Victor Epand asked:


Flowers and balloons are crowd pleasers; people of all ages and backgrounds love to receive a combination of beautiful flowers and balloons. Many bouquets are designed specifically with a “Get Well Soon” theme, whether it is written on the flower vase, balloon, or accompanying card.

Not everyone would like a book, a stuffed animal, or a CD. People have different tastes; different likes and dislikes. A bouquet of flowers or a bunch of helium filled balloons can brighten just about anyone’s day.

Technology has made it quite easy for individuals to send flowers and balloons to loved ones anywhere in the world. Pre-designed and custom arrangements make it a breeze to choose something special.

Since a long list of flowers can be paired with a variety of balloons to create a distinctive gift, the input of a professional florist is often helpful. Florists can not only assist in choosing an arrangement appropriate for the age and preferences of the recipient, but they can also provide information about the care and life span of each particular flower.
For example, carnations are a popular bouquet choice because they can last up to two weeks. Alstromeria, lilies, and dendrobium orchids also possess more staying power than most, surviving about a week or so.

When someone has been ill, brightly-coloured flowers can quickly bring cheer. Bursts of delight, such as those found in sunflowers, tulips, or vivid iris mixes, are enough to lighten any room and mood.

Balloons are a great addition to any bouquet. Latex or rubber balloons will usually last a couple of weeks if filled with air, and anywhere from a week to ten days if inflated with helium. Many foil balloons will retain their shape for months, providing long-lasting enjoyment.

Flower and balloon arrangements have evolved over time, no longer limited to a standard, clear glass vase. In addition to modern, coloured vases, these types of gifts may be offered in reusable pots or baskets, or accompanied by a stuffed animal.

Stunning blends of fresh-cut flowers and joyous balloons will be greatly appreciated by anyone in times of sickness or recovery. Perhaps the most important aspect of giving such a gift is the thought behind it. Flowers and balloons have the power to remind an individual that they are in someone else’s thoughts, whether it be a child, an adult, or a senior citizen.

Choosing flowers and balloons as a caring gift is always money well-spent.



Hey Girls!… Time to Get Flirty and down right Dirty!

Find-me-a-gift asked:


Outdoor Toys at Find-me-a-gift

Tear yourself away from the TV the weather outside is glorious and find-me-a-gift have a great range of outdoor toys that make the perfect gift. From Giant Jenga to water gun games to water slings they have everything you need for some great summer parties. Adults and children alike will love the find-me-a-gift range!

Giant Jenga – Giant Jenga Garden Game is huge version of the much loved and played indoor Jenga. The Giant Jenga Garden Game is a fun game for all the family.

Giant Jenga can be played indoors as well as outdoors. It certainly adds an extra element of fun to BBQ’s, garden and dinner parties. Your guests will be amazed when you suggest a game of Jenga and you bring this Giant Jenga game out of the cupboard.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gift-ideas-for-women/home-kitchen-gifts/giant-jenga-garden-game.html

Sack race – This sack racing game will help you relive school days racing in these specially designed adult sized potato sacks. Choose from five characters and take on your family and friends. Made from jute with double stitching for strength and durability. A fun addition to the outdoor play collection.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/personal-gift/sack-race.html

Limbo Garden Game – The Limbo Garden Game is a classic for all the family and is a great garden game for all sorts of garden parties and BBQ’s, whether kids are involved or not. The Limbo Garden Games make it easy for the kids to beat the grown ups fairly and squarely, as they are smaller and won’t have to bend half as much. So you can take on your family and friends with this Garden Limbo Game.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/personal-gift/limbo-garden-games.html
Giant Garden Board Game Set – For kids of all ages! Giant Snakes and Ladders, Giant Ludo and Giant Chess. Find-me-a-gift garden games are ideal for garden parties, party games, pub games, schools, garden fetes, barbeques, business promotions, companies, or those quiet days lazing in the garden. Fantastic value for hours of fun! Classic games that will keep everybody entertained.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/personal-gift/giant-garden-board-game-set.html

Space Hoppers – 3 Pack of Racing Odd Balls – The Space Hoppers Odd Ball Racing 3 Pack is the most fun grown ups can have in a garden, magically transporting you back to when you where a kid hopping round your parent’s garden in one of those long hot summers. These ADULT SIZE Space Hoppers called Oddballs and are very good quality. Oddballs are made of thicker rubber than the other 3 and 4 packs on the market, which can puncture more easily. These Oddballs are larger than the Space Hopper you used to have and because there are three Space Hoppers in this Odd Ball pack you can have proper grown up races, which are three times the fun!

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/unusual-gadgets/space-hopper-3-pack-of-racing-odd-balls.html

Garden Commando Water Pistol Game – Splashda la vista baby!

Its wet, its wild it’s the ultimate in garden combat! There’s always time for some sharp shooting water pistol action.. Compete with friends and family and see who can get the highest score by shooting the targets on the frame and ultimately trying to soak each other at the same time!. Set-up the targets on the frame and fill you pistol…Its time to get wet!

