"Creating an online income with quality content and products." Entrepreneur WAHM, small publisher, owner of VintageHomeArts.com (Vintage Patterns & Cookbooks), NotarySources.com (resources for Mobile Notaries and Loan Signing Agents). Giant Squid 100, Squid Angel, and proud publisher of several purple star lenses. http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/NancyOram Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:01:28 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.squidoo.com/bakecakes How many movies have you seen featuring an old fashioned picnic or state fair with beautiful prize-winning cakes? Or maybe you're lucky enough to remember your mom's or grandma's delicious cakes on special occasions? Forget the cake mix. Roll up your sleeves and put on that apron. With some basic ingredients and the secrets of the best cake makers from the good old days, you can surprise your family and maybe yourself with a to-die-for old-fashioned homemade cake. food-and-cooking Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:33:43 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/dogpattern This vintage dog sweater pattern will fit most small and medium sized dogs. Knitted with knitting worsted in any color your dog loves best. Show your best friend your love by knitting this versatile pattern for doggy warmth and style. I hope you enjoy this vintage dog sweater pattern from the 1940s. I'd love to see this knitted up in cherry red. . Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. pets-and-animals Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:45:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cowboybooties How cute are these! Baby cowboy or cowgirl booties, complete with spurs, you can make in any color you choose. What a surprise hit at baby showers this will be. This is a best seller offered free only here on Squidoo. I hope you enjoy this free vintage baby booties pattern from the 1950s. Skip down the page for the link to the pattern. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:45:18 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/charlesdickenslife Charles Dickens documented his own life in his novels, which are quite autobiographical. You can also trace his actual life, family and travels through genealogy records and documents available online. Photos and proof of Dickens' life are presented in chronological order. Links to specific websites detailing his life and works are offered for more intense study. Presented here is a documented chronology of Charles Dickens' life and works all in one place. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:54:13 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/candysecrets If you love old fashioned candy, why not try making some yourself. These candymaking secrets, recipes and techniques come straight from the original antique candy cookbooks, back in the days when every neighborhood had its own candy store, and taffy pulls were family recreation. Making hand-crafted old fashioned candy is an art, but it's very simple to learn. Everything you need to know is included on this page. Make it a holiday family activity and it might become a time-honored tradition. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:44:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/valentines-images Enjoy some vintage and antique art and images for your Valentine's Day crafts and projects. Make your own Valentine's Cards, invitations, scrapbook pages, kid's crafts or altered art collage. Use these on your blog or web site. These images are from my collection of antique and vintage cards. To use them simply right click the image and save. There are absolutely no restrictions on their use. I hope you enjoy them. Happy Valentine's Day. I love you :) holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:50:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fabergeornament Russian egg designs inspired by those created by Peter Carl Faberge for the Russian Czars in the 19th century. Mouth blown hand decorated glass egg ornaments made by skilled artisans in Eastern Europe in the centuries-old traditions of European glass blowing. You'll find this collection stunning! A few on a tree will stand out. An entire tree decorated with these Faberge eggs would be elegant beyond imagination. But truly meaningful collections are thoughtfully acquired without rush, one piece at a time. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:48:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/knittedbonnet This adorable vintage baby bonnet pattern is knitted. Most of the baby cap patterns I find are for crochet. I'm happy to share this treasure with you for that special baby you're stitching for. This sweet little bonnet is from the 1940s. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:45:59 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/threadbonnet This is a unique vintage thread crochet baby cap pattern featuring a smart Greek Key design. Thread crochet baby hats are very sought after by new moms. They make very thoughtful baby shower gifts and become priceless heirlooms. No christening outfit is complete without one. This antique baby bonnet pattern is from the 1920s I hope you enjoy it. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:46:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/christmasplates E ntertaining for friends and family during the holiday season calls for special dinnerware and serving pieces. Whether your style is elegant or casual, you'll want everything to look special. All your carefully prepared holiday food will taste better on festive dinnerware. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:46:35 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/waterfordornaments The tradition of Waterford Crystal brings elegance to your holiday decorating. Waterford crystal Christmas tree ornaments, hand-painted glass ornaments, and lead crystal figures, candlesticks and serving dishes bring sparkle and warmth to your home. Highly collectible, these pieces are stunning. Just browsing will put you in a holiday mood. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:49:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/woodensaladbowls A newlywed essential, wooden salad bowls are a truly thoughtful and unique gift. Brides and grooms use and appreciate them. From formal dining to patio entertaining, they are one of today's must-haves for the well-equiped kitchen, not to mention how much better fresh salads taste when tossed in a beautiful, organic, handcrafted wooden salad bowl. weddings Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:51:31 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bolerobedjacket This lovely vintage bolero knitted bed jacket pattern is very much in style today for young and old. It's a practical and versatile pattern. Complete knitting pattern and directions are provided. I hope you enjoy this vintage bolero knitting pattern from the 1930s. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Vintage Home Arts has recently published A Collection of Vintage Knitted Bed Jacket Patterns: 30 Designs on Amazon. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:53:45 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetbonnets Special occasions call for special baby hats. Vintage thread crochet baby bonnets are the perfect choice for christenings and other important days. Here is a collection of rare original thread crochet patterns for these old fashioned baby bonnets. If you crochet, this is the most appreciated baby gift you can present. It will be used, treasured and kept as a family heirloom. Photo credit: WendysWTN on Flickr.com arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:58:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/organicunderwear U nderwear, the clothes you wear right next to your skin, should be pure, natural and free of chemicals that can cause rashes, irritation or itching. The most comfortable underwear you can wear is made from natural organic fibers. If you go organic nowhere else in your wardrobe, be sure you go organic here where it counts the most. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:47:11 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/little-lulu Little Lulu Comic Books were my favorites growing up. I loved Little Lulu outsmarting Tubby and telling Witch Hazel stories to Alvin. Recently I located a vintage Little Lulu comic book and was delighted to rediscover the classic content from an adult reader's perspective. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:57:27 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/jimshorefolkart Jim Shore designs are uniquely carved folkart country pieces for any occasion, and especially created for holiday decorating. This is a collection selected especially for Christmas country-style decorating. Each piece is highly collectible, yet affordable. Every piece of Jim Shore's artwork will add beauty and warmth to your home. I can't say enough about this collection, but actually each piece speaks for itself. Enjoy the sites. If you're like me it will be difficult to choose a favorite. