Skipping Stone Design

Skipping Stone Design

Lenny

5 Retro Household Items That Are Making a Return

Like clothing – items become fashionable, trends are born and eventually they die off and then they’re resurrected because they’re ‘vintage’. There are those household pieces that we were glad to see the back of, and there are those we welcome back with open arms. Together with Acorn Stairlifts, Global supplier of disabled stairlifts, we take a look at the retro items that have come back into our lives.

The Record Turntable
Vinyl records were produced in 1950s and sprung into popularity, right up to the 1990s. After this, they were replaced by CDs, then the CD was replaced by the mp3 players and then digital downloads replaced mp3 player. However, their popularity returned as people dug out their record collection and bought new music in the classic format too. In 2016, vinyl sales grew 53% compared to the previous year. In April of the same year, Fortune reported that vinyl record sales were at a 28-year high.

For many people, the quality of sounds produced by vinyl cannot be beaten by today’s digital music. Perhaps for this reason, in 2017, HMV announced that the turntable would be the top-selling product in its technology department. Companies are catering for different markets too as prices range from a reasonable £25 to £20,000 for those who want top-of-the-range technology.

The Chaise Longue
The chaise longue, had originated back around ancient Egypt and Greece, when day beds were around. In the 18th century, it was known as the ‘fainting’ couch so that women who couldn’t bend at the waist because of their corsets could instead fall gently in reclining position. According to interior designers and furniture retailers, the style is now making a comeback.

Long Chair, is the literal English translation of “Chaise Longue”, and is recognizable as a sofa that takes the shape of a chair but is long enough to support the legs. These days, it makes a nice addition to a conservatory or orangery and provides a relaxing spot to look out onto the garden. Some are big enough for two, and can act as a sofa for couples and families.

The SodaStream
Peaked during the 1970s and 80s, the SodaStream allowed people to make their own carbonated drinks at home, through mixing flavored syrups with soda, and it was giving the tagline ‘get busy with fizzy’. The Business halted in 1996 and the product was reintroduced in 2010 to a newer market.

In recent years the machine had appealed to prosecco lovers, so Sodastream Germany had launched a sparkling gold ‘alcoholic concentrate’ that allows consumers to make home-made prosecco. The machine has evolved over the years too, into a slimline machine that is available in a range of colours.

The Instant Camera
We saw that the instant camera had soared, soon after instant film begun in 1940. People loved the novelty of a tangible picture minutes after taking it, without having to visit a store to get them printed — the invention transformed the photography market!

Unfortunately, the production of these cameras had dropped with the digital camera, which took over and then smartphones became the primary tool for taking photos. With digitalised photos becoming the norm, the instant camera brings back the idea of keepsakes and with only one chance to take the photo, eliminates the obsession with capturing the perfect shot. The comeback of the instant camera has been popular, and there are many accessories that can now be purchased to support the product. For example, coloured camera cases are on sale and filters are available to take different shots.

The Jukebox
Jukeboxes were once populated within the pub scene, with many pubs across Europe having them. They give the customers the opportunity to choose the song they wanted on out of the thousands available. However, as digital downloads took over and video platforms such as YouTube gave customers access to millions of songs, they experienced a decline.

However, it appears that jukebox has made a return. Chris Black, managing director of Sound Leisure (one of the last two makers of hand-built jukeboxes in the world), said that his sales doubled from 2012 to 2016 and he is witnessing a rise in popularity. He says that it’s down to the distinctive sound of a juke box, its ‘more bass-y and more boom’ and this is what is driving the sales. Some jukeboxes can contain up to 2,000 tracks and make a nice household item for music lovers.

As we can see, nostalgia brings back the popularity of many products that we want in our home. Who knows what will be returning next!

Alcohol Ink Tips and Techniques

If you’re interested in learning how to use alcohol ink in order to create fun, creative backgrounds for your art projects such as stamping or card making, it’s well worth continuing reading to discover a few useful alcohol ink tips and techniques, which you may find useful!

