over even if you accidentally bumped it. It is also whisper quiet, even on high, and does not drown out the sound on my television. And it is an attractive little fan with a powder coated black finish.

On a recent visit, my son liked it so much that he bought one to take home to use in their bedroom.

After looking at a variety of fans in different styles and sizes, I am very pleased with my choice of this 12 inch Aire One High Velocity Floor Fan. I purchased mine from Ace Hardware, but similar fans are also available at Home Depot and Lowes. I also found a nice selection on eBay.

*Product Review by Wednesday Elf

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Friday, June 23, 2017

Complete Guide to Needlework by Reader's Digest Reviewed

Complete Guide to Needlework Reviewed on Review This!

I have a very extensive craft library in my craft room, but there are a few books that stand out as the very best. The Complete Guide to Needlework by Reader's Digest is by far the very best craft reference book I own. I refer to it more often than any other book in my library.

Actually, I use the book for reference, but anyone who wanted to learn basic techniques in embroidery, smocking, quilting, needlepoint, knitting, crochet, tatting, or just about any other needlework technique, will find excellent "how-to" guides for beginners in this book.

Complete Guide to Needlework by Reader's Digest

Reader's Digest COMPLETE GUIDE TO NEEDLEWORKI know this book was published in 1979, but it is far from outdated. Basic needlework techniques don't change with time. As a matter of fact, we need these types of instructional books to ensure the techniques won't be lost in time.

Because I enjoy all of these crafts, I tend to set one aside for a while and pick up another. Eventually, I go back to the first one and I need to refresh my memory on certain stitches or even reading a pattern. I pull this book off the shelf, look it up and, voilà, I am ready to stitch again!

For example, I recently came across "featherstitch" in an embroidery pattern. I sat staring into space as if the vision of how to make that stitch would miraculously appear before my eyes. It only "miraculously appeared" when I pulled my Complete Guide to Needlework down and looked it up. On page 214, I found exactly what I needed. A verbal description as well as excellent illustrations.

I have also found that I tend to forget certain crochet pattern abbreviations if I have not used them in a while. For those of you who crochet, you will laugh when I tell you I recently had to look up what "dec" meant on a pattern. Yes, I was embarrassed when my trusty book gave me the answer, but amazingly, the pages didn't laugh at me. Another crocheter would have laughed with reckless abandon.

Patterns in Complete Guide to Needlework

Complete Guide to Needlework Book Reviewed on Review This!

There are also some wonderful patterns in the Complete Guide to Needlework by Reader's Digest. I tend to forget that those are there. While flipping through the book today, I came across this awesome pattern for a baby quilt appliqued with baby animals. The pattern includes the drawn animals and gives the instructions on how to enlarge the animals on a grid. I love the detail! It is so wonderful to have a step by step tutorial with the pattern.

This particular pattern uses several needlework techniques to complete the baby quilt as shown. Applique, quilting and embroidery are all a part of this fabulous piece, but you could make the quilt based on your own skill level. Leave off the quilting and the embroidery to simplify it. It would be an excellent way to learn how to enlarge the pattern with a grid and make a lovely applique baby quilt that would be forever treasured.

There are patterns for many of the needlework techniques. It truly is a "complete" guide to needlework!

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Complete Guide to Needlework by Reader's Digest Book Review Written by:

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Thursday, June 22, 2017

Because I said so!

A Review of the Book "But Why Can't I", a book about rules for young children.

Available on Amazon

We've all said it at one time or another. Everyone who is a parent says 'because I said so' in answer to a child's WHY in resistance to following a command or rule. The reason we say it probably stems from a reluctance or an impatience to explain an adult's reasoning in a way a child would understand. Perhaps the parent feels they shouldn't HAVE to explain why; that their command should simply be obeyed.

Let's look at the child's point of view, and perhaps delve back in our own childhood memories to times we also questioned a parent's command. Because I said so doesn't answer the 'why' of the situation and tends to leave the child with the feeling that they don't count or are not important enough to be given a proper answer. This surely is not the parent's intention, but quite often that is how the child perceives it.

Whether it's a small child resisting bedtime or a teenager being refused permission to do something or go somewhere, taking the time to give a simple explanation produces much better results and reduces resentment and resistance. Try it next time you are tempted to just answer children with 'Because I Said So!'.

But Why?

Available in Children's Books on Amazon

For smaller children who have trouble understanding an adults' reasoning or explanation about something they are told, this book "But Why Can't I?" might be helpful for both parent and child.

It's a book about rules from the Our Emotions and Behavior series by Sue Graves and illustrated by Desideria Guicciardin.

Synopsis:

Children sometimes find it hard to follow rules. This encouraging book joins Noah and his babysitter, Jenny, who shows him how rules help keep people safe, healthy, and happy.

