Interior Design Blog

Quilting has been an age old tradition. In days gone by, women used to gather around and do quilting work together. This was quite exciting for them, as they would get to meet one another, as well as do things that they enjoy together. Quilting has also passed down to generations, and is still carried out by many. Quilters love to spend their time, sewing and patching different pieces of fabrics together and seeing their designs taking shape.

In the olden days, quilts were made by hand, as no machines were available then, and this was quite a time consuming process. If the quilt was small, then it would not take much time. However for larger quilts, time taken to complete was much longer, and these were quite tough to handle. Can you picture, a group of women, all sitting together, making a large quilt, and constantly having to get up and move, in order to cover each part of the quilt. Sounds tiresome doesn’t it?

Thanks to technology, all this has changed. Though there are many, who still prefer to make hand made quilts. Nowadays, you have machines to help you with your quilting. These days, women don’t have the patience, nor the time to sit and hand make quilts, more so if its a large quilt. In today’s age, you’ll find mostly machine made quilts, as hand made quilts have become extremely rare. Machines make the quilting process much quicker, and a lot easier. You can either use a regular sewing machine, which has quilting capabilities or you can use a long arm quilting machine, which is exclusively meant for quilting.

The long arm quilting machine is extremely popular. These machines are specifically meant for quilting larger quilts. Its arm is around 18 inches. These machines are electronic, and make the process of quilting rather quick, as it covers a wider area in a short span of time. Moreover, its much more comfortable as you don’t have to keep getting up and changing your position or the quilt’s position. This long arm machine makes the quilting process much more efficient, and is time saving as well. You can now make a quilt with a long arm quilting machine in a short period of time, and with not too much of effort.

A regular sewing machine can also be used for your quilting purpose. However the main draw back with a regular machine is that, its arm is just seven inches in length. And so the person who’s making the quilt, can focus only on a portion of the quilt, at a time. Moreover, you have to keep shifting your position, along with the quilt, so that it fits into the sewing machine. This lands up being as uncomfortable and uneasy as making your quilts with hand, where you have to keep moving.

You can purchase a long arm quilting machine at various prices. The difference in prices is mainly due to the quality of the machine. Machines of well known brands, are naturally much more higher than the lesser known brands. It all depends on you, your budget and how much your going to be using your long arm quilting machine. You rather spend a little more than compromise on quality. Alternatively you can wait for sales or discounts.

For more tips and techniques on quilting then why not visit our craft information site or check out the Essential Guide to Quilting!

As the government and manufacturers throughout the world continue (and in some cases resist) to do their part when it comes to creating more eco-smart and friendly products the next step is for the consumers to begin making smarting choices during their shopping.

The problem with many of these new eco-friendly products is they are often more expensive than the regular products and as the economy is not stable today it can be hard to afford the right products even if you wanted to. This can make for difficult decisions for many people but as the economy begins to even out the choice should be simple; save the earth through your small actions.

When we refer to actions that are small this certainly does not mean they are insignificant. Small actions can be choosing to turn off your computer at night to save electricity and choosing to buy eco-friendly car insurance for your car. Many people are under the impression that these small actions are not enough to make an impact on global warming. The irony of this type of thinking is that when we all feel this way it is true. But on the other hand when we each make this global warming prevention conscious decisions throughout the day we are making a big difference altogether.

As one of the largest and most influential countries in the world it is important to take note that how we begin to prevent global warming through individual gestures we are quite literally setting the example for the rest of the world. First and foremost we need to focus on conserving the energy we use throughout the day. By paying attention to the amount of energy we use in a day it is easy to see just how much has been wasted over the years. There are energy conserving light bulbs which can be purchased and the simple act of turning off lights, electronics and conserving your heat and air conditioning throughout the year in order to do your part.

First it is important to consider fuel efficiency for driving. With more and more fuel efficient vehicles being produced today and even eco-friendly insurance for your vehicles this is a large step in the right direction. Of course you are not expected to rush out and buy a new vehicle to help with global warming prevention but for those of you interested in buying a new vehicle, think fuel efficiency. Combine this with driving less and you are really making an impact in the global warming prevention plan.

