Raksha Bandan Gifts – Expressing Love To Siblings

Hindus are known for the various festivals and celebrations to commemorate and remember many events of life. Raksha Bandan is one such event. The main objective of this festival is to celebrate the love and affection between brothers and sisters. In today’s highly materialistic world, where commercial interests overshadow everything else, there is no doubt that Raksha Bandan is a wonderful way to rebuild and strengthen the bonds of love between brothers and sisters. In fact it would be pertinent to mention here that this festival is celebrated even by Jains and Sikhs.

Though the actual event is very small and symbolic, the significance behind it is very big. The festival is all about the sister tying a wrist band on her brother’s hand and praying to god for a long and healthy life of her male siblings. In return the brothers also express their love to their sisters. This is done by presenting some nice Raksha Bandan gifts to their sisters. In fact there is a big surge in demand for various types of gifts during this day. The internet without any doubt is the best place where one can get the best of gifts. They are available across price ranges and covering various tastes and personal requirements. 

The Simple Secret to Extending Your Camera's Life

If you are like me and your favorite place to take your camera is outside into nature, you will soon find that your camera has collected some of nature’s dirt and dust on the outside — and inside. Every once in a while, it’s helpful to give it a good cleaning to make sure that everything operates properly and that your images are free from dirt spots.

A simple camera cleaning might feel like a chore, but it’s a quick process that can extend the life of your camera and keep your pictures looking sharp.

Check for particles

If it’s been a while since I last cleaned my camera and I’m about to go out on a project, I check for any problem areas. The easiest way is to photograph a clean white wall or a clean white piece of paper. Use the automatic mode so the camera exposes evenly and your photo looks kind of gray. Import the file to your computer and view it at full size. Look for dots, smudges and stringy-looking marks. Some of these may be on the lens, but some may be on the sensor. If you see anything mucking up your image, it’s time for a cleaning.

Lens

We’ll start by cleaning the camera lens — it’s the easiest part. Take off both the front and end caps. Use a soft lens cleaning brush to lightly remove any big particles or sand. You want these gone to avoid scratching the lens on the next step.

Then, use lens cleaning solution and lens tissue to wipe the glass clean. Lens tissue is non-abrasive and will keep from scratching the glass. Another option? I have found that it’s quicker to use Zeiss lens cleaning wipes and then immediately wipe the lens with a dry lens tissue to remove any residue or smudging.

Sensor

Depending on where and how often you change lenses, you may also need to clean the sensor. This part is more sensitive, so if you are not confident in your hands, you may want to send this off to a professional.

To do it yourself, all you need is a one-use sensor swab and sensor cleaning solution. Make sure the swab is the right size for your sensor. I like to put two drops of solution on either side of the swab, right in the middle so it soaks down to the tip without pooling up or dripping on the sensor.

If your swab is exactly the size of your sensor (which is ideal), in one fluid motion, wipe the sensor from one side to the other. This should be enough to clean any junk off, but if not, check for particles again and re-swab.

Body

It’s nice to clean off the body every once in a while, too, if only to keep dust from creeping onto the lens or sensor. For this, you can use cotton swabs and a cloth slightly dampened with water or rubbing alcohol. The cloth allows you to clean the flat parts of the camera and the grip. The cotton swabs let you access hard-to-reach spaces like the diopter and some of the knobs and switches.

Air cleaning

There are some cleaning systems that use air to get dust and dirt off the camera. I would recommend those small, rubber blower pumps to remove particles that could potentially scratch something. I would not recommend using pressurized air canisters. These sometimes have additional chemicals that could potentially damage your equipment.

25 Nikon DSLR Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Camera Click here 

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How to make Bengali Rasgulla

Ingredients:

• 1 liter whole milk
• ½ cup curd / whisked yogurt (you can use lemon juice or vinegar too, but with yogurt they smell and taste perfect)
• 1 liter ice cold water or 1 cup of ice cubes
• 1½ cups sugar (you could increase by another half to quarter cup, if you have a sweet tooth)
• 2¼ cups water
• ¼ tsp. cardamom powder
• Few saffron stands (optional) for garnishing
• ½ tsp. rose water (optional)

Procedure:

Rinse a heavy bottom utensil to boil milk. By rinsing, you can prevent the milk from being burnt beneath.

Bring the milk to a boil, if you are using cold milk from refrigerator, heat up on a low flame else it can give a weird smell.

When the milk is rapidly boiling about to spill over, pour the curd and stir in. The entire milk gets curdled well within 2 to 3 mins. Off the heat and let it rest for 2 mins. If the milk doesn’t curdle well, add some more yogurt while the milk is still boiling.

Pour ice cold water or add ice cubes to stop the cheese from further cooking. This way it stays soft. Use a cheese or muslin cloth and drain it.

Rinse the chenna under running water, this is actually not needed if you use yogurt for curdling. It is rinsed to remove the smell of lemon or vinegar.

