Angie's Online Shopping Blog

Getting to Know Your Digital Camera

2009-11-10T07:01:00.001-06:00

Article by: Dan Feildman

Photography is a beautiful art... simple in all its complexities and breathtaking in the results it produces. From preserving those priceless moments with your loved ones to creating exquisite works of art, the applications of photography are many. Once confined to bulky, expensive cameras and yards of film, photography has seen a new dawn with the advent of digital cameras. Swifter, a lot easier to use, and growing ever more compact with every passing day, digital cameras have indeed opened several avenues to the casual photographer as well as the seasoned expert. And now that you've decided to take the plunge with the digital brigade, your very first concern is choosing the best camera to suit your needs.

The multitude of models and makes that swarm the marketplace definitely don't make your choice any easier so how do you decide which camera is the best for you? To start with, you first need to understand that every make of digital cameras is developed to cater to a certain set of needs. Hence, in order to determine which camera you need to buy, you first need to establish the purpose you're going to use it for. A high speed camera which is developed in keeping with the interests of sports photographers will certainly not be a viable option for you, if all you're going to use it for is the odd vacation photograph. Also, if you're looking for more minute detailing in your photographs as well as a higher resolution, then the sleeker options that you find may not completely cater to your needs. This is because a majority of these models have been developed to ensure portability, and many include little more than the basic features.

Your second step would be to understand the world of digital photography. This would include familiarizing yourself with the most commonly used photography terms. For instance, you would need to know that an LCD is a screen attached to most cameras in addition to the viewfinder. This screen allows you to view your image before and immediately after you capture it, allowing to fine tune your focus and even re-capture the image if need be. However, several cameras are equipped only with the viewfinder, thus compelling you to hold the camera at an arm's length while capturing the photograph. As one of the key requirements to a clear photograph is a steady and sure hand, without your face to rest the camera on, your image is at a higher risk of being distorted.

You must also learn to distinguish between an optical zoom and a digital zoom. An optical zoom functions like traditional cameras, magnifying the image you are shooting. A digital zoom enlarges the final image by doubling the size of the pixels, which may also lead to fuzzier images. Digital images are comprised of mega pixels which in turn determine the quality of the image. The higher the number of mega pixels, the clearer the image. You may also want to check if your camera comes along with a stand which is invaluable in ensuring a steady and clear picture.

Once you gather this basic information, you can then start looking around for models which catch your eye. Start making a shortlist, comparing and contrasting the different makes and strike those off that do not meet your budget or requirements or both! At this stage, you can also start referring to photography journals and magazines for expert reviews and advice, which will also enable you to learn about first hand experiences with some of the relatively unknown models, you may come across.

If you aren't too comfortable with the notion of parting with your reliable old bulky camera, expense of film notwithstanding, but would still like the clarity that digital images offer, you can scan digital versions of your existing photographs and have them retouched with editing software or opt for an online photo service which will convert your film into digital reality. You can even use photo services to edit your photographs for minor glitches like red eye removal and adjusting the brightness and color.

Digital photography is a great way to explore your creativity, without worrying about how much you're spending on developing the film you've shot and printing charges. You can easily transfer your images from the memory card or stick onto your laptop or computer and then email them to friends or even upload them onto online albums. The key to mastering your digital photography skills is to keep practicing whenever possible and soon, you'll develop a style which is intrinsic to you and the envy of others!

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Need to improve your digital photography techniques? Pick up your free digital photography guide for better photos…almost instantly.

Sharing Your Digital Photos on Photobucket

2009-11-09T06:37:00.001-06:00

Photobucket is a popular website where you can store and share your photos and videos. A free account gives you up to 500 MB of storage space for images and video clips, with a maximum bandwidth of 10 GB a month.

If you need more storage, a Pro Account gives you 25 GB of space for $24.95 a year.

Photobucket also makes it very easy to share or embed your photos on other sites, such as your MySpace or Facebook accounts, Blogger blog or any other website. Photobucket generates a link code for each photo.

If you want photos you'll be proud to display online, check out "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros," a free report from Dan Feildman.

It's easy to upload photos into Photobucket.

1. Log into your Photobucket account, or, of you haven't done so yet, register for an account.

2. Hover your cursor over the "My Albums" tab then click on "My Albums & Upload."

3. On the left-most column, you'll find an Albums box. Use this box to create a new album for the photo you'd like to upload. Or, choose an existing album where you'd like the photo to be uploaded.

4. Click the "Upload images & videos" button

5. Select the photo you want to upload. You can upload either from your computer, another website, mobile phone or email.

6. Wait for the photo to upload. Afterwards, enter the title, description and tags for your picture. In the same screen, you can share the photo on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, email and other sites.

7. Finally, click either "Return to album" or "Add tags to all albums."

As you can see, it's pretty easy. Photobucket even lets you share your pictures through printed products, slideshows, scrapbooks and online galleries.

Before you do, however, make sure your digital photos are worthy of sharing. Pick up your copy of "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros." It's free.

Get it here:

"Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros."

Zoobooks Magazine for Kids Makes a Great Holiday Gift

2009-11-08T10:17:00.001-06:00

Turn Your Child's Love of Animals Into a Love of Reading

Now, for mere peanuts, you can give your kids a zoo-full of fun, facts, and entertainment! All with Zoobooks, your everything-you-want-to-know guide to the world's most fascinating animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. It's award-winning, educational fun for kids 6-12, and it's simply zooperb!

Perfect for Kids of All Ages

- If you are reading to your child
- If your child is learning to read
- If your child is reading on their own

Show you care all year long with a subscription to any one of our award-winning publications for ages 0-12.

Get a FREE poster and FREE animal stickers with your Zoobooks magazine!

How to Share Your Digital Photos on Flickr

2009-11-08T07:30:00.001-06:00

Flickr is an online digital photo sharing site, which has become a great place for professional photographers to showcase their work.

If you haven't tried it yet, here's a step-by-step guide to uploading your digital photos on Flickr.

(Note: This describes the basic steps to upload your pictures in Flickr, without using the uploader tools for PC and Mac.)

1. Get a Flickr account

If you already have a Yahoo! account, then all you need to do is sign in using your Yahoo! ID and password.

2. From your flickr homepage, click on the "Upload Photos & Video" button.

3. Click on "Choose photos and videos"

4. Select the file you want to upload. You upload more than one picture, by clicking "Add More"

5. Choose the privacy settings you want (private or public). Then click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button.