Having looked at the ways to stop global warming with regards to transportation, you can now focus on disposing of household waste products like old bottles, newspapers, excess paper, tins, unwanted toys, food and other such items. As there are many different types of household waste items to look at you should separate the ones that you have and dispose of them in this manner.

For instance you can make compost for your garden from food stuff like onion peelings, tea leaves, spoiled vegetables and fruit can be turned into compost. The items like tins, old bottles, papers and newspapers can be taken to recycling centers where they will be eventually taken for recycling.

You can take your old clothes, toys and other goods to charity shops so that someone else will have the chance of using them. This way you can prevent the many garbage dumps from becoming too full. This is another way to stop global warming that seldom crosses our minds.

Appliances can be the largest problem when it comes to conserving energy. The problem with older appliances is not only that we don’t realize they are a problem but that they literally suck dry our energy throughout the day. Although many people believe it is still cheaper to keep their old appliances you will see a big difference in your electrical bill when you replace them with new and eco-friendly appliances.

Aside from these larger actions there are dozens of different choices that can be made throughout the day in order to help with global warming prevention.

- Reduce the size of your yard and therefore reducing the amount of lawn that needs to be cut

- Recycle as much as possible

- Eat locally produced foods

- Choose clean energy options

- Paint your home a light color if you live in a warmer climate and a dark color if you live in a cooler climate. This can contribute saving up to 5000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

It is completely normal to find it hard to adapt to these types of lifestyle changes and this is why it becomes important to think of the big picture. By choosing to accommodate to these changes in your life, you are doing your part to prevent global warming and this should make you feel good inside. Although we may not be the ones who suffer the most from global warming we can choose to take action today in order to prevent any disasters in the future. Global warming is real and the more we begin to accept and understand what is going on around us the more likely we will be able to stop it.

Christophe Catesson - Communication Manager for http://www.theglobalwarmingoverview.com. An unbiased platform about global warming and the environment. News, forum, debate, information to take educated action as a global environmental citizen.

Tacori is to diamond jewelry what Mercedes is to motor vehicles or Chanel to cosmetics and fashion. Tacori jewelry is known as being of the finest standard, and the settings that they lovingly create are often instantly recognized for their unique and detailed work.

Tacori jewelry is all handcrafted and will last you a lifetime. Many Tacori settings are inspired by vintage and antique style settings, but with the additional engraving and modern stones, these rings are transformed into timeless and contemporary elegance. This is especially handy when contemplating special rings that are going to be worn for a long time. Who wants an engagement or eternity ring that is instantly recognized as being from a particular era?

How do you know if it is authentic Tacori? All Tacori pieces have “TACORI” stamped quite visibly on the inner band of the ring. Tacori rings can be chosen for the setting that you love. Then you are able to select the diamond you prefer for the center stone. This is a fantastic way to get a truly unique ring that has been made just for your requirements.

Tacori jewelry is only available in platinum or 18 or 22K gold. Platinum is not only a hard wearing metal, but its color also highlights the diamonds and can actually make the diamonds in your setting appear larger. Platinum is much heavier and more precious than gold. Platinum will also never lose its shine and will never tarnish. Platinum will not wear and is hypoallergenic. What does this mean? Your Tacori platinum ring is going to look as good as new for a lifetime. Tacori is also famous for many of its two tone metal settings.

A Tacori setting is going to frame your very own hand chosen diamond. Diamonds can look entirely different depending upon the setting that you select. This is the beauty of the Tacori system. You can either select a setting that you love first, and then select an appropriate diamond in your price range, or alternatively you may have already found your diamond and are seeking a setting to display it. These are the sorts of small touches that ensure that no two Tacori rings are ever going to be the same.

To qualify as a Tacori diamond, a diamond must be of a G in color, and have a clarity of VS. What does this mean? It means that the diamonds in your ring are going to sparkle beautifully, containing only very small flaws that are almost invisible to the naked eye, and have a rare white color. (The less apparent flaws and the less background color, the more valuable the diamond.)

