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Materials Research
Print version ISSN 1516-1439On-line version ISSN 1980-5373
Mat. Res. vol.11 no.3 São Carlos July/Sept. 2008
Effect of carbon nanotubes addition on the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy matrices
Marcio Rodrigo LoosI; Luiz Antonio Ferreira CoelhoI, *; Sérgio Henrique PezzinI; Sandro Campos AmicoII
ICentro de Ciências Tecnológicas - UDESC, Campus Universitário Prof. Avelino Marcante, s/n, Bom Retiro, 89223-100 Joinville - SC, Brazil
IILaboratório de Polímeros - LAPOL, Departamento de Materiais - DEMAT, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Minas, Metalúrgica e de Materiais - PPGEM, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil
In this work, nanocomposites were prepared by adding a small amount of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to an epoxy resin aiming to study the resulting mechanical, viscoelastic and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. To optimize the processing of the nanocomposites and to favor a homogeneous dispersion of the SWCNTs on the matrix, acetone was used to reduce resin viscosity, increasing diffusion of the SWCNTs in the solution. The epoxy/SWCNTs/acetone systems were also sonicated in order to minimize entanglement of the SWCNTs. The systems were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results indicated that the addition of small amounts of SWCNTs to epoxy leads to slight structural changes in the epoxy matrix which, together with the presence of SWCNTs, may reflect on its mechanical and viscoelastic properties
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, epoxy matrix, nanocomposites, mechanical properties
1. Introduction
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) display a wide range of unique mechanical, optical, and electrical properties along with chemical stability. Their mechanical properties (especially tensile strength) considerably exceed those of currently available fiber materials1.
Recent research articles have reported the use of nanotubes in polymer2, metal3 and ceramic4 matrix composites. In the polymer field, epoxy resin is one of the most often used polymer matrix for advanced composite applications. The group of resins of this family presents good stiffness and specific strength, dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and also strong adhesion to the embedded reinforcement5. The preparation of CNT-reinforced epoxies and any other kind of polymer, however, requires a homogeneous dispersion and a strong interfacial interaction between the nanotubes and the polymer.
The addition of solvents to thermoset resins is a possible route to decrease resin viscosity, allowing better distribution of nanofillers since the solvent decreases the viscosity of the solution and consequently the SWCNTS may diffuse faster6-8. In fact, the use of a solvent is considered an alternative to adequately prepare nanocomposites using CNTs as fillers in epoxy matrices9-11, being a necessary step due to the high viscosity of the neat epoxy which makes the dispersion of these finely divided materials very challenging.
The main purpose of this study is to obtain randomly oriented single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites using a minimum amount of solvent, following a tip sonication and casting molding route, and to analyze the chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of the produced nanocomposites.
2. Experimental
2.1. Materials
The polymer matrix consisted of bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin (Araldite GY 251) with an amine-based hardener (Aradur HY 956), obtained from Huntsman Advanced Materials and Acetone (Quimidrol, 99.5% purity) was the chosen solvent. Single-walled carbon nanotubes grown by arc discharge were supplied by Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG, Brazil) and its purity was higher than 95% (supplier data sheet).
For the preparation of the samples, SWCNTs (0.10 or 0.25% w.w-1 in relation to the epoxy matrix) were dispersed in acetone using simultaneous magnetic stirring (100 rpm) and sonication (Sonics Vibration, 500 W and 20 kHz). The amount of acetone used, 10% w.w-1 in relation to the epoxy matrix, was chosen in order to minimize viscosity and yet avoiding the use of a large amount of solvent, as published earlier12.
The mixture was heated to 50 °C under vacuum (≈10-2 atm) for an hour to remove most of the solvent. The epoxy was then added, and the mixture sonicated under magnetic stirring (100 rpm) for one hour. Further, the system was stirred (100 rpm) under vacuum at 70 °C for 60 minutes. To evaluate the removal of all solvent, the samples were weighed before the addition of acetone and before curing. Nevertheless, acetone traces could still be found in the nanocomposites. Then, the dispersions were left under vacuum for 4 more hours without heating. Later, the hardener was added (5:1 w.w-1) and the mixture was allowed to cure at 38 °C for 30 hours. Neat epoxy resin samples were also prepared following the same route for comparison.
2.2. Sample characterization
The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) employed in this work were produced by arc discharge using nanoparticles of Co/Ni as catalyst. A TEM image of CNTs after purification is presented in Figure 1.
The degree of purity observed in the TEM micrograph is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, shown in Figure 2. The peak related to the amorphous carbon may be found at 1350 cm-1 (D band) and the one representing the CNTs at 1580 cm-1 (G band). The low intensity of the D band in comparison with the G band is a strong indicative of low structural disorder in the SWCNTs.
The characterization of the solutions and the composites included the following analysis:
- TEM: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were carried out in a JEOL - JEM 1200ExII (120 kV) equipment in samples previously obtained with an ultra-microtome.
- Raman: The Raman spectrum of the samples was obtained by using the 514-nm line of an argon laser (power density of 1 mW) and a triple-grating spectrometer (Jobin-Ivon).
- Viscosity: Viscosity measurements were performed using a Brookfield CAP 2000 viscosimeter at 50 °C with 2.5 mm diameter cone-plate geometry, the cone having an inclination of 0.1 radians. These measurements were carried out on the solutions before the removal of acetone.
- Thermal Analyses: Thermogravimetry (TG) was conducted in a Netzsch (STA 449C) equipment, heating the samples from 15 to 900 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C/min under nitrogen atmosphere. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were carried out in a TA 2010 thermal analyzer under nitrogen atmosphere at 10 °C/min, from -50 to 250 °C.
- FTIR Analysis: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were conducted in a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One B equipment with a resolution of 4 cm-1, from 4000 to 650 cm-1, on transmission mode.
- Mechanical Tests: Tensile, compressive and flexural tests were performed in a Universal Testing Machine EMIC DL 3000. Tensile tests used a 500 kgf load-cell and a 5 mm/min cross-head speed, according to ASTM D638. Compressive tests used a load cell of 2000 kgf and a traveling speed of 1.3 mm/min (ASTM D 695-02a). Three-point bending (flexural) tests used a load cell of 2000 kgf and a traveling speed of 2.6 mm/min (ASTM D 790-02). Izod impact tests were carried out in a CEAST equipment (model 6545), using a 1 J hammer, according to ISO 180/A.
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis: Dynamic mechanical analyses were performed in a TA Instruments 2980 equipment, operating in three-point bending (flexural) mode, dual-cantilever clamp, at an oscillation frequency of 1 Hz. Data were collected from -50 to 170 °C at a scanning rate of 10 °C/min.
- Morphological Characterization: - SEM: Morphological -characterization of the fractured surface of the samples was carried out via scanning electron microscopy - SEM (Zeiss DSM 940 A at 15 kV).
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Viscosity
Figure 3 presents the viscosity of the solution (10% w.w-1 acetone) of epoxy, with and without SWCNT, as a function of shear rate. An increase of 8-12% in viscosity for the 0.10% w.w-1 of SWCNTs, in comparison with the unreinforced resin was observed. However, the addition of 0.25% w.w-1 of SWCNTs surprisingly decreased viscosity. It is important to also take into consideration the effect of the solvent on the viscosity. In a recent study12, the authors have showed that the addition of acetone decreases, in up to 50%, the viscosity of the epoxy resin, what is expected considering that the solvating effect of the solvent weakens inter-chain interactions10.
Furthermore, Cotiuga et al.14 found that increasing the duration of ultrasonic irradiation of the CNTs dispersions, an initial increase in solution viscosity was obtained, suggesting this to be an indication of the progress of the SWCNTs exfoliation. For long sonication periods, however, the viscosity started decreasing, which was interpreted as a consequence of breakage/damage (with a possible decrease in average length) of the SWCNTs.
It is difficult to give a detailed account of the mechanisms leading to a lower viscosity. Nevertheless, the increase in viscosity with the addition of 0.1% w.w-1 of SWCNTs could happen due to suppressed vortices in the presence of nanotubes15. On the other hand, a higher amount of SWCNTs could favor the contact between the epoxy molecules and the nanotubes, causing some orientation of those molecules and, consequently, a reduction in viscosity; besides, the release of trapped solvent traces could also lead to a reduction in viscosity.
3.2. Infrared spectroscopy
Figure 4 shows the FTIR spectra of the neat epoxy and epoxy/SWCNT dispersions before curing. It is observed that the absorption bands are quite similar, indicating that neither acetone nor SWCNTs appear to change the chemical structure of the epoxy, similar to what has been suggested by Lau9. Therefore, the analysis focused on the FTIR spectra of the cured samples with different carbon nanotubes concentrations, where the influence of the SWCNTs (and acetone) in the curing cycle of the epoxy resin.
Absorption bands of epoxy resins in the region of 800-920 cm-1 are commonly used for the determination of epoxide groups12,18,26. The changes in some absorption bands during cure can be easily observed18. In this procedure, absorption bands in the range 910-920 cm-1 range (using the band near 830 cm-1 as an internal standard, assigned to the aromatic ring bending out of plane9) in the FTIR spectrum of epoxide resins are used for the determination of epoxide groups26. The absorption intensity of this band (910-920 cm-1) is considered maximum for uncured epoxy resins, decreasing with the conversion of the epoxide groups during the curing cycle, when the conversion of the epoxide groups takes place12,18. Figure 5 shows the FTIR spectra of the neat cured (and uncured) epoxy and the cured nanocomposites. The band corresponding to the epoxide groups (910-920 cm-1) can be clearly identified. Comparing the spectra of the cured and uncured resin, it can be seen that the intensity of the reference band is quite the same to the cured epoxy and nanocomposites, which means that the presence of the CNTs (and the acetone) have not showed influence in the extension of the conversion of the epoxide groups, providing a extensive curing cycle.
Significant changes in the infrared absorption bands could not be easily observed and there is no evidence of any pi-pi interactions. Indeed, there appears to be no literature reports on this type of interactions in DGEBA/carbon nanotube systems. Besides, spectral changes that could be related to hydrophobic interactions between DGEBA and SWNTs were not seen.
3.3. Thermogravimetry
In the TGA, all samples started losing weight around 70 °C, with a 90% degradation around 550 °C. There is an initial small weight loss between 70-190 °C, possibly corresponding to the evaporation of trapped solvent, a similar behavior to that reported by Lau17. The second weight loss, between 190-320 °C (peak at 250 °C), is possibly due to the decomposition of lower molecular weight material, and the third one, between 290-490 °C (peak at 370 °C), refers to the degradation of the SWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites11.
Generally, thermoset polymers with higher cross-link density show higher maximum decomposition temperature. The cross-link density is maximized when the complete stoichiometric conversion of epoxy is achieved. With the addition of acetone (and SWCNTs), as discussed by Hong18, cross-link density may be reduced, resulting in slightly lower decomposition temperatures.
3.4. Mechanical properties
The results of all mechanical testing carried out are summarized in Table 1. Regarding tensile properties, there is an increasing trend in strength (up to 8%) and Young's modulus (up to 7%) for the nanocomposites.
Allaoui et al.19 studied the mechanical properties of nanocomposites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/epoxy showing elastomeric behavior due to the incomplete curing of the epoxy. In their work, the addition of 1 and 4% w.w-1 of MWCNTs increased the Young's modulus in 100 and 200%, respectively. Varying the curing cycle, Loos et al.20 found a similar behavior for SWCNTs/epoxy systems, achieving an increase of up to 495% in the Young's Modulus when 0.25% w.w-1 of SWCNTs was added to partially cured epoxy systems.
On the other hand, Ci et al.21 evaluated the mechanical properties of SWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites with different rigidity degrees and observed that the Young's Modulus of the epoxy resins with high stiffness (2.44 GPa) were not significantly altered with the addition of carbon nanotubes, i.e. it appears that when the epoxy is adequately cured, the gain in rigidity with the addition of SWCNTs is much lower.
Regarding compression tests, the compression strength of the pure epoxy was 57.8 MPa, whereas the nanocomposites presented slightly (8%) higher mean values (see Table 1). In addition, compression modulus followed the same trend. Using a much higher amount and a different kind of CNT (MWCNTs - 5% w.w-1), Schadler et al.22 obtained an increase from 3.6 to 4.5 GPa (24%) in the compression modulus of MWCNTs/epoxy. According to this author, for MWCNT/epoxy composites, the compression modulus is higher than the tensile modulus, indicating that load transfer to the nanotubes is higher when all the layers are involved, whereas in tensile tests only the external layers are required. This effect was not observed in this work, which studied SWCNT/epoxy composites, and the tensile modulus was two-fold that of the compression modulus.
Virtually no changes were found for the flexural properties of the studied nanocomposites (Table 1). In this respect, contrasting reports may be found in the literature. Moniruzzaman et al.23 obtained an increase of 15 and 8% in flexural modulus and strength, respectively, for SWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites with 0.5% w.w-1. On the other hand, Lau24 found a decrease of 10% in flexural strength of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites using 2% w.w-1. SEM revealed that nanotubes were easily pulled out from the samples during flexural testing due to the poor bonding between MWCNTs and epoxy.
The Izod impact test results are also included in Table 1. The addition of SWCNTs decreased the impact strength of epoxy in 27%. Miyagawa et al.25 also found a decrease in impact strength for epoxy matrix nanocomposites with fluorinated SWCNTs and suggested that it was due to a large addition of nanoinclusions after the epoxy had become excessively viscous. The decrease in impact strength also suggests poor interaction between the SWCNTs and the epoxy, where little or no energy dissipation phenomena at the interface appear to happen. The presence of acetone traces may also be adversely affecting impact strength.
A SEM image of the surface of a tensile fractured 0.25% w.w-1 of SWCNTs sample is presented in Figure 6a, and 6b shows a corresponding TEM micrograph. The SEM micrograph shows a typical brittle failure of highly cross-linked epoxy matrices, but some small brighter points suggest the presence of agglomerates. This was confirmed by the qualitative investigation by TEM, which revealed the presence of some relatively large CNT agglomerates (ca. 200 nm).
3.5. Dynamical mechanical analysis
Figure 7a shows the storage modulus as a function of the temperature for the various epoxy systems. The presence of CNT influences the storage modulus of the epoxy resin in the glassy region and in the vicinity of its glass transition temperature (near 76 °C). The addition of 0.10 and 0.25% w.w-1 of SWCNTs yielded a 9 and 16% increase in storage modulus, respectively, at 30 °C. This behavior can be explained in terms of possible physical interactions between the SWCNTs and the epoxy through their enormous interfacial area. Alternatively, this could simply be an increase in rigidity caused by the presence of a more rigid phase dispersed within the less rigid matrix phase.
The tan δ curves of the neat epoxy and its nanocomposites are shown in Figure 7b. Although there was no significant variation in peak height, the glass transition temperature (Tg), determined from the peak position in tan δ, showed a slightly clearer trend, increasing with the addition of SWCNTs (Table 2). The Tg increases from 76 °C in the neat epoxy to around 80 °C in the nanocomposites. This small increase could be interpreted as a reduction of the mobility of the epoxy around the carbon nanotubes due to their presence in the resin.
For comparison, Table 2 also shows the Tg as estimated by DSC and loss modulus results, and although the values are somewhat different, they also appear to reveal a trend for a Tg increase when SWCNTs are added to the epoxy matrix.
4. Conclusions
This work evaluated the effects caused by the addition of nanofillers, i.e. single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), on an epoxy resin before and after curing. The viscosity of the resin/acetone/SWCNTs dispersions in epoxy increased, in general, in relation to the neat epoxy. The inclusion of SWCNTs could not be traced by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the uncured resin, although the spectra of the cured dispersions were slightly different from that of the neat cured resin. In the thermogravimetric analysis, some residual solvent was found in the dispersions. This and the presence of SWCNTs itself may have been responsible for reducing cross-link density of the cured nanocomposites.
Tensile tests showed an apparent increase in Young's modulus and strength and the elongation at break remained constant with the addition of SWCNTs. An increasing trend was also found in compression strength and modulus with the addition of SWCNTs, whereas the flexural properties were virtually unaffected by the SWCNTs. These results along with the decrease in Izod impact strength of the samples with SWCNTs appear to be an indication of an inadequate bonding between the phases. Although the changes in properties indicated a general trend, it is important to bear in mind that the mean values of some of the properties of the nanocomposites were within the experimental error of the results for the pure epoxy.
It was noted a significant change in storage modulus of the nanocomposites up to the vicinity of the Tg of the epoxy, especially with 0.25% w.w-1 of SWCNTs. The Tg of the epoxy was also affected, although slightly, by the addition of SWCNTs. In all, the results indicate that the addition of small amounts of SWCNTs to the epoxy may induce some structural changes in the epoxy matrix which reflect on its viscoelastic properties.
Since stiffness and strength appear to increase with the addition of SWCNTs, this may be an indication that the addition of higher CNT contents could improve more sharply the properties of the final material. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that dispersion is adequate so that a more significant increase in properties may be achieved.
The authors would like to thank CAPES-PROCAD (Project 0303054) for the financial support and for the scholarship to Mr. M. R. Loos. Also, we would like to acknowledge UFMG for the support related to the Raman spectroscopy.
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Received: December 17, 2007; Revised: May 16, 2008
* e-mail: email@example.com


