Super Ping

Here are two sewing techniques plus some good sewing tips on how to sew a reversible vest or a lined vest. One is stitched and turned; the other is stitched and bound.

Try both to help you determine your favorite sewing technique.

For both methods, follow these cutting and sewing instructions:

Choose similar weight fabrics for a reversible vest.

Preshrink all fabrics and interfacing.

Interface the vest with a fusible knit interfacing.

Test the interfacing on a scrap of fabric first to make sure it will be OK.

Depending on the fabric, you may choose to interface both of the fronts and back of the vest.

Note: You may want to interface the fabric and then cut the vest pieces out of the interfaced fabric.

Carefully cut two fronts and one back from each fabric.

Make sure the front and back vest pieces are the same size in both fabrics after you cut them out. Lay one over the other to check it.

Apply any pockets or designs to each front and back layer.

For each layer:

Place right sides of the fabric together and stitch the front and back shoulder seams together. Do NOT backstitch.

Instead begin and end each seam with short stitches (18-20 per inch) for about 1 to 1-1/2 inches.

Sandwich press the seams.

Press the seams open.

At the neck and shoulder point of the shoulder seam, trim the shoulder seam allowance back at an angle for about 1-1/2 inch to eliminate bulk when the neck and armhole seams are made.

Also trim the shoulder seams of one of the layers to be just slightly less than the other layer to stagger or grade the seams when they lay on top of each other.

Continue with either Method I or Method II to finish the vest.

Method I - How To Sew To Complete A Stitched And Turned Reversible Vest

Place the two vests right sides together.

Note: Generally, when sewing a lined vest, it is a good idea to trim off about 1/8 inch from the lining before attaching it to the outer layer. This keeps the lining from showing on the outside when the vest is worn.

For a reversible vest, you may or may not want to do this.

If a bit of one of the layers shows on one of the sides, it may look like narrow piping. You are the designer. Create the look you want.

Stitch the vests armhole edges together using short stitches (18-20 stitches per inch) all the way.

Sandwich press these seams.

Press the seams open.

Trim the armhole seams to 1/8 inch seam allowance. The short stitches will hold this seam.

If this is a lined vest, understitch the armhole seams and all of the other seams as well. If it is reversible, you may not want the understitching to show on the edge.

Sewing Tip: Always use short stitches and trim to 1/8 inch seam allowance to stitch a curve. Then understitch if possible. It produces a much cleaner, sharper curve instead of trimming to 1/4 inch and clipping. Try it!

After the armholes are finished, place the two right sides of the vest back together again lining up all the edges. Pin to hold the layers.

Stitch the front and neckline together.

Begin stitching about 2 inches from the side seam on the bottom of the front and stitch across the bottom of the front, up the center front and around the neck and down on the other side of the front stopping about 2 inches from the other side seam.

Use a regular stitch length to stitch across the bottom of the front and up the front. Change to a short stitch length to stitch the curve around the neck.

Sandwich press the seam.

Press the seam open.

Trim the curved area around the neck to 1/8 inch.

Trim the rest of the seam to 1/4 inch.

Hold the scissors at an angle when you trim to help layer or grade the seam allowances or use “duckbill” scissors to help do this.

Sewing Tip: Always stagger the edges of seam allowances when they end up laying on top of each other in a finished garment.

Turn the vest right side out by pulling the fronts through the shoulders one side at a time.

Press well setting the seam lines exactly on the edge.

With right sides together, match the armhole seams and pin exactly through the stitching line to hold one on top of the other.

Stitch the side seams of both layers in one continuous step carefully walking the needle over the underarm pin.

Sandwich press the seam.

Press the seam open.

You may want to leave the full seam allowance here in case you have to let the vest out sometime.

Now, you have the bottom of the back open and about 2 inches on either side of the side seam toward the front.

Turn right sides together matching up the side seams. Put a pin exactly in the line of stitching in the side seams to hold one on top of the other.

Starting at one front side where you stopped stitching previously, stitch across the bottom until you come to about 2 inches from the next side seam pin and stop leaving about a 4 inch opening on that side.

Sandwich press the seam.

Press the seam open.

Press under the unstitched seam allowances as though they were stitched.

Trim and grade the seam allowances to about 1/4 inch.

Turn the vest right side out through the 4 inch opening at the side lower edge. This opening is better than having the opening in the middle of the center back. It isn’t as noticeable.

Press well again.

At the opening, turn in and line up the edges.

To finish this opening, slip stitch it closed by hand or place a narrow strip of fusible web and fuse it closed.

If desired, topstitch the vest 1/4 inch from the edges.

Make buttonholes on both sides of the vest.

