Having Decorative Birdhouses That Reflect Your Taste And Personality

Did you ever think of having a Victorian birdhouse for your birds? Well, a Victorian birdhouse wouldn't cost you a fortune but will reflect your taste and personality. Not just Victorian birdhouses but you can have your birdhouses decorated in many different designs and patterns that reflect your personal tastes and personalities.

If you are a history lover, why not consider having historic birdhouses? Historic birdhouses are made in the pattern and design of different historic buildings like the Public Library, Star Barn and the Round Island Lighthouse. These historic birdhouses have the same intricate design and details like the original buildings. They refresh history, culture and tradition and are a great addition in any backyard. Even your birds will be attracted to visit and house in one of these great buildings of historical importance. Of course, you can't build these intricate designs yourself but you can easily buy them from our online website or at your local backyard store.

Other than historical birdhouses, you can have contemporary decorative birdhouses that will enhance the look of your backyard. These contemporary decorative birdhouses are easily available just about everywhere and you can also decorate them yourselves just by painting them. Birds are especially attracted to decorative designs. Wrens especially would choose a decorative birdhouse to attract one of their females and their large families.

If you look around for decorative birdhouses, you will find a huge range of these beautiful and intricate designs. These don't just look beautiful in your backyard setting, but they are also attractive to the birds. Birds won't miss the golden chance of living in one of these great architectural designs. They are also fully functional and easy to clean. You will find the decorative bird houses ranging from the design of a cozy honeymoon cottage, beach cottage to more elaborate club house and Victorian architectural designs. You can even go for religious designs like churches, temples or mosques if you are a religion enthusiast. Your decorative bird houses can reflect your own personality. A dome or tower shaped birdhouse is a great design that houses many different species of birds.

Another great idea is to have whimsical birdhouses if you have a comic personality. These are different than the usual designs. To make whimsical birdhouses, you can have various cartoon characters painted or mounted on the house. Hilarious Disney characters or other comedy characters would look good and would impress any visitor who visits your home. These unique birdhouses can double the excitement and fun of bird watching.

Besides buying the pre-designed large bird houses, you even have the option to decorate them yourselves and have fun while doing so. If you are the creative type or have children who love to get creative, this is a really fun activity to undertake together. Get out your paint brushes and a huge selection of paints to use for your decorative bird houses. Use mosaic art and different accessories to design your own decorative bird houses to increase your pleasure whenever you look at them.

Where Should You Buy Your Pet Cockatiel

When considering where to get your cockatiel, as with any pet, I always recommend adoption first. If there are any bird rescue organizations in your area, adopting one of these birds could be one of the most satisfying experiences of your life (and of course, the bird's). Some of these birds were given up by people who for one reason or another couldn't care for them anymore. Some were taken out of homes where they were abused and neglected. For whatever reason they found themselves rescued, giving these birds a second chance would be a very rewarding experience. A little extra love and patience and you'll have a wonderful pet bird that will thank you in his own way for the rest of his life. You might find a bird rescue organization online or check your local animal shelter.

Buying your cockatiel can be as easy as walking into a pet store and picking one out and bringing it home. If this is your preferred method, that's fine. Just make sure you purchase from a reputable store. Look around. Is it clean? Are the cages clean? Is there adequate room in the cages for the number of birds kept? Is the water and food clean? Are there toys accessible to the birds? Do the workers in the store pay attention to the birds, taking them out of the cage and talking to them? Make a few trips to the store so you can see what goes on at different times. This may sound a bit much but you don't want to buy a bird that has been sitting in a cage for who knows how long with no human contact. It will make your job of socializing the bird extremely difficult.

When I bought my first bird, I was a complete novice. Fortunately, I walked into the pet store and the employee was sitting at the front counter talking to a cockatiel perched on his finger. I didn't even know that birds could be so sociable (or beautiful). He gladly passed the bird to me and it was love at first sight. He gave me loads of information about my new friend and caring for him. I knew that if I purchased a bird from this store I would get a bird who was used to people and was raised with care and attention. Not to mention the employees were always available for my questions and concerns whether on the phone or in person.

