Problem: Article: Do not add irrelevant elements in your speech. Get to the point and say what you mean so that your listener can respond accordingly. Verbal communication is different than other forms of communication in that it is easier to get off topic, which can make it hard to remember what the conversation was really supposed to be about. This is confusing for your listener. So, stay on topic. Always include a consideration for your audience/listeners when planning out a speech or thinking about an upcoming conversation. You don't want to say something that might be taken the wrong way or offend your audience. Making and maintaining eye contact is crucial when speaking to people, whether one-on-one or in a group setting. It shows attentiveness and interest in what's being said. Increased eye contact is associated with credibility and dominance, so it is important to maintain solid eye contact when speaking to individuals or to a group. Note: When you are addressing a crowd, you should not look at one for more than 5 seconds. This is too personal/intimate for a group setting. Practice smiling while you speak. This is especially important when addressing groups of people because it is a simple way to build a foundational relationship with people you may not have any one-on-one interaction with. Smiling helps us form and sustain interpersonal relationships, so it is an essential part of communicating with others. Do not speak in hurry, as it will make the listener think that you are confused or that you don't know what you're talking about. Speak slowly and confidently. From the standpoint of a listener, a sarcastic remark requires a process of decoding and interpretation before they can understand what has been said, what has been meant, and if the two are the same. Everyone likes to laugh, so humor can be a great way to lighten up your conversation and make your listener more receptive to your message. Note: Of course, you should avoid vulgar or inappropriate humor to avoid offending your listener. Your body language should be relaxed. This means that you should not cross your arms or stiffen your body. When addressing groups of people, it is important to use your hand gestures to emphasize your message. Try not to be overly animated, but don't keep your arms stiff at your side either. Your audience won't put any stock in what you say if you act unsure or timid. You have to show your listeners that you believe in your message before you can expect them to believe you too.
Summary: Be concise and clear. Don't get off on tangents. Be considerate. Make eye contact. Smile. Pace yourself. Avoid sarcasm. Try to incorporate humor. Practice open/relaxed body language. Be sure of yourself.

Problem: Article: Place one of the cakes cut-side-up onto a pretty plate. Swirl some buttercream frosting onto the top of the cake. This time, set it cut-side-down. Use your hands to make the two layers even; you don't want any overhanging edges. Place the tip of the bag against the center of the cake. Using gentle pressure, begin piping out frosting while moving the bag outward in a circle. Think of it as drawing a tight spiral. For a simpler cake: plop icing on top, then use cake decorating spatula to spread it towards the edges and down the sides. Work your way around the first rose that you made until you fill the top of the cake. Continue making more roses along the sides of the cake. You should be able to make about 2 to 3 rows of roses along the sides. Go over your cake and check for any gaps between the roses. If you see any, fill them in with a small squirt of frosting. If you used a coupler, you can switch to a simple round tip for this step. You don't have to do this, but it's a great way to bring some color to your cake, especially if you spread the frosting instead of piped it on. Plus, your little one might like the texture when he or she grabs the cake! Instead of going for the basic rainbow sprinkles, consider using something more creative, such as silver hearts, gold stars, or edible glitter.
Summary: Spread some buttercream onto the first layer for the filling. Place the second layer on top. Pipe a tight circle onto the cake to make a simple rose. Continue making more roses. Fill the gaps in with more frosting. Finish off with some sprinkles, if desired.

Problem: Article: Open up the packet of gel/wax that came with your kit and dip the metal end of the pen into the gel/wax to pick some up. This will make it possible for the pen to pick up the drills. Some kits come with a special wax pencil that you have to sharpen instead. In this case, sharpen the pencil using a pencil sharpener. Some pens will have a wide end too, which you can use to pick up to three drills at one time. This will also need to be dipped in the gel/wax first. Gently press the tip of the pen against the top, faceted part of the drill. Lift the pen away from the tray; the drill should be stuck to it. Keep the tray just below the edge of your canvas; this will make it easier to access. Pull the pen away; the crystal should be stuck against the canvas. If you are just starting out, it might be a good idea to press lightly at first. This way, if the drill is off-set, you can nudge it back into place, then press down on it to secure it. This is exactly like painting by number, except that you are using drills instead. Work one color at a time and refill the pen with wax as needed. When you finish filling in all the squares with the same symbols, move onto the next color. This will help you work faster and stay organized. Avoid resting your hand against the canvas; the more you touch the sticky surface, the less tacky it will become. Continue filling in the canvas using the same technique as before. Work in 1 to 2-inch (2.54 to 5.08-centimeter) wide sections, one color at a time. When you completely fill in a section, move on to the next one. Do not peel the entire plastic covering away, or the adhesive on the canvas will get dirty and lose its tack. Always replace the covering when you've finished for the day to protect the still open sections.
Summary: Dip your pen tool into the gel or wax that came with your kit. Use the pen to pick up a diamond. Gently press the drill onto the corresponding square. Fill the rest of the squares in that section. Peel away more of the plastic covering, and fill in more squares.

Problem: Article: Make sure that the mixture is evenly spread out over the base of the shallow dish. The mixture will set as it dries and adhere to the glass.
Summary:
Fill a shallow dish with about half an inch/1 centimeter (0.4in) of water. Fill another shallow dish with the sugar and cinnamon. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together with your fingers. Dip just the rim of your martini glass into a shallow dish of water. Now dip the wet rim into the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Set the glass aside.