6. A progress bar will let you know how the upload is going. When it's done, you will see, "Finished! Next: add a description, perhaps? Click on the link if you'd like to add a description.

7. From this window, you can do several things: add a description, add tags, save the photo to a set (or create a new set, if you like). You can also change the privacy settings of the picture.

8. If you're satisfied with everything, click on "Save". You can go back and change any of the settings, and even delete and reorganize photos later.

Wasn't that easy? Now you can show off your best photos to the world. You could even have your photos used in websites and other materials - that is, if you want them to.

If you'd like to take digital photographs worthy of being displayed, shared and spread all over the Internet, check out "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros."

It's a free report with plenty of tips for taking digital pictures you'll be proud of.

Holiday Deals for November

2009-11-03T06:59:00.001-06:00

Drop by the Christmas Corner on Amazon.com, your one-stop shop for holiday essentials. Discover Christmas ornaments in all shapes, colors, and themes, holiday music and movies, holiday baking essentials, craft supplies, entertaining books, and everything you need to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Celebrate the holidays with unbeatable deals from Amazon Music! Throughout the season, they'll be featuring deep discounts on your favorite music and launching unique events and promotions in their Gift Ideas for Music Lovers store. Kick off the season with our ‘Black Friday Deals’-- from Nov. 25 through Nov. 30, 2009, they'll be featuring hits starting at $7.99, box sets at least 50% off, daily specials, and more.
Wrap up your holiday shopping quickly in the Tools & Home Improvement Gift Store. All-purpose Leatherman multitools, heavy-duty Makita drills, indispensable flashlights, and more exciting gifts and deals await in the Gift Store.
‘Tis the season to indulge that special someone in your life with great savings on timeless classics. Shop early for great savings, including up to 70% off savings on pearl jewelry and 30% off diamond stud earrings at checkout.
Shop the 2009 Holiday Toy List for the perfect holiday gifts by age, category, and price. Choose from top toys, games, electronics, video games, and more at everyday low prices.

Winter November Deals: Prep Your Car and More

2009-11-02T14:15:00.001-06:00

Get ready for winter driving and save on tire chains, wiper blades, headlights, and more.

For Sci-Fan fans, we are having a Sci-Fi Extravaganza with up to 55% Off over 600 Sci-fi DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. The sale runs through Nov. 23, 2009 while supplies last.

Extra Discounts on Magazine Subscriptions – During November and December you can save up to $10 instantly at checkout on magazines like Sports Illustrated, People, Time, and hundreds more.

Visit MP3 Special Deals and download daily deals at ridiculously low prices, find a monthly hand-picked selection of 50 albums for just $5 each, and explore hundreds of free songs and sampler albums.

Cozy crocs, winter boots and more! Save $20 on the latest fall arrivals for boys and girls when you spend $80 or more on Amazon.com. Shop now and enjoy FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Family Too Busy to Really Get Together? Here’s a Solution

2009-10-29T14:53:00.001-05:00

If you’re like most families, you all have such busy lives that sometimes it’s tough to connect. It seems impossible to get EVERYTHING done and have QUALITY time together.

And if you’re like many busy moms, you probably constantly find yourself saying, “as soon as I’m finished” or “maybe later”

Well, later might just be too late. Don’t let another day pass by like this.

If you’re ready to find easy solutions to organizing your life to have more time together, I recommend picking up a copy of the ‘Real Life Guidance to Finding More Family Time’ report.

This report was created by Certified Life Coach, Aurelia Williams, and is just what you need to get things back on track.

The report gives you practical solutions for:

- Being realistic in your family goals
- How to find balance between your work and life
- Organizing your life to find more time
- Routine and scheduling tips even the most spontaneous families can get into
- Plenty of activity ideas (never say there’s nothing to do!)

This 20-page report is perfect for the busy mom who needs QUICK and EASY help to finding that precious time with family. It’s also available instantly, so even if it’s the middle of the night while everyone else in the sleep, you can all wake up with a plan to reconnect as a family.

Learn more and grab your guide at: http://tinyurl.com/RealLife1241

Tips On How To Care For Your Organic Home Herb Garden

2009-10-29T07:12:00.001-05:00

There are many benefits to cultivating an organic home herb garden. Going organic means you avoid using chemicals that can harm you, your plant, and the environment. Using organic products also help keep your plants healthier and improve the quality of your soil over time. Avoiding chemicals is specially important if you intend to use your herbs for cooking.

Going organic need not be complicated or expensive. There are many alternatives that are available to an organic gardener like you. There are store-bought products that you can use, or you can choose to create your own organic products if you wish.

Here are some tips to help you create and care for an organic home herb garden:

Using organic fertilizers. Whenever you engage in planting, you will need fertilizers to help make sure your herbs find all the nutrients they need in the soil you put them in. Choose to use organic fertilizers over chemical fertilizers. Not only will you help your herbs get the nutrients they need, but you also make sure that your soil becomes richer and more fertile over time. Chemical fertilizers have a tendency to enrich the soil now, but strip it of nutrients over the long run. So choosing organic is your best bet.
Creating your own compost pit. If you have the time, creating your own compost pit is something you may want to look into. It’s cheaper than buying organic fertilizers from the store and at the same time you get to recycle some of your kitchen and garden scraps. You don’t need a lot of space to be able to make compost. There are a lot of compost bins that you can buy from stores and they don’t take up a lot of space.

For more information on how to set up your own compost pit, you can check out Jeannie Woods’ “Healthy Happy Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide To Herbs and Herb Gardening”. It offers a great guide for anyone who’s new to organic herb gardening. You can learn more about the book here: http://afc42juo1vsv8la2qlsvi5214o.hop.clickbank.net/

Using natural methods as a deterrent against pests and illnesses. Herbs that are healthy, receive sufficient sunlight and nutrients from the soil naturally repel herb illnesses. They’re able to resist and fight diseases compared to plants that are undernourished. Clearly, taking good care of your herbs is the most important thing you can do to keep them safe and thriving.
Another way to strengthen your herbs’ immunity naturally is to plant them next to other herbs or other plants that can help keep pests and diseases away. For example, plating a neem tree next to your garden is a good idea to keep bugs away. Another example is planting horseradish, which is a type of herb, around the perimeter of your garden.

Creating natural pesticides. Preparing homemade, natural pesticides is a great way to keep pests away. These solutions are harmful to pests but are gentle and safe for your herbs. Again, since these are organic, it is safe to use even on herbs that will end up in your food. One example of an organic pesticide is made from steeping horseradish roots. Spraying your plants with this solution can keep pests away from your garden.