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:50:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/knitteddoily Knitted doily patterns are rare and hard to find. This vintage knitted star doily pattern produces a finely crafted showpiece of knitted lace. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:55:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/christening Beautiful heirloom quality traditional white gowns and suits are called for when baby is christened or baptized. These handpicked selections are of the highest quality and workmanship. A great selection of formal as well as less fussy styles are available. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:54:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/notarysigningagent A Notary Loan Signing Agent is a Notary who conducts the signing of loan closing papers, notarizing those of the documents requiring notarization. They are often Mobile Notaries who are sent to the borrower's home or office with the loan papers, saving them a trip to the title company during office hours. The Notary must know enough about the loan papers to explain what they are without offering any legal or professional advice. business-and-work Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:52:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/familypajamas It's a family tradition for many families to have matching pajamas for the holidays. Fun and practical when family and friends visit for everyone to show up in matching pajamas. Great for family reunions and camping. Start your own matching family pajama tradition this year, and don't forget to take lots of pictures. Here are some selections available in all sizes for cozy family gatherings. Photo: thegitchoclan holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:09:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/heartsachet Valentine heart sachets for hangers or to tuck into drawers or shoes. You can make this project over and over for gifts and to treat yourself to upscale custom wardrobe touches. These trendy accessories cost a fortune in stores. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:58:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetbag I t's easy to make your own unique designer bag or purse from vintage crochet patterns. Why vintage? Because there's more variety and better quality when you reach back into the 1930s through the 1950s for your crochet patterns. You get better patterns at a lower cost. Modern crochet patterns aren't as detailed, and are usually just reworks of the old patterns anyway. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:52 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/nativity A Christmas essential, the Nativity is now crafted in a variety of styles and materials. From elegant procelain and crystal to metal, wood, ceramic and plastic. There is something for everyone and every budget. My personal favorites are the children's play sets. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:22:38 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/vintagedoggy T oday's well-dressed doggies are sporting vintage designs to match their owners' styles. Ranging from $49 to $280 when purchased ready-made, these dog sweaters and coats can be knitted and crocheted from vintage patterns for a fraction of the cost. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:55:34 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/Colma With a population of about 1,500 above ground and over 1.5 million underground, Colma, California, just south of San Francisco, became known as "The City of the Dead" or "City of the Souls." It's where deceased residents of San Francisco were relocated at the turn of the century, and where many of today's San Franciscans plan on retiring permanently. travel-and-places Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:04:29 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/lenoxornaments Best known for China and figurines, Lenox Christmas collectibles come in a variety of styles and subjects. Fine China, silver and crystal represent the symbols of the holiday season, wrapping your home in elegant style. It's time to add some heirloom quality Lenox to your Christmas collectibles. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:20:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/rippledog This vintage pattern uses a popular ripple design for fancy duds for doggy. The pattern even includes matching owner's coat and a cute little doggy jibber (hat). It's my most popular crocheted dog sweater pattern. I'm offering it exclusively on Squidoo. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:56:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/leather-gloves-for-women There is nothing more luxurious and stylish than leather gloves to keep your hands warm. Nothing says classic elegance like fine leather gloves. They're also very practical in that they keep wind and cold from penetrating through to your hands like most fibers do, and they last a very long time. I've had my favorite leather gloves for almost 25 years and they're as good as new, with no special handling or treatment. If you love the quality and chicness of true leather, you'll love the hand-picked selections offered here. Model's gloves: Pure Leather Gloves Trimmed with Real Mink. All image credits at bottom of page. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:14:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetaprons Aprons are back! Vintage aprons are hot, and If you love to crochet, here is a source of vintage apron patterns for you to try. This one features the popular favorite pineapple crochet, forming a flattering and romantic heart shape. These make wonderful gifts and become valuable heirlooms to treasure forever. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/babyshrug This vintage baby shrug sweater pattern has become a modern layette essential. So sweet and comfortable, and just right to keep baby warm on cool days. Make matching mom and baby shrugs. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:59:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/hot-cocoa My mother used to make hot chocolate (she always called it hot cocoa) on the stove with milk and real cocoa powder. We had it often for breakfast and on cold evenings. I can still remember the smell of the milk scalding on the stove, and then the wonderful aroma of the baking chocolate being added. Often it was accompanied by cinnamon toast or homemade biscuits. What a treat! What a memory! food-and-cooking Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:29:06 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/tupperware-wedding Tupperware products are perfect for couples who like to cook together in well-organized kitchen spaces. Whether a kitchen is small or large, Tupperware helps maximize the space available for preparing and preserving food. No, I'm not a Tupperware dealer, but I do love their products, and so do serious cooks. Tupperware saves time, space and money. If you think of Tupperware as pastel plastic bowls circa the 1950s, you're in for a pleasant surprise. I'd like to share my favorite Tupperware products to give as wedding and shower gifts. The recommendations and reviews are mine personally, based on long experience and ownership of Tupperware products. I've kept my recommendations to a limited number. Keep in mind there are hundreds of Tupperware products in a full range of price points, colors and sizes. Many sets are offered in different collections and configurations. If you don't see exactly what you're looking for, or want a different color, continue to explore TW's full product line. weddings Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:49:07 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetclutch What a smart looking clutch purse or evening bag. Stitched in popcorn squares, this bag can easily be enlarged or reduced. A zipper closing expertly finishes the look. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:44:54 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/vintageknitcrochet T oday's fashions, and more importantly your own unique style, can be made using vintage patterns. Vintage knitting and crochet patterns often are superior in design and detail. You have only to provide the color and texture and a few customizations that make it all yours. You can go for a vintage look and feel, or completely modernize it. Either way, there is more variety and creativity involved when you include vintage patterns in your collection. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:12:36 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetberet This vintage pattern uses the popular popcorn stitch to make this trendy beret hat. The pattern works up quickly. Make a fashion statement this winter with many different colored berets. Also makes a great gift. This vintage hat pattern is from the 1940s. