Storms and Power Outage

We had several storms pass through this area yesterday causing fallen trees and power outages. We were without power from 10 a.m. to a little after 5 p.m. I was so happy when the power came back on. It was getting way too hot and I was missing the AC. Not to mention I was missing my computer.

YARD SALE FINDS!

 

Today, after I got home from work, we went to several yard sales and a couple of estate sales. Really didn’t find too much. But I did come home with two cute picture frames and a Harry Potter Journal (unused).

Sometimes I find lots of good stuff and like today, not a whole lot. The estate sales were way to expensive for me. I’m a bargain hunter and those prices were beyond reasonable. I was hoping to find camera equipment and accessories, but no such luck. Maybe next time.

I will use the picture frames for some of my photos. The journal….not sure what I’ll use that for. But I am a Harry Potter fan, so I’ll keep it…for now.

PLAYING AROUND WITH PHOTO EDITING PROGRAMS

I have 5 photo editing programs that I love playing around with. They are easy to work with and don’t require a masters degree in technology to use.

I can add words, special effects, edges, frames, make collages, abstracts. In addition an image can be reduced in size or cropped. They can also be enhanced (made to look better), lightened or darkened, changed from color to black and white or sepia, and even made to look like a negative. Then I can print or save the “new” photo. I usually save the new photo with a new name so that my original remains as is for future ideas that may cross my mind.

Some of these programs came with printers, some were free on the web. I know Google has one that is free and I have used it many times. You can download it by going to picasa.com.

So for those of you who have not tried your photo editing program, give it a shot. You may just come up with something you really like.

Your Own Back Yard

It’s interesting what you can find in your own back yard. Greenery and critters, LOL!

Living in Florida includes a never ending battle with “weeds” of all types. Some are pretty and worth a picture or two. The critters are usually just my cats as they tend to keep other critters away.

Check out your back yard. You may find an unusual flower or leaf or a critter or two worth a few quick clicks on your camera.

 

USING SPECIALTY PAPERS AS ACCENTS

Using specialty papers can add a little zing to your project, whether it be cards, scrapbooking, albums, collages, decoupage, etc. Make sure they are acid free to preserve the integrity of your project.

The below card has two specialty papers on it. The top paper is mulberry paper. Normally, mulberry paper is torn. To do this, wet the edges with water and gently pull the wet edge away. You will need a sharp pair of scissors to cut away the thick fibers that don’t want to tear. I, however, chose to just cut the mulberry paper.

The bottom and right side of the card are decorated with Joss paper. Joss paper is traditionally made from bamboo paper, but sometimes is made from rice paper.

The photo itself is a vintage Asian art digital image printed on matte finish archival paper.

To attach the papers and photo I used an archival glue. Using glue will make the card pucker some. So you will need to use a heavy, preferably dull, book to place on top of the card or project until it dries to smooth out any puckering caused by the glue. Another option is to use two sided archival tape. When using the tape make sure all of your edges are secure as any unsecured edge can tear, ruining all of your hard work.

I hope you try adding some specialty papers to your next project.

 

Ideas for All those Photos!

Now that you’ve taken all those photos, what are you going to do with them?  (I posted this on one of my other blogs).

There’s always the obvious, photo albums, scrapbooking, storing them on a CD or your computer. But what about some not-so-obvious ideas?

Here’s a few ideas for you to consider:

PHOTO NOTE CARDS. You can buy blank, undecorated note cards at most hobby stores. Print your photos, trim to fit the cards and attach with archival mounting squares (2 sided tape).

CROSS STITCH. I cross stitched a poem about brothers on a large piece of fabric and had it framed with a photo one year as a Christmas gift for my brother.

MUGS. You can buy plastic coffee mugs, the ones where you can insert photos and such, from most hobby stores. They are relatively inexpensive. They also make great craft projects for kids.

CALENDARS. Use your photos to make calendars for the next year. Also makes a great Christmas gift.

T-SHIRTS. You can get transfer paper for t-shirts at most hobby stores, office supply stores and Wally world. Print the photo of your choice on the paper and iron it on to the t-shirt.

COLLAGE. Make a collage and frame it for that college student who will be attending school out of town.

ALTERED ART. Altered art is very popular. Use your photos to create an item for a gift or your own pleasure. The web is full of “how-to’s” on the subject.

STAMPS. Yes, you can use your photos to create postage stamps. Stamps.com is the place to go for that item.

PHOTO MIRROR AND PHOTO BOX. BHG.com has several crafty ideas for using photos. The photo mirror is done by using a hand mirror and attaching a photo and decorations to the back.

The box is made from a undecorated paper mache box, which is then decorated and an accoridian style pull out photo card is inserted.

Just some ideas for your photos. Try some or all. Enjoy.

 

 

My Other Crafts

Besides taking photos of everything, I also do a few other crafts. 

I knit, mostly socks.  I crochet, mostly afghans.  I dabble in polymer clay, mostly characters.  I sew, mostly uniforms. On occassion I make photo notecards, really easy to do.   I have been know to bead a few things but I’m not nearly as good as my friend, DonMae.  She’s awesome!  I make soap on occassion, but not coldpress like Michelle.  Hers are to die for.  I’ve never tried altered art, like Sue.  Her creative talent is extraordinary! And I could never make reborn dolls like Nana.  Hers are so life like; it’s amazing!  Sewing is something I do when I have to. Not like Belinda.  She sews for pleasure and her expertise shows in the finished product. 

So I’ll stick with my knitting, crocheting and photography.  They are my stress relievers.

Here’s a photo of some socks I knitted, a frame that I attached a polymer clay angel to,  and photo notecards.

Kitten Update!

The kittens have been found!  Actually, they were moved by momma to the back of the house.  They are still able to get under the house, so that’s why we haven’t seen them until recently.  My son’s friend and neighbor is going to trap them and socialize them.  Then find homes for them.  He will trap the momma, have her spayed and release her.  She is ferral and would probably not do well with human contact.

Anyway, that’s the plan.  I hope it is successful.

 

 

 

 

Meeting Up with Internet Friends

This past Monday, I got to meet one of my internet friends and her hubby.  We have been talking on line for several years, exchanging craft ideas and such.  They were passing through my town on their way back home and we met for coffee.  It was such fun!  We talked for several hours…in person, LOL!  Her hubby took a picture of us together and I will be sure to snag a copy for myself.  It was a wonderful morning, really made my day a grand one.

I hope to get to meet all of my internet friends someday.  That would be a dream come true.

As for photos, I thought I would post a couple of vintage Asian artwork images for your enjoyment.

 

Milton Flower Show

A small town group here in northwest Florida is celebrating its 60th year in existence…The Milton Garden Club….by having a flower show.  Its members created small, medium and large arrangements to be judged and awarded ribbons for their efforts.  It was not a HUGE affair, just one room with a sampling of their efforts, BUT it was Beautiful, to say the least.  My hubby and I went to see what these gardeners were displaying for the general public.  It was really wonderful to see the plants and flowers that these people grew and cared for.

Here is a sampling of their efforts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my favorite because of the surprise inside:

 

 

A little green tree frog:

 

 

Check out flower shows in your area. You never know what you might see.