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Archive for January, 2009

 

Asian Inspired Home Decorating

Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Andri Irawan asked:


There are very few themes for decorating a home that capture the imagination quite like an Asian inspired theme. There are many reasons for this one of which is the rich colors, fabrics, and textures that are the hallmark of these themes. There is a simplistic elegance about Asian décor that is almost impossible to imitate in other methods. It is simply put, stunning to walk into a room or a home that has been decorated in an Asian inspired motif.

This is not one of the lesser styles of décor when it comes to price. This elegance comes at a rather high price for the average consumer. However, the sparseness of this home decorating style make it possible when other styles with this sort of price tag would not be possible. One of the most important things to remember when attempting to bring an Asian style of décor into your home is the heavy reliance upon color and texture.

Dining rooms are particularly stunning when decorated in an Asian style. In this situation not only can the implements added to the room serve to improve and enhance the décor but also the placemats on the table can serve as an important tool in establishing the theme of this supremely elegant room. Chopsticks and dishes, particularly tea servings are other great enhancements to an Asian dining room. This is a room that many families will enjoy dining in.

It is recommended that because of the expense involved in many Asian themed home decorating styles that only one or two rooms in the home should be created based upon an Asian theme. This will keep the costs down as well as making those rooms focal points within the home rather than having the splendor lost among the excess.

If you are having a rough time narrowing down the two rooms, the bathroom also makes an excellent room in which to incorporate an Asian inspired theme. This is a room in which people go to relax and wash away the worries and stress of their days. For this reason, it makes perfect sense that some of the more tranquil and relaxing design accents of an Asian décor would be appropriate. Candles, figurines, calligraphy (waterproof of course), and Asian artwork make excellent touches for a bathroom, as do the more tranquil colors of some Asian inspired rooms. Fountains can be added to the room for an added taste of relaxation. Be sure that there is plenty of storage space as clean lines and an uncluttered surface are also important for the overall peaceful affect you should be hoping to achieve.

If either the dining room or bath or unappealing to your home decorating desires for an Asian theme you may want to take the theme into your bedroom. There are very few more romantic themes to incorporate into a bedroom than an Asian theme. You can use fabrics to create a very romantic atmosphere, rice paper window coverings to protect those inside from prying eyes, and candles throughout the room to finish off the creation. Furnishings in this room should be sparse and uncluttered. And Asian screens can be used in order to ’section off’ the room or hide the piles of laundry or cluttered areas that you wish not to be detract from the overall romance of the room. Fans make a lovely decoration for the walls in a bedroom as does Oriental art or framed calligraphy in the words of love. Use wall sconces and indirect lighting rather than harsh, glaring overhead lights.

An Asian theme can be one of the most beautiful in the realm of home decorating if you are truly willing to invest the time and money it takes to do this theme properly. It can also be one of the most gaudy if you choose cheap and tacky decorations rather than quality accessories. If you choose to incorporate this theme into your home I hope you will keep that in mind while you are shopping.



Paul

 

How can I find someone to do calligraphy for my wedding invitations in the Northwest Chicago suburbs?

Friday, January 23rd, 2009
dbrcymry asked:


I need someone to address my wedding invitations in calligraphy in the northwest suburbs area of Chicago. I would prefer to use someone locally so I can pick up and drop off. Any suggestions? How do I search out such a person?

Jeanette

 

Is there a website out there that can teach calligraphy?

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
camper523 asked:


I want to learn calligraphy and I don’t want to spend any money.
I already have a pen, and I would like to find a website out there that will teach me calligraphy.

Michele

 

Formal Etiquette For Your Graduation Invitations

Monday, January 19th, 2009
Jeff Fain asked:


Graduation is an exciting time that will only be experienced once.  It’s a long road consisting of years of hard work that sometimes seemed out of reach.  But it’s finally here and it’s time to celebrate!  One of the most important step in preparing for you graduation is sending out invitations to those that you would like to attend.  This shows them that they are appreciated and you would love to see them there.  As with most invitations, there is a proper etiquette to follow when sending out your graduation invitations.