Alternatively, you might want to find a cockatiel breeder. You can look up breeders in your area online. If there is one in your area, take the same steps as you would in a pet store and look around to get a feel of the place. You want to make sure the breeder is raising these birds for his or her love of them and not just to make a profit. The breeder should be interested in you as a buyer and willing to give you the answers to all of your questions. After all, if he cares about the birds he is raising, he will want to make sure you have every intention to do the best you can for your new pet.

If you have no breeders in the area, never, ever have a bird shipped through the mail. No animal or bird should go through the mail. Even if the bird survives, it will likely be traumatized for life. There is no reason to ever ship any living thing in the mail or through and delivery service.

Should I Choose a Cockatiel

Are you looking to buy a new pet bird and not sure how to make the right decision? This article will try to educate you about everything you need to know before you buy a cockatiel.

When choosing a pet bird, as in choosing any pet, it's important to know if this is the right bird for you. If you are thinking of buying a cockatiel, there are many questions you must ask yourself.

First and foremost, do you have enough time in your life to devote to a pet cockatiel? Cockatiels are socialized birds. They like to see and interact with their human companions. This may include daily flights around the house ultimately landing on your shoulder to watch television. They love attention. Will you be able to spend time talking and whistling to and with your bird?

Are you ready for a long term commitment? If well kept, a cockatiel can live up to fifteen years or more. These birds become very attached to their humans so it may not be the best gift for a young child who may lose interest in their bird. A cockatiel who is ignored can become loud and obnoxious, demanding some contact.

Are you or anyone in your household allergic to bird feathers and feather dust? Birds may not be for you then but especially cockatiels who create more feather dust than most other birds. As new feathers grow, the tips of the feathers turn into a fine dust that stays on the bird, cage and area cage is kept in. It's a good idea to keep a vacuum handy. They will also try to spit their pellets at you if they think you're not paying attention to them.

Do you have any other animals in your house? Since your bird will be kept in a cage approximately at eye level, you probably don't have to worry about a dog terrorizing your bird, but a cat will not be deterred from this height and may see your new family member as dinner. Remember, never let your bird out of the cage if any other pet is in the room. Even the best trained dog can pose a threat to your bird, intentionally or not. They are animals and you cannot read their minds or change their instincts.

Is there a permanent place in your house, preferably in your living room or den, to keep a large cage? It should not be near a heating device, air conditioner, air vent, etc? The area must be draft free, as even the slightest draft can make your cockatiel sick. Your bird might like to look out the window but most windows let in too much cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer. A child's room is not the best place either because if the child isn't home all day, your cockatiel will be lonely. Never put the cage too near the kitchen as the vapors of some non-stick pans, cleansers, etc., is deadly to your bird.

If you are considering buying two birds at once, do you have room for two separate cages in case your cockatiels don't get along. I had to separate my first two cockatiels when the male became aggressive to the female in the first few weeks I bought them. As they grew older, side by side in separate cages, they established a can't live with you, can't live without you relationship. If I had to move either cage for cleaning, they both screamed and made a fuss until the cages were both side by side again. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder!

Considering all the above, if you are ready for this full time commitment and all that comes with it, you will have years of fun and fulfillment caring for your cockatiels.

Picking Out Your Cockatiel

About picking out your new cockatiel

How to determine how old your cockatiel is.

The optimum age to get your cockatiel is about ten to twelve weeks old. A bird of this age will adjust to people and be easiest to tame if treated correctly.

How do you know if your cockatiel is young?

Most obvious, the cheek spot is pale and not yet the bright orange that is so noticeable on adult cockatiels. Next, look at the piece of flesh above the beak where the nostrils are, the cere. This should still be pink. The tail, which is shorter than an adult cockatiel, should have thin, white to yellow out edges. Also, you might notice that your young cockatiel might be a bit awkward as young birds tend to be.

How do you know if your cockatiel is healthy?

All the feathers are smooth and have a lustrous sheen. There shouldn't be any discharge from the eyes or nostrils. There are four toes, two middle toes facing forward and two outer toes facing backward. None should be missing. The feathers around the anus should not be smeared with feces. Ideally, he will be preening himself or socializing with the other birds in the cage. The bird that catches your attention may be sitting in the corner with his head buried in his back feathers. He may be sick but he just may be sleeping. Try getting his attention and see if he perks up and engages or acts lethargic. Look for the telltale signs that were just mentioned above.