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Costello scores 34 as Bay City Western beats Oilers; Bullock Creek loses close game to Chesaning
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MOUNT PLEASANT -- Matt Costello had 34 points and 16 rebounds Friday to lead Bay City Western to a 53-36 Saginaw Valley League victory over host Mount Pleasant in boys' basketball.
"It's definitely nice to have Matt on our team, for sure," said Warriors' coach Chris Watz. "Our defense was really, really good tonight. On a night when we struggled (offensively), it's nice that we held the other team under 40."
The Warriors took a 19-10 lead after the first period and a 30-22 lead at halftime. A 14-8 third-quarter advantage gave Western a 44-30 lead entering the final period.
The Warriors (7-1, 2-1 SVL) head to Saginaw Heritage on Tuesday.
Western also won the junior varsity contest.
Chesaning 63, Bullock Creek 61
CHESANING -- Bullock Creek's frustration continued Friday with another close loss, as host Chesaning held on for a 63-61 win in Tri-Valley Conference Central boys' basketball.
"At the varsity level, your margin of error is very slim, and we had at least a two-minute window in the third period where we just didn't make our easy ones," said Creek coach Ryan Badour, whose Lancers fall to 0-8 overall. "But our guys battled right to the end, and we deserved a win."
The Lancers led 17-16 after one quarter before the Indians bounced back to take a 29-28 edge into the locker room. Chesaning expanded its lead to 46-39 after three quarters.
"It was back-and-forth in the fourth quarter, but we had to foul to stop them, and they made their free throws in the end," Badour said.
Steven Juengel scored 20 points and grabbed 11 boards for Creek, while Connor Meyette added 11 points, Craig Church had 10 points and five assists, and Evan Marquardt had 10 boards.
Leo Devota and Kyle Sweeney had 17 points each for Chesaning.
Creek (0-5 TVC Central) plays next Friday at Ovid-Elsie.
Hemlock 61, Ovid-Elsie 52
ELSIE -- T.J. Vondette had 22 points, seven steals, and four assists to lead Hemlock to a 61-52 win over Ovid-Elsie in Tri-Valley Conference Central boys' basketball Friday.
The Huskies led 22-15 after one quarter, 36-23 at the half and 53-40 after three quarters.
Ryan Hagarty added 15 points and seven rebounds for Hemlock, while Adam Wendling also grabbed seven boards. Dexter Hulik had four steals.
Jacob Gerwitz had 18 points for Ovid-Elsie.
"We played pretty well in stretches, but there were a few lulls, too," said Huskies' coach Matt Bauer. "I thought we passed the ball better (than we have lately), and our defense was pretty solid."
Hemlock (6-3 overall, 4-1 TVC Central) hosts Shepherd next Friday.
Alma 68, Freeland 63
ALMA -- Freeland's comeback bid fell short Friday, as host Alma pulled away from the foul line to win 68-63 in Tri-Valley Conference Central boys' basketball.
Alma led 35-24 at halftime before the Falcons outscored the Panthers 17-12 in the third to pull to within 47-41 heading into the fourth. Freeland then began the fourth on a 10-4 run to tie the game at 51-51, but Alma's Mike Moody hit 10 free throws down the stretch to carry the Panthers to the win and finish with a game-high 27 points.
Blake Behnke led Freeland with 16 points, while David Ruhlman added 14 points and Mason Schriber 12.
"We lost this game in the first half. We just didn't come to play," said Falcons' coach Dave Franz. "But we came back in the fourth, and then it went back-and-forth. Still, it's disappointing to come all the way back and not get it done."
Freeland (1-6 overall, 1-4 TVC Central) hosts Saginaw Nouvel on Tuesday.
Beaverton 56, Harrison 29
BEAVERTON -- Cole Blades and Stephen Chipp each recorded double-doubles Friday to lead Beaverton to a 56-29 win over visiting Harrison in Jack Pine Conference boys' basketball Friday.
"We played good defense tonight," said Beavers' coach Roy Johnston. "Chipp hit the boards better tonight, and we ran the offense well at times."
Nathan Sleight led the Beavers with 14 points, while Blades had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Chipp scored 10 points with 16 rebounds.
The Beavers jumped out to a 15-8 lead after the first period led 21-11 at the break before outscoring the visitors 35-18 in the second half.
Beaverton (5-2, 4-2 JPC) heads to Whittemore-Prescott on Tuesday.
Gladwin 54, Roscommon 36
GLADWIN -- Kegan Smith had 27 points and 11 rebounds Friday to lead Gladwin to a 54-36 win over Roscommon in Jack Pine Conference boys' basketball.
The Flying G's led 8-0 after the first quarter, then outscored the Bucks 20-13 in the second to take a comfortable 28-13 lead into the break.
"Defensively, we did real well (in the first quarter)," Gladwin coach Kirk Taylor said. "But we couldn't hit the shots we needed to pull away immediately."
Jared Beaudoing scored eight points for the G's.
Gladwin (3-5, 3-3 Jack Pine) hosts Standish-Sterling on Tuesday.
Roscommon won the junior varsity game 58-36 on Thursday.
Ithaca 80, Merrill 56
ITHACA -- Ithaca's Lucas Slater scored 28 points as the Yellowjackets rolled to an 80-56 victory over Merrill in Tri-Valley Conference West boys' basketball action Friday.
"We battled them really hard in the first half," Vandals' coach Rudy Mayan said. "We've been struggling to rebound against better teams, but we're definitely improving."
The Yellowjackets had a 36-27 lead at halftime.
Tyler Gross led the Vandals with 26 points and eight rebounds, and Kyle Tack added 13 points.
Merrill (1-6 overall, 0-5 TVC Central) hosts undefeated Meridian on Wednesday.
Valley Lutheran 76,
Breckenridge 59
BRECKENRIDGE -- A poor start proved too much for Breckenridge to overcome Friday, as visiting Valley Lutheran beat the Huskies 76-59 in Tri-Valley Conference West boys' basketball.
The Chargers jumped out to a 23-6 lead after one quarter, and both teams scored 53 points the rest of the way.
"The first quarter really did it for us," Huskies' coach Al Neal said. "They (Valley Lutheran) came out and hit four or five 3s right out of the gate. Our defense wasn't very good in that first quarter, but we did well the rest of the way."
Nick For led the way for the Huskies with 15 points, and Dirk Stoneman added 12.
Stephen Hogenson scored 20 points for Valley Lutheran.
Breckenridge (3-4, 2-3 TVC West) plays at Ashley on Tuesday.
Lake Crest 72,
Calvary Baptist 71
WATERFORD -- Calvary Baptist came up just short Friday, as host Lake Crest Baptist survived for a thrilling 72-71 win over the Kings in Central Michigan Christian Athletic Conference boys' basketball.
CBA led 69-68 with 34 seconds left, but Doug Franklin hit four clutch free throws down the stretch to give Lake Crest a 72-71 lead with nine seconds remaining.
Down to their final possession, the Kings saw John Reece's potential game-winning shot rim out. Ben VanHolstyn's tip-in attempt also missed at the buzzer.
"This was just a great ballgame," Kings' coach John VanHolstyn said. "The guys were mentally tough, they executed very well, and they really played like every possession mattered."
VanHolstyn scored 20 points to lead the Kings, while Aaron Wheeler scored 18 points and had five rebounds, Reece had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, and Josiah Kahl had eight points and seven assists.
Franklin had a game-high 30 points for Lake Crest, while Justin Horton added 24.
The Kings (6-4, 2-1 CMCAC) play at Bridgeport Baptist on Tuesday.
Midland Christian 61,
Skeels Christian 39
Midland Christian broke open a close game with a big third quarter Friday, beating visiting Skeels Christian 61-39 in boys' basketball.
The Crusaders led 15-8 after one quarter and only 28-26 at halftime, then outscored the Eagles 20-4 in the third to build a commanding 48-30 advantage en route to their second victory over Skeels this season.
"We've been prone to fits of that," MCS coach Matt Place said of his team's slow start. "When you play teams that you have beaten before, you get it in your mind that it's easy.
"But we really turned it around in the third quarter," he added. "We played aggressive defense and took the ball to the basket."
Caleb Connor led the Crusaders with 13 points, while Matt Vanderhoof added 11, and Will Conklin chipped in six points and seven boards.
The Crusaders' (5-3) next scheduled game is at home vs. Mid-Michigan Christian Home Educators on Jan. 25. MCS may add a game to its schedule on Thursday.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Tell us a little bit about yourself and Attack! Pro Wrestling / Rafflers? Attack! Pro Wrestling is an awesome independent wrestling promotion who run shows primarily in Cardiff and Bristol. They often describe themselves as "weird and wonderful" and I can't think of a better description. Their shows can have everything from serious technical wrestling […]Read more


