Vinyl Record Frame

Does this sound like an Old Hollywood bedroom?

Thanks to all your answers, this is what I have come up with for an Old Hollywood bedroom….. Is there any way I can improve?

- Cream walls with one feature wall being a deep purple
-black and white patterned bed sheets
-Black vanity table to match my other black and white furniture
-A gramaphone with vinyl records
-A stand hanging from a wall for my guitar
-black and white photos in a black frame
- A red rug
-A purple lamp shade with trimmings
- A black table cloth for my bedside table
-Lots of pillows for my bed
- A round upholstered seat for the edge of my bed

Thanks…. again. How can I improve?

How To Find Madonna Memorabilia

Madonna is arguably one of the biggest superstars in the world. She is a musical icon, an actress and a trend-setter. Her fan base is one of the biggest in the world and as a celebrity she is instantly recognisable across the world. Madonna has been on the scene for decades and therefore there is a lot of memorabilia around to collect. It can be very easy to get carried away and spend thousands of pounds on Madonna collectibles but if you are a savvy collector then you don’t have to spend this sort of money to build up a collection.

Before you even start collecting it is important to consider that you may have to work quite hard to build up a good collection. If you are a huge fan then this will not be a problem as you will not see it as hard work rather enjoyment. You may want to consider how much of a fan you are before beginning your collection and assess how effort you are willing to put in.

If you have decided to go ahead with your collection then the best place to start is to search garage sales, car boot sales and jumble sales. You may be able to find hidden gems that have been discarded in these places but it may take some searching. If you are lucky you might expect to find some rare albums and singles that didn’t do too well and pay very little for them. Car boot sales and the like are becoming less common events as more and more people turn to eBay to sell their unwanted goods, however the advantage of more traditional sales is that most people will want to get rid of things in a quick and hassle-free way so the prices won’t be high and they are unlikely to haggle to get a higher price from you. You may be able to pick up old record albums, framed concert tickets, old official fan magazines and the likes from traditional sales.

If you are not already a member then you should join Madonna’s official fan club, Icon. Membership includes a magazine of Madonna; official fan perks like advance sales for concert tickets and an autographed Madonna item. You may want to take out an advertisement in the official fan club magazine as you will have access to her fan base after joining the fan site. On here Madonna fans sell items that they have duplicates of or do not want anymore and you will be able to encounter some real finds. Madonna fans span several decades so there is plenty of memorabilia to be collected. You may find some very early memorabilia such as old interviews or signed photographs. Madonna was constantly changing her look throughout her career so autographed photographs of her are very sort-after.

You can also visit mainstream music stores to purchase Madonna t-shirts, badges and other speciality gifts. Although these are not vintage yet, they may be worth something in the future and add to the trail of your memorabilia. Here you can also purchase her music on vinyl if you so wish.

Finally, use the internet as a resource for memorabilia. You can bid on rare items here or even concert tickets. There is plenty of items on the internet market but be careful to check the history of the piece when buying off auctions sites to ensure that the piece is authentic. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fraudsters out there looking to make some quick money by ripping off naïve fans so make sure you don’t get conned.  

You can also visit Genuine Memorabilia’s extensive website to view their exclusive range of Madonna memorabilia. They provide only the best 100% genuine memorabilia. Click <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.genuinememorabilia.co.uk/music-artists/cat_348.html”> here </a> for more information.

music fans… what do you think of this gift for my boyfriend?

he is a huge fan of the band The Killers and for our six months we thought about going to their show in dallas but we never did and at one point he tought i got him tickets but i didn’t.. i felt sad lol

anyways.. i found their first two albums on vinyl records.. one was formally released and the other just made i guess.. i got them in the mail and kinda got excited about it.. i wasn’t sure how i was feeling about the gift sence i had just randomly come across them..
i was also thinking about framing them in those record things so he can hang them in his studio area but think i might do it for him later on if thats what he chooses to do with them..

so what do you think?

Replacement Windows – The Key to an Energy Efficient Home

When the dark, chill winter days arrive, you know how important it is to maintain a safe and healthy temperature for your family. But however much you may invest in heating systems and spend on energy bills, you may be throwing much of it away and leaving your family at risk.

