When flying on your own with the use of homemade and ingenious constructions are discussed, it is not surprising if some would react with a laugh. That is, if you are still talking about some weird inventions that could be seen on some video clips taken way, way back where people try to fly using wings made out of wood strapped on each arm or machine with an umbrella used as a source of lift. The fact is, modern homebuilt helicopters surpass way too far from these early helicopter concepts.

For those who have heard this for the first time, you should realize that you only require standard parts from an auto parts and hardware store to create a helicopter (that can really fly). These parts can cost you a little under a thousand dollars if you know how to select good parts. Or, if you want instant parts, homebuilt helicopters are sold in kit. You can order this online complete with instructions on how to build it. This is becoming more and more popular for its guaranteed safety and sure flight.

With an engine, rotors, rotor head, rotor blade, control stick, foot controls, a seat, and other basic component of a conventional helicopter, the homebuilt helicopter can lift you off the ground.

You might question the danger it can present to the pilot. The reality is homebuilt helicopter are as stable as any other types of helicopters provided it flies on a good weather condition. They can fly as fast as 80mph and as high as 10,000 12,000 feet.

Homebuilt helicopter imposes great experience. It gives opportunity for individuals to fly their own helicopter without the need to spend so much money on flight training school. Since homebuilt helicopters are considered ultralight helicopters (weight usually at the range between 150-190 lbs), you dont have to acquire Pilot license. Flying a homebuilt helicopter can convert you from a simple mechanic into a pilot instantly. Heres the analogy: if bicycle is to motorcycle; homebuilt helicopter is to twin-engine helicopter. The main difference is, the homebuilt helicopters are motorized (although wit less power) and can lift you off from the ground with the same experience you can get from a conventional full-size helicopter.

There is no greater feeling than flying on your own. And this is totally possible wit a homebuilt helicopter. It is safe, exciting, full of thrill, and most of all, it is for everyone.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on RC Helicopter, please visit http://rc-helicopter.articlekeep.com

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You can make your own lye soap at home; its really not hard to do. Soap is what you get, when you combine fat with some sort of caustic agent, using water as your catalyst. You wont need anything exotic to make your own soap; most of the ingredients you need may be as close as your grocery store.

What will you need? For a basic soap, you only need water, lye, and some kind of fat and oil. For a more luxurious soap, you might want to add coloring dyes and scenting oils. You probably have water as close as your kitchen tap; some people prefer to use rainwater or distilled water in their soap.w

What is lye, anyway? Its chemical name is sodium hydroxide; its a very strong base, so when you handle it. Make sure that you read the directions on the package of lye carefully, and following them scrupulously. When making soap, you might want to reference a lye calculator that way you know exactly how much lye is suppose to go into your soap; it depends on the kind of oil or fat you plan to use.

The first step is to dissolve the lye in the water. Never pour the water into the lye; instead, pour the lye into the water. If half your water is ice, thats even better. Stir the lye to dissolve it; and as you stir, watch for the reaction that will take place. The lye can every start the water boiling, and if this happens, stop stirring until the bubbling stops. Then let the lye water cool down to room temperature.

So what about the oil? Just about any fat or oil can be used to make soap, from plant oils and hydrogenated fats to animal fats. If you chose to use an animal fat, make sure it is clean, not rancid, has no salt, and is free of solid particles. The advantage of animal fats (like tallow or lard) is that theyll give you a denser soap. Plant oils such as coconut oils will give a rich lather; and olive oil soap will yield fine, silky bubbles that are soothing to the skin.

Saponification is the technical name for the chemical process between lye and fat. It may take more or less time to trace, but when it does and your batch starts to thicken, thats the time to add coloring and perfume oils. Pour the traced soap into molds, and let it harden. It will have to cure for one to three days, and then dry a bit longer before you can enjoy it.

For more on homemade organic soap making as well as candle making and other do-it-yourself crafts visit the soap making resources center at Pure and Natural Soaps where you’ll find articles, recipes, instructions, ideas and tips.

