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Most of the boys have a loud nature. They like to wrestle and tumble and make noises. They cannot sit quietly for so long. So it is always necessary to keep some mattress on the basement ground to prevent the boys from hurting themselves. Find out in this article what are the other necessary things in your youngsters fun game.

Less noisy but still lots of fun is a “Jar Ring Toss.” A board about twenty-eight inches square is prepared by driving at an angle twenty-three nails three inches long part way into it or by screwing into it little right-angle hooks like those used to hold curtain rods. Each hook is given a value of twenty-five, twenty, fifteen, ten or five points. Figures can be cut from a calendar and pasted on.

The board can be hung against the wall or set on a table. Its center should be about shoulder high. The players stand ten feet from the board. Each is given twelve rubber jar rings, which he tries to throw onto the nails or hooks having the highest numbers. The players throw three times in a play and rotate four times. It is well to mark the rings with crayon or paint so that each person may identify his own in counting the final score. “Miss the Bell” is a game that’s fun and easy to arrange for. A bell is suspended in a hoop about eight inches in diameter and a small ball is given to the players. They take turns tossing the ball through the hoop without causing the bell to ring. One point is scored each time the ball goes through and three points are scored if the bell does not ring.

“Basement Button Snap” is our glorified version of tiddlywinks. Draw two chalk lanes about a foot wide along the floor and supply each player with two buttons. One he places on the staring line. With the other he snaps the first one down his lane to the goal as soon as the signal is given. Snapping consists of pressing the edge of one button with the other in such a way that the under one flies ahead. If a button leaves its lane it must be put back at the starting line and snapped on its way again. Obstacles over which the buttons are snapped add interest to the game. The player who first drives his button to the goal wins the game.

“Barrel Toss” is a good game for a change. The players stand about twenty feet away from a barrel and throw stones or wooden blocks into it. Each may have five throws and a point may be awarded for each stone or block that goes in. The throwing line may be put farther back when the players are experts.

Boys always like to wrestle and tumble and practice rolls and falls. These lads will have endless fun if you put an old mattress on the basement floor. The boys will need no rules or encouragement to start their fun. They’ll soon create their own contests and maybe get Dad to join the fun.

For children old enough to play with sharp-pointed darts, here’s a homemade game that is fun. Make three darts by cutting the heads from matches. Slit one end so that a piece of folded paper about two and one-half inches square can be slipped into the slit. Into the other end of the match force the eye-end of a large sewing needle. A circular target whose outside circle is not more than fifteen inches in diameter is drawn on a wall board or a piece of heavy cardboard and hung shoulder high on the wall.

The players stand about eight feet away from the target and each tries to throw the three darts so as to pierce the target as near the bulls-eye as possible. For each dart that sticks firmly in a space the player receives the number of points marked in that space. Nothing is counted for darts touching a line.

Turn your youngsters loose downstairs where the walls won’t mar and the floors won’t scuff. The kids will have fun and you will enjoy the quiet order of your living rooms.

Mitch Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/entertaining-friends-in-basement-55338.html

I was sick of my plain windows. I had all the right furniture in the room, but nothing on my windows.

Here’s the dilemma. I am moving to Texas in a few months… so whatever I decided to make had to be versitile enough to use on the WINDOWS in the house in Texas. So, I didn’t want to make something so tailored that I couldn’t reuse the fabric.

I also didn’t want to spend too much time on this project. After all, I’m only going to be in the house for a couple more months.

What I came up with was simple, but beautiful drapes that were super easy to make. And I’m going to show you how!

I made a total of 8 panels… 2 per window. I averaged 2 Panels a night. So, you could easily dress up a window in a day.

The rods cost me $25 each… totaling $100.

The fabric on sale cost me about $300.

I was able to give my room softness, drama, color and a designers touch for less than $500. These would have cost close to $4000 if I had a professional design and make these for me.

So, here’s how to make them.

1. Install your curtain rods. Install these first and hang the rings you’re going to use.

2. Measure from the bottom of the curtain ring to the floor. Subtract 1/4″. This is your finished length.

3. You will use the full width of your fabric for the width of your panel.

4. Cut your fabric and lining:

Cut fabric width = full width of fabric (trim off the selfage if the fabric doesn’t lay smooth and flat)

Cut fabric length = finished length + 10″ (bottom hem) + 14″ (heading)

Cut lining width = fabric width - 3″

Cut lining length = finished length + 4″ (bottom hem) + 2″

5. Sew the bottom hems

Fold the bottom edge of the fabric up 5″ and press…. fold up another 5″ and press. Pin. Sew with a blind hem stitch. You can also sew the hem in place with a straight stitch.

