Funny T-shirts and Woodwork for Wildlife

Peanut butter recipe for log bird feeders

2007-04-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

Log feeders are easy to make. Find a log 3 or 4 inches in diameter by a foot ot foot in a half long. Drill 2 or 3 holes on four sides. Each hole should be 1/2 inch deep by 1 inch in diameter. You can also add a pirch if you like. Add a threaded eye to one end and hang from tree limb or feeder pole.

Peanut Butter Recipe
2 cups peanut butter
2 cup corn meal
1/2 cup thistle sead
1/2 cup of any or mix of all peanuts, blackoil sunflower sead, cracked corn, and or pecans
1/2 cup bird sead

mix well, and refrigerate unused mixture. You can also use suet (animal fat) added with or in place of peanut butter in this recipe. If you add suet with peanut butter use 1 cup of each.

Attracts
Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Chickadees

Birds add Color and Liveliness to Yards

2006-12-14T11:13:00.000-06:00

Whether located in cities, towns or rural communities, birds add color and liveliness to yards and gardens. Several different types of birds have become accustomed to civilization and living in close approximation to man.

Attracting Birds

Birds can be attracted to your yard and garden through the careful placement of birdhouses, or nesting boxes, bird feeders, and bird baths. Birds are attracted where provisions are made for their feeding and bathing. To keep birds around, provide bird houses.

Bird Houses

Bird Houses should be mounted at a height of about 5 or 6 feet. Mounting to low will increase the risk of predators. Mounting to high will invite sparrows, and make cleaning out the nesting box more difficult. Birdhouses should be cleaned out after every nesting, to encourage the next nesting. You should space bird houses at least 20 feet apart to prevent fighting over nesting area and empty nesting boxes.

Bird Feeders and Bird Baths

Feeders and baths should be placed more than 20 feet away from birdhouses. Placing these to close to the nesting area will prevent nesting. Place these closer to the watching area with the bird houses in the far distance.

Do not place bird houses, feeders, or baths close to any area where pesticides will be used.

Attracting feathered friends to your yard is an enjoyable pastime. Few urban dwellers enjoy this pastime but can if they devote a little time on placing a few birdhouses where space is available and use bird feeders and bird baths around patio area. With a little work, the reward will be bird songs and color in motion for your yard and garden.

SJ State weighs Skype ban

2006-09-23T21:59:00.000-05:00

An effort by San Jose State University to ban the Skype phone service has been put on hold in the face of fierce objections from students and staff.

Administrators said they would meet with eBay, the owner of Skype, next Tuesday in order to give the San Jose-based company an opportunity to address the university's concerns about network security.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/15576648.htm

There's a New eBay Competitor in Town, and This Time It's Local.

2006-09-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

In the last 12 months, eBay has increased auction-format listing fees, final value fees, launched eBay Express, significantly increased eBay Store fees, and made numerous other changes which have severely impacted many smaller sellers' businesses.

http://auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y06/m09/i15/s02

An eBay Storeowner's Review of PriceGrabber Storefronts

2006-09-06T13:20:00.000-05:00

As the owner of a small business, your worst nightmare is likely to be receiving a notice that it will cost more to keep your doors open. Running an online store is no exception, and I was certainly among those alarmed by what recent fee increases for eBay Stores would mean for me, especially since I have a hard time turning a profit under the best of circumstances.

http://auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y206/m09/abu0174/s03

Decorating a Birdhouse by James Patterson

2006-08-03T12:04:00.000-05:00

Having a craft project to work on as a family is a great way to pass the time. It allows for something to be accomplished together and becomes a point of pride for all involved. This is especially important during the summer months when the kids are out of school and may be stir crazy for something to do.

Building and decorating a bird house is something that parents and kids can do together. It is relatively cheap and can provide hours of entertainment even after the project is completed. If your child is anything like me, they will love anything that can fly and by building a bird house it will help them to watch birds and may even challenge them to find out even more about the types of birds that frequent your backyard.

Building Your Birdhouse

Three are many different ways that you can go about building your bird house. If you want your kids to have some input, it is important for the design to remain simple. However, if building the bird house is simply for your own craft, there are many complicated and fascinating designs that can be followed. It all depends on what you are looking for from your birdhouse. Looking to impress the neighbors? There are designs that will make your own home look like a shack!

If you want your kids to be a part of the process it is very easy to make your birdhouse very simple. It is quite possible to use four or five pieces of wood and construct one with very little in the way of tools. This will allow your kids to claim ownership over the birdhouse from start to finish.

Painting Your Birdhouse

This is where your kids will have a blast! If you approached correctly, your kids will realize that this is actually a house for birds and they need to decorate it as they would their own house. Again, this will be a great exercise for kids to visualize and might spark a greater interest in birds and other animals. Although there are many ways to go about painting your birdhouse, one the best ways to go about doing this is to use a sponge brush. This will give you enough control to do what you want. Sponge brushes are also great for kids. They don't hold too much paint, but are still able to get the job done.

One thing to keep in mind is that the paint you use should not contain any chemicals that will have potential harm to the bird who will be visiting. Please take careful notice of the type of paint you are using. Not only could this be fatal to the birds, but it could also be traumatic to your kids.

Another thing to consider is to leave the inside of the birdhouse free of any paint. It should be completely natural and free of chemicals so that the birds can freely make a home inside.

How Bright Should My Birdhouse Be Painted?

Although it might be fun to paint your birdhouse a loud color that will stand out in your yard, and this might be your kid's color of choice, it is important to recognize that bright colors will not necessarily attract more birds. In the wild, female birds are a more subdued color for protection. This will often translate into where birds attempt to find shelter. If your birdhouse is too bright, it might not attract birds.

About the Author
James has been in the bird world for over 10 years, spending most of it breeding exotic birds.He has also written many articles for his local bird club's newsletter.Site: http://www.birdflights.com/beak.pl/cedar/how/butterfly-audubon.html

Protecting Birdhouses from Predators by Harriett Allen

2006-07-13T15:32:00.000-05:00

Bird houses can become easy targets for predators if not placed properly, and birdhouses may be in danger no mater where they are placed from some predators. Some predators to worry about are Blue Jays, Starlings, Grackles, Opossums, Red Squirrels, cats, and Raccoons.

Blue Jays and Starlings will run off the birds you would like to nest in your boxes, and if they can peck the entrance hole out large enough, they will take over the nesting boxes. Squirrels will chew on the wood at the entrance to enlarge the opening enough to gain entry. Cats and Raccoons will sit on top of the bird house and reach in for what they want.

Protecting against Predators

The ideal way to protect birdhouses from predators is to not put the nesting boxes where predators can get to them. This is impossible in some locations, but there are some things that can be done to keep predators away.

Don't place nesting boxes in trees or hang from limbs.
Mount bird houses on metal poles
Use Predator Guards
Place birdhouses in open areas or at the edge of tree lines.
Predator Guards

There are several different predator guards that can be used and function in different ways. Many of these can be made with materials around the house.

If you are mounting the nesting box on a wood post, you can wrap the post with sheet metal under the birdhouse. This will offer a no grip policy that will keep the cats, squirrels, and raccoons away. You can also place a sheet metal conical collar under the birdhouse, and around the pole. This baffle will keep these same pests from reaching the bird house.

