Appliques - Is it Embroidery or is it Quilting?

Author : Bryce G Werllington

ap?pli?qu? n. Sewing one material onto another as a means of decoration or ornamentation.While ancient in origin, currently appliques can refer to any type of pattern transfer or application of decoration used in a wide range of mediums. Historically the term applique applied to material-to-material techniques. One of the earliest known pieces was a sail composed of gazelle leather and constructed by both patchwork and applique for the temple of King Sahure in the Fourth Dynasty (2575-2465 B.C.).Embroidery appliques are generally seen as trim or image designs as opposed to embroidery like monograms or logos. Appliques are commonly used to decorate household linens such as bedding, towels and napkins or apparel, particularly children?s wear and caps. Appliques are also frequently used to decorate wedding gowns, veils, trains, ring bearer pillows and other bridal accessories.Iron-on appliques have gained large popularity, as they are a cheap, fast and easy way to personalize apparel. The most commonly used item to add iron-on appliques to are t-shirts. There are companies that will turn nearly any design into an iron-on applique which appeals to today younger generation looking for ways to individualize and personalize in an age where everything is mass manufactured.Quilting appliques have been popular long through out history. In fact, appliques are still very popular in the quilting world. Quilting appliques are generally done as quilting blocks. Patterns can be anything from popular cartoon images to traditional floral designs. Bryce G Werllington is a market researcher for Safewebhost.net. Safewebhost.net is a website design and search engine optimization firm based in Edmonton, Alberta. Bryce has been researching and writing content for Central Sewing, a client of Safewebhost.net.

Category : Work at Home Moms

How Much Is Too Little?

Author : Theresa Cahill
As a publisher and ezine co-op owner, I've been studying
ezines and co-ops for some time now, and I've arrived at
the following conclusion:How much IS too little?This morning a well-known internet marketer's ezine
was brought to my attention. The ezine is a small one-page
affair with an excellent marketing tip. Attractively
arranged online, he has strategically placed top, middle,
and bottom sponsor ads. His mailing goes out to 150,000+
subscribers who are emailed every other week.Out of curiousity, I clicked through to his advertising
rates, and here's what I found:Top Sponsor ad:
Total Price: $675.00Middle Sponsor ad:
Total Price: $675.00Directly above the weekly feature article:
Total Price: $360.00Bottom Sponsor ad:
Total Price: $360.00There is no option for a solo ad.Now you might be saying, "Wow! There's no way in the
world I can afford that!" or "Yikes! How could I even dream
of charging that much?!"The answer is quality content and a heavy dose of personal
name branding.This marketer's ezine is looked for in inboxes. People wait
to hear his next bit of advice, the next tip, trick, idea,
resource, or product. He tells his readers what works,
they try it for themselves and agree, and they look forward
to his next publication, eager to stay ahead of the pack.So imagine placing an ad in an ezine that well read, that
sought after...Who wouldn't want to advertise inside such a publication
if they can afford to?Okay, now let's bring this a bit closer to home for the
majority of us with more limited funds.First off, many growing ezines accept free ads and paid ads
from outside sources. It's a good marketing practice in
order to grow one's list to the size of this example or head
quickly in that direction before it's no longer necessary.We "handle" this additional advertising in various fashions,
some by designated areas inside the ezine and others send
out additional classified mailings.So, what IS a fair market value for an average-sized ezine?Using the only algebraic formula I walked away with from
high school, and the prices in the above example, an ezine
with a subscriber base of 5,000 subscribers could easily
charge:$22.50 for a top sponsor ad
$22.50 for a middle sponsor ad
$12.00 for an ad above their featured article
$12.00 for the bottom sponsor ad.The key to being able to set these prices?
An ezine's originality, heart, and quality content!A looked-for ezine is a valuable ezine - for it's readers
and advertisers alike. The entrepreneur above knows
that well enough! And so do his advertisers...And the solo ad?Though the gentleman above declines solos, this form
of advertising is wide spread on the net. It has become
a mainstay for many publishers, and much sought after
by advertisers.My personal advice?An ezine's solo mailing needs to stand out from the rest
to justify ANY cost.I'm a firm believer that the solo ad should be pricey
because I also believe most of us are tired of reading
the $5 wonder solo ads.I believe an ezine and an ezine co-op should price
the solo ad high enough to make the average advertiser
stop and think can they really afford it, and, if so,
to ask themselves, "Is this program or product really
worth the extra expense?"I believe it is our responsibility to do this.Veteran publishers, subscribers, and advertisers
have been on the net long enough to have already
gone through the "school of hard knocks," or with
any luck at least be coming out the other side :)We've spent money and time and resources on the
fly by night programs that abound on the web.
We already know what it's like to be taken to the
cleaners...I believe it is our responsibility to help those new
to all these "sc^am in a box" offers avoid the errors
we've already made whenever possible.As publishers, we need to provide what we set out
to provide - quality content, worthwhile information,
and help.As subscribers, we need to provide feedback to our
ezines - also offering our wisdom and insight for
the benefit of others.As advertisers, we need to figure out what's worth
advertising and what isn't - and turn a profit by
being selective.By working together, we can all ensure the intrinsic
value of the ezine - now and for many years to come.Let the FFAs have the rest...© Theresa Cahill - All Rights Reserved. Feel free to distribute this article. Please keep it intact and with the resource box included below.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Theresa Cahill, a two decade veteran of marketing, is the owner of http://www.mywizardads.com and invites you to take a look at the services of MWA and download fr.ee helpful information and more at http://www.mywizardads.com/sitemap.html
Category : Business:Ezine-Publishing