text:
Moss Clement
How to Write and Format an MBA Essay That Gets Noticed
How can you write a compelling MBA essay? We get asked this question quite often, and the reason is that your MBA essay is more of an elevator pitch – a short description of your credentials which you will share with others who will make the most important decision of your life. As a result, you want to give it your best and, explain your thoughts in an easy to understand format that will grab their attention and create a powerful impact. However, since there are thousands of other applicants submitting their applications for an MBA degree program, how can you make your essay to stand out from the rest?
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text:
In this short review, I'm going to be taking a closer look at Sqribble — a brand new cloud-based tool that allows you to create eBooks, reports, whitepapers or other digital books on the fly, quickly and easily. So here's my Sqribble Review and Mega Bonus Bundle for you.
I'll cover what it does, who it's for, what are the costs and upsells, and of course some pros and cons of this ebook creator tool, so you can make a more informed decision about if it's right for you and about purchasing it.
What is Sqribble?
Sqribble is a cloud based eBook creator tool. It allows you to create fully professional looking eBooks, based on templates inside the tool. It does so literally with a few clicks, saving you a huge amount of time and money.
Unlike other eBook creators, Sqribble immediately caught my attention because it has some really useful features I haven't seen anywhere else.
Here's a few features that really blew me away
Automatic content
Yes, you can actually use Sqribble to fill your book with existing expert content, so you don't have to write a single word. This is the content from around the web, based on the URL you provide to the system. You can pull content from any URL, paste it directly, extract from a Word doc or from their own library of niche articles. Total game changer. Short and sweet.
This is a HUGE time saver and a major plus for anyone who hates writing or doesn't have time or enough knowledge to do it.
Gorgeous eCovers
There's a lot of eBook tools around that might save you some time, but they usually turn out terrible when eCovers for your books are needed. Sqribble is very different here. The ebook covers are seriously impressive. They wouldn't look out of place on Kindle or Amazon, and they instantly look like you're a professional who commands trust and authority.
If they're still not good enough for you or you need more, there's an ecover designer online that you can check.
Create Flipbooks
This has to be one of the best things about Sqribble. With it, you can turn your ordinary or "flat" books into real interactive flipbooks. This makes your digital book look and feel much more like a real book, with pages that turn (animated like a real book page turning) and make the book look like something you can reach out and grab. Awesome.
Why does this matter actually?
Well because in Internet Marketing, it's all about standing out and grabbing attention. It's simply a way to engage your readers better. If they enjoy the experience of reading your book (while "flipping" the pages) they're more likely to get value from your content and keep reading until the end where your pitch or call to action is located. Another thing about flip books is that you can embed them on your website with a simple piece of code that Sqribble provides once you publish your book. Again, awesome!
What else can Sqribble do?
Sqribble is a highly versatile tool, with tons and tons of features, many more than I can possibly cover here (I have to eat, too, you know…). For example, here's a very short list of what Sqribble can help you with while you put together your ebook:
- Automatic creation of table of contents
- Automatic insertion of headers and footers
- Automatic pagination setup
- Drag and drop design for every page
- Add or delete pages
- Add your own media into the ebook
- 300+ Google Fonts available
- 50 eBook templates (covering 15 different niches) at your disposal
- 10 different eBook themes (1 click changes color scheme of the complete ebook)
- Import content from any URL
- Manually add content from Word or text documents
- and much, much more.
There's tons of features packed into this tool, making it one of the best eBook creators I've seen. The only drawbacks that I found is that the 3D creator is hidden in the upgrade offer and the relativelly small number of templates… you'll find it below.
Although, if I think again, 50 templates is not bad at all. Plus, you get additional 10 templates as a bonus if you hurry, so you have 60 in total. Better. If you have really high goals though, like running a full-blown agency, then you will find the upgrade mandatory (Sqribble Pro or Prime), because you will need more templates for sure. But you will earn so much that this will ot be an issue at all. 🙂
Who is Sqribble for?
Sqribble is most suited for freelancers, independent internet marketers, small marketing agencies and small business owners who want to create lead magnets, publish Kindle books, create and sell eBooks, or publish whitepapers. Or do anything about ebooks, really.
If you're also looking to create an additional income you'll be pleased to know that also included is a Sqribble commercial license (497$) to use Sqribble for client work, offering eBook creation services, with the ability to create unlimited eBooks which you can sell and keep all the profits.
They also give you a ready built agency website with pre-filled portfolio that you can upload to any domain for instant authority, so that you can show it off to any new potential clients to get work. Professional websites like this would cost you at least 600$ alone, so it's a good value.
Also included is an in-built "Client feedback tool" to collaborate with clients on eBook projects more easily – a much loved feature.
Sqribble Pricing
Sqribble is going to be priced at 197$ in regular sales, but for the launch week, the price is set at 47$.
Seriously, if you ever planned to do just about any kind od publishing (whether for sales or just for branding), this is a no-brainer.
Additionally, during the first day of sales, there is a coupon active that will save you additional few $. Use SPOCK at checkout. 😉
Are there any upgrades?
Of course there are some upgrades, and here I'll shortly sum it up:
Sqribble Professional (97$): this license brings additional 150 ebook templates.
Sqribble Prime (47$): it includes 15 new templates monthly. A club membership, so to speak.
Sqribble Fantasia 3D (77$): iz unlocks the 3D cover designer in the dashboard. It allows you to change boring flat 2D covers into rich 3D covers. Additionaly, it lets you create flipping ebooks that we discussed before.
Auto Job Finding Software (197$): It's a great tool if you plan to sell your ebook services – it lets you find jobs over several freelancing portals and inform you automatically, which saves huge amounts of time. A must in this case.
The Verdict
Hell, yeah.
I'm planning on running an agency anyhow, so this tool will be a great asset in my book (that is, ebook 🙂 ).
I honestly suggest you at least take a look at the demo on the salespage and then decide for yourself.
Wait, what about the promissed bonus bundle…?
Of course I also have some great bonuses ready for you. Here's a list, they will all be available inside your JVZoo panel after purchase. But you have to buy through the links on this page, otherwise…
- Reseller Box: A complete business-in-a-box, with premium plugins and all marketing materials included
- Soci Quote: Cloud app that will help you create quotes from any graphics
- Soci Offer: easily create offers on social networks
- Social Click: create clickable posts for any social sharing venue
- Soci Live: go live with your prerecorded videos and create a buzz
- SocialInboxer: use the power of Messenger to connect with your audience and customers
- Full commercial license with which you can sell any design you create
- Client Management Dashboard to track your clients easily
- Ebook profit formula: discover the ways to make a lot of money with ebooks
- Instagram Stories: a quick and easy to understand guide to leverage Instagram Stories for maximum traffic
- Facebook Marketing & Advertising: a comprehensive guide (117 pages) on Facebook marketing
Take a closer look at our bonus page.
P.S. In case something goes wrong and you don't see my bonuses in JVZoo, please email at support @ maxprofitreviews.com with your purchase ID and I will fix it asap.
You may also like
- Create By Vidello Review
- Facebook Marketing Made Easy
- Vidsting – Create animated video intros and outros
- ChatterPal Review and Bonus Revealed
Here at MaxProfitReviews we are in affiliate business with many of the vendors who's products we mention here and write reviews about, which means we will get a certain commission from them should you buy their product via our link. We are however not connected to them in any other way, nor we receive any special commissions for making good reviews. We try to hold our opinion fair and honest, giving you both the ups and downs where we see them. Nevertheless, everything written here is our own opinion and assessment of the possibilities that software provides.