Mount birdhouses on a slick metal pole 5 or 6 feet up from the ground in an open area.

Use a predator guard on the entrance of the birdhouse to prevent unwanted birds from pecking the opening out large enough they can enter, also to deter squirrels from chewing on the wood entrance. This can be done by adding another piece of wood to make it to much work for unwanted birds and squirrels. You can also cut out a piece of sheet metal to the entrance size you would like and place over the entrance. The unwanted birds and squirrels wont peck or chew the sheet metal.

If you have more tips, please comment.

Woodwork for Wildlife

The Importance of Garden Decor By Denny Soinski

2006-07-02T20:19:00.000-05:00

Transform Your Life

Gardens and their ornaments are symbols of enchantment, of mystery, of meaning, and of ultimate being. Another way of looking at this is to see that gardens and garden accents provide the power to transform one’s mood and one’s life. To be sure, garden accessories can become symbolic reminders of life’s blessings as they encourage people to enrich their surroundings by transcending the mundane.

The Gardening Imagination

Garden ornaments help people take an active stance in their lives by enabling them to create a niche in the world that is in concert with their values and their dreams. Indeed, it is this “gardening imagination” that provides people with the opportunity to select meaningful objects that speak to their senses, to their experiences, and to their lives.

An Invitation to Add Garden Decor to your Life

Websites that sell garden decor can be viewed as invitations for people to experiment and let their imaginations run free so that they can, with conscious effort or with playfulness, select the accents that they like—decor that speaks to their dreams and to their soul. With this in mind, look at the different products that are sold and select garden accessories that help elicit childhood fantasies. Examine the different garden accents and choose ornaments that speak to your inner self.

Let Your Personality Shine Through

Garden decor helps calm the spirit, soothe the soul, and delight the senses. By letting your individuality shine through as you select your decorative accents, you will transform your garden into one of the most meaningful experiences in your life. The challenge is to capture moments of wonder, joy, and inspiration and experience the lasting pleasures of beauty and the splendors of nature by decorating your garden in a way that is congruent with your noblest thoughts, feelings, and aspirations.

Your Garden Sanctuary

Strive to decorate your garden with ornaments that magically call you to return to your garden sanctuary. Look at different garden products and decide on decorations that motivate you to tap into your playfulness or into your artistic bent as you contemplate how you will decorate your garden. In a word, you can add richness, depth, and a sense of discovery to your garden with different garden ornaments.

Summary

In conclusion, garden decor is significant because it is an invitation for people to open themselves to the magic, to the wonder, to the meaning, and to the pleasure that gardens and garden related accessories can bring to their lives.

About the Author:
Denny Soinski is the owner of the highly successful company Water Fountains and Garden Decor. Dennys website http://www.water-fountains-and-garden-decor.com features garden decor accents including water fountains vases birdhouses lanterns sculptures plant stands birdfeeders lighthouses wall plaques planters and windchimes.

eBay Store - Odds Ends: How to use RSS Feeds

2006-06-20T09:57:00.000-05:00

eBay Store - Odds Ends: How to use RSS Feeds

How do I use eBay store RSS feeds?

What is RSS?
RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication. RSS feeds are an easy and efficient way to receive notification when new information is available in a specific area of interest.

eBay store RSS feeds are an easy way to receive notification when new items are available in specific stores. Our feed will let you know when new listings in our store are available for items like Tie-Dye T-shirts, or squirrel in a jar feeders.

How Can I Benefit From RSS?
RSS feeds save time, allowing users to receive notification only when new content is available. Web site visitors choose the information they wish to subscribe to and can unsubscribe from any feed at any point.

eBay store feeds will allow users to receive notification only when new items are available. You will be notified when new items are available in our store like novelty Tees, and trendy youth shirts.

How Do I Subscribe to RSS Feeds?
First you will need an RSS feed reader (also called a news aggregator) there are a number of RSS readers available. Popular RSS readers include AmphetaDesk, Radio UserL and NewzCrawler.

RSS readers are simply programs that display the contents of an RSS feed in an easy to read format. With eBay store RSS feed you can keep up with newly added items such as funny T shirts, and bird houses, and other woodwork for wildlife related items.

Once you have an RSS reader you simply click the icon or a link to the RSS feed and paste it into your RSS reader. Some readers will auto detect the presence of an RSS feed on a website and you can optionally choose to subscribe.

Subscribe to eBay store links whenever you see the RSS icon .

The RSS icon is located at the bottom of the page in all eBay stores that make a feed available. Click the icon and copy the link in the address bar and paste the link into your reader. Soon you will see newly added items for biker T's, rude T-shirts, and bird feeders.

Odds & Ends T-shirts and Woodwork for Wildlife RSS eBay store feed.

More information from eBay's help pages Subscribing to RSS Feeds

Platform Bird Feeders by Pam Caouette

2006-06-14T12:12:00.000-05:00

What are platform bird feeders you may be wondering and what is their purpose with feeding birds? Well to put it simply a platform bird feeder is designed for birds who like to eat bird seed off of the ground. Platform bird feeders can be places slightly above ground, or the can be mounted off a deck a tree or a stump. You can also order a platform pole mount to mount your platform bird feeder on a pole.

The main difference between hanging bird feeders and platform bird feeders is that with a hanging bird feeder the bird seed is dispensed through a crack or a small opening in the bird feeder. With a platform bird feeder the bird seed is placed on a platform, or a plate and the birds peck the food from a pile or scattering.

With a platform bird feeder, or a tray bird feeder the birds that are attracted depends on the seeds, but if you are using a platform bird feeder, or fly thru feeder then you may end up seeing a cardinal and other various birds.

Platform bird feeders can also be squirrel proof. By having your platform bird feeder hang, squirrels are less likely to reach your bird seed, saving you money and allowing the various birds to eat. Some platform bird feeders, or tray bird feeders come with a screen big enough for the birds beaks, but too small for the hands of the squirrels, this is a great feature.

Platform bird feeders and tray bird feeders also know as ground bird feeders are easy to maintain and clean, and will bring different types of birds to your backyard than that of a hanging bird feeder. If you decide to buy a platform bird feeder, be sure that you have an adequate location in your yard before you make the purchase.

About the Author
Pam Caouette is the main author for http://www.aplusbirdfeeders.com Visit http://www.aplusbirdfeeders for more great information on wild birds and bird feeders.

Bird bath-Man Made Puddle by Janani

2006-06-09T11:20:00.000-05:00

During hot summer days bird bath are excellent attraction for birds. Bird Bath welcomes birds to your garden. Bird Baths are available in different size and materials like glass, metal, plastics, mosaic tile, etc that can weather well and hold water.

Shallow bird bath is more preferable and its surface should be rough enough so that birds can grip. Also it must have recirculating pump with filters along with water supply. The arrangement has to make such that water should be clean and clear and the maintenance of bird bath is important. The water filled in the bird bath should be clean and clear. The water should be changed routinely and in the hot weather every day it has to be changed.

Bird feeders also attract birds towards your garden. Bird feeder also called bird table are provided to supply food to birds. Consistency of feeding is very important. Feeding throughout the year is important rather than feeding only during winter or some seasons. Generally the feeders supply seeds, such as millet, sunflower, safflower, hollyhock, nasturtium, thistle and rapeseed to feed birds.

