Friday, May 29, 2009

Baking Soda and your health


Lolos

Several days ago I received a very useful email, which listed a number of benefits on the sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and I would like to share it with my fellow Etsians.

According to Dr. Robert O. Young (you can Google his name for more information):

"If we keep our body with an alkaline pH between 7.3 and 7.4 we will remain free of disease "

Take your baking soda every day ... TRUE PREVENTION

o Drink at least one liter of water per day to which it has added a tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate.

This will help flush your system and free it from the accumulated acidity.

o To reverse pneumonia, asthma, sinusitis, do some nebulizer with water and two drops of liquid sodium bicarbonate, 2 or 3 times a day.

o To prevent the buildup of bacteria in the mouth, make a mouthwash mixture of teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.

o To remove chemical residues from your hair, add a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo bottle.

o To counter the effects of an acid intake, drink before or after it, a glass of water with a teaspoon of baking soda and. .. 2 tablespoons if you exceeded with alcohol.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Feliz Cumpleaños!

We are celebrating BululuStudio Cumpleaños!

Happy Birthday!


BululuStudio

To see more of her work just click here

Monday, May 25, 2009

What is a Giclée?



Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay"), taken from the concept of French verb "gicler" meaning "to squirt" or "to spray", is the process of making fine art prints from a digital source using ink-jet printer.

Giclée printing has been most commonly used for the reproduction of art. This is, by far, the closest piece of art to an original one. Different from the traditional lithographic print, which is commonly printed with an offset printer, Giclée prints are literarily squirted or sprayed with vivid color inks intelligently through the nuzzles of and ink-yet printer designed for that use. The quality of print results in a gamut of vibrant colors that penetrate the fibers of the media fusing into a perfect archival chemistry.

The advantage of a giclée print for art reproduction is that you are most likely to get a super close result to it's original (if the digital image comes from an original painting), not only in color fidelity but in medias as well. If you have an oil painting and you would like to get reproductions from it, you can get those giclée prints made on canvas! the same is with watercolor paintings, you can get the giclée prints of a watercolor printed on fine art paper with texture or smooth surfaces. The possibilities are endless and you will never ever, compromise quality. And the great news is that the inks and surfaces are 100% archival.

Fine art prints of original digital art and digital photography can be made using the giclée printing process. Products, such as, greeting cards, bookmarks and any other form of stationary can be also made using the same process but keep in mind that these will still be considered as a fine art prints and the cost of making them is higher than the same products printed with regular offset printing, and of course, the quality will also be higher due to the archival property of the materials used.

A true giclée print is made with archival inks and medias of museum quality.

Be aware that giclée printing is an extremely detailed and delicate labor and that there are many places who think they make giclée prints but they don't. Giclée printing is not "Fast Art" , it is not easy nor fast to make. I use the same concept of food quality to illustrate what I'm trying to say; fast foods are of less quality and poor nutrition compared to home made or slower cooking foods in restaurants, which ingredients are fresh, and the cook puts time into a great meal, different from fast food which is made in seconds with processed ingredients.

Giclée services are not cheap, therefore it is important to select a good source for this service to make your investment worth the money. If you ever own a giclée print well made, you will enjoy it for about 95 years or so. Due to the archival advantage in materials, giclée colors will look as vivid through all the years as when you first saw them; if proper care is given, that is. For canvas prints it is recommended to be either stretched or mounted on acid free surface and for prints made on fine art paper it is recommended to be mounted behind glass using Acid free materials as well.


The process of giclee printing may vary and can be subdivided into many steps due to it's complexity, but briefly and simplified, the big steps usually occur like follows:

1- Capturing the image - Digitalization

For the capture of an original art piece, devises such as, drum scanners, flat bed scanners, camera backs, can be used. Sometimes a professional digital camera can work fine. It all depends on factors such as, the size of the original art piece and the desired size of the reproductions. I would always strive for the most professional choice of input for best output results. The digital format of the capture can be saved as tif, jpg, pdf, etc. I personally prefer .tif For it's high digital quality.


2- Digital Imaging - color correction

This step consists in correcting the digital image in the computer against the original art piece (if available), making adjustments in color, dusting and cleaning up the image, and if needed or requested, retouching and enhancements can be also made. Color correcting is time consuming and can take many hours of interrupted work.


3-Proofing

Once the image is cleaned up and corrected, it's time for testing. This can be the most tedious and challenging part of all giclée making steps, specially if the digital artist and the client are too meticulous to let a small detail pass. Proofing means going through a series of tests prints in small scale with small color variations, then compared to each other and against the original (if available). This can take as little or as many proofs until you finally achieve the best match. In proofing we are looking for things like color fidelity, resolution quality and visual aspects that will give you a glance of the final print you are looking for.

