One True Media

WOW!
I just discovered a fun and exciting way to advertise.
One True Media allows you to create a video. It is so incredibly easy. And you can do this for free, OR upgrade for 4 bucks a month (39.99 for the year) to get extra features. You click on photo's from your computer and upload them.

Then you get to play around with the layout, transitions and effects. If you have ever created a PowerPoint Slide show then this will be extremely easy. You create the transitions like in a PowerPoint presentation.

You can upload music to go with your video, and it looks really professional.
Then you share the video with MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, via e-mail, you can even create your OWN Tivo channel to share with others :)

It is really exciting.
Please check out my first video to see first hand the quality. You can even buy a professional DVD.

I would love to know what others think. I look forward to your comments.
Janet

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=7c7e7bfef53f194ee1d76a&skin_id=1005&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

Pay It Forward: Care Packages for The Troops

Have you wanted to give back somehow but you weren't sure how or where to start?

Especially in the current economic conditions now more than ever giving back is difficult.

But during this time of year when we are celebrating and enjoying Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas I think it is more important than ever to remember the troops. Many will be overseas during the holidays and many others will be injured and in hospitals recovering.

I am working with an organization called, "Operation Care Packages" and they are collecting items to send overseas. I think about an organization such as Etsy that connects millions of people and see so much potential to make a difference. If everyone gave one or two items we would easily meet and of course exceed our goals.

I want everyone to see the different ways we can make a difference. I personally can not financially give a lot so let's get creative. I have gone to locals schools and have the kids coloring pictures and messages to send overseas. Cost: ZERO and it is a fun project for the kids and the troops will LOVE it. I have several churches involved now too. We can all help spread the word to our neighbors and our work centers too.

If you really want to give something and not just spread the word then think about things around your house that you are about to throw out or things that have been around for awhile and you aren't using such as magazines. We read them and then get rid of them, or have them sitting in offices for customers to read. Our troops generally don't have access to news, or magazines while deployed so this is a great gift that really won't cost a thing. My sister and mom LOVE to read and have shelves of books they don't know what to do with, so these can be donated. Do you have old movies, or games laying around? Donate those... Hopefully you can see the many ways to contribute without costing you financially.

If you would like to send something else there is a LONG list (I apologize in advance for the length) of items they could use, or would like. Many of these items are specific requests. All items will get to the troops because we have a list of names to send these too. If anyone is interested in signing up a loved one please go to the following site:

http://www.operationcarepackages.org/SubmitTroops.html

Here is a list of possible items to send:

Operation Christmas Stocking:

We need 10,000 Stockings that we can stuff and add to the Christmas Care Packages. (Approx 10-16 inches tall x 5-6 inches wide) Stockings can be made of fabric or felt.

"Wish List"

The following is a list of items that are especially needed to add Holiday cheer to packages.

Cards & letters of support to 'any hero'

Hot Chocolate & Hot Cider Packets Cookies (small individual packs)

Chocolate bars & kisses

Batteries AA & AAA

Hand held games, dvds and cds

Sweat pants and blanket throws

Socks - Mens - white /black - work /crew

Summer sausage, beef sticks or pepperoni sticks (6oz to 12oz size)

Granola Bars, Trail Mix, Nuts (individual sizes)

Small Christmas trees - 8 to 18 inches tall

Zip lock bags (quart and gallon size)

Popcorn balls / Carmel corn

Phone cards 120 min AT&T

Little Stockings (Approx 10-16 inches tall x 5-6 inches wide)

Hand made ornaments (no glass please)
Protien Bars * Batteries * Jerky
Pre-sweetened powdered Kool-aid, Gatorade
Kool aid singles or similar

Jerky, Slim Jims, Summer Sausage, Beef Sticks
Canned Fruit, Dried Fruit, Fruit Snacks
Canned Hearty Soup, Ravioli, Stew
Cup A Soup, Top Ramon, Dinty Moore
Trail Mix, Nuts, Sunflower Seeds
Pre-Packaged Cookies
Instant Oatmeal, Boxed Cereal
Easy Mac & Cheese, Microwave Popcorn
Canned Tuna, Chicken
Peanut Butter / Jelly (No Glass Please)
Small boxes of crackers
Muti-Vitamins, Tylenol

Special Wants
Small Personal or Desk Fans, Hand & Foot warmers, Hot Plates, Small Coffee Grinder, Twin Sheet Sets, Pillow cases, Travel Size Pillows, Cool Scarves, Jogging Pants, Cool Max T-Shirts, Wash Cloths and Bath Towels, Flashlights, Headlamps, Leatherman, New or Good Condition Books, No Romance Please, Mystery, Western, Thriller, Sports, Inspirational