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GENRE: drama/paranormal
When a plot of land is being developed in Vermont against the will of a local Native American tribe, strange things begin to happen - and Ross Wakeman, a paranormal investigator, is asked to get involved. He's a desperate drifter who's taken up ghost hunting in an effort to cross paths again with his fiancee, who died in a car crash eight years ago, but he has yet to experience anything even remotely paranormal. Then Ross meets Lia... As a seventy-year-old murder case is reopened, a shocking secret about a crime of passion long past is revealed.
This is the second Jodi Picoult novel I've read (the first one being The Pact) and I had another great Picoult experience. This is a drama with elements of the supernatural (focusing on ghosts) and it works so well. It was a truly enjoyable read and I could hardly put the book down.
The story features several very interesting and decidedly individualistic characters, some of them more in the forefront than others, but all of them very interesting. The protagonist is Ross Wakeman, a man who lost his fiancée Aimee in a car accident and has tried to join her (in death), but he just can't die, which is his talent, or curse, depends on which way one sees it. There is his older sister Shelby Wakeman, a single mom who works in a library, loves big, sophisticated words, never goes out and has a son, Ethan, with XP (basically a severe allergy to the sun and just about any strong form of light), who knows he will die young, but then again maybe he won't, so he tries to live each day as if it were his last. Eli Rochert is a smart, divorced cop who keeps dreaming about a beautiful woman and has a shocker when he sees her in real life. There is also Az Thompson, an ancient Abenaki Indian working as a night guard at Angel Quarry, and Spencer Pike, an old man dying in a home for older people. Quite some distance away live Ruby, her granddaughter Meredith, whose job is doing preimplantation genetic diagnosis and has no luck with men, and Meredith's little daughter Lucy, who sees strange things, but no one believes her. On the surface, all these people have nothing to do with each other, but in reality they are bound together by a web of strange events and a tragic, unthinkable past. I am not exaggerating when I say that all these people are very much connected to one another.
The setting is a small town, Comtosook, in Vermont. Comtosook is a colourful town and the story begins when Comtosook becomes the setting of very strange, possibly supernatural events. Every day, the sky rains rose petals, people's alarm clocks never ring, clocks stop at a certain hour, phone connections are all wrong, and there is talk of a ghost haunting the Pike property, the land Spencer Pike sold to a construction company and for which the Abenaki Indians claim that it is a sacred burial ground that should not be disturbed. Curiously, the strange phenomena begin to occur when the construction group begins to disturb the Pike property. Ross Wakeman, who's been dabbling in ghost hunting in the hope of seeing his Aimee again, becomes involved and a whole string of events happen, releasing shocking revelations from the past, and when Ross finds love again in the mysterious Lia, his world begins to fall part again for a very startling reason.
Picoult handled both the past and the present very well, as well as reality and the paranormal. All these parts were nicely balanced and cleverly interconnected. In the forefront is a family drama and all those individuals trying to find meaning in their lives, which is really beautifully written, but Picoult also tackled a topic that I had never heard of before, but I'm glad she shed some light on it. I won't go into it too deep to avoid spoilers, but I can say that Picoult wrote about eugenics in Vermont, which was widely popular in the 1930s, the time in which the past of the novel takes place. Eugenicists believed that subcultures, among them Native Americans (whom they actually called Gypsies), and the poor and "feebleminded" should not procreate anymore, so that the nation could avoid taking care of the lowly individuals and, simply put, they just wanted to clean the nation, which is horrible. They did the "cleaning" by way of "voluntary" sterilization. Hitler was inspired by the program of American eugenicists, which makes eugenics even more horrible, since it was – opposed to Hitler's ways – just a more civilised form of genocide. I was really shocked to learn that such programs ever existed, but I am glad I got to read about it through Picoult. She really handled this dark stain in the history of America well and I like the message: this has to be spoken about, so that the shame will go away. Namely, some of the victims of eugenics, as well as the scientists, are still alive and both groups are more or less ashamed of what was happening in the 1920s and 30s, so this mustn't be forgotten, or it will rot, fester and get even worse. (note: eugenics did not only happen in America, but in some other countries as well)
The novel offers a mystery and I managed to solve one half it, but the rest of the answers kept alluding me and the final answers were really shocking. I never saw them coming and I really liked the unexpectedness of everything. It made things less trivial and far more original. I also liked the ending, although some things were left unsaid or unexplained, which leads to my complaint(s).
It is implied that the ghost began to haunt the city, especially certain individuals, because its land was being disturbed, but the ghost's reasons were never really confirmed. Also, considering the ghost's identity and life story, I don't know why it only remembered to haunt the town now and not before. Actually, the ghost should have been haunting the town ever since the day the person it once was died. That would be more logical, considering its past, as I've said. I missed a scene in which the ghost's closure would be shown. I mean, the truth finally came out, which is what the ghost wanted, among other things, and with the truth the supernatural phenomena stopped happening, but the last scene with the ghost was a very sad one and I was hoping for a scene that would show the ghost in peace.
All in all, this was a very fun and emotional read, as well as a very intense one. This was a truly riveting and gripping read for me and I had a hard time putting the book down. This novel features family drama, personal drama, tragedy, hope, romance and ghosts. All these elements work amazingly well together. The language of the novel is very beautiful, very vivid and smooth, with some very original metaphors and similes. This is a novel I definitely recommend. I am becoming a Jodi Picoult fan.
THIS MISS RATES: / (4.5 stars)
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Second Glance by Jodi Picoult
Posted by Irena @ This Miss Loves to Read at 10/20/2010
6 comments:
- The Insouciant Sophisticate said...
I've read a lot of Picoult but not this one yet-guess it's appropriate for Halloween with its focus on ghosts. You have to read My Sister's Keeper soon! It made me bawl my eyes out...in a good way.
- 20 October 2010 at 15:16
- Jen said...
Jodi Picoult is a fabulous writer! She always picks topics that really grab you. I LOVED 19 seconds. Very gripping!
Great review!
- 20 October 2010 at 21:13
- Blodeuedd said...
Wow, great review, I can see that you really liked this one. It shines through
- 20 October 2010 at 21:31
- Julie P said...
Great review, Irena! Picoult is my favorite....
- 21 October 2010 at 03:35
- Jan von Harz said...
I have read a few Picoult books, but this one sounds quite different than the ones I have read. Very in depth review. Love your descriptions of the setting and the characters. Thanks!
- 21 October 2010 at 21:59
- Unknown said...
What made Ruby tell Luxe the truth?
- 9 June 2017 at 23:11
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text:
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
Electronic Account Statement and Check Image Delivery Enrollment Agreement
First Security Bank Canby's Electronic Account Statement and Check Image Delivery Enrollment Agreement ("Agreement") governs use of the First Security Bank – Canby Electronic Delivery Service. As used in this document the words "you" and "your" refer to First Security Bank – Canby's customer(s) and their use of the Service. The words "we" and "our" refer to First Security Bank Canby.
This agreement explains the terms and conditions governing the FIRST SECURITY BANK CANBY ELECTRONIC DELIVERY service offered through FIRST SECURITY BANK CANBY. By using the Service, you agree to the following terms and conditions. This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with Federal laws and regulations, or to the extent there is no applicable Federal law or regulation, by the laws of the State of Minnesota. By accepting below or otherwise using the Service, you agree to use the Service only for bon a fide and lawful purpose permitted under this agreement.
Term & Conditions:
To receive Electronic Delivery Services, you must have a working connection to the Internet with e-mail capability to open Portable Document Format (.PDF) file with Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.0 of higher.
Upon Enrollment, periodic account statements, disclosures and notices will be provided electronically. These disclosure and notice may include: Online Banking Agreement and any amendments, periodic account statements, deposit account disclosures, lending disclosure, privacy policy, change in terms notices, notice of fee changes, fee schedules and other written notices required by law. You may request paper copies by sending your request to the address provided below.
At the time of this enrollment agreement, you agree to provide us with a password needed to decrypt the self-extracting attachment containing you information. The password that you provide to us must be alphanumeric with a minimum of six (6) characters. The password will be case-sensitive.
You agree to keep us informed of any change in your e-mail address by advising us in writing at the address provided below.
Upon receipt by us of an e-mail delivery error regarding the statement PDF file will result in the termination of this agreement. The information contained in the undelivered file will be mailed to you at the address contained in our records.
If we change the minimum hardware or software requirements, and you are unable to receive electronic delivery service, you will be released from this agreement without a penalty or consequence to you.
You may withdraw your consent for electronic delivery services by sending written notice to the address provided below. Upon withdrawal, the documents will be sent in paper form to you address of record. (You may be assessed a mailed statement charge for paper delivery. See you Truth in Savings Disclosure.)
Following termination of the electronic delivery service by either party, a new enrollment agreement will be required to reinstate this service.
Upon transmission of the e-mail file to your e-mail address, you will have the sole responsibility for maintain security of the e-mail including, but not limited to you e-mail provider and users of your personal computer or computer network. E-mail notice to one owner of a joint owner account is considered notice to all owners.
You further agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from and against any and all loss, cost, damage, liability, or exposure (including reasonable attorney's fees) that we or you may suffer or incur as a result of the unlawful use, unauthorized use, or misuse by any person of any such e-mail or electronic delivery of statements, disclosures or notices. You shall bear the entire risk for unauthorized us thereof whether or not you are negligent.
FIrst Security Bank, PO Box 70, Canby, MN 56220 PH:507-223-7231
FIrst Security Bank, PO Box 278, Lake Benton, MN 56149 PH:507-368-4264
|First Name
|Middle Initial
|Last Name
|Social Security No.
|Home Phone
|E-Mail Address #1
|E-mail Address #2
|E-mail Address #3
|E-mail Address #4
|Checking #1
|Checking #2
|Checking #3
|Checking #4
|Savings #1
|Savings #2
|Savings #3
|Savings #4


