We Have A New Blog Called "What Break"

We have started a new blog called "What Break" it will be only business articles. We search the internet continuously (it seems) for articles on search engine optimization, target marketing and about every other topic on running an online business. We thought we would start this blog so we could share our findings with you.

I have to say I had so much fun designing the logo and the blog. I used a template but I completely modified it.

We hope you find useful information that will help you in your business.

New ~ Primitive Times Magazine

Welcome to Primitive Times Magazine brought to you by Heartland Marketplace. We are a group of talented Prim Crafters in our Community uniting to bring you the best of Prim Crafting. From Business Tips, Crafting Ideas, Recipes, Quilting and Sewing Tips, Website Design Tips, Patterns, Work at Home Mom Articles, Crafting Projects and Crafting Project Recipes, and so much more! We will offer a PRINT version of Primitive Times Magazine each month starting November 1, 2007. So grab your advertising spots now just in time for the Holiday Rush!

Taken from their homepage.

Skin Care: Facial Massage ~ By Theresa Pittman

Skin Care: Facial Massage

Techniques

Regular massage with an appropriate blend of carrier and essential oils is an important part of any good skin care program. An effective way to tone and generally improve the condition of any type of skin, it works by relaxing all the small muscles of the face, improving the circulation, breaking down fatty deposits in the lower levels of the skin, and releasing toxins. Remember to make good use of massage in association with masks and lotions for your skin type or conditions. There are several simple techniques, listed below:


Technique 1 - Use the tips of the index, middle, and ring fingers together to exert a deep, local pressure in a tiny circular movement. You should be able to feel the skin rubbing against the small muscles of the face. Lift the fingers and reposition them to travel across the skin.


Technique 2 - Use the flat pads of the index, middle, and ring fingers together or simply the thumb to travel across the skin - either in a slow, spiraling action or by simply sliding upward, downward or outward. For the most part, keep the remainder of your hand resting lightly on the face.


Pinching - Use your index finger and thumb lightly but with enough strength to stimulate the circulation and cause a slight change of skin color. Beware of bruising - pinch lightly on the eyebrows and upper face, more heavily along the jaw.



Facial Massage Sequence

Make sure you are sitting comfortably with everything you need at hand: a headband or clips to secure your hair away from your face, a wet, soft cloth to dampen your skin so that the oils emulsify and penetrate more easily, and a little massage oil poured onto a plate.


Warm-up - Starting on either side of the nose, pinch along each eyebrow and as far as possible along the temples toward the tops of the ears. Then pinch from the chin, working slowly along the jaw line and up to the base of the ears. Do this three times.


1. Dip the pads of your fingers into the oil, and rub your palms together to spread it evenly. Place your fingertips on your jawbone and with light pressure, make a large, sweeping circle from the jaw line up either side of the nose to the center of the forehead, and out along the hairline, and then down the temples to meet at the jawbone. This gently stimulates energy and spreads the oil


2. With the tips of all three fingers and the local pressure of Technique 1, start at the chin and travel along the jaw line and then up from the angles of the jaw to the temples. Do this three times.


3. Using the pads of the three fingers and the small spiraling movement of Technique 2, begin on each side of the nose, close to the base of the nostrils, moving first under the cheekbones and then up toward the tops of the ears.


4. Placing the tips of the middle fingers at the inner corners of the eyes, slide your fingers upward, pushing against the orbital bone, and then outward, just above the eyebrows, towards the ears.


5. Use the pads of all three fingers and the spiraling movement of Technique 2 to massage the forehead, starting just above the top of the nose, moving up toward the hairline, and then outward along it until you reach the temples.


6. Using Technique 2, position the pads of all three fingers at the base of the central frown line, just above the top of the nose, and slide them toward the temples. Do this three times.


7. Massage your scalp firmly, as if you were shampooing your hair. Begin at the temples and work downward, behind the ears and towards the base of the skull.


8. Resting your palms on your ears so that the thumbs point downward, massage from your throat to the nape of the neck in a broad, spiraling version of Technique 2. Do this three times.