Preparing your graduation invitations does not have to be complicated or tedious, there a few simple rules that help you through the process.  Although these are not grounded in such deep tradition as wedding invitations and the like, there is still a level of formality and procedure that should be followed.  Firstly, you must inform your guest in a timely manner to make sure they can attend your celebration.  This usually means you should send them out at least six weeks in advance.  If it is a less formal gathering such as an all day open house, four weeks notice is usually considered optimal.  But if it has a theme, longer than six weeks may be ideal to allow your guests time to locate and otherwise prepare a costume.

When preparing your graduation invitations for guest there is some key information you need to highlight.  Make sure you list the names of the party hosts, the name of the graduate, date and time of the event, details on the venue, and dress code.  You may also include a map with your invitation to the proper address to make it easier to attend for your guests.  When addressing the envelope, make sure they are all hand addressed and don’t use any abbreviations.  For instance, put 123 Parker Street instead of 123 Parker St.  Also, consider using a calligraphy pen.

Put your return address on the back flap of the envelope, centered, and leave your name off.  Make it clear in your graduation invitations as to whether or not a meal is planned.  You may also want to consider giving your guests the option not to bring gifts.  If you do receive gifts, make sure you follow up with thank you cards to all of those that brought one.  Some people think it may be rude to put an end time on your event but if you feel you need to, there’s nothing wrong or rude about it as well.



Lynn

 

Will You Consider A Calligraphy Wedding Invitation?

Saturday, January 17th, 2009
TM Lung asked:


Nowadays, most people will hire a printer to print the wedding invitation cards. In fact, this is not the only option. There are a lot of different options. You can consider printing the cards at home. To this end you will be creating a DIY wedding invitations. You may also go for the option of handmade wedding cards. This will certainly add extra human touch to the cards. Yet one of the option which will usually be forgotten will be calligraphy wedding invitation.

As a matter of fact, it may probably be the most traditional style for wedding cards. It is a tradition in the past that monks will write the contents of the cards for couples. Of course you may not ask a monk to help you to write the contents. You may try to hire a calligrapher to help you to write the contents. This will certainly make your card an extremely unique one.

You may wonder what the advantages and disadvantages associated with such wedding invitations. In this article, we will try to discuss all these advantages and disadvantages. I hope that this article can give you more background information so that you can make your final decision a lot easier.

If you would like to to make wedding invitation a really unique one, you should consider the idea of calligraphy. If the cards are written one by one, it can be sure that each card is a unique invitation. This is because human beings are not offset printers. There will be some difference when the calligrapher is writing each card.

On the other hand, you can also go for the option of hiring a calligrapher to write the first card for you. Then you will scan the writings and have it printed in bulk. The advantage of doing so is that you can save some money. It will be a lot more expensive if you need the calligrapher to write 300 cards for you. Of course the disadvantage is that all the cards will be the same when you do this.

When you are planning to create a calligraphy wedding invitation, you will need to prepare to pay. As a matter of fact, the cost of a card can be quite high if you would like to make all your cards hand-written. This is probably one of the disadvantages of such a wedding card.

Considering the material of the card, you will probably have less choice. This is because not all material can be used with pens. And as a result you have to make sure that you can write on the cards with a pen. There are some materials which are designed for printer inks only.

In fact, there is still an option here. And it will be also be a cheaper option. You can consider writing the cards yourself. As mentioned, you will need to spend less money if you go for this option. On the other hand, it will certainly be more meaningful since all the cards are written by you!



Christine

 

China: Explore & Discover, Travel Info & Tips

Monday, January 12th, 2009
Paul Everton asked:


China is compiled of a vast variety of extremely different landscapes, using mostly plateaus and mountains in the west, & lower lands on the east. As a effect, principal rivers flow From west to east, including the Yangtze (central), the Huang He (central-east), and the Amur (northeast), and every now and again toward the south (admitting the Pearl River, Mekong River, & Brahmaputra), by using most Chinese rivers emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

In the east, by the shores of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea there are extended and densely populated alluvial plains;. On the edges of the Inner Mongolian plateau in the northerly, grasslands may be seen. Southern China is dominated by hills & low mountain ranges. In the central-east are the deltas of China’s two major rivers, the Huang He & Yangtze River (Chang Jiang). to the highest degree of China’s arable lands lie by those rivers; they were the centers of China’s major ancient civilizations. Extra large rivers include the Pearl River, Mekong, Brahmaputra & Amur.

