I dont remember all the info that is in the thread above, but what I am doing now is adding 1 cup of straight battery acid to almost one gallon of water (using a non-reacitve plastic funnel), then filling it to the top with water. By the time its been diluted that much, topping off the gallon with water is not dangerous. Depending on how much tap water is in the garbage can, I add about 3 cups of this to a 2/3 full garbage can, then test the well-mixed water with acid indicator paper. I use an old oar that I got at a yard sale to mix. This garbage can has a leak near the top so I'm planning on getting a new one so the amount added will be very uniform. Every time I also add 4 measuring tablespoons of ammonium sulfate or -less frequently- a combo with miracle grow, etc to each garbage can of water. No leaf burn what-so-ever. Just nice, well-formed green leaves and actively growing plants. (my apologies if I am repeating myself - I dont remember what I have written where.) I am using an old vinegar plastic gallon bottle with a non-reactive plastic lid for this stock solution. It is stronger than a gallon water bottle. I do not allow it to be exposed to the sun since these sorts of plastic bottles will break down in the sun. Glass would be good too, but I dont like the idea of something breaking outside. I also have 2 sturdy PETE (# 1) clear plastic cranberry juice gallon bottles from costco that I am going to use too. I'm planning on mixing several stock bottles at once so I dont have to do it too often. I water my full-sun blues in pots (with mulch) about every other day thru the summer. Less in winter, daily if over 90 and/or windy, but that is rare. On infrequent occasions when they need water, and I'm in a rush, I will use tap water from the hose. My plants are absolutely thriving on this treatment by the way. Other than using a potentially dangerous chemical, I have no regrets about this technique at all. Just make sure if you use a strong acid such as this, that you follow the directions on the package, never add water to straight acid, wear protetive clothes and eyewear, do it outside, etc etc.

Dear Anne, There are some items that are highly acidic, that I do not reccomend using in scrapbook albums. 1. Newspaper or Magazines, most of these have a LARGE acid content and even with a buffer (acid free paper in between them and the photos) these items put off so much acid that they can in a short time yellow or age everything on that page. Color copy these items and then place the copy in your scrapbook. Kids construction paper, this again is a definite no-no. However the birthday cards and ribbon should be tested with an acid free testing pen. (Price about $2.00) While I have found most ribbon to be acid free, I do not know enough about some types to give this a definite go ahead, the birthday cards are a mixed bag, I have found some really cheap cards that I thought for sure would test positive for acid and they did not, and on the other hand found some really expensive cards that you would have thought would be acid free and they tested positive, so the safest way is to go ahead and test them. If you really would like to add an item that tests positive for acid, then add it to a page that just has journaling on it (in both sides of your page protector), that way you can keep it away from your photos. As for the gel pens, I love them, for a better description of ink go back to an earlier forum question: Am I missing something, I believe that is where you will find the ink discussed, and a link that better explains ink use in scrapbooks. Hope this helps. Penny

I think I use pink the most, but that's mainly because my daughter wears a lot of pink so I try to match the colors to her clothes. If I look through the book, I find a lot of red, blue, kelly green - primary colors. :) I like 'em bright.

Ok, I put the link, but it didn't show up. Try cut and paste instead. http://scrapbooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa112400a.htm