9. Place one hand, palm down, on each side of your nose. Your fingertips should rest slightly above your eyebrows. With firm, even pressure, slide your hands outward toward the ears. Do this three times.


10. Bring the sequence to an end by repeating the sweeping movement described in step 1

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Skin Care: Applying Masks ~ By Theresa Pittman

How to Apply a Mask

This outlines the ideal process for applying a mask. Unfortunately, many of us lead such busy lives that we find it difficult to devote this much time to ourselves. Aim to find that time at least once a week. If you still don't have that much time, use the steps that you can.

1. Find a quiet, calm time and place. When you allow yourself the space to slow down and enjoy the simple processes of preparing, applying, and removing a mask, you are likely to be more centered, and that means more receptive and responsive.

2. Put on a headband to protect your hair, and remove any makeup. Then carefully clean the skin with cotton pads and bottled or spring water, an herbal infusion, or a hydrosol.

3. Relax your facial muscles in any way that suits you. It might be by using massage or by making hideous faces at yourself in the mirror.

4. Steam your face gently or apply a hot compress for 2 minutes. Both techniques open the pores so that the mask can penetrate more deeply. **Note** Steaming should not be used more often than monthly for dry or mature skin. It is not recommended at all for sensitive or damaged skin. Oily skin can benefit from weekly steaming, and normal skin should use this technique every other week.

5. Apply the mask evenly, avoiding the area around the eyes, using your fingers or cotton pads as appropriate.

6. Try not to talk, laugh, or move any facial muscles until it is time to remove the mask. Take this time to relax.

7. Remove the mask slowly and carefully. Work from the forehead downward, making sure that none of the material removed comes into contact with the eyes, and avoid dragging the skin. Light fruit masks can be removed with cotton pads. Clay masks will need to be softened with water before removing. Rinse face with tepid water to be sure all of the mask material is removed.

8. Apply hydrosol or toner to close the pores and tone the skin.

Apricot Facial Mask

1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon dry milk powder
1 tablespoon honey

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Spread on your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water and pat dry.

If your complexion has become colorless and dull, this mask can be used to revitalize it. Apricots are rich in vitamin A, which is important for healthy skin. Combined with milk and honey, they return moisture to the skin, helping it to look and feel smoother and softer.

Strawberry Acne Mask

1/2 cup fresh strawberries (you can use frozen if fresh are not available, be sure there is no added sugar)
1 egg white
2 tablespoons honey

Mix together all ingredients until smooth, using a blender or fork. Spread over your face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry

Strawberries are rich in salicylic acid, the same key ingredient in many commercial acne products; honey is also a known antibacterial ingredient. Together they make a powerful facial treatment for troubled skin.

Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Masks

Oatmeal comforts and nourishes the skin - it is rich in protein, potassium, iron, phosphates, magnesium, and silicon. It is perfect for individuals with sensitive skin because it is naturally gentle and mild. The three masks that follow offer an oatmeal mask for all skin types.

For Oily Skin

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1 egg white
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup mashed apple

For Dry Skin

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1 egg yolk
1/2 banana, mashed
1 tablespoon honey

For Normal Skin

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1 whole egg
1 tablespoon almond oil or other light vegetable oil

Mix or blend all ingredients together into a smooth paste. Spread on your face and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse your face with tepid water and pat dry.

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Locating and Decorating With Primitives by Mary Roberson

Locating and Decorating With Primitives by Mary Roberson owner of Handmade Heartfelt can be found here. Primitive Decorating Article

Whatever happened to just sittin' a spell?

By Jorjeana Gross

I can't remember the last time I took an hour to just go to a friend's house and sit a spell. Has life gotten that busy or am I just too caught up in my own life to share a few minutes with friends and family?

Evenings as a child were often spent with our friends and family gathered in someone's kitchen or on a porch or under a shade tree, just spinning tales and finishing the long day with good company. I really believe that we are failing our children by not supplying them with such examples. How are they to know the benefits of relaxing and just taking time to get to know the folks around us?