Knot the cloth and hang it for 45 mins to drain excess water in the chenna. Squeeze off the excess water to reduce the hanging time. Make sure there is no water in left in the chenna before you proceed to make the balls.

Knead the chenna or paneer for 3 to 4 mins to get a smooth dough and make small balls out of these. Do not make them too big, they will puff up and double in size when you boil them in sugar syrup. Mix sugar and water in a pan and bring it to a boil.

Add cardamom powder, rose water to the sugar syrup. When the syrup is boiling, add the balls one after the other carefully.

Cover and cook for around 10 mins on a medium high flame. Every 3 mins , open the lid and just stir the syrup gently. If the flame is too high, rasgulla may break or they double in size first and then shrink back. We do not want them to shrink or either break, so adjust the flame to medium high.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

How to Clean Vintage Furniture

Valuable antique or vintage furniture will have a layer of grime on its surface from years of exposure to dust, dirt and smolders. Collectors and buyers of good antique furniture look for this layer of grime, which is referred to as the antique’s “patina.” If you are looking to sell the piece, it is best not to try to clean it yourself without first consulting a professional historic restorer.

Step 1

Remove the old wax from your antique furniture first because a cleaner of any kind will not penetrate a surface that has a build-up of old wax. There are varieties of name-brand cleaners and/or strippers that you can purchase at a hardware store to do this. Or you can use paint thinner at home in a well-ventilated room, wearing protective gloves and a face mask.

Step 2

Pour a small amount of the paint thinner into a glass bowl, and then with a superfine pad of steelwool, gently rub in slow circular motions across the surface of the antique, being careful not to rub so hard that you scratch the wood. Eventually the old wax build-up will loosen and begin to re-liquefy and you can then gently rub it off with a soft cloth. Continue this step until you’re sure there is no more old wax on the surface.

Step 3

Mix a little mild dish-washing liquid in warm water. Now, using a soft cloth, gently wipe away the residue of the old wax and the cleaner from one small area of the antique at a time. Do not soak the wood, nor let water pool on its surface. Continue to wipe off the entire surface with your damp cloth until you are sure the wax build-up and residue is gone.

Step 4

Reapply a wax to your newly cleaned antique after you complete the touch-ups. The new wax will protect the new clean surface, unlike oily furniture spray polish, which may provide a shine but do nothing to protect the furniture.

Important Tip: When using any harsh chemicals like paint thinner, do it in a well-ventilated room, wearing protective gloves and a face mask. Check our guide to buy antique furniture online.

5 Inspiring Front Door Designs Hinting Towards a Happy Home

Your home’s front door can say a lot about you. It’s one of the many sure shot ways of giving wings to your personal expression; you can play around with a dozen different ideas before getting a door that truly reflects your personality. The front door can also be your way of telling the world about your hospitality. Whatever the reason may be, if you’re planning to reinvent your main entranceway anytime soon, then you have come to the right place. We will take you through five most inspiring front door designs that you can consider while improvising on your home’s welcoming pathway.

Modern Front Door Designs for Houses

Here are the top five modern home door designs that can instantly change the overall look of your humble abode:

Dutch Doors

Customized Dutch doors are an excellent option for you if you already have an idea in mind. It’s true that the pricing will vary according to the design, wood and opening selections, but if budget is not a constraint, then the variety of options for you to enjoy will be many. Search out a reliable manufacturer who can help you select the best main door design there is and also take care of the installation and hardware needs.

Country French Doors

If you are fond of rustic countryside types of entryway doors, then you must give French doors considerable thought. They can add old-world charm to your modern world, creating a perfect blend of elements that are both traditional and contemporary. Consider bringing home a classic French door – even here you can get one customized to suit the overall look of your home’s architecture.

Wrought Iron Doors

Make a style statement with wrought iron doors. The iron grilles come in various shapes and once added to the wooden panels, can significantly transform the look of a mundane main door design. A wrought iron door for your home’s main entrance is an excellent choice and you can choose from among a large range of different door designs.

Mahogany Front Doors

Mahogany doors are truly majestic. A solid main door design in mahogany wood with an arched transom and decorative glass panels can not only enhance the appearance of your house but also increase its estate value. Add a few moldings and voila! You have an elegant home door design ready to enchant your visitors.

Casement Doors

You can also consider casement doors for your main entryway. Go for the single sash in order to create a beautiful main entrance. Casement doors are quite versatile and come in energy and cost saving options. And if you love natural light, then these doors can be your safest bet.

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HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

Friendship bracelets surpass the generation gap, ranging from simple patterns to sophisticated variations, and are often exchanged as gifts. These handmade bracelets constructed of bright colors create a wearable work of art. The bracelets usually consist of thread and are easy to make, only requiring minimal supplies, such as beads, buttons, charms, and scissors. In fact, the process is so easy that children as young as 7 can make simple friendships bracelets as long as they can process the ability to cut thread and tie knots.