text:
Boniface, Anselm, North and South Cranmer Woods
Details for this wood
Guide price: £80,000 - Freehold
Size: Four lots, between 8½ and 13 acres, in total about 42 acres
Location: Dunkirk, near Canterbury, Kent
OS Landranger: 179
Grid ref: TR 086 582
Nearest post code: ME13 9LN
Contact: Bob Liles
Phone: 07793 140 010
Email: [email protected]
Email to a friend
Four adjacent woods available as a whole or as separate lots from £80,000. In total about 42 acres - as a whole £400,000 North Cranmer Wood, about 8½ acres - £80,000 / South Cranmer Wood, about 10 acres - £100,000 / Anselm Wood, about 10½ acres - £100,000 / Boniface Wood, over 13 acres - £130,000
Hidden away and yet it is easily accessible, there is access onto a quiet private woodland track leading directly to the A2. These are very diverse woodland with lots of character due to its situation and the varied range of tree species. There are many oak standards. The woods are packed with fauna and flora. Many bird and animal species including tawny owls have been found in the woods and buzzards have also been spotted circling overhead. Deer, fox, woodland mice and evidence of hedgehogs have been seen. Designated as ancient semi-natural ancient woodland (ASNW) these woods are part of eleven square miles of ancient woodland called "The Blean".
The forest canopy is oak, ash, sweet chestnut, hornbeam, willow, beech and birch. The understorey of hazel, hawthorn, holly and rowan helps provide a feeling of great privacy, for the campsites that have been created.
The ground slopes gently down to the south with a seasonal stream running through parts of the woods. There is a large amount of fallen and standing dead wood, enough for firewood and habitat piles, and good coppice possibilities.
Each season brings a new feel and something new to discover and in spring the abundance of spring flowers like bluebells, wood anemone, ferns, honeysuckle and primrose.
A review of these woods has been written by a qualified and experienced forestry professional. A tree preservation order (TPO) protects these woodlands but it does not limit normal woodland management where a Forestry Commission approved management plan is in place.
Access From the main entrance gate there is a hard track with a full right of way for vehicles and people.
An archaeological survey highlights some interesting features of the area and is very near to one of Kent's finest Nature Reserves.
There is a covenant, click here to read, designed to ensure that all can have quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their woodlands.
Please note, none of these woods are suitable for residential development, other uses such as summer camping may well be suitable.
Viewing: You are welcome to visit this wood by yourself, but please ensure that you have a copy of these sales details with you - many of our woodlands do not have mobile phone reception or internet access so we recommend either printing the details or downloading them to your phone/tablet/laptop. Please take care when viewing as the great outdoors can contain unexpected hazards and woodlands are no exception.
Maps are : © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS Licence no.100057987
Our Maps
These woodlands are just 10 mins west of Canterbury, convenient for the A2 but far enough off the A2 to be quiet and secluded.
Click here for Bing Maps Directions enter your own postcode, parking location coordinates are already entered, and click on the "Directions" box. This will take you to Gate Services and Sheila's Kitchen where you can park.
Satnav: the postcode ME13 9LN is for the point shown by the red dot on the location maps, just south of London Lane. Coordinates for satnav are: N51.289143, E0.994906
There is access directly off the A2 at 'Gate Services', which is only accessible to westbound traffic.
If approaching from the west, exit the A2 just after the services, at the Upper Harbledown/Chartham turning, and turn right over the A2, rejoining it westbound. Exit into Gate Services as coming from the east.
- there is parking at Sheila's Kitchen. Please park your vehicle here as you can only view the woodland on foot
- walk just past the ESSO garage and turn left up the tarmac track which is a public footpath
- after about 120 metres go past the metal field gate keeping to the left hand track (with caravan park on the right) that goes through to the woods
- after a further 250 metres you will reach another metal gate and a 'woodlands for sale' sign
- go around the gate
- Anselm Wood is on the left, go further and Boniface Wood is next left. Continue ahead until reaching a track on the left, this is the far corner of N. Cranmer Wood.
- walk down this track and S Cranmer Wood is on the left after the orange marker tape.
Please note: the particulars with plans, maps, descriptions and measurements are for reference only and although carefully checked we cannot guarantee their accuracy and do not form part of any contract. Any intending purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of these particulars.
Location maps
View and print this wood's location on Bing Maps »
See an aerial photo of this wood on Bing Maps »
Interested in this woodland? Get in touch with us:
Contact Bob Liles on 07793 140 010 or use the form below


