June 16, 2009
babySKILL LEVEL: Easy
SIZE:
0-6 months (12-18 months, 2-3 years, 4 years)
Finished Chest 19 (20, 22, 25) in. 48.5 (51, 56, 63.5) cm)
Finished Length 9 1/2 (10, 11, 12 1/2) in. (24 (25.5, 28, 32) cm)
CORRECTIONS: None
Baby Topper
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June 16, 2009
babySKILL LEVEL: Beginner
SIZE:
0-6 months (12-18 months, 2-3 years, 4 years)
Finished Chest 19 (20, 22, 25) in. (48.5 (51, 56, 63.5) cm)
Finished Length 9 1/2 (10 1/4, 11, 12) in. (24 (26, 28, 30.5) cm)
CORRECTIONS: None
Short And Sweet Child’s Cardigan
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sponsored by Kidkraft ® Dollhouse Store & Kidkraft ® Kitchen Store
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June 16, 2009
babySKILL LEVEL: Easy
SIZE:
6 months (1 year, 18 months, 2 years)
Finished Chest: 18 3/4 (20 3/4, 22 1/2, 24 1/2) in. (47.5 (52.5, 57, 62) cm)
Finished Length: 8 (10, 11, 13) in. (20.5 (25.5, 28, 33) cm)
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
CORRECTIONS: None
Playdate Hoody
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sponsored by Kidkraft ® Dollhouse Store
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June 16, 2009
babySKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
SIZE:
0-6 months (6-12 months, 12-18 months, 2-3 years, 4 years)
Finished Chest 18 1/2 (20, 22, 23 1/2, 25) in. (47 (51, 56, 59.5, 63.5) cm) excluding front borders
Finished Length 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) in. (23 (25.5, 28, 30.5, 33) cm)
CORRECTIONS: (applied Apr 15, 2009)
Love the Earth Baby Cardi
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February 28, 2009
Today back pain is one of the most common of all physical complaints in the world. About 70 to 90% of men and women in the U.S. have had or will have a least one bout of incapacitating low back pain. Back pain contributes to lost work time and may cost as much as $100 billion annually (if lost productivity is included1).
Doctors generally agree that most back problems are caused by stress or by weak muscles. We need strong back , stomach, and hip muscles to resist gravity and to hold us up. As societies around the world become more mechanized and computerized, they have also become less exercised. We lock ourselves behind desks and in front of computers. When we sit, our back muscles hold us erect, but our stomach and hip muscles are inactive. When they are not exercised, stomach and hip muscles become weaker, putting a painful strain on the back muscles. Sitting places higher loads inside the lumbar disc than standing (between 150% to 250% depending on posture).
The condition of your back is very important to your health. A better back can lead to a better body.
Anatomy of the Back
Briefly explained, your spine is made up of the following components:
1) Vertebrae – the bones that make up your spine
2) Nerves – your entire nerve system runs through your spine
3) Discs – spongy material that separates your vertebrae, allowing the nerves to run between each bone segment. Discs act like shock absorbers and allow the spine to flex.
Each vertebrae is held in its proper place by three different kinds of soft tissue-discs, ligaments, and muscles. Almost all back problems are related to the dysfunction of one of these three. To understand the sources of your particular back problem and/or how to prevent back pain, it helps to understand the anatomy of your spine.
The natural curves of the spine are vitally important for giving your back strength and resilience. There are 24 vertebrae in your spinal column. The lumbar vertebrae are approximately two inches in diameter reflecting their weight-bearing role. The cervical vertebrae are smaller, since they must support only the head. Facet joints are located in pairs on the back of the spine, where one vertebra slightly overlaps the next. The facet joints guide and restrict movement of the spine. To the rear of each vertebra is a hole and when the vertebrae are stacked up, these holes form a continuous channel which holds the spinal cord.
The spinal cord provides a vital link between the brain and all body functions below the neck. Spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord through gaps between the main body of the vertebrae and the facet joints. One frequent cause of back pain is a worn facet joint, which can result in a pinched nerve. Therefore, it is very important to keep your vertebrae in good shape.
This drawing shows a normal disc. The main function of your discs is to act as shock absorbers and provide separation between each vertebrae. The outer layers of your discs are formed from tough cartilage. The inner core of your disc is a jelly-like nucleus.