SuperBowl Sunday Help us give them a day every American Loves

Footballs, Nerf Balls, Sports Related Items, New Football or Sports Magazines, Salsa - in plastic please, Totilla Chips, Summer Sausage, Small boxes of crackers, Cheese - Non refrigerated, Plastic Football Bowls for chips, Football Napkins, Football Sports Flags or Banners, Men's Deodorant, Shave Cream, Foot Powder, odor eaters, Small size shampoos, conditioner, mouthwash, Floss, lip balm, toothpaste, toothbrushes, nail clippers, Sunblock, Mosquito repellant, Fly tape, Wet Wipes, Anti-bacterial liquid soap

New/Used DVDs / CDs
Puzzle Books, Pads of paper, Long Envelopes
Qt. / Gal Zip Lock Bags
Hand Held Games, Hand held Mini fans, Misters
Batteries AA/ AAA
Cards games...UNO, Skip Bo,
Yahtzee, Board Games, Sports equipment, Hacky Sacks, X-Box & PS2 Games
Mens White/Black Crew/ Work socks
Under Armour Wear T-Shirts Sm., Med., Lg., Xlg.
Thongs, Shave towels, wash cloths, Cool scarves
Sun glasses, Safety glasses, Gloves, 72" boot laces


Holiday Needs

Summer sausage, Crackers, Canned Ham (Sm.)
Lots Pre-packaged Cookies, Hot Chocolate, Coffee
Chocolate Candy, Hard Candy,
Handmade or mini ornaments
Small 18-22 inch Christmas Trees (Artificial)
New or Handmade Blanket Throws
Cards & letters of support
Hand made kids pictures/ letters
Small un-wrapped gifts
Homemade / bought stockings / Mini or regular size

Resource:

Here is a great website with very affordable odds and ends, such as deck of cards, stockings that are only 50 cents each, games and ornaments.. .

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

Mailing Address

Operation Care Package

611 Wilcox St.

Joliet, IL. 60435

Feel free to use the link at the top of this blog to look me up on Etsy and convo me if you have any questions.

Thanks to all of you that have serve, are serving, or those who are supporting the troops!!

Janet

What Colors Mean

Did you know every color we look at has a hidden meaning? Your website, blog, or Etsy shop could be sending the wrong message if you aren't aware of what a color can evoke from customers.

Here is a list of colors and what they can mean:

Red
Red is viewed as an exciting, dramatic color. Red also has passionate feel. The darkest reds, such as burgundy and maroon, have a rich stately feeling.

Orange
Orange gives off an aura that is cheerful, bold, and exciting. Orange has a friendly, informal feeling that makes it a great choice for a family room or relaxed living room. Rust, a dark muted orange, is a quiet color that conjures up misty autumn days, while the paler peach makes a cheerful, warm but understated, impact.

Yellow
Yellow is the most visible color—that’s why so many road signs and school buses are yellow. Gold and ochre tones of yellow create a formal, antique atmosphere. Soft yellows have been a popular exterior paint choice since Colonial days, and these warm, inviting shades can do justice to virtually any room in the house.

Green
Green is nature’s favorite color. Perhaps because of this strong associate with nature, green is a very soothing color to most people. Because green is easy on the eyes, it has long been a popular color in the work place. Green is a versatile color that can look good anywhere inside or out.

Blue
Blue is America’s “favorite color.” The universal appeal of blue skies and blue water create a feeling of serenity and openness. Aqua blue is a more frivolous and sunny color. As an exterior color, blue works beautifully as either a trim or a whole-house color.

Purple
Purple brings to mind of wealth and pageantry. Purple and violet are indeed luxurious shades. Lavender, a tint of violet, is gaining popularity and conveys a feeling of low-key refinement. The skillful and unexpected use of violet as an interior color makes an instantly eclectic impression.

Brown
Like green, brown is known as a nature color. This relaxed neutral is a great color to live and work around. Red-browns look very informal. Dark browns look more refined. Brown works well with green as an exterior color scheme for a home that’s surrounded by trees: the house will seem to disappear into the landscape. Beiges and tans are familiar neutrals you can use anywhere.

White
White symbolizes freshness, purity, and cleanliness. You can’t go wrong with white: it offsets any color you use it with. As an exterior color, white is tremendously versatile and will beautify almost any surface.

Black
Black is an authoritative classic color that conveys sophistication. Black provides a neutral yet dramatic counterpoint to any color you choose. Black is a great color for exterior detailing such as shutters, trim, doors, and wrought iron.

Gray
Gray is an elegant neutral that has enjoyed a lot of attention. Gray has a definite business-like, urban feel to it. Because gray is so neutral, you can accent it with any color you please. Gray with white trim is a classy exterior color scheme that works on a wide variety of homes.

I hope this gives insight to all of you and that it helps you with designs.
Here is the website that I retrieved this information from, it is GREAT! They have a personality quiz on the site where you can see which colors represent you :)
Enjoy:

Reference:
http://dutchboy.com/colors/choose/meaning/meaning/index.jsp

Thanks for reading.
Janet