As you can imagine, this process far from being tedious and time consuming is very expensive as materials such as, papers, canvas and inks are being used; but equally crucial and necessary if one wants to have a close result, specially in colors to those in the original art piece.


4- Printing the final prints

After the best proof is finally chosen, it's time to print the final. The best part of all, to my taste, not only for the fact that the best quality print is in place to get printed, but for the fact that an artists will soon be smiling seeing his or her giclée prints made.

After printing is complete, there are other tasks, such as, cutting, trimming and UV protection coating for canvas, but for the most part, these 4 steps are the most popular and the most relevant of the giclée making.

Great results are achieved with dedication and passion for what you do. A museum quality giclée print is one of those things you can't make without either of these.


Friday, May 22, 2009

Giveaway! Win a gorgeous pair of Earrings.

Our Giweaway will be start today, Friday 22nd of May till Thursday 4th of June.

Our lovely member naturalezanica it's giving away a great pair of earrings.

In order to win this Giveaway you have to follow the rules, please.

Rules:

- Go to naturalezanica store and tell us what do you like from there and copy the http code of that page :-)


The raffle will be held on Thursday 4th of June until 10:00 pm East and the result will be published Friday 5th at 2:00pm East.

naturalezanica

Good Luck everyone!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Need to Create- Cristina Spurr




The love of art has been inside me since I was a little girl. Back then I never really thought about it, but I spent hours sketching, writing, and creating my own little treasures for my dolls. I once sent off one of those “Art Tests” drawings, you know the one in the back of all the magazines, and actually got an acceptance letter at around age nine. Much to my mami’s surprise!

I even went to a specialized Art High School ( Art & Design , NY ) and planned on becoming a Fashion designer. My plans changed along the way, and life led me in a few different directions, but now I am renewing my desire to learn about and create new art.

My main love these days is photography, which I inherited from my dad. I find it very relaxing, and get excited if I can catch a rare moment in nature, or a certain look on someone’s face that you love.

My new love however, is learning to make my own jewelry, which is something I have always wanted to do.

In general, this is a way for me to express myself, and I feel that one is never too old to learn, and be creative. I’ve never believed that Art is a constricted view of rules on how you are supposed to draw, or make something. So what if it is not perfect? I believe imperfections can be very beautiful.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

Miembro of the Week!



I am a photographer in North Florida. My favorite form of relaxation is to capture nature at it's best. I love to photograph flowers, birds, ( all kinds of animals in general) and beautiful landscapes.

By createe1

createev1


createev1


createev1

To see more of her work just click here

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Ricotta cheese gnocchi!

Cooking with agmode


I learned how to cook watching my mom making us fabulous meals. I’m half italian and half spanish (Spain), so pasta is a common dish at family gatherings. Let me share this recipe with you. I hope you like it too!


Ingredients
* 15 oz (425g) fresh ricotta cheese
* 1 egg yolk
* 1 teaspoon salt
* ½ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
* 1 ¼ cup of flour
* Extra flour, to roll gnocchi
* 3 tablespoon grated parmeggiano-reggiano cheese
It’s a 3 serving size meal, if you expect people over for dinner, double up the recipe.

How to:

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, the egg yolk, salt and nutmeg, and stir until all ingredients are evenly combined; add the flour and stir again, the mixture will be very soft.

Sprinkle the extra flour onto a large board, (I like to use a Glass serving tray, it is easy to clean afterwards), and working with well-floured hands and a tablespoon divide dough into 3 pieces.

Roll each dough piece at a time, into dowels, about ½ inch in diameter and cut dowels into ½ inch long pieces.

Separate the formed gnocchi slightly or they'll stick together when cooking. Apply flour again onto surface and hands and repeat process until finish.



Water has to be ready, if not, keep your gnocchis in the refrigerator until cooking time.

Drop gnocchi into salted boiling water. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes and remove them using a slotted spoon when gnocchi start floating to the top. Taste and adjust seasonings

Serving suggestion: olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil already drained, and basil topped with grated cheese or pasta topping of your choice.

My daughter Candela’s favorite topping is heavy whipping cream heated in a sauce pan, add cooked and drained qnocchis, stir a moment and topped with parmeggiano-reggiano cheese.

By the time the cheese melts everyone is seated at the table ready to taste them!!



Accompany with your favorite salad. Enjoy!!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A mother’s Love.

Happy Mother's Day a todas las madres de Spanglish Team!

By ClaudiaOlivos


A mother’s love is (most of the time) “unconditional… this is what makes it so very special. It is a love that will withstand transgressions of adolescence... plus whatever may come thereafter.

Hopefully everyone will be able to experience this kind of absolute unconditional love. It is the foundation of a healthy human being.