I am of the inclination that the old timers had the right idea when there were benches and rocking chairs on the porch in front (or even just inside) of the local grocery store. You remember the Norman Rockwell paintings and the scenes from TV shows like Green Acres and Andy Griffith? I do. And even though they used to seem hokey to me, I think they had the right approach.

Why, I can hardly run (and I mean run) into our small town IGA without meeting at least one friendly acquaintance. More times than not, I end up standing in the aisle with my purse on one arm and balancing a half-gallon of milk, a dozen eggs and a stalk of celery in the other, while blocking other patrons who, judging from the looks of frustration on their faces and the low mumbling on their lips as they dodge around us, are obviously in a bigger hurry than I.

As I stand there dancing from one foot to the other, I often think that a sit-n-chat is much better than a stand-n-chat. There are few real pleasures in life and if there was ever a time in which folks should enjoy a good fellow's company, it is today.

There is a pharmacy in our community which has taken just this initiative. The owners remembered that life is more than running in and out. They sporadically placed big armed rockers on their wrap-around porch, as well as whittling benches in and outside the store. I haven't seen anyone whittling as of yet, but it sure looks quite inviting. There are old-timey soda coolers and stick candy on the counter. Antique curiosities dot the scenery: an old washing machine, old pharmacy bottles and an antique child's wagon, to name a few, all adding to the ambiance. And the service is just as darling as the backdrop. After just twice picking up prescriptions, they knew me by name. My orders are ready before I can turn around and always accurate. I have quick, courteous service, but feel welcome enough to stay and chat or look around. What a way to do business!

Now, I realize that I am just a country girl with simple thoughts and plain ideas, but I believe even city folk might even stand to gain from this type of stopover. Slow down and smell the coffee brewin' (at the Starbucks in the deli section), if you know what I mean. What's a few extra minutes gonna mean in the scheme of things? Come on. Unless we're late for a wedding or just gotta make the bus stop, a few minutes to check in on our fellow man can only improve our attitude, right?

You never know when a smile or a friendly word might make someone's day. It often has mine.

Jorejeana Gross
Blain, Tennessee
http://www.artsnicandoldlace.com/

Primitive Twig Tree

I hope you have read Mara Henry's article on how to make a Primitive Twig Tree. It would be perfect for your fall decorations and easily changed for the Christmas season.


Here is the link to her article:

Skin Care Article ~ By Theresa Pittman

Skin Care: Using Toners
By Theresa Pittman

Toners are multi-purpose skin care. Toning closes the pores and seals in moisture, but it should also hydrate the skin. No matter what your skin type, good toning is essential to healthy, beautiful skin. Alcohol is too drying for most skin types, but more natural astringents can clean and close pores without the drying effects.

Hydrosols make wonderful toners that are simple to use. Hydrosols are a by-product of steam distillation, created while extracting essential oils. Their gentleness makes them an excellent way to tone, hydrate and rebalance the pH of the skin. Like the oils they are related to, different hydrosols have different properties and are suitable for different skin types.

Conventional skin care programs usually present the steps of a skin care regimen in the following order: cleanse, tone, nourish (moisturize). Some natural-care programs believe that it makes more sense to close the pores after nourishing. This is a personal preference; you will need to see which works best for you.

Here are a couple of simple, at-home toning and hydrating mask recipes from Pierre Jean Cousin’s Anti-Wrinkle Treatments for Perfect Skin.



Cucumber and Fresh Mint Mask
Ingredients:
5 fresh mint leaves
1/4 medium cucumber
1 large egg white

Place the mint in a food processor or blender and give it one short burst to chop. Peel and seed the cucumber. Add tot the mint and puree. Beat the egg white separately until it forms stiff peaks. Fold gently into the pureed cucumber mixture.

Apply evenly to face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry.

The fresh mint and egg white both have a toning action, while the cucumber is hydrating and anti-inflammatory. This toning mask is good for all skin types.