Bracelet Materials

There are several different types of threads used for making simple friendship bracelets. One of the most popular materials is embroidery floss. This cotton thread is made of six strands, and since originally designed for cross-stitching and embroidery, it allows for smooth knots. Not only does embroidery floss offer a lustered look to assembled friendship bracelets, it also has limitless options for adding color to any bracelet.

Other binding materials used when making friendship bracelets are pearl cotton, yarn, and craft and crochet thread. Craft thread and pearl cotton are budget-friendly options they come in packs rather than skeins. The only draw-back however, is that they tend to break easier. Cotton knitting yarn is ideal for small hands and economical, but produces a bulkier bracelet.

Bracelet Tools

To learn more about making a variety of simple friendship bracelets, there are several DIY friendship bracelet books available that provide step-by-step directions. In addition, for those who want a quick and foolproof way to create a simple friendship bracelet, there are specially made friendship bracelet wheels that do most of the work for you. These wheels are available individually or in a friendship bracelet maker kit.

Patterns and Colors

There are a variety of patterns for simple friendship bracelets, and some of the easiest entail basic knot-tying techniques. Consumers should educate themselves on the various patterns, and then choose one that suits their liking. Experiment with different color combinations, to achieve different looks. For example, a simple friendship bracelet with a two-color striped pattern only requires two colors, whereas a rainbow-striped pattern requires six different colors.

Steps to Making a Bracelet

First, cut three strands of the friendship bracelet thread of the desired color, ensuring that each one is 6-inches long. Bring together the ends of each strand, folding them at the middle, then carefully tie a knot there, making sure to leave a small loop to fasten off the bracelet. Next, pin the knotted end to a pillow, fasten it to a clipboard, or have another person hold the end and knot the bracelet.

Spread the strands apart, being sure to keep them separated, working left to right. Take the first thread, the one farthest left, and knot it around the second thread, the one farthest right. Form the knot by looping over the second going left to right and then underneath to exit out of the loop. Tighten each knot securely, before moving on to the next knot on the same thread, forming a double knot.

Finishing Off

Still using the first thread, form two knots on the third thread, repeating the same procedure until reaching the sixth thread, the one farthest right. Now, set down the first thread at the right side, then repeat going left to right, using the second thread forming knots.

Reach the desired length and use scissors, to neatly cut the excess thread, leaving some allowance for tying around the wearer's wrist.

Click here to view Best 5 Friendship Bracelet Ideas

Best 5 Friendship Bracelet Ideas

There are numerous approaches to make fellowship arm ornaments; it is a perfect action for offspring of all ages. Exemplary high quality fellowship armlets are basically string, meshed together to make a special example. For more established kids, there are a wide range of meshing examples they can make with a few unique shades of string. For more youthful kids, in any case, there are likewise approaches to make fellowship arm ornaments out of a mixture of different materials like elastic groups and cowhide. The main impediment to what one can make is one's own creative ability.

1. Braided FriendshipBracelet

The braided friendship bracelet is a classic among the usual designs. For this bracelet, all one needs is:

For those that are satisfied with a simple braid, all one has to do is take three pieces of embroidery floss in any color that are about double the circumference of the wrist. Tie a knot at one end to secure it, and begin braiding. After reaching the end, tie it in another knot and the bracelet is finished.

2. Beaded Friendship Bracelet

For young children, making a beaded friendship bracelet is a fun activity they can easily do on their own. All one needs is:

Tie a large knot in one end of the embroidery floss so that the beads cannot slide off the end. String the beads onto the floss. Taping one end of the floss may make stringing on beads easier for children. When finished, tie a knot on the other end, and tie it onto the wrist.

3. Leather Friendship Bracelet

For a more modern friendship bracelet that is great for men and women of all ages, try making one out of leather. The required materials are:

Tie one end of the leather lace in a simple knot around the other side. Next, tie the other open end to the other side of the bracelet, making it a complete circle. Slide the knots along the leather bracelet to either loosen or tighten it.

4. Rubber Band Friendship Bracelet

For a unique and stretchy friendship bracelet, try making one with rubber bands. The required materials are:

Holding the two markers together, place the first rubber band on one marker, twist it, and place it around the second to make a figure eight. Add two rubber bands around both markers without twisting. Take the first rubber band, and pull it over the top of the marker to one side at a time. Add another rubber band, and then repeat this step with the second rubber band, pulling each side over the top to the middle. Repeat these two steps of adding a rubber band and pulling off the sides of the bottom one until the bracelet is long enough to wrap around one’s wrist, and then attach each end to the connector.

5. Hemp Friendship Bracelet

Another popular material for friendship bracelets is hemp. To make a hemp bracelet, one needs:

Hemp is a unique and versatile material that one can braid, bead, or simply wear tied around their wrist. When braiding hemp, one can do it just as they would embroidery floss. However, hemp twine is most popular for beading. Usually, people braid a small section, slide a bead onto one of the three strands, and then continue braiding. Repeat these steps, adding a bead approximately every inch all around the bracelet.