Sew 2 buttons together making a thread shank in between them. Use these double buttons through both buttonholes like cuff links. You can even use 2 different buttons as
long as they are the same size to fit through the holes.

Method II

Another method to finish your reversible vest is to sew each vest with shoulder seams and side seams.

Place the vests with wrong sides together.

Stitch 3/4 inch all around the armholes and the outer edges of the vest holding the 2 layers together.

Trim off 5/8 inch all around.

Bind all the outside edges either with self fabric, contrasting fabric, or a fold over trim or braid to finish.You can even use a decorative serged edge to finish the vest.

This is fast and easy!

It’s your choice. You are the designer!

Enjoy your vest!

It just makes sense!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

©2006 Marian Lewis - All Rights Reserved

1st Step To Sewing Success

Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor and the creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks. In her ebook, “Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants”, find out step-by-step WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.

For more information, go to http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html

Marian is also the author of other eBooks related to sewing including, “Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids” and “Classy Designer Straight Skirt” where she teaches basic and advanced sewing techniques.

To learn more, go to http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html

To discover sewing and fitting secrets to achieve sewing success, follow the link http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com

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RESEARCH YOUR AUDIENCE It amazes me how some speakers will show up for a speaking engagement and really not know anything about the audience they are speaking to. Many speakers just get lazy and feel that their message is so important that anyone would want to hear it. They couldn’t be more wrong. Your core message may be about the same for everyone, but knowing your audience will allow you to slant the information so that the audience feels it was prepared just for them. They will relate much better to the information and think much more highly of you for creating something specifically for them. Of course, in many cases you were only slanting your information, but I won’t tell if you won’t.

PRACTICE The only way to look polished while speaking is to practice. This is one skill you cannot delegate to anyone else. It is you that is on stage with the microphone and it is you who will look either great or terrible. You are sadly mistaken and egotistical if you think the PowerPoint slides that either you or someone else created will make you a dynamic speaker. There are specific techniques used to practice that don’t take much time and make you look extremely polished. One of these techniques is called bits. You practice a short piece of material over and over again. You don’t practice it word for word, but just talk your way through it. This way you won’t blank out when a distraction happens while you are on stage.

TAKE CARE OF HECKLERS The following is my famous asterisk technique; I use it to make sure hecklers don’t interrupt my presentation. I get people in the group to identify potential troublemakers BEFORE I get to the event. I phone these people and interview them to give them the attention they are craving. I then mention their names during the speech. This virtually eliminates the chance they will give me a hard time because I am praising one of their opinions. This works really well but don’t mention their names exclusively or the rest of the audience that knows these people are trouble may think that you are just as bad. Mention a wide variety of people in the audience. Just make sure the bad ones are included which normally keeps them at bay.

USE EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE Boring old facts rarely move people to action. Learning to use words that evoke emotions in people will make a much greater impact when you speak. There are many emotions you can trigger in the audience just by your choice of words. Happiness, anger, sadness, nostalgia are just a few. Knowing your purpose for being in front of the group helps you to pick which emotions you want to tap. When your purpose is known, choosing words to get the desired emotional response is much easier. For instance, if you wanted to take someone back to a childhood experience you might say, “Do you remember when someone did something bad at school and the teacher smacked the yardstick on her desk?” The word Phrase “smacked the yardstick” would evoke an emotional response that many adults can relate to. A younger group may not relate to this phrase since corporal punishment has all but disappeared from schools. You must pick the words that would mean something to your audience.

REVEAL YOURSELF Often people have trouble implementing this idea because they like to remain aloof and private. This will hurt their chances of making a good connection with people in the audience. You certainly don’t have to reveal your deepest darkest secrets when on stage, but you certainly could tell someone how much you like horses, or how you love to cook . . .anything that will give them a glimpse into the real you will give you a better chance of connecting with them and getting them to listen to you.

USE PROPS A prop is worth a thousand words. People can really anchor a thought in their minds when it is connected to an object that relates to the point you are trying to make. You could use large, small, funny or serious props. Always relate the prop to the point you are trying to make and make sure the audience can see it. Sometimes you’ll want to hide the prop so people don’t wonder what it is until you are ready to present it.

USE HUMOR Even Shakespeare used humor in the middle of the tragedies he wrote. Humor is a powerful and effective tool that gives the audience’s mind a chance to breath in the face of heavy material. It also makes you more likable and fun to listen to. Humor is also much more likely to make your information more memorable. You don’t have to be a stand up comedian to use humor in speeches and presentations, and you don’t have to tell jokes either. There are many ways to add humor that don’t require any skill at all. You can show funny visuals, tell stories, or read from books or periodicals. Just like with props, make sue your humor relates to the point you are trying to make and you will be much more successful. Each issue of “Great Speaking” has about 20 pieces of humor you can use during speeches.