Fresh Cream and Grape Lotion
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon grape juice
1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon fresh heavy cream

Beat the cream and grape juice together to obtain a light fluffy cream. Press the lemon to extract 1/2 teaspoon of juice. Add the lemon juice drop by drop to prevent curdling, stirring gently to mix

Apply to face and neck and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry. If you like, finish by dabbing a little witch hazel on and allowing to dry naturally.

Grapes are rich in minerals (potassium, manganese, calcium, sodium, and iodine) and vitamins A, B, and C. The grape and lemon juices act as toners, while the nourishing cream counter-balances their astringent effect.

Skin Care - Moisturizing and Nourishing

Moisturizing and nourishing are usually accomplished in the same step. Dry and mature skins, in particular, need extra hydration and oils, as well as minerals and vitamins, to help maintain and regenerate normal vitality.

Fresh fruits and vegetables used as masks are the best way to nourish your skin naturally. However, fruit and vegetable extracts provide the next best way to treat your skin. Many fruits have a revitalizing, nourishing, and often astringent action on the skin. It is the acids they contain and their high vitamin content that provide these benefits.

Some of the benefits derived from fruit are:

• Removal of dead skin, excess fatty deposits, and blackheads
• Helps eliminate freckles and excess pigmentation
• Erases faint lines and wrinkles
• Inhibits the growth of bacteria
• Helps regulate the secretion of sebum
• Unclogs and closes pores
• Tones and hydrates the skin
• Contributes small amounts of trace elements and minerals such as potassium, zinc and selenium

The most beneficial fruits for cleansing, toning and nourishing are apple, apricot, avocado, banana, blackcurrant, cherry, grape, grapefruit, lemon, melon, orange, raspberry, papaya, pineapple, and tomato.

Many vegetables have useful anti-inflammatory action, making effective treatment for sensitive, damaged or inflamed skin. The promote healing by giving damaged skin large amounts of vitamin A, important minerals, and trace elements.

The most beneficial vegetables for skin care are cabbage, carrot, cucumber, lettuce, potato, and watercress. Don't forget the sea vegetables like sea kelp, Irish Moss and Spirulina.

Other nourishing ingredients include barley, dairy products, eggs, honey, oats, pollen, royal jelly,

Essential oils are an excellent and safe alternative to cosmetic and conventional medical treatment of the skin. They have been used for years with great success to treat the most difficult cases of eczema and rosacea, but they are also irreplaceable for daily skin care.

Vegetable oils and oils cold pressed from seeds and nuts are great moisturizers on their own. They are also useful 'carrier' oils for essential oils. The combination of the appropriate oils and carrier oils for your skin type or condition results in a beneficial massage oil for face or body. The right oils are good for your skin, even if you have oily skin. Olive oil is one of the most versatile oils. It is good for all skin types and almost all conditions. Other premium oils to look for in the products you buy are Meadfoam Seed, Rosehip, Wheat Germ, Vitamin E, Hazelnut, Macadamia Nut.

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Skin Care Article ~ Submitted By Theresa Pittman

Skin Care: Cleansing Without Over-Drying
By Theresa Pittman

Does you face feel tight, after using your regular cleanser? If it does, you are not using the right cleanser. Good cleansing removes the impurities, bacteria, and dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the epidermis, as well as any makeup residue, while leaving as much of the lubricating natural oil (or sebum) as possible. A cleanser should be gentle. Unless your face is covered with mechanic's grease or grease paint makeup, there's no benefit in scrubbing with detergents and water. Harsh detergent soaps and rubbing only strip the skin of vital oils and nutrients. Even if your skin is oily or acne-prone, harsh cleansers are not beneficial. They can even irritate and inflame acne-prone skin making the condition worse.

Many of the hand made lye soaps are very gentle and make good complexion bars. If you are purchasing bar soap for your face, stay away from commercial soaps. In hand made soaps, look for ingredients like olive oil, oatmeal, and chamomile. Shea is very good for your skin, unless you are allergic to it. Soap is not considered a cosmetic, and soapmakers are not required to list ingredients on the label; however, most responsible soapmaker do. If you are buying directly from the soapmaker (which I highly recommend), ask about the super-fatting percentage, it should be at least 6%. Higher is better for you skin, but makes a softer bar that doesn't last as long.