Fold the bottom edge of the lining up 2″ and press… fold up another 2″ and press. Pin. Sew with a blind hem stitch. You can also sew the hem in place with a straight stitch.

6. Sew the lining and fabric together

Lay the fabric right side up

Lay the lining right side down so that the bottom edge is 1″ above the bottom edge of the fabric.

Align one side edge… pin and sew together with a 1/2″ seam. Repeat on the other side.

Turn the drape right side out. Your fabric will fold over to the lining side about 1 1/2″. Carefully press the drape so that the fabric is even on both sides of the lining. Pin in places to keep the layers from slipping.

7. Lay the drape lining side up

8. Fold in the raw side edges of the fabric and pin. Stitch in place with a straight stitch.

9. Tuck the raw edges of the fabric at the bottom corners of the bottom hem… and stitch the bottom corners in place.

10. Lay the drape lining side up again

11. Measure from the bottom edge up the finished length and mark with a couple pins

12. Fold the top edge down to the lining side so that the top edge is about 1″ past the pins you just placed. Pin the top edge in place.

13. Stitch the top edge to the drape along the pinned measurement in step 11

14. Clip or sew the curtain rings to the drape along the stitched line

15. When you hang the drape, the fabric will fold over to the front. Arrange and fold the fabric as desired.

And there you have it! Gorgeous, professional quality drapes that can add some serious class to any room. You can make formal draperies with silk fabric and a tassel fringe along that folded over edge. Or you can have more casual drapes like the ones in the photo.

Happy sewing!

Jennifer Thoden
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-make-expensive-looking-professional-drapes-in-a-day-10399.html

Murano Glass is a very versatile piece of glassmaking art. There exist various colors, techniques, materials that can vary depending on the look of the object the glassmaker is creating. It’s well known that Venetian artists do not add any special coloring chemicals to color the glass. To create a certain color of the transparent glass, the glassmaker adds different combinations of metals. The compounds involved in this process are very sensitive to proportions so one should be extremely accurate in mixing them. For example, aquamarine color is created through the use of combination of copper and cobalt compounds, green - copper oxides, ruby red uses a gold solution as a coloring agent.

The base of many types of Murano glass is Cristallo – a special clear glass of highest quality. This name is associated with the names of precious stones – as this glass has a perfect transparency quality.

Another great invention of Venetian glassmakers is lattimo glass (milky glass) – an opaque white glass. Mostly lattimo glass is used in the form of thin canes to make elaborate lacy patterns in clear glass.

Murano artisans used a lot of techniques of glassmaking originated from the Ancient times. They made a lot of improvements in many processes creating new designs and elaborating the quality of the glass itself. Among the types of glass inherited from Egyptians, Romans, and Middle Eastern glassmakers one can mention smalto (enameled glass), aventurine (glass with threads of gold), imitation of gemstones made of glass etc.

One of the most famous types of Murano glass in the world is millefiori glass – literally a visiting card of Murano glassmakers nowadays. In short, millefiori is glasswork technique, which makes millions of one-of-a-kind patterns on glassware. The term “Millefiori” is a combination of two Italian words “mille” (thousand) and “fiori” (flowers).

The millefiori technique involves two basic procedures. The first technique is layering of a number of layers of glass of different colors in a mold that produces different patterns viewable only from the cut ends. These patterns are called murrines. Further, the murrines are embedded into clear or colored glass to create unique combinations of patterns.

Though nowadays there are many famous schools of glassmaking in the world, the Murano glassmakers still hold the positions of the leaders in introduction of many technological processes and innovations in glass creations. Murano glass is used in many spheres of artisan work – production of lighting fixtures (chandeliers, wall sconces etc.), glass sculptures, parts of home decoration pieces like door handles, curtain rods etc.

Today, Murano is the home of the Museo Vetrario (Glass Museum) in the Palazzo Giustinian, which holds displays on the history of glassmaking as well as glass samples ranging from Egyptian times through the present day.

dimitri
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/murano-glass-and-glassmaking-art-108239.html

Wrought iron has a beautiful, almost ethereal, element that transcends home décor styles and environments, time and tradition. Today’s manufacturers have listened to public demand, hired artists, and created furniture and accents that lets homeowners seamlessly weave wrought iron through any home, any color scheme, and any price range.

Unlike other design products, like glass, wrought iron is not the privilege of the wealthy. The average homeowner does not need to resort to a cheap reproduction to add wrought iron to their home. Wrought iron can be added to any room, in fun and fashionable ways. Ornamental iron accents add an element of stunning style and handcrafted artistry to any room.