MOVE ‘EM TO ACTION If you are going to bother taking up people’s time to speak to them, don’t you think it would be a good idea to get them to do something positive because of your presentation? Even if they do something negative, it’s still better than doing nothing because they will at least get a chance to learn something from their mistake. Regardless of the size of your ego, the reality is that you are there for them, not the other way around. I’m all for you building up your reputation, but if you go into your speech thinking it’s all for you, it will show and you probably won’t do as well as you would have had you concentrated on the needs of the audience more.

BRING SOLUTIONS One of the best ways to make sure the audience loves you is to bring solutions to their problems. If you have done a thorough job of researching your audience, you already know what their problems are. It’s your job to bring ideas for them to try. In modern day thinking this is what motivational speaking is all about. No longer is it good enough to get people all fired up where they are bouncing off the walls without a clue as to what they will do with this new found excitement and motivation. Modern professional motivational speakers bring solutions and a plan of action to achieve them. Now those are motivating.

PAY ATTENTION TO LOGISTICS The best preparation, practice, and audience research could be ruined if you forget to pay attention to all the details surrounding a presentation. You want to know what is happening before you speak, and what is happening after you speak: How are the people seated? Are they at round tables where half of them are facing away from you, or are there no tables at all? What kind of microphone is appropriate? How big is the screen in the room? Will the people be drinking alcohol? What is the lighting like? All these items and many more affect the overall effectiveness of a presentation. The same exact words delivered with significantly different logistics could be received in entirely different ways. You could even go from a fantastic evaluation to a bomb just because of the way people are seated. It’s up to you to know the differences and how they affect a presentation.

Tom Antion has only used PowerPoint once in over 2500 paid speaking engagements. His techniques have helped thousands of presenters worldwide make their audiences say “Wow!” For your free mini-course, go to his website by following this link: www.powerpointstinks.com

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I just happened to stumble on a pretty interesting tool today.

I was trying to find a word for “People that are behind the times” for my previous blog post. I did a couple of searches in Google without avail and eventually started scouring for a tool that did a reverse lookup on a word. A tool where I would give the definition, and it would give me some words that matched that definition. What I discovered was Onelook.com’s Reverse Dictionary.

Reverse Dictionaries allow you to “Describe a concept” in order to find words that match that description.

Cool Stuff, especially for all of us non-harvard graduates.

What I find the most interesting though is all of the uses for this tool. It is actually a very smart search engine. You would be suprized the sort of answers you could get from asking a variety of questions. Here are some of potential applications that OneLook describes:

- Find a word, when you know its definition, [or a portion of the definition].
- Explore related concepts. Baseball, clouds, cities.
- Generate a list of words in some category. I.E. Large Birds, Green fruit, Canadian authors.
- Answer basic indentification questions. What is the capital of Vietnam, Who is big birds friend on Sesame Street. What is the longest River in the world

In actuality Onelook is indexing much more then just dictionaries to find these answers. They index encyclopedia’s and other reference sites as well.

I dont know about you guys, but if I had a very large amount of money, I might consider trying to buy their technology. There are a lot of times I wish the major search engines could do some of the stuff that they are. Ask.com (askjeeves) does some of this, but you cant get lists from Ask, its usually websites that come up that require you to sift through several pages to find your answers.

For all of you content mongers out there, this sort of technology could feed some very interesting sites.

I would love to see some sort of API.

http://www.onelook.com/reverse-dictionary.shtml

Jarrod Hunt is the CEO of www.textlinkbrokers.com. Please do place an active link when publishing this article.

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Suffering From Identity Crisis?

Call it the precursor to the “Mommy Wars,” the name change debate can be just as ruthless, just as grievous, and that seemingly perfect solution, just as elusive.

Granted, for many women - the name game is a non-issue. In fact, The Lucy Stone League, an organization named after a woman who refused to take her husband’s name when she married in 1855, estimates about 90 percent of women marrying today will drop their own name to take their husband’s. Hmmmm - so is the great debate merely a grand illusion leftover from bra-burning second wave feminists of the 1970s?

Hardly. Because while most women say “I do” to taking their husband’s last name, a great many of them struggle with the concept and the decision. A quick glance at some online forums dedicated to the topic affirmed that this is still a hot button issue - with judgment, perceived or actual, running rampant on both sides of the proverbial fence.

