Photography Hint for the Holidays!

Just in time for the holidays, I have a simple photography tip for you!  ZOOM IN!
You can really capture the feeling of your subjects when you don't include all the exterior things going on.  Sometimes those items are essential to the subject matter, but usually you want to focus on your subjects.
In this photo you really focus on the happiness of my beautiful sister, Traci and her new husband, Greg!

 In this photo, the subjects are still beautiful and it might be important to get a shot with the bike, but it just doesn't portray the same feelings that the zoomed in photo does. So, remember to focus on the people you love this holiday season! Merry Christmas!

Father's Day Card Ideas

Sometimes it is hard to get away from the girly cards that we all like to make.  Here are a couple ideas for cards for the men in your life!

This card uses the fabulous licensed realtree design that most hunters like.  This paper is available from Papers Best dealers or on their website.  This paper is fabulous for making masculine cards.  I have also used it to cover a journal and a clipboard.  How about desk accessories for gifts?

These were birthday cards, but they would make great father's day cards, as well.  Use some fishing themed paper with eyelash fibers to look like something made for a fly-fisherman.

Something that looks like wood is also masculine in nature.  Nature... wood... get it!  Ok, silly play with words, I know!  I'm not sure where I got this particular paper, but I do know that Papers Best carries something similar, as well.  In general, they are a great source for more realistic (rather than cutesy) outdoors themed papers and products targeted towards men.

Eat, Pray, Love ~ Now the MOVIE!!

 
Back on January 7th, I told you about this fabulous book that I read, "Eat, Pray, Love"...

Now I have more information on the movie!  It comes out August 13th!  My Mom's birthday!
I doubt she'll want to go to the midnight opening showing like I would like to...  but it is kind of cool timing!

Anyway, there are trailers that you can watch and a contest you can enter to get tickets to the premiere showing... Here's the catch....
If you win the tickets, you have to bring me!  :)
So...

To enter the contest go to the facebook page (you don't have to be a member) and then click on the sweepstakes link!

You can watch the trailer for the movie at the official site of the movie by Sony Pictures here.  I rarely think that a movie can capture the essence of a book; however, with Julia Roberts, other awesome actors, and the looks of this trailer, this could be a fabulous version of the book!  I am excited!  Mark your calendars for August 12-13 and let's go to the midnight showing!

Valentine's Day - Decor & More

 

One last post for Valentine's Day!

This is such an adorable idea from Martha Stewart, a container in a vase with flowers. 

  

This super cute conversation heart pillow is just adorable.

You can find the tutorial from Tara on her blog, sewtara.

I adore collage, and this gorgeous valentine's collage is no exception.

To see the full view of this work of art by Nifty Thrifty and to see the tutorial go to the spotted canary. 

This wall decal is so stunning and perfect for valentine's day.

Elephannie sells them on Etsy. 

Valentine's Day - The Movie

 

This is a must see movie for any couple!

It's not just a "chick flick" ~

My honey thought it was great and is telling others they need to see it.

Like Julie Roberts said in an interview about the movie,

"There are going to be a lot of babies born 9 months from now!"

Not only are there a few great story lines and lots of famous actors, 

it's got some sensible relationship advice woven into it!

This movie is now on my all time favorite movie list.

I may even have to get the Soundtrack!

Valentine's Day Vase - Tutorial

 

This was a fun & simple project and the result is stunning!

You could fill this vase with candies, red and pink marbles, flowers or any number of cool valentine's ideas.

You will need:

A Vase - I used a simple, inexpensive rectangle vase from Target.

Candies - or marbles or whatever you are going to fill it with.

Ribbon -I used dark red with white dots. Or use plain red or one with words on - like "I love you"!     

Rub-on or vinyl stickers with your desired design - This could be a simple scripted "Love" - I used a couple of the rub-ons from the fancy-free collection by fancy pants design.

A Glue Dot.

Tie the ribbon tightly around the bottom of the vase and secure with a glue dot.  Position the rub-on in the desired position and hold in place while you rub the entire design to the vase.  Do not remove the top layer of the rub-on until it is completely secure.  Lift the top layer slowly, if any design stays on the top layer, carefully lay the top back down and continue rubbing until the entire design is in place.  I used two separate rub-ons for my design but just one simple vinyl sticker or rub-on would look elegant.  Now, fill it up and you are done!

Super Simple!

Simple & Classy!

The ribbon with words on it was my original idea with a more simple rub-on but I couldn't locate the rub-on that I had planned to use.  Someone make one like that and show me your creation!  Actually, show me any versions that you decide to make, I would love to see it!

Valentine's Day - Gift Ideas

I always have more ideas than time!  I have so many things that I want to make....  I just love crafting and arts.  I always want to make things for the people that I love, I feel like the time and love that I put into the things that I make will be conveyed to the recipient.  Here are some fabulous ideas to show your loved one how you feel, some are easy to make, some are a bit more difficult, and some you can purchase.

 

Better Homes and Gardens offers you the directions for this cute card.

This cute book can tell your honey all the wonderful reasons that you love him/her.  It's actually made from a simple one dollar deck of cards!  Check out the tutorial by Kelly at Trans-craft-inental.  

Gifts for you now has many personalized gifts from intimate apparal to coffee mugs.  This is also a great resource for wedding thank you gifts and shower gifts.

It's always a challange to come up with a creative kids valentine project.  

These cute valentines by Family Fun are ingenious. 

And... More...

Top 10 Last Minute Valentine's Day Gifts

Click here for: These cute and practical ideas from about.com are fabulous! 

My take on eat pray love

I have always loved books. I tend to collect them in mass quantities. Only a small fraction of which ever seem to get read. Thanks to Amazon’s want list I no longer have to buy every book that I want to read (like I couldn’t have made a list of my own!)… As of late, I have tended to bury my head in books the likes of, Analytical Management. I always tend towards the self-help and how-to type books. As normal, always feeling like I should be accomplishing something, even if it’s time for me!

Well, this time I wanted light reading. I discovered this book, eat pray love, By Elizabeth Gilbert. This is still a true story, however it’s pure enjoyment! Elizabeth sets out to find herself after a typically nasty divorce. She takes a year to travel (lucky girl) and “find balance”. She not only travels, she digs herself into these fabulous local spots. Whether she is in Italy, India, or Indonesia she is burying herself in the culture and making true friends. I adored this book. For me this was a slice of heaven, I long to visit Italy. I learned things about meditation that most don’t ever contemplate. I learned some about achieving balance in my own life. I adored Elizabeth’s candor and down to earth manner. I felt as though I bonded with her. I really don’t think it had anything to do with her battle with emotional relationships!

The movie will be released this year, 2010, and features Julia Roberts in the lead role of Elizabeth “groceries”. (When the movie, Erin Brockovich, came out there were a few people that said she reminded them of me. Since I don’t believe it was her gorgeous beauty or lovely thick long red hair, I would say that it was probably her bullheaded determination. Anyway, I still took it as a compliment.) I am ecstatic that my favorite actress will be playing the role of my most recent favorite “real” book character. I don’t believe that it would be possible for a movie to capture the depth of this story, but it will be interesting to view, none the less.

I found a blog completely dedicated to this book! http://eat-pray-love-fans.blogspot.com/

Big Hint: Don’t read the blog until after you’ve read the book!

Another Hint: The links to products don’t work, I'm guessing they were copyright infringing.