Tacori pride themselves on the quality of their pieces. An individual setting is hand made, from the initial wax molding through to the final finishing touches of polishing, engraving, and delicate hand working around the stones. To view Tacori products visit visit the Tacori Bridal section at Rokstok. Reproduction of this article requires that everything is kept in tact including the author biography.

The Tacori company has been based in California for more than 30 years. You cannot purchase any Tacori jewelry through the Tacori company itself, only through specially selected jewelry retailers.

Tacori rings are a statement of not only high quality but of uniqueness. These handmade rings are timeless classics that will last a lifetime and never lose their elegance or beauty. Tacori, heirloom pieces in the making.

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry business buying and selling over $20,000,000 in diamonds, engagement rings and custom designed jewelry. He as traveled to Belgium and Israel to work with international diamond dealers and works as an advisor for DBC Diamonds an international consortium of diamond dealers. His experience in the jewelry business has become invaluable to consumers and business owners. He can be contacted at 1-888-296-4890 or to view current Tacori styles visit Rokstok. Reproduction of this article requires that everything is kept in tact including the author biography.

According to Marilyn Monroe, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Indeed, for many girls they are the number one choice when designing their own engagement ring. The sparkle and brilliance given off by a well cut and quality diamond can be hard to outshine.

There are many advantages to a diamond engagement ring:

* Go with anything. The traditional colorless diamond is of course going to go with anything. All colored outfits, and blacks and whites look superb with diamond rings. Even more importantly, any other jewelry you already have, or aspire to own in the future, will always match a diamond engagement ring. This can be an important consideration for some girls, particularly if you are partial to pearls. Your strand of pearls and diamond engagement ring will always look absolutely stunning together.

* Hard wearing. Diamonds are the hardest gemstone in the world. This means that they are impervious to being banged and knocked around. (However, it is important to remember that the setting holding your diamonds in place is not quite so indestructible.) If you lead an active lifestyle you may prefer to have a diamond ring to minimize the risk of damaging your stones.

* Multiple shapes. Diamonds lend themselves to being cut into a variety of shapes. From traditional round to square to emerald to marquise to heart, the variety of shapes to select from is staggering. Many contemporary designs of engagement rings are incorporating several cuts of diamonds into the one ring. This can add a lot of visual interest and sparkle to your ring. Great examples are baguettes being added to shanks, and square or Asscher cuts being surrounded with tiny brilliant cut diamonds.

* Various prices. Diamonds are available in a wide range of prices to suit any budget. The color, cut, size, and clarity of the diamonds will all play a part in determining how much, or how little you pay. When designing your own engagement ring you will be able to liaise with your custom jeweler who will be able to provide you with various pricings and diamond alternatives.

* Colored diamonds. Diamonds are now available in a wide array of colors apart from the traditional bluish white. Popular other colors now include pink, yellow and black. Pink diamonds in particular are extremely popular, but also quite costly due to their rarity. Champagne and cognac colored diamonds are less expensive and can be used to bulk up an engagement ring while keeping the price tag down. Colored diamonds can be a fantastic way to add some subtle or spectacular color to your engagement ring while still maintaining the extreme hardness of all the stones in your ring.

* Other gemstones. Some girls have a favorite color that they may wish to incorporate into their engagement ring. Rubies and sapphires are popular choices to add to diamonds. Since rubies and sapphires are almost as hard as diamonds, they are practical choices for those seeking a dramatic splash of color in their ring. Tacori, in particular, have some exquisite vintage inspired engagement rings that incorporate rubies or sapphires along with diamonds.

Custom made jewelry is a fantastic way of obtaining the engagement ring of your dreams. Your jeweler will be able to advise you on your diamond or other gemstone preferences. Designing your own engagement ring gives provides you with the opportunity to select each and every diamond for your engagement ring.

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry business buying and selling over $20,000,000 in diamonds, engagement rings and custom designed jewelry. He as traveled to Belgium and Israel to work with international diamond dealers and works as an advisor for DBC Diamonds an international consortium of diamond dealers. His experience in the jewelry business has become invaluable to consumers and business owners. He can be contacted at 1-888-296-4890 or to learn more about how you can design my own engagement ring visit Rokstok.