Bird bath gives you a lively environment and watching this scene will give you a splash of happiness. It will bring everlasting joy and cheerfulness. Bird bath makes birds to come closer. We can enjoy the wonders of nature from the place where we are by placing a bird bath.

Birds are distinguished by their physical characteristics. Birds differ by body shape and size, also beak shape and size. Canada goose, one of the larger birds also enjoys baths. Bird baths must place such that birds should feel safe. It should be kept far enough from squirrels, rats and big birds.

About the Author
Janani is a SEO copywriter for smdblue.com, She has written many articles in various topics. For more information visit http://www.smdblue.com. She can be reached at janani.roy@gmail.com

The Fascinating World of Birds by Lily Smith

2006-06-08T11:38:00.000-05:00

Birds are truly beautiful creatures, they are also fascinating and all around us, roosting and nesting on our buildings and feeding in our gardens and refuse dumps, they are easy to find and fun to observe. Birds are probably the most beloved group of wild animals on the planet. Their ubiquitous presence, colorful form, intelligent actions and cheeky mannerisms endear them to us all and they are easy to love.

There are about 9 703 species of birds divided up into 23 orders, 142 families. Birds can be found on all major landmasses from the poles to the tropics as well as in or over all our seas and oceans and their accompanying islands. The total number of birds on the planet is very difficult to estimate because their populations fluctuate seasonally, but scientists have suggested that there may be between 100,000 and 200,000 million adult or near adult birds on the planet at any one time. Of these the most common or populous wild bird in the world is the Red-billed Quelea from south of the Sahara in Africa. These birds are so prolific that they are serious pests of grain and millions are killed at roost sites every year in a vain attempt to control their numbers.

The most common bird in the world is the Red Jungle fowl most regularly seen as the common domestic chicken. The most widespread commonly seen wild bird in the world is probably the European House Sparrow which has been transported all over the world by European settlers and can now be found on 2/3 of the land masses of the world including New Zealand, Australia, N. America, India and of course Europe. There are 3 possible ways of measuring largest in birds; heaviest, tallest and or longest wingspan. The heaviest bird ever was probably the extinct Dromornis stirtoni from Australia. This flightless giant lived between 1 and 15 million years ago and probably stood nearly 3m/10ft tall and weighed in at a massive 500kg/1100lb. The tallest bird ever was, as far as we know, Dinornus maximus, a Giant Moa from New Zealand. Another extinct bird, this time from S. America, has the record for largest flying bird and longest wingspan. The Giant Teratorn had a wingspan of at least 6M/19.5ft and could possibly have been as large as 7.5m/25ft.

Whereas the smallest bird in the world is generally agreed to be the Bee Hummingbird from Cuba, which weighs a mere 1.6g, or 0.056oz. Shortest wings and body length are not really appropriate measurements because they are disproportionately affected by whether or not the bird is flightless or not and its beak length respectively. Another major contender for smallest bird is the Little Woodstar from S. America. Both these tiny miracles of life fly very competently. The smallest flightless bird is the Inaccessible Island Rail. Reaching a mere 12.5cm/5inches in length and weighing 35g/1.45oz this little beauty can only be found in the southern Atlantic Tristan da Cunha Islands.

One of the most notable things about just about any bird population is that some of the birds are only present for some of the time. Between 1500 and 4000 species of birds migrate. Some birds travel south in some winters but not others. This is not migration, but dispersal resulting from a population boom. These population booms can occur regularly, i.e. every 4 or 10 years perhaps, but there is no return in the spring. Destruction or loss of food resources can also cause the irregular eruptions of birds to new habitats.

Seasonal migration is a major factor in the life of many birds. In some cases this migration is very obvious and involves huge distances but at other times it is much more subtle. In the UK most people know that Swallows, Swifts and many small passerines such as Wood Warblers and Redstarts are migratory birds. They are present in the summer, but fly south along with many other species to warmer climes for winter. Similarly, many ducks and geese are only present in the UK during winter while they return north to the near arctic in summer to breed. What is less well known is that a number of our more regular birds are migrants as well. Birds that we see all year such as Robins and Starlings either leave or come to Britain during the winter. For some of these species, birds move south a certain degree over their whole range so that though my local birds have left and gone south their more northern cousins have also moved south and arrived. The overall effect can be that to a cursory observation, the population is sedentary when in fact it is quite dynamic. A further complication to this picture is that in some cases only part of the population is migratory.

About the Author
Lily Smith is the owner of Online Mall of Information
Please visit www.Net-Buy-E.com for more information on Hobbies

A little about Tie-Dye by Harriett Allen

2006-06-03T12:09:00.000-05:00

A Brief History of Tie-Dye

Tie-Dye was around long before the 60's and 70's. The inspiration for the hippie fashion of the 60's and 70's has been argued to be the Hausa techniques. From the Hausa region of West Africa, these tie-dyeing techniques, have been used for centuries.

Japan has also practiced a form of tie-dye called Shibori since at least the eighth century. Shibori is a term that covers a wide variety of resist-dyeing techniques which different cultures have used for over 6000 years.

Tie-dyed as we think of it today was popularized by members of the hippie subculture in the 60's and 70's.

Tie-dyeing is a method of dying clothing or fabric by folding or tieing them with a string or rubber bands into some sort of pattern. Cloths are dyed by submerging them or squirting dye solution on them. Patterns are formed because, the inner part of the folds, do not absorb dye as readily. Applying different colors on different sections of the fabric, will also form unique patterns.

Caring for your Tie-Dyes

Machine wash your tie dye T-shirt separately in cold water the first time. If you turn your shirts inside out, it will help to reduce fading, after the first wash. Do not hand wash the first washing, the machine will do a better job getting rid of any residual dye that might be present.

Do not use bleach, or detergents that contain bleach alternatives, when washing your tie-dyes.

If you see dye in the rinse water during the first washing, wash your T-shirts separately again. Remove shirts from washer as soon as wash is finished. This will prevent dye transfer that may occur if shirts are allowed to rest against each other.

Dry shirts according to instructions on tag. All of our Tee's are preshrunk heavyweight 100% cotton. You will see a slight amount of shrinkage, normal for 100% preshrunk cotton. If you need help finding the right size shirt to order check our T-shirt sizing charts.

http://stores.ebay.com/Odds-Ends/T-shirt-Sizing.html

Caring for Your T-shirts by Harriett Allen

2006-06-02T10:06:00.000-05:00

Adult T-shirts in our store are 100% Heavyweight preshrunk Cotton. All trendy Youth Tee's, are 50/50 blended poly/cotton heavyweight garments.

Tie Dye and shirts with novelty graphics can be machine washed and dried on normal settings. Keep in mind 100% preshrunk cotton will shrink slightly during first washings.

Wash Tie-Dyes and black Tees with funny graphics separately or with like colored items in cold water for the first washing. Turn T shirts inside out to reduce fading and the robust colors will last a long time. Remove garments from washing machine as soon as they are done and place in dryer. Dry your T-shirts according to instructions on tag for cotton and blended T's.

Use detergent that is gentle on colors. Do not use bleach or a detergent with bleach alternatives.

Do not wash Tie Dye or colored T-shirts with white cloths.

