Thanksgiving is just two days away! For most people in the United States, Thanksgiving is a time when families come together - but with so much going on, it's easy to miss some photo opportunities and not realize it until it's time to scrap your photos. Use the questions below (as posted on the CK Club Blog, Thursday, November 18, 2010 by CK Erin Weed) to come up with your own Thanksgiving shot list.
1. Did your children create any fun Thanksgiving projects at school?
2. How are your kids entertaining themselves while waiting for the big meal?
3. Are your children helpful in the kitchen? Or are they sneaking little bites of food?
4. What is your child's favorite part of the meal?
5. What are the kids up after dinner?
6. How do you cook a turkey in your family?
7. What time do you have to get up on Thanksgiving to get the turkey in the oven?
8. Who gets to carve the turkey?
9. Do you have any nontraditional items on the menu?
10. Do you have any special recipes that always make their way to the Thanksgiving table?
11. What is your favorite side dish?
12. Who all helped to prepare the meal? Did guests bring certain dishes?
13. Do your kids have lots of cousins, and did any visit for Thanksgiving?
14. Do the guys help with preparing the meal at your house? Or are they busy watching football?
15. Is there someone in the family who is a great pie maker?
16. Do you serve other desserts besides pie?
17. Do you have special china you use for the meal?
18. How did you decide on what to use for your tablescape/centerpiece?
19. What's the weather like this year on Thanksgiving?
20. Where did you celebrate Thanksgiving?
21. Who did you spend the holiday with, friends or family?
22. Do you have any fun Thanksgiving traditions?
Not only will this list help you in capturing the photos you want from the day, but they are great journaling prompts for creating your Thanksgiving Day scrapbook pages! Imagine having all of this written down for future generations to learn about! Have fun with it, and enjoy this special day! Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Black Friday Special Purchase at Bath & Body Works!
OK, so this post has nothing to do with crafts (or cooking!), but I just had to share! I am currently working at Bath & Body Works in Franklin, MA for the holidays, and they've got an incredible deal coming up for Black Friday! It's their V.I.P. Bag, and it's loaded with cool stuff! First, the bag itself is a really nice large pocketbook, with exterior and interior pockets (one that's zippered). It's solidly built. Inside, you'll get the following:
- Full size Shower Gel, Body Lotion, & Fragrance Mist in their newest fragrance - Secret Wonderland
- Men's Shower Gel in Twilight Woods
- Wallflowers Starter & Single bulb in Fresh Balsam
- Full size AntiBac Deep Cleansing Hand Soap in Sunburst Tangerine
- PocketBac Hand Sanitizer in Twisted Peppermint
- Bac In-a-Snap PocketBac Holder
- Gauze sponge
- one Fekkai Glossing Cream Packette
- $10 Savings Pass off your next purchase!
All of this will be available starting at 6:00am (in Franklin, MA. Other stores hours may vary.) for only $20 with a $40 purchase! They're also only available until noon - but I can guarantee that they will be sold out LONG before that!
The stores in our region also have a friendly, little competition to see who sells out of the bags first! So if you're in the Franklin, MA area next Friday morning, get your bag there! We have gifts for everyone on your list! Happy shopping!
- Full size Shower Gel, Body Lotion, & Fragrance Mist in their newest fragrance - Secret Wonderland
- Men's Shower Gel in Twilight Woods
- Wallflowers Starter & Single bulb in Fresh Balsam
- Full size AntiBac Deep Cleansing Hand Soap in Sunburst Tangerine
- PocketBac Hand Sanitizer in Twisted Peppermint
- Bac In-a-Snap PocketBac Holder
- Gauze sponge
- one Fekkai Glossing Cream Packette
- $10 Savings Pass off your next purchase!
All of this will be available starting at 6:00am (in Franklin, MA. Other stores hours may vary.) for only $20 with a $40 purchase! They're also only available until noon - but I can guarantee that they will be sold out LONG before that!
The stores in our region also have a friendly, little competition to see who sells out of the bags first! So if you're in the Franklin, MA area next Friday morning, get your bag there! We have gifts for everyone on your list! Happy shopping!
Monday, November 15, 2010
"Ask The Masters" - Part 4
Today's installment of "Ask The Masters" addresses some digital effects that you can use to really make your photos and scrapbook pages unique. You can use these techniques whether you are a digital scrapbooker or a paper scrapbooker - or a little bit of both! If you are a paper scrapper, you can apply these techniques to your photos before printing them out and using them on your paper layouts. So, here's the question:
"What are three way-cool digital photo effects?"
The first effect is given to us by Memory Maker Master Jessica Sprague. She suggests using spot color. Adding spot color can be subtle or dramatic. In order to create this effect, create a duplicate layer of your color photo and change it to black & white. Making sure the black & white version is on top, and you are working on that layer, use a small, soft eraser brush to erase the parts of the photo you would like to spot color. By erasing the black & white image, you allow the color from the layer beneath to show through. When you are done, merge the two layers and print your photo.