In total, your discs account for one-quarter the length of your vertebral column- 4.50″ to 6″ (12 to 15 cm) for most people. The disc acquires its nourishment through fluid-attracting and fluid-absorbing qualities of its jelly-like nucleus.
With no blood supply of its own, the disc is dependent on sponge action for attracting and absorbing nutrients from adjacent tissues. During non-weight bearing activities (sleeping) the discs expand as they soak up fluid, increasing the length of the spine by as much as one inch overnight. During weight bearing activities (sitting, standing, exercising), this fluid is squeezed back into the adjacent soft tissue.
Your vertebra are supported and moved by many different muscles. Muscles are used for three basic functions; support, movement, and posture control. If muscles are tight or weak, they create or worsen back pain. Joints are controlled by at least two sets of muscles, flexors which bend the joint, and extensors which straighten it. In addition, most joints have rotator muscles that twist and rotate your bones. Good posture is only possible if the flexors, extensors, and rotators are in proper balance.
Your paraspinal muscles (which run parallel to your spine) rotate your spine, bend it backwards, and sideways, and influence posture by creating and maintaining the curves of your spine. Your erector spine muscles are involved in movement and run the length of your spine. These muscles help you to bend over by resisting the force of gravity, and to straighten up by contracting and exerting great compressive force on your spine.
Your abdominal muscles play an important role in helping to support the spine by maintaining pressure inside the abdomen. This pressure is an essential measure of counter support to the spine.
Your psoas muscles (hip flexors) are a large group of muscles in the abdomen. These muscles help to flex your hips when walking or climbing stairs. They play an important role in maintaining posture for sitting and standing.
Intravertebral joints are supported by ligaments, tough and inelastic fibers which support the spine and hold it together by allowing only a limited range of movement in any one direction. Ligaments require regular movement and loading, otherwise they will eventually become stiff and weak.
Summary
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February 28, 2009
Inversion therapy has been used to relieve back pain as early as 400 BC when Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, strung up a patient on a ladder with ropes and pulleys and allowed gravity to do its work. The concept of inversion was not widely recognized in the United States, however, until Dr. Robert Martin (a California osteopath, chiropractor and medical doctor) introduced the “Gravity Guidance System” in the 1960’s. This revolutionary concept addressed the effects of gravity on the human body, the simple solution of inversion therapy, and the resulting benefits.
Dr. Martin had a “marketable personality.” He was devoted to communicating the benefits of postural exchange including inversion, and the public responded well to his sincerity and honesty. Dr. Martin appeared on talk shows, and was featured in popular publications like The Wall Street Journal.
Dr. Robert Martin, Jr. published a book in the late 1970’s. Together with the Gravity Guidance Inversion Table, the program caught on, experiencing increasing success. This encouraged other companies to enter the inversion market-products like the Bud Leach table and the BackSwing emerged. Gravity boots were popularized by the 1980 movie “American Gigolo” starring Richard Gere. By 1982, the inversion market had soared to over $70 million, with literally thousands of people incorporating inversion regularly into their lifestyle
Success comes with a price, however. Before soon, over forty manufacturers were producing inversion products. There was little differentiation between the products, which caused price wars among the companies. Some manufactures sacrificed quality so that they could offer cheaper products. The lack of attention to quality resulted in product failures, causing serious, sometimes deadly, harm to consumers.
Also, a medical study published in 1983 by Dr. Goldman and colleagues showed that inverted patients experienced an increase in blood pressure and internal eye pressure. The media widely reported the study, warning that stroke was a potential result of inversion. Two years following the inversion study, Dr. Goldman reversed his original position, stating, “New research shows that you are at no more of a stroke risk hanging upside down than if you are exercising right side up.” More in-depth research found that the body actually has mechanisms that prevent damage from hanging upside down. In fact, while oscillating (inverting with movement), some of the patients’ blood pressure actually dropped a few points. Experienced inverters also showed slower heart rates while inverted than when upright. (*Note: these studies were based on patients in generally good health. Make sure you review contraindications prior to inverting.)