Selecting the Right Water Feature for Your Garden

2006-05-24T22:46:00.000-05:00

When contemplating a water feature for your garden it is important to reflect on the style of your landscaping and draw from this to select the right style of water feature to suit the surroundings. The wrong choice could result in your water feature looking out of place. Consider a contemporary minimalist garden with a Whisky Barrel Kit as the water feature!

Below we have prepared a list of common garden styles and some suggestions for incorporating water features into these gardens. This list is by no means exhaustive. Also, take into account that many gardens are a fusion of two or three garden styles.

Contemporary Garden

This style of garden is usually characterised by attention to detail such as the use of a single specimen plant. Simplicity, form and the clever use of light and space are fundamental to this style. Colours are used minimally to produce dramatic effects.

Suitable Water Features

Stainless Steel Features

Water Walls Clad (with Contemporary materials)

Canals and Rills (made from Contemporary materials)

Reflection Pools

Architectural Granite Features (Aquifer Columns or spheres)

Cottage Garden

Arguably the most enduring of all garden styles, this garden is characterised by mass planting of colourful flowers and herbs in well designed garden beds. Although the plant design is carefully structured it is designed to look natural and free-flowing. This style often incorporates places of interest to visit such as bench seats, arbours, and gazebos.

Suitable Water Features

Bird Baths

Wishing Wells

Natural Ponds

Statuary Features

Formal Ponds

Fountains

Formal Garden

A formal look in a landscape is typically achieved by placing plants to conform strictly to a geometric design theme. This style relies on the use of symmetry to draw the eye to focal points such as water features or sculpture. The use of hedging plants and topiaries is essential to achieve the formal look.

Suitable Water Features

Stone Fountains

Bird Baths

Reflection Pools

Spilling Urns / Pots

Fountain Sprayers

Geometric Ponds

Tuscan Garden

The rustic Italian garden seems to assimilate very well into the Australian landscape. Aged, muted colors intrinsic to Italian gardens are echoed in our landscape. A focus on Al Fresco dining and entertaining is essential to this style. Planting is often semi-formal – formal and includes topiaries and hedges.

Suitable Water Features

Spilling Urns

Wall Fountains

Stone Fountains

Classical Statuary

Tiled/Stone Water Walls

Wall Spitters

Japanese Garden

The Japanese garden has its emphasis in simplicity, control and thoughtful design. This garden must incorporate the careful use water as a focal point. Well placed, gracefully formed plants such as bamboos, grasses and flowering shrubs provide balance which is essential to this style. These gardens also use stone and sand to imitate the natural landscape. The Japanese garden is the ultimate meditation and relaxation.

Suitable Water Features

Deer Scarer (Shi Shi Odoshi)

Japanese Spill Basin (Tsukabi)

Large Containers with Fish and Water Lilies

Rock Geysers

Fish Ponds

Natural Ponds with Rock Waterfalls and Cascades

Xeriscape Garden

Xeriscape is a term derived from the Greek word 'xeros' meaning dry and from the word landscape, to form a new term for water conserving gardens. This style is increasing in popularity due to our dry climate. This garden often features both native and exotic species and is landscaped to minimise water use and to channel water to plants that have a higher requirement. Xeriscaping often draws from Cottage and Contemporary styles.

Suitable Water Features

Dry Creek Bed

Mill Stone Features (re-circulating)

Rock Geyser (re-circulating)

Granite Features

Natural Ponds (to provide an oasis for wildlife)

Tropical Gardens

The tropical garden is one for the plant lovers, these gardens are gaining in popularity due to the range of plant species now available to Australian gardeners. Tropical plants, densely planted, look their best in summer when we typically use our gardens. Characterised by the use of bold, lush and colourful foliage with spectacular flowers. This style provides a cooling oasis in the warmer months.

Suitable Water Features

Natural Ponds

Waterfalls

Creeks / Streams

Reflection Ponds

Spilling Pots/Urns

Contemporary Statuary

Water Walls

Australian Native Garden

This style of garden draws on the unique characteristics of Australian materials and the natural colours of Australia. Often rustic in style, the use of timber, stone and corrugated iron can be incorporated into the Australian garden. Modern Australian native plantings are often designed similar to a traditional cottage garden with the focus on the colour palette.

Suitable Water Features

Whisky/Wine Barrels

Wishing Wells

Mill Stone Features

Cobbled Creeks

Natural Ponds

Concrete Sinks/Troughs

Rock Geysers

Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on building and maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.

Funny Horoscope

2006-05-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

Aries
March 21st - April 20th
It’s time to start giving people the benefit of the doubt and being more accepting of those who have different ideas to you. So the next time someone in your vicinity answers their mobile phone to the sound of the Crazy Frog ring tone, try to convince yourself that they are not an unoriginal, brain dead, twat with the sense of humour of a six year old.

Taurus
April 21st - May 21st
Taureans are notoriously quick tempered, have a tendency to over react and commonly have an intense dislike of noodle based hot snacks. Try and keep some perspective on the situation then when your partner comes home from Tesco while you are cutting some trees down in the garden with a chainsaw, when they proudly announce that they took advantage of a fantastic ‘20 for the price of one’ Pot Noodle promotion.

Gemini
May 22nd - June 21st
The most passionate, intense and sexually charged holiday romance is on the cards for you this month. And who would have thought that such physical ecstasy and fulfilment would have been likely when you first agreed to accompany the old people from the local home on their day trip to Bournemouth?

Cancer
June 22nd - July 22nd
An explosive argument with your partner results in both of you questioning your future together. If you want to save the relationship then consider the possibility that you may just have been wrong – Celebrity Love Island is not the greatest TV programme of all time.

Leo
July 23rd - August 23rd
A close friend plucks up the courage to confide in you about a highly embarrassing personal problem. Spice up what will otherwise be a terrible month for you by telling everyone that knows them and having a good laugh about it.

Virgo
August 24th - September 22nd
Cram in as much time as possible with your elderly relatives, watch your partner like a hawk and be extra vigilant when checking your testicles/breasts this month - and take some comfort from the fact that us astrologers are wrong two thirds of the time. Still not looking good though is it?

Libra
September 23rd - October 23rd
As Mars enters Uranus, what better time than to rush out and buy Marianne Faithfull’s greatest hits?

Scorpio
October 24th - November 22nd
Prepare yourself for a roller coaster ride of a month featuring a smattering of quite good news, some indifferent news, mild excitement, occasional minor boredom, regular bouts of eating, drinking and excretion, and constant respiration and bladder control. It’ll be a month to remember!

Sagittarius
November 23rd - December 21st
Help yourself to deal with some devastating news this month by purchasing the latest Brian McFadden album – and smashing the poxy thing to pieces. If only there was a way of getting to Brian himself.

Capricorn
December 22nd - January 20th
Beware of arguments at home boiling over and dividing the house as food levels start to run low. Make sure you give your all to the tasks and rewards will come your way, and to those around you. Always keep your pants on when showering and don’t let Maxwell’s ridiculous catchphrases enter your vocabulary. By the way, can anyone recommend a TV repair man? I can’t get anything else on my bloody telly other than E4.

Aquarius
January 21st - February 18th
You’re going to win the Lottery this month!! Yes, really! The rollover jackpot!! It’s what you’ve always dreamed of! A happening so unlikely, experienced by so few! It’s never, ever going to happen again in your lifetime, or that of many others! Enjoy it and don’t let splitting the money with the other 5 million Aquarians in the country, leaving you just £2, spoil it for you.