7 Alcohol ink tips and techniques:

1. Consider purchasing an alcohol ink kit which features a few complementary colors

If you’re unsure of which colors will complement each other, simply opt to purchase an alcohol ink kit which boasts a few shades which have been found to work well together. If you don’t want to rely on trial and error in order to choose the right shades of ink, you simply can’t go wrong opting to purchase an alcohol ink kit, which boasts several high-quality shades.

2. Invest in a good quality alcohol blending solution

It’s well worth investing in a decent alcohol blending solution as you’ll be able to use it to lighten your colors and to clean any spilt alcohol ink off your clothes and hands.

3. Purchase a felt applicator

The best way to mix your alcohol ink is to use a felt applicator, which will allow you to seamlessly blend multiple colors into a new shade.

4. Test your skills out on non-porous surfaces first

While it’s possible to use alcohol ink on porous surfaces, until you’ll confident using alcohol ink, you’ll be far better off practicing your skills on non-porous surfaces such as glossy paper, glass, metal or ceramics. Once you’ve mastered the art of using alcohol ink to decorate non-porous surfaces, you’ll be able to experiment with using alcohol ink in order to decorate porous surfaces such as wood!

5. Use your felt applicator to create a marble inspired background

You may want to use a felt applicator in order to create a marbled effect, which could be suitable for card making or scrapbooking. To create a marble background simply apply your ink directly to the surface which you’re looking to decorate before dabbing the ink which you’ve squirted out around your surface. Until the entire surface which you’re working with has been dabbed with ink.

6. Use a straw to move the ink on your surface around

Alternatively, you may want to try moving the ink on your surface around by blowing through a straw directly onto the ink which you’re looking to create art with!

7. Consider using a stamp in order to create professional looking results

If you’re looking to achieve professional looking results, it’s well worth purchasing or creating a few stamps, which you can use to decorate a variety of materials. Simply squirt alcohol ink directly onto your chosen stamp, before using a felt applicator to evenly spread your alcohol ink over your desired stamp. Once your stamp is sufficiently coated in ink, quickly apply your stamp to your surface, in order to create a clear stamp.

So if you’re looking forward to testing out the tips and techniques listed above, it’s well worth coming up with a brand new creative project which will allow you to practice your inking skills.

7 Tips On Embossing Wood

If you’re interested in perfecting the art of embossing wood, simply continue reading to discover a few helpful tips which will help you perfect your craft.

7 Tips on embossing wood:

1. Make sure to work quickly

Wood absorbs ink faster than most other surfaces, so it’s crucial to work quickly when it comes to trying to emboss a wood surface with image or text. By ensuring that you work quickly and diligently you’ll also avoid accidentally burning the wood piece which you’re working on!

2. Make sure that you have a steady hand

As wood is extremely porous and soaks up ink in the blink of an eye, it’s important to keep focused and to keep a steady hand when it comes to embossing an ink design on to a piece of wood such as a sign or a wood jewelry box.

3. Make sure to use plenty of embossing powder in order to produce high-quality results

Many individuals make the mistake of skimping on the amount of embossing powder which they use to create their pieces. Remember to apply a decent coat of embossing powder onto your wooden surface as the more embossing powder which you opt to use, the more visible your finished design will be.

4. Don’t worry about your embossing powder or the heat which you’ll use, damaging any stamps which you choose to use

If you plan on using stamps to emboss designs onto your wood items, you may be worried that the stamps which you’ll use may become damaged, either by the heat which you’ll use to emboss your wood items or by your embossing powder.

5. Use stamps to create fun patterns

If you’re interested in embossing items such as wooden furniture, signs, and trinkets you can repeat the use of a single stamp in order to create a bold, eye-catching pattern. As an example, you may want to use a star or a flower stamp multiple times in order to create a fun pattern.