text:
10 October 2011
Two more finishes... and...
8 comments:
Oh NO! I can't believe you had to rip all that work out! The Teddy Bears are adorable. I hope the gridding pen works at keeping the frogs away; just so long as they don't come visit me, lol.ReplyDelete
oh yes.. they are mean litle bastards....ReplyDelete
But I think I will be happier with the picture if I get it right.... that is IF I will ever get it right...
cute finish. Those frogs sure stink.ReplyDelete
I just had to say they are lovely, both ladies:) Have you considered trying to do the faces over 1 instead of 2 (although that would only work with evenweave and not aida) as that would make the details finer. I have only done one lady, an Indian lady, and her face was done over 1, and I really liked the finished product. I have a pic of her in my folder on the CCS yahoo group if you wanna see. (Ylvas finished pix or something like that it is called) And apart from that I can only say keep up the good work:) Don't be afraid to make changes that suit you, when it comes to colors and details:) hugs, YlvaReplyDelete
Your princess loos great and the bears are cute, thinking pillow. Can't wait to see more of the big picture. I've had ripping issues this week as well.ReplyDelete
Congrats on your finish. The teddies are adorable.ReplyDelete
Congrats on your finishes, I think faces are sooooo hard to get right, so much so that I tend to put in less detail than the pattern asks for. Most of the time it works but others it looks just as bad lolReplyDelete
Lovely work! Can't wait to see more!ReplyDelete
- Lisa N. in Cambodia


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What is the biggest advantage of choosing U.S. Lawns for your commercial landscaping in Orlando? We use a local owner-operator business model that ensures that you are working with a local owner who is a member of your own community. That means that your crew cares about the neighborhood as much as you do!
And because we are a national company, all of our owners and teams are nationally trained, so they bring U.S. Lawns' high standard of quality to every job they do. That combination with local ownership and national standards are what makes U.S. Lawns the leader in the industry.
If you own a property that needs commercial landscaping in the Orlando metro area, find your nearest U.S. Lawns!
U.S. Lawns in METRO Orlando
Get in touch with one of our locations in the Orlando metro area.


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A large and comfortable studio with 2 separated units. One bedroom with a large double bed, one living room with a sofa bed, bathroom with shower head and a separate entrance. Sleeps up to three guests and is in high demand by dog owners and lovers.
• Dog friendly
• En-suite bathroom
• Tea & coffee making facilities
• Television
• Free Wi-Fi Internet access
• Hair Dryer
• Non-smoking
• Our popular selfmade breakfast and a great choice at our buffet (Gluten free or veggie available upon request)
Rates per night all included:


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❧ Gentle Relaxation (10:50)
In 10min, you can reduce stress, relax deeply, and start healing yourself. You can start benefiting from Yoga Nidra, an authentic yogic technique rooted in tradition and proven by science. No experience necessary. All, including kids, are welcome to benefit from this nidra.
Do check out the resources and feel free to write to me:
❧ Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
❧ Website: www.alarmelyoga.com
❧ Resources (including research papers): www.alarmelyoga.com/yoganidra
Growing up in beautiful southern India, I learned the first steps of yoga as a child from my grandfather, a disciple of Swami Sivananda Saraswati. I'm an initiated yogini, teacher of hatha yoga, and founder of a yoga non-profit that creates service projects for women, children, and those with special needs. I have over 11 years of study and practice and have been teaching for over eight. Itinerant, I now focus on deepening my studies and practice.
You and I—we are not so different after all; the modern condition has us all. I find yoga nidra particularly useful in this context: simple in practice, yet radical in results. At the same time, it opens doors to inner exploration and deep spiritual work for those who wish to go further.
If you like apps, please try my free apps (free track + in-app purchase):
❧ iOS: Yoga Nidra: Sacred Sleep
❧ Android: Yoga Nidra: Sacred Sleep
If you like high-quality digital albums, please try:
❧ Bandcamp: http://kanyakanchana.bandcamp.com
❧ CDBaby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/kanyakanchana
❧ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/en/album/id1115051180
❧ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Nidra-Sacred-Kanya-Kanchana/dp/B01FTY6KTG
Thank you for your support. Happy yoga nidra!


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Wheelchair, Stroller & Power Scooter Rentals
The Edmonton Valley Zoo has a limited number of wheelchairs and power scooters available for guests who find it difficult to get around on foot.
Strollers are also available to be rented. Photo ID is required.
Rentals are available on a first-come-first-served basis. See accessibility at the zoo.
Rental Rates
- Wheelchair: No charge
- Power Scooter*: $12 for 4 hours
- Stroller: $7 (4 hour max)
- Double Stroller: $10 (4 hour max)
*Please note: Power scooters are only available during the summer season.


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Château de Biron - Cloître de Cadouin Visit of castle of Biron, around 1h30, from 10:00am Read more
Château de Bourdeilles Visit of castle of Bourdeilles, around 1h30, from 10:00am Read more
Activity Visit this masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic art registered on Unesco World Heritage List Read more
Grand Roc, Laugerie Basse Guided tours of the Grand Roc cave and unaccompanied tours of the two Laugerie Basse shelters (both are UNESCO world heritage sites) at a special reduced rate. Plan your visit t... Read more
Lascaux II, Le Thot Visit the cave of Lascaux II and discover prehistoric animals to Le parc du Thot (located at 15mn) Read more
Lascaux Centre international, Le Thot, Visite simple et jumelée Visit of LASCAUX international cave center (Lascaux IV) and the Parc du Thot with a discounted price : Plan your visit to Lascaux in the language, the date and the time of your ... Read more
Le Thot Discovery workshops from five years PLEASE NOTE : These workshops are only accessible with an admission ticket for le Thot (single visit or combined ticket) DISCOUNT buy 2... Read more
Lascaux II 1h00 guided tour, small group and in-depth visit of Lascaux II. Read more
Lascaux Centre international, Visite simple et jumelée, Visite du moment LASCAUX IV tour : Plan your visit to Lascaux in the language of your choice Read more
Laugerie Basse, Lascaux Centre international, Offre Préhistoire Visit of LASCAUX IV, the Parc du Thot et the rock shelters of Laugerie Basse : Plan your visit of LASCAUX international cave center in the language of your ... Read more
Grand Roc, Grand Roc et Laugerie Basse An exceptional jewel: the only geological cave in Dordogne on the UNESCO world heritage list. Read more
Laugerie Basse, Grand Roc et Laugerie Basse A prehistoric archaeological site on the UNESCO World Heritage list Read more


