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Great Things About Photography

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

photographer-407068_640Great Things About Photography
Are you thinking about taking up the hobby of photography? Many who have already discovered this exciting and fulfilling hobby can tell you the top ten reasons why photography is so great. Maybe you will be captivated by this compelling and diverse art as well. Great Things About Photography
1. The Challenge of Getting the Perfect Picture
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Sometimes a hundred shots have to be taken and you have to try for several days to get just the picture you want. An individual must have patience, but at the end of the day a great sense of accomplishment is felt from capturing the best part.
2. Tell A Story
From beginning to end of a snowball fight, with people throwing their first snowball and eventually rolling in the snow and then dusting off, you can see the event and it tells the story of friendship, fun and joy of life. Looking at pictures of an old family farm from its humble beginnings to the growth and increase over a hundred years it tells a story of family, hard work and sacrifice. Everyone has a story, photos can share that story and bring it to life.
3. Express Individuality
A photographer subject matter will reflect their interests, likes and preferences. A photo can also reflect the individuality of a subject. The clothes they choose to wear and the location they want the pictures shot all show who they are and their personality.
4. Joy and Laughter Increase
Anyone who looks at their first grade picture can attest to this fact. What is more fun than looking back at your younger years or seeing the awkwardness of adolescence? In your later years of life, seeing a picture of your family working or playing together warms your heart and lets you remember good times and better health. A photo lets us travel over the decades and brings back moments that make us laugh and carries us through the hard times.
5. See Things Truly As They Are
Somethings are so perfect- the petals of a flower, the height of a Redwood, the still calm of the lake at dawn. They draw you in to the grace of nature and life in purity and simplicity. The sweet smile of a child reflects the goodness of life and all the hope for what we can become and achieve. This is what life is and who we are in it.
6. Solitude of the Dark Room
The magical atmosphere of the dark room leads you to discover the potential of the photograph. Lightness, darkness, shadows all are in the control of the photographer. It is a work done alone with your ideas and skills combined to bring out the story of the photo before you.
7. Understand the Emotions of Others
As you look over the events of history and witness the faces of those who endured the depression or see victims of the Holocaust you can see in their eyes what they have endured. Their faces portray their hearts and hurts and although you were not there, you understand what they carry with them a little more.
8. A Gift to Others of Their Most Precious Moments
After the couple returns from the honeymoon one of the first priorities is to get the wedding photos. One of the happiest days of their lives is recorded forever. When someone does something for you that you can’t do for yourself you feel indebted and forever grateful. It is a special gift to give someone their special memories and most cherished events.
9. Once You Capture a Moment You Can Display it
From the famous to the personal, photographs reveal lives of people. Some are placed in history books, some on the walls of a museum and some in the home. When they are displayed they are able to reach into the lives of others and stir emotion and thought. Photos are meant to be shared and seen.
10. The Only Way You Can Freeze Time
A photo is a moment frozen in time for a person to enjoy and remember whenever they want. The look, the expression, the emotion only happen for an instant. Although someone might carry it in their heart, with time the memory fades. If a photo is taken a child is able to see the happiness of their parents on their wedding day, a parent can see how small their child was the day they brought them home for the first time and all the years after as they grew to adulthood. All the birthdays, first days of school, vacations and friends can be captured and with you always. Time and space do not take a loved one from us when we can see them and the moments we share together, always.
 

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Hobbies

Homemade Holiday Crafts

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

christmas-bauble-15738_640Decorating the tree is a much-anticipated tradition you share with your family. Not only does the tree’s sparkling lights and pine aroma immediately transform a home into a winter wonderland, but, as you unwrap those handmade ornaments, you reminisce about year’s past and cherish the history that the tree tells by its special, meaningful trimmings. So make some hot chocolate, turn on Bing Crosby and get out those old glass ball ornaments to create some simple, but eye-catching, handmade holiday ornaments.
Suited for Santa
Supplies:

  • Adornaments fibers, White
  • Paper Shapers Buckle Square Medium Punch
  • Craft glue pen
  • Double-sided roller adhesive
  • Red glass ball ornament
  • Black and gold cardstock

Instructions:

  1. Apply a line of glue from the top of the ornament almost to the bottom.
  2. Gently press a length of white fiber on top of the glue to adhere. Add more glue and fibers to achieve the desired width.
  3. Apply glue around the top of the ornament, and coil fibers on top of the glue so that the top is covered.
  4. Cut a strip of black cardstock 1/2″ wide and long enough to wrap around the ornament.
  5. Punch a buckle from gold cardstock.
  6. Thread the black strip through the buckle. Apply double-sided adhesive to the back of the strip, then wrap it around the ornament to adhere.