6. If your embossing powder hardens before you get a chance to stamp your chosen design, simply use your heat pen or heat gun in order to melt your embossing powder again

If you find that your embossing powders begins to set and harden before you’ve had a chance to choose a stamp, don’t worry, all is not lost, just use your heat pen or gun in order to melt your embossing powder into a malleable state again.

7. Don’t worry if your embossing power bubbles up

When you’re new to embossing items, you may find that your embossing powder may bubble up. Don’t worry as any bubbles will just add an extra dimension to the artwork which you’ve created on your wooden item. Although as you become more skilled you may be able to work fast enough to avoid your embossing powder bubbling up!

Whether you’d like to emboss a loved one’s initials into a wooden jewelry box or you’re interested in embossing a location onto a sign, it’s well worth following the helpful tips listed above to help you create a high quality embossed product!

What Are Skipping Stones? A Quick Guide To Skipping Stones

To learn everything which you need to know about skipping stones, simply continue reading to discover a guide to skipping stones.

What are skipping stones?

Skipping stones are essentially carefully shaped stones, which can be skimmed across water. The goal in a game of skipping stones is usually to see how many times your skipping stone can hop across an expanse of water such as a pond, the sea or a lake. Chances are that you’ve tried to skip stones as a child, with one of your parents as skipping stones is a popular past time in most countries around the world.

As an example in the UK playing skipping stones is called playing ducks and drakes whilst in Denmark the same game is referred to as smutting.

What do skipping stones normally look like?

Skipping stones are traditionally flat and wide, which allows them to easily skip across the water. While you can purchase aerodynamic skipping stones, in the past you’d have to search hard in order to find a skipping stone which would be able to make more than 2 jumps across the water.

Did you know that skipping stones is a competitive sport:

Contrary to popular belief children aren’t the only individuals who’ll find trying to skip rocks. In fact, there are now a variety of professional skipping stones competitions around the world, which attract fierce competitors who are keen to win large cash prizes.

One example of an elite skipping stones tournament which is held annually is the Rock and River Festival, which is located in Pittsburg and regularly attracts elite competitors. While some individuals may be skeptical about the legitimacy of skipping stones being referred to as a sport, skipping stones involves skill and talent just like other sports such as golf, tennis, and football.

As well as featuring hotly contested elite divisions, most professionally organized skipping stone tournaments also feature amateur divisions which give interested individuals who have no experience competing in skipping stone tournaments a chance to compete against other amateurs.

What is the Guinness Book of Records for skipping a stone over water:

The current record is held for a single throw which successfully skipped a stone 51 times over water. Which is a record which will be extremely hard to beat and should stand to last for a few more years.

How to skip stones:

If you’re interested in trying to skip stones yourself, refer to the following tips in order to learn how to skip stones effectively.

1. Make sure that you have a flat water surface

The calmer the water you find the better.

2. Carefully select a skipping stone

Ideally, a skipping stone should be flat and wide and should be roughly the size of your palm.

3. Place your index finger along one side of your rock

Make sure that your thumb is placed on the other side of your rock.

4. Face the water, side on with your feet shoulder width apart

Also, make sure that you bend your knees slightly.

5. Bend your wrist forward before snapping it forward to throw your stone across the water in front of you.

Hopefully, after reading the above guide to skipping stones, you now have a more in depth understanding of skipping stones.

6 Lifestyle Tips For Everyone

If you’re on the search for useful lifestyle hacks which will make leading an active lifestyle easier, continue reading to discover 6 lifestyle tips which are useful for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

6 Lifestyle tips for everyone:

1. Try to consume healthy unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats

Contrary to popular belief not all fats are bad for your health. In fact, your body actually requires healthy, unsaturated fats, for your body and your brain to function effectively! Examples of foods which are rich in healthy fats, which you should aim to add to your diet include avocado, nuts, and fish.

However, if you want to feel healthy and energetic on a daily basis, it’s well worth limiting the number of saturated fats which you consume. Examples of popular foods which contain saturated fats include full-fat milk, cheese, pork, beef, cream, and butter.