Is your bird a male or female?

At a young age it is very difficult determine and sometimes even experts make mistakes. If you are getting one bird, the sex doesn't really matter. Males and females really aren't different in their temperament. If you are getting two birds, again, it doesn't matter unless you are thinking about mating them. Two males, two females or a male and female all do well together. It seems that when there are two same sex birds, one will assume the role of the missing sex. Three birds is not a good situation and one bird might get treated like the proverbial third wheel and get picked on. It is also probable that a male and female will mate. If this isn't your intention, then get two birds of the same sex. Females will still lay eggs but they will be unfertilized.

The plumage of young cockatiels is still pale, males don't develop their full color until after their first molt at about nine months old. This is when you can see clear evidence of the bird's sex. The male cheek patch is a bright orange than the female. The female cheek patch has some grayish brown dusting in it. There is some yellow and white in the outer rims of the tail feathers of the female bird that are nonexistent in males. Most conspicuous however, is the under feathers of the female bird's tail which has a yellow and black cross band.

Cockatiels come in many colors but the original, natural cockatiel is gray with a bluish or brownish tinge. The tail ranges from silver gray to blackish gray. The outer wing feathers, (shoulder area) are white. The face is yellow with an orange cheek patch below their eyes. The crest feathers which are on top of the cockatiel's head, start from the yellow forehead,. The shorter crest feathers are yellow and the longer ones are gray with flecks of yellow.

Through selective breeding there are many different types and colors of cockatiels. They are all beautiful but it is thought that these birds are more susceptible to disease and don't live as long as the natural gray species.

Picking out the right bird for you is a personal experience. We all make our choices for different reasons. I picked out one of my birds because she spit seed at me while I was observing another cage. I knew she was the one for me. Although she was a bit older, she was sweet, tame and lived many years to entertain me.

Effective Bird Feather Filtration - 6 Features Your Cleaner Needs To Work

Having pet birds in your home add lots of fun to life. They can also add dust from feathers, wings, and dander. Add this to the normal indoor pollutants such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and seasonal pollen and you've got air that is thick with particles.

Your pet's health will depend heavily on the quality of air you provide for it. So it is important to use filtration that can take out these particles as well as gaseous pollutants. Here are 6 important features that filtration for your bird should include.

HEPA Filter---High efficiency particle arresting filters are designed as such because they are able to remove airborne particles as small as.3 microns in size with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter. That size particle is invisible to the human eye.

Because it can eliminate 99,997 out of every 10,000 of these invisible particles dust from feathers and wings and the invisible dander can be taken out of the air. And because the more normal indoor pollutants are bigger that sub-micron size they can be eliminated as well.

Pre-Filters---Even though the HEPA can remove a large range of particle sizes, having it do all the work would mean you would need to spend money frequently on replacement filters---maybe every 6 months to a year depending on what's in your air.

By having several pre-filters (a large and medium size) you can save the more expensive filter from filling needlessly with particles that can just as easily be removed by the larger and less expensive filters. These cheaper filters save you money and time and are one of the best ways to determine how much maintenance your cleaner will need.

Carbon Cloth---Gaseous pollutants can really affect birds. Having a filter that can remove gases, odors, and airborne chemicals is a huge advantage. Carbon cloth gives dual protection. Because it is made of carbon it can remove gaseous irritants. But because it is woven like a cloth it eliminates additional particles as well.

Stand-Alone-Unit---A system that is not connected with heating and cooling systems gives you the most flexibility with filtration. It will run during the in-between-seasons when heating and cooling are not necessary. And since it will clean the air that is closest to it first, being able to move it into the bird room is a huge advantage.

24-Hour Cleaning---This is probably one of the most important features to have. Check to make sure your unit contains a split capacitor motor. This type of motor is designed to run continuously with high revolutions per minute. That means it doesn't need to take a break after a certain number of hour of operation.

The key to keeping air quality high is never allowing to become polluted, and the best way to do that is to filter the air continually without having to turn it on and off. Being able to allow it to run keeps you from having to remember to turn it on and off which can get tedious after a while.

Natural By-Products---The whole purpose of filtration is to keep your bird's air passages (and yours too) clear. Because avian airways are so small, they can be easily clogged by excessive numbers of airborne particulates in the air. Once their airways are clogged, it is often the start of disease and infection that cannot be reversed.

