Shoot and Edit: week 51 edit

My edits for this week ...For the plane shot, I used Ashley's Nice & Easy action tweaking layers to taste. Cropped the photo to remove the light posts and added a vignette.For the observation deck photo, I again started with Ashley's Nice & Easy action. Merged all layers. Then used the Gold Glory action from Momaziggy's Jewel Tone Wash Collection, again adjusting the layers to taste, to add a warmer feel.Join in the fun with Jill Samter Photography...

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Shoot and Edit: week 51

Last Friday, the weather was gorgeous so Dylan & I headed to RDU's Observation Park to play and watch airplanes. He had a great time in the sand box while I got a chance to experiment with the new 55-200mm lens my dad gave me for Christmas. I had a hard time choosing one photo this week so I'm sharing two here. It was fun being able to finally zoom in better on the planes! (My other lens is 18-55mm.) ISO 100, ss 1/250, f5.6 And, I played...

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Knitting Needle Roll

My mom started knitting again a couple of years ago. She's made a number of beautiful items including sweaters and hats for Dylan. For Christmas, I decided to make her a Knitting Needle Roll to store some of her needles and other tools in. Rolled up. Open Flap lifted back I used this tutorial from the blog at Warehouse Fabrics Inc. Be aware that the tutorial was based on fabric in 54" and 56" widths. Plan to buy slightly more fabric if...

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Saying Goodbye

After Cali's safe return to us a week ago, I breathed a sigh of relief and was ready to move on to Christmas celebrations. Sadly, things turned bleak again just a few short days later. Friday night Trent & I realized that something wasn't quite right with our other cat, Chester (his paws grace the banner at the top and inspired the name). After a quick online search and a phone call to a friend, Trent took him to the emergency vet closest to...

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Shoot and Edit: Holiday Traditions edit

I loved Dylan's smile, but disliked the darkness of my SOOC shot this week. For my edit, I started with Ashley's Nice & Easy action - adjusting the layers to taste. Merged all. Then used The CoffeeShop Blog's Storybook Vintage action to give the image a softer, warmer look. Join in the fun with Jill Samter Photography and Ramblings and Photos...

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Gift Idea: Fat Quarter Bag

With a couple of fat quarters and coordinating ribbons, I made these cute bags for my nieces by following a tutorial at Make & Takes. They turned out so cute I almost wanted to keep them for myself! They are large enough to use for a bag to tote dolls and other treasures or as a purse. Supplies: Heather Bailey fabrics; Coats & Clark thread; grosgrain ribb...

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Shoot and Edit: Holiday Traditions

One of my favorite holiday traditions is baking ginger snaps. I let Dylan "help" me last year (mostly play next to me with a bowl of flour - see Day 14). Yesterday, he was much more hands on. Donning his craft apron and standing next to me on a chair. He helped pour ingredients and even do a little hand mixing of the flour & spices (without too much of a mess!). I decided to use this photo this week simply because it does capture our fun and,...

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Relieved

Saturday night, after a fun party with friends and Dylan tucked into bed, Trent & I realized something wasn't right. Both of our cats "disappear" when Dylan is around, but usually show up during nap times and after he's gone to bed. Chester was with us. Cali was no where to be found. We literally turned our entire house upside down looking. We realized she must have slipped out the door on us and I went out into the cold to look around our yard...

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Gift Idea: Fabric I Spy Book

I feel like I'm swimming in fabric remnants from various sewing projects. I've searched Pinterest for ideas of what to do with them. One idea shared on Skip To My Lou was to create a Fabric I Spy Book. Following the tutorial, I created this book for Dylan with a mix of solid and pieced fabric squares: Front Pages 1-2 Pages 3-4 Pages 5-6 Back Pages 7-8 Pages 9-10 I am pleased with how it turned out, but, I confess, if I make another,...

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Shoot and Edit: Bokeh Lights

I wasn't happy with my Bokeh shots of the tree in our house, so I ventured out into the cold last night to take a few photos of the little tomato cage tree Dylan & I created last week for our front porch (idea on Pinterest here). ISO 3200, ss 1/60, f5.6 Join in the fun with Jill Samter Photography and Ramblings and Photos...

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Shoot and Edit: Holiday - Christmas edit

Another quick & easy editing week as I was pretty pleased with my SOOC shot. I used Ashley's Nice & Easy action - adjusting the layers to taste. Then added a vignette via steps in this video. Join in the fun with Jill Samter Photography and Ramblings and Photos: And, many thanks to all who voted for my SOOC shot as best of November!&nb...

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Gift Idea: Decorated Sketchpad

Since I was making a gift for my sister last year, I thought I should make my brother's as well. The first half of his gift was a sketchpad I decorated. It was inspired by Mod Podged Notebooks at the Crafting Chicks. Supplies (minus the masking tape - honestly not sure now why I had that out!) I scanned in a photo of him from the early 90s. Edited it in Photoshop using Totally Rad Bitchin B&W and Coffeeshop Vintage actions. Printed it onto...

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Christmas Lights

We've had a pretty typical North Carolina late fall here - cold enough for a coat, hat & gloves one day and warm enough for short sleeves the next. Yesterday fell into the latter category. Dylan & I spent a good bit of time outdoors enjoying the warm 70 degree temps and sun in the afternoon. After dinner, all 3 of us did my favorite thing on a warm December evening - took a walk to look a Christmas lights. To me it's so much more relaxing...

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Wedding Card & Ornament

I made the card and gift I gave to my sister and husband this weekend. I kept the card simple using a piece of elegant patterned paper from American Crafts. Handwrote the sentiment. And used an ink pad to color the chipboard heart. Supplies - card: Recollections card & white cardstock; American Crafts patterned paper; Micron black pen; Making Memories chipboard heart; Stampin' Up! ink pad. The gift idea came from this post. I cut their wedding...

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Shoot and Edit: Holiday - Christmas

I took this photo before my sister's wedding on Saturday. The sanctuary looked so beautiful in the late afternoon light. ISO 3200, ss 1/30, f5.6 Join in the fun with Jill Samter Photography and Ramblings and Photos...

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Shoot and Edit: Thanksgiving edit

I ran through this edit pretty quickly last night with the help of a couple of actions... Ashley's Nice & Easy action - adjusted layers to taste; HDR action minus the HDR_for_Dummies2 portion - I only used the shadow portions, as I didn't like what the other part did to the photo; added a new Hue/Saturation layer and adjusted; rotated the image (not too unusual for me - my shot was crooked! Sure the subjects were straight, but we were on an...

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Gift Idea: Root Beer Reindeer

It's December 1st so I'm turning the page to Christmas. Here's a fun gift idea for you. I came across Root Beer Reindeer at Betty Crocker Wannabe blog last year. I immediately marked it as a "to make" for my sister. She has loved IBC Rootbeer since we were kids and used to have (maybe still does?) a huge collection of bottle caps from the drinks. These were so fun and easy to make. And, best of all, she got a good laugh out of the gift (not to mention...

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