Gone are the days of a man’s wedding band being a simple circle of gold or platinum. Of course, these traditional options are still available and many men will prefer the simpler statement. However, for those men looking for a little something extra, there is a huge variety of wedding rings to select from.

The Tacori collection has a wide range of wedding bands for the male. From the simple and elegant platinum band, to bands set with diamonds, and the famous engraved Tacori rings.

Hand worked. Tacori wedding bands are well known for being hand made and of a superior quality that will last a lifetime. Many couples love the idea of their wedding rings being made by the one renowned jeweler. This can be a great way to have either matching wedding bands, or wedding bands designed to compliment the other. For example, the bride may have chosen an intricate Tacori engagement ring with engraving and filigree work. While the husband may not be wanting something quite so feminine or intricate, he may like to have a portion of the patterning or carving worked in a more simplistic or masculine manner on his wedding band.

There are also male wedding rings carved or engraved with the eye catching and unique Tacori designs. Scrolls and leaves are two of the more well recognized Tacori signatures for men.

Diamonds. More and more men are opting to have their wedding band set with diamonds. While this trend was initially started by the rich and famous, it has become much more mainstream. Diamonds in a Tacori band can be as subtle or stated as you require. Some men opt to have the same size or number of diamonds in their wedding band as their wife is having in hers. This can be a nice alternative to the totally matching his and hers wedding bands.

Matching his and hers. Many couple decide to have matching his and hers wedding bands. This is a great way of showing a united front to the rest of the world. Matching his and hers wedding bands can be very eye catching and are statements in themselves. There are many Tacori wedding bands that are suitable for both men and women.

Platinum, gold, or two tone. One of the biggest questions facing a male is the type of metal he wants his wedding ring to be made from. Platinum is becoming increasingly popular due to its high shine, luxurious look, and the fact that it will never wear or tarnish. These can be fairly major considerations for any male who may not be quite so diligent in caring for a piece of jewelry as his wife.

Rhodium plated white gold can be a more cost effective option in the short term. However, the rhodium plating needs to be touched up periodically to maintain the high shine, and to prevent the grayer color of the white gold showing through. Platinum or white gold wedding bands are also going to always look fantastic with a stainless steel watch.

Tacori wedding bands are available for men in platinum, white gold, yellow gold or two tone. Two tone wedding rings can be a great way of obtaining visual interest in a wedding band while still maintaining a very masculine look. Two tone can also be an excellent way to perhaps tie in the male’s stainless steel watch and the wife’s gold jewelry, for those couples who want everything to match.

Custom made Tacori wedding rings for men will not only last a lifetime, but are available in a wide range from simple traditional bands to unique and decorated wedding rings in the designs that Tacori has become famous for.

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry business buying and selling over $20,000,000 in diamonds, engagement rings and custom designed jewelry. He as traveled to Belgium and Israel to work with international diamond dealers and works as an advisor for DBC Diamonds an international consortium of diamond dealers. His experience in the jewelry business has become invaluable to consumers and business owners. He can be contacted at 1-888-296-4890 or to view current Tacori styles visit Rokstok.

Platinum or gold? No, we are not talking about the color of your AmEx card here, but the color of the metal you are planning for your engagement ring. The very first decision when designing your own engagement ring will be what metal you will be wanting your ring to be crafted from. Your basic choices are platinum or gold. Gold is available in a variety of colors including white, yellow or rose.

While platinum is certainly a more costly metal it does have a few long term advantages over gold. Firstly, platinum is a harder metal and will not wear down. Secondly, it will not lose its shine or tarnish, whereas white gold that has been rhodium plated needs to be re-plated periodically to maintain its shine. Thirdly, platinum is hypoallergenic.

Platinum can also be used to advantage in settings to help showcase your diamond. The ring setting will be less obtrusive, and the white metal setting can actually make your diamond look a little larger. The high shine of the platinum will enhance the fire and sparkle of your diamond engagement ring.

