photography

Jazzed Up Camera Strap

Andrea — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:04:50 -0600

I ran across this Camera Strap Slipcover Tutorial last week, and was excited to give it a try. Even though I am VERY challenged in any sewing-machine related crafts, I decided this looked simple enough for even me to try.

I did a "rough draft" try with some scrap fabric and my own sewing machine. It didn't fit and looked awful. But...I also didn't measure or iron the fabric, so what did I expect?

Then today, I snagged some scrap fabric from my sister-in-law (who has a treasure chest of fabrics to choose from) and borrowed her snazzy sewing machine and expertise while I tried to make a "final draft" version to actually use.

Well...make that 2nd draft. I had to tear out all the seams after I realized that I didn't put the fabrics' "right sides" together like you're supposed to. But that was a good extra round of practice for me, because once I finally got it all sewn together right, it slipped onto my camera strap and looks pretty good.

I did omit the last step of top-stitching around the whole thing because it didn't look like I'd have enough space left to slide the strap inside with two more seams. But I'm happy with the end result anyhow.

It only took me 2 hours (said with a roll of the eyes, because this should really be a 30 minute project MAX). But I didn't cry, and I didn't throw away the end-product, so I guess that makes it a successful project in my book!

Week in the Life Album Completed

Andrea — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:03:12 -0500

Ahead of schedule (I had wanted to finish by this weekend), I've got my Week in the Life album completed. I kept it SUPER simple so that the photos and journaling would take center stage.

I used a 12 x 12 chipboard spiral album from Rusty Pickle that has been sitting on my shelf FOREVER. I cut it down to 10" x 12" so that I could make a horizontal-oriented album. Then I cut a rectangle in the center of the front piece of chipboard so that I could decorate the front cover by letting the title page embellishments peek through the window. I painted the edges of the chipboard and covered each side with cardstock, adding photo corners to the front cover window as embellishments. I also added ribbon to the spiral binding.

Inside cover & title page:

Monday:

Detail of journaling pages:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Putting the album together was easier than doing all the leg-work for the photos and journaling! But worth it. :)

Week in the Life - Sunday

Andrea — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:30:38 -0500

Next week I'm going to have to think of actual things to write about...because I'm giving my camera at least a full 24 hour break, if not longer! It's been overworked this week during my Week in the Life project.

I am glad I did the project, and I think a few years from now, I'll really enjoy going back and reading the journaling and seeing the photo collages and seeing what a regular week was like for us in 2008. Right now, it looks a lot like a regular old boring week. But this week only happens once, so I'm glad I managed to capture it in all its reality...

So, finally, here's what Sunday, October 19th, 2008 looked like for us (sorry for all the really dark photos or overly bright photos...I told you my camera has been overworked!):

I'll share pics of the album when I complete it...hopefully by next weekend.

Week in the Life - Saturday

Andrea — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 21:05:35 -0500

I've made it to the weekend in my Week in the Life project! That means only one day left...Sunday. I'm not sure how I'm going to photograph church tomorrow morning, although to be completely honest, I don't think anyone would think it was weird at all if I did. I'll have to think on that.

But meanwhile, here's what Saturday, October 18th, 2008 looked like at our house:

(And just so you know, Ben actually spent the majority of the day working hard on a web project. The pics of him shown here are during a few short breaks where he emerged! Didn't want you to think he was a slacker...although if he was who could blame him on a Saturday?)

Seeing the end in sight has made me excited about putting together the album, so tonight I got a headstart and began printing my photo collages and journaling and decided on an album to use. Now I just have to figure out a design plan and I can get this finished by the end of next week. It's going to be pretty basic, letting the photos and journaling be the main focus.

Week in the Life - Friday

Andrea — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:05:49 -0500

My "Week in the Life" is starting to feel like a month. Taking photos of everything you do is exhausting. That must be why I slept in today and didn't get dressed until 10:30am! Too tired from all this photo-recording. Ramona mentioned that a friend of hers suggested doing this project every year during the same week. I admit, that would be cool to see the changes, but I think every 5 years is good enough for me! We'll see if I remember in October 2013. Someone want to remind me of that?

Around dinner time tonight, I fizzled out, but I tried to come back with at least two pics from after Ayla's bedtime (which is when I usually fizzle out of my photo-taking frenzy).

So here's what Friday, October 17th looked like at our house:

Week in the Life - Thursday

Andrea — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:39:26 -0500

So, today was a little harder to take photos, because it seemed to require a lot of setup. I ended up carrying the camera on a tripod around the house while I cleaned. Ben gave me several "you're crazy" looks as he passed me in the hallway. Well, I suppose I deserve that, taking photos of myself dusting and folding laundry. But, whatever, it's just for a week, right?

Oh, and a shout out to Josh & Rachel, who star in today's photographs since they offered to watch Ayla this afternoon, as well as to my friend Wendy who called and left a message this evening in the hopes of me taking a photo of myself talking to her on the phone. :) Maybe tomorrow Wendy!

Here's what Thursday, October 16th, 2008 looked like:

A Week in the Life - Wednesday

Andrea — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:59:07 -0500

Another day down in my Week in the Life project. It's getting easier to remember to take photos all day. And, as you can see, my collage keeps growing. I used up all my slots in my collage template today (original is 8" x 10" so I can print them easily later on), so tomorrow I'll have to be choosy!

Here's what Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 look like at my house:

A Week in the Life - Tuesday

Andrea — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:11:28 -0500

Day two of my Week in the Life project inspired by Ali Edwards...I got better at taking photos all day long. And Ayla seemed to think I should take a picture of everything!

Here's what Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 look like for us:

A Week in the Life - Monday

Andrea — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:01:56 -0500

I'm late to the party, but I'm jumping on board with Ali Edwards' challenge to document a week in my life. After seeing her album and everyone else's that participated, it inspired me to document a regular week in our life...no matter how boring it is! I may look back one day and dream of these laid-back days with only one kiddo. I'm also writing a play-by-play of everyday, but I'll only bore you with the photos! :)

So here goes....Monday, October 13, 2008 looked a little like this:

The Money Shot - Cinderella's Castle

Andrea — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:39:36 -0500

After a great week at Disney World, and lots of fun taking photos, these are my favorite "artsy" pics from the week:

I decided to carry all of three of my lenses with me since I don't have one multi-purpose lens, and ended up using them all, so I'm glad I did. I can definitely see a benefit to a large range lens though...I was wishing for an 18-200mm zoom several times just for convenience of not having to change lenses. Instead of that huge investment, I decided to buy a camera bag from Sam's that was the perfect tote bag all week for all my equipment (as well as plenty of diapers, wipes and snacks!).