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Don’t panic, I tell myself. Yes, there’s less than one week to go before Halloween, and I haven’t prepared anything for my party yet. Just don’t panic … oh, I’m afraid I actually DO panic!

If you are like me and tend to leave things to the very last minute, you might be in desperate need for a Halloween decoration that

• is easy and quick to do,
• doesn’t strain your budget too much and
• will earn you some admiring ‘Ohs’ and ‘Ahs’ from your guests.

Here comes the ‘Spooky Bouquet’ to the rescue! For one bouquet you’ll need:

• four high quality 11″ latex balloons, preferably with Halloween design, but if you can’t get those, three plain black and one plain orange balloon will do as well,
• color matching curling ribbon (5mm wide),
• a plastic or ceramic pumpkin for the base (or any other small item that fits the theme and to which you can attach the ribbons) and
• a small flask of helium to fill the balloons.

How to make it

You start with inflating the first of your black balloons with helium. Before you tie the knot you should make sure that the balloon is fully inflated to its 11″ size. This is important as the bouquet will only look good if all balloons are blown up to the same size. There are two easy ways to do this: you could make yourself a simple ‘balloon sizer’ by cutting a circle of 11″ diameter out of a piece of cardboard or you could set up two chairs back to back, so that the distance between them equals 11″.

So, before you knot the balloon, pass it through your sizer and if necessary, deflate or inflate the balloon until it fits. Now take about 1m length from your curling ribbon and tie it to the balloon neck, leaving ca. 30cm loose for curling. Then attach the other end of the ribbon to your base. The overall height from the base to the top of the balloon should be about 80cm.

Repeat these steps for the other two black balloons. Position all three balloons at the same height.

O.k., just one more step to finish your Spooky Bouquet. Take the last balloon, in our example that would be the orange balloon, inflate it as described above and attach it to the base, so that it floats in the center of the three black balloons and just above them. You found the perfect position, when the top balloon just slightly touches the three black balloons.

Congratulations. You’re done! Now stand back and admire your floating bouquet. There are so many Halloween themed balloons, both latex and foil, that you can easily create variations of this basic design. For example, you’ll get a nice effect, if you replace the top latex balloon with a foil balloon - it could be a crazy pumpkin, a flying witch or a ghastly ghost … whatever you prefer.

One special tip: as this is a last minute decoration idea, it might be too late to order a helium tank from a specialised balloon supplier. Maybe you know a small corner shop in your neighborhood that sells balloons. They probably have helium too. If it’s not for sale, ask them to inflate your balloons on the spot and take the inflated balloons home with you. Of course, you should go there prepared and take the curling ribbon and the balloon sizer with you.

If you’d like to see the instructions for the ‘Spooky Bouquet’ illustrated with photos, please check out the ‘Halloween Decoration’ page on our step-by-step ‘Balloon Decoration Guide’. You’ll also find tips on tying balloons without ending up ‘all fingers and thumbs’ or how to greatly increase the floating time of helium filled latex balloons.

Margit Streifeneder has been a successful Small Business Owner for 10 years. Together with her life partner, a professional balloon decorator, she developed the ‘DIY Balloon Decoration Guide’ to provide useful how-to-information for everyone interested in creating their own balloon decor.

[tags]halloween decoration, balloons, diy, balloon decoration, idea[/tags]

Guest bedrooms are generally the last room in a house that receives attention. Frequently, the spare bedroom becomes a graveyard full of old outdated furniture. Guest who visit the home are then subject to uncomfortable, lumpy beds and nightstands that have an uncountable number of drink ring stains.

It is time to take the opportunity to redecorate and refurnish the guest room, and treat your visitors to a vacation-like stay. Here are several pointers that will have out-of-town family members and old high school friends refreshed from a stay at your home.

* Paint instantly refreshes any room. Make sure you fill in holes and clean the walls first. Use a soft tone to relax your visitors, and avoid reds and oranges, which are invigorating rather than calming colors.

* Display brochures of local attractions and events provided free from the tourist bureau. This assists your guest in determining what they would like to do while they are visiting. It is always helpful if you also have activity suggestions.

* Choose a theme for decor. Successful resorts and bed-and-breakfast establishments have used this technique for years. It is easy to go overboard, so proceed in moderation.

* Provide reading material for guests who arrive without books or magazines. If possible, supply a book that is set in the area, like Huckleberry Finn if you live near the Mississippi River or The Firm if you live in Memphis.

* Install window coverings that mostly darken the room, allowing your guests to sleep late if they prefer. Interior shutters are a perfect choice because they are easy to control, look great in any d

November is the second to the last month of the year. It is STILL a good time to plant. You can still plant trees, shrubs, flowers and much more. For color you can’t go wrong with pansies, if planted now you can have beautiful flowers and color until late April.