There are many fine cleansers available at grocery stores, drug stores, department stores, and the internet. When purchasing a non-soap or lotion-type cleanser, look for things like non-foaming or low-foaming. These types of cleansers use chemicals, called surfactants, to provide the cleansing action. Usually, the higher foaming surfactants are harsher than the low foaming ones. Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate and Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate are very gentle, low-foaming surfactants. They are approved for use in baby and childrens products. They are gentle enough for sensitive skin, and good for all other skin types. Look for these ingredients near the top of the ingredients listing. Cocoamidopropyl Betaine is usually used as a secondary surfactant. In lower proportions, it adds a gentle foaming action to the cleanser. On the ingredients listing, it should be at least the third ingredient for facial products.

Also check the label for additives. Good things to see are fruit extracts, oatmeal, aloe, allantoin, wheat, silk protein, and collagen. Cleansers, made for dry or mature skin, may also contain oils, like olive, wheat germ, borage, or meadowfoam seed. Vitamin E is always a good additive, so is Vitamin C. If the cleanser is made for acne control, it may contain Salicylic Acid; but this additive is also good for mature skin.

Oatmeal is a wonderful cleanser for all skin types. Yes, the oatmeal you buy in the grocery store. Buy the kind you cook, not the instant kind. Put a tablespoon of oatmeal in the center of a washcloth. Fold the washcloth over to hold the oatmeal. Thoroughly wet the washcloth with warm water, wash your face. Rinse well to remove the dirt and dead cells that are loosened by washing. Add honey to the oatmeal for mature or dry skin. Add fresh lemon juice for oily skin.

Put you best face forward. Beauty is only skin deep, but healthy skin is beautiful. Take the time to educate yourself about what you are using to cleanse your face. Be a label reader. You can get some great information at the FDA web site.

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Skin Care Article ~ Submitted By Theresa Pittman

Skin Care: What's Your Skin Type
By Theresa Pittman

We all want to put our 'best face forward' to the world. Your face is the most expressive part of your body; and expressions are a major part of communication. As we age, we become more conscientious about caring for our skin. Must defeat the dreaded wrinkle. For the best life-long skin, you should start caring for your skin early, before the damage of time has set in. If you can convince your teenagers of this, it would be wonderful. But it is never too late to treat your skin to some much needed TLC.

This is the first in a series of articles about skin care. In subsequent articles, I will tell you about some 'do-it-yourself' skin care treatments. I will also tell what to look for in purchased skin care products - both natural and not-so natural.

The first step in planning your skin care program is to determine which type of skin you have. Even if you think you know you skin type, take a few minutes to read through these descriptions and take the 'tissue test' at the end of the article to be sure. Many things can cause your skin type to change over time, so it's worth while to re-check every six months.

Normal Skin - This is the easiest type of skin to care for. It is usually firm, supple, warm to the touch, neither dry nor greasy, and without spots or blemishes. Normal skin is neither too acid nor too alkaline with a neutral pH of 6.5.

Dry Skin - This type of skin becomes easily irritated and inflamed, requiring regular applications of moisturizers. It is often slightly hot to the touch, prone to powdery scaling, superficial wrinkly, and a dull appearance. Dry skin is more acid, making it sensitive to cold and wind; to heat and air conditioning.

Oily Skin - This type of skin has an excess of sebum (a naturally occurring lubricant that is indispensable for healthy skin and hair), causing it to appear shiny and neglected; and making it hard to keep clean. It frequently has pimples and small inflamed areas, because it is prone to acne and dermatitis. Sebum slows moisture loss, so this more alkaline skin type usually ages more slowly

Combination Skin - This type of skin is difficult to care for because some areas need extra moisturizing, while others need astringent, drying treatments. It is usually shiny or oily on the forehead, sides of the nose and around the mouth; leaving the rest of the face feeling tight and dry.

