CollectStamps and Postcards.com Launches Online Community for Stamp and Postcard Enthusiasts

Bloomington, Illinois (PRWEB)
CollectStampsandPostcards.com, an online community and blog that details the history of stamps and postcards as well as their status among collectors, has created several new pages including "Holiday Postage Stamps," "Quilted Postcards," and "Stamp Collecting for Beginners."

The page "Holiday Postage Stamps" by CollectStampsandPostcards.com examines current holiday postage stamps offerings from the United States Postal Service. Some of these options include winter holiday themed Disney characters, as well as more traditional symbols like reindeer and snowmen. The page also describes the famous LOVE stamp sold around Valentine's Day annually since 1973.

"Quilted Postcards" are a unique, individualized gift for their recipients according to CollectStampsandPostcards.com. The supplies to craft these postcards are not terribly extensive, and include things like muslin, fabric markers, fabric, and a double-sided fusible batting. As a note, the page states that the border is a great place for a little "ornamentation."

"Choosing a topic or theme" is one aspect of becoming a stamp collector according to "Stamp Collecting for Beginners." This page on CollectStampsandPostcards.com also identifies some basic and not-so-basic tools used in stamp collecting, including stamp tongs and a magnifying glass. The page concludes with some options available for mounting stamps to a stamp album.

About CollectStampsandPostcards.com:
CollectStampsandPostcards.com was launched in September of 2009, and began blogging with posts about the history of stamps and postcards. Website Business is responsible for designing and maintaining the site structure of CollectStampsandPostcards.com.

Giving something back

Most of us modelers have developed our passion and skill in the hobby over a period of time where we have gained talent, skill and knowledge. It would be a fitting legacy if each of us could find ways to give back something to the hobby that has provided us with so much satisfaction and enjoyment. This isn't difficult and can be done in a variety of ways.

Keeping the hobby alive means adding new modellers all the time. The best way is to demonstrate the wonders of scale modelling to children - they are impressionable in the good sense. For little cost you can take one or two children to a model show or contest. They will be overwhelmed, no doubt, but they will also see that scale modelling is for real and enjoyed by real people. Let them see as many of the displayed models as you can in all the different scales. Those participating in the shows are only too happy to talk about their projects.

Joining a club can be a great opportunity to get something as you give something back. You get friendship and advice and you give back by sharing your expertise and participating in the club's model shows.

If you can take the time, try submitting an article for publication. Not everyone feels comfortable writing for publication because of fears of rejection, inexperience with writing, or the belief that they have nothing of interest to say. But if you remember the reaction you had to reading an article yourself and thinking "I could build this," or "That's a great idea!" then be assured that your ideas and experiences are worth sharing.

Scale modelling is one of the world's most popular hobbies. It offers infinite variety and can be enjoyed with minimum skill or with great artistry. And its enthusiasts are always willing to share their know-how - to give something back.

About the Author
James Doan has enjoyed building scale models practically all his life. His main interest is miniature figures (you can call them toy soldiers and he won't mind). Visit James' Blog.

Scented Candles - Troubleshooting Tips

If you have taken up the increasingly popular hobby of candle making, it won't be long until you're looking to expand your horizons by experimenting with adding fragrances to your home-made creations. We've all enjoyed the intoxicating fragrances of candles you can buy in the shops, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to add your own special scents to your own candles? You should be able to appreciate the fragrance of scented candles whether they are lit or not, but lighting a scented candle will have the effect of heating up the oils thus helping the fragrance oil to evaporate and disperse into the environment.

Fragrance can be added to your candles in various forms, but for the best results, at least initially, it's probably a good idea to stick with fragrance oils or the solid wax perfume chips that are specially produced for candle making. The manufacturers will be able to give you an initial idea of the sort of quantities required to produce a particular strength of fragrance.

Fragrances used in candle making are often very concentrated which means that you may only need to add a drop or two. It's a very common mistake, even amongst more experienced candle makers, to add too much fragrance. Adding too much of the fragrance additive may cause the wax of the finished candle to have a mottled or pitted appearance and it may even change the texture of the wax so much so, that you have trouble releasing it from the mold in the first place! As with a lot of elements of candle making, it's often a case of experimentation and learning from your mistakes. You might therefore find it useful to keep a project notebook for your candle making in which you can write up exactly what you've used for what candles and what the results have been. This will be particularly helpful to you in the future if you have been trying out a range of different wax types and also different forms of fragrance.

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are often used in scented candles in a similar way to the specialised fragrance oils. You may even receive some of the therapeutic benefits associated with the oils when burning these candles which have been made with essential oils - even if it's only a case of increased relaxation and positive mood enhancement!

Gel candles are a popular type of scented candle as the gel wax is able to carry a particularly high fragrance load. If you have decided that gel candles are the ones for you, then it's worth looking into buying fragrance oil specifically formulated for gel wax. Not only is this going to enable you to get the most strongly scented candles but some of these oils are almost colorless and will not cloud your gel if you're trying to achieve a clear translucent effect.

Finally, if you have some scented candles which seem to have lost their fragrance or you have some plain unscented candles (either ones you've bought or some you've made yourself) which you would like to add some fragrance to, there is a simple way to pep these up. All you need to do is make two or three vertical holes in the top of the candle close to the wick with a hot narrow skewer. You need to go down to a depth of about half the height of the candle. Then, simply add a few drops of fragrance oil (essential oils are good to use in this way too) into the holes. Once the candle is lit, the melted wax around the wick will fill the holes and there will be no evidence of what you've done, and the fragrance will be released as the candle burns down. The only cautionary note I would make is in respect of the candles which have a depleted scent - it's best to refresh their existing fragrance rather than try and add a completely different scent.

