My favorite ruler for all of my artistic projects is a sewing ruler. The particular one that I own measures 2" by 18" and is see through. I can see my design under the ruler, making it so much easier to know right where I want to place my next mark, and or where I need to measure from.
My canvases can vary, from regular canvas, paper, to my computer screen. Yes, you read that right. I don't know if my current upgrade of my artist software has a grid pattern that I can use or not; I have never bothered to find out. It is so natural for me to reach for my see through ruler.
I can hold it up to the computer screen, shift it this way or that, and I have figured out what I need to know. It is also flexible; it has just enough flex to it that I can maneuver it across my computer screen without any issues.
This is one gal that does not want a touch screen on my monitor. I want to be able to use my see through ruler.
Some people may refer to this as a seamstress ruler, quilter's ruler, etc. But it is so much more versatile to use than just for sewing. But if you're looking for one in the art section, you may need to go over to sewing to find one.
Not just any see through ruler will do. This sewing ruler is smooth on both sides and on the edges too. That is another criteria for my ruler. Some of the see through rulers for school have raised ridges to designate the different measurements.
If you are looking for something that gives you the option for straight lines, that has a decent length to it, (They do come in other sizes though.), is smooth on both sides and edges too, then I recommend a sewing ruler for your creative needs.
The two or three that I own, are all from Artist's Loft. You can find them at Michael's and also on Amazon.
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.”
Most of us are pretty good about putting sunscreen on our faces and necks
before we head outside. But if you’re like I used to be, you might not give
much thought to your hands. The truth is, they’re one of the first areas to
show sun damage—age spots, thinning skin, and those little freckles that pop
up over the years. And, of course, unprotected hands are just as vulnerable to
skin cancer as the rest of your body.
My sister, who’s a physician, has urged me to take sun protection seriously
for decades, and as I've gotten older I have become a bit obsessive about
wearing high SPF sunscreen and UV protective clothing. Our dad developed skin
cancer after his time in the Navy, and that was a turning point for both of
us. We learned firsthand that protecting your skin isn’t just about looks—it’s
about health. She was actually the one who convinced me to start wearing UPF
50+ gloves, not just outside, but even in the car. I don’t drive myself, but
UV rays easily penetrate car windows, and the exposure really adds up over
time.
My sister's recommendation is how I discovered the Coolibar UPF 50+ UV Gloves.
Coolibar was the first sun-protective clothing company to receive the Skin
Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, and it’s a brand I’ve come to
trust.
Coolibar UPF 50+ UV Gloves Review: My Go-To Sun Protection for Hands
Even though I have been diligent about applying sunscreen to my face, neck and
chest for many years, I have been less diligent about protecting the skin on
the rest of my body. Sunscreen lasts only so long, and it is more difficult to
reapply it to the body than to the face when you're on the go. About five or
six years ago I really started noticing some of the sun damage incurred during
my twenties and thirties, when I was not diligent about sun protection or
sunscreen use. I have succeeded in reversing a lot of the sun damage on my face, neck and chest with diligent use of well designed, high-quality AM and PM skincare routines, but again, I haven't been as careful with the skin on my arms and legs.
Fortunately, using Coolibar UPF 50+ UV Gloves to protect the skin on my hands has really helped, especially when I'm in the car, running errands, or at an outdoor event for longer than two hours. Although my hands obviously show signs of age, they're fairly youthful for 71-year-old hands, with minimal wrinkles and only a few, small age spots, thanks in part to the Coolibar Unisex UV Gloves with UPF 50+ UV protection.
(Not sure what the strange reflection is!)
Why I Love These Sun Protection Gloves
The first pair of these gloves that I purchased two years ago were the Coolibar UPF 50+ Unisex Gannet UV Gloves (sun protection isn't just for women!) in the color Beige. I wear a woman's size 7 glove and the size Small fit me perfectly. The Gannet style comes just over the wrist.
The first thing I noticed was how soft and
feather-light they felt. They’re made from Coolibar’s UCmax™ fabric, a blend
of 87% polyester and 13% spandex with breathable micro-mesh and four-way
stretch. They fit snugly but not tight, and they don’t make my hands sweaty.
In fact, the Cooltect® technology wicks away moisture and keeps my hands
feeling cool, even on hot days.
And the best part is that they block 98% of UVA and UVB rays, giving UPF
50+ protection without having to slather on sunscreen that washes off or needs
reapplying every hour or two. Honestly, I almost forget that I’m wearing them because they’re so comfortable.
Touchscreen-Friendly (So I Don't Need to Remove Them to Use My Phone)
One feature I use constantly is the touchscreen-compatible thumb and pointer fingertips. I can grab my phone, scroll, or send a quick text without peeling the gloves off and exposing my skin. It’s such a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in how practical they are for daily use.
Perfect for the Car, Walks, Everyday Errands and Outdoor Events
I keep my UV gloves in my purse so I can easily slip them on whenever I go out. I love that they come with a zippered pouch to keep them clean and neat when not in use.