The only by-product of filtration should be fresh, clean air. Stay away from units that produce any amount of ozone or ionized particles. Both of these filtration technologies remain controversial in terms of how they affect birds and humans and how effective they are.

Why take the chance? Everyone agrees that fresh air is the best air to offer your bird and their owners. 250 cubic of fresh air entering the room every 60 seconds can only help you and your pet live the highest quality of life possible.

African Grey Parrot Facts To Help Make Buying Decisions

African Grey parrot facts and information help potential buyers know about this particular species of parrot. They are not the most colorful of parrot but are some of the most intelligent and enthusiastic parrots you can come across in the whole world. They are matched only by 'Eclectus' parrots in learning skills. Once you get to deeply understand them, you'll realize that the African Grey offers a much richer parrot owning experience than other more colorful varieties of parrots.

African Grey parrots are recognized by their bright red tail feathers and their black beak. Some birds will only have them on the inner side of their tails but others will have a full red tail.

There are a number or gray parrots around and it is this red tail that helps identify the African Grey parrots from amongst the other gray parrots worldwide. Of course, an expert wouldn't find it difficult to differentiate between the two. If you are considering buying a parrot don't fall for the trap of buying a plain gray parrot after being told that it is an African Grey.

Probably the most amazing fact is that there are two kinds of African Grey. If you were thinking that there was just a single variety, you may have to think again. There are two distinct varieties:

- Congo
- Timneh

There are quite distinct differences between the two and the most marked amongst the variations is the difference in size between the Congo and Timneh parrots. Timneh parrots looks significantly smaller than the Congo parrot.

Some African Grey parrot facts to check if you are buying one for your pet:

- The parrots have a bright red inner tail
- They have a defense habit of fluffing up their feathers when feeling threatened
- Their intelligence far surpasses all other parrot varieties
- They are the best speakers among all the parrots combined
- They can reproduce whole phrases and sometimes even whole sentences
- Most of them will live longer than their owners
- They chew a lot - so in captivity this needs to be dealt with, usually by adding branches and toys to their cage
- They are true friends for life provided you train and care for them well

Though training these birds is a nightmare, African Grey parrots usually form very good bonds with their owners because they like the company and will follow their owner around all day if allowed to. Also they are known to be extremely adept at learning tricks.

In the wild these parrots tend to spend most of their lives with one partner. Though this may not be applicable in cases where grouped together in confined spaces, they generally express strong monogamous tendencies at all times. In the wild they're known to nest in tree holes.

Another interesting fact is that the most important defense mechanism for this parrot is the habit of fluffing up their feathers to look scary to predators. This is their natural reaction to threats even if they're tamed and docile. Now that you know all the basic African Grey parrot facts, you might understand them well enough to decide whether you want to buy one or not.

What Should You Feed Your Cockatiel

What type of food should you provide for your cockatiel? Tiels like to eat a variety of foods. Seeds should not be the mainstay of their diet and given only as a treat a few times a week. Specially made cockatiel pellets are said to be the healthiest food for your bird. I never owned a bird that would eat pellets. No matter how much I tried, my birds turned their noses up at them. I have found success with Lafeber Nutri-Berries. I keep the container in the freezer and every morning I heat up a couple of Nutri-Berries in the microwave (about 40 seconds or so) until they soften. I break them up a little and give them to my birds. My birds love them and they are happy and healthy.

I also give my birds a tablespoon of mixed veggies a day. The frozen kind is fine (you do need to heat them up). I also mix in a little cooked pasta, I have one bird that loves pasta so much, if it's not in his bowl with the veggies, he turns his head and looks at the wall and doesn't eat. Not the best scenario, but knowing that he gets his nutrients from other foods I give him, I'm not concerned. Fresh fruits and veggies should be thoroughly washed to make sure you remove the pesticides.

Three or four times a week, I scramble up an egg and mash it up a bit and put it in their bowl. They inhale it. Your tiel can eat many of the different foods that you eat with some exceptions I'll mention below. But remember, it might take weeks of giving your bird something before they decide to eat it. It was maybe my twentieth attempt with corn on the cob before my birds decided to investigate it and eat it. Tiels are fussy and choosy and you must have patience and you will persevere.

