create.

"As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness,
you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you"

Dieter F. Uchtdorf






Friday, April 29, 2011

Creative-ly U Link Up!!


Welcome to Creative-ly U Weekend PARTY!!
 
Go ahead and link up:


*DIY Projects & Ideas

*Sewing Projects

*Photography Tips and Ideas

*Crafty Ideas

*Re-Vamps or Redo's
*Recipe's

*Printables

*Ok...pretty much anything creative you would like to add!

**Don't forget to link to your specific post...and...if you'd like show some creative love...comment on at least 3 other links around yours! We all love comments :) **

Can't wait to see those AWESOME projects!!
 
P.S.  I'm still having some issues with my button UGGGG...so if you'd like...just copy my button and add a link! Thanks so much!! :)

 Happy Weekend!!





{FuN} Make-up Organization Idea!

Need a little make-up organization idea?!!!  Check out this FuN make-up magnet board that I came across @ Laura Thoughts!


It definitely beats digging through a bag!   :) 

LOVE IT!!

For more info on this FuN idea...go HERE!

Laura...thanks so much for sharing!

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Flirty Aprons Sale!!

With Mother's Day just around the corner...check out these FanTastic deals going on now @ Flirty Aprons!! 

40% off Marilyn Aprons, while supplies last, code Marilyn40
Woman's Apron Marilyn Sugar n' Spice
Woman's Apron Marilyn Mint-a-liscious
Woman's Apron Marilyn Strawberry Shortcake
or

20% off all aprons with code 20M2011 through 5/10/2011

Hurry while supplies last!!

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Creative-ly U Project Parade!

Here is a peek at some the MANY Fantastic ideas that were linked up over the weekend  :)

Get to know your grandparents with this BEAUTIFUL gift idea from Kissing the Joy as it Flies! 
{Seriously the best gift ever! }

Need a dinner idea?? Check out these Chicken Pillows from Miss BettieRocker! YUM!

Turn tote bag into a camera bag  @ Wayward Girls Crafts!
{LoVe this!}

Make these CuTe block photo holders @ Little Miss Almost Susie Homemaker!

Make these CUTE fabric bracelets @ MaryJanes and Galoshes!

LoVe this Chevron Painted Rug from Antsi-Pants!

Fantastic Seed Starter Idea from Thrifty Decorating!

Add a ruffle to the bottom of your dress @ Wayward Girls Crafts!  {FuN idea for all those cute dresses/skirts out there that are just too darn short...LoVe it! } 

LoVe this very CuTe Mod Podged chair from The V Spot!
Check out this VERY CUTE art... and FREE Printable @ Peppermint Plum! 
Thanks again to all who linked up!!  :)
See you this weekend!

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Friday, April 22, 2011

Creative-ly U Link-Up!

Hi Everyone!! 

Yup...It's that time again for:

Go ahead and link up:

*DIY Projects & Ideas
*Sewing Projects
*Photography Tips and Ideas
*Crafty Ideas
*Re-Vamps or Redo's
*Recipe's
*Printables
*Ok...pretty much anything creative you would like to add!
**Don't forget to link to your specific post...and...if you'd like show some creative love...comment on at least 3 other links around yours! We all love comments :) ** 

Can't wait to see those AWESOME projects!!

HAVE A FANTASTIC EASTER WEEKEND!!!!











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Photography Friday- Light!

Hello everyone! Camilla here from CioCo Photography. Remember how I'm a horrible slacker and haven't been here for weeks? I apologize to Stacie because there isn't much excuse. I have been busy, wedding season is about to explode so I've been doing lots of engagements and bridals. Love it though!
 
 Today I'm going to talk a little bit about light composition
 
.
A few nights ago I was at a session around 5:30 pm. (Sun set that night at 6:30) The light was soft, and well rounded, which is why you'll see a lot of photographers active at that time of night, racing the sunset to get the perfect shots in. Golden hours for lighting: 7:00am-9:00am in the summer, 7:00-9:00pm in the summer, and 4:30-6:30 in the winter until day light savings. Here is what I saw a lot at my session:

Shade can be very valuable during a session. Especially OPEN shade. That is within three-four feet of the shade line. Here is a picture I took in open shade:

Shooting in open shade allows your images to be rounded, light and beautiful. It eliminates shadows on the face and gives you the portrait look you want. CLOSED shade will require your camera to read the light more, and produce a slightly grainy image. Although the diagram does show closed shade, most of the shade is open.

So what do you do when there is no shade to be found? Or you have to take pictures of your family at 1:00 in the afternoon? Here are a few tricks I've found helpful.