If you are serious about cultivating an organic herb garden, be sure to check out “Healthy Happy Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide To Herbs and Herb Gardening” by Jeannie Woods. It’s a book packed with all the information you need to be able to successful start and keep a thriving organic herb garden. You can read more about it here: http://afc42juo1vsv8la2qlsvi5214o.hop.clickbank.net/

How To Choose A Garden Herb For Your Home Herb Garden

2009-10-28T07:06:00.001-05:00

When choosing a garden herb for your home herb garden there are several things you need to consider. These things will make a big difference in whether or not your herb thrives and can also help you stay motivated in your herb garden.

Here is a list of considerations to help you decide what herbs to grow:

1. Your gardening expertise

Some herbs are easier to care for than others. And if you’re a beginner herb gardener, you may want to start with the easier ones to manage. Some of the popular herbs for beginners are dill, basil, rosemary, chamomile and thyme. These herbs are easy to grow and requires moderate amount of care.

2. Weather and Climate

Most herbs require a full day of sunshine. But if that is something that is not available in your area, you might want to look for herbs that can survive in your particular climate. If you live in a region that experiences winter, you would also want to check to find out if the herb is the type that can survive winter or not.

3. Space

When choosing your garden herb, think about your space restrictions. Some herbs need a lot of room to grow, especially if they grow to be a few feet high. Some herbs spread out wide above and below ground, so you need to space them appropriately when planting them. Be sure to take these into consideration when making your selection.

4. Time & Commitment

How much time you intend to commit to this hobby will also affect the amount of care you can give your home herb garden. Be realistic with the amount of time you can spend on your herbs. This will help you plan what herbs to cultivate and also decide how to go about caring for them.

5. Herb Compatibility

Some herbs grow well together, and there are herbs that can harm other herbs that are grown next to it. Herbs that are compatible and mutually beneficial to each other are called companion herbs. As much as possible, you want to choose to plant companion herbs together to get the most out of each plant.

6. Intended Use

How you intend to use your harvest will also affect your choices. Do you plan to cultivate herbs for culinary purposes, to make beauty treatments or simply to make your home look more inviting? Being able to use your herbs can help you appreciate the time you spend on them even more. So be sure to choose herbs that you will want to use.

Selecting your herbs with as much care as possible will ensure that you are able to provide them with the best possible environment to thrive. If you want to learn more about how to select your herbs, check out Jeannie Woods’ “Healthy Happy Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide To Herbs and Herb Gardening”. Aside from an in depth discussion on how to select your herbs, her book also offers you a great guide on how to care for your herbs so you end up with a healthy and flourishing herb garden. You can check it out here: http://afc42juo1vsv8la2qlsvi5214o.hop.clickbank.net/

How Much Should You Water Your Home Herb Garden

2009-10-27T07:16:00.001-05:00

When caring for an herb garden, determining how much water your garden needs is something you need to take seriously. Different herbs have varying preferences when it comes to how much or how little water they need. It pays to research on the type of herb that you plan to cultivate.

If you plan to plant several kinds of herbs, you may want to group them based on their water requirements. This will make it easier for you to care for them and make sure they each receive the appropriate amount of water they need to thrive.

When watering your plants, there are some things you need to keep in mind:

1. The best time to water your plants is during the morning.

This will allow the water on the leaves and the stem of the herb to dry out completely, making sure that molds do not grow on your herbs. This is also the best time for plants to absorb the water from the soil.

2. Seedlings will require more water than full grown plants.

Herb seedlings will usually require a little water everyday. Once they’ve matured, you can move them to a twice or thrice a week watering schedule. Be sure to watch out for signs of dehydration or over watering and adjust accordingly.

3. You need soil that drains well to prevent the roots from becoming too moist.

Too much moisture in the roots all the time will cause your roots to rot and your herbs to dry. Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell if your soil drains well until after you’ve tried planting on it. If your soil doesn’t naturally drain well, one way to address this is by applying compost to your soil. Compost can help regulate the moisture content of the soil. It keeps it from staying too moist, and at the same time makes sure that your herbs’ roots have a moisture reserve to tap into in case your soil is too dry.

4. Watering your plants one day and letting them go for several days without water can help strengthen their roots.

Once your plants are well established, you don’t need to water them as often as when they were seedlings. Like mentioned earlier, you can apply a 2x to 3x a week watering schedule. Some gardeners even apply a 1x a week watering schedule. This will help your roots become stronger because they’ll be forced to work harder to seek water. Stronger roots mean hardier plants. Be sure to check your herbs for signs of dehydration though, as some herbs really do require to be watered more frequently than others.

5. Whenever possible, water only the base of your herbs and avoid getting your leaves wet.

Make sure that the roots and the soil around the roots are soaked. Watering your plants this way is beneficial in many ways. First, it delivers the water directly where the plants need them – at the roots. Next, it helps you avoid molds growing on the leaves because you are keeping them dry.

Another benefit is that watering your plants this way will force you to observe the closely, to check if the herb is healthy and free from pests and illnesses. Lastly, this method of watering your plants will help you conserve water. You’ll use up less water when you water the base of the plant directly, rather than watering from the top and letting the water trickle down and soak the soil.

For more tips on how to water your soil, check out Jeannie Woods’ book called “Healthy Happy Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide To Herbs And Herb Gardening”. This book talks about the things you need to know to be able to start and cultivate a flourishing organic herb garden. Whether you intend to care for a large garden or a small container garden in your apartment, this book is sure to give you tips and guidelines that you will find really useful and practical. It’s a must for every aspiring herb gardener. You can learn more about this book by clicking on this link: http://afc42juo1vsv8la2qlsvi5214o.hop.clickbank.net/

Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

2009-10-24T07:45:00.001-05:00

Unlike their owners, cats and dogs don’t always enjoy the fun spirit of Halloween. While we humans tend to get excited and go romping out into the neighborhood, frolicking through fallen leaves, ringing doorbells and bringing home the rewards of our labor in the form of sweet treats, many of our animal companions find this time quite stressful. Your pet does not realize the costumes and sounds are make-believe and the people behind those getups are just that…people. You may find that your animal will panic when you answer the door for trick-or-treaters or when you dress up in your Halloween costume.

Keeping Your Easily Agitated Pets Safe from Harm

If you’re hosting a party in your home or invite trick-or-treaters to your door, one of the best ways to keep Fido (and those who are visiting) safe is to remove him from the situation completely. You can kennel your animal somewhere else for the night or put them in a room that’s off limits to guests. If your cat or dog is normally skittish around people, it’s best to keep them away from all the commotion on Halloween.