Never give your bird the following foods: Avocados, dairy (eggs are ok), chocolate, sugar, salt, coffee, tea, alcohol, fruit seeds and pits, greasy foods, shellfish, canned veggies, rhubarb, eggplant and others. As a general rule, If you are not sure, don't give it to your bird until you ask an expert. Remember to remove any food such as eggs and meat from the bowl after about an hour so it doesn't spoil. And water bowls should be freshened with with cool, clean water every few hours.

As special treats, I give my birds seeds, Cheerios (plain) toast, mashed sweet potato, and a variety of other foods a few times a week, Honey and fruit sticks and other special treats made for tiels can be found in your local pet shop.

Experiment with different foods to ensure a balanced diet. You will be surprised and pleased when your bird finally accepts a food they have ignored for weeks.

Preparing For The Care Of Baby Chicks

Baby chicks are quite fragile and you should plan what you will need before you get them. You may have to teach them how to drink water by carefully dipping each chick's beak one-by-one into the water.

You will also need a brooder which is recommended by the poultry industry for keeping baby animals. The brooder is a box with a source of heat which sustains the needed temperatures. A simple home version can be made with a cardboard box and a clamp light. You will also need A 75 or 100 watt light bulb which depends on the size of the box. The light should be safely mounted high enough where it will never touch the animals. You may find such a lamp in your garage or at the local hardware store. You should cut out a small window in the front of the box as a place to view the chicks.

The baby chicks especially like the following temperatures in the growth periods: week 1 - above 90% F, week 2 - above 80% F and week 3 - above 70% F.

The chicks need food and water twice daily. Food must be kept dry in a dish at all times. Water must be kept fresh and clean at all times. Also it is important that the chicks be unable to swim in the water when so small, as the cold chilling water could cause their death. A shallow water bowl or an automatic water dish are highly recommended.

The brooder bottom should be lined with newspaper and a soft bedding so that it will provide maximum absorbency and dryness for the chicks. Change it when it becomes extremely wet, dirty or has an unpleasant odor.

The chicks may have outgrown their brooder when they are about two weeks old. It is a good idea to put them someplace with more room and away from boredom and pecking. Old window screens are ideal as lids or top covering, an old playpen install cardboard to keep the thin shavings in), or a shallow wading pool.

A small perch can be added to the brooder and you will have to show them how to use it. Keep food and water level to the level of the chicks' backs as they grow. Continue to turn down the temperature by raising the heat lamp by five degrees on a weekly basis until it gets to 70 degrees.

A few weeks later you can offer treats such as cooked oatmeal, crushed hard-boiled eggs, plain yogurt and garden worms. Meanwhile, you will need to offer the chicks some grit so they can eat and digest their treats. A way to do this is to sprinkle a bit of play sand or parakeet grit on the top of the feed.

Bringing Your Cockatiel Home

What do you need to purchase before you bring your cockatiel home? You will need to buy a cage, food, two food bowls and two water bowls if your cage doesn't come with them, perches, a cuttlebone or mineral stone, and appropriate toys.

What type of cage should you buy? The cage should be purchased and put in place in your home before you bring your tiel home. The cage should be big enough to provide your bird or birds with plenty of space to play and explore. When your bird stretches his wings, they shouldn't come close to touching the cage bars. The minimum size of the cage should be approximately a twenty inch square minimum for one bird. The cage bars shouldn't be spaced more than a half an inch apart.

The perches should be wood and you should buy one or two branches of different sizes to ensure the bird's feet are exercised and healthy. The perches and branches should be the right size, not too fat, not too thin. Make sure that the perches or branches are placed in a comfortable position, near the bowls, so you tiel can easily and comfortably access his food and water but not directly over the bowl, so your bird's droppings won't land in the bowl. Your bird might enjoy a swing perch or rope perch, but be sure there are stationary perches, especially for them to feed from. It would be quite uncomfortable for your bird to try to eat while on a swing!

As mentioned before, I suggest four bowls in total. This will make your life a little easier because in the morning, when you empty both bowls to clean them, you can fill the other set while soaking and cleaning the first.

Attach a cuttlebone or mineral stone to the bars in a place near a perch accessible to your bird. Both of these are sources of calcium and phosphorous and your bird will use them to sharpen their beaks on.

