Many home owners who have pets - or even children - can be in a quandary when it is time to replace or update the flooring in their homes. They know if they install wood, tile or laminate floors they tend to clean better than carpeting. Or so they think. They long for the warmth, beauty and color that carpeting can add to their homes but know all about the spilled drinks and pet accidents that can ruin the carpeting.

Research and development engineers and designers listened to the wants and needs of customers and have come up with some interesting fibers that have more repellant and are easier to keep clean. Your local flooring store will have samples and colors of these new carpets and can give you the features and benefits of each manufacturer.

Home & Garden Magazine has said that switching from on-the-surface stain protection to treatments that cover each fiber or are integrated into the fibers has made clean up surprisingly easy. An increasing number of carpets require only water for stain removal. Mohawk Flooring has a carpet that comes with a lifetime warranty against pet urine stains.

Chip Wade from HGTV's Designed to Sell and Curb Appeal: The Block has teamed up with Mohawk and DuPont to introduce a revolutionary and extraordinary new class of carpet called SmartStrand. It's is unique in that it combines both exceptional durability with permanent built-in stain and soil protection- no other fiber can make this claim. And it's also eco-smart! It's made with a renewable resource, corn. It requires less energy to make and reduces our dependency on oil.

DuPont has newer entries into the stain resistant carpet industry. Stain resistance is built into the Sorona® fiber, making it permanent. This means carpets made with Sorona® do not require the added cost of topical treatments or special dyeing. Sorona® also offers bleach resistance, which makes it easy to clean and maintain. Stain-resistant carpet made with Sorona® will look like new for years.

Shaw Floors also has been busy in the R&D area for stain resistant carpeting. R2X is the industry's most innovative carpet stain and soil repelling system and the product of years of research and testing. Shaw's patented and exclusive R2X system goes beyond conventional repellents that only protect the surface of the carpet. With R2X, carpets are armed with total fiber coverage, offering complete protection from the top to the bottom of the yarn. This total fiber coverage offers unprecedented protection against household spills and everyday soiling. With R2X, spills that reach the base of the Twisting Yarn don't penetrate and wick back to the top as they do with conventional solutions.

If you discover a spot or stain on your carpet, consider the help that the carpet manufacturer might offer you. Manufacturers often provide a "help" number with the warranty. Sometimes a spot can be removed simply with a clean white towel and water. Still, you should consult the "help" number before you attempt to remove a spot, in case your spot is not easy to remove.

Choosing the correct material for your kitchen worktops can be a very tricky business. Corian, Granite, Marble, Hi-Macs and more. There are so many options out there so how do we decide. Well I�m going to do a quick comparison of the two most popular high end worktop materials, Corian and Granite.

Cost

The cost of these two materials is very similar. However when a price up was done Corian worktops were slightly better value for money because for the same price we could get a higher grade of Corian compared to Granite.

Ease of Cleaning

Both these materials are easy to clean. Corian worktops however can be joined to create a single solid worksurfaces therefore there are no gaps or crevices to collect dirt or blow mould. Corian is extremely easy to clean using soapy water or a little abrasive cleanser. It resists stains because it is non-porous and liquids cannot penetrate. Mould, mildew and germs cannot live on it. Granite requires sealing in order to be stain resistant. As it is a natural substance granite is porous and can stain without proper sealing.

Durability

Granite needs sealing occasionally to keep its qualities. Corian however requires no sealing or resealing and doesn�t crack and chip as easily as granite does. If your Corian worktops become scratched or damaged then they are very easily repaired by buffing them right out.

Finish

This is a hard topic as it all depends on personal preference. Granite has a more natural look to it but because of its natural properties but it rarely has a complete uniform look across the whole worktop. To achieve a uniform look higher prices are usually as a result. Also because of the characteristics of granite it means it will contain joins that are visible to the eye. Corian on the other hand can be joined to create the look of one solid piece of worktop with no visible joins. As it is a man made product Corian has a completely uniform look throughout. Even when repaired and sanded down Corian still keeps the same look and feel throughout.

Repair

Corian worktops offer the buyer limitless design possibilities because it can be thermoformed to any shape. Corian offers seamless joints and sinks and perhaps it�s most attractive quality to buyers is it can be restored to its former glory if it was ever damaged. Minor damage in granite can also be repaired however more extensive damage such as large chips are far more difficult to repair, often requiring replacement whereas Corian does not.

Resistance to Heat

Placing hot pots and pans on any worktop is a mistake. Corian does not melt or burn however high temperatures can cause some marking and colour distortion. Granite is resistant to higher degrees of heat but like Corian still can mark if exposed to high temperatures.

In conclusion both of these worktop materials are excellent choices but depending on your circumstances and preferences will determine which material you choose. Corian worktops are more user friendly due to its durability, uniform colour and ability to be repaired easily. This is why many people who do not want the hassle of having to continually look after their worktops choose Corian plus houses up for rent often prefer this material of choice. Granite however can produce a more natural appearance but to achieve this quality higher costs can be a result.

The Japanese traditional paper art origami can be used to make a number of things including garland, earrings, necklace, and even mobile for babies. If you have a friend expecting, then a handmade baby mobile would be the best gift you can actually give her on the baby shower day. Baby mobiles help infants to develop visual as well as mental stimulation and focusing skills. A baby mobile is an excellent way to grab the attention of small babies and to make them sleep.