2. Boil, steam and bake food instead of frying your food

If you tend to use a frying pan on a daily basis, it’s well worth putting your fry pan away on the odd occasion in order to boil, steam or bake your food. As when you boil, steam or bake food you don’t need to use additional oils or butter. Both of which contain a high percentage of fat and will provide your body with unnecessary extra calories. Which may cause you to gain weight.

3. Get into the habit of consuming margarine instead of butter

If you love the taste of butter and normally start your day off by spreading a bit of butter onto your toast, it’s well worth opting for margarine instead of butter. As typically margarine contains far fewer calories than full-fat butter.

4. Consider purchasing your groceries online instead of visiting your local grocery store in person

If you have a tendency to place unhealthy items into your shopping cart, when you visit your local grocery, you can avoid the temptation of purchasing unhealthy foods such as chocolate and chips by opting to purchase your groceries online. As a bonus, you’ll have far more time up your sleeve, if you pre-order your groceries online each week, as most grocery stores will allow you to repeat the same order each week.

5. Use a variety of herbs and spices to season your food instead of salt

If you have a habit of salting your food, it’s well worth purchasing inexpensive dried herbs and spices which you’ll be able to use to add flavor to all of your favorite dishes. As consumed in large doses, salt can have a negative effect on your health and can even increase your blood pressure.

6. Never skip a meal

Skipping a meal is never a good idea as you’ll just be more likely to binge eat during your next meal. As an extra benefit if you start each day off by enjoying a healthy, nutritious breakfast you’ll kick-start your metabolism for the day ahead, which will help you start burning calories, even when you’re sitting in an office chair during your working day!

So if you’re interested in leading a healthier lifestyle, it’s well worth following all six of the lifestyle hacks which are listed above.

Easy DIY Crafts

If you find creating DIY crafts relaxing and love the thrill of completing DIY projects, continue reading to discover a variety of fun, easy DIY crafts that you may be interested in completing.

Easy DIY Crafts:

1. Tie-dye mugs, cups and plates

If you want to give a new lease on life to your old, white mugs, cups and plates, you may want to consider using tie-dye to turn each mug, cup, and plate that you want to transform into a unique, work of art.

If you’re interested you can use your favorite nail polishes as dyes. Simply fill up a bucket with warm water and pour your chosen nail polish into your bucket of hot water. Just make sure to hold your nail polish under the water as you don’t want your nail polish to sit on the surface as your water and need your nail polish to mix into your water.

Then use a toothpick to mix your nail polish into your hot water, before dipping your mug, cup or plate into the water. Once you remove your piece, let it dry properly. If you want your piece to feature more than one color, simply let it dry before repeating the process above with a new bucket of water and nail polish color.

Whether you’d love to personalize your own coffee cup or you’re looking to DIY a thoughtful gift for a loved one, it’s well worth experimenting with nail polish as a tye dye ingredient.

2. Create a decorative frame for your flat screen television

If you’d like to be able to disguise your television when you’re not using it, it’s well worth measuring your flat screen television in order to create a frame for your television, which will make your television look like a piece of art, rather than an eyesore.

If you’re interested in using your DIY skills to build a custom-made frame for your television, just be sure to make your frame 1cm bigger than your television, so that it will comfortably fit inside its new frame, without incurring any scratches.

3. Give an old chaise or ottoman a new lease on life with brand new fabric

Instead of simply throwing out a chaise or ottoman which has faded or ripped fabric, you’ll easily be able to give your piece of furniture a new lease on life by reupholstering your item with an attractive, eye-catching fabric. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong opting for a luxurious velvet fabric in a dark hue such as navy or burgundy or opting for a classic floral print.

4. Sew your own cushion covers

If you don’t have the skills necessary in order to reupholster a chaise or an ottoman, you may want to work on your sewing skills by creating brand new cushion covers. That way you’ll be able to change your sofa’s cushion covers on a regular basis, which will change the look of your lounge, for a small cost. If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new sofa, it’s really worth creating an assortment of varying cushion overs.

