Sew Your Own Reusable Shopping Bag or Tote

t's very easy to make your own reusable shopping bag or tote. All you need is some sturdy fabric (such as heavy duty calico) and some cotton webbing or braid for the handles.

Suitable Fabrics & Notions

As noted above, you should choose a sturdy fabric such as heavy duty cotton or calico. To make one bag you'll need half a yard of fabric (assuming the fabric width is 43" or more). For metric sewers, you'll need ½ metre of fabric if the fabric is at least 106cm wide.

It may also be worthwhile to invest in some quality thread, as you may be carrying some heavy items in your bag, and you cannot afford to have your bag break due to cheap quality thread!

For the handles, I recommend cotton webbing or braid about 1" wide (2.5 cm). You'll need 48" of the webbing (or 122 cm).

To Make Your Pattern

There are only 5 pieces to cut out. 2 rectangles form the bag's front and back, there is one long piece that joins the front and back (to give the bag depth), and then 2 pieces for your handles.

Lay your fabric face down, and then draw out your rectangles as follows:

Bag sides (you'll need 2 of these) 13½" wide by 14½" tall (this gives a ½" seam allowance). In metric, this is 2 rectangles 34cm by 36cm (with a 1cm seam allowance).

Then you'll need long rectangle measuring 42½" by 5½" (or 106cm by 12cm).

Lay them out as shown in this diagram www.sewing4dummies.com/images/bag-layout.gif and then cut out.

Take your webbing and cut 2 handles each 24" long (or 61cm).

To Make Up

Basically, the long piece of fabric needs to be sewn along three sides of each rectangle (as shown in this diagram www.sewing4dummies.com/images/bag-sew.gif). Place one rectangle along the side of the long piece (right sides together) and start sewing. Stitch slowly when turning the corners of the rectangle. I strongly recommend that you sew each seam twice for extra strength, especially at the corners.

Now attach your handles to the bag and sew on by sewing a rectangle, then sew a cross in the middle (see this diagram www.sewing4dummies.com/images/bag-handles.gif). Again, it would be wise to double stitch these seams.

It doesn't matter whether you attach the handles to the inside or the outside, it's up to you. And that's it. Very simple.

Business Fashion For Women Executives

Power Point Presentation... Check. Killer Suit... Check. Great Hair... Check. Nails... Check. Pelosi South Sea Strand of Pearls... Check!

No, I'm not kidding! Yes, you are reading it right.

I added pearl jewelry to the list of things you must have for a successful sales presentation if you want to be a successful businesswoman executive.

Here's why.

For centuries women and men have adorned themselves with pearls, knowing that these enticing orbs represent power, wealth and prestige. So it's no surprise that one of the most popular jewelry choices for professional women today should be one of the most enduring.

But, even the most style-savvy among us women business executives can get lost when it comes to dressing for events and business meetings where impressions are everything.

In fact, among the many entertaining byproducts of The Apprentice, this most recent series proved that the issue of what to wear in a corporate environment remains unresolved for women.
While the men, even the youngest, looked comfortable in suits, the women often struggled with finding a business fashion sense that would clearly emphasize their business credibility.

Here are My Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Wear Pearls at Your Next Sales Presentation:

1. In a world where first impressions are everything, a strand of pearls says it all. People will form an impression of you within seven seconds of your first meeting. Every successful businesswoman executive knows these first impressions can either make or break your sale.
2. When you want to close the sale you must convey an inner sense of power, knowledge and accomplishment. Therefore, you'll want to dress to impress.A single, simple pearl holds the mysteries of creation, perfection and timeless elegance within its layers. It softly speaks of those secrets with a quiet but undeniable radiance.
3. They are speaking for their owners in volumes. Whether it's a simple pair of Akoya stud earrings, or a majestic South Sea strand, pearls in boardrooms across the country are making an entrance. Pearl jewelry affirms that women are strong, independent and in control of the business that awaits them.
4. Pearls gently yet firmly attest to a sense of effortless style, grace and good taste. That's why pearl jewelry is not just for dinner parties anymore. They are the essential accoutrement to the modern-day Power Suit.
5. A well-chosen strand of pearls needs no other adornment. Pearl jewelry does not need flowery garlands of gold, dangling gemstones or other unnecessary details. Pearls stand alone, unique and unfettered by excess, with a simple, no-nonsense approach to dressing for success in the business world.
6. Pearls convey that image of the simple, straightforward yet chic woman who is in control of her world. That's why women who hold positions of prominence in politics and business understand that pearls are irreplaceable assets in their wardrobes. Just look at what Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wore on Election night and to her swearing in ceremony.
7. A simple string of pearls gives you instant elegance. It's an accessory you don't have to think about. It immediately adds class and takes your outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. And at the same time it won't have people staring at your ears in a business meeting as they would if you wore the chandeliers. This way, your prospects will listen to what you have to say.