While many animals will freak out from all the holiday hoopla, there are some who love it just as much, if not more than you do. Here are some tips to allow your people loving, socialite pet to get involved in the festivities in a safe way.

Let them enjoy your visitors – from a distance.

You may find that your pet is not bothered by the costumes at all. Maybe your puppy or kitty likes to go to the door and welcome your guests. If this is the case, make sure he or she does not dart out the door while you’re handing out treats. Try leashing your animal within a safe distance from the door so they can enjoy the guests while remaining safe inside.

This will also help the children who like to see the animals but don’t want to touch them or be close to them. Because animals scare some children while others get very excited and want to run toward them and be the aggressor, a leashed animal will help you stay in control of the situation and allow both the children and your pet to enjoy the experience.

Candy and Pets Don’t Mix

If you have children who will be trick-or-treating, you’ll have to pay careful attention to your pets once you return home for the night with the kids’ treats. While sorting and eating the goodies from the evening, make certain that all candy, especially chocolate, is out of the cat or dog’s reach. Chocolate, even in the tiniest amounts, can be deadly to animals. Refrain from letting your little ones dump their trick-or-treat bags and buckets on the floor to sort their candy. Instead, head to the dining room table or a counter to pick through the yummy treats.

You Know Your Pet Better Than Anyone

As the “parent” to your pet, you know his or her temperament better than anyone else. If this is your first Halloween with a pet, don’t be surprised if he or she doesn’t find the day as pleasurable as the other members of the family. Keep these simple, yet often overlooked safety tips in mind this year. By taking simple precautions beforehand to prepare for the night, you can ensure everyone in the family and all your guests have a healthy and safe Halloween.

Creating a Memorable First Halloween for Baby

2009-10-23T07:26:00.001-05:00

Pictures, albums and home video may be the only way children ever know they even participated in trick or treating as a baby. Who are we kidding? We all know the fun of baby’s first Halloween or two is more for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. Here are some suggestions for saving money on baby’s first trick or treat experience as well as safety tips to make the night as fun as it can be.

Be Frugal with Baby’s First Halloween Costume

The first Halloween costume should be special, but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank? Before you go crazy spending out of your budget for a Halloween outfit for baby, try networking with other parents. Many parents save their own children’s first costumes. They may be open to swapping costumes with you or willing to sell their little one’s old costume at a minimal cost. If this isn’t an option for you and you find you need to purchase your baby’s costume, there are lots of children’s thrift stores and boutiques that carry precious Halloween outfits in the month of October. Another option for making sure baby’s first costume is cute and inexpensive outfit is to check eBay.

Safety Tips to Keep Baby’s Safe and Sound

Pass On Inhibiting Costume Items

Babies do not like to wear masks and most will fight and cry in discomfort if you put them in costumes that restrict their movements.

Avoid Scary Masks and Costumes

Don’t be surprised if older babies are frightened by other people’s masks and costumes as well. This is not a time to instill fear into your baby. Sometimes adults and older children find it funny to show babies “the ropes” without realizing they can inadvertently scare infants.

Keep Weather Conditions in Mind

When choosing your costume, keep in mind what your weather will most likely be that time of year. In the northern part of the U.S., it is not unusual for children to wear coats over their costumes. The more south you go, you may have children overdressed in 80 degree weather. That adorable fur bear or lion outfit may not be the most comfortable outfit for baby if you live in an area that’s still a bit warm on Halloween. Don’t over or undress baby.

Give Family & Friends a Call Ahead Before Visiting

You have special people in your life that you’ll want to share baby’s first Halloween with. A phone call ahead to these people to be sure they are going to be home will help ensure that pictures (or videos) of baby with this special someone can be taken. Try and make your plans up to a week ahead. You don’t want to be disappointed later when trying to scrapbook your child’s first trick or treat experience and someone is missing.

Celebrate Baby’s First Halloween Again and Again

Just like every other first for your little one, you’ll want to keep record of his or her first Halloween with pictures, video and other keepsake items. One way you can do this is by creating a scrapbook that will preserve these items for years to come. Get creative in how you layout your album. Don’t be afraid to take pictures with props that symbolize the holiday and the season. Hay bails and pumpkins are just a few ideas; you can also check with your local craft store for other embellishments such as stamps, stencils and more.

Memories are something we all have. With some extra care and planning, Halloween and your baby’s first trick or treat experience can be most memorable for everyone involved. Who knows, that adorable first Halloween costume might find its way into the senior year book later.

No matter what costume you choose or how you remember the day, keep the tips and suggestions above in mind for a safe, happy and fun Halloween.

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Homemade Halloween Costumes Made Simple

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Back Pain? Sciatica? Grab This Free Book Right Now

2009-10-22T22:31:00.001-05:00

I don't know if you saw it, but a few weeks ago I wrote about a great new book called "The 7-Day Back Pain Cure"...

Well, it was written by a good friend of mine, Jesse Cannone. Jesse is recognized as one of the leading back pain relief experts in the world and right now he is giving away FREE copies of this new book.

It's not an eBook or anything like that... it's a real book and it's for sale on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble, but don't go buy it because if you go to his website you can get a free copy. You just pay a small shipping fee...

Plus, a portion of your shipping fee is donated to one of two great charities: Habitat for Humanity or St. Jude's Children?s Hospital - you choose.

Click here to grab a FREE copy
http://bit.ly/1e3eGC

Not only is the book fabulous, but he's done such a great job in taking complicated issues like back pain and the many things that cause it and he's broken it down into an easy to read and understand book.

I found it very eye-opening and I have already made many changes to my daily routine from how I sit, to what I eat (or don't eat), to how I exercise and more... and I don't have back pain! But I do want to prevent it.

Plus, what I like most about the book are the "7-Day Action Plans" that he has at the end of the book... so based on your situation, you choose the action plan that's best for you... then all you have to do is follow the steps.

So, if you suffer from any type of back pain, I highly recommend you go grab yourself a free copy of his book now... and if you get to his website and they are out of free copies, I'd go buy it... it's that good!

Click here to grab a FREE copy
http://bit.ly/1e3eGC

I hope find it as helpful as I have.

Best,
Arthur M.

P.S. If you don't have back or neck pain, but you know someone who does, please be sure to forward this to them... I'm sure they'll thank you greatly.