There are many types of activities you can add to the cage such as ladders, balls with bells in them, and all sorts of toys your tiel will enjoy. Don't overload the cage. Give your bird room to breathe.

And remember, it could take weeks before your bird even goes near some of these items, if he goes near them at all. Don't force him. Just introduce them to him and let his own instincts take over.

Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc. Acquires Capital Appraisals, Inc.

The steadily falling revenues of the Capital Appraisals, Inc. for past five quarters forced for auction. We did not get the actual sell figure yet.

Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc. P.O. Box 21775 St. Paul, MN 55121 has announced the acquisition of Acquires Capital Appraisals, Inc. 971 Sibley Memorial Highway, St. Paul, MN 55118.

Capital Appraisals, Inc. was one of the oldest established appraisal companies in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Area, having served our clients for 36 years. The experience and reputation earned by the Capital Appraisals, Inc. should boost the bottom line productivity of the Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc.

While Mr. Vincent E. Scott is pleased with the Company’s growth and success, they recognize that the business is well positioned for continued growth over both the near term and long term. However, new ownership with greater capital and human resources may be better suited to take advantage of exciting growth opportunities.

Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc. is one of the leading appraisal services and home inspections service providing company. Mr. Vincent E. Scott the owner of Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc. (parent company) has told the online press media that his company would keep doing such acquisitions in future too. Mr Scott is known as the famous business personality in the St. Paul city. He will keep the CEO post of the both companies.

“We look forward to delighting the residents of St. Paul city and the customers of Capital Appraisals, Inc. are requested to deal with the Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc. only” said Vincent Scott.

Mr. Scott is more likely to reduce the staff numbers of Capital Appraisals, Inc.  

The Capital Appraisals, Inc. strong client relationships and long-standing reputation present clear opportunities to increase market share of Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc. Developing a marketing program and pursuing geographic expansion present exciting areas for more aggressive management to pursue immediate growth through the injection of capital and human resources.

Mr. Vincent E. Scott is the CEO of Appraisal Network of Minnesota Inc. P.O. Box 21775 St. Paul, MN 55121. Ph: 651-765-0582, Fax: 651-765-0690

Early Scrapbooking Embellishments

Crapbooking is a very popular hobby nowadays. The hobby's first heyday was in the Victorian era and today those early scrapbooks are highly collectible. Some of the most common embellishments in Victorian scrapbooks, and now popular with vintage ephemera collectors, are die cuts.

Victorian die cuts - colorful printed items, cut so little or no background accompanied the image - came in a multitude of varieties. Animals, insects, fruit, flowers, beautiful women, adorable children, religious images, boats, angels, food, vocational imagery, circus scenes, and an endless variety of other subjects can be found on Victorian die cuts. Beautifully detailed even in the smallest sizes of an inch or even less, the largest can be over a foot high or wide.

Victorian scrapbookers collected these richly colored embossed "scraps," as they were called, and arranged them on their scrapbook pages. Young ladies of some means were the typical scrapbook compilers during the Victorian period. Their finished creations would be proudly displayed for family, friends and visiting guests. Today these vintage scrapbooks sell for hefty sums on sites like ebay or etsy. Many ephemera dealers carefully remove the original die cuts from the old pages and sell the vintage scraps individually. Prices for unusual images can be substantial.

Advances in printing technology made die cuts possible. The development of chromolithography in the mid-1800s led to creation of the vibrantly multi-colored images. The scraps were then glazed, embossed with a die-punch and cut with cutting dies. Scraps were often sold in sheets with small paper tabs called "ladders" connecting multiple images on one sheet. The ladders often contained identifying information for the images and the publisher's name. Many die cuts were made by German companies. In England Louis Prang produced many beautiful scraps that are highly sought by today's collectors. Companies in England and Germany have continued to produce die cuts often with more contemporary designs and many who grew up in Europe have fond memories of collecting scraps as children.

Today, as a scrapbooker you can make good use of Victorian die cuts in your creations. The rich colors and variety of images make exceptionally attractive additions to your pages. Perhaps, however, you don't feel quite right using the original antique paper. Scanners and color printers enable you to use a facsimile copy and preserve the original. You can even cut down on your costs substantially by purchasing a digital copy of the original paper image. Rather than paying top prices for original antique scraps that will then be sent through the mail you can download a quality scanned image for a dollar or two and have it delivered immediately to your computer. Digital scrapbookers don't even need to worry about printing and can easily use the scanned images in their digital scrapbooks.