Dr. Goldman stated that the warnings to the public about the dangers of inversion were “grossly inflated” and that in the 15 years these devices have been in use, there has not been one single stroke or cardiovascular incident documented. Note from Teeter Hang Ups: After 36 years, to the best of our knowledge this statement still remains valid.
Other universities, including Marquette, Iowa, and Portland studied inversion during this time, with results that vindicated Inversion as no more dangerous than other common fitness activities.
Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. The poor quality equipment combined with misunderstandings of health risks resulted in a decline of consumer confidence in inversion products. Inversion went from a multi-million dollar market to one that struggled to survive. The use of Inversion therapy shrank to virtually exclusive use by a few “in the know”, including chiropractors, physical therapists, sports trainers and professional athletes. Of the forty plus manufacturers in business in the early 1980’s, Hang Ups was the only company to continuously promote inversion products to present.
After a number of years fighting to rebuild the reputation of Inversion therapy, Teeter Hang Ups has witnessed tremendous growth in the use of inversion products in the late nineties. Inversion fits well with the “whole body wellness” trend that has evolved in the U.S. recently, and has become widely recognized as an effective and viable form of natural therapy. The wide-ranging benefits of Inversion apply to all age ranges and fitness levels.
In fact, after several years of evaluation, the US Army Physical Fitness School has decided to incorporate Inversion into its world-wide physical training doctrine. The Army Rangers at Fort Benning, GA use gravity boots to invert, “reversing” the damage done to their bodies during their demanding training. To them, Inversion represents the “Quiet Side of Fitness”-a restorative fitness tool to help decompress and mobilize joints to prevent injuries. Soldiers use gravity boots to stretch while inverted, moving joints through their full range of motion. To witness soldiers using Teeter Hang Ups Gravity Boots, visit the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School web site here. (Note: The U.S. Army cannot endorse any specific brand of inversion products.)
Synonymous with “Inversion,” the Teeter Hang Ups name is widely recognized all over the world as a quality supplier of inversion products. Teeter Hang Ups Inversion products have helped literally thousands of people improve their quality of life.
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February 10, 2009
How To Select the Best Diamond Engagement Ring
By Jon Arnold 
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Incredible isn’t it? You are now looking for a diamond engagement ring. Did you think this day would come so quickly? Well, it is here and what an exciting time of your life. You are going to be picking out the most incredible gift you will ever give to the one you love. You want it to be unique and special, but you also want to be able to eat after you give it to her. Cost can be a real issue when you are talking about a pricey item such as this.
Well, let’s give you some ways to help you save some money but yet, get the best diamond you can find. One that will sparkle in her eyes forever. Do you know what her taste is? What shape of diamond does she like? The most popular is the round or brilliant. The reason these are the most popular are because they tend to sparkle more than the others. And any woman will tell you to look how her ring sparkles!
When looking for the perfect diamond, you want to pay attention to the 4 Cs. The 4 Cs are the Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight.
Cut: The cut of the diamond is very important to pay attention to. This is what determines its brilliance, the many dimensions of light it reflects, the way it sparkles and its finish. If you buy the most perfect diamond as far as its color and its clarity, it won’t matter if the cut is not right.
You want to make sure it is not too deep or too shallow. The cuts are represented as Ideal, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. For the best price range in brilliance, you want to choose a diamond with a cut of good or very good.
Color: Color acts as a filter in a diamond. The less color, the more colorful the fire and the better the color grade. The colors D-J are the best, these are colorless or near to it, not able to see with your eye. Diamonds graded K-Z takes away from the diamond’s beauty. Try to avoid these.
Clarity: Many diamonds have inclusions (scratches, or anything that will detract from the beauty). Look for a diamond that is “eye-clean”, has no inclusions that you can see. These diamonds are much less expensive and the flaws will not ever be seen or noticed.
Carat weight: Larger diamonds are more expensive of course, because they are rarer than the small ones. The value goes up with the carat weight, and when you add the color, cut and clarity, you have a perfect diamond for your engagement ring.
When you are shopping at the jeweler’s, don’t be afraid to ask the sales person if you can borrow their “loop” for a moment to look more closely at a diamond. The loop is a magnifying glass that is used with one eye, and can magnify the diamond so that you can get a real close up look at it and see if there are imperfections in it.