Pisces
February 19th - March 20th
It may well be time to broaden your working horizons and consider a career move – find yourself a job that’s going to inspire you, utilise your talents and give you the long term career you’ve been craving. Not only that but unknown to you, your workmates can’t stand the sight of you and love nothing more than ripping into you the moment you leave the room.

About the Author:
Lisa Mills writes articles for magazines and websites. You can view much of her work on her website www.24-7london.co.uk 24-7 London is an online entertainment guide to London.

Article Source: ArticleWorld.net

Attracting Wild Birds

2006-05-11T13:09:00.000-05:00

As more land is used to accommodate the ever-growing human population, yards and city parks become important bird habitat. Diversified landscaping and feeding stations offer an oasis of resources in the middle of human domain. Feeding and watching birds gives families the opportunity to practice conservation right in their own yards. Children can learn and enjoy the wonders of nature right from the kitchen window. Children will be able to observe the hatching of young chicks and learn how many birds help control the insect population.

One fun aspect of feeding birds is learning what birds are visiting your backyard habitat. There are several good identification field guides such as National Geographic, Peterson's East & West and Birds of North America through which the wild birds can be identified. Birds are grouped by physical characteristics. It is fairly easy to distinguish a duck from a songbird by just looking at body shape and size, as well as the beak and feet shapes. These physical characteristics will help identify birds: size, body shape, colors, markings, beak shape, feet and wing shape in flight. Birds have a variety of calls. Good listeners can learn to tell the difference between "chickadee" and "cheerily - cheerio - cheeriup" calls of the Black-capped Chickadee and the American Robin. The most important element is the type of food offered to the wild birds. The widest variety of food sources ensures the widest variety of birds. Ensure that your bird feeder is kept clean. Old, moldy seed left in the feeder will not attract wild birds. Not only is the food type important, but the time period you feed and the consistency of feeding is very important as well.

Many people will only feed the birds in the winter months, which is when they need it most, however, by feeding throughout the spring and summer months you will attract the migratory birds returning from southern climates. In addition, by feeding in the spring and summer, parenting birds will have easy access to a food source for their young. Food like seeds, protein rich insects and worms, flies; birds love mosquitoes, spiders, aphids and ants. Do not kill all the bugs in your yard if you want birds. Flowers, shrubs and trees will encourage a rich insect life in your yard that will, in turn, provide necessary food for wild birds. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, this can be accomplished in several ways. If you plant honeysuckle, common lilac (with purple flowers), red geraniums, nasturtium, red petunias, red salvia, coral bells, columbine, fuchsia and even scarlet runner beans, there is a good chance that you will see hummingbirds feeding among your flowers. Fresh, clean water made available year round is an important element of attracting wild birds.

The simplest and most readily available is a shallow birdbath. Birdbaths can be kept thawed even in winter by a birdbath heater. Most garden birds like a water source far enough from surrounding vegetation to offer surveillance against a surprise attack from squirrels, rats, big birds. If there is water falling or dripping making sound this will attract birds even more towards the backyard. Birds are dependent on flight for safety; they are most vulnerable when they are “grounded” to rest, feed or nest. To a bird, protection means staying both comfortable and safe. Again, a wide variety of plant vegetation and trees will find the best range of habitat for birds. The selection of plants and their arrangement in the landscape are important in making a bird feel at home. Protection from cold winds and driving rain allow birds to maintain body heat, and keep healthy. Birds that are exposed to cold, wet and windy weather are very vulnerable to exposure and resulting death. Without protective cover near by, wild birds will not frequent bird feeders even if they are the best feeders with the most desirable seed. Build nest and bird houses for birds to raise their families and provide them with shelter. When the birds will feel that there is a shelter provided to take care of the baby birds they will build their natural nests and start living and heave their family. If you specially want to attract humming birds then take care that your feeders are full because they will begin moving south as early as July but it will take several months for the birds to begin to reach the southern U.S. and they can use your feeders during the trip. They eat lots of protein in their diets too and that doesn't come from sugar feeders and they need insects too. It is important to leave your feeders up and full. Migrating birds need all the quick and easy nourishment they can find to sustain the incredible energy demands of migration. It is vital that hummingbirds fatten up for their extended trips, particularly those crossing the Gulf of Mexico. For several weeks after your regular summer hummingbirds have left your flowers and feeders, migrating birds could be quickly passing through your gardens unnoticed. Leaving your feeders up for at least three weeks after seeing your last hummingbird is essential.

Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation with a wealth of experience in personal development, management development, e-learning and operational management. In addition he owns PK eBooks (www.pk-ebooks.co.uk) and has just published a series of Bird Watching eBooks which can be found at www.pk-ebooks.co.uk/birding_for_everyone.htm

Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

Recent bug strips store name from long time eBay store users

2006-05-11T12:06:00.000-05:00

A bug affecting store owners during the first week of May, allowed others to sign up new store names that were the same as store names already in use for a long time. AuctionBytes wrote an article that reports the bug has been fixed.

AuctionBytes also reported, how one seller documented the trouble they were having with eBay and their store name, on eBay's store discussion board.

Yes we are the ones who documented this on the store discussion board. We also hope eBay truly has this problem fixed. We would hate to see someone else have to go through this. You are definitely at their mercy with a problem like this.

Understanding Ebay's VeRO Program. by Kirsten Hawkins

2006-05-02T11:22:00.000-05:00

'VeRO'? What on Earth is that? Well, it's a very scary eBay program that can get your auctions shut down, that's what it is.

VeRO stands for 'Verified Rights Owner'. It is the eBay policy that deals with complaints about your auctions from companies who own copyrights, patents or trademarks on the items you are selling. Unfortunately, it is often abused to remove items from eBay that are perfectly legitimate to resell, simply because the copyright owner doesn't want people getting their hands on them.

If the copyright of something you're selling is owned by one of eBay's 5,000 verified rights owners, be prepared for trouble. eBay have given these companies the right to remove any auction from eBay that they see fit, and, say eBay, "eBay cannot require the rights owner to provide you with the exact reason of the request to remove your listing". Worse, eBay may even suspend your account, or give your real-world contact details to the company in question.

Why Do eBay Do This?

Basically, they do it to avoid getting sued, or even getting threatened with being sued. There is a law called the DMCA (digital millennium copyright act) that means that eBay must either take these auctions down when it asked to or take full responsibility for them from that point on. eBay doesn't want to take any responsibility for your auctions.

It's not worth worrying too much about it - 99% of the VeRO program is aimed at stopping fake brand-name goods or pirated media being sold through eBay. Big companies also seem to get quite upset when eBay sellers take the company's ad copy, logos or professional pictures and use them for selling on eBay.

If you'd like to take a slightly patronising quiz about copyright to help you understand eBay's policy, go here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/tutorial/verotutorial/intro2.html.

So Who Are These Companies?

There's a complete list available here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/vero-aboutme.html. This list includes everything from the Microsoft and Adobe to Chanel and Nike, not to mention the RIAA (recording industry association) and MPAA (motion picture association). Most of the companies, understandably, deal in software, media or fashion.

eBay Say I Violated VeRO and I Want to Appeal.