A platinum engagement ring will certainly last you a lifetime. This ring will be just as shiny in 20 or 50 years as the day he slips it on your finger. Have you ever noticed how worn your grandparent’s gold engagement and wedding rings have become over time? Well, with platinum your engagement ring will never fade away.

Platinum is certainly becoming more and more popular with the celebrities. The extremely high shine of the metal does exude a luxurious glamor.

Platinum rings can also look superb with stainless steel wrist watches. As we all know, stainless steel watches are another hard wearing jewelry item, and range in styles from athletic to formal.

Gold may be less expensive initially, but in terms of wear and tear, and repairs over a lifetime, it may well be a case of false economy. However, many girls do like the color that gold is available in. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice. If you prefer yellow or rose gold, then go for it. Perhaps you could have the claws or the setting made from platinum or white gold to highlight the diamond and have the actual band made from the metal of your choice. Or alternatively, have a platinum band that will not wear, and then have colored gold of your choice engraved or filigreed to give you a highly decorative and unique ring.

Yet another alternative is to incorporate both yellow and white metals for more complex designs. This can be a great way to get the best of both worlds or to perhaps keep the price of your engagement ring down. By incorporating both a yellow gold with platinum or white gold in your engagement ring, you will be always able to continue wearing both your yellow and white gold jewelry.

Custom made engagement rings are a fantastic way of ensuring that your engagement ring is absolutely made to your finest requirements. Contemporary designs of engagement rings can allow you a great selection of metals from which to craft your ring. Platinum, gold, or a mix of both, when designing your own engagement ring, the choice is totally yours.

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry business buying and selling over $20,000,000 in diamonds, engagement rings and custom designed jewelry. He as traveled to Belgium and Israel to work with international diamond dealers and works as an advisor for DBC Diamonds an international consortium of diamond dealers. His experience in the jewelry business has become invaluable to consumers and business owners. He can be contacted at 1-888-296-4890 or to learn about custom jewelry visit Design my own engagement ring styles visit Rokstok.

When designing your own engagement ring it can be very easy to forget about your wedding ring. Many girls have inadvertently selected an engagement ring and then found to their horror down the track that the wedding ring of their dreams does not fit with their engagement ring. This can sometimes be an issue if you admire the more traditional wedding band that has no cutting away.

However the great benefit of having a custom made engagement ring is that your jeweler should be able to accommodate your wishes. If you want a flat band speak up at the design stage so that you are all on the right page.

* Your wedding ring. The wedding ring that you will be wearing is actually a more important consideration than many girls realize. Will you be wearing your wedding ring alone? Will you always be wearing your engagement and wedding rings as a set? Once they are married, some girls opt to just wear their wedding ring solo for day to day activities, preferring to keep their engagement ring for better events. This can have some advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of not wearing your engagement ring all the time is that it is exposed to less wear and tear. The downside being if it is extremely valuable and should become lost or stolen while not on your finger.

If you are planning on wearing your wedding band on its own, do you prefer the look of a more traditional ring or would you be happy to have a cut out band? If you are not interested in a cut away band be sure to mention this to your jeweler before they start work on your engagement ring. The advantage to a cut out band is that it will fit perfectly with your engagement ring and anchor it firmly in place.

Another question you need to consider is whether you will be wanting your wedding ring to have any diamonds in it. This can impact significantly on the design of your engagement ring. Custom made engagement rings allow you to have your engagement and wedding ring made all at the same time. This will ensure that everything will be a perfect match, right down to the width of the matching bands.

* His and hers. Some couples elect to have matching or similarly styled wedding bands. Some custom jewelers such as Tacori have a range of men’s wedding bands that complement their bridal jewelry range. Matching wedding bands are not only eye catching but a great way to display your union.

* Eternity rings. Will you be wanting an eternity ring on your first wedding anniversary? Will you be wanting to wear it on the same finger? Will there be any room left on your finger? These are all questions you need to consider and raise with your custom jeweler. Will the style of eternity ring that you have always admired tie in with your engagement and wedding ring?