Did you know that to 40% of your home’s precious heat could be lost through leaky windows and doors? In these days of soaring energy prices, that translates into a hefty chunk of change.

In summer, too, it’s important to keep cool air in the house. This creates a pleasant environment and reduces expenses for fans and air conditioners. Again, leaky windows allow your precious cool air to escape.

Fortunately, there’s one simple way you can maximize the energy efficiency of your home and that’s by installing replacement windows.

Modern replacement windows employ such as energy saving features as double or triple pane glass and insulated frames to help retain warmed air inside.

Other than helping create an optimal temperature in your home, installing replacement windows in your home can bring a host of other advantages.

Firstly, they can significantly lower your heating and cooling costs. By retaining warm air in your rooms in winter, they allow you to lower your thermostat and reduce fuel bills. You also have the warm glow of knowing you’re helping the environment and conserving scarce natural resources.

Likewise in summer, you don’t need to use the air conditioner so much as the cool air doesn’t escape from your home.

Secondly, your new replacement windows add to the resale value of your home. For most people, the home is the biggest investment they will make in their lives so it makes sense to maximize the value of this asset. Adding replacement windows to your home enhances its value it many ways.

For one thing, its status as an energy efficient home is a tremendous plus when considering the value of a house. In these times of rising energy costs, consumers are looking the most efficient ways to reduce their gas and electricity bills and having a house that demands less fuel is a major way to achieve this.

What’s more, installing new windows can make your house more attractive in the eyes of potential buyers. An energy efficient home is far more desirable than one to precious heat and coolness goes wafting out through gaps in the windows.

Even if you have no plans to sell your house, having an attractive residence brings pleasures all of its own.

Installing replacement windows brings other benefits, too. Multilayered glass helps keep out noise from traffic and other sources, and also keeps your family protected from pollution and allergens. And if you decide on installing the best replacement windows, you’ll get the benefit of security in the form of their multi-point locking systems that make it harder for criminals to get in.

If you’ve decided that replacement windows are for you, there are a few factors you’ll need to think about.

The first important thing you have to consider is how easy your new windows are to maintain. This depends to a great extent on the choice of materials. Your main options are wood, fiberglass and vinyl.

Wooden windows look great by demand annual sanding and painting. And of course wood as a natural material is at the mercy of the elements and assorted pests. If you’re the handyman type who enjoys taking care of his home, then wood could be for you.

Vinyl, on the other hand, has a lot going for it as material for window frames. Vinyl is highly durable, weather resistant and easy to clean. Just hose it down every now and again. No need to paint or do any repairs. Some windows feature a tilt-in cleaning system which allows you to clean your windows from the safety of the lower floor.

Fiberglass is durable and long lasting and can be painted. It’s also far stronger than vinyl.

When it comes to installing replacement windows, bear in mind that this is a major investment and not something you should undertake lightly. It’s essential that you find a company with a solid track record that can give you all the advice you need to successfully transform your home for the better. In short, go for a specialist in replacement windows.

For information about alside windows Ma and Shefield windows from Alside, go online and explore the varieties on offer.

Soundproofing an Inplant Office

Putting inplant offices within industrial areas is a common practice as it helps shelter employees from temperature extremes, dust and sometimes noise. Depending upon your industrial environment, the inplant office’s construction, whether modular or site built, may or may not provide you with enough protection from unwelcome noise.

If your industrial inplant office is far too noisy, don’t despair, there are soundproofing treatments that work.

Ideally, to block sound, one would want to enclose the noise source rather than treat the path or recipient of noise. However, in industrial situations this is not always possible. The next best solution is to line the common surfaces of your inplant office with what is called the density+ disconnection formula. The goal is to block the transmission of sound from bleeding through a common wall or impair the wall’s ability to conduct vibration. This is accomplished by adding two components to your wall assembly; the first is density, the second is disconnection. The combination can force the collapse of sound waves and trigger up to a 90 percent drop in sound transmission.

To do this you can use dB-Bloc, ceiling caps and QBV blankets. The dB-Blocks line the walls or your existing office with this mass loaded vinyl. You can apply a set of horizontal firring strips or resilient channels, and sheet rock over the entire assembly.