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:59:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/swarovskiornaments Swarovski crystal Christmas Ornaments are stunning. Even a non-collector can tell the difference in quality with just one glance. Please enjoy this collection of Swarovski's offerings for this Christmas season. Daniel Swarovski was an Austrian glass cutter and jeweler born in Bohemia. In 1892 he patented an electric cutting machine that facilitated the production of lead crystal glass jewelery that is now famous all over the world. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:21:20 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/vintagechristmasimages This is a collection of vintage Christmas images and art from my vintage paper collection. These are delightful and old fashioned images taken mostly from an antique postcard collection left to me by my great uncle. I've collected a few on my own along the way. Most are Victorian era as well as some really cute art deco, and everything in between. There are no restrictions or conditions for using these. They are entirely in the public domain and copyright free. If you want to credit or link to this site, feel free, but it's not necessary. To use, simply right click the photo and save. I never get tired of looking at these beautiful images and I hope you enjoy them as well. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:29:07 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/preemiesonly My twins were born premature, weighing about four pounds each. Clothing for the first six months was hard to find. After that, they could wear regular infant size. Here is a selection of Preemie wear, from the essentials to special occasions. Preemies deserve to look their best, too. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:03:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/shadepulls This is a fun vintage crochet pattern with lots of uses. Not only are they shade, fan or curtain pulls, but they make great Christmas tree ornaments and snowflakes. Kids like them as charms on totes and backpacks and for zipper pulls. You can go crazy with this one. Fun and useful, too. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:49:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/designerornaments Collectible glass Christmas tree ornaments express the richness of the season in vivid or soft colors. These are the artists version of the plain traditional glass bulb. Whether your style is quiet elegance or bright and playful, these heirloom decorations will be passed down from generation to generation. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:02:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bunnybib This adorable vintage baby bib pattern features a cute little bunny motif. Choose your own colors and quickly crochet half a dozen for the newest member of the family. Make one or more for a baby shower. This pattern will work up quickly and you'll want to make several. This vintage pattern comes from the 1950s. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:21:16 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/knitangorastole This vintage angora stole is a stunning choice for proms and formal evening wear. A simple pattern with elegant results. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:42:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/organicgiftbaskets Everyone loves gift baskets. Everyone appreciates the quality of organic food. Put them together and you have purely the best in products and manufacturing. Here is a hand-picked variety of gift baskets for every occasion. I love receiving a gift basket full of natural and high quality goodies I might never buy for myself. You can't go wrong with this choice that's sure to please everyone. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:15:04 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/pure-cashmere-sweaters Not only is cashmere luxurious and fashionable, but nothing feels softer against your skin. When you're wearing a cashmere sweater, you feel pampered and wonderful, and you look as good as you feel. The look and feel of quality is absolutely unmistakable. Cashmere may cost more, but in the long run it's a great investment. Cashmere sweaters last much longer than any other knitted product. Quality cashmere won't pill up, doesn't wrinkle and travels well. In addition, cashmere is warm in winter and cool in summer, outlasts any other garments you own, and should actually last a lifetime. Pamper yourself or someone you love with the gift of a luxurious cashmere sweater. fashion-and-beauty Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:07:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/turkish-delight-recipes Turkish Delight is a gelatin-like fruity candy and is truly delightful, especially in the holiday season. It's been a Christmas tradition for years, whether it's homemade or purchased. The original recipe and method for making Turkish Delight has evolved through the ages. Different countries have their own versions, and methods have in some cases been simplified. No matter what recipe you choose to work with, it should result in something delectable. Turkish Delight has enjoyed a newfound popularity since the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia, in which Edmund craves the tempting sweet. Photo Credit: By Plonq holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:45:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/plumpudding A n old English Victorian tradition, steamed plum and figgy pudding right out of a Dickens novel. Here are the authentic recipes straight out of vintage and antique cookbooks. Make it an old fashioned Christmas tradition. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:25:26 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cbronte Charlotte Bronte, British novelist and author of Jane Eyre, one of the most popular English novels of all time. The eldest of the three famous Bronte sisters, and one brother, all writers. Charlotte used the pen name Currer Bell and also wrote Shirley, Villette, The Professor, and Emma, which was never finished. When I read Jane Eyre in high school it became my favorite book of all the books I had read to that point in my young life. Now, many many years later, and after hundreds if not thousands more books read, it still holds that place in my heart. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:24:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/daffodildoily Spring is in the air with this popular vintage daffodil doily. What a breathtaking centerpiece. People can't help commenting on the beauty of this work of art. Whether you like doilies in general or not, everyone likes the artistry of this design. The daffodil motifs can be worked separately for other projects as well. How about a vase full of these beautiful happy flowers. This is one of my most popular doily patterns and I'm sharing it with you exclusively on Squidoo. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:11:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetlingerie O ld vintage and antique crochet patterns are being snatched up for trendy new fashions. It's easy to create your own unique one-of-a-kind top, dress, or lingerie with needle and thread. So romantic when combined with silk or satin fabric. The possibilities are limitless. Handmade crochet articles have never been more fashionable. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:45:25 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/babylamb This sweet little baby lamb is one of my most popular patterns. It pleases the youngest to oldest child, and even adults, too. The popcorn stitches give it a chenille look. Vintage toy patterns are so cute and old fashioned. This vintage pattern came from the 1940s. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:02:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/adventcalendars Christmas advent calendars are a fun tradition for young and old. Remember when you made a construction paper Christmas chain in school and cut one link off each day until Christmas? From the simplest to the ornate, advent calendars help us count down to the big day. It's amazing how many different types and styles there are to mark each exciting day until the big event. You can purchase one from these suggestions, or you can let them inspire you to create your own. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:17:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/musical-mobiles-for-baby Musical baby crib mobiles have become a nursery essential. Baby mobiles serve two important, but almost opposite, functions. Mobiles are used to both stimulate and soothe baby. When baby is awake and alert, mobiles stimulate learning and entertain. When baby is ready for nap or bedtime, mobiles soothe and promote a relaxing atmosphere, lulling baby to sleep. Amazingly, the same mobile can serve both functions. Both stimulating and soothing: Animal Carousel Mobile. hobbies-games-toys Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:52:12 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/halloween-wreath-designs When decorating for Halloween it's all about the door. The following Halloween wreath ideas and designs stand out for their beauty and creativity. Most are fairly easy to create and can be customized and embellished with your own unique style. Scary, creepy, cute or silly, your wreath will set the tone at the door. Photo: freehalloweenideas.com (instructions further on) holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:01:59 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/heartedging Say "Be My Valentine" with this vintage Valentine heart edging pattern. It's unique, timeless and versatile. I recently discovered this antique pattern and want to share it especially for Valentine's Day. I can think of a hundred uses for it. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:12:16 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/dickenschristmas R oasted chestnuts, Christmas punch, figgy pudding, holly and ivy. An old fashioned Victorian Dickens-style Christmas calls for rich family traditions, decorating and fun from bygone days. Get the whole family involved in creating a warm, cozy Christmas never to be forgotten. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:47:43 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/strictlyjaneausten Jane Austen is loved and noted for her witty observations of 19th-century English society. Her works combine romantic comedy with social satire and keen personal insight. With an ever-growing fan base, Jane Austen's novels have also been interpreted into several film versions. Presented here is free access to all of Jane Austen's works and several biographies, as well as a selection of commercial versions and other items of interest to Jane Austen fans. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:03:08 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/john-grisham John Grisham has to be at the top of every legal thriller list. He has lived the life and then written about it with the experience and style that make his best-selling fiction absolutely compelling to read. Read a short biography of John Grisham, interviews and links to his official website. His books are then arranged in chronological order, with their summaries, DVDs of some of his books, and a movie trailer (preview) to give an idea of what the story is about. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:23:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/creative-halloween-cupcake-designs Cupcakes are really hot right now, and it's time to find designs and recipes for the very best Halloween themed cupcakes you can find. It took me hours to sort through Halloween cupcake ideas and recipes to come up with just a few I felt were the very best creative designs and ideas. I hope you enjoy these selections of my top picks for Halloween Designer Cupcakes. These unique and adorable octopus cupcakes are from: familygo. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:38:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/polarbearstore Raise polar bear awareness or just enjoy their beauty, there's something for every age and interest. Polar bear books, DVDs, soft plush animals, calendars, jewelry, art posters, ornaments -- babies to adults fall in love with the beauty and majesty of these arctic creatures. Come in and browse. Looking is half the fun! pets-and-animals Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:09:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cutebabyshoes There's nothing cuter than tiny pink baby feet, and the little tiny soft shoes that cover them should be just as soft, natural, comfortable, safe and CUTE! Such shoes are not always easy to find, at least in a sufficient variety of styles and colors. I've researched some sources and gathered them toggether here in one place so your work will be easier. Whether you buy any or not, these are so adorable to look at! parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:43:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/grannyafghan This vintage pattern has been around in assorted variations for ages. Easy to learn crochet on, and extremely versatile. It also has the advantage of adapting to using up leftover yarn. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:25:53 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/the-uncarved-halloween-pumpkin Okay, maybe I'm a little lazy, but I love to find ways to decorate for Halloween without having to carve that pumpkin. I was delighted at the ideas I found from amazingly creative crafters. Each pumpkin decorating technique presented here is just the starting point for making your own original pumpkin creation. You'll find a picture of each pumpkin decorating idea with a link to the instructions. They're all quite simple, and you'll enjoy discovering new ways to make that Jack-o-lantern without the carving. . This first one is pretty obvious, but here is the link to the crafter: Martha Moments. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:11:05 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetfascinators Vintage patterns are in vogue right now, and I seem to get lots of orders for fascinator patterns. Fascinators are a type of head covering or scarf or hood, usually combined with a shoulder covering as well. Very romantic and practical. Here are three variations I'd like to share. I hope you enjoy these free patterns from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:03:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/elegant-halloween-tables Enjoy this collection of sophisticated and elegant Halloween table settings that are showcased for their creativity and design. I've also researched resources and related ideas to help you craft your own unique style into your Halloween table. I hope you feel inspired by the creations of these wonderfully talented contributors. Let's set the table! holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:45:47 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/strongwaterornaments C ollected by such notables as Tom Hanks, Whoppi Goldberg, Cate Blanchette, Sir Elton John and Hallie Berry, Jay Strongwater designs are breathtaking. The artistry and design are unmatchable; the materials and craftmanship unsurpassed. Truly of the highest quality and collectibility, presenting the Jay Strongwater Collection. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:48:07 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/knittedcamisole Yesterday's vintage patterns make today's trendy fashions. This knitted camisole or undershirt tank is a great fashion accessory to wear today as outerwear or underwear. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:44:24 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/vintagehomearts I love all the home arts; sewing, cooking, making a house a home! I especially love learning about how our mothers and grandmothers learned homemaking skills and created things. I started a collection of vintage crochet and knitting patterns, and also antique cookbooks, and decided to combine my work with my hobby. I restore and reprint books and single patterns and offer them for others to use and enjoy as well. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:10:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cookiesforbreakfast I love chocolate chip cookies. They're my very favorite. Our favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies includes ingredients so healthy I allow my kids to eat them for breakfast (occasionally). Chocolate chip cookies made with this recipe have more nutrition than most breakfasts kids eat today. food-and-cooking Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:17:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/halloweenimages Vintage Halloween images capture the best of the holiday. Somewhat creepy, scary, haunting. . .but mostly fun and historic. Ideas for using these is endless -- websites, crafts, invitations, whatever you want. They're just plain fun to look at. Let your imagination run wild and rework them into something entirely new. These delightful vintage Halloween images are from my vintage paper collection. I've enjoyed looking at them for many years and this is the best way I can think of to share them with you. There are no conditions for their use. They are copyright free and in the public domain. To use them simply right-click the image and save. No link or credit to this site is necessary, but I wouldn't complain if you did. Start with this sweet little Dutch Girl in a pretty yellow dress. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:22:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/kinkadeornaments Thomas Kinkade's style is made for the holidays. Soft, warm light and cozy scenes make wonderful ornaments, villages, figures, music boxes and globes. Everything speaks of a warm and loving home you can't wait to return to. You can almost smell gingerbread and cider as you browse his wonderful creations. I think you'll be delighted with this year's selections. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:52:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/pineappleapron This vintage pattern uses the popular pineapple design that's usually seen only in doilies. It has ribbon woven into the design. Aprons are making a huge comeback, and a vintage hand-crocheted pattern makes an heirloom treasure. Make one for yourself or give as a gift. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:30:54 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/ovenmitts Everyone needs oven mitts and pot holders. Have fun crocheting this vintage pattern and then get creative making it fit your decor. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:34 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/halloween-cookie-ideas Everyone loves Halloween cookies and you can find endless recipes and decorating ideas to delight little (and big) spooks on trick-or-treat night. I've narrowed down a few of my favorite recipes and ideas for delighting family and guests for Halloween. Each concept is pretty simple, and directions and recipes are provided, as well as a few resources for needed supplies and tools should you need them. The point of these choices is their simplicity. A baking project that is less complicated means more family fun. Get the whole family involved making these wonderful treats -- I promise, they taste better when it's a family affair. Happy Halloween! You can now visit More Halloween Cookie Ideas & Recipes. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/newyearsimages Why not use some vintage New Year's images and artwork to decorate your web page, make your own crafty card, send an invitation or make a scrapbook album page. These are vintage New Year's images from my collection of antique postcards and magazines. These images are entirely in the public domain and free to use, with no conditions for their use whatsoever. To use them just right click and save. Feel free to credit or link to this page -- or not. I hope you enjoy this little trip into the past as much as I have. Happy New Years! holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/knittedbedsocks Cute, trendy and snuggly bed socks please young and old. This vintage pattern fits all sizes. Weave a ribbon through or add soft elastic to the tops. Be sure to make some for yourself. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:38:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/treetopper S omething special belongs at the very top of the Christmas tree. Will it be a star, an angel, or something entirely original and different? Presenting a selection of Christmas Tree Toppers to match any family's style or mood. The top of the tree sets the standard for all the other decorations. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:16:08 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/notarypublic Each state commissions Notaries to notarize documents for the public when that document requires notarization. But it isn't always easy to find a Notary Public when you need one. There is always a need for good Notaries in every state. It's something to consider as a career or as an add-on to any career. business-and-work Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:19:59 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/babyorganics H ealthy, natural babies love the feel and comfort of organic, earth-friendly clothes and baby products. Organic and natural products come in nature's colors, or safe-color versions. It doesn't have to be plain, but it does have to be pure and safe. Of all the areas of your life to go natural and pure, your baby should be the place to start. Baby's skin is soft and tender. Start with the clothes right next to the skin and as you can make sure that all the other fibers that come in contact with baby are just as natural and pure. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:01:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/organickids Healthy, natural kids love the feel and comfort of organic, earth-friendly clothes. Organic and natural products come in nature's colors, or safe-color versions. It doesn't have to be plain, but it does have to be pure, safe and sustainable. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:49:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/Family-History-Scrapbooks The easiest way to organize that pile of family history photos and documents is into scrapbook binders. I'm not talking about the creative fancy scrapbooks that are a popular hobby right now. I'm just talking about a simple way to chronologically file and organize all that paper that tends to pile up, into easy-to-access three-ring binders. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:42:33 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/polarbeariceberg I mmigrants to America aboard the ship Wisconsin were treated to the sight of a polar bear in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as it floated by on an iceberg. Apparently this was a common sight in the late 1800s. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:04:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/more-halloween-cookies Halloween Cookies are such fun for the whole family to make, and they're easy, too. My first collection of Halloween cookie decorating ideas and recipes, Delightfully Spooky Halloween Cookies the Whole Family Can Create, was just the tip of the iceberg. I hope you enjoy these equally fun Halloween creations. Remember, getting the whole family involved is part of the treat, or maybe the trick! holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:50:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/wraprage-clamshellpackaging I absolutely hate the heavy clamshell packaging that seems to encapsulate everything these days. It's not just difficult and frustrating, but dangerous as well. Once I finally am able to somehow break into the package, I often get cut on the jagged-edged, razor-sharp heavy plastic left behind. This is especially dangerous for children and the fragile elderly. It's beyond frustrating and impossible for anyone with arthritis. The good news is that some retailers are listening and attacking this problem with new (shouldn't that be old?) frustration-free packaging. The bad news is that they have a long way to go to really solve the problem. In the meantime, there are tips and solutions to help you break through that packing bubble in a safe way. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:50:19 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/brand-position-story The question came up as we tried to grasp this concept. Just what is the difference between branding and the story? And where does the concept of positioning fit in the whole picture? Books like Al Ries' The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding mix the concepts of brand, position and story, which is part of the issue when you try to parse out just what your story is and whether it fits with the worldview of your audience. Getting a good grasp on the three is a key step in getting the marketing right for a product or business. (Or the business right for the marketing.) Let's explore how Seth Godin defined them for us and what they mean for you (and me!) in developing a business plan. Original text of this lens by Susan Villas Lewis. business-and-work Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:28:33 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/promjacket Wraps, shrugs, boleros, shorties or short jackets are very stylish today. They were also stylish in past eras. Combining stylish and vintage together scores a hit for today's proms and parties. It's a bonus that they're easy to make from vintage patterns. Why a vintage pattern? Because they're high quality patterns in a greater variety. After all, you have about sixty years' worth to choose from! arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:07:47 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/santaskirt Enjoy making this jolly Santa Christmas tree skirt. It's a timeless, delightful and not-too-difficult pattern. The family will use it for years to come. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:46:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetsnowman Welcome the holidays with this adorable crafty snowman and his crocheted hat, scarf and features. This will work up so fast you'll want to create a whole snowman family. And the hat and scarf can deck out a small doll or teddy. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:16:38 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetgarter Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. This vintage pattern to make a bridal garter will fit at least two of those traditions. Surprise the bride with a floral bride's garter that will become an heirloom keepsake through the years. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:43:06 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/thanksgivingimages A collection of vintage warm and homey Thanksgiving images and art. Some are delightfully old fashioned and others cute and fanciful. I can think of dozens of projects to use these for, from dinner cards to scrapbook pages. If you're good with a photo editor, you can save some as coloring pages. The Thanksgiving images presented here are from my vintage paper collection. I've inherited and collected antique and vintage images for many years and now I'd like to share them. There are no conditions for their use. They are copyright free and in the public domain. To use them simply right-click the image and save. No link or credit to this site is necessary, but I wouldn't complain if you did. There's the dinner bell. It's time for Thanksgiving! holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:15:32 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/nativityornaments Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, the Holy Family, are depicted in a variety of styles in Nativity Christmas ornaments. Represent the Christmas Story on your tree, or decorate entirely in the true spirit of Christmas with religious ornaments. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:25:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/familychristmasstockings The tradition of Christmas stockings hung by the chimney with care is shared in some version by almost every country in the world. Originally the person's own sock was used, but at some point special Christmas socks were made and today the choices and styles for store bought and handmade are endless. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:43:13 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/west-point-wooing Miss Sally Elliot, a kindergarten teacher of modest means living with her mother, accepts an invitation to holiday at West Point. Underestimating her own worth as the object of affection of more than one West Point man, she protects herself by withdrawing and holding these men at a well-defined distance. Too afraid and unwilling to explore the true feelings of her own heart, she has managed to also keep that at a distance, especially from herself. Will she realize her true feelings in time? A delightful Victorian Romance short story that bears deeper reflection as you realize this story isn't taking the expected turn of events. You might not be able to predict the true winner of Miss Elliot's heart in A West Point Wooing. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:25:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/diaperrashanswers D iaper rash can be a persistent and recurring problem in babies. Treating diaper rash effectively and then preventing it from coming back is a challenge every new mom faces at one time or another. As a mother of seven, I've seen lots of cases of diaper rash, along with all the causes and hundreds of cures. I was in the "lab" for many years (my oldest was 21 when my twins were born). My research isn't scientific, but my experience is real. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:36:22 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/pet-gifts Pet owners love to receive pet gifts. And we all love to remember our pet companions with special treats on holidays. Here is a collection of gifts selected especially for the pets (and pet owners) we love. pets-and-animals Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:29:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/stevemartini Steve Martini expertly crafts brilliant legal thrillers. His years of legal experience, coupled with a well-polished journalistic style, make him one of the most talented modern fiction writers today. I've read every one of his books and can't wait for a new one to be published. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:19:31 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/their Before your eyes roll back in your head, there's a very simple way to learn when and how to use the three "there words": there, their, they're. People are expected to know the proper use of these most popular homonyms/homophones. When used incorrectly, writers instantly lose credibility, and students will get their homework rejected. It's easy, so get it right. There! education Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:21:01 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/betsyrossdoll This stunning vintage crochet pattern captures all the details of the period, along with Betsy Ross's famous flag. This carefully crafted pattern will fit any 7 1/2 - inch display doll. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:36:53 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/tomdickson Tom Dickson is best known for demonstrating his Blendtec Total Blenders by turning unlikely things like iPhones into iDust. His popularity exploded on YouTube making him an Internet rock star with a cult following. A prolific inventor and CEO of Blendtec, Tom's extremely successful viral video advertising campaign has earned him a diverse collection of awards. He's been a guest on Jay Leno and The Today Show, as well as "I Want That," and Modern Marvels on The History Channel. business-and-work Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:02:32 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/beaba-babycook The Beaba Babycook has been big in Europe for years and just hit the US recently. This one-of-a-kind appliance that steams, blends, purees, defrosts or warms up your baby's food all in one compact countertop cooker. Use it to steam cook vegetables, fruits and meats in less than 15 minutes, preserving the vitamins and minerals in the food. Includes a cooking basket, spatula, recipe booklet and 2.5 cup capacity bowl. Now, making your own baby food isn't a new thing. And you can do it using things you probably already have - a steamer, a food processor. But there's something to be said for the convenience of doing it all in one unit with just one thing to clean up afterward. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:08:12 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/genealogycoincidence A very unlikely meeting between unrelated people looking for the same information. Spinning microfilm stopping at the exact name being looked for out of thousands of other names. Pages falling out of a stack of papers with just the desired information. These are just a few of the amazing stories people have to tell while researching their family tree. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:27:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bestgiftbaskets Gift baskets make nice practical gifts. There is a gift basket for everyone and every occasion. But not all gift baskets are really good selections. This list contains only the best of the thousands of choices placed before you. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:27:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/christmasdvds Whether it's a movie about Christmas or a movie with a Christmas or holiday setting, it's time to start getting the Christmas spirit by curling up with your favorite holiday movies. Here are some of my favorites. Be sure and tell me yours. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:31:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bestbaby T oday's moms want nothing but the best for their babies. Soft, natural baby clothes and products please both mom and baby. Enjoy these gift suggestions of top picks for baby in various price ranges. Sometimes it's hard to think of just the right thing for a shower gift. These spotlighted gift ideas should at least get you thinking until you come up with something that you feel is just right. P.S. The red wagon gift basket can be found further down the page. parenting-and-kids Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:20:35 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/namedemographics Currently the most popular surnames in the United States are: Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, Jones, Miller, Davis, Garcia, Rodriguez, Wilson. Would you like to know the popularity of your name and where it came from? Many names have religious or cultural meanings, and in looking up the origins of a name you will notice the patterns used through the generations. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/radko-halloween-ornaments Christopher Radko is famous for his glass designer Christmas Tree Ornaments. Here is a selection of just his Halloween-themed tree ornaments. Christopher Radko started designing fine glass ornaments in the mid 1980s when the family Christmas tree toppled over, shattering every rare vintage glass ornament on it. Unable to locate suitable replacements, he worked with a Polish glassblower to recreate from memory the lost ornaments. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:34:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/casserolecrochet Carry your casseroles in style. This vintage pattern is one of the most useful I've come across, however it gets overlooked because of the photo, I think. The pattern has instructions for round and rectangular casserole dishes. You'll wonder how you lived without them. I hope you enjoy this free pattern from Vintage Home Arts. You'll find the link to the pattern down in the next section. Visit Vintage Home Arts online at vintagehomearts.com. arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:17:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/genealogylightside W hen you research your genealogy you run the risk of discovering inlaws and outlaws, literally. If you're squeamish about what you might find you better not look. Almost every family has a skeleton in the closet. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:42:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/halloween-food-molds Halloween Parties today are creepier than ever! If you're planning a spooky gathering this year, be sure to treat your guests to food that's both disgusting and delicious. Serve up creepy brains, eyeball punch, witches fingers and moldy cheese. Let your imagine run wild, but don't be surprised if you have lots of leftovers. Here are some ideas to get you started on your creepiest, scariest Halloween party ever. Inspiration for these yummy spider eggs: Sunset. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:03:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/jim-shore-halloween-collectibles Talented designer, Jim Shore, has a wonderful, whimsical line of Halloween collectibles. Perfect for those Halloween vignettes throughout the house, or for Halloween or Christmas tree ornaments. Included in his collections are pumpkins, witches, black cats, haunted houses, and even Disney characters. Enjoy this Halloween selection of my top picks, but don't forget to check out the rest of his collection that these might lead to. I couldn't possibly include all of them here. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:36:38 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/babys-1st-christmas-ornaments A new baby this year means a special commemorative "Baby's First Christmas" Ornament. This is a collection of heirloom quality ornaments for baby's first Christmas, designed to last for generations to come. Mark your child's very first Christmas with their own special ornament to take with them when they're grown and passed on to their children to add to a special family tree. Hallmark's: Baby's First Christmas Baby Carriage. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:26:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/genealogystart F inding your ancestors is a basic desire of almost everyone. There are many good genealogy guides online with great information. This mini guide is meant to be a very basic, simple start. You don't have to be overwhelmed with information to get started researching your genealogy. Start at the start. The experts have to begin there, too, each time they research a new line. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:32:22 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/reed-barton-ornaments Reed & Barton, Silversmiths since 1824, are known as artisans of exquisite sterling silver and silverplate. This is a selection from their exclusive Christmas ornament collection. A not-so-well-known fact is that the company also produces stunning European blown glass ornaments as well. All of the Reed & Barton Christmas collection is of the highest quality and breathtakingly beautiful. These collectibles are heirloom quality and will last not only a lifetime, but throughout generations. Reed & Barton's Byzantine Bell Ornament. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:41:20 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/InvisibleMatch "Was she falling in love with him, or still more alarming thought, had the fall been already accomplished? She tried to gauge the strength of inclination toward him by recalling some of the half-forgotten love affairs of her younger days. She found such a standard of measurement almost useless. She had been scarce more than a child then, whereas she was now a fully developed woman and capable of a depth of feeling quite impossible in former years. Compared with her young maiden fancies the emotion which swayed her now differed in kind no less than in degree." A delightful Victorian Romance awaits you. Can you guess the secret of The Invisible Match? books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:48:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/being-on-purpose No one wants to wake up one day and wonder where their lives went. No one wants to leave the earth a worse place than when they left it. No one wants to spend every day in a job they hate with people they don't respect. And yet, every day so many people choose to do just that. They fail to tap into their potential and choose a different path, one with purpose and meaning and impact. They aren't living their lives "on purpose". The original text of this lens was written by Susan Villas Lewis. Photo by dbking from flickr and used under a Creative Commons license. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:46:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/CrumblingGravestones A strange but true genealogy story - Villamena Violet Doxey and Violet Annie Doxey both lived only a few months. The locations of their graves were unknown until about 100 years after their deaths when genealogist Gertrude Doxey tracked them down. But that's not the strange part. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:33:52 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/silvergold Fire and ice. The warmth of gold, the coolness of silver. Mixed together, a silver and gold holiday decorating theme makes a truly elegant statement. This is a classic and classy look. Contemporary, Victorian, Country or Classic -- any style will look good in these two colors. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:08:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/will-it-blend-blendtec-total-blender So you've seen the famous "Will it Blend?" videos and you know it will blend just about everything imaginable. But will it blend smoothies just the way you like them? Will it do other kitchen chores to justify the cost? Will it last? These and other questions will be answered in this review of the most famous blender on the market today. food-and-cooking Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:49:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/onlinegroceries G rocery shopping online is a huge time and money saver. Personal shoppers load your cart and deliver your items right to your kitchen. Now available in most areas, it's worth a try. Your time can be spent doing far more interesting things. healthy-living Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:18 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/sweater-dresses Sweater Dresses are the perfect winter wear. Warm and cozy, and appropriate for day or evening. Wear a sweater dress to work and add a few sparkly accessories for the holiday party that night. Sweater dresses are so versatile. Casual, classic, feminine, sporty, sexy - are all accurate descriptions for a warm knit sweater dress. It can be whatever you want it to be. Incorporate one or two sweater dresses into your winter wardrobe and see how many different things you can do with it. It's the perfect canvas for your winter mood. Model's Dress: Classic Cable Knit Sweater Dress by Velvet Women. fashion-and-beauty Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:04:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/94521PleasantHill Located in the San Francisco Bay Area in Contra Costa County, Pleasant Hill is literally right in the middle of everything the Bay Area has to offer, from sports venues to world-class arts and entertainment. Twenty minutes from the beach, two hours from snow, and public transportation connecting it all together. It's a great place to live. When I was growing up in Pleasant Hill, California a few decades ago, the population was about 15,000. Today it's over double that -- still small enough to keep its small town appeal, but an ever-growing dynamic community that has everything that modern living requires. Pleasant Hill has the best of both worlds. travel-and-places Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:23:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/GlamourofSpring The Glamour of Spring is a delightful and humorous short Victorian romance story by Susan Hartley Swett, set in the late 1800s. Orphans, Joe and his sister Nelly, live with their Aunt Jane in a provincial New England village. With another spring comes with it the reminder that Jane is not yet married. Her fortune teller friend predicts an eminent match and even names the gentleman. But who will the match be for, Aunt Jane or Nelly? All photos and illustrations used on this lens are from the private image files of Nancy Oram. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:28:53 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/NancyOram1 The Squidoo Lensography and mini Biography of Nancy Oram, Giant Squid, entrepreneur, WAHM, genealogist, Mobile Notary, vintage pattern publisher, and most important of all, mother of seven. "Creating an online income with quality content and products." I chose this picture because this is how I spend most of my waking hours, in front of a computer screen. squidoo-community Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:40:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/mormontabernaclechoir The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, nicknamed America's Choir, has been inspiring the public for over 150 years. Most famously known for it's rendition of "Battle Hymn of the Republic," the Choir is also known for providing the backdrop for the 2002 Winter Olympics under the direction of John Williams. Becoming more and more ecletic, the Tabernacle Choir stuns audiences not only with sacred hymns, but with folk songs, gospel, opera, patriotic and popular show tunes, often accompanied by famous artists in the music and entertainment industry. In recent years the Choir has appealed to a much younger audience who refer to it playfully as the MoTab. It's not just your grandma's choir anymore! music Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:47:19 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/digitalitemsonebay D igital product sellers represent a huge group of eBay sellers and are searching for ways to stay in business on eBay. eBay recently announced it will no longer support instant digital downloading of products within their active listings or store inventories. This is putting hundreds of digital products sellers scrambling for new ways to conduct business. Update: Even though eBay's announcement was made quite awhile ago, it remains a lacking element to the eBay experience. eBay has often tried to duplicate the Amazon shopping experience. Amazon is now selling more digital goods than anything else! I'm not holding my breath, but I think in time eBay might see the light. Unfortunately they're usually late to the party. To read the full announcement, go to eBay's General Announcement page. How will this change affect sales and customers? My listings are typical of other digital sellers on eBay. My patterns are still available from Vintage Home Arts on eBay, but will now be printed and mailed to customers. In addition to receiving a printed pattern, customers will receive a link to the digital download when I acknowledge receipt of payment. If a customer wants to save shipping and receive a digital file only, they will need to order from my business site off of eBay VintageHomeArts.com for future orders. But unfortunately this in no way recaptures the lost business from customers no longer able to locate what they are looking for in a simple eBay search. internet Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:51:27 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/giftshopper Trying to think of a unique gift for someone that's hard to buy for? This is a growing directory of ideas and resources to help you come up with the perfect gift for every person on your list. There are many occasions we feel obligated, or at least that it's appropriate to give a gift. Sometimes it's a social obligation and the recipient isn't someone we know well -- a new mother-in-law we've never met, the boss's birthday, a coworker is getting married. This is a collection of gift ideas to stimulate your own thinking. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:50:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/WAHMhowto For me working from home is both a necessity and a blessing. Learning how to make money online has been a long learning curve, but some very nice people along the way were willing to share tips and shortcuts, most of it free. Now I'd like to pass that knowledge along to someone else who might be just beginning the journey. business-and-work Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:48:34 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/nancyoram Shhhhh! Nancy working! Have a peek at what I'm working on if you're really quiet. Actually you might be bored to death! I created this little lens in an attempt to organize my online real estate and accounts, and experiment with new Squidoo lens modules. My intent is to create a sort of dashboard to have some links and other information in one place as I work on lenses and other content. It's a bit of an experiment and a giant work in progress. But I don't mind the visit if you don't mind the dust. business-and-work Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:47:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/SFEarthquake J oseph Heermance was one of the first volunteers to come to the aid of victims of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. With only his bicycle (simply called a "wheel" in the day) for transportation, he took the ferry from his home in Oakland to San Francisco with all the supplies he could carry. Joseph Orville Heermance is my great uncle. At his tallest he stood no more than 5'4". When he left on the ferry that day, his young bride of only four months stood on the front porch of their Oakland home, anxious for his safety. The following information is taken from newspaper articles, personal conversations with Uncle Joe, and his personal photos and artifacts, all relating to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:45:05 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/redrubberballatwork Kevin Carroll has turned a passion for playing ball into a life's work. And he thinks anyone can do it. Somewhere along the way from childhood to adulthood, we tend to lose the fun, the play. Carroll encourages us to recapture the play to make our work not just more fun, but also more productive. This book is a follow up to Carroll's first book - Rules of the Red Rubber Ball - where he lays out the foundation of his philosophy to transform your life. In this one, Carroll lays out five characteristics that can carry over from our childhood play to our work play - innovation, results, teamwork, leadership and curiosity - backing each up with specific stories from thought leaders, executives, entrepreneurs and ordinary people about the games they played as children and the lesson they now apply to their work. books-poetry-writing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:41:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/mobilepicturescanner Scanning photos and adding them to your genealogy files can be very time consuming and awkward, especially if they're secured in an old album. I was procrastinating this very chore for years. It wasn't just the time involved, but the fact that the old albums couldn't lay flat on the scanner. Removing them was a painstaking process, and still resulted in damage to either the photos themselves or the book they were mounted in. I had no idea until a couple of months ago that a perfect and inexpensive solution existed. There are portable or mobile hand-held scanners on the market that make the job not only easy, but fun. But the best part is that they can be used for lots of other things. Imagine while doing research you find just a paragraph of information on your family in an old book, or you want a copy of just a small part of an old map. With the hand-held portable scanner you are able to scan just the information you want without trying to fit the object on a copier (which often is prohibited anyway). relationships-and-family Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:15:29 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/ChristmasIdeaMall It's Christmas every month of the year on this site. Find designer ornaments and collectibles, elegant or country decorations, and great gift ideas for everyone on your list. Jay Strongwater, Jim Shore and Thomas Kinkade; Swarovski and Waterford crystal; Lenox and Lladro; Hallmark or homemade. How about a Dickens Christmas? Lots of great ideas and so much to see. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:49:30 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/gourmetbasket Gourmet gift baskets are real pleasers. Most people love to receive things they wouldn't necessarily splurge on for themselves. I personally love receiving them. They're especially appropriate for client gift-giving. The message is sent that "they're worth it"! So whether it's a business gift you're looking for, or something unique for someone special, gourmet gifts are not only a wise choice, but a safe one as well. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:42:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fanncynancy T here are thousands of out-of-print patterns and other treasures crumbling in basements and attics. As I started collecting these priceless items I realized that I couldn't possibly use them all myself, and they couldn't be shared in the condition they were in. So I learned how to restore and preserve them in order to offer them to other needlecrafters who could bring them alive with their busy hands and needles. My eBay ID is fanncynancy (notice the two "n"s) My eBay store name is PreservingVintageHomeArts arts-and-design Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:29:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/wedgwood-ornaments Wedgwood, known for elegant earthenware, pottery and china since the mid 1700s, is probably best known for their unique jasperware. Wedgwood definitely stands out as having a style all its own. The Wedgwood company has produced a very limited collection of Christmas ornaments. Most carry the distinctive and famous Wedgwood blue, but a few wander from the expected. Even with a limited selection, you might find it difficult to pick a favorite. I know you'll enjoy these very classic Wedgwood Christmas ornaments. Wedgwood's Holiday Angel With Sash. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:18:26 -0600