Homeowners do not need to invest in a designer wrought iron chandelier if they want to add a dramatic flair to their home. A simple rustic metal plaque, adorning the wall above the fireplace can completely change the feel of a room.

A hand-forged wrought iron bed is a striking and sentimental piece of American history. Classic iron accents, add pizzazz to any fireplace mantel. The hand forged uniqueness of today’s wrought iron accents and metal furniture provide a distinctive touch that that will be cherish for generations.

Unfortunately, when it comes to decorating with wrought iron, most homeowners stall after adding the obligatory wine rack and patio table. There are so many aspects of decorating that many homeowners give up and settle for whatever they find at the local department store.

The biggest mistake is thinking that wrought iron is for accents only. Wrought iron makes a distinctive, uncluttered, focal point for any room. Yes, home decorators can settle for a beautifully hand-crafted wine rack to become the focal point of a den or a kitchen.

Looking for a unique piece can be difficult, unless you shop online, but it is well worth the effort. The most important thing is to resist the temptation to purchase wrought iron candle sticks or picture frames.

The bedroom décor can be tricky. Start with the style of window treatments work into the room. Look for something that will work with your WINDOWS, framing, focusing, and blending with the room’s lighting. The bathroom is easier. Wrought iron towel bars, hardware, brackets, candleholders, toilet paper holders and shower curtain rods are plentiful in today’s market.

The most important aspect of wrought iron is to make it functional. Too many decorators use wrought iron as an ‘add on.’ This results in a room where the wrought iron causes more dissention than aesthetic beauty. This is a shame, because, unlike most metals, wrought iron belongs in the home.

One commonly overlooked place that wrought iron is used is as cabinet hardware. Wrought iron can add an element of art to the most common cabinets. In fact, a cheap, local box-store kitchen cabinet collection can be turned into a designer, $20 000 kitchen, by adding elegant wrought iron accents on the cupboards and around the room.

How many kitchens have matching window, cabinet, and door latches? Or, have light switches with a wrought iron pattern that is matched on the cupboard handles.

The trick to decorating with wrought iron is unique creativity. Don’t try and ‘fit’ any decorating style and you’ll create the perfect room.

Patricia Taylor
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/decorating-with-wrought-iron-112677.html

People might purchase a home foreclosure that requires some repairs before it is considered suitable for families to live in. They learn quickly about buying home remodeling items such as sinks, bathroom countertops, and toilets that might make the bathroom useable, and for the kitchen, people think about buying home remodeling items such as double-sinks with sprayers, new appliances, and a new light fixture that will light up the stove burners with elegant lighting.

When buying home remodeling items, people focus on two issues, quality and price. There are many appliances that will typically perform the same but it is the individual styles that people look before the continue buying home remodeling items in this type of price range.

The appliances might have a glass top that does not show burner fixtures, and would truly add to the value of the home. These cooking appliances are a large fixture in any kitchen and are considered carefully when people go buying home remodeling items.

The dishwasher is another item that many homeowners prefer to have, even if they do not use it all of the time. There are other people that plan to use it everyday because they feel that the heating elements will kill germs better than washing dishes by hand. All of these concerns are considered when people plan to go buying home remodeling items.

There are a large assortment of home lighting fixtures that need to be placed throughout the kitchen, and others that are perfectly suited for a bathroom. When buying home remodeling items for the kitchen, lighting sources can be found that fit over the stove, under the counter areas, and over the sink area.

When buying home remodeling items, people try to find discount coupons that can be used to save additional home remodeling budget funds. These discount coupons might be from the retailer, or from the manufacturer. People review all available discount coupons to make the right choice when they are buying home remodeling items.

There are home remodeling classes that homeowners can take that will teach them how to apply some of the grouts, wall textures, and wall papers items that they find when buying home remodeling items. The items will make a dramatic difference in any room of the home where they are used, and people want to do the job right on the first attempt. When buying home remodeling items, people want to be sure that they know how to create a professional finish with the items that they buy.

When people are buying home remodeling items for the bathroom, especially countertop and cabinetry, they want to take the time to measure the bathroom area correctly. Otherwise, they might not have enough room to place the bathroom fixtures and furniture items that they found while buying home remodeling items.

All fixtures are considered when setting up a budget to use when buying home remodeling items. From cabinet handles, to shower and curtain rods in a bathroom, to the knobs that will be used on certain cabinets in a kitchen. Some people prefer to use magnet closures on cabinets that are opened and closed everyday. When buying home remodeling items, the little details must be considered at all times.