Since I don’t drive, I’m usually in the passenger seat and I like knowing my hands are protected from UV rays coming through the side windows. I wear these gloves while I'm walking, shopping, or sitting outside with a book. They’re just an easy habit now, like sunglasses or sunscreen on my face.
Need More Coverage? Try the Longer Version
When I looked at the sun damage on my arms recently, I decided to buy a pair of the Coolibar UPF 50+ Unisex Culebra UV Long Gloves as well. They use the same UCmax™ fabric and the same touchscreen-compatible thumb and pointer fingertips as the wrist-length Gannet style, but they extend well past your elbow. I reach for these when I’m wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops or spending more time outdoors. It’s that extra layer of peace of mind against sun damage, especially at the beach.
A Great Gift for Gardeners and Outdoor Enthusiasts
Men or women who work outdoors or enjoy gardening, driving, spending time at the beach, walking for exercise or pleasure, and anyone else who spends time exposed to the sun (directly or indirectly) for extended periods of time could benefit from either style of these Coolibar UPF 50+ UV gloves. I think they would make a great gift, especially since they come nicely packaged in a matching zippered storage pouch.
Final Thoughts
Sun protection is a big deal for me, and not just because I want the skin on my hands and arms to look good as I get older. After seeing what skin cancer did to my dad, I take sun protection very seriously. The Coolibar Gannet UV Gloves make it effortless. They’re light, comfortable, easy to wash, and practical enough to wear every day. Plus, they save me from constantly reapplying sunscreen to my hands.
If you want even more coverage, the Culebra UV Long Gloves are just as good with added length for your forearms and part of your upper arms.
Both styles give you top-notch protection from a brand that’s trusted by dermatologists and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. For me, they’ve become a non-negotiable part of my daily routine, and the skin on my hands and arms is showing visible improvement. At the time of this post's publication, both styles were available on Amazon for $39. That's a small price to pay for protection against skin cancer and other types of unsightly damage from the sun's harmful UV rays.
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Pork Tenderloin is a very lean and tender cut of meat; it's the filet mignon of pork. Fran picked up a 1.5 lb. already seasoned pork tenderloin last week.
There are several ways to make pork tenderloin, and our favorite is using our Ninja Air Fryer.
This method is easy to do, and the pork is so tender and juicy. Our pork tenderloin was already seasoned. You can find these in your grocery store already seasoned with various types of seasoning. If you don't find one already seasoned, here is how we like to season ours.
Seasoning for Pork Tenderloin:
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Mix all seasonings together in a small bowl, and rub the olive oil over the pork tenderloin. Rub the mixed seasoning on all sides of the tenderloin.
Set and preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees. Set the timer to 25 minutes. Check the pork tenderloin at 22 minutes with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. You want the internal temperature to be at least 145 degrees.
The tenderloin will be crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Serve with your favorite vegetable or baked potato.
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.”
Have you ever taken a chance on a DIY idea only to discover... What took me so long to do it! This simple DIY has changed the scenario 100 percent for an office with hardwood floors.
Hardwood Floors
The great feature of hardwood floors is the ability to have office furniture with wheels. So handy, so useful, so worrisome if the wheels are not high quality and the hardwood floors are in jeopardy. The one sound you do not want to hear is a rolling piece of furniture scraaaatcccching the hardwood floor.
Wheels and More Wheels
What I have added Lifelong wheels to in the office with hardwood floors:
Rolling shelves
Rolling printer stand
Office Chair
Stool
Shredder
Through the years this old office chair became THAT chair. The chair which is so comfy and broken in and you do not want to let it go when age reigns on its' parts. One of the wheels was not working properly and was showing signs of scratching the floor as well as the floor protector. One of the bonus features of replacing the wheels was the ability to leave the plastic floor protector in the trash.
One word of caution! The wheels are fast! Like rollerblade wheels, so the chair which was barely rolling is now a lean mean rolling machine !
The one measurement needed is the stem size. The old wheels pop off and the new are easily put on, but the stem size is necessary for proper fit. Lifelong comes in different color combinations and brakes are an option. For the printer stand on wheels I chose the style with brakes.
Brands
As noted I have replaced a few wheels and have found the brands I used all were more than adequate. The installation took minutes! No tools needed.
My favorite brand was Lifelong and it was slightly more expensive than other brands. the one cavaet is the wheels are advertised to fit 98 percent, but NOT Ikea furniture.
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.”
To Date, Here Are 5 of The Biggest Stars to Come Out of The Voice
You know, I've been a fan of The Voice for years—probably over a decade now. And thanks to the magic of TikTok, I've fallen down more than a few rabbit holes watching short clips from The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, and even auditions from countries I didn't expect—like Germany, Indonesia, and South Africa. There's something about those blind auditions and spinning chairs that just pulls me in every time.
After digging into the history of The Voice, I found a few fun factoids I thought you might like, too. The show actually started way back in 2010 in the Netherlands, created by John de Mol (yep, the same guy who helped create Big Brother).