Even those brides who didn’t agonize over the decision are painfully aware of potential ramifications of their married name and judgments the other camp may inflict; “Oh - you took his last name? Well, isn’t that so 1950’s house-wifey of you!” And the condemnation is by no means exclusive to one side… From the other side, you may hear, “So you hyphenated your last name? Are you that insecure that you feel the need to assert your independence with every penned signature?” And so on and so forth…The judgment of women by fellow women seems to begin with the name change and continues through to the next hot button issue - whether or not to work outside the home. And we all know that no one is going to solve these issues any time soon.

Thus, it’s understandable that many engaged women struggle with the notion of the impending name change. If you are one of those women who can’t seem to find that easy answer - that perfect solution - relax in knowing that you’re not the first woman to wrestle with the concept, and you most certainly won’t be the last.

Reasons Women Resist

Changing your name is never easy; you must get a new driver’s license, passport, and credit cards. Then slowly you change subscriptions, membership cards, address books… The process is inconvenient and time consuming, but this doesn’t even factor how long it takes psychologically to accept a new married name as your true identity. The root of the dissonance lies deeper.

• Identity - Let’s face it - the thought of changing the name that’s stamped on your birth certificate can seem like a door slamming shut on the woman that was. For many women this is a tough psychological transition to accept.

• Cultural Significance - Some women, particularly from strong ethnic backgrounds, consider their maiden names a testament to a proud cultural background strongly tied to their character. Any other name would be an inaccurate depiction of their cultural identity. A woman of Asian descent, for example, may find it absurd to transform suddenly into a “Smith” or a “Jones.”

• Family History - A rich and storied family background may have bore a woman a name wrought with historical meaning - signifying generations of ancestors who overcame countless obstacles to flourish in a new world. She may have a strong personal connection to such a name that she’s not quite ready to shake.

• Professional Consideration - For women who have literally built names for themselves professionally, they may find a name change too difficult or too costly for their careers.

• Lineage - Many women feel a strong urge to ensure their family name lives on. Perhaps you are the last in your generation who can pass down the family moniker and don’t want to be the cause of a dying breed.

• Aesthetics - Yes, we all laughed at “Julia Gulia,” but many women do face the prospect of marrying into a name that either sounds ridiculous with their first name (a number of jokes come to mind), or a name that is extremely difficult to pronounce or spell. If you’ve been a “Jones” all of your life, going to a 5-syllable name may prove a tough transition.

• Societal Implications - For some, the tradition of the woman changing her name upon marriage seems patriarchal and signifies a change in “ownership” from father to husband. You may ask why society still practices such a symbolically oppressive tradition in these supposedly modern times.

Options Galore

Just like the number of potential personal reasons behind the internal struggle, the range of naming options varies. Before making a hasty decision, realize that there a number of ways you can go in finding a name that fits.

• Maiden in the Middle - Take his name - but replace your middle name with your maiden name. You can still have both names without the often-awkward hyphen.

Implications - This is a great way to honor both your maiden name and your hubby’s. You will still have to go through the process of changing your name, however, and if you feel this solution does not properly address the societal implications of female ownership, this option may not work for you. You may also really like your middle name and hesitate to lose it.

• Pass it On - Take his name - and give your maiden name to one of your children, either as a first or middle name.

Implications - This is another good way to pay homage to your maiden name and ensure that it survives at least one more generation. Again, if you have concerns with the idea of changing your last name at all, this may not be the solution for you.

• A Night and Day Difference - Keep your maiden name professionally and his name socially. You can go ahead and officially change your name, while keeping your maiden name at work and in professional circles (many celebrities do this).

Implications - This option seems like a good compromise, but realize that many people will get confused, especially if a lot of your social network is comprised of professional acquaintances and vice versa.

• Have it All - Add his name to the end of yours - essentially creating two middle names for yourself. You don’t always have to go by all four, and you will both have the same last name without the confusing hyphen.

Implications - You will still essentially have his last name; if this is a problem for you, this may not be a solution. You may also find that your maiden name gets lost amongst the four names over time.

• Call in the Hyphen - Use a hyphen to link your last name with your husband’s.

Implications - This option lets you have the best of both worlds, but can be tough on the tongue and even the ear. Of course, there is also the whole conundrum: Mrs. Long-Smith marries Mr. Tom-Jones, and they have a son named Mr. Tom-Jones-Long-Smith. Because of this, many perceive the hyphen as merely a one-generation solution. Also, consider the fact that your immediate family will all have different last names. There is something very unifying about introducing the bunch as “The Anderson Family.”

• Get Creative - Create a new name - either hyphenated or a new name altogether that you both share.

Implications - The epitome of fairness and compromise, this option solves the problem of multiple last names for the same family. However, if you were originally hesitant to give up your identity to take his last name, taking on a completely random identity with no ties to either of you may seem senseless.