If you have an existing drop grid ceiling tile system inside your Inplant Office, simply rest these Ceiling Caps atop your existing ceiling tiles to help place an acoustic “lid” over your room and combat the plant noise spilling in through your ceiling.

If you are unable to add dB-Bloc to your walls and frame them out, consider a custom cut set of QBV blankets to simply free hang against your common walls. The blankets are portable and can trigger 12-15 dB drops.

By properly applying the formula of “disconnection + density” to the walls and ceiling of your inplant office, you can reasonably expect to trigger an average 12-14 dB drop inside the office. Results will vary depending on a variety of issues such as original dB levels, frequency of the noise source, structural transmission through the floor, and airborne leaks through doors, windows, vents, fans, etc.

Most sound control products range in price from $2 to $14 per square foot. The cost associated with your project will clearly depend on the strategy you implement, the size of your facility, the strength of your noise source, and so on. There is no way to predict in advance what your treatment will go for, but protecting your employees work environment and increasing their productivity is well worth the investment.

Print, Pre-press and Some Other Terminology From Discturnkey

Adobe Illustrator: a popular software program used in the manipulation of electronic files and images, toward the creation of the final artwork.

Bleed: Printing that extends beyond the edge of a panel or page.

Blueline / Dylux: photosensitive paper that images in varying degrees of the color blue. This proof is used as to check copy and position.

Buttfit / Kissfit: the meeting on 2 or more colors where there is no overlap or trap.The result is often a visible thin white line.

Caliper: the thickness of board measured in thousands of an inch called “points”.

Choke and Spread: (Fatty/Skinny) to slightly decrease (choke) or increase (spread) the size of a graphic element to create a trap or fit.

Cromalin proof: DuPont trade name for a color contract proof,used as color guide on press.

Color Correct: to retouch or enhance color in specific areas.

Color Key: 3M trade name for an overlay color proof.

Color Separation: the separation of a continuous tone image into the four process colors: black, cyan, yellow and magenta.

Composite Film: or final film,a single piece of film that contains all the characteristics of several pieces of working films. Also known as plate ready film.

Crossover: an image that continues from one page or panel to another.

DPI: Dots Per Inch; used loosely to describe the resolution of an element.

Die template: the finished outline of a package or shape.

Directory: a list of the files, fonts and software programs used to create an electronic file.

Direct to Plate: also known as CTP (computer to plate); the process of transferring electronic files directly to print plates, eliminating the intermediate step of imaging films.

Discturnkey: The trades mark for Discturnkey Solution Co., Limited It is the leading manufacturer of CD&DVD products in China.

Dry Trap: refers to the overlapping of inks done in two press passes while one of the inks is dry and one wet.

Duotone: the graphic representation of an image using only two colors.

Dylux: Dupont trade name for a blueline proof showing type and position of images. (blueline)

EPS: Encapsulated Post Script, a commonly used format for moving files from one application to another electronically. The element is locked to prevent inadvertent changes.

EPS Template: an electronic drawing of the actual die layout. It is used to prepare and layout artwork in its proper orientation. It is also used to create the die tool and should not be altered without notice.

Four color process: the representation of all colors through an arrangement of dots of the four process printing ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Halftone: a one-color photographic image, with tones reproduced by varying-size dots of ink.

Hickie: an imperfection in a printed sheet caused by a contaminant in the print process. Any paper dust, spray powder or other contaminant will adhere to a blanket or plate on press and prevent ink from being used in that area. The result is a small white spot.

Hot spot: increased density of a color in a small area that can occur in film or plate making.

Keylines: rules that are placed in a document to mark specific areas to place graphic images. A keyline can also represent the shape of a three dimensional product while in a flat two dimensional drawing.

Knockout: the removal of all other colors behind a specific element. (with a black background you would remove the black behind any colored type)

Lines per inch: number of rows of dots per inch in a screen tint, half tone, or separation.

MAC: an Apple-based computing software or hardware system.

Make ready: activities required to set up a manufacturing process or piece of equipment.

Matchprint: 3M trade name for a color proof of final films.

Moire: Undesirable pattern in halftones and screen tints caused by conflicted screen patterns.

Page count: total number of pages including blanks and printed pages.