For Your Children to Enjoy

You can be sure that your children will love the latest digital scrapbooking kits. These kits are made with the help of state of the art technology and can be used online from wherever you please. These online kits involve a range of beautiful art work that can make your scrapbook look even more magnificent. If you like what you see, you can easily obtain a kit that is affordable.

All you need to do is take a look at the various scrapbook kits on these sites and choose one that defines your individual personality. These digital scrapbook kits are available at a discounted price to the members. Consequently, if you want to make sure all your memories are safely tucked away on this book, consider the option of their membership.

The membership allows you to access these portals as and when you please. You will also have the added benefit of acquiring digital scrapbooking kits for an entire year. Many people have acknowledged that you will not have access to all the books that are made available on these sites. In this way, you can be sure that you are dealing with a company who can help you get these products at a reasonable rate.

On these sites you will be able to access many digital scrapbooks themes. An added advantage of acquiring these digiscrap kits is that you will be able to save over seventy percent of the actual expenditure. You can be sure that you will never find a deal like the ones on these sites. So, be sure to obtain these kits at the earliest.
To obtain these kits, there is a simple process to follow. By going through the details on how to acquire these digital scrapbooking kits you will be able to find a book that is to your liking. All of this will be available to you at a cheaper rate if you register with the portal and become its members.

If you take a look at these websites you will notice that many of them display these scrapbooks. Hence, you will be able to take a look at these kits before you consider obtaining a digital scrapbooking kit of your own. You can be sure to get an opportunity to find a kit that is reasonably priced.

Take a look at the various scrapbooks available and you will find a book that reflects your personality. These digital scrapbooking kits have portals where you can stumble on tips of how to create a scrapbook with memories that can last you a lifetime. These sites will keep you updated about the various ideas that you can incorporate into the book. In this way, you will be able to acquire a scrapbook that your child will be able to enjoy. Many people have accredited these portals as some of the best in the business. So, obtain their services to help your child make memories.

Spiritual Legacy Found

One of the best ways to leave your Spiritual Legacy is through a "Faithbook"-a Scrapbook about your Faith.
When you leave a layout with a photo of your child and a scripture beside it as he/she grows that child will be drawn to it and will love reading it. You've prayed many prayers for your child/grandchild. How about writing one for your child for a time after you are gone?

What about that special story that happened to your family where the only explanation is that it was a God Moment? Put it in writing so that your child/grandchild will know of God's miraculous works. Perhaps God is calling you to think about how He has been faithful in your life. Maybe He wants you to create a Faithbook so that you can leave your Spiritual Legacy for those you love and for those who will follow you. I'd like to encourage you to sincerely pray about this.

If you don't pass on the stories/messages about God's presence in your life, chances are they will be buried with you. Don't die with those messages inside of you. Start today.  A professor once said to me, you don't know what death is until you lose a parent. I believe that many people would say you don't know what death is until you lose a loved one-whether it is a companion, child or parent. When one of our loved ones passes from this life here on Planet Earth, we are again reminded that time passes quickly and no one is promised another day.

When your baby is born, you watch so closely as that tiny infant eats, sleeps, yawns, coos, smiles, poops, stretches and grows. Those sleepless nights sometimes seem like "forever" nights but then before you know it your little baby. Living with daily pain and/or chronic illness can beat you up with the realization that your days are limited.

Things You Can Do With Your Scraps From Other Projects

Use the file folders for the scraps themselves - organized by color, the pen/marker to put the color on the top of the file folder! The accordion style holder can be anything you like - mine is a red file folder holder I was able to get as a "freebie", just find something you like or can use, even if it's a box!! I make sure to put colors like silver and grey together, and I have a misc. folder for all the pattern papers that do not have a specific color associated to it!

If it wasn't for me keeping a lot of my scraps over the years - I would not have been able to keep scrapbooking through the hard times! This is one way to help save money - and helps so that when you do buy a supply - the cost of that supply actually starts to pay for itself every time you use it. My Sizzix machine has actually more than paid for itself with just the die cuts I have right now! By saving your scraps, you will save money, be able to create more one-of-a-kind things, and save the environment too! The way I see it is this, for every "thing" I make that is made out of scraps I have accomplished many things - but the best of what I have accomplished is the personal mark I make on the item that I have made!