When designing your engagement ring it is important to consider your wedding ring. One day that gorgeous creation sitting on your finger will have an accompaniment. Your jeweler will be able to advise and assist you with your wedding ring requirements.

Don’t forget about your wedding ring in the excitement of designing your own engagement ring.

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry business buying and selling over $20,000,000 in diamonds, engagement rings and custom designed jewelry. He as traveled to Belgium and Israel to work with international diamond dealers and works as an advisor for DBC Diamonds an international consortium of diamond dealers. His experience in the jewelry business has become invaluable to consumers and business owners. He can be contacted at 1-888-296-4890 or to learn more about how you can Design my own engagement ring visit Rokstok.

Need fast and simple solutions for your garage organization problems? Here are seven tips to help you get that garage in order and organized for good.

Hanging Racks

Getting racks that you can hang from the rafters of your garage works great for a variety of items. This garage organization solution works especially well for bikes. It keeps them from taking away valuable floor space while still keeping them easily accessible.

Hooks

Hooks are a great solution for many garage items. Long handled items that have a hole in the end work well to hang on hooks. If you use tarps or any sort of cover for your car or grill, hanging these things on hooks in the garage when they are not in use works very well.

Pegboards

This is one of the best garage organization tips that there is. Pegboards are the most flexible and inexpensive garage organization tools that there is. You can easily change how your garage is organized just by changing where you put your pegboard holders.

When you do get it organized exactly the way you want, take a picture of it and hang the picture up next to the holders. Do this for every section of the garage that has pegboard holders. It works best to do this for each section of the pegboard rather than taking a picture of the entire thing.

Shelves

The best way to use shelves in your garage is for storing containers and smaller items. Make sure that whatever shelving you install will be able to handle the weight load of what you are going to put on it.

Keep sharp and dangerous items off the floor

This is one of those garage organization tips that seems obvious but which is not always easy to follow. Making sure that things like rakes and hoes get put in their proper place is important for safety. When these items end up on the floor, you can have an unpleasant surprise if you are not watching where you are walking. Always put back items in their proper place that are potentially dangerous.

Secure hazardous items

This is another one of those garage organization tips that has to do with safety, always an important topic when you are dealing with garage storage. Anything that is toxic to humans or animals should be kept in a secure area that small children and pets cannot reach. Things like paint, weed killers, bug sprays and gas all belong in this category. If you have pets that go in the garage and they can climb, this means putting these items in high cabinets that you can close. If you have children, it is always a good idea to let them know at a young age what is and is not dangerous in the garage.

Wall Tool Holders

These work well for weed trimmers, shovels, rakes, garden equipment and brooms. Having a wall tool holder not only helps keep these items organized but it also means that they stay off the floor.

Need more help getting that garage organized? Get more simple garage organization tips (including help so that you can finally actually park your car in the garage) at: http://www.yourhomeisorganized.com/GarageOrganization.htm

There are a lot of different applications for local hauling and garbage removal companies. Although most people believe it’s as simple as debris removal from construction sites, a number of other situations also warrant these convenient services. Let’s take a look at a few.

Hauling companies can help with yard clean-up. We all know how it feels to go through a poorly kept yard and pull out all the weeds and shrubs that have accumulated over the months or years. After pulling everything out and trimming the grass left behind, you can easily have piles of waste left behind; too much for the compost and too heavy to carry away. A hauling company can quickly clear that away, leaving only your clean yard behind.

Concrete is one of the heaviest things you’ll find anywhere. What happens when you pull out an old cracked sidewalk and replace it with new concrete? You end up with a pile of extremely heavy and inconvenient slabs that you can’t easily move anywhere. A hauling company can take that broken concrete out of your way and drop it off in a safe location.

How clean is your garage? If it’s anything like mine, it’s filled with old accumulated items. And when you finally get around to going through it all, you quickly realize that you no longer need most of it. At the same time, no one is likely to purchase it at a garage sale so you’re stuck. Call a hauling company and they can take it away in an hour or two.

Buying new furniture is great but it almost always replaces some old piece from years ago that you no longer need, use or want. How do you get rid of that old couch? Who would want such a thing? A garbage removal company can come, carry it out of your house and cart it away without you having to worry about a thing.