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/garden-commando-water-pistol-game.html

Giant Four In A Row – Wooden Garden Connect 4 – Four in a Row brings the magic of Connect 4 to your garden! Who hasn’t spent many a happy hour playing friends and family at this classic game? Take it outside in the sunshine with this giant-size wooden set, ideal for party games on the lawn, patio or balcony.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/personal-gift/giant-four-in-a-row-wooden-garden-connect-4.html

Giant Ludo – Giant Ludo Garden Game is a fantastic garden game for all the family, the kids will absolutely love it, it’s much more fun than the normal Ludo game and it gets them out of the house and away from the TV.

The Giant Ludo Garden Game can be played as a team game or as individuals and it takes fun to a totally new dimension because you and the kids are actually in the game, you all act as counters.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gift-ideas-for-women/home-kitchen-gifts/giant-ludo-garden-games.html

Garden Skittles Water Slide Game – Ever wondered what it would be like to be a bowling ball?…. can’t say i have but now you can feel like one!

Throw yourself down this water slide into 10 inflatable skittles and see how many you can knock down…Will you get a strike or will you be a gutter ball?

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/garden-skittles-water-slide-game.html

Wild Sling Solo Water Bomb Launcher – Wild Sling Solo is the new water bomb launcher from the makers of the fantastic Wild Sling. Long gone are the halcyon days of lobbing a water-filled balloon out of the window onto unsuspecting passers by. In those days, the only way to efficiently get decent velocity out of a water balloon was to drop it from a great height. Well, now that’s all changed. Someone with too much time on their hands has invented a startlingly simple and yet supremely effective high-speed delivery system for water balloons.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/personal-gift/wild-sling-solo-water-bomb-launcher.html

If you have left it a bit late to buy your gifts? Don’t panic find-me-a-gift offer a next working day delivery if you place your order before 3.30pm.

Www.find-me-a-gift has over 1000 gift and present ideas for men, women & children for any occasion. Click below to see the full range

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/



Hey Girls!… Time to Get Flirty and down right Dirty!

dresscloth asked:


ting is a special case of knitting, in which the knitted fabric is produced by hand.

Embroidered T-ShirtWeft-knit fabrics can be divided into two types: those that have selvages (side edges) and those that are tubes, where the side edges have been joined. The former are knit using “flat knitting”, whereas the latter are knit using “circular knitting”, also known as “knitting in the round”.

In flat knitting, the hand-knitter generally knits from right-to-left on one side of the fabric, turns the work (over), and then knits right-to-left back to the starting position. Usually one side of the fabric is considered the right side, the one that faces outwards for viewing; the side that faces inwards, towards the body, is known as the wrong side. Thus, flat knitting involves knitting one row on the right side, then one row on the wrong side, etc. Stitches knit on the wrong side are reversed in appearance; for example, a knit stitch carried out on the wrong side will appear as a purl stitch on the right side, and vice versa. Thus, the uniform stockinette fabric requires that the hand-knitter knit all the stitches on the right side, and purl all the stitches on the wrong side. For comparison, garter-stitch fabric is produced if the knitter knits (or purls) every stitch in every row, regardless of which side is being worked.

In circular knitting, the knitter generally knits everything from one side, usually the right side. Circular knitting is usually carried out on a single circular needle, although this becomes more difficult as the radius of the tube gradually shrinks. In such cases, the knitter can resort to a variety of alternative techniques, such as double-pointed needles, knitting on two circular needles,[1] a M?bius strip-like “magic needle” approach, or careful use of slip-stitch knitting or equivalently double knitting to knit the back and front of the tube.

There are well-nigh an infinite number of possible combinations of knitting stitches, the favorites of which have been collected into stitch treasuries.[2] A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on (also known as “binding on”), which involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle. Different methods of casting on are used for different effects: one may be stretchy enough for lace, while another provides a decorative edging ??Provisional cast-ons are used when the knitting will continue in both directions from the cast-on. There are various method employed to “cast on,” such as the “thumb method” (also known as “slingshot” or “long-tail” cast-ons), where the stitches are created by a series of loops that will, when knitted, give a very loose edge ideal for “picking up stitches” and knitting a border; the “double needle method” (also known as “knit-on” or “cable cast-on”), whereby each loop placed on the needle is then “knitted on,” which produces a firmer edge ideal on its own as a border; and many more. The number of active stitches remains the same as when cast on unless stitches are added (an increase) or removed (a decrease).

Most Western-style knitters follow either the English style (in which the yarn is held in the right hand) or the Continental style (in which the yarn is held in the left hand). A third but less common method, called combination knitting, may also be used.

Once the knitted piece is finished, the remaining live stitches are “cast off.” Casting (or “binding”) off loops the stitches across each other so they can be removed from the needle without unravelling the item. Although the mechanics are different from casting on, there is a similar variety of methods.

In knitting certain articles of clothing, especially larger ones like sweaters, the final knitted garment will be made of several knitted pieces, with individual sections of the garment knit separately and then sewn together. Seamless knitting, where a whole garment is knit as a single piece, is also possible. Elizabeth Zimmermann is probably the best-known proponent of seamless or circular knitting techniques. Smaller items, such as socks and hats, are usually knit in one piece on double-pointed needles or circular needles. (See Circular knitting.)