Linda Polansky
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/buying-home-remodeling-items-128043.html

Think of curtain rods as jewelry for your WINDOWS. You can use them to dress a window up or down. Many people are unaware of the design opportunities they present, or don’t take full advantage of them. It helps to know there are many options available, not only for your window coverings, but for your rods as well.

Curtain rods come in all types, for many types of decorating options. Some are adjustable, which makes it easy to change the look of your window treatments. Some rods are simple and understated, with plain ends, or they can be decorative and striking. The rods themselves are generally made of metal or wood. The finials, which are the decorations that adorn the ends of the rod, can be metal, wood, blown glass or any number of materials. The great part about finials is that they can easily and quickly update the look of a window. They also pull together the look of your window treatments to give your windows a finished appearance. You can go from a simple wooden knob to an ornate metal birdcage design to blown glass orbs with the flick of a wrist. Changing the finials is an inexpensive redecorating idea.

The brackets that hold the rods are sometimes decorative as well. They can be simple metal holders, or ornate plaster decorations. They can be for single rods, to hold a single type of panel, or for double rods, to hold a panel and a sheer. The double rods provide an opportunity for a wide variety of color, texture and print combinations between curtain and sheer. Doubling up on fabric is also a great way to help insulate your house against the cold from those drafty windows.

If you’re trying to create a particular look, the way you hang the rods is important. Sometimes rods are hung well above the top of a window, so that when curtains are placed on them, they provide the illusion of tall windows. Similarly, you can hang a long rod that is wider than your window, then hang curtains from this rod to give the impression of a much wider window. If you don’t like your windows, this is a great way to camouflage them. Similarly, if you do like them, this is a great way to play them up. You can also use rods to hang tapestries or other wall hangings in your home.

Even if you feel uninspired, simply being creative with wall and window treatments is an artistic way to update your home without breaking the bank.

Linden J. Walhard
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/ways-to-wake-up-window-coverings-82567.html

At one time, curtain rods were used for only one purpose – hanging curtains. Today they are much more decorative than utilitarian and are themselves an important design feature in many homes. Today’s curtain rods are much more sophisticated and elegant than those of yester year.

Rather than being mere metal or wooden sticks upon which we hang curtains and drapes, curtain rods are quickly evolving into pieces of art in their own right.

Wooden curtain rods are often made to look much more elegant than in the past. Many of them are crafted by hand and desired to showcase specific features of the wood. Many have designs sculpted into the wood and are finished with varnish in order to accent and protect the wood. This means you can find either Victorian wooden curtain rods or those that would fit with a much more casual western decor all made from good quality wood.

Additionally, the strength and durability of metal rods for your curtains are no longer reserved for simple metal sticks. Consumers are now provided with many more choices when it comes to choosing the materials their rods are made of. In addition to various woods, there is also the option of many metals including: chrome, brass, graphite, and wrought iron.

With so many choices, manufacturers are rushing to develop beautiful designs that can be used many ways in order to best compliment the beauty of your curtains. You can even use rods to ‘dress up’ drab or ordinary curtains.

In addition to innovations in the look and design of shower curtains, the installation of hanging rods for the shower has also evolved into a much less complicate process. You can install curtain rods on most interior surfaces of your home. No matter what style of home you have or your choice of decor there is a solution that will suit your style and your curtains.

Curtain rods do not only differ according to design and structure, they also come in many different sizes and shapes. As a result, it is important to measure your windows before purchasing rods.

There are a few things you should really consider before purchasing them:

1)Your WINDOWS. You must measure your windows, each and every one of them, in order to make sure you are buying the correct size. You will want to measure the outside of your window where you will actually be hanging your curtains.

2)Your Curtains. You will want to be sure that not only the type of material in your curtain rods will compliment your curtains but also that the color, stain, or design of your rods will look good with your curtains.

3)Strength of the Curtain Rod. This is very important if you plan to hang heavy drapes on them. You will also want to make sure that the supporting devices are also quite sturdy in this situation.

4)Your Budget. The newer rods do not necessarily come cheap. It is important to remember however that you can often find great knock offs of the expensive brands and styles for a fraction of the cost at discount stores. While curtain rods can add great design features to your decor you shouldn’t spend the vast majority of your decorating budget on them.

When purchasing curtain rods, keep all of these things in mind and you should be able to buy nice curtain rods for your home that will have an impressive impact on how much you enjoy your space as well as how others view it.

Christopher Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/whats-covering-your-windows-70215.html