Halloween Wreath Craft for Pre-School and Kindergarten Students

2009-10-22T08:04:00.001-05:00

This is a fun project that you may want to break up across a couple of days, so be sure to start a few days before Halloween. Mom, you can join in the fun as well and make a Halloween wreath of your own too!

Material List

· Paper Plate (One per child/adult)

· Scissors

· Leaves

· Glue Sticks

· Orange Construction Papers

· White Construction Paper

· Black Construction Paper

· Washable Black Marker

· Black Yarn (optional)

Adult Preparation: (To Be Done Prior to Actual Wreath Making)

Cut the center from each paper plate prior to giving one to each child. These will be the base for the homemade wreaths.

Day 1: Grab the kids and head outdoors.

Gather as many fallen leaves of different shapes and colors as you can find. Once you’ve collected enough leaves to cover each paper plate, head back inside and glue them to the paper plates. You can glue the leaves to cover the entire plate, randomly around the plate or even as a border around only the edge, whichever you prefer. Once you’ve glued the leaves to the paper plate, leave the plates to dry for 24 hours or at least overnight.

Day 2: Creativity

Depending on how much time you have to complete this project you can have the children do the next step after the leaves have been glued on, while you’re waiting for them to dry or you can make another day of it.

Let the children draw Halloween images on the construction paper. Here are some ideas for each color of paper:

Orange – Pumpkins (Use the black marker to draw the face on their pumpkins)

White – Ghosts, Mummies, Bones

Black – Cats, Witch Hats (You can use the yarn to put a tail on the cat and hair on the witches head if you’d like to put that under the hat)

Once the children have picked out and drawn which decorations they’ll be using, carefully cut them out and paste them to the wreath.

Tip: Pre-placement (before gluing) will give the child an idea of what the wreath will look like once it is all glued together. When the children are happy with the way the decorations are placed, it’s time to glue them to the leaves.

Again, allow the decorations to dry completely.

Day 3: Decorating Time

Congratulations! You’ve made your very own homemade Halloween wreath. Enjoy your child’s creation by hanging it on the front door or his or her bedroom door for all your friends and family to see and admire.

Halloween Fun for Children

2009-10-21T07:39:00.001-05:00

The time is upon us. The weather is starting to get chillier, the leaves are falling, school has started and that can only mean one thing: Halloween is around the corner! This time of year is all spooking a few friends, stocking up with goodies on the big night and having fun. So, here are some ideas to help your children (and you) have a great time this Halloween. Have fun!

Halloween Riddles for All Ages

1. What did Dr. Spook give the witch who had a sore throat?
Answer: Coffin Drops

2. What do Ghost’s wear when their eye sight is failing?
Answer: Spookicles

3. How do you make a witch stew?
Answer: Make her wait!

4. What do lady ghosts put on their skin?
Answer: Vanishing lotion

5. What do you get when you cross a witch with an iceberg?
Answer: A cold spell

6. How do bats learn to fly?
Answer: They take batting lessons.

7. If you worked in a mortuary, what would you call your free time?
Answer: Coffin Break

8. Why do skeletons always catch a cold?
Answer: the get chilled to the bone.

9. What is a vampire's favorite fruit?
Answer: Necktarines

Tombstone Quotes to Make You Giggle

Bonnie Parker (Bonnie and Clyde): “As the flowers are all made sweeter by the sunshine and the dew, so this old world is made brighter by the lives of folks like you.”

Tombstone Arizona: “Here lies Lester Moore; Four slugs from a .44; No Les No More.

Pennsylvania Tombstone, US: “Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake. Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.”

England Tombstone: “The children of Israel wanted bread and the Lord sent them manna. Old Clerk Wallace wanted a wife…and the Devil sent him Anna.”

Massachusetts Tombstone: “Under the sod and under the trees, lies the body of Jonathan Pease. He is not here, there’s only the pod. Pease shelled out and went to God.”

Dentists’ Tombstone: “John Brown is filling his last cavity.”

Can you come up with more funny or spooky tombstone ideas?

Who Can Make the Most Words?

On a piece of paper write the words “Trick or Treat”. See who can make the most words using only the letters found in the phrase.

Possible Answers: (There may be more, but here are quite a bit to get you started): rock, ate, tick, tack, race, oat, are, rate, crate, car, rack, trace, tart, tort, crater, racer, rice, track, or, tea, tire, ace, ice, ore, tore, rico, roar, kite, tear

Here’s a Halloween poem kids will love:

Witches and Goblins and Ghosts, OH NO
By Sheilah Warner Blackledge

Out on a night called Halloween
I’m dressed like a dog and my mom’s a queen
The sounds of ghosts make me turn green
I think I’ll run, but instead I scream
The witch over there behind those trees
Put me and mama on our knees
A goblin grabbed me by the arm
It was my friend Jo who meant me no harm
Oh my, oh why do I want to go?
To hear witches and goblins and ghosts, OH NO!

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Homemade Halloween Costumes Made Simple

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Avoid The Burned Out SuperMom Trap This Holiday Season

2009-10-20T13:36:00.001-05:00

The holidays are creeping upon us…and fast. Just look at the calendar. You won’t believe how close it really is.

Although it’s a great family time of year, for most of us moms it means we have to go into overdrive trying to get everything done. You’ve done this before and you know just how overwhelming it can be.

If you need a little help:

- Learning how to say no WITHOUT the guilt
- Get organized, so can still get plenty done without losing your mind
- Getting just a little healthier for increased energy and reduced stress

…you have to pick up a copy of Aurelia William’s “Real Life Guidance to Getting out of the SuperMom Trap”. She’ll show you just how to do all that and inspire you with stories of other moms who dug themselves out of the trap too.

Aurelia is a Certified Life Coach who specializes in helping women find balance and satisfaction in their lives and her advice is always right on. Instead of going crazy this time around, grab her guide to start making changes before the holiday frenzy starts.

You can learn more about the guide and get yours at: http://tinyurl.com/RealLife1455

The guide and all the accompanying goodies (check them out at the link above) are available for instant download. No need to wait for snail mail to get out of that SuperMom Trap once and for all!

http://tinyurl.com/RealLife1455

Mino HD video recorder

2009-10-14T16:44:00.001-05:00

It's the moment you've all been waiting for! The Flip has just launched it's new Mino HD video recorder! It has incredible features that provides users with an easy and stylish way to capture and share HD video. With its large high-resolution screen, it provides two hours of recording time and can be connected directly to a HD television with an HDMI cable.