Julie Sinclair is a candle making enthusiast who enjoys helping others to get started in this amazing hobby. For more great information on how to make scented candles, visit http://www.candlemakingtoptips.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Sinclair

Mr. Kipling's Workshop Close Out Sale

Town of Mono, ON (Mr. Kipling's Workshop)
After twenty years, we are closing the shop! Drop by this weekend to take advantage of our

Close Out Sale
All inventory 1/2 Price.

Extra Special on
Testors Enamel - 25 cents per bottle (7ml) and
Modelmaster Acryl - 50 cents per bottle (14.7ml).

Open Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 24 & 25)

Note:
This will be the last opportunity to redeem your Saving Certificates!

Mr. Kipling's Workshop
Mono Plaza, Hwy 10 N. #633419

PhotographyBB Online Magazine - 21st Edition Hits the Virtual Shelves Today!

PRLog - Vancouver, BC (Photography BB)
PhotographyBB announced today, the release of the 21st edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine. The PhotographyBB Online Magazine is a leading resource in the future of free information distribution, offering readers: Digital Photography tips and techniques, DSLR camera function training, and image post processing tutorials in Adobe® Photoshop™, and RAW processing in Photoshop Lightroom™.

The October 2009 edition oppropriately features Halloween themed tutorials such as “How to Photograph Ghosts” and “Digital Pumpkin Carving in Photoshop.” Additionally this issue explores a sneak peak at the new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta release, and some of the exciting new features that Adobe has to offer.

Editor in Chief, Dave Seeram had these comments regarding this recent release:

“I’m really proud of the work that our team has done with this issue. In addition to our regular photography and tutorial columns, this month we have a special feature – a sneak peak at the new features in the Lightroom 3 (Beta) release. Readers can check out these new features, then download their own beta copy from Adobe Labs and try it out for themselves. Additionally, since this month typically lends itself to gorgeous outdoor fall photography, we are also looking at outdoor portrait shooting techniques. For Halloween, we’ve even got some themed tutorials to really get out readers into the Halloween spirit. Couple that with the FAQ series where we answer questions from our readers, and the continuation in our popular HDR series, and I feel we have a special issue this month.

In our Photography Around the World feature, we’re whisked off the Ireland for a spectacular photographic view of the countryside, mountains, churches, and forts.”

By way of download in either PDF or ZIP formats, PhotographyBB continues its trend through the future of free downloadable magazine distribution. In a completely ad-free format, each issue contains informative and educational tutorials for amateur and intermediate level photographers.

In addition to articles which aide photographers in getting the most from their DSLR cameras, the PhotographyBB Online Magazine also features useful and applicable tutorials on how to use post-processing tools such as Photoshop and Lightroom, to build on digital photography post-processing skills.

PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download through the PhotographyBB Website at: http://www.photographyBB.com/magazine

PhotographyBB was founded in Oct, 2006, and is a division of PowerButton Central (2004).
For more information, visit the PhotographyBB website at: http://www.photographybb.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/photographybb
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photographybb

1/72 He-70F-2 German Reconnaissance Plane announced from ICM

(ICM Models)
The Heinkel He 70 was a German mail plane, passenger, liaison, training and bomber aircraft of the 1930s. The Heinkel He 70 Blitz was designed in the early 1930s to serve as a fast mailplane for Deutsche Lufthansa. The first prototype flew on December 1, 1932 and proved to have excellent performance, setting eight world records for speed over distance, and reaching a maximum speed of 377 km/h (222 mph).

Features:
- Highly detailed interior and wheel bays
- Accurately reproduced imitation of metallic, wooden and linen surface
- Clear polystyrene instrument panels
- 2 versions decal sheet included


AVAILABLE: November 2009

Panzer-Divisions in Battle 1939-45 announced from Concord Publications

(Concord Publications)
Panzer-Divisions in Battle 1939-45
Author: Tom Cockle

Features:
- 72 Pages
- 169 Photos
- 16 Color plates

“Blitzkrieg”, or Lightning War, was a new concept that Germany unleashed on a series of countries beginning with Poland on 1 September 1939. The new book, Panzer-Divisions in Battle 1939-45, examines the role panzers played in WWII through a series of photographs and illustrations. Authored by Tom Cockle, the volume begins with a précis of the various battles and theaters in which German tanks saw combat. This first volume on the topic provides coverage of the Invasion of Poland, the Battle for France, the Intervention in the Balkans, and ends with the Desert War in North Africa.

The main focus of the book is the extensive selection of black and white photographs. These show not only tanks like the ubiquitous series of Panzer I, II, III and IVs that formed the nucleus of the all-conquering panzer divisions, but also associated equipment such as the Czech-built Pz.Kpfw.38(t) tank, a variety of armored cars, plus the well-known Sd.Kfz.251 halftrack. Unarmored vehicles such as the whole range of halftracks are not left out, alongside other equipment like antiaircraft guns and howitzers. The photos showing vehicles in a range of theaters will prove inspirational to modelers contemplating their next project. The authoritative writer offers detailed and useful captions for each photo as he highlights pertinent aspects of the vehicles.

The centerpiece of the book is a collection of 16 color plates by Laurent Lecocq, which offers the artist’s interpretation of how vehicles appeared in reality. This stimulating book will be an asset to any library on German military vehicles, and it sets the stage for the next volume to continue with the Invasion of the Soviet Union.


AVAILABLE: November 2009