In the west, the northerly has a great alluvial plain, and the south has a vast calcareous tableland covered by hill ranges of moderate elevation, and the Himalayas, containing the highest point Mount Everest. The northwesterly also has high plateaus sustaining more arid desert landscapes such as the Takla-Makan and the Gobi Desert, which one has been expanding. During many dynasties, the southwestern border of China has been the high mounts and deep valleys of Yunnan, which one split modern China since Burma, Laos & Vietnam.

The Paleozoic formations of China, excepting only the upper separate of the Carboniferous system, are marine, when the Mesozoic and Tertiary deposits are estuarine and freshwater or even else of terrestrial origin. Groupings of volcanic cones occur in the awesome Plain of northerly China. In the Liaodong & Shandong Peninsulas, in that location are basaltic plateaus.

The climate of China varies greatly. The northern zone (containing Beijing) has winters of Arctic severity. The central zone (containing Shanghai) has a temperate clime. The southern zone (containing Guangzhou) has a subtropical climate.

Due to a prolonged drought & poor agricultural practices, dust storms have get usual in the spring in China. Dust has blown to southern China & Taiwan, and has even reached the West Coast of the United States. Water, erosion, & pollution control keep close at hand get crucial issues in China’s dealings by owning Other areas.

Confucianism was the official philosophy throughout virtually of Imperial China’s history, & mastery of Confucian texts was the main criterion for entry into the majestic bureaucracy. The literary emphasis of the exams impacted the general perception of cultural refinement in China, e.g. the look at that calligraphy was a higher art form than painting or drama. China’s traditional measures were derived Derived from various versions of Confucianism and conservatism. A number of further authoritarian strains of believed have as well been influential, such as Legalism.

There was typically dispute betwixt the philosophies, such as the individualistic Song Dynasty neo-Confucians, that thought Legalism departed since the original spirit of Confucianism. Examinations & a culture of merit stay greatly valued in China today. In recent years, a number of New Confucians use at times advocated that democratic ideals and human rights are quite well-matched by having traditional Confucian “Asian values”

Using the rise of Western economic and military power beginning in the mid-19th century, non-Chinese systems of social and political organization gained adherents in China. Some of those would-be reformers totally rejected China’s cultural legacy, whilst others sought to combine the strengths of Chinese & Western cultures. In center, the history of 20th century China is one of experimentation By using new systems of social, political, and economic administration that would permit for the reintegration of the country in the wake of dynastic collapse.

The first leaders of the PRC were born in the old society but were determined by the May Fourth Movement and reformist ideals. They sought to change A few traditional aspects of Chinese culture, such as rural land tenure, sexism, & Confucian education, while keeping others, such as the family structure & obedience to the state. numbers of observers think that the period following 1949 is a continuation of traditional Chinese dynastic history, while others say that the CPC’s rule has damaged the foundations of Chinese culture, especially through political movements such as the Cultural Revolution, where Several aspects of traditional culture were labeled “regressive & harmful” or “vestiges of feudalism” by the regime.

They further argue that Many crucial aspects of traditional Chinese morals and culture, like Confucianism, Chinese art, literature, & playing arts like Beijing opera house, were altered to conform to regime policies and communist propaganda. The institution of the Simplified Chinese orthography reform is controversial too. Today, the PRC authorities has accepted much of traditional Chinese culture as an integral part of Chinese society, lauding it as an crucial accomplishment of the Chinese civilization and emphasizing it as existence vital to the formation of a Chinese interior identity.

Fine art, scholarship, and literature

Chinese characters have had Many variants & styles throughout Chinese history. Tens of thousands of ancient compose documents are still extant, from Oracle bones to Qing edicts. Calligraphy is a major art variety in China, further extremely regarded than painting & music. Manuscripts of the Classics and religious texts (mainly Confucian, Taoist, & Buddhist) were handwritten by ink brush. Calligraphy later became commercialized, & works by famous artists became prized ownerships.

Printmaking was evolved During the Song Dynasty. Academies of scholars sponsored by the empire were organized to comment on the classics in two printed and handwritten form. Royalty frequently took part in these discussions.