A Ball of Snowflakes
Supplies:

  • Cathy B. Sticko Stickers, Vellum Snazzy Snowflakes
  • Blue glass ball ornament

Instructions:

  1. Adhere stickers to ornament in a random fashion. If necessary, apply additional adhesive. This same method can be used using flat or dimensional stickers. Applying stickers is a kid-friendly, cost-effective way to embellish a plain ornament.

Painted Perfection
Supplies:

  • ZIG Painty pen
  • Adornaments fibers, Christmas
  • Craft glue pen
  • Clear glass ball ornament

What to Do:

  1. Using the ZIG Painty pen, write seasonal words such as “noel,” “joy” or “peace” directly on the glass ball. Let dry to the touch.
  2. Apply a line of glue around the ornament just below the words. Wrap fibers around ornament and press into glue to adhere.
  3. Repeat Step 2 as desired, adding additional fiber coils near the top and the bottom of the ornament.
  4. If desired, use the Painty pen to apply various holiday designs or doodles around the rest of the ornament.

Note: Don’t care for your handwriting? Instead of using Painty pens, you can also apply alphabet rub-ons directly to the glass balls.
* As with all crafts, adult supervision is recommended.

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Hobbies

Clay Pigeon Shooting

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

shooting-554240_640The sport of Clay Pigeon Shooting involves using a shotgun to shoot at and break a circular flying target made form a fragile material. This object looks a little like a ‘frisbee’.
Clay Shooting still retains many phrases from its historical “Live Bird Shooting” past when real birds, such as pigeons, where released from a trap positioned in front of a shooter (records date back to 1831). This later developed into shooting Glass Balls filled with powder or feathers in an attempt to equalise the standard of targets and make the competition uniform.
Clay Pigeon Shooting is a sport that´s brilliant for a leisure activity and hobby or training before hunting season to keep up one´s game. With its roots in English culture, it is an exciting sport to take up and to appreciate for its skills of aiming. Read on to learn the basic tips for those just starting out and some interesting facts about the history and the equipment which will make you a more knowledgeable Clay Pigeon Shooter.
When learning how to shoot, the most important things to keep in mind are body position and stance, how you hold the gun and aiming.
One of the biggest tips ever, is to use your more dominent eye! No matter what NOTHING matters unless you use your dominent eye, because it is visually more prepared than the other and that helps with your aim!
The trick to hitting your clay comes down to two main and omportant things – your positioning and not, i repeat NOT delaying your shot! Your instructor will give you hints for a good starting position at your particular venue.
You should visually and physically (with your gun i mean) follow the clay as it comes out of the trap. Keeping your eye down the barrel of the gun, be sure to keep the bead at the end of your gun inline – resist the temptation to just follow the clay with your eyes…the barrels must follow your line of sight. Just as the clay disappears out of sight below or across your sight, squeeze the trigger (this should help you come closer to making an accurate shot). Another important tip is to shoot at the clay pigeon as it’s rising. Once it starts to fall, bide your time and wait for another clay to be released.
While going clay pigeon shooting just do not forget these main tips! Good luck, you’ll love it!

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Hobbies

Top 5 Antiques and Collectibles

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

21190Collectors will tell you, you can collect just about anything. Vases, books, diamonds, teacups; the possibilities are endless. All you need is a passion for what you’re collecting and the budget to buy it. There are two types of collectors: The first is a casual collector that simply does it for the love of the items he or she is acquiring. The second is the serious collector a person who is very knowledgeable about the antiques and collectibles in their possession and the one who wants to turn their collection into a lucrative pastime.
Choosing what to collect is of course largely based on a person’s personal preferences and fondness for said items. But there are always popular items that not only hold places in many of our hearts, but also hold places as very profitable items among collectors and antique dealers alike.
Top 5 Antiques and Collectibles:

Comic Books and Books

Comic books and books are a hard collection to perfect. The older and rarer the book, the more it will be worth, if it has stood the test of time. Books need to be kept in temperature controlled areas away from too much humidity or dryness and especially sun or direct moisture. Finding rare books isn’t as tough anymore sue to online antique malls and book stores; finding truly rare, first edition, signed books is a little tougher. Finding people to buy your books for what they’re worth is even tougher still. Comic books need to be near mint condition and extremely rare to have much worth at all.Most expensive book: Leonardo Da Vinci’s Codex Leicester, worth $30.8 million.

Coins

There are many different types of antique coin collections. A person could collect all American coins, or all one denomination; there are many routes to choose from. Coins are easily collectible and a collection can take just a few dollars to start. This type of collection does require research and an Eagle eye in order to spot anything of value, but if you so, you could strike it rich. The older and rarer the coin is, the better.Most Expensive Coin: 1933 gold double Eagle, worth $7.5 million.

