Often times we want to store items in our scrapbooks, yet we don’t want to glue the item down on the page, and we don’t want the small page protectors bought in the store.

The solution is simple. Make your own storage envelopes for your scrapbook pages. These envelopes can range from very simple to very detailed.

Here are a couple of suggestions on how to make envelopes:

1. Take an envelope in your home. Choose any size, large or small. Unfold the envelope and lay it out on your paper. Choose a paper that will coordinate with the scrapbook pages you are creating. Trace the open envelope. Cut out the shape and fold into an envelope. You may need to score the fold lines with a ruler or other straight edge tool. You now have an envelope the exact size of the one you unfolded.

2. Coluzzle makes both an envelope template and a library card template. Both templates come in many sizes. You trace the template on the paper of your choice with an exacto blade, cut out and then fold into an envelope. This technique can allow you to have a few envelopes of the same pattern, but in very different sizes.

3. Take the sheet of paper you wish to use for your “envelope”. Cut that sheet of paper in half diagonally. Match the straight edge of your envelope with the straight edge of the bottom of your scrapbook page. Attach the envelope at the three points. You now have an “envelope” right on the page that you can put items into. I almost always use cardstock for this technique, as cardstock is stronger and will hold up better on the page.

All of these styles of envelopes can be decorated with embellishments, stickers or rubber stamps. These envelopes make great additions to your scrapbook pages.

Filtration Efficiency

While cleaning, surface dust particles disperse into the air and result in airborne dust and allergens. These dust particles when inhaled can affect our general health. We can effectively control the dust particles in the air we breathe by using vacuum cleaners with efficient filtration. A vacuum cleaner uses the force exerted by its air flow, along with brushing action, to pick up the dirt and dust and carry it into its dust-bag or other dirt container. For vacuum cleaners that have external exhausts, such as Central Vacuum Systems, the same air is circulated back into the air after passing through the vacuum cleaner.

Importance of Filtration Efficiency

Dust mites are usually responsible for dust related allergens. These dust mites are so small (about 125 µm long), that they are just barely visible to the naked eye under normal conditions. Some dust mites can be even smaller. They are everywhere around us. We breathe in and out several thousands every second. They are scavengers that feed on our skin scales but can not actually bite us. The point to be noted here is the minute nature of these organisms.

To keep us from breathing in dust mites and other allergens, a vacuum cleaner’s filtration system must be very efficient at trapping very small particles. Vacuum cleaner manufacturers have progressed in improving filtration efficiency of their vacuum cleaners. Over time, the air filtration technology has evolved, and innovative ideas have been adopted. HEPA specification is one of the latest and highly recommended filtration efficiency standards. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA compliant filter are highly recommended for the people who have disorders like asthma and allergies.

HEPA and ULPA Filtration Specifications

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) was developed by the Atomic Energy Commission during World War II as a filtration efficiency specification for filters to remove radioactive dust from nuclear plant exhausts without redistribution. A HEPA compliant filter has the capability to filter out particles as small as 0.3 µm in size with an efficiency rating of 99.97%.

The term HEPA is used primarily in USA. In Europe the same filtration efficiency specification is known by the term S-Class specification. This indicates that the filtration efficiency of that filter meets standards like the British Standard 5415 and German norm: DIN 2418B Ti-E EU 13 for filtration performance.

A ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) compliant filter (theoretically) can remove from the air at least 99.999% of dust and any airborne particles with a size of 0.12 µm or larger. These filters are made for environments like pharmaceutical labs, where these smallest particles can cause critical problems.

Vacuum cleaners with HEPA and ULPA filtration efficiency are tested and marked with a certification number. The vacuum cleaners claiming to have HEPA or ULPA filtration specifications must have this certification on their vacuums and in accompanied documents. Vacuum cleaners should be completely sealed and all air must pass through the filters.

The presentation of your business is paramount to its success. Often as small business owners or even just busy business owners it can be very easy to fall into the trap of doing something quickly. We all know the pace of business is crazy and if your business can not keep up with the frantic pace of others you can quickly start losing tons of potential clients. However just getting things done is not always the best way to earn customers or build a business. Often by just tweaking a few of the things that a business does everyday can make a huge difference. For example do you use good quality letterhead paper when sending out proposals?

Many business owners will state that this is useless and so much is done electronically or by fax that good quality letterhead paper is a useless expense and a thing of the past. At times it can be pretty hard to refute this. While it is true that more and more communication is sent by email and a lot less formal then even a decade ago there are some things that will stil hurt your business expansion very quickly. One thing that can rapidly damage a business is the image they portray. For example if you simply send out a bunch of proposals to clients by fax to get them out quick and never follow up with a formal proposal on great quality paper with an exceptional letterhead then you are sacrificing your business’ image. However, if you really put in a little extra effort and very little extra cost and use good quality letterhead papers to follow up a faxed or email proposal with a hard copy written proposal you will be doing wonders for your business image. You will establish yourself as a quality business that does quality work and also demand a higher price and higher clientele base. This will lead to your business winning more contracts, forming better partner relationships and become a trustworthy business with a reputation for quality.

It sounds kind of silly and old fashioned to some people’s ear however those that take the time know how important it is. If you want to portray yourself as a professional company then you must go out and use the best products from top to bottom. This includes sending correspondence on good quality letterhead paper with matching envelopes if at all possible.

So what should you look for in a quality paper?

Stick With Tradition

99.9% of the time it is advisable to simply stick with tradition when selecting the proper stationary and letterhead paper for your business. This means finding good quality paper that is either white or ivory. You want to make sure that your business shows that it knows what a traditional business should do and by using and following the traditions like using good quality white or ivory stationary your business will establish this knowledge. Sure if you are an artistic or cutting edge company you might want to break tradition and this would not apply to you but in 99.9 percent of the cases stick with a white or ivory paper. If your business does wants to be more cutting edge then try a light colored paper like a soft gray or other color that might fit with your particular business. What About The Finish

This is kind of a matte of personal choice and the type of company selecting the paper. Typically you can find high quality professional letterhead papers with a rough finish or a smooth finish. This is really up to your own business needs of course. The most traditional way to go would be a quality white paper with a smooth finish. However if your company is focused on nature or website design for example you might want to send something that is course and some texture to it.

To Watermark Or Not To Watermark That Is The Question

A watermark is a slight indentation or thin spot in the paper that can be seen when the paper is held up to the light. This typically was used by paper makers to claim their paper. They each put their own individual unique watermark. However today a watermark is a nice security feature and also gives the stationary an extra classy feel and look to it. So typically it is advisable to use a letterhead paper with a watermark. It will provide a little extra security from your document being copied and it will establish your business as a quality partner.

So if you have not chosen a professional logo or letterhead design yet it is time to get something out there. Take your time with the design and while you are working on that start scouting out some good quality letterhead paper and stationary sets that include envelopes. This will help establish your professional image for your clients and help to attract new clients.