Other Great Features Include:

Amazingly sleek, pocket-sized camcorder shoots breathtaking HD video
8GB of on-board memory records up to 120 minutes of video
Dimensions: 4” x 2” x 0.6”; weighs 4 oz
.Large, bright 2” no-glare display
HDMI output to TV
Sealed, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (up to 2 hours of battery life)
Available in brushed metal, or design your own at TheFlip.com
16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720) video at 30 fps progressive scan
Flat-back panel with touch-sensitive buttons
Instant playback, pause, fast forward/rewind, and delete features
Pre-loaded FlipShare™ software works on any PC or Mac:
Save, organize, and edit videos with ease
Share privately via email or Flip Channels™
Upload videos directly to Facebook™, MySpace™, and YouTube™
Capture HD snapshots from your videos
Create custom movies with your own music
Personalize your own Flip MinoHDat TheFlip.com (no additional cost)
Choose from thousands of professional designs
Upload your own image or graphic

Introducing Mino HD™: The World's Smallest HD Camcorder!

Pressure Cooking vs. Slow Cooking

2009-10-14T07:17:00.001-05:00

We’ve all heard of a slow cooker (aka crock pot) and we’ve all probably heard of a pressure cooker. While most of you know and probably use a slow cooker, some of you may not know what a pressure cooker is, how it works, or the benefits of using a pressure cooker. While both the slow cooker and the pressure cooker cook foods like meats, vegetables, casseroles and beans very well, pressure cookers can also cook things like cheesecake and oatmeal.

Speed of Cooking

Pressure cookers cook in significantly less time than slow cookers. And, you don’t have to be super organized to prepare a meal in a pressure cooker, where with a slow cooker you do. For instance, using a slow cooker, you have to get up in the morning and prepare all your ingredients and place them in the slow cooker in order for them to cook all day while you’re at work or running errands. When you use a pressure cooker, you can come home from work and in just a few minutes time have a quick, healthy and delicious meal all prepared all at once.

Convenience

Pressure cookers are also much more convenient than slow cookers. For instance, to gain the maximum flavor from meat, it should be browned. When you use a slow cooker an extra pan has to be used for the browning, but you can brown the meat right inside a pressure cooker. If you have a recipe that calls for bacon, you can fry up the bacon right in the pressure cooker as well. So there is no extra washing of a pan using a pressure cooker like there is if you were to use a slow cooker.

Time-Saving

Another advantage of using a pressure cooker over a slow cooker is the fact that you can caramelize onions in the pressure cooker. Again, if you needed caramelized onions in a recipe for a slow cooker, you’d have to prepare them in a separate pan. Not only is this annoying, but it’s also more time consuming. Most of you are rushed in the mornings as it is, and rarely have time to prepare a dish for the slow cooker, but you can have the same great tasting meals, and more, using a pressure cooker.

Energy Savings

Not only will you not have to rush to get it ready in the morning for dinner time, but you’ll also save energy. Instead of having a slow cooker that’s plugged in all day and using energy, you’ll be able to prepare yummy, healthy and delicious meals in just a few minutes time using a pressure cooker.

There you have it. Pressure cookers can actually save you more time and money over a crock pot. For those who’ve swore by a crock pot, why not give a pressure cooker a try next time? You might be pleasantly surprised at how much you like it.

The Amazon Kindle

2009-10-12T07:55:00.001-05:00

We have some exciting Amazon Kindle news. First, their bestselling Kindle is now $259, down from $299. Second, they are introducing a new addition to their Kindle family of wireless reading devices: Kindle with U.S. and International Wireless. Their newest Kindle can ship to customers around the world!

With this new Kindle, you can receive your books, newspapers, and magazines wirelessly while at home or abroad in over 100 countries. Whether you’re in New York, Paris, São Paulo, Mumbai, Beijing, Tokyo, or Sydney, you can think of a book and be reading it in less than 60 seconds.

Their $259 Kindle with U.S. Wireless is available for immediate shipment, and our $279 Kindle with U.S. and International Wireless can be preordered today for delivery starting in two weeks.

Kindle utilizes the same 3G wireless technology as advanced cell phones, so you never need to hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Unlike cell phones, there are no monthly wireless bills and no yearly contracts. There is no software to install, and no syncing required.

Kindle is as thin as most magazines and weighs less than a paperback—but can hold 1,500 books. Its electronic-ink screen looks and reads like real paper with no glare—even in bright sunlight. A long battery life means you can read for up to two weeks on a single charge.

The U.S. Kindle Store has more than 350,000 books, including 107 of 112 New York Times bestsellers, plus top newspapers, magazines, and blogs.

Choosing the Best Pressure Cooker for Your Family

2009-10-06T07:36:00.001-05:00

There are many things to consider when choosing a pressure cooker that’s right for you and your family’s cooking needs, such as size, price and functionality. In this article, we will cover how to choose a pressure cooker that’s just the right size for your family and visitors. We will also cover how to choose a pressure cooker that has the functions you need for your family’s eating style, and of course the price variations that go along with the different brands and types of pressure cookers.

First off, let’s talk about size. Because there are different sizes of pressure cookers, you need to know which one will best fit your needs. When preparing a meal or dish in a pressure cooker, you need to keep in mind that you can only fill it 2/3 full to allow room for any foam or debris that may build up during cooking. This also prevents the vent from getting clogged.

You can cook small amounts of food in a larger pressure cooker but you can’t cook large amounts of food in a smaller pressure cooker. The 6 quart size is good for just about any recipe that serves 4 to 6 people. However, if you want to cook a whole chicken or a large roast, a 9.5 quart size serves this purpose best.

Pressure cooker sizes range from 4 quart all the way up to 12 quart, so if you have a really large family or entertain guests often, one of the larger sizes will work best for you. Larger pressure cookers can also be used for canning.

Prices for pressure cookers vary greatly depending on brand, size and type. There are duo pressure cookers that cost just over $100, and there are single 4 quart pressure cookers that are under $25. Mirro makes a 22 quart pressure cooker for around $80 on Amazon. I believe you get what you pay for, so therefore I usually choose something mid-range. You can find a wide variety of pressure cookers either online or at your favorite department store. If you’re unsure, I would suggest sticking with a brand you already know and trust.

Another thing to consider when choosing a pressure cooker is functionality. Many recipes call for using a trivet and basket, so you will want to be sure your pressure cooker comes with those, or is available for purchase separately or at a later date.

