Photobook: Lessons in Camera

Howdy, y'all!

I am currently working my little self through a photobook. Want to have some input in what you can find in it? Here are some examples of my work; stay tuned for camera tips and tricks! Post a comment on which are your favorites!

The Eye of the Beholder: A Sardonic Look at Beauty (it's a beauty college. Join in the chuckles)

And There They Would Rest (My own view of what houses in fairy tales must look like!)

Where is Tumnus? ( If it is still snowing, the white witch has to be around somewhere.)

Slow Spring (I have been in a frozen wasteland much too long for my comfort.)

The Golden Door (full of promise and mystery... right?)

Now for those of you that stuck around, here is a camera trick that you should have under your belt. For those that have their trusty point-and-shoot camera, its fine! That is what I use too! Have you ever wondered about some of those settings though? You invested in the camera, but you feel as though you dont know how to use it? Well, good! Let's discuss one VERY important camera trick.

Shutter Speed. This will let you tell the camera how much light to let in. If you set it to a small number, make sure there is LOW light, otherwise you will blow out the image with light. This low shutter speed will blur any motion, so you might want to rest your camera on something or tripod it. The higher number is for BRIGHT light and freeze motion. This way you can catch that drop before it falls from the flower or your baby as it twirls outside, laughing.

Love, y'all!

Technical Difficulties

Hey, I am sorry that I have been down this week. Machine maintenance ate up a lot of my life and time. But we should be good to roll now. Hopefully, I will do the Mothers' Day reveal tomorrow anyway! Love y'all!

Mother's Day Ideas

Mothers' Day is coming up, and the pressure is on. How do you plan on celebrating?

Here are some ideas for creating your mother (or a mother you want to celebrate) the perfect Mothers' Day present. Tell her you love her with a simple craft... unless you have my mother who delights in sensible presents (Christmas is always a hard one for me. I once got her a potato peeler!).

This week we shall cover how to make some fun Mothers' Day crafts, but I want you to have some ideas because we can't cover it all this week. Maybe over the course of the next five years, we shall be able to cover the basics. But let's discuss!

Cards...  this method, aside from flowers (with flowers) has got to be the most popular. The key is being able to sum up your relationship with your mother in a card. Last year, I made a card with my mom and I ( in chibi form) and when you pulled the tabs on the side, we ran to each other and hugged. It was proof that notecards and construction paper that you used in school still works to make decent cards.

Flowers... Now it might be me, but there is something about flowers that you can't deny their appeal. They may be prone to dying after they are picked, but the beauty of the blooms is truly inspiring. So this year, since I am once again at school, I might have to just make my own flowers. That way I know they won's spoil!

Candy... but please do not fall into this hole if your mother is a dieter. You will only rake up pain, and who wants that on Mothers' Day. She was already in labor!

Bath/Perfume/ Beauty Products... this is usually a safe bet depending on the person you are giving it to. It has so many options. Personalized bath salts with their favorite scent. Personalized lip balm. Personalized soaps. You name it, you can probably personalize it. Just be aware that you might just have to write a personal note too!

Book of Promises... This little book is perfect if you are poor. College students and high school students - really students of any kind - can make them fairly quick, and it will be perfect! It is full of little "Promises." With redeemable tickets, you can show your mom you love her by showing her with simple actions. You don't need to be elaborate, but think of things that are meaningful to you both! This can be as personal or as impersonal as you want it to be.

These are just a few ideas. We will create some of them this week together... and I am hoping to have a .pdf of a Book of Promises up this week, so stay tuned if you want a little help!

* What are some things you have presented to the mothers in your life? I always welcome ideas, and who knows what might happen if you leave a comment!

Alice? Where are You?

Do you love the story-line of Alice in Wonderland as much as I do? I was a little disappointed by the newest movie, but it had some phenomenal imagery that saved it. The original story was simply so amazing and beautiful and abstract.

Since we here at Days of Abstraction are into that kind of stuff, the first Silhouette heat fabric transfer was dedicated to making a shirt that took Alice and imprinted her on a shirt.

Now since I am something of a purist, I wanted the original artwork for Alice. She was the original after all, and just like Texas, that is something you should not mess with. After going through the process to make her cut as awesome as possible, I then proceeded to peel off the negative space (which since I am a poor college student, I will use in another way).

Once she was ironed on all the way, I turned to the next part. Originally, I had planned to use the Cheshire cat and put him on the opposing side... but for some reason, this was not working. Instead, I added three hearts. Hearts because of the Queen of Hearts, and three because it is an awesome number.


What do you think? Should I have used Cheshy? Is Alice discernible? I am thinking about giving away a Cheshire Cat transfer. Feedback, please?

Iron-on vinyl and Comic Books

We have made an interesting wallet with our iron-on vinyl, but what else can this sucker do?

When I was reading the back, it had all kinds of ideas... that frankly made me chuckle, but I thought that maybe I could use it to make a nifty bracelet from comic books. After all, I had some left from my previous endeavors with the wallet. (If you are looking for comic books, please avoid the recent issues. You will only be tearing them up. Instead, turn to thrift stores and antique malls. Ebay is good if you are buying several at a whop. Usually the comics are better anyway!)

The only difficult in making a bracelet is to get a good section of comic since you will be folding it. How do you like my selection. He really is all teeth isn't he, but I could not fight the allure of the Batman logo in his crazy eyes.

But that is telling us nothing of how to go about it...

I wish I had tutorial pictures, but sadly, I don't. But what I did was apply the iron-on vinyl as dictated by the package. I did both sides, but feel free to only cover the side you want on the outside. I then folded it in partial thirds after carefully cutting out the Joker's hand and chin with my trusty exacto blade. A quick blanket and hem stitch in a matching color, and we are almost there.

Last... not least, I added some snaps to my bracelet, and PRESTO! I could wear it. I love to pair it with my Batman shirt that I upgraded from the Walmart boy's section! What will you do with your iron-on vinyl? (I hope to someday make comic book, bar chair cushions with mine!)

Iron-On Vinyl

Comic books + iron-on vinyl = wallet awesomeness!

The lure of iron-on shiny-ness was waaaay too strong to be resisted when I saw the idea in the book Simply Sublime Gifts by Jodi Kahn. It is tag lined under the boys' section, but I being the kook I am, I decided to take part.

If you want a fairly quick, easy, and fun gift idea, this one rates pretty high. It requires a two-page spread with another page taped to the spread with REGULAR CLEAR TAPE. If you get the book, it blabs on about cellophane tape. Save yourself the trouble and buy scotch tape. Just tape on the side you do not vinyl!!! After that, much folding is required, then a quick seam, and voila! you have a fairly awesome gift. (When you are folding make sure that you are folding to your advantage... Mine worked out perfectly!)

*By the way, if you go around asking about iron-on velour, you are going to get some funny looks. I thought that I was asking for the right thing and was surprised when none of my favorite craft stores carried what I was asking for. Lesson learned in if you don't know what you are looking for, bring the instructions with you!

Filler and Momentary Apology

Hey! I know its been awhile. I swear I am coming back... however slowly... While you are here, feel free to check my coolest sister-in-law's giveaway!

http://lwph.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-giveaway.html?showComment=1302102311580#c4583105345337549592

You can also check out my other blog about media...

Fractured Reflections