PC: an IBM-based software or hardware system.

PMS: (Pantone Matching System); a check standard for color reproduction.

Preflight / Flightcheck: the verification of an electronic document for potential problems prior to outputting film or plates.

Proof: a test sheet produced to check color, type, layout, and design.

Prototype: a machine or handmade sample of a pre-production package.

Prototype Dylux: a prototype made from a dylux proof that illustrates the printing, folding and scoring in a 3-dimensional form.

Quark File: a document or part of an art file that was created with Quark Xpress.

Quark Xpress: a software program written for the graphic arts industry.A tool for page construction and type manipulation.

Random/scatter: proof of a scanned image. Used to check the color or quality on an image prior to final films/plating.

Reverse: image showing out of a printed background area.

Screen: piece of film with dots of uniform density.

Screen ruling: the number of rows of dots per inch in a screen for tints or halftones.

Screen tint: area printed with dots where ink coverage is less that 100% to simulate shading.

Trap: The overlapping of adjacent colors, so as to avoid the potential of a white gap between images.

Trim size: size of the printed sheet after last trim is made.

UCR: Under Color Removal; done during scanning to reduce the total amount of ink

coverage in shadow areas by replacing some of the cyan, magenta and yellow with black. Reductions of ink usage can improve ink drying and dot gain control while on press.

Wet Trap: refers to the overlapping of inks done in one press pass while the inks are all still wet.

Window: an area cut out of masking material on a mechanical to position a graphic element.

Working film: Preliminary or intermediate films, which are then combined to produce the final (composite) film.

CD & DVD TERMINOLOGY

A-Time: Absolute time, elapsed time, measured in minutes, seconds, and frames. (00:00:00) Ref start of the program.

Authoring: Creation of a database for CD-ROM. The end product is usually a search and retrieval type document with the addition of a user interface. Specific authoring functions include tagging and indexing.

Block Error Rate: (BLER) the number of error correction blocks which contain errors, usually expressed in counts per second. Most errors can be corrected by the error correction system; a high BLER can lead to uncorrectable errors or poor performance.

CD: Compact Disc.

CD-DA: Compact Disc Digital Audio.

CD-I: Compact Disc Interactive. An interactive multi-media system which connects to a television. The CD-I standard is known as the Green Book.

CD-ROM: a read-only Compact Disc.

CD-ROM XA: Extended Architecture. A standard that allows interleaving of compressed audio and video data for synchronization purposes.

Disc At Once: during recording of the CDR disc, all data is recorded continuously in one session.

Discturnkey: The trades mark for Discturnkey Solution Co., Limited She is the leading manufacturer of CD&DVD products in China.

DLT Tape: Digital Linear Tape. This is a standard input media form of DVD.

DVD: Digital Versatile Disc: A high density format for data, video and audio approximately 4X the density of a normal CD.

ECC/EDC: Error Correction Code/ Error Detection Code. Codes specified in the color book standards and embedded in CD data which facilitate the reconstruction of data if read errors occur.

Glass Master: a master made from a CD and used for the replication of additional CDs.

HFS, HFS+: Hierarchical File System, the Apple/MAC file structure standard. HFS+ was introduced in 1998 to allow greater file density on larger storage media.

Hybrid Disc: a CD-ROM which can function on both PC and MAC platforms. The disc contains separate ISO 9660 and HFS partitions.

Indexing: Creation of a data index to speed up search and retrieval.

Inlay Card: a printed insert that fits inside a jewel case for identification, advertising, or instruction.

ISO 9660: an international standard for defining the file and directory structures for CD-ROM.

Jewel Case: a hinged plastic case for the storage of a CD.

Kodak Photo CD: digital photographs encoded onto a CD.

Media Conversion: The process of converting data from one type of media to another for premastering and mastering. Premastering software typically requires input data on hard disk. 8MM tape and compact disc are preferred as input media for the mastering process.

Mixed Mode Disc: a CD-ROM that contains both computer data and audio tracks.

Mode 1: the most common CD-ROM format. Contains 3 layers of error correction and computer data.

Mode 2: CD-ROM data format with 2 layers of data correction for audio and compressed video.