If you have an older pressure cooker, you should consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient model. Pressure cookers today aren’t the same ones your mom used 30 years ago. Today, pressure cookers are safer and come in a variety of pressures.

Speaking of pressure, that’s another thing to consider when choosing a pressure cooker; what’s the greatest amount of pressure should you choose? Most recipes call for 15psi, so for ease of meal preparation you should choose one at that pressure. If you decide to go with less pressure, you will have to increase the cooking time depending on the amount of pressure your cooker supplies. This could be anywhere from 12% to 20%, so you’ll need to keep that in mind when using a recipe.

How to Carve Your First Pumpkin

2009-09-26T07:26:00.001-05:00

So you’re ready to carve your first pumpkin? Congratulations in joining the ranks of many who rank pumpkin carving as one of their favorite Halloween activities. To avoid a huge mess you’ll have to clean up later, the first thing you’ll need to do is prepare your workspace.

Choosing Your Pumpkin Carving Space

Select a flat work area. Lay down several layers of newspaper being sure to overlap them.

Gather Your Supplies

Pumpkin
Pumpkin Carving Kit or Butcher Knife & Serrated Paring Knife
Permanent Marker
Container lined with a garbage bag to deposit your waste
Lighting Source of Your Choice (Candle, glow sticks, etc.)

Preparing Your Pumpkin for Carving

Turn your pumpkin on its side. Using your permanent marker, draw a large circle on the bottom of the pumpkin. Be sure it’s large enough to fit a large spoon and your hand inside. By cutting out the bottom (instead of the top) you’ll make it easier to place your light source in it. Using your large butcher knife carefully cut out the circle. Make note of the best side for carving your chosen design or face.

Let the Fun Begin

It’s time to clean out your pumpkin. Using your hands, scoop out the seeds and put them in the garbage bag, unless you want to put them in a bowl for later roasting. Using either a wooden spatula or serving spoon, scrape out the meat. Hopefully you have already decided on which side you will be carving the face, as this will need extra removal of the flesh.

Draw Your Design

After the pumpkin has been cleaned out, it is time to draw the design of your choice. Use a semi-permanent marker or a pencil and draw your design on the pumpkin.

If you don’t have an artistic mind it’s ok. You can use a stencil available on several Internet sites or one that may have came in your tool kit. (www.hersheys.com is a good site for designs.) Take a copy of the design and place it over the pumpkin. Secure this with masking tape. With a needle, push pin or nail, start poking small holes through the paper and into the pumpkin. Make sure you do them close enough as this is the pattern from which you will carve.

It’s Finally Time to Carve

Preparation pays off. Now, let’s get carving this pumpkin. Be particular in your carving as any little slip with the knife is likely to ruin your design and may cause injury. With your paring knife or other preferred choice of carving tool, carve along the pattern lines cutting all the way through the rind. Cut away from yourself and into the pumpkin. After each feature has been cut out slowly push out the cut pieces from inside the pumpkin.

Hint: Keep your blades as sharp as possible to ensure accuracy and ease of carving.

Clean Up
Take your newspaper and fold it over on all sides, keeping your pumpkin “gunk” on the inside. Once folded, throw it in the trash can or garbage bag.

Congratulations! You’ve now carved your first pumpkin. Once you’ve finished and cleaned up the mess, place that baby out on the front porch and add your lighting. Show it off for the entire neighborhood to see. Don’t forget to take a picture too – after all you only have a first carved pumpkin once. Enjoy!

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Visit http://angies-recipes.blogspot.com/ for many Halloween Trick-or-Treat Recipes

Halloween Pumpkin Picking

2009-09-25T07:36:00.001-05:00

If you have the opportunity to choose your Halloween pumpkins from a farm this fall, I would encourage you to do so.

The last ten years I have taken my children and grandchildren out to a local farm to pick out our pumpkins. They have a hay wagon loaded with hay bales that we sit on. As the farmer pulls out very slowly, we know that our fall journey has begun. We are on our way to one of the finest times we spend together every year.

We travel over often slightly bumpy areas of ground, past recently harvested cornfields to our patch. This is a time where we are all together with no other sounds but that of the tractor and anxious children. The country farm smells are delightful and the kids laugh gleefully as we near the fields of pumpkins lying ahead.

I’m not sure if it’s the fact that we can walk all over, through the pumpkin fields or if it’s the camaraderie of just being together and having fun, but we always pick out far more pumpkins than we need.

The kids and I pick up gourds and squash that we find to be “totally cool” and everyone gets their fill. Some of these special finds are used for home decoration, end up at school in show and tell time and some go home with daycare children that we have. I pick up a few squash to cook, which at first was not real popular at our house with the kids, but now they find that the squash they pick is not really so bad (brown sugar and butter help a lot!)

At the farm we visit, they also have pumpkins that are grown specifically for making pumpkin pies. I can tell you that at first I was not excited to make my very own pumpkin pie from scratch but making it a family project, we now find it is as fun as wrapping Christmas presents. The calendar alone told me that it was fall in September, but my sense of smell and the pumpkin pie baking in the oven is always my way of welcoming fall again every year.

Often times we set the pumpkins out as a display for harvest or Halloween decorations because we don’t like to carve them too early. We find that in the last week before Halloween we carve the pumpkins and the children take them home.

We are so glad that we discovered this way to spend a great time together with the family. Choosing pumpkins from a pumpkin patch is much better than picking them from your local store market. Check around and see if you can’t find a patch and start your own family tradition.

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Visit http://angies-recipes.blogspot.com/ for many Halloween Trick-or-Treat Recipes

Tips for Planning a Trick-or-Treat Party that Doesn’t Cost a Fortune

2009-09-21T07:34:00.001-05:00

Halloween is a fun time of year! It’s a time to think about costumes, carving pumpkins and just plain fun. A Halloween party is an alternative to the normal trick or treat. You can plan an inexpensive party for your child. From the invitation to saying your goodbyes at the end of a fun filled night, this article will give you affordable ideas for the perfect party.

The Internet has some inexpensive invitations that you can download for the price of the ink and paper. Choose a color that would fit the season or theme of your party. I would deliver or mail these invitations to arrive three weeks prior to the date of the party.

Costumes are a huge part of a successful party. If you choose a theme, such as Star Wars or Character theme, you want to put that on the invitation so people can dress accordingly. Choosing a comfortable costume is in your best interest. You can often find what you’re looking for at thrift stores. Throughout the year I look for white sheets, full skirts, old vests, boots, scarves and other things that I can put together to make easy outfits. Colored hair sprays, wigs and gloves are some things you will want to look for. With some planning you can easily make a costume that will be comfortable and cute.