To discuss these and other craft projects visit the Soap Making Message Board - a community forum for soap and candle making as well as other crafts and do-it-yourself projects. Discuss techniques, share ideas, learn new methods, post your favorite recipes and meet new friends.

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Toy trains had their modest beginnings in America in the New York loft of Joshua Lionel Cowen in 1901. This simple train, really a single motorized gondola car, has evolved into the most popular hobby in America and Europe. These first trains were battery powered, as most homes didn’t have electricity. They were also larger than most modern indoor trains. Mr. Cowen named his train company using his middle name - Lionel. Other manufacturers soon were making electric trains , and many different gauges of trains began to appear. The term gauge refers to the distance between the rails. Mr. Cowen was a shrewd businessman, and he saw the value of all manufacturers using the same gauge of track. He used his pre-eminent position to force his ‘Lionel Standard” gauge on the other manufacturers. This gauge is roughly equivalent to the modern G-scale train. This scale is too large for most peoples homes.

The next milestone in the history of the electric trains occurred in 1915. By then electricity in homes was becoming more common, and trains designed to run on household current were more practical. Lionel introduced the smaller three rail O gauge which is still in use and popular today. This gauge was more suitable for use in the home, and the use of household current made operating accessories possible.

During this period, Lionel was the premier train-maker, but not the only one. The American Flyer company came into being in 1907 with the partnership of two gentlemen named William Hafner and W. O. Coleman. They started with production of clockwork trains. They experimented using lithography, or ‘tin type’ to manufacture lower cost trains. In 1914, Hafner dissolved the partnership to start his own company. He began to produce the American Flyer electric train, first in O gauge, and later in Standard gauge.

The A. C. Gilbert Company purchased American Flyer in 1938, and switched production to HO and O gauge trains. World War II stopped all toy train production. After the war, 1946 saw the introduction of the Flyer S gauge trains. American Flyer lasted almost twenty years, producing a good quality product. In the end they just couldn’t compete with Lionel, and the company ceased production in 1966. Lionel bought the production rights in 1968, and still produces a small amount of Flyer merchandise each year.

Lionel and American Flyer were popular and good quality trains, but they were pricy. Not everyone could afford them. Louis Marx obtained the Joy Line brand of wind-up trains from a Pennsylvania toy company in 1938. This was a fairly cheap line of trains, and the Marx Company grew their own line of trains from this beginning. These trains were more affordable, and were popular until the company went out of business in 1975. Recently, the Marx train line has been revived, and are again available to run and collect.

Toy trains saw their beginnings at the start of the 20th Century. At the start of the 21st century, trains are still popular. Kids love them as toys, and as a hobby adults find the magic is still alive. Thomas the Tank on TV and Lionel are reintroducing a new generation of children to the fun of toy trains. Trains are available in a large variety of scales, styles, and types. There is sure to be a train suitable for you. Treat yourself to the pleasure of a toy train today!

Paul Wonning is the owner of
THC Toys, Hobbies and Crafts.com

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One of the difficult things about learning to draw is understanding the process an artist uses to go from a blank piece of paper to a completed drawing. The Five-S method is an easy way to understand how an artist does it and how you can do it too.

Drawing is not a process where an artist starts at one end of the paper and works his way to the other end and by the time he gets to the right side of the paper the drawing is done. Drawing is a process of creating an object, subject, or scene on paper in stages. With each successive stage the object comes closer to looking realistic.

Of course every artist is different and that means that every artist has his or her own process of drawing but they all come down to five simple steps that you can learn and follow. Here are the steps:

1. Silhouette
2. Shape
3. Shade
4. Smudge
5. Shadow

This method, called the Five-S method is really easy to follow and you just progress through the steps from beginning to end. Here is an explanation of what each step means.

1 Silhouette:

This is the first step. What you do here is look carefully at the subject you are drawing and then in light lines you draw a silhouette of it on the blank piece of paper. In this step you dont have to do just the outside lines of the subject you can do some of the inside lines too. But keep them very scant and very light.

2. Shape:

Fill in the internal lines of the subject. Use the strokes and directions of your pencil to represent the shape of the parts of the subject. If a part of the subject is curved you should use curved lines in that area of the drawing and in any flat sections you should use straight lines. But for now you are not filling anything you are just getting the shapes right.