Since then, it's exploded across the globe with over 60 international versions. You can now catch The Voice in countries like the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Italy, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sweden, Argentina, and many more.
Now, while The Voice has given the world thousands of notable singers, not all of them have gone on to become household names. Who are some of the biggest stars to come out of The Voice? Who made a significant impact after the show was over?
"After conducting some research (and encountering a few surprises), I've found the following. By the way, this is my personal research; feel free to dispute any of these, or add people you think belong on this list! Leave your opinion in the comments."
🌟 Top 5 Most Successful Contestants from The Voice – Worldwide
These are the ones who not only wowed us on the show but also went on to sell records, earn awards, and build actual careers. Let's break it down:
1. Morgan Wallen
(The Voice USA, Season 6 – 2014, Team Usher initially, then Team Adam)
Okay, so this one shocked even me. Morgan Wallen was actually eliminated early in the playoffs, but he's become the biggest success story ever from The Voice.
Why he's #1:
🎧 Record Sales & Streams:
Over 35 million equivalent album sales (EAS) globally
Dangerous: The Double Album broke all kinds of country music streaming records
One Thing at a Time dominated the charts for weeks
💵 Estimated Earnings:
Net worth estimated between $25–30 million and rising fast
🏆 Awards:
ACM Album of the Year
Billboard Music Awards
CMT Music Awards
Holds records for most weeks on Billboard Country Charts
Bottom line: He didn't win the show, but he definitely won real-life stardom.
2. Melanie Martinez
(The Voice USA, Season 3 – 2012, Top 6 Finalist)
Melanie had a style all her own from the start—quirky, artistic, emotional. And it turns out that unique identity is precisely what carried her beyond the show.
What she's accomplished:
🎧 Album Sales & Streams:
Cry Baby was certified Double Platinum in the U.S.
Albums like K-12 and Portals have cult followings
Billions of streams across platforms
💵 Estimated Earnings:
Net worth somewhere around $10–12 million
🏆 Impact:
While she's not mainstream radio famous, she's a huge streaming success, especially among younger listeners on TikTok and Spotify.
Strong merchandise sales and sold-out tours
Bottom line: She has built a loyal fan base and a full-blown brand on her own terms.
3. Jordan Smith
(The Voice USA, Season 9 – 2015, Winner – Team Adam)
Jordan Smith's voice is the kind that makes you stop what you're doing and just listen. He made history with his chart performance during the show and continued to do so afterward.
Highlights:
🎧 Sales & Chart Success:
Became the highest-selling Voice contestant on iTunes during his season
Albums charted on Billboard's Christian and Adult Contemporary charts
Billboard chart-topper in the Christian music space
Bottom line: Jordan found his lane in Christian and inspirational music, and is thriving.
Here's Jordan Smith's blind audition:
4. Cassadee Pope
(The Voice USA, Season 3 – 2012, Winner – Team Blake)
Cassadee brought her pop-punk background from the band Hey Monday into country music, making it work. She was the first female winner of The Voice USA and used the win to launch a solid country career.
Career Snapshot:
🎧 Sales:
Frame by Frame hit No. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart
Single "Wasting All These Tears" sold 125,000 copies in its first week
Duet "Think of You" with Chris Young went Platinum
💵 Estimated Earnings:
Estimated around $4–5 million
🏆 Awards:
Grammy nomination
CMT Music Award
ACM Award nomination
Bottom line: A fan favorite who turned her win into long-term respect in the country scene.
Cassadee Pope performed this song on The Voice, and ever since, it's held a special place in my heart. When my dad passed, I wept listening to it. Those tears were part of my healing. The original is by Miranda Lambert, and it still brings me back to that time.
5. Koryn Hawthorne
(The Voice USA, Season 8 – 2015, 4th Place – Team Pharrell)
She didn't win the show, but she's dominating the gospel and Christian charts today.
Why she made the list:
🎧 Chart Success:
Unstoppable topped Billboard's Top Gospel Albums
Single "Won't He Do It" stayed at No. 1 for 41 weeks (that's almost a whole year!)
💵 Estimated Earnings:
Net worth estimated at around $1–2 million
🏆 Awards & Nominations:
2 Grammy nominations
Billboard and Stellar Gospel Awards
Bottom line: She's a star in her genre, with one of the most consistent post-show careers.
Here's Koryn's blind audition:
🎬 Final Thoughts
So there you have it! While not every Voice contestant goes on to global superstardom, a few have carved out seriously successful careers. And what's fascinating is that most of them didn't even win, which shows that sometimes, winning the show isn't the only path to success.
Whether it's country chart domination, like Morgan Wallen, quirky theatrical pop, like Melanie Martinez, or inspirational gospel, like Koryn Hawthorne, these artists have found their unique lane.
And if you're like me and still find yourself watching audition clips at 1 AM from The Voice UK or The Voice Kids Philippines, it's kind of nice to know that the show really can change lives—and sometimes, lead to something bigger than anyone expected.
Do you have a personal favorite from The Voice over the years?
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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