Now that you know what to look at for your diamond engagement ring, you need to decide what setting you want. The cut will be determined by the setting you choose. And make sure the weight of your diamond will fit and look beautiful in your chosen setting.
You may think you need the biggest diamond, but you need to consider if she is someone who is used to wearing jewelry or not. Observe the kind of jewelry she usually wears, is it small and simple, or is it loud and fancy?
As far as price, the best guideline is to not spend more than 2 months salary, 3 months at the most. This may be the biggest purchase of your life. When you have gone through the steps of the 4 Cs, then you will know what you want. You will have a beautiful diamond engagement ring for that wonderful woman that you want to spend the rest of your life with. She is so worth it.
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February 10, 2009
A Review of Women’s Shoes
By Morgan Hamilton
 
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Shoes have basically one purpose – protection. Protecting the feet from cold, heat and other atmospheric elements. Basically footwear was developed centuries ago to keep man’s feet from being injured. This fundamental purpose is overshadowed when it comes to womens shoes. It all flies out the window in favor of fashion.Cancel all that talk about protecting your feet. Any old shoe that you throw on will do this in a relatively competent way. However womens shoes go way above and beyond offering just protection for the feet. They serve a greater purpose that can only possibly be truly understood by the fairer of the species.
I’m not suggesting that men don’t have your appreciation of womens shoes. Many men are wild about a nice set of stilettos or that unbelievable pair of high-heeled boots. I guess that’s where the term foot fetish comes in. The attractiveness of womens shoes is a two-way street. Many women of course, by shoes with this specifically in mind. On the other hand, I do not want for a minute pretend that men really understand what in the world is going on with their female counterparts when it comes to footwear. There is something very special about womens shoes that draws a lady to the store regardless of the fact of whether she needs them or not. And the majority of cases she probably doesn’t. However, she probably feels like she does. She can tell you that precious few things really replaces the feeling of locating the perfect pair of pumps in just the right shade of burgundy that matches the scarf that’s been sitting in the bottom of her dresser drawer. The scarf no doubt, was purchased knowing that there must be a perfect match in women’s shoes somewhere in the universe that she had to seek out. It may take many years to find these perfect shoes to match that scarf, but it will be worth the wait. One fine day the designers of womens shoes will come through and match that scarf. Besides, the girl is in the hunt anyway. The hunt takes awhile, but nothing worthwhile comes easy. This may not be understood by most men, who seemed to have the market cornered on impatience. As I said before, the great appeal womens shoes is shopping for them. The footwear represents that final touch, that one detail that says, “I’ve got it together.” They say it all, I have style I have class I have taste. Or maybe it is something altogether different. Come to think of it, I like to buy womens shoes because they are the one solitary item in the whole store I know will fit. I find them to be loyal even if I pack on a few pounds. I’m always a size seven when it comes to womens shoes.
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December 27, 2008
Tips to Buy the Best Digital Picture Frame
By Eileen Roberts
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Are you still using the drab ordinary picture frames to showcase your beautiful moments? It’s time for a change. Today, with everything changing into digital, photo frames are no exemption. Yes, today picture frames are going digital too and giving us such a wonderful choice of pictures in a new-age format. A digital picture frame looks almost similar to a small LCD screen that can display pictures (photos) stored in the memory card or in the inbuilt memory of the picture frame. The quality of the image displayed in these photo frames will be simply superb. However, before you opt to buy a digital picture frame, there are several things to be noted.
First things first- The resolution of display
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Most of the digital picture frames show the images in high quality. This depends upon the resolution of the picture frame you choose. There are many different resolution options available. However, selecting a digital picture frame with 640×480 resolutions as a minimum will be good. If you have little more cash to spend on these frames, getting one with 800×600 resolutions will present crisp and sharp images. Any digital picture frame below 640×480 res screen will not display images as in the original photo- it will be blurred with very poor quality.
The Storage Space
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These digital picture frames store the images in its memory in a digital format (jpeg or bmp). Most of the frames use an inbuilt memory while you can boost up the space using memory cards if you need to store more pictures. The compatibility of the memory cards with the pictures frames has to be taken into account. The picture frame has to support the same memory card that you use for your digital camera.