3. Shade:

This is where you fill in the shapes with either color or shades of grey. Look carefully at your subject and note how light falls on it. This is the most important aspect of this step because even if a surface is all one color it may have different shades of that color depending on how light affects it.

4. Smudge:

You can use your finger for this step but it is preferable to use a blending stump. Very few subjects or objects are composed of sharply defined lines. Everything is composed of subtle gradations of color that flow around and through the surfaces. You should blend the colors on your subject using strokes that follow the shape of the subject rounded areas should be done with rounded strokes etc.

5. Shadow:

This is the final step. Look to see how your object or objects cast shadows on themselves or on the things around them and add these shadows. If you are using color in your drawing the shadows should be composed of darker shades of the same color. This will ground your object in reality. You should also use an eraser to erase any graphite or color from areas that have bright light reflections on them.

Drawing is not magic but it does take practice, skill, and an understanding of the process that is taken in order to go from a blank piece of paper to a finished product. The Five-S method is a good way of helping you to understand and to remember this process.

For More creative ideas and Projects visit the author’s website at:
Storm The Castle - Creativity and Medieval Fantasy with an edge

Or visit his site devoted to learning Fantasy art at: The Free Fantasy Art School

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There is an old phrase that a picture can replace a thousand words. Pictures tell a visual story that words alone can not tell.

When I view websites of small businesses, I almost always find an about us page. This is usually one page with the date the business started, the explanation of why the business started and often a written explanation of the location of the business.

Why not allow photos to tell the story of the business? Think of travel brochures. They are always loaded with photos. The travel companies want you see the vision of the trip and be sold on that vision. What about web reviews of upcoming movies? There are always photos of the actors and actresses along with photos of movie scenes. Again, the show producers want you to have a visual image that will cause you to buy a ticket or pay to rent the movie, both of which produce income for the show.

On your business site, start with you. Do you have a photo of yourself on your website? If you have a staff, do you have photos of them on your website? How fun for customers to see the faces of those they are speaking with, ordering from and exchanging emails with.

Did your business start in your basement? What about in your kitchen? Take a photo. Show the start of your business.

Once you outgrew your basement, where did the business move to? Show photos. Take photos both inside and outside. Do you manufacture your own products? Take a few photos that show how the products are made.

When your title page says about us, provide a visual story of who you are. Your customers will feel like they really know you and its a known fact that folks buy more from those they know and trust.

Scrapbooking your business online can increase sales for you and will also do a lot for the morale of the staff to see themselves on your company website.

Audrey Okaneko has been scrapbooking for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com

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At some point all family history research leads to a ‘dead end’ where leads just seem to dry up and many of the posts on this site relate to finding ‘missing links’. I’ve had some great success using the following technique and I hope it helps others.

Firstly, you need to understand how the internet works, or at least how the search engines work, e.g. Google, Yahoo, etc, etc. For the purposes of this example well focus on Google. It uses a system of keywords to match your query (the visitor) with web pages delivering that content (the providers). These keywords are the search terms you (and millions of others), type on the search bar. The results passed back are those pages, or providers, that meet the search term. As you can imagine, competition by the large commercial organisations to be returned in a good list position is fierce and so large amounts of marketing spends are focussed on ensuring high ranking within the search engines.

OK? So what does that mean for us? Last month, May 2006, approximately 152,000 people typed in a search for Genealogy. Ive just typed the same search into Google. 73.6 million web pages were returned in the results! Not surprisingly most of the top positions are taken by either the main database vendors or resellers (affiliates) of the major vendors.

Now the internet contains THOUSANDS of personal websites where researchers (just like you), publish their family tree hoping to make connections. The problem is they have almost no chance of reaching top positions on search results and so are difficult to find.

So how do we find them?

1. Be More (very) Specific

What were these people typing genealogy actually looking for? Genealogy Scotland, Genealogy book, genealogy Cowan? Who knows, but they were presented with was the main commercial vendors keen to get some subscriptions.