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I have just read the first chapter of 'The Essential Dalai Lama' and as I sat here, thinking about it, it occurred to me that the inside of a plane epitomises exactly the problems of the western world. Instead of groups of people interacting, we have hundreds of individuals more or less silent, each confined to a small space, avoiding contact with each other, but rather spending many hours totally absorbed by the electronic screen provided for each passenger by the airlines these days. There are dozens of movies, hundreds of games and thousands of songs, divided into genre or artist. Then there are people like me who have laptops to fiddle about on or ipods to plug into or books to get lost in. We are in crowded isolation.
Every day hundreds of thousands of people sit for extended periods on international flights, doing nothing productive and refraining from interaction with the people next to them. I can think of a few ways to make the trip seem faster, encourage conversation and/or do something useful. There could be some registration of interest buttons on each console which invite you to join a like-minded group, through your headphones, if need be.
If the seats could be turned like in trains, and a narrow table set between, people could play cards, for example. Anyone interested in giving a short talk from their seat could have the talk piped to listeners via a certain channel and discussions could be encouraged. Or anyone wishing to participate in chat could give a quick resume of why they are travelling and an anecdote or 2 from their past.
Passengers could perform simple tasks and feel our time has not been wasted. Maybe we could fill in surveys, or do other paperwork relevant to our skills. We could grind spices, make gifts for orphans, mend clothes for the needy, write emails to lonely people in old folks homes.... anything. The Dalai Lama says we need a spiritual revolution, we need to re-establish our bonds and links with the community, we need to help others. What better time to do it than whilst sitting in a plane for 15 hours, at 11,583m and going 600km/hour!
After reading a couple more chapters I am getting to the crux of the human dilemma. We all seek happiness, which is understandable but most of us are going about it the wrong way. It is fruitless thinking that getting more of anything will make us happy when it is giving more that really makes us happy. When you meet someone who gives of themselves, everyone around them feels good. They have compassion and a sense of caring. Compassion, the Dalai Lama says, opens an inner door through which we can communicate with others with ease, heart to heart. He does not advocate we should be selfless. Giving makes the compassionate person feel good and the Dalai Lama points out that it is in this way that each of us can be selfish, in a positive way.
Compassion goes hand in hand with inner peace. When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved but also helps us to develop inner happiness and peace. Inner peace gives us the strength to deal with situations with reason and calm because our mental tranquility remains undisturbed. Inner peace allows conflicts to be dealt with, with compassion and does not allow hatred to develop. Only by spreading inner peace can we ever hope to achieve world peace.
....not exactly a vegetable gardening post but rather the thoughts of a vegetable gardener who enjoys nothing more than giving and sharing....


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A quality comprehensive education with a history of academic success.
T: Telephone02 4384 4677
E: email@example.com
In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.
Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8.
In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.
Lesley Miller
address Charles Kay Drive Terrigal NSW 2260
telephone 02 4384 4677
email email@example.com
We acknowledge that our school rests upon the beautiful land of the Darkinjung people, and we extend our respects to Aboriginal people both past and present. We are grateful that we are able to share this land as a place of learning and community.
Copyright for this website is owned by the State of New South Wales through the Department of Education. For more information go to http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/footer/copyright.


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By Michael Trasatti, CEO
In today's 20 group meetings, in circles, while attending a new car showing, and just about anywhere you go, dealers are talking about their DMS provider. Even DMS providers seem to be talking about each other, sometimes benignly, other times with soft-malice. And finally, it seems DMS providers today, as I read the litany of articles, want to offer advice on how to run your business.
I certainly don't want to assume that we as DMS providers know the car business better than our clients. But I have been around the car business most of my life, and specifically the DMS landscape for nearly 20 years. With all this chatter in the air, one element seems to ring true: making a DMS change is scary to dealers, afraid, if you will, of the disruption or change; 'what will it do to my business?'
Perhaps a good analogy is a story by Charles Dickens about a man imprisoned for many years. He longed for release, hating the confinement and conditions he endured. Eventually, it was his release day. However, as the prison guard chaperoned him out of the gates, the man observed all the changes that had occurred while he was imprisoned. Confused and scared, instead of running towards freedom, within minutes he returned to his prison cell. This man had become so comfortable with his environment that the concept of being free scared him. He felt safe and secure in his imprisonment.
Does this sound familiar when it comes to the subject of your DMS?
DMS services have evolved over the past several years. While it is indeed an undertaking that needs careful and strategic consideration, there is a general feeling that more dealers are evaluating these new options in the marketplace. Choosing the right DMS partner for your dealership is essential. When evaluating this change, it certainly needs to be for the right reasons.
Here at DealerBuilt, everyone is hands on. We are also really passionate about helping others. To that end, I have compiled a few observations based on our experiences and interaction with dealers who made the change.
1. Do you or the dealership want to make a change? What are your goals? Change is hard sometimes. But it can be absolutely rewarding in the end. However, change requires a reason, a goal, an outcome. Dealers who want a short-term fix, for example, might want to reconsider if making a switch is right for them. For those dealers with a purpose, whether it's being less captive to a provider; seeking improved innovation; or a need to modernize; going into the process with a goal will prove fruitful.
2. Is the dealership ready and committed to change?This is probably the most crucial point – When you go down this path that commitment has to start immediately. It should be ingrained in the mindset of all concerned that you are going to go through this exercise, spending time and energy to make a better organization. This is a complicated task, rather like surgery, but will lead to long-term improvements. Complete buy-in is necessary from every department in the store. Management for each department needs to understand why this change is being made and be on board with it.
3. Evaluate what is out there. Discover what exists in the marketplace. Going into this with the right mindset and expectations is essential. Ideally, you should look for a DMS with a friendly business model at the price point that fits your budget and the size and unique complexities of your dealership or group. Sometimes, the most popular ones may not be the best fit, so having an open mind is imperative.
4. How do you choose?Study your dealership and gain a full understanding of your unique needs. Conduct an internal evaluation process across all disciplines and choose a partner based on your dealership's long-term vision and direction. Don't be concerned about merely saving money. Instead, evaluate based on if the DMS provider has your best interests in mind and can improve your processes. Another consideration is how well the DMS provider integrates with other vendors that your dealership currently uses or may use in the future. Is the provider open to new integrations as new technologies develop, or will they make those new technology vendors jump through hurdles?
Investigate each DMS to ensure it is validated. Explore the scale and depth of its functionality and that it has the flexibility needed for your dealership to operate at the highest possible level, especially with more complex groups.
Pay attention to how pushy the provider is about their terms and conditions. A DMS provider should be open to listening to your needs, as well as open and honest about what it can and cannot do.
5. Commit. Once your dealership has management buy-in, has evaluated its unique needs and selected the DMS, the commitment to the new DMS should start immediately.
It is vital that everyone in the dealership be on that same page. Employees should understand that, while this change will be a bit like surgery, and something everyone will need to spend time and energy on, the end goal is to make the dealership a better and more efficient organization. They will soon be able to respond to customers in a better fashion, create better processes and modernize their technology. In the end, this will make them more profitable as all things will look, feel and operate at a higher and more efficient level.
Sure, it's a lot of work and a significant change. But, if done right, a DMS switch shouldn't be something to be afraid of, but rather something to look forward to. The DMS is the lifeblood of the dealership and vital to its operation. Make sure you have the right one, a real partner that helps your dealership grow to its full potential.


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Wes comes to Landlord Web Solutions with nine years of sales experience. After graduating from Humber College with a diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Wesley started as a travel agent and consultant and quickly moved up into a management role. After five years in the industry, he decided to pursue other endeavours and landed a job as a District Manager at ADP. At ADP, Wesley was able to establish himself with a strong corporate brand and specialized in bringing on new business and supporting partnerships with small- to enterprise-level companies.
Wesley enjoys a wide variety of music taste from heavy metal, jazz, old school hip-hop, and everything in between. In his earlier life, Wes was also the frontman for a band for seven years and spent time touring most of Ontario and Quebec. In his free time he enjoys listening to music, water sports, golf, and hockey. Please ensure not to make any sort of Step Brothers or 90s movies references around him unless you would like to be endlessly barraged with outdated movie quotes.