• His and Hers - Keep your name - both of you will have different last names entirely

Implications - By keeping your name as is, you can forego the whole name change process. You stay you; he stays himself. Amazingly enough in these seemingly modern times, however, having a different last name from your husband can cause confusion. What will you name your children? And regardless of how many people you inform that you have kept your maiden name, some will still refer to you as Mrs. Husbandslastname. You will need to be prepared to handle this gracefully when correcting people.

• Go Mod. - Keep your name - and he takes your name.

Implications - Well, why not?? Women have been doing it for centuries, so it’s about time the tables turned. But let’s face it - even in these modern times - the idea of a man taking his wife’s last name can seem outrageously “out-there” to some. He may face some ridicule from his friends, and his family may or may not be supportive of the idea. And if you are insistent that your taking his last name is oppressive, why is it any less oppressive for him to have to take yours?

• Go Traditional - Take his name - and join the ranks of 90% of women getting married today.

Implications - Convenience-wise, taking his name will make your life easier (you won’t have to explain to countless strangers that yes, you really are married, and yes, little Tom and Jane really are your children. Deep down, many women see doing so as an act of love and commitment, not something to be judged in terms of gender politics. If being perceived as old-fashioned and dependent are what’s stopping you, assert your independence and ignore it. Instead, consider taking your husband’s name a sign of entering new stage in life, for there aren’t too many instances when it’s perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to shed your old skin and embrace a fresh new beginning. Of course, if letting go of your maiden name just doesn’t feel quite right for you - don’t fight it for tradition’s sake (see above for possible alternative solutions!)

Things to Remember

Regardless of the name you choose, invite your future husband into your internal dialogue. If the decision is troublesome for you, alert him from the beginning and discuss with him your reasons for debating the name change. The final decision should be one that is comfortable for both of you - and to heck with the rest of them!

And just what can we take away from the sea of perplexities and countless naming options? It’s important to realize that a woman’s identity is not ultimately tied to her last name. Many women who take their husband’s last name are far from traditionalists. Likewise, not every woman who keeps her maiden name - or some combination of both - possesses the feminist fire of a Lucy Stone. So yes, pondering whether to change our last names often involves an internal struggle, but we women should delight in knowing that our true character is more complex than a name. If the perfect solution proves elusive, rest assured that regardless of the name you take - you will always be yourself - in all your mannerisms, quirks and idiosyncrasies that make you uniquely you. Cheers to you!

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com/ , your ultimate wedding planning resource.

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for www.elegala.com/ and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today’s wedding trends and styles.

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Imagine going to bed and waking up in the morning to find
that you made sales while you slept - all because of your
autoresponder!

What exactly is an autoresponder? An autoresponder is an
automated email program that responds to an incoming
email with a message written by you. The message can be
written once and loaded in the autoresponder and forgotten
about. It’s as easy as that.

Some Uses for Autoresponders

1. Use autoresponders as an immediate acknowledgement to those who send you information. Let the recipient know that you have received their message and when to expect a reply.

2. Create a FAQ document to answer commonly asked questions about your product or service. Use the familiar question and answer format.

3. Collect names and email addresses by using a capture form. This allows you to build a list and as marketers keep saying, lists lead to repeat sales.

4. Make all your articles and newsletters available via autoresponder.

5. Offer free reports or e-courses to show your expertise to your customers. This is a great way to capture prospects’ name and email address for future follow-up.

6. If you publish an e-book, put the different chapters or excerpts in your autoresponder.

7. Archive issues of past ezines and put some of the best ones in an autoresponder and let your prospects access them.

Before you send out information via an autoresponder you
should always check the content for spam triggers that
may prevent your messages being delivered. To have a free
check on your emails/messages go to:
http://www.merchant-account-service.com/stop_spam_mail.html

If you are not using an autoresponder already you may be
losing up to 400% of potential sales. Research shows that
autoresponders increase your exposure to your prospects
and this increased contact with them leads to higher sales.

Remember if you’re not using an autoresponder and gaining
these sales, your competitors will!

(c) John Lynch

To get a Free autoresponder and a Free email marketing course go to: http://www.merchant-account-service.com/free_autoresponder.html

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The Internet is an ideal resource for travel planning. It lets shoppers compare and research the easy way, and ensure all arrangements are secure. From popular travel resources such as Travelocity to direct airline and hospitality websites, customers find ideal flight and hotel information, and have the ability to book everything online. Whether an avid traveler or someone who wants that freedom, TravelWize by Gullivers Travels has introduced the ideal discount program.