This wedding was shot around 12:00 noon. Not great lighting at ALL. You will notice the shadow elimination isn't perfect, but the result is good considering. I used two things on the photo:

1. Reflector. Reflectors are helpful in bouncing the light back up into your subjects face. It also isn't necessary to buy pro level reflectors to get this look. Have you noticed those silvery car windshield blocks that are silver on one side and black on the other? I think you can get them for $5 at Walmart and they will produce a similar effect. Hold the reflector in the direction of the sun and move it till you see it bouncing on your subject. Its the same idea as trying to blind someone by reflecting a shiny piece of medal into their face. :)

2. Fill flash. Your camera most likely comes with a built in flash. Turning on the flash even though their is sufficient light will make a HUGE difference in shooting full sunlight.

Here is another example of when I needed to shoot full sun, just near sunset:


Here we have two examples of the same position, one shot with the sun as the main light, the other with the sun as the BACK LIGHT.

3. Back lighting a subject will help greatly. The use of fill flash or a reflector is necessary however, otherwise your camera will read the exposure of the sun and your subject will be dark.

4. Find a dark background in full sun. None of these images show that, but if you are shooting full sun, it is helpful to put your subject in front of dark trees, per se, and then take the picture. That way the camera doesn't have to expose for the sky with sun.

**If you are using an SLR- expose properly for the face and wash out the back. In the second image expose correctly for the background and then combine the two in Photoshop. An easier way would be simply to use reflectors or fill flash*

I'm not going to lie though, even though I know the principles for shooting in the sun, I hunt for shade like nobodies business. And I schedule all my shoots in the golden time. Here's that same little girl shot RIGHT after the sun goes down. (You have about 20 minutes of great shooting time once it does)

All of these images have been photo shopped, but the base you start with needs to be workable. I have mentored other photographers who have said, 'I'll just fix it in photoshop later'. I understand the sentiment, but it's not good and won't produce good images. Photoshop is like makeup, to enhance what is already good about the image. It can't cover up everything. ;)
Enjoy shooting! We'd love to see your images using some of these principles, we understand many of you know the how to already. Have a great Weekend!
 
Camilla...you are AWESOME (as always :)  ) and you totally don't have to apologize :)  Thank you so much for all you do!  BTW...your images are GORGEOUS!!
 
Here is my example of an image that I recently took at a senior shoot in OPEN SHADE:
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I definitely have to agree with Camilla on the Photoshop philosophy.  If you produce a good image to begin with...then adding a little enhancement after...is the icing on the cake!   Thanks again Camilla for your FaBuLouS info!! 
 
Ok...let's see those link-ups!!! 
 



Thursday, April 21, 2011

{LATTER-DAY CRAFTERS} A New Online Marketplace!! Check it out!

I am VERY  excited to help spread the word about this HOT new site that just launched recently...that gives you the opportunity to BUY or SELL your awesome crafty creations!! 
  

Here's the 411:

 If you would like to only advertise your biz...they also have a Business Directory:

What they are looking for:


Here is a peek at a few of the items that are currently listed:
FLOWER HEADBAND
DAMASK CLASSIC-SIZES: 0-5
Sign with Metal Hooks
and...recently I added a few of my temple pics!
Salt Lake Temple Tilt


Also...they are currently running a free GIVEAWAY for this:

  GROUP OF 3 PERIMETER GROOVED PICTURE FRAMES...go HERE for details!
LoVe those!!

Soooo...go check it out...and help spread the word about this AWESOME new online marketplace!! :)



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DIY Beach Towel Bib!

Check out this FuN bib idea from Oopsey Daisy:


I wish I would have thought to do this when my kiddos were smaller.  I am craZy into bright colors...and those would have been perfect!  {Hmmmm...maybe baby gifts??!!}
    
For more info...check out her complete tutorial... HERE!

Alison...thanks for sharing! 
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

{Creative-ly U} Project Parade!

Thanks to all who linked up last weekend!!
Just to show a few...here's a peek at some the MANY FANTASTIC projects made by U!!

Free-Style Handmade Skirt @ Two Sides of the Rainbow!


 Tissue Pom Pom Tutorial @ Evelyn Kate Designs!

DIY Book Clutch @ taidye.original!

Kids Art Display @ I Am What I Am!

Chocolate Covered Smore Bites @ Grunged, Glittered n' Branded!

Wash Your Hands Sign @ Peterson Party Page!
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$7 Book Shelf @ Girl in Air!

Felt Squirt Gun Holster Tutorial @ Jillyann Jiggs!

Coffee Filter Lamp Shade @ seven thirty three!

Family Rules Subway Art @ Sass and Frass Crafts

Lil' Leggings @ Coffee Cups and Crafts!


Spring Outfit Transformation @ Southern Girl Creations!



Altered Paint Cans @ Green Eyed Girl Crafts
Thanks again to all who linked up!!



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