Oops, sorry for posting this twice. The first one didn't show up on the main page so I posted it again. Oh well, it's exciting enough news to get a double-billing right? !!!

Dcarch and Pilllog, Thank you for your responses. I agree with the interactive and sensory comments. I am hoping that having an IPad or a laptop on a router so it can be positioned anywhere will open a whole new world of "hands on" instruction. I found that when I watched the freeby knife skills course, I only retained the techniques the second time through when I stood at the counter, knives and chopping block at hand, and actually practiced the motions described. Lots of use of the pause button while I played with angles and motions. The first time I just watched and the information didn't "stick." The second time I actually learned some new skills--maybe!! (I know I rejected some!) I think the same will be true of the cooking courses. I may well take the Mother Sauces course, partly because I really like James Peterson. If I do, I like the idea of actually making what he is demonstrating. Easy to do with modern technology--pause and rewind and fast forward. FWIW, the Craftsy (what a dreadful name!) offers permanent access to all materials--no time limits for how long you can return to review. I like that idea. Pilllog-- I have not searched Youtube for demos. Sort of at a loss with how to use Youtube. I have mainly accessed only when it was linked to whatever I was reading. Maybe I should check that out more often. CathyChex-- I didn't know Craftsy offered special prices. Nice to know! I really like that there is no time limit on access to their lessons. Glad to hear you found Mother Sauces useful. That is the one I am considering. Can you comment on it? I noticed that it had won an award--not sure how significant an award, though. I agree the free KnifeSkills was good. A really clever way for Craftsy to entice people into their programs by offering such a good freeby. Have you tried to "cook along" with any of the classes? I am really intrigued by the possibility that with modern technology we might have a virtual chef to cook alongside us in our kitchen, just rewinding him/her if we get confused and fast forwarding when we don't need him/her :-) Truly, this seems to open a whole new vista of possibilities. It all will depend, of course, upon the content of the "class" and the ability of the instructor. I will welcome James Peterson into my kitchen! We shall see. I would love to hear if anyone has tried cooking along with any of these "classes." Or has any other input or suggestions into online demonstrations and instruction. This post was edited by Bellsmom on Thu, May 8, 14 at 11:43

duchamp, I checked my clippings, I didn't save it and the post is so old it's dropped off the bathroom forum. Are you looking for how to build a niche (my husband just built it to my specification for overall height and height from the floor between the studs in the wall) or just the inspiration photo? It wasn't a "how to," just a photo which I ultimately adapted because I couldn't get it to work for me as it was. That was a bit stressful initially because I wanted it to be just that way, but I realized I could make it my way. I had the general concept but I couldn't recall how the glass shelf was supported so that it wasn't obvious, that's why I wanted the picture; I wanted to do it "right." The inspiration photo's magazine rack was hmmm....made with painted strips of wood, more country I think and I knew that wasn't going to get made and found the Pottery Barn rack for a great price on eBay. It was just easier to pop the purchased rack in and I like the final result better. I purchased a tempered glass shelf cut to my dimensions online, I'm not sure if the inspiration photo used tempered glass but I thought it would be safer even though I don't have kids running around. When it first was installed all I could notice was how the greenish tint to the glass edge clashed with the green paint on the wall, I don't notice it anymore. We ended up supporting the shelf (because I never could figure it out from the picture) with small, square dowels painted to blend. Again, I had had a different thing in mind with hardware but I guess I was dreaming that that existed so we needed to adapt. It's funny how the project caused so much fuss at the time because I wanted perfect and with all the adaptations I thought I was going away from perfect but of course in the end, it's perfect!

Holly I tried resending the email. Again, let me know if you get it. Vetaal I love the colours in your "ice cubed" necklace, and the coral and turquoise one, too. Anne Could you describe the "story bracelets?" They sound interesting. I don't know if this counts as a "story," but I'm making "embellished" book marks for my "Twilght" friends. The bookmark is topped with three lengths of chain, one each for Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Up and down the lengths of chain, I've added small charms and colored crystals that represent the characters in the book, and also relates to the person receiving it. "Jacob's strand" includes a wolf charm, and also a dog charm to match the person's dog's breed. There's a "genuine LaPush beach pebble" (It must be genuine; I bought it from Etsy! LOL) There will be various combinations of silver feathers, dark brown crystals, motorcycle charms, paw print charms, ect. On the "Edward" strand I've included clear crystals, a piano charm, and a musical charm that relates to the girl receiving it. For the married women there's a crystal for her hubby's birthstone. There's also a wired-on feather (fresh plucked from a local grouse and compliments of Harry. ) "Bella's strand" includes a swan or ballerina charm, a tiny locket, red crystals, and crystals to reflect the children's birthmonths of the woman receiving it. There are other charms included to, but I'll post photos once I'm finsihed with them, say in 2019??? Kim; be careful. Bead stores are highly addictive. Luckily for me, (?) the nearest one is 120 miles away, not very-well stocked, and staffed by some rather rude people. I do all my bead shopping on line now. I see a trip to The Cities in my future.