PQ Information: disc or tape information that determines track start points, control bits, timing info etc.

Premastering: formatting data into the exact image that will appear on the CD-ROM so it is ready to be mastered and replicated. Includes file structure and location.

SID Code: Source Information Code: this code identifies the origin of the disc to help prevent piracy.

SMPTE Time: time code adopted for use in the video industry used in CD production.

Tagging: placing hidden markers in text that indicate where to start specific images.

Track at Once: during recording of CDR disc, each track is written individually. The recorder starts and stops recording between tracks. This puts link transitions between each track which can cause problems for some mastering facilities.

Transfer Rate: The amount of data transferred from a CD-ROM to a computer. This rate is limited by the rotating speed of a disc drive.

Video CD: provides full motion video and audio in a CD format.

Yellow Book: International standard which defines the physical properties of a CD-ROM disc.

PACKAGING AND PAPER TERMINOLOGY

80# Gloss Text: Standard glossy paper stock, about as thick as a light magazine cover. The shiny finish provides an excellent opaque base for rich process color printing. This is our most popular stock for: Brochures, Catalog Inserts, Flyers, Posters, etc.

100# Gloss Text: Similar to the 80# gloss text, but 25% thicker and heavier, for a more substantial feeling piece. Standard Uses: Brochures, Information Sheets, Self-mailers, etc.

80# Matte Text: This stock is finely coated with a non-gloss finish. It provides an excellent opaque base for easy to read, crisp typography. Standard Uses: Brochures, Catalog Inserts, and Flyers, etc.

80# Gloss Cover: As a “cover” stock, this paper is stiff, about like a postcard or baseball card. This stock is coated with a glossy finish, making photographs and other images look beautiful. Standard uses: durable, heavy-weight Brochures, Catalog Covers, Product Spec Sheets.

100# Uncoated Cover: An option for business cards, rack cards and bookmarks. This bright white smooth #1 grade cover stock is 14 pt in thickness and matches the 70# text-weight stock we use for letterhead and envelopes.

120# Gloss Cover: We use this stock exclusively for postcards, business cards and rack cards. The glossy, coated finish makes photographs and other images look beautiful. 12 pt thickness.

70# Uncoated Text: We use 70# Lustre for stationery and envelopes and 70# Cougar Opaque Offset on calendars and newsletters. These uncoated (non-glossy) white stocks are guaranteed safe for desktop laser printing. Many common stationery stocks are not appropriate for 4-color printing, so we have selected these for best results. Feels thick and substantial in your hands.

24# Uncoated and 28# Uncoated: This is a standard stock commonly used for envelopes, also called White Wove. The 28# is thicker and heavier than the 24#.

10-point C1S: A Bristol stock, gloss coated on the outside and uncoated on the inside. Used for Greeting Cards.

Aircell: a space created by forming a substrate into a shape to provide protection in a package.

Acetate Window: clear film covering a die-cut opening.

Applique: an secondary layer of material joined over an existing substrate that creates a multi-level finish.

Angle Ring: binder ring metal that appears like a backwards “D”.

Aqueous Coating: a clear liquid topcoat applied to a printed sheet.

Assemble: to set up and finish into a fully completed format.

Bleach: a process used in paper making to whiten paper. Also a reference as to the whiteness of the paper.

Bleach/Oyster: corrugate term referring to the color of a sheet: bright white one side, egg shell white the other.

Bleach/Kraft: corrugate term referring to the color of a sheet that’s bright white one side, brown kraft the other.

Blind Emboss: the registration of an embossed area to a printed area. (see embossing)

Board: a generic term referring to the substrate.

Boosters: triggers at the ends of the ring metal that assist the opening of the ring.

C1S: paper coated one side.

C2S: paper coated 2 sides.

Caliper: the thickness of material measured in thousands of an inch often referred to as “points”.

Capacity Pocket: a pocket formed with a double score along each side, to create a spine that gives the pocket a greater thickness, and capacity, than a flat pocket.

Cast Coated: Paper with a high-gloss clay coating that can rival the gloss of a photograph.

Cavity: recessed area of a package used to house an item (CD, VHS, promotional item, etc.).

Chipboard: a paperboard substrate, normally recycled and used primarily in consumer packaging.