You can plant directly into the ground or in just about any container as long as it has good drainage. Use a good quality potting soil with additional amounts of perlite to help loosen and add tiny air pockets and help roots to “breathe”.

Plant them in an area that receives plenty of sunlight. Feed with an “all purpose fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20. Remove spent blossoms reguarly to encourage new blooms. You can also add stock, dianthus and snapdragons to this list as well.

This is also a great time to over-seed your bermuda grass lawn. You may use annual rye or perennial rye. Annual rye will stay green throught the the winter months and begin to die off in the summer heat. You will have to repeat this process again in the fall. Perennial rye in bermuda will co-exist throught the season. You may have patchy areas of green and dormant grass the flollowing fall season depending on the amount of water and shade your lawn receives.

Watering this time of the year will be needed much less than October. Bermuda lawns should be watered about every 10-15 days, depending on the actual temperature. You need to water at least twice per month after your lawn goes dormant. If you have cool season grass such as fescue, rye, or blue grass you need to water every 7 to 10 days, through the winter months.

Remember to fertilize your cool season grass if you want it to stay green! You can apply 16-8-8 fertilizer during this time of the year, just be sure that it has been more than 6-8 weeks since you last fertilized.

Some pruning may be done at this time of the year depending on what type of tree or shrub you may have. A good rule of thumb is to have a “reason” for cutting. Is the plant overgrown, diseased, insect infested etc…,

Do NOT prune heavily at this time of the year, in general the majority of pruning should be done in January before mid-February for most plants.

November Gardening tips

You can read November gardeing tips at:
http://guzmansgreenhouse.com/seasons/novembergardentips.htm

Paul Guzman is the author of the above article.
He is the manager of Guzman’s Greenhouse in southern New Mexico.
You can view it online at: http://guzmansgreenhouse.com/seasons/novembergardentips.htm
Or email him at: manager@guzmansgreenhouse.com
You can add this article on your website as long as the Author Bio Resource Box is left intact.

[tags]November gardening tips,gardening in November, fall gardening, southwest gardening, annual[/tags]

More and more, consumers, retailers and wholesalers looking to source quality flooring are looking for balance too. They all want to find practicality and look, measured with environmentally-responsible products and processes. Cork flooring, which has been around for centuries, makes striking this balance very easy indeed. Harvested from the cork oak, particularly in Portugal and Spain where the species flourishes, cork flooring stands as a shining example of a renewable source in flooring. The bark of the cork oak is harvested by hand. The process is heavily regulated to protect each individual tree from long-term harm. This means that the source for your cork floor, a flooring alternative that remains to be both decorative and practical for many reasons, is not endangered. Each cork oak tree is harvested on a nine-year rotation. Only mature cork oaks are harvested in order to protect future generations. For a “green” flooring option, cork flooring is worth your attention. And this is before any benefits of aesthetics and practical uses of cork flooring come into play!

How cork is processed for flooring and other products

Once the bark of the cork oak tree is removed with the use of hand-held implements, it is boiled. This allows the bark to become more malleable, easily shaped into a variety of forms. The versatility of cork as a material is thus demonstrated even as it is processed. The primary use for cork is that for which it is literally synonymous - “corks”, for the wine industry, and other similar bottling industries. The cork is pressed into large sheets, and the corks are “punched out”. The remaining cork is ground, and further molded into large blocks. At this point, the cork is baked to further increase its durability. The cork is then cut to standardized sizes, and sorted according to color. The last stage is sealing these cut-down cork pieces with a layer of polyurethane or wax. The cork is then ready for use as flooring, or many other uses.

Nothing Goes to Waste

As you can see, cork flooring stands as a flooring option that is very concerned with the conservation of the species on numerous fronts. Each individual cork oak tree is allowed to reach maturity before it is harvested for its bark. Even then, the bark is not harvested for any length of time less than nine years, to allow appropriate re-growth and general health of the individual cork oak. When the cork oak bark is processed for flooring and other uses, all of the bark is used to the greatest extent possible. The stages which make it a durable flooring option only stands to make its use that much more robust. Increasing the life of the products made from cork means getting the best use out of the natural resource of the bark used to make it. With cork, and with cork flooring, consumers and sellers gain the benefits of quality flooring. Along with this, they also gain the knowledge that their choice in “green” flooring contributes to an ongoing effort in creating renewable products.

Rob Jones is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect, a leading online wholesaler of building products. Rob writes articles for commercial contractors and DIYers on features, installation, and maintenance of building materials used in commercial and residential projects. These articles focus on materials such as flooring, decking, roofing, and siding, and other related topics.