The Accessories
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The digital picture frames are often bundled with certain accessories. AC adapter, interchangeable frames, and USB Cables are some of the common accessories available for the digital picture frames. Make sure that you get these basic accessories along with the frame or else you will have to spend some extra cash for buying them separately. There are many other optional accessories available for the digital photo frame, such as wi-fi connectivity to download images from the web, speakers, headphones, remote controls, alarm clocks and many more.
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These are the basic things to look for before you buy a digital photo frame. Digital photo frames are available in almost all the electronics stores. However, buying the electronic goods online will save much of your hard earned money. The price of the picture frames when bought online will be more than 20% less than buying them from a local store.
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Keeping your digital picture frame in full display and having a slideshow of your best pictures playing on it could get a more captive audience even at your home!
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December 27, 2008
Ideas For Prom Dresses – Find That Perfect Fit For You
By Chris Robertson
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It’s that time of year again – time to look around at all the drop-dead gorgeous prom dresses in stores or at online prom shops. But how do you know which style of dresses is right for you? How will you ever find a prom dress that fits your body figure and personality just right? Prom dresses by famous designers such as Faviana, Sherri Hill, Jovani, and others can look great on you once you find a suitable style.
The key to finding the right dress is to look for a fit that suits your own figure – not someone else’s. Throw out the fashion magazines with 6′ 4″ tall (and ridiculously slender) prom dress models. In real life, many of the dresses worn by models just wouldn’t look right on a young teenage girl. But the good news is there are some very beautiful dresses that will work well with your figure. You’ve just got to find them.
Consider Your Height
Some dresses will make you appear taller while others seem to shorten your height. If you’re a petite size and want to look taller, consider a sheath or A-line prom dress. Keep the dress simple, as complex designs and frills will only take away from your height. Skip the big ball gowns – these will only make you look shorter.
Curves or No Curves
Most teen girls would die for more curves, while some feel they already have way too much “curviness” in their figure. If you are one of those blessed with wide hips, opt for a ball gown prom dress style with a full skirt. This type of design draws the eye focus upward to take the emphasis off of your hips. The focus will turn to your slender waist. Some dress styles to avoid with larger hips are V-necks, which cause the eyes to move downward, and sheaths or similar styles.
If your body is lacking when it comes to curves, try a sheath fitted style, or maybe even an A-line dress if you want to appear a little more daring in your prom attire. Prom dresses with an A-line skirt will complement your slender figure while simultaneously giving the illusion of added curves. Some styles to avoid if you’re on the skinnier side include halter style dresses and strapless dresses.
Hide the Tummy
For a plump mid-section, you can hide your tummy and give it a flattened appearance by wearing dresses with an empire style waist. These gowns will create a more slender and long look while also giving the illusion of a flattened tummy. Another style that works well is a dress with a corset-type bodice, which removes emphasis from the tummy and places it more on the bust area. Styles that can make your tummy show even more are princess style gowns, sheaths, and those with Basque waists, which emphasize the tummy area. Also avoid horizontal stripes and sashes.
Solutions for Heavy Arms
If your arms are on the heavier side, hide them with off-shoulder necklines or short sleeves. See-through lacey sleeves might also help to remove emphasis off the size of your arms. Sweetheart necklines can be helpful because these emphasize the bust area, not the arms. Styles to avoid with heavier arms include spaghetti straps, strapless, and sleeveless dresses. But even with these styles, there are some creative ways to cover up your arms – try a prom jacket or a wrap on for size!
Beautiful Plus Sizes
If you wear a plus size, don’t worry. The days of not being able to find the right fit for a plus figure are long gone. Plus size prom dresses have come a long way in recent years, with styles to not only hide your large figure but to also enhance your good qualities. Try a full-skirted dress or a strapless ball gown to hide your backside. Or, go for a flared skirt to enhance your slim waistline. Opt for a fitted bodice such as a corset style to draw attention upward. Avoid sheath dresses or any style that tends to cling to your body.
When shopping for a dress, be sure to allow a friend or family member to take your correct body measurements. Also, use online prom dress shops to compare Jovani prom dresses and others such as Faviana and Sherri Hill to find the appropriate style for your body type. Many prom dress websites carry other elegant dresses as well such as cocktail dresses, evening gowns, homecoming dresses, bridesmaid dresses, etc. so you can easily find whatever type of formal wear you need.