2. Combine keywords + phrases

Now lets try: genealogy scotland + smith (try it)

Were getting closer, about 872,000 results, quite a few but much more specific and beginning to return some interesting personal websites.

3. Search rules (syntax)

Did you notice the + sign in the example above? To the search engine this means and so, the results returned will contain; genealogy OR scotland AND smith.

Now try this: genealogy scotland + smith

Note: The quotes around “genealogy scotland”means to match the EXACT PHRASE and this is particularly useful when looking for specific individuals e.g. “John William Smith”.

So the search above returned about 19000 results, much better, and some very specific sites containing personal family history pages.

As you can see the best search results come from being very specific. Of course you can vary these searches to include placenames, dates, etc, etc. The same rules apply to most of the major search engines. One last thing, most of the search engines include an ‘Advanced’ search button, this will further allow inclusion / exclusion of certain terms, dates, etc.

Bill Cowan

Let your ancestors find you!
http://www.family-history-scotland.co.uk

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Have you ever seen or touched an antique small box? You will surely feel the thrill of holding or touching the object which were once touch or used by ancient set of hands.

You will also be amazed by just looking on the rare and ancient boxes made from a hundred year old wood. It could be made of amboina, satin wood, coromandel, or burled yews that were mostly used hundred years ago to make boxes and other furniture.

An antique box can be irresistible for many people who are into antique collections. Collecting antique boxes made in the 18th and 19th centuries will make you feel the history of the box. The woodwork that is primarily seen on the surface clearly indicates the broad spectrum of the craftsmanship. You will see most antique boxes that are designed with inlay or lacquers.

Details on how these antique boxes were made can be seen on the designed elements that were used. If you are into collecting antique boxes, you will be fascinated with the different types and designs that display the antiqueness and royalty of the box. Many antique boxes are said to have been popularized since the rise of cabinet making is recognized as a professional craft.

Most boxes are painted with a nice picture of life and exquisite design for those who are in the higher classes of the society. In those times especially in the 18th and 19th century periods, boxes were basic things and they function to unlimited variations. It depends on the person using the box and the needs of time.

Boxes are said to be art objects in the 16th century. One of the most famous craftsmen to be recognized during this period was Chippendale. He was so popular in making state of the art cabinets and with his unique designs of small boxes such as the jewelry box. Since then, boxes were made with decorative designs and styles.

For antique box collectors, taking good care of these valuable items is important. There are also some who may have inherited antiques boxes but they do not know how to maintain their condition. Caring for antique items properly has many benefits to offer you in the future. It ensures the owner that it can be passed to their loved ones and may also be sold with a higher value.

Here are some tips on how you can take care and restore your antiques and other collectible items.

1. Place your items on a proper display storage area. You have to keep such valuable items out of the reach of children.

2. When cleaning an antique box, make sure to use lint free cloth to get rid of the dust.

3. Wooden boxes should only be waxed with quality beeswax.

4. Always remember to avoid placing furnishings in bright light and avoid over exposure to sunlight.

5. Place your items on an average temperature area. Secure them in a place to keep them protected from moisture. Temperature and humidity changes can damage the wooden surfaces of the box.

Owning valuable collection of antique boxes and other collectible items is a privilege. It is important to take proper care on your antique boxes. This will not only help you to increase their current values but you may also pass its history to many generations to come.

Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in Antique Collections. For more information regarding Antique Boxes please drop by at http://www.antiquesinformer.com/

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Quilts have been around for centuries because they provide comfort on cold nights. They are made by sewing together two or more layers of fabric. The top is designed in numerous squares and of different pattern, and the bottom is made up of just plain fabric joined with a fine soft layer of fabric in between.

As mentioned before, the top part or the quilt has myriads of designs that are usually made by hand. They are different patch works sewn together to create a beautiful and sometimes sentimental piece of art. This patchwork varies from floral design to geometric shapes and patterns to prints of pale and bold shades. Modern quilted fabric carries photographs of loved ones and sentimental items sewn into the fabric. A Hollywood film was even inspired by the grand patchwork of American quilts making for a heartwarming movie.