[tags]cork, flooring, floors, floor, planks, wood, cork oak, production, environmentally-friendly[/tags]

Mattress shopping could be a real pain in the back side if you know what I mean. Not only is it a hassle to shop around for one, but you have to spend lots of money to get a decent replacement mattress as well! On top of that, retailers everywhere are confusing you with their own branded labels and features when ultimately you are dealing with more or less than same products across stores.

Mattress shopping doesn’t have to be a bore nor does it have to be a chore. You shouldn’t have to hold off on getting a new mattress if the old one is not giving you the good night’s sleep that nature intended for you.

The very first thing you should do is decide on a place to buy your mattress. This doesn’t mean you stick up the yellow pages and randomly select a place, it means you need to go shop around for a place to shop around! Having fun already right? Consider visiting as many local stores, including department stores, furniture stores, warehouses, the big chain mattress operations, local mom and pop’s stores, etc).

The main thing you want to look for when you are looking around at each establishment is whether or not they offer fair prices relative to the other places you’ve visited, and also if they offer other friendly services such as removing your old mattress and helping you get setup with the new one. Don’t take for granted that all stores do this!

This is just the first step, but this alone is a doozy and can help you land a great mattress via sheer force of will!

Latex mattress comparison related products and services are available at our web page.

http://www.mattressbliss.com

[tags]mattress cleaner,adjustable air mattresses,best latex mattress,discount foam mattress pads[/tags]

Cleaning your own carpet can be a great way to save money. If not done properly however you can end up with quite a mess. This article will give you some tips on using a carpet cleaning rental on your home’s carpets.

The first thing you need to do is find a good carpet cleaning machine. You can find them at most home improvement and grocery stores. Look for one in good condition that isn’t too beat up or old. The older the machine, the weaker the vacuum and water pump probably is. Find a machine in good condition and also purchase the carpet cleaning shampoo that is sold with the machines. Do not even think about using dish soap or any other homemade concoction.

The first step, once you get the machine home is to thoroughly pre-vacuum your carpet. Do not overlook this step because soil is much easier to remove when it is dry. Go over the carpet in several different directions, taking your time.

The next step is where I will differ from the directions on the carpet cleaning machine. They usually want you to fill the machine with a shampoo solution. This means that you are rinsing with the solution and you will leave a lot of residue. Instead, mix the cleaning solution in a separate pump-up sprayer. You can find one gallon garden sprayers at any home improvement store. Now spray the carpet evenly with the cleaner. Do not over wet the carpet, spray the solution evenly and then let it dwell for 5 to 10 minutes. Dwell time will allow the solution to break down and absorb the soils.

Next, fill the carpet cleaning machine with plain warm water. After letting the solution dwell, you will make a pass over the carpeting to rinse the cleaning solution out. If your carpet is heavily soiled or you used a lot of cleaning solution, you may need to make two passes over the carpet. Your goal here is to remove as much of the cleaner as possible in order to leave the least amount of residue.

Finally it is time to dry your carpets. The quicker you get them dry, the less likely it is that spots will return and the less likely you are to get water marks. Turn your ceiling fans on and get out any portable fans you have and aim them at the carpet. If it is a nice dry day, open your windows or doors. The more airflow you get to your room the better.

Well, that’s it. That’s all there is to it. Just remember to take your time and do not take shortcuts. Follow these simple steps and you can easily clean your own carpet.

The author of this article runs a website to help you find a Chicago carpet cleaner. Find local carpet cleaners and information on carpet, rugs, drapery and Chicago upholstery cleaning.

[tags]carpet, flooring, floors, home improvement, carpeting, rugs, cleaning, decorating, area rug[/tags]

Finding the best services from home improvement financing networks can be a daunting task. Every homeowner would want to take a form of financing that is free or no obligation, no initial credit check, and lesser money worries.

Before starting your home improvement project, make sure, first that you have enough budget to cover the costs by requesting help from home improvement financing programs. There are home improvement financing sites online that may offer the best and affordable service you need.

They might also offer products and services that will help the achievement of a successful project. Rates are at record lows; customers are given a variety of choices in order to finance their improvement project. Home improvement finance will tailor your financing according to your needs. With the following financing options offered:

Cheap mattress retailers have a reputation for using questionable sales practices. It is therefore a good idea to arm yourself with information before you go shopping. Learn what matters and doesn’t matter in mattress construction. Learn to recognize common sales techniques.

In terms of mattress construction, there have been significant improvements over the last ten years. As long as you don’t go into the low end of the market, durability should not be significantly different among brands and models. Major attributes to consider are firmness, and construction.

1. Firmness - test out the mattress to make sure it feels comfortable. Also make sure that the firmness is consistent across all areas of the mattress.

2. Construction - learn about how the mattress is made. More expensive mattresses typically have damask ticking, thicker padding, higher coil counts, and a cushion sewn into the mattress. Coil count and configuration seem to have little effect on durability. Sagging in mattresses is caused by the padding, not the coils. Therefore, when comparing mattresses look at for thicker, higher quality padding.