Sensitive Skin - This term is used to describe any skin type that responds very quickly and adversely to sudden changes of temperature or humidity, and bruises very easily. This type of skin is usually allergic to many cosmetic products. It demands constant special attention.

Aging Skin - This term can be applied to any skin type as it ages. It tends toward dryness and is often hot to the touch. Aging skin is sometimes blemished, damaged or appears flushed. It lacks tone and flexibility. This type of skin needs frequent attention with toners, hydrating lotions and nourishing masks.

Tissue Test

You will need a completely clean face for this. Remove makeup and cleanse your face as usual. Using warm water and cotton pads, give your face a final cleansing. Dry gently and wait for 30 minutes. Cover your face with one ply (or layer) of tissue. Press lightly all over your face and leave for about one minute Remove the tissue and examine it carefully near a window or strong light.

Normal skin - faint oily traces on most of the paper

Dry skin - no oily traces - aging skin is usually dry

Oily skin - clear oily stains over most of the tissue

Combination skin - oily patches at the sides of the nose and around the mouth and forehead; the rest of the tissue is dry

No matter what your skin type, or age, there are many nourishing treatments to help your skin look healthier; which translates to younger and better.

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Primitive Decorating Course - Author 4

Today we honor Jules owner of The Saltbox Peddler. She wrote the fourth article in the decorating course, " Accessories: Bringing it Together in a Primitive Way."
Jules is a self taught artist with most of her items being inspired by Early 1800 wares. Striving for the simple unrefined look that was a way of life for our ancestors.
The Saltbox Peddler© was started in 2002 and offers a line of primitive handmade goods along with a "how to" line of recipes. Her current wares can be found on her website and on E-bay, as well as numerous primitive shops around the US.



Her website: http://www.saltboxpeddler.com/

How to make a primitive twig tree ~ Article by Mara Henry

Check It Out!

Mara Henry wrote an article on "How to make a primitive twig tree for miniature ornaments."
The article is great! She gives lots of ideas on using the tree for different seasons and holidays.

Here is the link to her article:
http://www.oldevillagedepot.com/craft_tips/primitive_twig_tree.html

Here is the link to her website:
http://www.especiallyforyouhomedecor.com

Primitive Decorating Course ~ 3rd Author

Today we will honor Pamela Barnes, she wrote the third article, "Primitive Furniture."

Pamela Barnes is owner of Farmhouse Primitives. You may visit her at her shop in Fountaintown, Indiana, located just north of Nashville, Indiana. It is a wonderful little primitive shop loaded with primitive goods.

You will find her article here:

Primitive Decorating Course ~ 2nd Author

Today we will honor Carmen Bigelow she wrote the second article, "The Foundation Of Primitive Style."

Her article was about wall color and floor treatments. She done a wonderful job of writing this article and shared a lot of great money saving tips!

Her website is http://www.littlecountryblessins.com/ She has more pictures of her home on her site.

The link to her article:
http://www.kraftybag.com/lesson2_foundation_prim_style.htm

Primitive Decorating Course

When we done the primitive decorating course it was such a great success due to the fabulous ladies that wrote the wonderful articles and shared the beautiful pictures of their homes. We enjoyed putting it all together and thank everyone that signed up to receive it. It is now available on the www.kraftybag.com. For the next few days we thought we would share a little about each of the authors and give you the link to their article. We know a lot of you have already read these articles but we're sure there are a few folks that haven't. And hey, they are worth another look! We know that we still love reading them and looking at the wonderful pictures!

Today we will honor Ruth Rochelle, she wrote the first article of the course, "What Is Primitive Style."

Ruth and her husband Jimmy own "Primitive Homeplace" located in Bradford, Tennessee. Their Country Antique Show, "A Harvest Gathering" will be September 23, 2006. Visit their website for more information on the antique show and enjoy all the wonderful pictures of their home and shop.

The link to Ruth's article "What Is Primitive Style": http://www.kraftybag.com/lesson1_prim_style.htm

The link to Ruth and Jimmy's website:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=4432446