Next comes feeding your guests. Whatever you choose, use key words in your recipes like Zombie Punch and Graveyard Chips with Blood Salsa. I make iced pumpkin bars and design black spiders on them. I call these Spider Bars. For Zombie Punch, I take one each of 12 oz frozen orange juice and limeade. Mix with half the water as the recipe calls for. Refreeze these into tubs. At party time put them frozen into a punch bowl and add key lime sherbet and 7-Up to taste. For Graveyard chips and Blood salsa, I buy blue corn chips and find a very chunky salsa.

For games, the web is full of ideas. Mummy Bingo is fun for young children. I bought orange poster board; cut it to the size I wanted and with a black marker made the Bingo pattern. Candy Corn made great “bingo chips and was fun for munching. You can laminate these and re-use. A white sheet simply placed over a child creates another game; Guess the Ghost!

Let’s get our decorations up and we will be ready to party. Carve 5 to 6 pumpkins prior to the party. I found a cool carving set at Wal-Mart’s and I use it each year. There are a lot of ideas in the package that you simply follow. Put one pumpkin in the window closest to your entryway. You can line your porch or steps with a few as well. No matter where you place your pumpkins, remember safety in keeping them lit. You might choose a battery operated LED light. They flicker like a candle and are safe. Hanging creepy spiders and cobwebs are an inexpensive way to decorate and can be bought in discount stores. Keep spooky music playing in the background.

These are just some ideas for an inexpensive party. Whatever you choose to do, be safe, have fun and Happy Halloween!

Visit Homemade Halloween Costumes for Kids and Halloween Costumes For Kids (Pre-made costumes)

Easy Kids Crafts For Halloween

2009-09-17T07:17:00.001-05:00

Are your kids excited about Halloween yet? We don’t have a day go by where my daughter doesn’t ask me if it’s time to go trick-or-treating yet. Keep them busy while they wait with these easy kids craft ideas you can do together.

Ghost Hand Puppet
Kids love playing with puppets and there’s hardly an easier puppet to make than a ghost. All you need is a white paper towel, or a white handkerchief, a rubber band and a black marker.

Ask your child to spread out her thumb and pinky, but keep the 3 other fingers together. Drape the paper towel over her hand and secure the rubber band around the three fingers. This will be the ghost’s head; the thumb and pinkie form the arms. Draw eyes and a mouth on the paper towel and the little ghost puppet is finished.

Ghost Lollipops
Dress up the lollipops you are giving away for Halloween by wrapping a white tissue or small piece of fabric over them. Secure it with a piece of string or a rubber band. Take a black marker and draw eyes and a round mouth on the ghost’s face.

Spider Webs
What would Halloween be without spiders and spider webs? Make these cute little spider webs with the kids and hang them in the window. All you need are 3 craft or clean popsicle sticks and some white or black yarn. Take two of the craft sticks and glue them together to form a cross. Glue the 3rd one right in the middle, forming a star shape. Tie one end of the yarn around one of the craft sticks in the center. Start weaving it over one craft stick and under the other. Keep going around, forming your spider web. Make sure you leave at least 1/4th inch of the craft sticks sticking out and secure the loose end by tying it to one of the craft sticks. Glue a small plastic spider in the center and hang your spider web up.

Witch Broom Pencil
Witch broom pencils make a cute Halloween gift that doesn’t involve candy. You can turn any pencil into a witch’s broom with a handful of household items. All you need is a regular pencil, some small twigs out of the yard, some string and a little glue.

Break the twigs into equal lengths pieces and line them up around the unsharpened end of a pencil. Make it look like an old fashioned broom. Secure the wigs with string, and then apply a thick layer of glue to keep it all in place.

Cauldron Candy Dish
To make this cute cauldron candy dish, start with an empty round plastic container (like a cool-whip container). Clean it, dry it, and then paint it black. Paint three small wooden balls black as well. After the paint is dry, glue them to the bottom of your plastic container. Add a handle made out of wire if you’d like and your candy dish cauldron is done. Just add some of your favorite Halloween candy.

Pumpkin Painting
Carving funny or scary faces into a pumpkin is a lot of fun, but it also gets quite messy and small kids can’t really do much since there’s a knife involved. Buy a few small pumpkins instead, or in addition to the big carving pumpkin. Use permanent pens or acrylic paint to draw funny faces on your mini-pumpkins.

Make a Halloween Costume
Author Resource - Would you like to quickly make creative Kids Halloween Costumes that you and your children will be proud of — for a fraction of the price of store-bought? Susanne Myers has authored a book to show you how — no sewing involved. Visit Homemade Halloween Costumes for Kids to learn more.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Toddlers

2009-09-16T07:01:00.001-05:00

Dressing up your toddler for Halloween is a lot of fun. Enjoy it while you can. Before you know it your sweet little toddler will be in kindergarten or first grade and will have developed a much stronger opinion on his or her costume choices and you’ll no longer be able to dress him in the costume of your choice. Here are a few ideas for toddler Halloween costumes to get you started. Of course there are plenty of other options out there as well. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless.

Dwarf
Start with earth tone pants and shirt. Brown and dark greens work well. Put your child in some boots as well. Make a simple hat out of felt, similar to a witch’s hat but with a smaller brim. Finish the outfit with some gardening tools. Your little dwarf right out of “Snow White” is ready to go trick or treating.

Pumpkin
Start with a large orange sweatshirt. Cut eyes and a mouth shape out of black or yellow felt and glue them on the front of the shirt. Put the shirt on your child, fold up the sleeves, then stuff the belly and back area with newspapers or quilt batting to make it look nice and round like a pumpkin. Top it all of with a green cap. You can even cut some leaf shapes out of green felt and glue them to the top of the cap.

Sunflower
Dress your child in a green shirt and pants. For smaller children, especially those in colder climates, a one piece pajama-type outfit with feet works well. For the flower part, start with a brown hat or cap. Cut flower petal shapes out of yellow felt and glue them all around the hat. If you’d like you can cut two large leaf shapes out of green felt and glue them at the back of each of the shirt’s sleeves. A little plastic watering can makes a cute pail to carry candy in.

Author Resource -> Would you like to quickly make creative Halloween costumes that you and your children will be proud of — for a fraction of the price of store-bought? Susanne Myers has co-authored a book to show you how — no sewing involved. Visit Homemade Halloween Costumes for Kids