Now, where do you go for a cheap mattress?

1. Brick-and-Mortar Stores - includes department stores, chains, and boutiques. Allow you to test the mattress out, but require a significant time investment to comparison shop.

2. Cheap mattress by phone companies - more convenient than brick-and-mortar stores, but can be slippery on pricing and returns. Many offer different prices each time they’re called. The upside, however, is you can likely negotiate over the phone by quoting competitor prices. An additional area to be wary is with returns. Be sure that you can return or exchange the mattress without paying fees or being forced to pay full retail on the exchange.

3. Internet - offer low prices, but you can’t test the mattress before you buy. You may have difficulty returning if something goes wrong.

Catherine has been a salesperson for a bedding store for the last 15 years and enjoys helping customers select the right products for maximum comfort and support. Come to http://www.mbwl.net to get free advice on evaluating mattresses and tips on how to buy a mattress.

[tags]Cheap Mattress[/tags]

Disclaimer, I have no real proof that a lady would love this room I’m about to share with you, and in fact, since I am not of this gender, I am purely speculating on my experience with women, which is shaky at best. However, it seems that women want certain things out of a room that can be categorized into one room. This room is in fact, the ultimate ladies living room.

What feminine living area would be suitable without the color pink? Well, most likely people agree that pink is a feminine color, yet some people don’t like it to be the center piece of the room. For this reason, we will do the wall paper in a pastel color, something like baby blue, or a canary yellow, with a pink accent below the white crown molding.

The room will include a classic design of tan leather sofas, with plenty of space for those gigantic magazines that seem to cover fashion in dictionary proportions. The magazine racks would of course match the sofa, and be a gentle colored rod iron look.

The ultimate ladies living room would be enhanced by a moderately sized plasma television that most would agree is proportioned to the room correctly. The television would be housed with a casing made of a dark wood, maple, or teak would do fine. It would further be stained for a luxurious look.

Our room would include a day bed that embodied the word class. The day bed’s mattress would be of maroon color, and the pillows would range from gold, to white, with intricate embroiders on them. The day bed would be her throne, after a long day of work; she could fall on it like a queen after long day of ruling her land.

For a coffee table, glass would be the prevailing element, with sleek black legs that worked in conjunction to hold it up. Another great thing about the ultimate ladies living room is the fact that it will include a diverse collection of art, that all had dark color combinations in common. The dark colors of the paintings would play perfectly off of the light pastel colors on the walls.

Finally the room would have a Persian rug that would cover the hardwood. While the hardwood would match the television case, the rug would perfectly go with the day bed, creating a harmonious marriage of beautiful elements.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of http://www.livingroomdatabase.com Visit today to get more free tips on designing and decorating a beautiful and charming living room of your wildest dreams.

[tags]living room, living rooms, living room decorating[/tags]

Homeowners and interior designers frequently recommend the use of kitchen pot racks to save a great deal of space taken up by the cupboards and cabinets. A pot rack is essentially an ideal way of arranging the assortment of pots, pans, and various kitchen utensils in a way that maximizes comfort in their use.

A pot rack can be made of wood, brass, chrome, copper, or wrought iron and can be obtained in a variety of designs, shapes, and sizes. It is mounted from the ceiling with the help of screws or against a wall using lag bolts. Hanging pot racks are generally placed over kitchen islands or peninsulas, while wall pot racks are ideally positioned below cabinets or between two cabinets. Heavy, lighted pot racks are rarely chosen; because of their weight, they are hung from a fan brass that is affixed to the ceiling. Based on the requirements and space availability, a homeowner can choose a design that is both attractive and efficient.

It is very important that a pot rack is mounted properly. Some racks, such as those made of wrought iron, are very heavy themselves. After arranging the cookware, there will be added weight, so care must be taken to see that the wall or the ceiling, as well as the pot rack, are able to support the weight. For guidance regarding specific issues, one can always approach a professional from the homebuilding store or the service personnel from the manufacturer. It is always advisable to strictly adhere to the installation procedures specified by the manufacturers.

A pot rack comes in many price ranges, depending on the style and design. A small wall-mounted kitchen pot rack may cost as little as $50, while a large, hanging pot rack may be as high as $1,000. Pot racks can easily be obtained from home interior stores or kitchen stores, or they can be ordered on line.

Pot Racks provides detailed information on Pot Racks, Hanging Pot Racks, Kitchen Pot Racks, Custom Pot Racks and more. Pot Racks is affiliated with Outdoor Wood Stoves .

[tags]Pot Racks, Hanging Pot Racks, Kitchen Pot Racks, Custom Pot Racks[/tags]