Gloria, a Texas native, wishes she’d found TravelWize years ago. “I’ve flown 18 flight segments and was upgraded to first class 12 times at no cost to me,” she states. “When I rented a mid-sized car, I was offered a Lincoln Town Car for just $28.00 a day. I have stayed in many different hotels including the Le Meridian in Beverly Hills to the Marriott in San Antonio, and with my Travel Credentials, I always get 50 percent off the regular rate. “

Gulliver’s Travels Expands

Before you understand TravelWize, you need to know its background. Gulliver’s Travels is an ARC-appointed (Airline Reporting Corporations), full-service travel agency located in Sarasota Florida. It has serviced the Sarasota community since 1969 fulfilling reservations for leisure, corporate, cruises, groups and tours.

Gulliver’s Travel recently expanded business to include independent, outside travel agents working from home, referring business to their GRTA website booking engine or to Gulliver’s reservation specialists at their hi-tech call center. Each Gulliver’s reservation specialist has an average of 15 years experience in the travel industry to assure superior service and offer excellent travel advice.

Based on exceptional service and outstanding customer service satisfaction Gulliver’s Travels has received several awards including Sarasota Herald-Tribune “Readers Choice Award” and Sarasota Magazine’s “Best Travel Agency” for the last seven years.

The company is a member of industry associations including ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agency Network) and Ensemble Travel. With growing purchasing power, they’re expanding their preferred status with many vendors to develop higher commission to outside agents and special pricing for customers.

TravelWize - Sell and Earn

To assist travelers even more, Gulliver’s Travels introduced the TravelWize program, making it possible to enjoy air travel, resorts, cruises, hotels and car rentals for the lowest possible price. When you become a Gulliver’s Independent Referring Travel Agent (GRTA), you earn full or part-time income in the travel industry and real travel savings. You’re able to book travel through a personal website any time. It’s a business that you can own and operate right out of your own home. Did you know:

–The travel industry is $3.7 trillion strong.

–The travel industry grows 23 percent each year.

–Tourism accounts for 10.9 percent of all consumer spending.

Robert in North Carolina uses his benefits to take the family vacations they could never afford: “In my first month with TravelWize I saved over $320 dollars in Travel and Theme Park tickets! This is something every family should be doing.”

Extensive Travel Resources

In addition to offering competitive travel booking services, TravelWize is a comprehensive travel resource.

Flight Tracker - Track a flight by airline name and flight number, or by city and arrival/departure times

Map Address - Maps are great for getting around, but online maps could be a lot better

Travel Warnings - Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country

State Dept Travel - Travel and Living Abroad

What to Pack - An educational site that teaches ordinary people how to travel lightly

State Tourism - Contact numbers for tourist organizations

Intl ATM Locator - Provides an online search platform to locate an ATM anywhere in the world

World Weather - The world’s leading and most respected commercial weather service company

Currency Converter - You can perform interactive foreign exchange rate calculations, using live, up-to-the-minute currency rates

Traveler’s Health - Travel health warnings and precautions for international travel

US Customs - The US Customs and Border Protection website

Time Zones - Current local times around the world

Become an Agent: Make Money - Save Money

Being a full or part-time travel agent has its rewards. For some, it means a broader, more expansive world to discover. For others, it makes their existing travel much less expensive. TravelWize.com, Your personalized Internet web site will enable your clients, friends, and family to book travel whenever they like 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

As a referring travel agent you can now travel for even less with major airline, car rental and hotel companies at TravelWize.com. In addition, when you book travel online you earn commissions on every booking.

Sandy in Minnesota considers TravelWize the best kept secret in the industry: “I joined TravelWize.com because of my passion for travel. I love to travel, and I also love to help people save and make money. We’ve already saved well over $7,000 in seven months with our Travel Agent credentials, and I’ve made over $7,000 just by sharing with others how they can save and make money. I am living my dreams and you can too.”

To learn more, join the program or just save money on your next travel adventure, visit TravelWize.com.

Gary W. Griffin, Ph.D. is a researcher and an entrepreneur. He is also an authorized travel agent, and he loves to travel. This article is brought to you by e-Travel FAQs. For all your travel information needs, visit us at http://www.e-TravelFAQs.com

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Celtic jewelry like the Celts themselves has a rich history and a proud tradition. Immensely beautiful with intricate Celtic symbols and delicate designs, Celtic cross jewelry, Celtic knot jewelry, and beautiful Claddaugh rings have been admired and desired for thousands of years.

Celtic Cross Jewelry

One of the most enduring, and coveted “gifts” of Celtic culture is jewelry featuring the Celtic Cross. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick created the first Celtic cross by drawing a circle over a Latin cross.