Do you keep your scraps that are left over from other scrapbook projects - or do you throw them away? If you throw them away - I'm talking to you here - as you are WASTING so much money that you shouldn't have to!!! Times are really hard right now; people do not have a lot of money to waste on fun things like scrapbooking. But memories and time spent with friends and family are still there! You don't have to have a ton of products just to make things look good - it's about the products you do have and what you do with them to help you save money! Using scraps will help you save MONEY!

Mental Health Benefits of Scrapbooking

Watching someone who is absorbed in the art of scrapbooking, the observer gets a feeling that there is more taking place than participation in a hobby. Immersed in photographs and memorabilia, the hobbyist appears to rise above the current stress of life as the task provides a mental break from the demands of the day. Shared with loved ones or friends, scrapbooking is also an avenue for spending quality time together while sharing ideas behind a single purpose.

But don't just accept the words of an insider. Indeed the Craft and Hobby Association emphasizes the "therapeutic benefits" of this particular hobby. According to estimates by the association, people in 35 percent of U.S. households both enjoy scrapbooking a regular basis and enjoy the therapetuic rewards. In addition, there is a benefit that should not be overlooked: The pride in a finished product, or the complete scrapbook itself.

The benefits of scrapbooking have long been embraced by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which launched a therapeutic scrapbooking program for parents 10 years ago. Now a study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, which analyzed the influence of the scrapbooking sessions, found that they promote hopefulness and help parents expand their support network. The study highlights a previously unknown benefit of scrapbooking.

"Even though the craft of scrapbooking is widespread, its use as a tool for mental health professionals is just developing," stated Paul McCarthy, a St. Jude social worker. "I hope our experience at St. Jude encourages others to try it in diverse settings with a variety of different groups, both young and old."

Plainly, the association and St. Jude are convinced of the lifetime benefits of scrapbooking. While there are most likely too many to list all of them, these benefits usually fall into one of five areas.
The first is the benefit of giving, or the joy one feels when one creates a unique piece that requires great thought and the sharing of memories.

The next is the recording of events for people in the past, and future, to remember important occasions and life events that help to define individuals and families in unique ways. The quiet and reflective mindset that accompanies scrapbooking is a third benefit. In a culture where medication is often a first resort for addressing anxiety, scrapbooking provides a meaningful and soothing break from the stresses of life.

The benefit of normalizing traumatic events, such as divorce, illness and death by putting memories in a cohesive yet expressive order, is a fourth benefit. In this way, scrapbooking promotes not just self-expression, but self-healing and a sense of inner peace, as the people at St. Jude have discovered.

Five Easy Scrapbook Ideas

Looking for easy scrapbook ideas that won't take you hours to complete? Look no further! This article will present five simple scrapbooking layout suggestions to highlight your photos and make your family's stories shine.

1. Best Of. Create a scrapbook layout that highlights your family's "Best Of." For example, for a family vacation page, choose one photo that shows the highlight of the trip. Then have each family member list their favorite memory from the trip. (Bonus: Create a whole album based on this idea, with one page about favorite food, one page about favorite attraction, one page about favorite moment, etc.).

2. Top 5. Like the "Best Of" scrapbook layout, the "Top 5" page can focus on the top movies of the year, the top plays in a soccer season, or the top songs your teen listens to. Note: This approach is a great way to get your kids involved in your scrapbooking! They love lists and getting their opinions on paper.

3. Who/What/When/Where/Why. Go for "just the facts" on your scrapbooking layout by choosing a few photos and accompanying them with the basics. Tell who's in the photo, what they're doing, when and where the photos were taken, and why they were there. You can always go back later and add in additional stories to flesh out the details.

4. In a Word... What if you had to choose only one word or a phrase to summarize the event or moment you are documenting? Maybe a photo collage of your kids running through the summer sprinklers could be titled, "Showers of Fun." A picture of your mom snuggling her first grandchild could be headlined with, "Pure Love." Sometimes a word or two is all you need!

More at Article country scrapbook tips and new Scrapbook love list