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The insolvency and liquidation of the UK's second-biggest contractor, Carillion, and the abandonment of the V.C. Summer nuclear expansion project in South Carolina, raise questions about the interpretation of financial data for an accurate picture of the cost to complete work. ENR's panel of experts will discuss how best to ensure the accuracy of cost to complete on complicated projects.
During this webinar, we'll also discuss how that impacts revenue recognition, the contractor's financial condition and all the decisions that depend on a true picture of a contractor's revenue and the owner's assessment of how much money and time a project will need to finish.
Sponsored by:


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Wow. This article from the Boston Globe really brings it home.
We've all known for a few years now that AM Radio, as a medium, was slipping badly. Traditional cornerstones of AM formats...sports and talk...were losing market share, and several major AM signals were electing to simulcast on an FM station and seeing positive results. At the same time, we're also seeing a lot of traditional AM formats bypassing AM altogether and starting on FM, also with positive results.
One place near and dear to my heart where this has been playing out is Boston, where many, many years of market dominance by WEEI 850AM (sports) and WBZ 1030AM (news) are radically shifting. WBZ still has a killer signal; one of the best AM signals in the USA, actually...famous for being heard in 38 states...and able to hurl almost 100,000 watts across an AM-friendly saltwater path right into Boston. Even so, WBZ has seen increasing competition from local (and national) NPR powerhouse WBUR and, more recently, WGBH's flip to mostly-NPR-news, too.
But it's WEEI that's the most eye-opening. After two years of losing substantial market share to upstart SportsHub 98.5 (aka WBZ-FM) despite WEEI having the Red Sox games...Entercom finally killed off Mike 93.7FM and simulcast WEEI on the 93.7 signal.
In just one month, they've jumped from 4.6 (9th) to 7.5 (3rd). No change in programming, other than the Sox making the season more dramatic by losing so much, so you have to attribute a lot - if not all - of that bounce to adding the FM signal.
And mind you, WEEI-FM 93.7 is not an ideal FM signal. It transmits from a tower near Peabody (well north of Boston) as opposed to WBZ-FM 98.5's more-central location on the Newton/Needham tower cluster. WBZ-FM is nearly twice as high in the air, too, and height matters a lot in FM signal reach. But 93.7 is the best FM signal Entercom owns, so that's why they used it. And it still gave that big a boost in listeners.
I think this also says a lot about the downfall of AM Radio. There's no bigger game in Boston than Red Sox games; WEEI is getting a 10+ share with those. And if even THAT isn't enough to get people to listen on AM, then it speaks volumes about how viable AM is as a media platform.
Granted, it's not like AM will shrivel up and die. If there's an audience out there that can't get a particular programming except via an AM station, then a lot of them will listen to an AM station. But not as many as for FM, and they won't be as forgiving of substandard programming. And if there's a competing format on an FM station, you're in for a losing fight.
But this says a lot about two things:
First, anyone who buys an AM station and looks to go head-to-head with an existing station...AM or FM, but especially FM...is making a horrible investment and will probably lose.
Second, there are a lot of signals like WEEI (AM) out there. Class B directional signals built decades ago on land well outside the population center, with directional patterns to protect distant AM stations. Signals that, today, don't cover key demographics as urban sprawl has changed the former farmland around an AM tower into suburbs. WEEI's Needham towers were farmland sixty years ago, and its hard null to the west to protect KOA in Denver meant nothing. Today that null means the well-to-do suburbs of the MetroWest region get poor signal at best from 850AM. WRKO on 680AM has similar issues. So do several stations in Rochester, NY and many other cities.
What do owners of these stations do? They have hefty signals that might cover the core market nicely, but are seriously lacking in covering some key areas, and are on AM which is losing value by the week, it seems. It's not like these signals are worthless, so they can't just sell them at a loss. But they are getting more and more difficult to be profitable with them. What do they do?


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Mingle with Festival stars at an elegant dinner at the Riverwoods
followed by the opening night of She Loves Me at the
historic Ellen Eccles Theatre.
The Riverwoods Conference Center in Logan
Dinner is $100 ($50 tax deductible)
Sponsored by
Enjoy a discount to the Festival's premiere performance
of She Loves Me that evening when you purchase Gala Dinner
and show tickets together. Discounted dinner and show is $135 per ticket.
Business attire suggested.
800.262.0074 ext 3
Dansante Building
59 South 100 West
Logan, Utah 84321
I am not able to attend
but would still like to
make a donation »
Secure Payments


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A program where academic rigor and real world application meet
Bridge year is an early college educational experience that provides Maine juniors and seniors with high school career and technical education (CTE) and college courses. As a result they can leave high school with 25 or more college credits with no debt and with a skill from a CTE school. This allows them to earn an Associate's degree within 12 months of high school graduation and/or complete a Bachelor's degree option at a University of Maine System school in less than four years.
Contact Patricia Libby, 207.581.8020, email@example.com


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Cloud Computing Advantage Under Canada's Anti-Spam Law
The communications prohibitions in Canada's sweeping Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) prohibit, unless exempt, a person from sending a "commercial electronic message" without the consent of the recipient. On January 15, 2015, further prohibitions relating to the installation of computer programs came into force.
CASL imposes significant compliance hurdles for traditional software providers due to its regulation of programs "installed" on a computer system. However CASL does not appear to regulate software-as-a-service to the same extent, and so CASL appears to favour the cloud-computing service business model and supports the expanded adoption of cloud computing in Canada.
Broadly, the software prohibitions in CASL require that a number of specialized formalities be followed in obtaining consent for the installation of computer software, updates to software (including automatic updates), or other computer code on another's computer system. A computer program that performs certain functions will attract additional scrutiny and more onerous disclosure requirements. These functions include, among other things, the collection of personal information, interfering with the control of the computer system and using the system to communicate with other systems without authorization. Under CASL, such software may only be installed on another's computer system with separate express notice and specific consent to such functionality.
Once these restrictions come into force, distribution of traditional enterprise and consumer software products will attract consent and disclosure requirements at most stages of rollout and maintenance. Prudent IT departments, software developers, licensors, vendors, and applicable service providers should review their compliance obligations and procedures in respect of these CASL requirements and assess where they can rely on deemed consent, in the absence of reasonable evidence to the contrary, in a number of specified cases.
The scope of CASL is broad – it captures virtually any computer program or executable code with "instructions or statements that, when executed in a computer system, causes the computer system to perform a function". By contrast, depending on their structure and implementation, cloud based services that do not involve installation of computer programs on another's computer system may not trigger substantive portions of the prohibitions under CASL. Cloud-based services are typically operated on the vendor's (or other) server and provide services to the end user. While distribution of traditional computer programs will require consent and ongoing regulatory compliance, customers of many cloud-based services may not need to consent to the use or update of such software.
Developers and users of cloud-based programs may therefore be spared the onerous compliance effort of more traditional software delivery, and as a result, be in a position to save time and money. CASL creates a regulatory environment supportive of further adoption and migration to cloud-computing solutions. Legitimate software, managed and delivering services from remote servers, may gain a competitive edge in regulatory compliance costs and speed of delivery and updates.
This can be expected to accelerate existing developments as the economic advantages of cloud-based delivery encourage many functions and even entire products to migrate to the cloud. While compliance with the computer program provisions of CASL are likely to be burdensome for some computer industry participants, Canadian cloud-based service providers and users may be in a better position to avoid the ambiguity and complexity of the new regulatory regime.


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a design guru
a dragon
a bunch of passionate, obsessive individuals
Truly was born out of a desire by Tara and Peter to produce beautiful things with high quality, everyday products which would make life easier for everyone.
Welcome to Truly HQ in Marlow, England, we started the company with 4 highly skilled and enthusiastic women crammed into a little office, but within 6 months the team had doubled in size. Head over and meet some of the team.
We're a group of individuals who have a strong passion for family life and all have a deep desire to use our skills to make a difference and be part of something special which is core to our values.
By working directly with a large proportion of our manufacturers, we are able to ensure that you, the consumer, is getting the best product at the best price with suppliers that we are proud to be working with. Every effort has and continues to be made to make sure our products are as sustainable as possible.
Our Founders
With her creative energy, Peter's other half Tara is really the heart of the brand; making her the perfect person to spearhead Truly and create, produce and deliver beautiful products that make life easier.
"I'm constantly inspired by the Truly team, and we're working hard to generate new ideas for products we'd love to have at home ourselves. The product development process has been wholly collaborative, the launch collection is a reflection of the Truly family, and that's something I'm really proud of."
– Tara
While you may know Peter as the hard-nosed cheeky dragon, we know him fondly as our modern-day Superman. Like a real-life superhero, Peter is a phenomenal entrepreneur who knows how to build a business from the ground up.
"I'm immensely proud and excited about Truly. It's been over two years in the making and I believe our products will speak for themselves, both in terms of quality and design. I'm blown away by everyone's constant enthusiasm and creativity to produce outstanding, yet affordable lifestyle pieces. Tara and the team have spent months searching for the best suppliers, both in the UK and around the globe in order to create the perfect Truly collection."
The Truly Foundation
The Truly Foundation aims to make a real difference and it's because of this passion we want to help those less fortunate and support initiatives that have a positive impact on our environment. Caring for people, the environment and our communities is really important to us. Therefore, we will be donating up to 5% of sales to The Truly Foundation where funds will be provided to the charities we are helping. Read about our Foundation here
Our promise to you….
We can't do your weekly food shop, babysit the children or even un-cook the burnt roast dinner but we promise to provide high quality, thoughtful, affordable products that will fit in with your particular lifestyle and needs. We are the thoughtful brand, that helps you take life seriously, without taking yourself too seriously.
"We've got you… go ahead and do your thing!"