For centuries, economic & social advancement in China could be supplied by high up performance on the majestic examinations. This headed to a meritocracy, although it was available only to males who could afford test readying. imperial examinations expected applicants to write essays and demonstrate mastery of the Confucian classics. Those that passed the top level of the exam turned elite scholar-officials known as jinshi, a extremely esteemed socio-economic status.

Chinese philosophers, writers, and poets were extremely respected, and played key roles in preserving & advancing the culture of the empire. A few classical scholars, however, were noted for their daring depictions of the lives of the most common people, often to the displeasure of authorities.

Sports and recreation

At that place is grounds to believe that a variety of football (i.e. soccer) was first played in China around 1000 CE, leading Numerous historians to suppose that it originated there.Besides football, the most mainstream sports are martial Arts, table tennis, badminton, basketball, U.S. football, & extra lately, golf. Basketball is especially mainstream By owning the young, in urban centers where space is limited. The NBA has a great following & Many idolize Yao Ming.

There are also Several traditional sports. Chinese dragon boat racing occurs during the Duan Wu festival. In Inner Mongolia, Mongolian-style grappling & horse racing are popular. In Tibet, archery & equestrian athleticses are part of traditional festivals.

China has turn into a athleticses power in the Asian region & around the world. China finished 1st in medal counts in each of the Asian Games as 1982,& in the top four in medal numbers in each of the Summer Olympic Games as 1992. The 2008 Summer Olympics, formally acknowledge as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be carried in Beijing, China.

Physical good condition is extremely regarded. Morning exercisings are a most common activity & the elderly are often seen practicing qigong in parks.

Board games such as International Chess, Go (Weiqi), and Xiangqi (Chinese chess) are also mutual and have organised formal rivalries.



Nathan

 

Art by Calligraphy Experts

Sunday, January 11th, 2009
Jimmy asked:


It implies with sure knowledge in the correct form of letters that it is, the conventional signs through that language could be communicated, so the skill is inscribed with such ordering in various parts or harmony of proportions with the cultivation and knowing eye will recognize the compositions as a work of art by Calligraphy Experts.

In Eastern part of Asia, Calligraphy with exacting and long tradition is considered as significant art, with equal priority of painting. In Western culture the simpler Greek or Latin-derived Alphabets with the spread of literacy tend to make ‘Handwriting’ theoretically although by few instances, especially since either aspired to or attained the status of Calligraphy Art.

In the Ming Period, Calligraphy continued to thrive, especially in the time of 16 and 17 th centuries, and with new art-developments likes of the appearance calligraphic hanging scrolls and testified with increasing popularity of writing as a decorative art form. “Tung Chi Chang”, in calligraphy painting came to be regarded as master for its time paired with painting and moved in the direction of greater linear expressiveness; in calligraphy the change came increasingly under the sway of developments, not just in technique but with style in aesthetic theory. In the nortern are the Sanitization of the ruler by Turkic in ‘Wei’ for the late Fifth century and the Chinese reunification paved under the ‘Sui’ and Tang.

Calligraphy, the fine art of writing has often been occupied the grater place among all he visual arts in country of China. For the direct ancestor of modern envelope address writing, the script used on Oracle shells or bones of the middle; it gradually evolved with the large seal script or late dynasty, it had already developed that into a complex and semi-pictorial system.Since the 2 nd or 3 rd AD with the Koreans have used Chinese characters that emerged as art of writing. In 1447 even after the invention of the Korean alphabet, Chinese was used as the official script till now in 19th century. A few inscribed stone monuments remain from the Ancient Koreans, eager to adopt Chinese culture, developed a Calligraphy reflecting China’s styles.

For more info: Art by Calligraphy Experts



Marilyn

 

where can i get a free letter “C” in calligraphy?

Sunday, January 11th, 2009
shebee asked:


I have been trying to find a letter “c” in calligraphy. I only need that letter for a craft project. I am making a small etched glass with the initial on it. It is only 4X4.
All the sights I have went to want me to pay for the fonts.

Jessie

 

Wedding Invitations – Printing Options

Thursday, January 8th, 2009
Jasmine Macdonald asked:


Did you know when it comes to ordering your wedding invitations, the type of print you choose is a big factor in the cost?

Here is a list of the common types of print you will find when you visit your printer.