Does Your Life Seem Out of Control? Are You Stuck in Dealing with Divorce?

Author : Amy Barnes
You either keep constantly busy or you do nothing or find yourself fluctuating between these two extremes. Life holds little meaning and there may seem no way out. If you have felt this way before and do so no longer: Congratulations! If you have never felt like this before I hope you never will. Perhaps you have a friend who feels like this. For those of you who feel stuck in this place, I wish to offer hope that life does not have to continue to feel like this.Have you recently experienced the break up of a marriage or a serious relationship, the death of a loved one, or loss of a job? Each can leave you feeling out of control and not in charge of your life. You may feel numb, or angry or sad or scared or even relieved; or a combination of all these feelings at the same time. You may not feel valued, heard or respected. How do you treat yourself? You are worthy of respect, of being heard, of being valued and yes, of being loved. You may have had a recent situation that has temporarily left you feeling discouraged or you may feel deep down that you are not worthy of love or respect by others or by yourself. As a therapist I often see individuals who don't feel good about themselves. My job as a therapist is to create a safe place for these individuals to be heard and to feel valued and respected. I enjoy helping people feel empowered and in control of their lives.Letting go and moving on is rough but quite possible. Allowing yourself to feel and deal with those unpleasant feelings is a necessary part of healing. Perhaps the hardest part of healing is to treat yourself as you wish others to treat you – to love yourself. Would you treat yourself differently if you really cared about and loved yourself? Would you take better care of your body, your mind, and your spiritual life? Each day allow yourself to play, to laugh and to be with friends. Each day becomes a balance of both taking care of yourself and being there for others. Have you ever tried to pour lemonade out of an empty pitcher? Just like the empty pitcher, if you do not fill yourself by taking care of you; you have nothing to give others.You don't need to stay stuck in this place. Talk with friends, join a divorce recovery or grief group if appropriate, or talk with a therapist. Get some help. You are worth it! You are worthy of being loved, of having a wonderful life. Life can be better.Copyright 2006Barnes' diverse background includes a seminary degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Pastoral Counseling and a license as a Mental Health Counselor providing a foundation for her extensive experience and training in marriage counseling.Barnes has taught divorce recovery programs for six years and has written numerous articles on relationships and divorce as well as given a variety of talks and led workshops on divorce and relationships.With a focus is on relationships, both personal and professional, Ms. Barnes is considered a gentle, compassionate listener who assists individuals, couples and families in finding practical solutions. She helps people develop their own strengths and find greater possibilities and options for their lives. For more information go to: http://www.lifeoptions.us
Category : News-and-Society:Divorce