Use the link at the bottom of this page: http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/vero-removed-listing.html. That'll get you to eBay's VeRO Seller Appeal Form, where you can put your case to them directly. You are supposed to take it up with the company that complained about you first, however - and sometimes you might find that they just back down, which makes the whole thing a lot easier.

If you have no luck getting any response from eBay by email, it's not really worth trying to phone them - you'll find they're most responsive if you use the 'Live Chat' feature or write them an actual, real-paper letter. You're best off being nice to eBay: they have absolutely no obligation, after all, to ever let you sell anything at all.

On a happier note, have you ever heard of eBay Anything Points? No? Well, you're not alone. The next email will explain what these little-used points can do for you.

About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is an Ebay and internet auction enthusiast from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.auctionseller411.com/ for more great tips on how to make the most from Ebay and other online auctions.

Bird Photography by Albreht Moy

2006-04-27T14:13:00.000-05:00

Bird Photography by Albreht Moy

Birds have been one of the greatest subject for photographers for centuries now because they have an inspiring beauty and mystify us with their gift of flight and diversity. When it comes to photographing birds and their behavior, catching it on film will add a tremendous visual impact and feeling to any picture. There are different locations where birds gather, but really the best place you may what to start is your backyard. The thing about birds is that they are busy little bodies and a bird feeder in the backyard is a great place to get a picture when they are feeding or even the bird in the air getting ready to pounce one of the birds that is currently feeding.

When you venture out of your backyard to look for birds to photograph your vehicle may just become your newest piece of equipment. Birds see our cars less of a threat then a person carrying a long lens underneath their arm. A vehicle makes for a great blind and along with this patience is a virtue. When you find a location such as a prime feeding ground, park a bit of a ways from it and stop your engine to cut down on noise that may scare them.

Standard,wide-angle and short zoom lenses can be used for photographing birds, but for serious bird photography, a quality 500 mm or 600 mm telephoto lens is ideal.

Please keep in mind to avoid any situation that can put stress on the birds and their surroundings. If you notice a bird that is starting to show any kind of stress, this means that there is a nest or chicks near by. Any further picture taking should be disengaged and you should leave the immediate area. As a photographer of birds or any wildlife, it is a good thing to remember not to put ourselves or the birds around us in any kind of danger.

About the Author
Albreht Moy has fine art reproductions on his site.

Summertime Craft Ideas by Judi Cox

2006-04-22T13:11:00.000-05:00

Spring and summer come and everyone starts opening their doors and windows, bringing in the fresh air. Tree leaves are full and flower blooms abound; birds are singing, building nests and taking care of their chicks. I am drawn outdoors by the lure of warmer days and the call of the dirt and new sprouts. Not to mention, as a mom, the kids are clamoring for more room to play. It's a perfect time to pull out some fun out door family crafts.

Here are a few, easy to personalize, craft ideas for summertime fun or to celebrate May Day, Mother's Day or a holiday weekend. All craft supplies are easily attainable from craft supply stores or online suppliers. While making these crafts is a fun family activity, some are available in pre-assembled kits, or already made. Use your favorite search engine for more information on various ideas - keyword suggestions are offered below craft each idea.

1. Terra cotta clay pot bird bath. Invert terra cotta clay pots, from larger on bottom and smallest on top. Add a clay saucer (the part the pot sits in to catch the drained water). A waterproof saucer is necessary. Set the clay saucer on top of the inverted stack of pots. Paint or mosaic the pots if you feel especially creative. For more bird fun, add a mister. Birds love to play in the water. Note: Make two similar stands and use one for a bird feeder.

Keywords: clay pot bird bath; clay pot bird feeder; terra cotta bird bath.

2. Plant and grow an herb garden. Include herbs such as basil, thyme, sage, chives and any other favorites. You'll have fresh herbs to add to your recipes all summer long. Herbs are easy to grow, making this an easy garden for kids to help. Take it one step further and create a "kitchen garden", including lettuce spinach, tomato, cucumber or other salad favorites.

Keywords: growing herbs; kitchen garden; easy herb gardening; gardening plans; container gardening.

3. Build a toad abode. Use a terra cotta pot and a rock. Invert a clay pot and prop edge on a rock. If you have a chipped pot, that would work great too and wouldn't require propping. Paint and decorate to your liking.

Keywords: clay toad abode; toad house; frog house.

4. A handmade stepping stone. Personalize with stones, marbles, or other memorable items. Make the project a tradition. Mark the stone with the year and include items to remember the year; a key (house or car), a toy, etc. A footprint each year could signify the walk of life and would be fun for young children to mark their growth from summer to summer.

Keywords: stepping stone craft; handmade stepping stones; stepping stone kits.

5. Personalized necklaces. Letter beads (for names or initials), a few spacer beads, a charm or two added to a simple chain makes a lovely, personal necklace for any mom or grandmother. For fun, make matching necklaces one for mom, grandmother, and daughters.

Keywords: personalized mother's necklace.

6. Bookmarks make a great craft for rainy days. Get creative - use paper, dried flowers, ribbons, needlepoint thread. Use beads and charms attached to chain or yarn to create a "book thong".

Keywords: handmade bookmarks; handmade book thong.

7. A decorated throw pillow. A pre-made throw pillow with light colored fabric, decorated with fabric paint. Fabric glue will easily adhere buttons and other small mementos. Start from scratch and decorate your fabric before making a pillow - tie-dye, iron-on colored pictures made with fabric crayons or reverse dying using a darker fabric and bleach provide many creative ways to decorate any pillow or piece of fabric. Another variation would be decorating pillow cases.

Keywords: handmade throw pillow; throw pillow craft; decorative pillow craft; fabric crayons; iron-on transfers.

8. A tie-dye party is fun for family or a gathering of extended family and friends. Supplies are readily available online coming in easy kits.

Keywords: tie dye supplies; reverse dying.

When doing a search, try searching images also. Often time pictures of an already made item will spark some creative thoughts.

There are so many fun activities to be done outdoors during nice weather. For more ideas, or to submit your own, visit http://www.mommamuse.com/2006/04/21/summertime-craft-ideas/ .

About the Author
Judi Cox is a wife and mother of 4 children. Her hobbies include making handmade soap from scratch, gardening, crafts, web design and maintaining Mom's Little Garden ( http://www.momslittlegarden.com ), an online resource for pregnant mothers, as well as her personal website, Momma Muse (http://www.mommamuse.com ).

A History of the T-shirt by Robert Carney

2006-04-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

Know the history of the tee? How did the t-shirt get its start in the beginning of the twentieth century? How did the t-shirt become an American favorite? We're now into the twenty-first century, and the t-shirt remains as popular as ever.

T-shirts of yesteryear were nothing like the t-shirts you know today. It was common knowledge that the first t-shirts, as you will learn, were clearly considered something to be worn underneath clothing. Certainly, the t-shirts of old were not part of a stand-alone industry, nor were they a mode of advertising.

Believe it or not, before the 20th century, there was no consensus that underwear should be included as an essential part of one's wardrobe. Most late 19th century folks wore something like an extended shirt called the "Spiral Bustle." Then in 1901 the predecessor to Hanes introduced for sale through catalog men's underwear, a two-piece set.