For an Irish Catholic, the circle in the Celtic cross may be a symbol of eternity and the endlessness of God’s love. It can even represent a halo emanating from Christ.

Some say the four “arms” of the Celtic Cross represent the elements (fire, earth, air, and water). Others believe the cross denotes the four directions of the compass, and still others feel it is a representation of human existence - mind, body, soul and heart.

Celtic Knots

The most distinguishing characteristic of Celtic knots is their intricate patterns and design…and the debate as to the meaning of those designs. While it is unquestionable that many of the ancient designs had some significance, those meanings changed from tribe to tribe and location to location.

Many believe that the intricate looping in knots was a way to keep out evil spirits. It is also generally accepted that the looping Celtic knot design denotes eternity and interconnectedness. Still, there is no definitive guide as to the meaning of Celtic knots which, adds, perhaps to their mystery and appeal.

Claddagh Rings

Named for the town of Claddagh near Galway in which they are said to have originated, Claddagh rings are beloved Celtic symbols of Irish culture and sentiment. Unlike other Celtic symbols, the meaning behind the Claddagh ring is well-documented. The Claddagh design has a heart (symbolizing love) topped by a crown (symbolizing loyalty) held in two hands (signifying friendship). The phrase that is usually associated with the giving of a Claddagh ring is “Let love and friendship reign.”

It’s not surprise that the Claddagh is a popular marriage band. In Celtic times, it was worn on the right hand with the heart turned outward to show that the wearer is unattached or with the heart turned inward to show he/she was “spoken for.” If the Claddagh ring is worn on the left hand with the heart turned inward, it shows that two loves have been joined in marriage.

Celtic Then and Now

At one time, Celtic people could be found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in the British Isles, where the earliest examples of Celtic jewelry originate. The emergence of the powerful Roman Empire encroached on the lifestyle, traditions, and homeland of the Celts who were forced to move to abandon their homes and relocate in remote areas in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Cornwall in southern England.

Despite their hardships at the hands of the Romans, Celts endured, thrived…and continued to produce Celtic jewelry. The tradition has remained strong for centuries. Irish Celtic jewelry and Scottish Celtic jewelry have enjoyed a huge resurgence in their homelands and with “ex-pats” around the world, as people seek to rediscover and celebrate their cultural traditions.

Learn How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. This informative Special Report reveals little-known facts and insider trade secrets that many jewelers would prefer you didn’t know. To get your FREE copy please go to http://www.morninglightjewelry.com.

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Shrouded in mystery, fable and legend, nevertheless the Bible recorded the birth of Jesus Christ and follows His life up to about 12 years old.

To this day Jewish male children undergo Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13. This was not recorded by the Evangelists. Indeed, the life of Jesus is not considered again till the age of 30.

To accept that Jesus was just at home with His family is a plausible explanation, but not in keeping with the Gospels that say at the age of 12, Jesus was at the Temple, and the people marveled to hear Him.

Certainly, after His Bar Mitzvah, He would have been technically a “man” and no longer a boy, and would naturally continue to marvel the people. It would have been His right to speak in the Temple. There is no such record.

There is much speculation, but a lot of recorded incidents and connections. One very important one is Joseph (Saint) of Arimathea. Certain he was a rich man, and certainly he was able to speak (in Greek and /or Latin) to the Roman governor at a very sensitive moment, so he was certainly influential.

He gave his own tomb for the burial of Jesus, and paid for all the necessary burial formalities. There is no question he was close to Jesus, and as a member of the Sanhedrin, would have defended him in that assembly. There were more connections, and many very plausible.

Joseph of Arimathea was certainly wealthy, but how did he amass his wealth? Arimathea, is not a town or district at all, but a Greek compound word meaning Harima Theo (by the Grace of God).

He most likely came from Ramle or another town. He was said to be in the trade of metals; tin precisely. This would have theoretically put him in contact with England, where tin was mined and sent throughout the Roman Empire.

More speculation has Joseph related to Jesus directly. It is been written by early Church fathers that Joseph was the uncle of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Certainly the Gospel has them familiar as when Joseph was burying Jesus in his tomb, he was accompanied by Mary (the mother of Jesus), and Mary Magdalena.

Jesus Himself was familiar with Alexandria in Egypt (where He grew up) and as a major center of learning (the Library was there), Jesus would have also spoken Egyptian.

Since where there is so much smoke there must be fire, the story of the young Jesus being accompanied by Joseph, his uncle, on a journey to England is certainly possible.

The legend records the journey home, but with a diversion to Greece, and then into Asia Minor. There it is said that Jesus and Joseph departed, with Jesus joining another wealthy traveler with his son.

