INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Place your artwork on the backing and measure the space on each side. You should have the same amount of blank space above and below the artwork, as well as on the left and right sides of the piece. Make small pencil marks in the corners on the backing to record the right spot. It's a good idea to make sure your centering looks right with the window on top of the artwork. This will give you an idea of what your final, matted piece is going to look like. Take a minute to enjoy it before you get back to work. Now that everything's centered, it's time to start attaching all the pieces to one another. Use something heavy, like a sock filled with coins or a heavy glass, to keep your artwork where you want it. Don't worry too much if it shifts, though, since you've made marks to keep track of the centering. Use linen or archival tape to create what's called a hinge to attach your window to the backing. Put two pieces of tape in vertical lines on each side of the back of the piece, so the sticky side doesn't touch the backing. Lay two more pieces of tape horizontally across the vertical pieces (sticky-side down) to adhere the artwork to the backing. Linen and archival tape has the adhesive ability of regular tape, but it won't damage your artwork or mat board. It'll cost more than normal tape, but regular household tape contains acids and other chemicals that may eventually leak onto your artwork. If you're using corners, take off the bottom adhesive and place four of them on the backing at each corner of the piece. For see-through mounting strips, use two on each side of the piece, or eight total, and adhere them to the backing. You can then slip the artwork directly under the corners or strips. Photo corners and strips are best for conservation, as they avoid the damage that even linen tape could cause to your piece. Lay down the window and the backing flush against each other, with the window face down. Use one long strip of linen tape to connect the window to the backing. Place the tape so one half is on the back of the window and one half is on the backing. Fold them together like you're closing a book. It's best to connect the window and backing at the top of the frame. You're now ready to put this matted print into a frame if you'd like a more finished look. You can also attach an adhesive picture hanger to the back of your backing board to hang the matted frame up on the wall by itself.

SUMMARY: Measure to center your artwork on the backing. Check your centering by laying down your window. Use a weight to keep your artwork in place. Tape the back of your art to the backing. Use photo corners or mounting strips to attach your artwork. Attach the window mat by creating a taped hinge.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Nails grow about 1/10 of an inch (2.5 mm) every month, meaning that it takes 3-6 to grow a full nail. If you cut your nails frequentlysay, once each week or twoyou won't need to worry about them growing too long or too wild. If your nails begin to hurt at the edges, you might be developing an ingrown nail; try to trim away the painful growth before it goes too deep, but it would be wiser to seek a health care professional. The goal here is to remove the "free edges" of your nails: the opaque, off-white crescents that grow at the tips of your nails. Cut the nails almost completely straight across, and round them a little at the corners to keep the nails strong. Cutting the nail straight will reduce your chance of developing ingrown nails. If you are a finger-style guitarist, consider leaving the nails long on your picking hand. Keep at least 1/16th inch (1.5 to 2 mm) of nail on each finger of your picking hand. It can be tempting to keep on trimming your nails (for the sake of convenience, aesthetic, or compulsion) even after you've removed the "free edge". If you trim too deeply, however, you will expose the sensitive skin beneath the nail, and you may increase your risk of infection. Try to keep the ends of your nails even with the top of your finger or remove all but a tiny sliver of the opaque "free edge".

SUMMARY: Trim your nails often, but do not be overzealous. Cut your fingernails. Be careful not to cut too much.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you're seasoned in making sewing patterns, you can make your own. Use your measurements to make your pattern, adding 1.5" for seam allowance. If you've never made your own pattern, a wedding dress is a very difficult pattern to begin with. Once you have your fabric and style picked out, you can go to fabric stores and look through pattern books or you can order online. Each will be rated by level of difficulty. Make sure that a key/glossary, layout, and step-by-step instructions are included. When you order your pattern, it is easy to combine multiple sizes to get the pattern as close to your measurements as possible. Patterns can be printed on a variety of materials. For example, it can be printed on large pieces of tissue paper, or stiffer white paper. The stiffer paper is better if you'll be using it a lot. If you decide on tissue paper, make an extra pattern, just in case something happens to the original.

SUMMARY: Make your own sewing pattern. Buy a sewing pattern. Use the right material.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Home remedies may not help with dark underarms if you're suffering from a condition known as acanthosis nigricans, a skin disorder that results in velvety, light-brown-to-black markings in areas that include the armpits. This condition can occur as a result of obesity or an endocrine (glandular) disorder. It is frequently found in people with diabetes or a tendency towards diabetes and is most common among people of African descent. Other possible causes of acanthosis nigricans include Addison's disease, pituitary gland disorders, growth hormone therapy, hypothyroidism or the use of oral contraceptives. If your condition is diabetes related, modifying your diet to restrict starches and sugars may help. If oral contraceptives are at the source of your skin condition, you can try switching to a different form of birth control to see if the condition improves once the medication is stopped. Retin-A, 20% urea, alpha hydroxyacids, and salicylic acid prescriptions may help, but they've been found to be only minimally effective. The most widely used ingredient in skin lighteners sold in the U.S. is hydroquinone, which is regulated by the FDA. Dermatologists can write prescriptions for lighteners that contain up to 4% hydroquinone. Over-the-counter skin lighteners can contain no more than 2% hydroquinone. Always check with your doctor before using a product that contains hydroquinone. Use skin lighteners sold by trusted brands. Although the FDA banned the use of mercury in skin lightening products in the U.S. in 1990, lightening creams that contain this toxic metal have been found here. These products were manufactured in other countries but sold in stores in the U.S., so read labels very carefully when shopping for this product. All women, but especially those with dark skin run the risk of hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) when they use electrolysis for hair removal. If you've been having electrolysis treatments to remove the underarm hair, stopping the treatment should stop more discoloration from occurring.

SUMMARY:
Check with your doctor. Change your diet. Stop taking the pill. Get a prescription. Stop electrolysis.