The birth of the t-shirt appears to be accredited to the navy (and lots of sailors). No one seems to know for certain when the first t-shirt was made. As early as 1913 the U.S. Navy adopted a revolutionary new garment, a short-sleeved, crew-necked, white cotton undershirt. This garment was to be worn underneath a jumper. And what was the purpose of this undershirt? One must avoid scandalous sights, otherwise known as sailors' chest hairs. The standard issue shirt had somewhat of the silhouette of a "T", thus the name "t-shirt" was born.

It is also notable that during WWI while European soldiers were wearing cooler, comfy, lightweight, cotton undershirts in the humid, hot summer days, that American troops took notice. These duds were nothing like the American wool uniforms soldiers wore.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary listed "T-Shirt" as an official word in the American English language by the 1920's. Around the late 1930's that companies including Fruit of the Loom, Hanes and Sears & Roebuck began the marketing of the t-shirt.

As of W.W. II, the Army and 12 million Navy sailors had t-seasy rider,hirts as standard issue underwear. "Skivvies", these new, inexpensive undergarments became known as. America saw, began to get comfortable with, and reveled secretly, daily news images of their wartime sons, wearing t-shirts (dressed barely, but with pants of course). Underwear was being worn as outerwear. Rules were flaunted about undergarments. Taboos were violated with this show of male sexuality.

Still, by and large, the t-shirt was an undergarment meant not to be seen. In 1934, however, Clark Gable shocked everyone, as he stripped off his dress shirt in the movie "It Happened One Night," to reveal no t-shirt at all. Women swooned, and men as well. Still, the t-shirt kept itself under wraps, to be worn primarily underneath a work or proper dress shirt.

The idea continued to quickly catch on, and due to simple design, a few years later, with the leave of many sailors during the war, the popular civilian "union suit" was reduced to a "singlet" or "jersey." In 1938, Sears introduced a t-shirt they called a "gob" shirt (named after sailors). A "gob" shirt cost 24 cents. The t-Shirt would become an empty canvas, which was allowing men to present themselves in an erotic sense and show their gender.

The t-shirt was becoming appropriate to wear as an undergarment or as an outer one. The Marines standard issue white t-shirt was replaced with sage green for camouflage purposes. In 1944, the Army surveyed enlisted men as to preference of sleeves or sleeveless. Most preferred sleeves, due to better appearance, absorption under arms, among other reasons.

The t-shirt would never be the same. Along with worldwide upheaval, WWII brought along as well the first printed t-shirts. On display at The Smithsonian Institute is the oldest printed shirt on record. This t-shirt is from Governor of New York Thomas E. Dewey's 1948 presidential campaign and sports "Dew-It with Dewey".

After the end of WWII, the t-shirt became the garment able to clearly display and advertise it all: cultural affiliation, class, and sexual orientation. 180 million t-shirts were sold in 1951. The rise of the t-Shirt can be traced back to the movies, and of course those big-screen movie stars: Marlon Brando, John Wayne, James Dean, and a young Elvis Presley who did their part to make the t-shirt, outerwear appropriate, or sexy to say the least.

1951's "A Streetcar Named Desire" featured Marlon Brando's portrayal of Stanley Kowalski, lovelorn, brutish, and primitive, riveting viewers as his buff pectorals and abs revealed themselves as unveiled by a stretched, paper-thin t-shirt. Some felt the picture created was one of a dangerous, incoherent kind of manhood, a sexualized brutality.

1955's "Rebel Without a Cause" showed James Dean wearing a t-shirt without another shirt overtop. He made the t-shirt cool, a contemporary symbol of rebellious youth. Still, t-shirts were meant primarily for men.

In 1959, Plastisol, a stretchable ink was invented, starting a revolution in t-shirt design. After that came the iron-on transfer, and finally litho transfer. Thus was the birth of the t-shirt industry. Now marketing geniuses, like Walt Disney, "flocked" letters and simple designs onto t-shirts to be sold as souvenirs to both men and women.

Still the advertising evolution of the t-shirt would be slow. The military was first to stencil company and rank on their t-shirts. Also, Ivy League Universities made clear advertisement of fraternities on their tees. Budweiser was the first to do actual "corporate-advertising" in the late 1060's, when they sported a Bud can on their company tees.

During the '60s, the hippies abandoned traditional dress for tie-dye. Of course, the t-shirt became one of the cheapest and easiest garments to purchase and dye. Folks began tie-dying and screen-printing basic cotton tees, helping it to even bigger commercial success. In 1969, t-shirt wearing hippies took on the Establishment in Easy Rider. Also, advances in printing and dying allowed more variety and the introduction of muscle shirts, scoop necks, v-necks and tanks into modern fashion.

Throughout the late 60's and 70's, the American Tee was in full bloom. Rock and Roll bands began to realize that they could make significant amounts of money selling their t-shirts. Professional Sports caught on and soon the officially licensed t-shirt became hot merchandise. 1977's "The Deep", helped to form the sexual revolution of the 1970's by means of Jacqueline Bisset's wet tee.

What about the t-shirt in the '80's and '90's? Remember Don Johnson's designer-tee and Armani suit combo ala Miami Vice? And what about the most memorable recent tee-film from 1996 "Mission: Impossible", just a bit of Tom Cruise, clad in tee, doing some serious hanging from a wire. The 80's and 90's both saw amazing production of t-shirts with improved mechanics of printing them in increased volume for increased availability. The American t-shirt has now become known as a commodity item. More than one billion t-shirts were sold in 1995.

And now, with the advent of the internet, the t-shirt continues to become even bigger. Tee art symbolizes the cultural and social climates of our generation. Tees tell the story perfectly, and now more than ever, the t-shirt is becoming an even more individualistic mode of personal expression.

About the Author
Robert Carney is publisher and owner of Old Crappy Tee. To stay informed on the latest t-shirt fashions, visit www.oldcrappytee.com.

Woodworking - The Art of Crafting by James Hunt

2006-04-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

Woodworking is the art of crafting things out of wood and people have been known to make sculptures, cabinets and statues. Anyone can take up this craft but it doesn’t mean you will be good at it. Like anything else, unless you have a natural talent, you have to practice at it. So, don’t get discouraged if your first try doesn’t come out like you had hoped; you can’t expect to get it perfectly the very first time. Keep trying and you should be a woodworking master in no time at all.

If you’ve always wanted to get into woodworking but didn’t know how to go about it, you’re not alone. This is a pastime that many want to have, but don’t know what to do or what materials to use. If this is the case, all you have to do is take a class on woodworking. If you think that you won’t be able to find a class on this art, you’re wrong. It’s more popular than you realize and classes are offered pretty much worldwide. So, check your phone book or look up classes on the internet for your specific city or country. The fees for this type of class will vary and are determined by the skill level and how long the class will run. If you’ve never tried your hand at woodworking before, start at the beginner level.

Once you’ve been woodworking for a little while, you should attend one of the conventions held for people interested in this art. Once there, you will meet people that share your same interests and you will learn new ways at perfecting this craft. You should also look these conventions up on the internet and find out dates and locations so you can sign up. You will probably make new friends and increase your skill level at woodworking. What could be better than that?