About the Author

Sue Graves is a former teacher and a published author. She writes fiction and nonfiction for children from preschool to high school.

This book is for ages 4 to 8 years. It is a cheerful, brightly illustrated, story designed to help kids understand how their emotions and actions are related—and how they can learn to manage both. At the end of the book there is a two-page series of pictures which invite kids to tell a story in their own words.There is also a special section for adults with discussion questions and ideas to help parents get their children to talk about their feelings.

This book is perhaps a much better solution than just quickly saying "Because I said so".

Coffee Mug for Father's Day Because Father Knows Best!

This mug design is professionally created and permanently inked in South Carolina, USA by Melissa of DrageynDesigns on Etsy. Melissa also has a similar coffee mug available with -Mom as the signature.

Each coffee mug is made to order, and is not created beforehand. This is *not* a vinyl decal design. The design is inked and professionally processed with a high heat press to bond permanently with the mug itself, and the design will not crack or peel off. Also, the design will be on both sides of the mug.

Visit Melissa at Drageyn Designs on Etsy and see the fabulous choices of ceramic coffee mugs and travel coffee mugs, plus beer steins and much more she has created for her shop. There is sure to be one that is perfect for you.

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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Why Parents and Teachers Need the Time Timer: A Review

What's Unique about the Time Timer?

The Time Timer is different than other timers I've used. When you set those there is an audible alert -- a ding or a buzz -- when the time is up. The Time Timer has a red disk you set for the time needed. As the time passes, the red disk gets smaller in a clockwise direction. This makes it very easy for a person to see how fast time is passing and how much time is left before time is up. Most models also come with an optional audible alert.

Why Parents and Teachers Need the Time Timer

Is it Time Now? How Much Longer Do I Have?

How many times do parents and teachers hear these questions every day? Sometimes it can appear to children that time is just standing still. Whether it's a preschooler wanting to know how much longer a time-out will last or a student taking a timed test wanting to know when it will be over, children wonder about the passing of time.

Small children have not yet developed the concept of how long a minute is, let alone three of them, or twenty of them. Children practicing an instrument or taking a scholastic achievement test may not have noted a starting time and just want to see quickly how much time they have left to work.

The Time Timer is a helpful visual aid in all these situations and more. It comes in many sizes. Some are audible as well as visual. There is sure to be one to meet your needs as a parent or a teacher. When a normal clock or timer just doesn't communicate clearly to a child, a Time Timer will help.

How much longer do I have to practice?

Ever heard that question?

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

When my children took piano lessons, I heard this question quite often, mostly from Jason, who wasn’t as fond of practicing the piano as Sarah was. It doesn’t matter which instrument it is — violin, tuba, clarinet — most children are resistant to practicing unless they absolutely love their instrument, and even then they sometimes tire of practicing.

Time Timer 8 INCH, 60 minute visual analog timer with flip out legs and optional alert

Enter the Time Timer. I recommend the eight-inch model for this because you can mount it on the wall or let it stand up nearby. Put it where your child can see it easily during practice time and he will always know exactly how much longer his practice time will last. He may also get an idea of how long it takes to play each piece in proportion to his total practice time.

This timer is also used in many school districts and offices for effective time management. It's useful for all ages and abilities. Whereas it can teach children the concept of time passing, workers can see at a glance how much time they have left to work on a task before their next appointment. For those who want to hear when the set time is up, this timer has an optional ding to notify you.

There is a Time Timer for Every Need

People appreciate the 3-inch timer because it's the most portable Time Timer.

The Time Timer Plus is also portable because of its handy handle. It is available in either gray or white.

Time Timer Audible Countdown Timer - 3 inch - Black

Time Timer PLUS, 60 minute visual analog timer with handle and optional alert, White

The Time Timer Can Help Children Ease into Bedtime

Do you remember when you were young and you had no concept of how much longer it would be before bedtime, even if you knew that bedtime was at 7:00? You judged time by a sequence of events before you could tell time. First came dinner. Then there might be a TV show or story. Then it was bath time. Shortly after bath time might be bedtime. Or maybe not. Whatever the order of events was at your house, you probably wondered just exactly when you would have to go to bed. Just how much longer did you have to play quietly? How long could you stall?

Suppose you had had a Time Timer set about an hour before bedtime so that you could get a better idea of how much time you had and could actually see it disappear? How much better would that have been than just getting interested in an activity only to have a parent whisk you off to bed before you could finish it? I think it would have been better, and it would have been equally helpful to know how long until I needed to help set the table or do some other assigned chore. Along with learning the concept of time, seeing time pass helps a child learn to plan what he can do before his free time is gone. It's a step toward teaching a child time management.