Combo Form: a print form that combines more than one item for print and finishing.

Consignee: the party that is receiving goods.

Corrugate: flat paper joined together with a fluted medium or middle using starch and steam. (double face board).Can be flexo-printed, silk screened or litho labeled.

Corrugation Direction: the running direction of the flute or center of the material.

Corrugate Medium: the fluted or wave portion in the middle of a corrugate sheet.

Crease: a score or impression in a substrate that facilitates folding and bending.

Deboss: an area on a sheet that has a depression created using an engraved tool and a die-press.

Deckle Edge: feathered edge of a specialty paper.

Die-Cut: the process of cutting a material into its finished shape using a steel rule cutting die and a die press.

Discturnkey: The trades mark for Discturnkey Solution Co., Limited. It is the leading manufacturer of CD&DVD products in China.

E-Flute: corrugate material 1/169 thick.

Emboss: a raised area of the sheet created using an engraved tool and a die-press.

EPS: Expanded Poly Styrene. Styrene foam blocks are hotwire-cut to create inserts used to support the structure of a dimensional package.

Expandable Pocket: a flat pocket that can become a capacity pocket using a z-fold design technique.

F.O.B.: Freight On Board. The payment point on a freight shipment. “F.O.B. Destination” indicates the shipper is paying the transportation costs through to the final destination. “F.O.B. shipping point” means freight costs are not being paid by the shipper. “F.O.B.” can be followed by a zip code, which is the point to which the shipper is paying the freight.

Film Lamination: a layer of polypropylene or polyester that is applied to a printed sheet. It is available is gloss, matte, satin or a metallic finish.

Finishing: the process of converting a sheet into its final form.

Flaps: material extending off the ends of various panels on a package.

Flute: the wave or center section of a corrugate sheet. Available in several thicknesses: E is 1/169,B is 1/89, C is 3/169,

Foil Stamp: the flat application and transfer of foil to a substrate using heat and pressure. This graphic technique can be used in conjunction with debossing or embossing.

Fulfillment: collating, inserting ,and loading materials into a package for bulk shipment or mailing.

Gloss Lamination: see Lamination.

Grain: the fiber direction in a sheet of paper.

Gusset: a flat panel with a center score that expands to a given width. Gussets can be pushed in or out in manufacturing and should be specified at the time of order.

Hidden Hinge: a 3rd piece of vinyl that is sealed to the outside of a binder without the hinge bars.

Hinge: a score or crease that is used to open and close a panel.

Hook and Loop: generic term for Velcro.

Hot Melt: an extremely durable and reliable adhesive used in the construction of a package.

Hotwire: a technique for cutting and shaping EPS foam.

Inner Packing: materials used to position, support and protect an object inside its package.

KD: knocked down flat.

Kraft: paper color; natural kraft has a characteristic light brown appearance.

Lamination: (see also Film Lamination) the application of litho label to a corrugate sheet using a cold adhesive and pressure.

Laminator: a machine that applies film lamination to paperboard.

Litho-Label: usually a 80# or 100# C1S stock that is printed and applied with adhesive to an E-flute corrugated sheet. Film lamination is required to prevent cracking on folding scores.

Locking Tabs: tabs used in packaging for closure. They may be passive for re-opening a package, or positive for mailing or more permanent applications.

Machinable: the ability to automatically glue, die cut or finish a package.

Pallet/Palletize: a wooden deck-like structure for loading boxes onto for storage or shipping.

Panel: the face or side of a package.

Paperboard: solid fiber board used for making packaging.

Plant Load: a US Postal term: certification that allows manufacturing companies to mail packages or flats directly from their facilities into a US Postal vehicle, bypassing the local post office.

Score: an impression or crease in a substrate that is used for folding or bending.

Slip-sheet: to insert a material between two packages to prevent abrasion and scratching in shipping. Un-printed newsprint is often used.

Slit: a cut made in a substrate without removing any material.

Slot: a cut made in a substrate that does remove material.

Substrate: the core material (i.e.: corrugate or paperboard) used in a printing, finishing or packaging process.

Super Panel: a panel or page of a package that is printed on one side, but folded onto itself, presenting graphics on both sides.