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.
Read more at www.woodwork-central.info

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com

Introducing the Fascinating Hobby of Birdwatching! by Paul Duxbury

2006-04-13T21:32:00.000-05:00

Birds are the most visible form of wildlife, they are found in every part of the world that is not permanently covered by ice, and you can see them in any weather, any time of day or night, anywhere you go. Whether you live in the country or the city, there are birds nearby, 835 species of birds spend at least part of the year in North America. You can go out looking for birds or attract them to your home. Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities all around the world. The Verb ‘To Bird' would serve as an excellent jumping off point for a feature, which highlights the growing popularity of birding. More than 70 million Americans are feeding and watching backyard birds.

Success in bird watching is, to a large extent, based on location, either by venturing to locations or habitats where birds are plentiful, or by devising ways to attract birds to your own back yard. Birds seen at a distance may be enjoyable to watch, but the true excitement of the hobby is greatly enhanced when you can see the birds up very close. Some of the most useful tools that enhance your bird-watching experience are those that makes birds easier to see in striking detail.

There are numerous ways to participate in the hobby of birding. Aside from simply viewing birds in nature, avid enthusiasts engage in numerous other activities. Some of those may include: feeding birds, providing nesting sites or birdhouses, growing specialized plants and gardens to attract birds, traveling to nature sanctuaries and other bird-watching locales, keeping lists and notes on birds seen in the wild, making diagrams and sketches and spending hours trying to snap the perfect photograph of a favorite bird species. In order to enhance your beautiful experience of bird watching in winter one can learn bird’s song. Birds’ strongest senses are sight and hearing, and they have evolved ways to communicate and to recognize their own species by using signals based on those two senses. Because we are also creatures of sight and sound, we can tap right into all the fascinating distinctions of color and shape that birds embody, and just as naturally we can appreciate the sounds that are so important in their lives. As you begin to recognize bird songs, your own backyard will become a much more interesting place.

For me, it was like gaining supernatural vision, being able to see through the leaves and around buildings. I was amazed at how many birds were all around me and how much I had been missing out on. To broaden your bird-watching experience beyond your own backyard, consider incorporating some bird-rich locales into your next vacation. Serious bird enthusiasts actually plan trips around visiting bird sanctuaries, nature parks and other natural locations where they can view birds in large numbers, in diversity of species and in their native habitats. Traveling to a region of the country other than the one in which you live will allow you to see species you may have never seen before.

Try to observe the birds so they don't know you are there. Move slowly, make as little noise as possible, and keep your distance. Going too close to a nest or repeatedly scaring a bird off its nest can cause the parents to abandon their nest leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators. Do not touch the eggs or young birds. Avoid trampling fragile natural areas to get a closer look. Stay on paths and trails. Don't litter. Now once you have started on the bird watching its important to build bird house, start the proper bird-feeding all year around, provide them with water either through bird bath or providing water specially in extreme weathers. In this way the birds would be attracted and would keep coming back to the backyard.

Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation with a wealth of experience in personal development, management development, e-learning and operational management. In addition he owns PK eBooks (http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk) and has just published a series of Bird Watching eBooks which can be found at http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk/birding_for_everyone.htm

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com

Providing Bird Houses for Feathered Friends by James Hunt

2006-04-12T12:43:00.000-05:00

Many people enjoy animals of avian nature. There’s something about the natural ability to fly that captures the human imagination. Birds come in many colors, arrayed in nature’s beautiful, and sometimes extravagant, plumage. Whether you want to provide bird houses for non-domestic birds, or whether you provide bird cages for the accommodation of birds in your home, there are many ways to provide a comfortable place for birds to live or visit.

Different varieties of bird prefer different types of bird houses. Deciding what type of house to place in your yard can impact which species of bird you attract to your backyard. There are plenty of books on the subject of birds, and bird houses. These books can help you understand what certain birds look for in the way of a resting place. Most hobby and craft stores provide kits and patterns to allow those inclined to working with their hands to build their own bird houses. Not only can this be a fun solo activity, but it can also provide a couple of hours of family togetherness.

For those who prefer to have birds in the home, there are many types of bird cages available for purchase. When choosing a bird cage, it is important to ensure that your bird will have enough room. Many companies manufacture luxury bird cages for pampered birds. While a luxury cage isn’t necessary, there are a few things a good bird cage should have to allow maximum comfort for the pet. Perches located at various heights inside the cage are necessary, as are a few colorful toys. A bell can also add an element of amusement for the bird.

Birds are beautiful creatures. It can be a very enjoyable experience to observe them, and play with them. Bird houses in the backyard can attract many different species to right outside your window, and you can make your feathered pet more comfortable in a nice bird cage.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.
Read more at www.best-bird-cages.info

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com

Care and mounting of your bird houses by Harriett Allen

2006-04-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

Your bird houses should be mounted in a reasonably open area with a few scattered trees. Open fields will work well as long as there are fences or other things for the birds to purch on. Mounting along a tree line works well when mounting in the yard or around the garden. Be carfull not to mount to close to a place where you will be using pesticides.

Mounting heigth should not be to low, because of the increased risk from preditors. Mounting to high will make it to difficult to clean the bird houses out when needed. As a general rule, the best height for most bird houses is 5 to 7 feet above the ground. If you are mounting more than one bird house, they should be placed about 20 ft. apart.

Try to face the bird houses away from the prevailing wind. Face the entrance hole slightly to the south east. Vegitation should be low around the area where the bird house is mounted, except for a perch about 4 to 6 feet away to help make the young birds first flight easy. This purch can be a small tree, bush, or fence.

To catch the first nesting of the season you should mount the bird houses in the fall, but no later than January or February. Some birds are scouting for future nesting places as early as January. If you get your birdhouses out after January, you will still have time for two or three more nestings.

Be sure to watch the bird houses closley, and clean out after each nesting is done. This will incurage the next nesting.

Mounting and using your squirrel feeders by Harriett Allen

2006-04-08T12:24:00.000-05:00

Squirrels prefer to feed in a place where they can easily escape, and as they spend most of their time in the trees, the most suitable position for feeders would be on a tree or near to a wall.

Placing feeders on or near the ground is strongly discouraged, as there is a high likelihood of the squirrels being attacked and killed by predators.

The exact placement of the feeder will depend on the garden or area that the squirrels visit. Try to work out the route that a squirrel will take to arrive at the feeder and place it to avoid crossing open ground where possible.

Secure the feeder on or near to a tree at a height of 5-6 feet. Ideally you should place the feeder as high as possible, while still allowing for easy access to add feed and clean it out.

For secure mounting, nails or screws should be used.

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Finding the right size T-shirt when ordering online

2006-04-05T14:50:00.000-05:00

Ordering the right size T-shirt

To find the size T shirt you need, compare our measurements to a shirt you already have.

Measure your T-shirt: Lay the shirt flat and then check these 2 measurements
Width: Width is measured from under arm to under arm across the chest.
Length: Length is measured from the neck line to the bottom hem.

Compare your measurements to these size charts.

http://stores.ebay.com/Odds-Ends/T-shirt-Sizing.html

All measurements are approximations. Length and Width vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Shirts may be within 1" or 2" of the dimensions listed.

All shirts are preshrunk, however, all garments will shrink slightly in the first wash. Length will loose about 1", and width will loose about ½". Wash according to manufacturer's recommendation on the neck tag.

These charts are meant as a guidline to help you select an appropriate size and are not a guarantee of a perfect fit.