Toys, Dolls and Action figures

Almost the most fun collectible, toys, dolls and Barbie doll collections are one of the most popular collections in North America. These items are fairly easy to come by at thrift stores, antique shops and garage sales. Condition is a big factor in the item’s worth and usually once the item has been found, you will want to display it properly, away from dirty little fingers. Vintage toys are very chic right now and some of them can fetch an amazing price; an original 1963 G.I. Joe Soldier doll is currently worth about $200,000.Most expensive doll: L’Oiseleur automaton doll, worth $6.5 million.

Stamps

Philately, more commonly known as stamp collecting is a pastime that requires dedication, patience and some heavy stamp knowledge. To start your collection, you could simply buy a stamp album, magnifying glass, a pair of stamp tongs and some stamp hinges. Handling and storing stamps come with very specific instructions and can be tricky. How valuable a stamp is depends on the design, condition, country of origin and rarity.Most expensive stamp: The Swedish Treskilling Yellow, worth $2.3 million.

Wine

Collecting wine is a very fun hobby indeed! This is the one collection where you have to test your wares so to speak. But it can also be one of the most expensive collections to have. It is recommended that if you are serious about this undertaking that you build a wine cellar in your home to properly store all of your bottles. Wine is meant to be aged and consumed; therefore as a collector, you may have to wait a long while to taste the fruits of your labors. The worth of wine depends on it’s age, it’s rarity and it’s history. Buying whites as well as reds, and champagne is recommended, as is buying wines that you want to drink in bulk. Make sure to buy some mid-priced wine to enjoy while you’re aging the rest.Most expensive bottle: 1907 Heidsieck (shipwrecked), worth $275,000.

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Hobbies

Determine the Value of Antique Dolls

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

8178Determine the Value of Antique Dolls
There are many factors in determining the value of an antique doll. For instance, you should consider the age, originality, quality, size, clothing, markings and body type of the doll. Determine the Value of Antique Dolls

Age

It may surprise you that age is not the determining factor in considering value of an antique doll. Certainly, if a doll is rare as well as old, the value increases. Is the doll readily available? Is the doll a one of a kind? It is interesting to note, that many 20th century mass produced dolls are more valuable than older, rarer dolls.

Completely Original?

If an antique doll is completely original, including all body parts, wig, eyes, clothing etc. it is much more valuable than many dolls we find today, that are “put together” dolls. This means that the doll has been recreated using an assortment of genuine antique parts, but the parts are not original to the actual doll. Finding a completely original doll today is becoming harder and harder to find, so don’t pass up a beautiful doll just because her clothing or wig may not be original.

Quality of the Doll

Two doll heads from the same doll mold can look very different, and have equally different values. The talent of the artist painting the dolls had a lot to do with this. Always select the best quality of a particular mold that you can find. Look for uniform painting, smooth clear bisque, realistic coloring and nicely set eyes. Avoid dolls with unevenly painted brows and lips, black spots in the porcelain and eyes that are not set properly, often giving dolls a cross eyed appearance.

Size

As a rule of thumb, larger versions of the same mold will be more valuable than their smaller counterparts. This is only a guideline, and collectors of small dolls (such as myself) will often argue this point. Expect to pay more for large dolls, or have your large dolls valued higher than smaller versions.

Clothing

The most desirable clothing on your doll is of course original clothing in good condition. If you are fortunate enough to have original clothing on your doll, don’t be tempted to redress her simply to match a room, or to “freshen her up”. If you simply must replace her clothing, keep the original clothing wrapped in acid free paper, and stored in a dark, cool place. Make sure as well that you label the package according to what doll it belongs to. If the doll has no clothing, or is not original, be sure to dress it in fabrics and of the fashion popular when the doll was made.

Markings on your Doll

A marked doll is worth more than an unmarked doll, if all other factors are equal. On a shoulder plate doll, you will find the markings on the back of the shoulder plate itself. On a head meant for a ball joint body, the markings will be found on the back of the head, often under the wig area. In some cases the doll bodies were marked as well, usually with a hallmark stamp.

Body Type

Some body types are more desirable to collectors than others, but this is often a personal preference. Beautifully made and maintained kid bodies if in good condition, enhance the value of a doll. Equally so, a ball joint body in original, or skilfully repaired condition can add to the value. In dealing with newer dolls of vinyl or plastic materials, avoid dolls that have ink stained bodies as this will greatly detract from their value.