Tuck Tabs: tabs that extend off a panel and are tucked into a mated slit; often used to close a package.

Turned Edge: litho-label wrapped over a fiber or chipboard edge, for instance on a slipcase, to provide a more finished appearance.

Window: an area cut out of a panel. Can be covered in cello.

Reminisce With Christmas Gifts

Christmas can be a truly magical time of year, a time for families to get together, a time for good food, and a time for getting some amazing Christmas gifts. It doesn’t seem to matter how old we get, getting presents now is just as much fun as when we were young, though the Christmas gifts themselves of course may have changed quite a bit.

Toys seem to go in and out of fashion these days much quicker than they used to; and we all like to think that we got weeks of enjoyment from our Christmas gifts back in the good old days. Sometimes it’s not the joy of the Christmas gifts themselves that makes us happy, but the anticipation of what Santa might bring, and that moment of joy when you tear the wrapping paper away and find exactly what you wanted. If only you could wrap those feelings up and make them Christmas gifts in their own right. Well, in a way, you can…

Buying your loved ones Christmas gifts that remind them of their childhood or a special time in their lives is a wonderful gift indeed, and there are a number of ways in which you can bring the past back for the sake of putting a smile on their face.

Original Newspapers can make for truly inspiring Christmas gifts that honour any day. Present someone with an original copy of ‘The Times’ or ‘Telegraph’ newspaper from the day they were born, and you’ll have a very happy relative indeed. Whether they are thirty, forty or fifty years old, a copy of the newspaper from any particular day can be put into a beautiful handmade box. See how the world has changed, remember who was Prime Minister, reminisce at what was on the television that night; don’t believe it? Well, these remarkable Christmas gifts also include a certificate of authenticity. Wonderful Christmas gifts to be treasured forever.

Every era has its own style of music and everyone has a favourite song. ‘Special Records’ make for truly wonderful Christmas gifts as they honour a significant song with an original vinyl single mounted on a polished silver frame. If you’re lucky enough to still have an ‘old fashioned’ record player then these Christmas gifts can be used too. Perhaps the UK Single that was number one when your loved one was born, or a favourite song from their childhood, or perhaps the song that marked the first dance at your wedding. Any track that was at number one from November 1952 to December 1991 can be used, and if their favourite track doesn’t fall into that period then you could mark with a ‘Personalised and Framed Didi Disc’ – modern and stylish Christmas gifts that can be hung on the wall for all to see.

With all the family together, and lots of fun to be had, Christmas Day can make for some great photograph opportunities. Most people can say that they have a picture of themselves wearing a Christmas Cracker paper hat somewhere, or photographs of the children unwrapping their Christmas gifts – moments to be treasured forever. Well, photographs themselves can make for personal and treasured Christmas gifts. Just select a favourite photograph and you could have it copied onto a variety of objects including bags, chairs, cushions, aprons or even oven gloves and a tea cosy! What a great way to reminisce a special moment time and time again.

We seem to grow more and more nostalgic the older we get; and Christmas day wouldn’t be complete without a story or two from the parents or grand parents as they get increasingly tipsy on sherry. Why not indulge them this year with Christmas gifts that remind them of their past? Scrapbooks from the 1920s up to the 1980s can make great keepsakes from the decade they treasure the most. Full of nostalgic imagery and information about what made that period so special will make sentimental Christmas gifts for anyone.

If you want to make a memory more tangible then why not surprise the family this Christmas with a recipe from Mrs Beeton’s ‘Easy Everyday Cooking’ cook book. A staple book in kitchens from the 1860′s, it includes the 200 best recipes for fish, meats, vegetables and poultry. They have even been updated so that you can adapt the recipe for a meal that the whole family will enjoy this Christmas, or give them as Christmas gifts to those loved ones who simply need a little bit of help in the kitchen.

Modern Broadband Mobile Sony Ericsson W960

Sony Ericsson’s new W960 Walkman phone has lots of interesting features. It has a 2.6″ touchscreen and features a stunning storage capacity of 8GB. Sony Ericsson W960

also has a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with auto focus, 30 frames per second video playback and recording, WiFi support, Opera web browser and FM radio. Sony Ericsson’s W960 measures 109 x 55 x 16mm and weighs 119g. It has a talk time of 9 hours, standby time of 370 hours, video calling time of 2 hours and a music listening time of up to 25 hours.