However, this is not always the case in real life- and it can prove to be difficult on Mother’s day to celebrate a relationship that has not been ideal.

From an early age, we know that when we do all the “right” things—when we are quiet, obedient, get good grades and otherwise “fit in” and are “good”—our parent will “love” us. However, when we misbehave or are “bad,” all those signs of “love” vanish. It is easy to learn from an early age that love is mostly conditional.

This is what makes a mother’s love so special; not many loves are as ideal as a mother’s love: and this is what we celebrate on Mother’s Day: the all consummate and unconditional love of a mother.

If you have not been blessed to experience that: know that you are worthy! You can hopefully have the opportunity to give this kind of love to your own children.

A mother's love is priceless. Our children should not have to earn our love. There is no love like a mother's love and there is no hurt like the hurt of a child, who is not loved unconditional by that very first and most important relationship: Mother.

In his book, Unconditional love, Dr. Powell writes that it is a permanent gift of the heart. He states: “this gift says simply: 'I want to share with you whatever I have that is good. Somewhere in the world there may be someone who is better for you or for me. That is not the point. The point is that I have chosen to give you my gift of love and you have chosen to love me. That is the only soil in which love can grow. We're going to make it together!”

As a mother, I know I love my son unconditionally. Forever. This unconditional love means that I cannot always predict my reaction or guarantee my strength, but I can guarantee that I am committed to his happiness, his growth. I will always accept him just as he is. I will always love him, deeply. My favorite book to read to him since he was a toddler has been “I love you Forever" I can still not read it without getting teary eyed. I mean every word of it!

Happy Dia de la Madre!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Miembro of the Week!



I am Susana, a proud mom and wife who works at home. I am a Digital Artist and I have had my studio for over three years. I have been into the arts since I ever remember. I grew up among artists which include my grandfather, my dad, my uncle, my sister, my cousins, etc. I come from a family full of painters, musicians, interior designer, art dealer and gallery owners and home decorating related business owners. I have spent a lot of my childhood, teen years and adult years in the art gallery scene, being my dad the owner of one.

So, I have been tumbling around the arts for a very long time.

I am now a professional digital artist who specializes in the giclée making for artists and galleries as well as for myself.

I am also a crafter and an explorer. I am elaborating my jewelry designs and I have started to add some of them.

I love to try new ways to make art, I always tumble around things that inspire me and make meaningful art out of them . So you'll be seeing more of me in the next days, months and hopefully many years to come.

tumbleweedstudios

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Feliz Cumpleaños!

We are celebrating needlepointnmore Cumpleaños!

Happy Birthday!


needlepointnmore

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

5 De Mayo!


Benito Juáres in a mural by Diego Rivera

As the 5 de Mayo date approaches, Latinos, Hispanic Americans and Chicanos in particular celebrate this day as an opportunity to affirm our roots, our language and our customs as well as the richness and diversity of our culture.

The Spanglish Team would like to take this opportunity to celebrate sustainable crafts, and the artists in our communities who consider awareness and responsibility an indispensable element of our work by giving a short historical reference as to what this date is all about.

The French had allied with Mexican conservatives, the military and the clergy, to overthrow Benito Juarez, a Zapotec Amerindian and the first full-blooded indigenous national to serve as President of Mexico for five terms as president of Mexico, the first time a native ruler had led any country in America since the conquest. We think this date resonates even more today as an African American serves as President of the United States for the first time in its history!

Benito Juáres with his sister Nela (left) and his wife Margarita (right), 1843

Cinco de Mayo conmmemorates the day when the Mexican Army, outnumbered two to one, defeated the invading French Army's intervention of Mexico, launched by the French Emperor Napoleon III in 1862, with intent to establish a conservative regime. The conservatives wanted to abolish the Republic and institute a monarchy.

Napoleon III

Juarez defended the national sovereignty and established the separation of church and state, lessening the great power that the Roman Catholic Church held over Mexican politics and declared all citizens equal before the law.

One of the wisest and most significan quotes from Juarez, which is even more important today:

Entre los individuos, como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz, meaning "Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace."

Battle of Puebla

Friday, May 1, 2009

Miembro of the Week!



Since I have memory I’ve being surrounded by fabrics, yarns, hooks, needles, buttons, lace, fashion magazines, and all the other things needed to develop and finish clothing. Since always I live with the design bug in my heart.

I have a BA in Fashion Design from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I specialized in lingerie and intimate garments. I love the well constructed garment, the good fitting clothes, and the unexpected accessories. After working for years in the Fashion industry, I decided to establish my own company, self-publish my originals patterns and sell my own handmade designs.

I love to work with different techniques to obtain stunning results, rich colors and textures. Sewing, knitting, crochet, Tunisian crochet, and beading are my passion.

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