Hopefully I have provided some information that will help you in deciding what dolls to purchase, or if the dolls you have are worth what was paid for them. Most important, when purchasing antique dolls, learn to know what you are looking for. If you are unsure be sure to purchase your dolls from a reputable doll dealer rather than from a flea market or from a private seller. Purchase some good books on doll markings and values that includes good photos. There are many reproduction dolls on the market today that can easily fool a less seasoned doll collector.
By: Jayne Cremasco

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Hobbies

Audi R8 shares hybrid tech with Lamborghini Asterion

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

skd170333sdcAudi R8 shares hybrid tech with Lamborghini Asterion
It’s a well-known fact that the second-generation Audi R8 isn’t far away. It will feature an all-electric model but when it arrives, it could serve to seriously shake up the supercar market according to Audi research and development boss Ulrich Hackenberg. Audi R8 shares hybrid tech with Lamborghini Asterion
In one of his interviews in UK, Hackenberg confirmed quite clearly that a plug-in-hybrid model and a pure electric were coming. And as with the current R8, the next-gen model will borrow from Audi’s Italian cousins at Lamborghini.
Audi has intentions to conclusively increase the number of powertrain options for its flagship performance car, with the usual naturally aspirated V-8 and V-10 engines set to be joined by a battery-powered electric powertrain, a downsized turbo engine and maybe even a high-performance diesel. Now a plug-in hybrid option is added to that list.
“We are able to make the R8 a plug-in hybrid,” Hackenberg told CAR. “The Lamborghini Asterion shows this is possible – that car uses the platform of the R8. We will see an increase in the efficiency of high-performance cars – they have to meet CO2 regulations of the future in order to survive.”
Hackenberg clarified that the second-generation R8’s platform, which also underpins the Huracán supercar, was the basis for Lamborghini’s Asterion concept unveiled at 2014. While the Asterion isn’t destined for production, its impressive plug-in hybrid powertrain will likely end up in some future cars from the Volkswagen Group. The powertrain paired an internal combustion engine with three electric motors; a motor powering each of the front wheels and an additional motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission helping to drive the wheels.
“The R8 successor will come next year and we have developed a platform that you can see in the Lamborghini Huracán today. We will have different powertrains available, though. And in the R8 E-tron we will have about 250 miles range.”
The naturally aspirated V-8 and V-10 models are expected to be offered at launch, with the all-electric e-tron to arrive shortly after. Additional variants will likely be introduced later in the car’s life cycle.

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Hobbies

Scrapbooking is a Wonderful Revived Art Form

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

ÆpÔFor centuries the art of scrapbooking has been kept alive because we all love mementos and souvenirs of our past. We all like taking photos of our friends and our families because very often we do not get to spend as much time as we would like with them. Creative memories scrapbooking is a wonderful way of keeping these special occasions alive. It is a way of capturing the treasured moments you spend together in a personal photographic journal that you can make as decorative as you like.
Very often all our photographs stay in boxes or drawers because we never seem to have the time to sort through them. Some of our favourite ones may get framed or put into albums which then just stay on a bookshelf gathering dust. But photos often depict milestones in our lives. These photos are often taken during important occasions such as weddings, christenings and birthday parties.
Scrapbooking has become one of the nicest hobbies for people to do when they are at home and creative memory scrapbooking means that all those old photos can now be retrieved from the boxes and drawers to be sorted and reminisced over in the nicest of possible ways.
It is a very therapeutic pass time which keeps memories alive for the whole family to enjoy and appreciate. This whole concept of scrapbooking is an inventive approach to making sure nothing is ever forgotten. Scrapbooks are far nicer than simple photo albums because you can make them into beautifully decorative books which have your own very personal touch to them. These books tell the world exactly who you are and how you express yourself. This is all achieved in the manner in which you create your personal scrapbook.
Your treasured moments are there for all to see on the pages you have personally made and creative memory scrapbooks suddenly have a life of their own, with memories of times long past suddenly jumping out of the pages at everyone who views them. The great part about it all is that you can add text to each of the pages, so that your story is not only visual but written as well. Each of the pages will lead to the next in a wonderful way if you plan it well.
To create a memory scrapbook is easy these days. Just by going on the Internet you will be able to find all the tools and materials you would ever need to start off doing this lovely and creative hobby. Just by looking around your own home, you will find simple mementos and decorations which you can use to embellish your scrapbook. This is how they use to create scrapbooks in times long past.
We are lucky to have so much at our disposal, but it is always nicer to mix what you find yourself with things you find either in a craft store or on the Internet. You can create a very personal scrapbook by doing just this instead of just using prepared ready to use items. But if you are stuck for decorations or need extra embellishments to add that little bit extra to your scrapbook, you will find a treasure trove of goodies by going on the Internet.
There are websites which specialise in scrapbooking and they offer some great ideas as well as supplying materials and kits which help get you started. Once you have created one scrapbook, you are well on your way to creating another because it is such a fun thing to do. Your children will love to be a part of the project and it will encourage them to use their imaginations and give you ideas on how to go about decorating your book.
A well kept scrapbook is an heirloom. It is a family legacy that generations to come will enjoy leafing through. It is something that you will enjoy creating, it will preserve your memories perfectly and it is a way of passing a little bit of yourself to those who come after you in one of the nicest art forms you can create.

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