So if you’re keen to complete a DIY project this weekend, you can’t go wrong choosing any of the four simple DIY projects which are listed above.

5 Home Redesign Tips

Whether you’re looking for ways to renovate your home in order to increase your home’s value or you’re simply looking to modernize your home, continue reading to discover 5 home redesign tips to contemplate.

5 Home Redesign Tips:

1. Consider placing a kitchen island in the center of your kitchen

If you’re looking to update the look of your kitchen, it’s well worth getting a practical yet stylish kitchen island installed in your kitchen. As not only will you be able to use your new kitchen island as extra counter space, to prep your favorite dishes but you’ll also be able to enjoy informal meals at your kitchen island. If you’re interested, simply purchase a few funky stools which you’ll be able to place next to your kitchen island.

2. Consider knocking down any walls which separate your kitchen and your lounge

If you’d like your kitchen and your lounge to appear most spacious than they actually are, you can easily create the illusion of space by knocking down any walls which separate your kitchen and your lounge in order to create a large, open plan space. Which you’ll enjoy spending time in.

As an added benefit you’ll love the fact that you’ll be able to talk to your friends and family members in your lounge when you’re cooking or eating in your kitchen. So if you love entertaining, it’s definitely worth creating a spacious open plan living, cooking and dining area.

3. Consider getting rid of a spare bedroom in order to create an ensuite bathroom for your master bedroom

If there’s a spare bedroom next to your master bedroom which you never use, you may want to consider getting a builder in to turn your spare bedroom into a modern, ensuite bathroom.

Alternatively, if your master bedroom offers little storage space, you may also want to consider turning the room which is currently a spare bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe. Which offers plenty of storage space for your clothes and accessories.

4. Consider installing glass sliding doors, which open up to a deck

If you’d like to spend more time outdoors in the warm summer months, you may want to consider getting glass doors installed in your lounge or your master bedroom which open up to a high-quality deck. Where you’ll be able to read a book or sunbathe, whenever you’d like. One of the bonuses of having sliding glass doors installed in your home is that if it gets too hot all you have to do to increase airflow in your home is to open your glass sliding doors slightly, to let a breeze pass through your home.

5. Make sure that every bathroom in your home features a modern shower

If you live in an older style property which boasts a two in one bath and shower, which is tricky to get in and out of, it’s well worth removing your outdated two in one shower and bath in order to install a modern shower. Which will be much easier to climb in and out of on a daily basis and is likely to increase your home’s value!

So if you’re looking to renovate your home it’s well worth rethinking your home’s layout, by contemplating the 5 invaluable tips listed above.

5 Artsy Travel Destinations To Visit This Year

If visiting art galleries and purchasing art are among your favorite travel activities, simply continue reading to discover 5 artsy travel destinations which are well worth visiting.

5 Artsy travel destinations to visit this year:

1. Barcelona, Spain

If you’re a fan of cubist art or abstract art and would love to see some of Pablo Picasso’s artwork in person, it’s well planning a trip to Barcelona, as it is home to the Picasso Museum Barcelona. Where you’ll be able to browse the museum’s permanent collection which boasts 4,251 pieces as well as the museum’s temporary exhibits.

Whilst in Barcelona, it’s also worth visiting Park Guell, which was designed by the prominent architect Antonio Gaudi and features colorful mosaic buildings and seating. When you enter the Park Guell, make sure to spot the gatehouses which Gaudi based off the witch’s house in the much-loved children’s fairytale Hansel and Gretel.

2. Prague, the Czech Republic

If you’d love to be able to pick up a unique piece of art on your travels, your first stop in Prague should be the Charles Bridge, a picturesque historic bridge which hosts a daily market, where you’ll find dozens of artists at work creating one of a kind pieces of art. If you’re interested, you’ll even be able to purchase a painting of the Charles Bridge itself!

Whilst you’re in Prague, it’s also worth visiting Prague’s top-rated art museum the Museum Kampa, which specializes in showcasing art from talented central European artists.

3. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for producing a few of the world’s most famous artists, three examples of which include Vincent Van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer, and Rembrandt. So it’s well worth visiting the Netherland’s capital city if you’re interested in viewing original pieces from Dutch artists such as Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt.

If you’re keen on learning about the Netherland’s most famous artists it’s well worth visiting the Van Gogh Museum, the Hermitage Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Museum and the Rembrandt House Museum.

4. Berlin, Germany

Berlin is known for its striking street art, so if you’re a fan of non-conventional forms of art, it’s well worth taking a stroll through Berlin’s city streets! If you’re interested in viewing street art whilst learning about Berlin’s chequered past, it’s well worth taking an escorted tour of the remains of the Berlin Wall, which once separated East Berlin and West Berlin and is now covered in creative street art.

Berlin is also home to a multitude of art museums and galleries. Two examples of which are the KW Institute for Contemporary Art and the Berlinische Galerie, which is housed in a converted warehouse.

5. Tahiti

While you may be surprised to see Tahiti feature on a list of artsy travel destinations, most of the revered artist Paul Gaugin’s paintings were painted in Tahiti and depict Tahitian natives and beaches. So if you’d like to see the inspiration behind Paul Gaugin’s paintings, which hang in some of Europe’s most prestigious art museums, it’s definitely well worth visiting Tahiti.

So if you’re compiling a list of artsy travel destinations which you’d like to tick off your bucket list, it’s well worth adding all five of the destinations which are featured above, to your list.

Money Saving Tips Which Will Help Your Bank Balance Grow

If you’re on the hunt for fuss-free foolproof money saving tips, which will help your bank balance grow, simply continue reading.

Money saving tips which will help your bank balance grow:

1. Go through each transaction which you’ve made at the end of each week

At the end of each week, print out your online banking statements in order to track every transaction which you’ve made. As you may be surprised out how much money you spend at certain stores such as your favorite coffee shop or cafe and may be inspired to cut down on the amount of money which you spend at stores where you often waste a lot of your disposable income.

2. Make sure that you’ve signed up to the right smartphone provider

Not all mobile phone plans are created equally so it’s a smart idea to shop around for a smartphone plan which best suits your monthly usage habits. As an example, if you hardly use your smartphone’s data, there is little point paying for an expensive smartphone plan which boasts gigs of data, which you’re unlikely to use.

3. Never pay full item for an item

If one of your goals is to save money, it’s well worth waiting until items which you are interested in purchasing go on sale, rather than paying full price for an item. As in today’s fast-paced world where stock is continuously moved, most items will be discounted within a month.

4. Invite your friends over for a meal, instead of organizing to catch up at a pricey cafe or restaurant

If you don’t want to spend upwards of $25 every time you socialize with your friends, it’s well worth inviting a few of your friends over to your house to enjoy a casual barbecue or a potluck dinner, instead of arranging to meet at an overpriced cafe or restaurant. If you’re lucky your friends may return the favor and may invite you over to their house to share a meal.

5. Shop for preloved items for your kids

If you’re a parent, chances are that you regularly spend hundreds of dollars on purchasing clothes, toys and sports equipment for your kids. If you’d like to decrease the amount of money which you spend on your kids each month, whilst still providing them with the items which they need or want, it’s well worth visiting yard sales and thrift stores in order to find good quality used items. Examples of which may include school uniforms, bicycles, and sneakers.

It’s also well worth purchasing preloved clothes for your kids, which are in great condition as children grow fast, so there’s no point spending hundreds of dollars on brand new clothes for your kids, which they are likely to outgrow in a couple of months.

6. Don’t throw items out, when they can be repaired

While you may be tempted to throw an item out, such as a pair of jeans when it has a small hole, it’s well worth learning how to fix or mend items which can be repaired, instead of hastily throwing them out and purchasing a replacement.

So what are you waiting for? If you want to see your bank balance grow it’s well worth trying out some of the money saving tips listed above.