Engraving

This is the most traditional for of printing. It is also the most expensive. An engraved invitation has raised lettering on the front which is pressed through so you can feel it on the pack of the paper. Engraving is usually used for very formal invitations.

Thermography

This is a good alternative to the costly engraved printing. You’ll get the look of engraving for half of the cost.

A thermographed invitation has raised lettering that is shinier than engraved print and does not press through the back of the paper.

Lithography (Off Set Printing)

This type of invitation is printed with ink but does not have raised lettering. It is less costly than either engraving or thermography.

Laser

If you’re on a tight budget this is a great idea. Invitations can be produced on a laser printer, either at a professional print shop or at home. The result should be very similar to that produced by lithography.

If you are a creative person and want to make your own invitations, here are some tips to keep in mind:

 

Buy high quality blank invitation forms. (Don’t forget to buy some extras for practice!) Choose a typeface that is formal, crisp, and easy to read to make it look like professionally produced print. Be very careful that the invitations are fed through the printer straight and evenly.

 

Calligraphy – Handwritten

If you are having a small intimate wedding or want to personalize your invitations a handwritten invitation on lovely stationery is a nice idea.

Handwritten invitations can be used for a formal or informal wedding.

You can hire a calligrapher if you do not have beautiful handwriting. If you cannot afford to hire a calligrapher, a visit to you local printer can solve this problem. Most printers are now able to reproduce handwritten calligraphy using special software for half the price of a professional calligrapher.



Clyde

 

Great Retirement Gift Ideas – Give it and He Will Love It

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009
Janet R. asked:


Someone is retiring from his service, and that cause for a celebration. Retirement is not only a big change in the life of a retiree, but it is also a time of celebration and happy moments. It will be a fun time for the retiree, his friends, colleagues and relatives are all invited. It has been a long working years for him – all his hard work, failures and achievement makes him very proud as he ended his career being an outstanding high performer on his chosen field. You want to help him commemorate his retirement day by giving a retirement gift.

There are so many selection of retirement gifts available in the market, ranging from traditional, *** to specialty gifts. However, it is always good to choose the one that best suits your receiver, and can help him enjoy his new found freedom. Browse online. There are thousands of websites that sells retirement gifts, and often are at reasonable prices.

Search for the gifts that you think can knock him off. Or, you can ask other co-worker or his relatives if they have any suggestions or ideas. Depending on how well the company, they too also gives retirement gifts. The most common retirement gifts are awards, plaques, ornaments, desk accessories luggage tags, travel bags and others.

Yes, those common gifts are easy to find, but you can always try to think about more original gift ideas that will surely make your retiree happy.

Why not personalized gifts? Personalized gifts are always well appreciated by any receiver. Personalizing your gift lets your receiver think that you put effort to make a thoughtful gift only for him. You can either put his name, initials or a personal message on your personalized gift. Personalizing can be done through several ways – embroidering, monogramming, engraving…etc.

Here are some great choices of Retirement Gifts to choose from:

Personalized Wood Hinged Clock with Frame & Pen Holder. If you want to show appreciation of his hard work, punctuality and being a well-organized man, give him this personalized desk clock as your retirement gift. It is truly an ideal gift to reward a retiree, employee, or honoring a top executive. He can display this with a memorable photograph of his family inserted on the frame.

Elegant Japanese Calligraphy Tea Set. For a retiree who loves Japanese dishes and traditions, this elegant tea set is can make a perfect choice. This gorgeous black porcelain tea set includes a black tea pot embellished with beautiful Japanese calligraphy and 4 tea cups. Designed for the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, our gorgeous calligraphy tea set is also perfect for every day entertaining.

Your retiree will love this lovely and functional decorative tea set. The timeless design will beautifully accent any décor. Whether they’re trying their hand at Japanese cooking or simply enjoying the beauty of Japanese pottery, they’ll love these striking serving pieces.

Woven Metal Pen. Your retiree will definitely love the classic silver beauty of this Woven Metal Pen. This pen is both enchanting and gleaming, making him throw his other pens away! So give in to the urge to splurge and buy this woven pen fas a gift for your retiring friend and colleague.

Other retirement gifts include personalized picture frames, travel jewelry boxes, wrist watches, pocket watches and many more.



Annette