To be able to create an excellent quilt, one must choose the appropriate fabric for the project. It has been said that a fabric that has added threads for every inch is suitable for quilting. Favorite fabric for quilting is cotton, because it has all this necessity and much more. It is light, yet durable and very comfy to the touch. Cotton also holds pleats well and is very easy to handle making is easy to sew on designs.

Fabrics used in quilting, more importantly, should not shrink and clasp when washed, and colors should not fade. It should be able to withstand excessive use and abuse, as well as several washings and drying. Remember that a good fabric makes up for a great quilt and a great quilt can be passed from generation to generation.

Fabrics provides detailed information on Fabrics, Fabric Stores, Fabric Hammocks, Quilting Fabrics and more. Fabrics is affiliated with Fashion Design Programs.

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When you think about sewing machines what do you think of in terms of the capabilities? Do you think in terms of its varied functions? Or how it can make things easier for you?

Well, when I think about sewing machines I think of some of the things I am going to be able to accomplish with it. I may choose to think about the different items that I am going to be able to fix when I have a sewing machine around or it could be the many different items I am going to be able to make with the use of a sewing machine.

How many of us really thought about how the sewing machine came about? Not likely. More than likely there was not many of us that really think about where the sewing machine came from. They are just probable aware that they seen their mother or grandmother using one all the time either fixing items that had a small tore or making some complete outfits for their children. Now days the sewing machine is not used as much for making complete outfits for you children or for yourself.

They are used more for convince such as fixing little tears that you may have noticed on your cloths or for making different quilts and blankets. When you think about making an entire outfit for your children you start to think that there is no way that they are going to wear anything that you have made for them. With some of the children anymore that is going to be true.

Even if you are not thinking of making an outfit for your children you may think of making different items for around the house. You are able to make simple things like curtains or blankets. If you are feeling a little brave you could even do little more complicated things like some quilts for your home. Yet there are quilt designs out there that are going to give you some ease with the pattern having everything ready for you to sew together.

No matter what your skill on a sewing machine is you will be able to a little sewing hear and there. As you are practicing with the little stitches you are doing on cloths you will soon be able to accomplish more difficult tasks to try.

Now, get on to get one sewing machine today!

or more information about sewing machines, please visit our website: http://www.1-sewing-machines.info

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I have found that all non profit organizations share one thing in common, they need money. They need money to rent the building and keep it running. They need money to pay staff, and they need money to offer the community whatever it is they offer.

What is the question that those who donate money often ask? Where is my money going? Most folks do not want to donate money to pay an electric bill or to buy a new computer for the office. Most people want to support a cause; they want to know their money is helping the community.

As a non profit, you can use scrapbooks to help solicit funds for your organization. Photos in a scrapbook tell the story much better than a written appeal for funds.

What is the purpose of your organization? Do you help low income women learn job skills? Great, take photos of the women not only while learning but also in their new positions. Choose a few women and chronicle their lives. Take photos that show exactly how the organization was able to help. Do you help underprivileged children attend camp? Show photos of the kids both at home and at camp. Does your organization build learning centers? Show photos of the blue prints, the construction, and then the actual classroom teaching. Show how these classrooms helped others. This can all be done through photos and scrapbooks.

If I was given the opportunity to give money to help buy new carpet for the non profit organization or to pay for a child to go to camp, my money is going to help the child go to camp, no questions asked. And if I see the photos of the kids, I just might sponsor two kids to go to camp.

Does your organization bring in experts to work with the staff? Show photos of the staff taking these classes. Now use these photos to find a sponsor to pay for the classes for the staff, so that the staff can better work with those they are supporting.

When we think of the Katrina disaster, everyone has visual images. Folks have been donating both time and money since the disaster occurred. Each appeal for money has been accompanied by photos showing the devastation and also showing the people, real people whose lives were impacted by the disaster.

When you ask for volunteers for your non profit, entice them with photos. Show them with photos what theyll be doing. Show them how their time will benefit the community.

Next time you solicit funds for your non profit, do it with photos, and show the scrapbook of your organization.

Audrey Okaneko has been scrapbooking for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com

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