So, during your next make it or break it sales meeting, what are you going to wear...

Amanda Raab

Black Pearls - Latest Pearls

Pearls are the latest and most happening items in the world of jewelry which has fascinated one and all by its charm, appeal and grace. They can be commonly classified as freshwater and saltwater pearls depending on the place of their origin.

Since its discovery, people have a liking for pearl and have used it in the form of jewelry as necklaces, earrings and bracelets. They are easy to maintain and preserve and are reasonable to buy as compared to other jewelry like gold and diamonds and thus provide a Tough competition to their counterparts. A pearl is considered to be of low quality if it has cracks on the surface, is lusterless, or if it contains some impurities like mud or sand particles inside it.

They come in a Variety of colors like white, black, shades of yellow, pink, green, red, brown and blue. While different people have their own choice and tastes, the White and black pearls are the hottest on the menu of the buyers. People who want to go in for a charming, sober look go in for pure white pearls jewelry in the form of necklace and earrings combined with accessories like bracelets. On the contrary the black pearls give a mysterious feel to the personality of the person making people wonder what one is up to.

The colors of pearls are attributed to many factors that may vary from genetics, water quality, mussel species and the situation of the pearl inside the shell. The market value of a freshwater pearl can be estimated by its color, quality, shape, lustre, texture, finish, smoothness and degree of translucency. The color of freshwater pearls can be changed easily to the desired ones by mixing some artificial metal colors in the water which is gradually also reflected in the furnished pearl. While the shape of the pearl is much more difficult to administer as once the particles enters the shell, it can hardly be checked until the final pearl is formed.

Black pearls are commonly used to provide a contrasting effect to a necklace or earrings by placing one black pearl in between the white ones or making an interesting pattern by placing black pearls alternatively. There is no end to designs and it depends on the demand of the person and the imagination of the creator to add to the unmatched value and beauty of this rare and precious desire named Pearl .

Pattrick Jhonson

Symbolic Gemstone (Lapis Lazuli)

Ancient Gemstone (Lapis Lazuli)

- The word lapis lazuli is derived from the Arabic terminology "Lazward" through which the word "Azure" is derived. More often than not, lapis lazuli is called as lazulite.
- Lapis lazuli is a wealthy azure blue color which does have a blend of minerals especially alcite and lazurite widely used with glittering of iron pyrites.
- The gorgeous gem, lapis lazuli originated from Afghanistan, where it did mine firstly by the ancient people.
- During the period of 1271, Marco Polo embarked on ancient lapis mines in Afghanistan and from there it was sold to other nations such as India, Germany, China and Russian.
- In ancient era, the Egyptians, who commonly would use the seals, most probably also, obtained capacity of their supplies from Afghanistan.
- The lapis lazuli is a gorgeous gem and it was regarded in ancient Egypt and especially by the Jews, since it considered as the high pastor body protective covering.
- The lapis lazuli was used to soothing the physical and psychic disorders in Egyptian civilization.
- It was used to control upon the bad influences of attacks of incest on the human body by mostly the pharaohs who were the empires of ancient Egypt as a decree used to wedding their eldest sisters.
- For many eras, lapis lazuli in a -Powedered-Stlye- was used as a color in oil paintings.

Healing gem stone (lapis lazuli)

- Lapis lazuli is supposed to motivate affinity, backup and protect against unkindness and iniquity.
- Lapis lazuli is asserted to be the gem of fact, precision, honesty, intellect, internal power, and exceptional psychic lucidity.
- It can be used to prevail over desolation, creating feelings of harmony and self gratitude.
- Lapis is used to make stronger the terms, interlinking and hopefulness.
- The gem stone works as a valve to control upon internal energy and in the same time it cleans up the conscience and the psychic structure.
- Lapis guides getting in touch with the spirit protectors.
- The lapis lazuli is supposed to be protective to the psyche and the body, besides it can heal the bad health conditions such as infection, snoozing, lack of sleeping, depression, nightmares, panic disorders and PMS.
- The gem like lazuli drains out all sorts of hidden miseries and illnesses.
- Besides, lapis lazuli is used for the healing of immune resistant system, throat disorder, thymus, bone marrow and vertigo.
- Lapis lazuli is considered as the birthstone of December with turquoise and symbolic victory.

Myths about blue color (Lapis-Lazuli)

- The blue lapis lazuli is stimulating atmosphere where we take in breathe all.
- The cascades, seas, oceans, occur to be in the blue color.
- The blue lapis is considered as the symbol of sincerity, truthfulness, a new start and re-embodiment.
- Blue lazuli is the sign of precision, clarity and radiant skies.
- Blue is considered as the symbol of peace, integration, hopefulness and the start of a new day and new chance in the life.

Concluding remarks

Concisely, we can say that lapis lazuli is one of the gorgeous gemstones which is extremely beneficial due to its ability to promote physical and psychic relieve within hours to the mankind.

Stella Micheal