Sony-Ericsson-W960-Vinyl-Black features a 3.15 MP camera with autofocus. It records video in QVGA resolution at 15fps and has dual LED flash. As part of its latest product line-up, Sony Ericsson has announced the first USB Mobile Broadband Modem.The 2.6″ touchscreen 262K color TFT display with QVGA resolution plus the regular alphanumeric keypad and a Jog Dial allows for navigation that is flexible enough.

The handset has UMTS 2100MHz and tri-band GSM/GPRS network support – no EDGE support is present. The Chinese version of the handset will have EDGE but no 3G. Other features of the W960 that are worth mentioning include Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth, FM radio and USB support. When it comes to music capabilities the Sony Ericsson W960 has a new Walkman music player which can be operated with fingers easier than ever. The player also supports the Sense Me technology for filtering tracks by their designated mood.

The Sony Ericsson W960 Walkman phone is UMTS 2100-GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 and will be available in Vinyl Black. The W960 Walkman phone is really for the music addicts, which is why the phone comes with a stereo portable handsfree and a Stereo Bluetooth headset. The new Street-style Portable Handsfree HPM-83 adds urban style to the W960. The Bluetooth Music Receiver MBR-100 plugs into your home stereo and lets you stream tracks directly from the phone to your stereo’s speakers Please Purchase online http://www.phoneandbeyond.com

How To Soundproof Your Home Theater

Do you like going to the movies, but dislike the costs? Do you enjoy the feel of relaxing at the movies, but can’t stand when kids don’t want to be quiet long enough for you to understand the plot of the latest James Bond flick? Well, these problems can be easily resolved with the construction of your own home theater. If you have the funds and the space, a new room for your home theater is ideal. However, most of us don’t have the money nor the space to add an entire room to our home. If you are interested in converting a room in your home to a home theater, then you will likely want to soundproof that room.

Soundproofing a room for a home theater is much like soundproofing a room for a recording studio in your home, but you are more concerned with sounds getting out than you are with sounds coming in. If you are able to install your theater in the basement of your home, soundproofing can be simplest by placing the theater in a corner where two of the walls are concrete and earthen backed. The ceiling and other two walls would be the only areas in need of soundproofing.

The easiest way to get started on soundproofing an existing room in your home for your new home theater is by building a room within a room. Of course, this method takes a large room to begin. By framing new walls against the existing walls, you are able to use more insulation and thus helping the quietness of the room. If there is sealed dead air space between the new wall and existing wall, that dead air acts as an insulation in itself that helps to deter more sound that you may imagine. A good batt insulation such as Roxul AFB or Roxul Safe can be very effective if placed in the rafters or in between studs. The excess cavities should be filled with a high quality rock wool or mineral wool. Attaching vinyl to the studs will also help to deter a great amount of sound because vinyl vibrates and absorbs sound. When installing the vinyl, it is best to have a professional do the installation process. You, as the homeowner, will want to make sure that the installer attaches the vinyl correctly by overlapping if possible, and caulking all areas that could resonate sound. The vinyl is there to absorb the sound, not just act as a deterrent.

Finally, when installing a home theater, you should always consider two layers of drywall. The two layers will absorb more sound and help to soundproof the room even more. If you are going to use a double layer of drywall, make sure to use a good quality adhesive to help hold the two layers together. This is done by simply applying a layer of construction glue to the back of the second layer of drywall before installation. If the original drywall was installed correctly, simply screwing the second layer to the first, along with the glue, will hold it in place.

Although these suggestions will likely completely soundproof your new home theater, you may wish to give the room a traditional theater look. You may wish to add acoustical tiles to the ceiling and acoustical draperies to the walls. By taking some if not all of these suggestions, your home theater should be a place of quiet repose when catching up your favorite John Wayne films or the newest adventure in the Star Wars saga.

How do I go about nicely framing up a collectible vinyl(record)?

Where do I buy special frames for vinyl records? So I can like have it nicely framed and hung on my wall? How do I do it, and where do they sell the needed stuff to do it?