Many of us have small trees we’d like to one day remove. There again, it seems easy at first blush. But once you start cutting it apart and taking the roots out of the ground, you see how big of a job it truly is. Hauling companies can come to the rescue and take all that debris out of your yard without you lifting a finger.

Building a new fence? Great! But what are you going to do with the old one. You might be surprised how much wood is actually involved. When it’s standing up, it looks pretty manageable. But once you start dismantling it and stacking the wood, you’re left with a pile of junk that rivals any demolition project. Not only can a hauling company take the debris away but they can do the demolition as well.

Whether we like to discuss it or not, we all die at some point. And when we do, we often leave behind a life time worth of accumulated junk. Estate clean up projects can often be one of the toughest jobs of all, not only because of the sheer volume of stuff but also because of the memories attached to all the individual items. A hauling company can help you get that stuff cleared out quickly.

As you can see, there are a lot of scenarios where a hauling and garbage removal company can come in handy. Get to know you’re local providers so you know who to call when one of those situations presents itself in your life.

AllAmericanHauling.net was founded by Bryan Bell over 16 years ago and provides hauling and garbage removal services in Walnut Creek and Concord. Call Bryan at 925-256-0187 to get a free quote today.

Tales of Otherworlds are almost universal in folklore and myth. There is not space to recount all of them, but today there has been a renewed interest in tales from the British Isles and Scandinavia, specifically those related to faeries, elves and other such Otherworldly creatures.

An interesting question to consider is whether these ancient tales were perhaps references to what modern philosophers and quantum physicists now call multidimensions, parallel worlds or possible worlds. These are all terms for the theory that reality is made of many dimensions, not all of them conforming to the same laws, especially in terms of time.

Faerie stories from the British Isles are of particular interest here, because they often specifically refer to the distortion of time that occurs when mortals interact with denizens of faerie. One of the most popular stories, from Ireland, is that of Oisin, a young man who falls in love with a faery woman, Niamh, and follows her to Tir Na Nog, the Land of Eternal Youth. Tir Na Nog is a fascinating topic of its own, as it is a place where time as we know it does not exist. Oisin, of course, is mortal, but has the choice of remaining in Tir Na Nog where he would become immune to the passage of time. As often occurs in such tales, he makes the mistake of returning to his native land, where he finds that hundreds of years have passed and everyone he knew are long dead.

Stories from other lands have similar themes. The Welsh version of Tir Na Nog is Annwn, which is featured in the Mabinogion collection of stories. The Norse have Valhalla, though this is less a parallel world and more like the Christian heaven, as it is a place where mortals go after dying a heroic death.

Yet another, more modern, version of time distortion occurs in stories (whether true or not) of alien abductions. These are often frightening experiences, though sometimes the aliens encountered are friendly. In many cases, a common feature is that when the person is fortunate enough to be returned to earth, a distortion of time has occurred. As with faerie stories, this time distortion can go either way -even much more or much less time has passed than the “victim” believed.

We can, of course, simply categorize all of these tales as just that -tales, based on superstition, imagination or just plain fabrication, perhaps with alcohol or drugs thrown in the mix. However, when we consider the enormous number of such tales that are similar in so many respects, we might just as likely consider that there may be something to them. Could there not be a myriad of realities, some of which, under certain conditions, overlap with our own?

Shamans have traditionally believed something similar. Shamanic journeying involves visits to other realities and interacting with spirits and beings who reside there. Another aspect of shamanism is the belief that the dream world is just as real as the waking world, and that we are actually “journeying” to these Otherworlds when dreaming. That is why we often encounter people in dreams who are deceased in “real life.”

It would be difficult, probably impossible, to prove in a rationalistic way that any of these tales or experiences represent actual shifts in reality or visits to Otherworlds. Those interested in pursuing this possibility, however, might do well to study folklore alongside some modern theories of philosophy and physics and consider the similarities.

For more about possible worlds and quantum physics, visit Possible Worlds Explore the elusive world of Faerie Realms