The things you need to consider while making a baby mobile for your baby is that your baby should be safe and don�t come in contact with any sharp or toxic parts of the baby mobile. The baby mobile should not in any manner restrict the movement of the baby. While making a baby mobile you should seek to it that it should be made with bright and high contrast colors and should be attractive enough to catch the attention of the baby. Baby mobiles can be placed in different places like one which can be hanged to a ceiling, or one which can be attached to the ceiling of a car with the help of a Velcro, or even one which can be attached to stroller hood. You can even attach a battery operated nightlight or a changeable music or video component to your basic baby mobile to make it more interesting and eye catching. You should also make sure that the baby mobile is in a balanced position so that even a gentle flow of air will make the mobile to move.

You can make a simple baby mobile with the help of the following things-

Colorful origami papers
Non-toxic crayons and color pens
Hole punch
Scotch tape
Scissor
Fishing yarn

The first step is to select a shape for your baby mobile. You can find a variety of interesting origami shapes and designs for your mobile in books or on the internet like stars, clouds, animals, etc. you can even use small toys or stuffed animals for your mobile. After deciding the shape and design, you can use crayons and color pens to decorate your shapes and then need to start folding shapes to make the origami mobile. Then next you need to use your hole punch to make holes in the shapes. Next you need to attach the shapes to the bottom of the round base. Then next cut four 1 inch strips vertically out of the paper and then attach these strips to 90 degree position around the top of the round base. Then next you need to bring the strips towards each other in the centre and punch a small hole in the top and attach each strip with a fishing Korean Wax Rope, this will form the hook with the help of which you can hang your mobile.

Your baby mobile is now ready.

A church banner pattern might include information on how to make tassels in different lengths and sizes. Here are a number of tips which might not be contained in the pattern directions. Hopefully, these helps will make the process easier for you. It is not really hard, when one gets the hang of it.

Choosing a Tool: Some people create a tassel tool for themselves. You can make a piece of cardboard cut to the size that is needed. An empty cereal box or similar package works well. Thick cardboard will be harder to cut. Plus, it is always beneficial to be able to recycle what would be trash for a new purpose.

The length of the tassel you want to make will most likely be recorded in the pattern directions. But this is something that is frequently optional. If one prefers a longer tassel, one can adapt the length to the desired length. A few hobbiest create delightful tassel angels to run along the bottom of their Christmas banners. That could be something you would really enjoy.

If you have a number of church banner patterns or you anticipate to make tassels frequently; one can buy a specialized tassel tool. These tools adjust to size, permitting you to make lengths varying from four to six inches. Explanations for use comes with the tool.

Ways to Make Tassels With a Cardboard Pattern: If you elect to cut out your own cardboard pattern, one will need to cut one large slot close to the place the top of the tassel will be. You'll use the slot to tye the final cords that hold each piece of yarn, ribbon or linen together. You simply wrap the cord that you selected from the top of the cardboard to the bottom edge several times until one has the thickness you want. There're online videos that explain how to do the handwork.

Choosing the Material: Viscose yarn, Penquin cotton, or Connemara linen work quite well as you're beginning to learn how to make tassels. Metallic yarns reflect the light and look nice when completed, but they may be hard to sew with. If one decides to use metallic Air Textured Yarn, buy one which is less crisp or softer. One needs one that can drape well. You do not need to get one that is specially recommended for tassel or braid-making. Sometimes the ones that are recommended for those uses cost more than others that work just as well for a church banner pattern.

How to Make Tassels With a Number of Colors: One could have any number of colors in a tassel. If one wants a little bit of sparkly metallic, but you do not need to be excessive about it, you can wrap a few strands of whichever color you desire as one is working. Don't be afraid to try out new things with the banner pattern one selects. You could make something unique.

The word "crochet" comes from Old French, meaning hook and refers to the technique of making fabric from yarn strands, using a hook. Crochet may have originated from fabric-making traditions in the Middle East, China or South America but arrived in Europe around the 19th century. Crochet lace was a fashion staple in the Victorian era, its popularity continuing up to the 1960s. In recent times, crochet has enjoyed a comeback on the international fashion scene.

Crochet is a versatile craft, once you have mastered basic crochet stitches, you can create lace embellishments for garments or items like coasters, afghans and even tablecloths.

Here is an overview of crochet stitches:

Chain stitch: An introduction to crochet typically begins with learning to make chain stitches. This most basic of crochet stitches is used at the start of a crochet project; hence, a row of chain stitches are also referred to as a "foundation chain".

Slip stitch: This stitch comes in handy when you link two crochet elements together.

Single crochet stitch: A short stitch that's frequently used in several crochet patterns.

Double crochet stitch: Another basic stitch for beginners. It's tall, with a distinct texture and there are infinite ways in which it can be used.

Treble/Triple crochet stitch: A little more difficult to master, the treble stitch is lengthier than the double crochet stitch.

Getting started

With a crochet hook, skeins of yarn and scissors, you're good to go!

Here are a few handy tips:

Before wielding your hook, wind the yarn into a ball. This helps you avoid any tangles. Also, you will be able to achieve even tension while crocheting.

Remove any jewellery on your hands that could snag on the yarn.

Keep several sizes of hooks handy. If your stitches tend to be too tight, a common problem with beginners, you may want to switch to a larger hook; if they're too loose, a smaller sized hook will help. Experiment with hooks before starting so that your crochet stitches remain consistent.

Mistakes can and do happen, especially if you're inexperienced. If you notice an error you've made in an earlier row, don't lose heart. Just open out the stitches up to where the mistake occurred and start over.

Start your first few projects with 4-ply, medium weight yarn. Go for good quality yarn as this helps you form stitches easily.

Identify a simple project like a dishcloth, granny square or even a bookmark that will give you practice with basic crochet stitches.

Even the simplest of crochet stitches may seem daunting to the uninitiated, but a little patience and perseverance will soon have you crocheting like a pro. Be warned, crochet can be addictive, too!