One of the earliest known examples of knitting was finely decorated cotton socks found in Egypt in the end of the first millennium AD.[4] The first knitting trade guild was started in Paris in 1527. [5] With the invention of the knitting machine, however, knitting “by hand” became a useful but non-essential craft. Similar to quilting, spinning, and needlepoint, knitting became a social activity.

Hand-knitting has gone into and out of fashion many times in the last two centuries, and at the turn of the 21st century it is enjoying a revival. According to the industry group Craft Yarn Council of America, the number of women knitters in the United States age increased 150% in the two years between 2002 and 2004.[6] While some may say knitting has never really gone away, this latest reincarnation is less about the make do and mend of the 1940and 50 and more about making a statement about individuality as well as developing an innate sense of community. Additionally, many contemporary knitters have an interest in blogging about their knitting, patterns, and techniques.[7]

There are now numerous groups that are not only growing individually, but also forming international communities. Communities also exist online, with blogs being very popular, alongside online groups and social networking through mediums such as Yahoo! Groups, where people can share tips and techniques, run competitions, and share their patterns. More people are finding knitting a recreation and enjoying the hobby with their family. Knitting parties also are becoming popular in small and large communities around the U.S. and Canada.

The oral histories of many knitters have been collected, and suggest that hand-knitting is often associated with compassion.[8] “I knit love into every stitch” is a common refrain.

Knitting especially large or fine garments such as sweaters can require months of work and, as gifts, may have a strong emotional aspect. The so-called sweater curse expresses the experience that a significant other will break up with the knitter immediately after receiving a costly hand-knit gift such as a sweater. A significant minority of knitters claim to have experienced the sweater curse; a recent poll indicated that 15% of active knitters say they have experienced the sweater curse firsthand, and 41% consider it a possibility that should be taken seriously. Although sometimes labeled a “superstition”, the sweater curse is not treated in knitting literature as anything paranormal.

Hand-knitting is generally relaxing and repetitive, Some practitioners have noted that these factors, combined with its compassionate nature, make hand-knitting well-suited for meditational or spiritual practice.

Knitting is sometimes featured in literature. Knitting and its techniques may be used as a metaphor; its meditative and spiritual aspects may be emphasized; it may signal various types of domesticity; or it may be used for dramatic irony, as when an apparently harmless knitter proves deadly and implacable. Examples from 19th century novels include Madame Thse Defarge in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, Anna Makarovna in Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, various characters in Jane Austen’s novels and Miss Ophelia in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Several characters in Virginia Wolff’s novels are knitters. In the first decade of the 21st century, knitting has been a key element in several novels[16] and even murder mysteries.

Yarn for hand-knitting is usually sold as balls or skeins (hanks), although it may also be wound on spools or cones. Skeins and balls are generally sold with a yarn-band, a label that describes the yarn’s weight, length, dye lot, fiber content, washing instructions, suggested needle size, likely gauge, etc. It is common practice to save the yarn band for future reference, especially if additional skeins must be purchased. Knitters generally ensure that the yarn for a project comes from a single dye lot. The dye lot specifies a group of skeins that were dyed together and thus have precisely the same color; skeins from different dye-lots, even if very similar in color, are usually slightly different and may produce a visible stripe when knitted together. If a knitter buys insufficient yarn of a single dye lot to complete a project, additional skeins of the same dye lot can sometimes be obtained from other yarn stores or online.

The thickness of the yarn is a significant factor in determining the gauge, i.e., how many stitches and rows are required to cover a given area for a given stitch pattern. Thicker yarns generally require thicker knitting needles, whereas thinner yarns may be knit with thick or thin needles. Hence, thicker yarns generally require fewer stitches, and therefore less time, to knit up a given garment. Patterns and motifs are coarser with thicker yarns; thicker yarns produce bold visual effects, whereas thinner yarns are best for refined patterns. Yarns are grouped by thickness into six categories: superfine, fine, light, medium, bulky and superbulky; quantitatively, thickness is measured by the number of wraps per inch (WPI). The related weight per unit length is usually measured in tex or dernier.

Before knitting, the knitter will typically transform a hank into a ball where the yarn emerges from the center of the ball; this making the knitting easier by preventing the yarn from becoming easily tangled. This transformation may be done by hand, or with a device known as a ballwinder. When knitting, some knitters enclose their balls in jars to keep them clean and untangled with other yarns; the free yarn passes through a small hole in the jar-lid.

The process of knitting has three basic tasks: (1) the active (unsecured) stitches must be held so they don’t drop; (2) these stitches must be released sometime after they are secured; and (3) new bights of yarn must be passed through the fabric, usually through active stitches, thus securing them. In very simple cases, knitting can be done without tools, using only the fingers to do these tasks; however, hand-knitting is usually carried out using tools such as knitting needles or rigid frames. Depending on their size and shape, the rigid frames are called knitting boards, knitting rings (also called knitting looms) or knitting spools (also known as knitting knobbies, knitting nancies, or corkers). Other tools are used to prepare yarn for knitting, to measure and design knitted garments, or to make knitting easier or more comfortable.



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