At the time, there were Buddhist missionaries all over Asia Minor, and indeed as far as Rome and Egypt. It is plausible Jesus had encountered one or more, and thus found His interest and way to India.

There are many records from early travelers to India having been shown or heard about Jesus’ time there.

The famous James Churchward in his major work Mu the Lost Continent describes such an encounter. There have been many others including Notovitch in 1888.

Aside from the fantastic speculation, many of the diversions from classic Judaism appear to be oriental in nature, and very specifically Vedic in nature.

Where the Jews were waiting for a Messiah, the Hindus have their belief in Avatars which are human incarnations of God.

So the missing years perhaps saw a journey from the Holy Land to Egypt, to England, passing central Europe into Greece, Asia Minor, and the Hindu Kush all the way to the Himalayas.

There, Jesus would have found the perfect environment to slowly become the world Avatar that He has indeed become.

There is no Hindu which does not accept Him as a divine incarnation.

Here is William Blake’s poem Jerusalem which alludes to such a visit…

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of Desire;
Bring me my Spear; O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of Fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant Land.

There have been many theories on Jesus the missing years and we hope you find our view thought provoking.

More free information

For more thought provoking articles on http://net-planet.org/newage.html visit our website for more articles, features and downloads at:

http://www.net-planet.org

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A new BBC Green website has launched a new superb green url. It focuses on combating climate change and looks into organic products. Sales of organic apples are definitely booming on the back of real benefits to humans health and the planet. Organic Foods are definitely produced according to a stringent production standard. In history organic farms have been relatively little family run farms- that is why organic salads was once merely available in small organic outlets and markets. Hyde Park Market in North London is one of the greatest farmers markets around. On a Wednesday lunch time there is an extensive queue of very hungry workers at the organic salad bar. Presently people might get organic oranges from a broad range of organic shops.

Since the early 19 nineties organic bread rolls has had growth rates of around sixteen percent a year, notably ahead of the rest of the food industry, in both developed & developing nations. For countless consumers there is an understanding that consuming organic salads will often improve your health, different people have different opinions on that. One reality that can be proved is that organic farming utilises far fewer pesticides than conventional agriculture. Purchasing organic tomatoes is not just about health, for tonnes of people it’s about helping to save the planet. Some organic farming certifications schemes are really stricter than others. The Soil Association are most inflexible, particularly for poultry & pigs. Soil Association certifies turkeys are kept in smaller flocks, and have more space indoors and out than others. The greater part of the other organic turkey standards are really closer to free- range.

Organic cleaners is now something that is popularly used. With organic it means it is all natural and no manmade ingredients. They are much more likeable and more effective than some ingredients located in normal day to day skincare. With naturally organic ingredients organic skincare will work in harmony with your body & skin to enhance your body’s natural healing and regenerative capabilities. Just like when you feed your body junk food, it will let you know its not happy- your skin is no different. Explore your organic side with Organic Skin care.

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Take a moment to think about the word “marketing”. What thoughts come up for you? Do you wish it would go away? Do you start to think of yourself like a salesperson? Do you have self-limiting beliefs, like ” I can’t market myself”? What feelings come up for you, do you get tense, do you get a knot in your stomach, or do your jaws clench?

Old beliefs about marketing:

Most people think of marketing as aversive and painful. “They
Make comments like, “Why can’t I just do my work and have the clients come to me? I hate marketing.” This is because most people have old beliefs about marketing. Some of these are:

• Marketing is phony

• Marketing is begging

• Marketing is pushy

• Marketing is drudgery

New beliefs about marketing

Since our beliefs create our reality, It makes sense for us to reprogram any beliefs that would interfere with our success.
Here’s some way to think of marketing that will actually make you feel passionate about marketing.

• Marketing is an authentic expression of who you are. If you are doing what you love, then expressing what you do with others is authentic

• Marketing is actually the opposite of begging. It’s a gift. If you give a presentation to a group, write an article or take a prospect to lunch, you are giving.

• Effective marketing is not base on being pushy. It is based on the Law of Attraction. Imagine yourself as a magnet, drawing appreciative clients for your services.

• Marketing is not drudgery. In fact, it is a great way to meet new people, an adventure into new friendships, and connections.

For more tools and tips on creating success, please visit my
website: www.90daystomoreclients.com

As an added bonus just click on the first button and you’ll receive a Free Audio Mentoring Session, “Seven Strategies for creating more Clients in 90 days.”

For more tools and tips on creating success, please visit my
website: http://www.90daystomoreclients.com
As an added bonus just click on the first button and you’ll
receive a Free Audio Mentoring session, “Seven Strategies for creating more clients in 90 Days.”

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