I used this technique in the following photos of my kids carving pumpkins. The original photos had all sorts of other colors that completely clashed with the papers I wanted to use, so this technique was perfect for toning down the photo colors, but still making the pictures pop!
I just LOVE this technique!!
The second effect suggested, by Kelli Noto, is to use a soft blur. There are many different ways of achieving this effect on your photos. Kelli used a soft light photo action to create a "dreamy feel" to her photo. I achieved the same effect using the "Diffuse Glow" filter in Photoshop Elements. I have shown what the photo looked like before I applied the filter, and then the result after. I just LOVE the dreamy feel it gives this photo of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy.
And lastly, Jenn Brookover recommends using a digital border to draw attention to your focal photo. This is a fun technique, and there are SO MANY digital borders out there to play with! Here is a layout I did where I used a digital border to emphasize my photo (this entire layout was done digitally, but you can create the same effect with paper):
There are so many fun options available for photo editing! Jump in and try a few next time and see how special you can make your layout! Happy editing!
"What are three way-cool digital photo effects?"
The first effect is given to us by Memory Maker Master Jessica Sprague. She suggests using spot color. Adding spot color can be subtle or dramatic. In order to create this effect, create a duplicate layer of your color photo and change it to black & white. Making sure the black & white version is on top, and you are working on that layer, use a small, soft eraser brush to erase the parts of the photo you would like to spot color. By erasing the black & white image, you allow the color from the layer beneath to show through. When you are done, merge the two layers and print your photo.
I used this technique in the following photos of my kids carving pumpkins. The original photos had all sorts of other colors that completely clashed with the papers I wanted to use, so this technique was perfect for toning down the photo colors, but still making the pictures pop!
The second effect suggested, by Kelli Noto, is to use a soft blur. There are many different ways of achieving this effect on your photos. Kelli used a soft light photo action to create a "dreamy feel" to her photo. I achieved the same effect using the "Diffuse Glow" filter in Photoshop Elements. I have shown what the photo looked like before I applied the filter, and then the result after. I just LOVE the dreamy feel it gives this photo of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy.
And lastly, Jenn Brookover recommends using a digital border to draw attention to your focal photo. This is a fun technique, and there are SO MANY digital borders out there to play with! Here is a layout I did where I used a digital border to emphasize my photo (this entire layout was done digitally, but you can create the same effect with paper):
There are so many fun options available for photo editing! Jump in and try a few next time and see how special you can make your layout! Happy editing!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
"Ask The Masters" - Part 3
Continuing with our "Ask the Masters" series, and our focus on photography, here is the next question answered by Memory Makers Masters:
"When it comes to capturing candids, subtlety is not exactly my strong suit. How can I snap photos on the sly?"
Kelli Noto has this to say: Shoot From Afar: "I feel like the paparazzi, stalking my kids with a zoom lens!" With a telephoto or zoom lens, you can capture the moment and still be pretty far from the action, making your presence virtually unknown. I was able to capture this photo of my son in the water from way up on the beach. He had no idea I was taking his picture:
Susan Weinroth suggests to Get Behind the Action: "With respect to people's hang-ups about their backsides, photos taken from this perspective can capture poignant moments of emotion. From behind, you can capture linked arms, touching heads, facial profiles engaged in eye contact." This is one of my favorite photos from our trip to the beach...shot from behind without anyone being the wiser:
Lastly, Suzy Plantamura recommends to Focus First and Wait: "The trick: anticipate the area of action, focus your camera on that spot and...wait with a ready trigger finger." When trying this on your own children, Suzy advises, "Just take the picture before they have time to respond." This photo was taken while my daughter enjoyed the wind at the beach. Not only will being ready for the shot help you get it, but taking many photos in succession will also up your chances of getting the perfect candid:
Come back next time when we'll be showing you three cool digital photo effects to make your pictures shine!
"When it comes to capturing candids, subtlety is not exactly my strong suit. How can I snap photos on the sly?"
Kelli Noto has this to say: Shoot From Afar: "I feel like the paparazzi, stalking my kids with a zoom lens!" With a telephoto or zoom lens, you can capture the moment and still be pretty far from the action, making your presence virtually unknown. I was able to capture this photo of my son in the water from way up on the beach. He had no idea I was taking his picture:
Susan Weinroth suggests to Get Behind the Action: "With respect to people's hang-ups about their backsides, photos taken from this perspective can capture poignant moments of emotion. From behind, you can capture linked arms, touching heads, facial profiles engaged in eye contact." This is one of my favorite photos from our trip to the beach...shot from behind without anyone being the wiser:
Lastly, Suzy Plantamura recommends to Focus First and Wait: "The trick: anticipate the area of action, focus your camera on that spot and...wait with a ready trigger finger." When trying this on your own children, Suzy advises, "Just take the picture before they have time to respond." This photo was taken while my daughter enjoyed the wind at the beach. Not only will being ready for the shot help you get it, but taking many photos in succession will also up your chances of getting the perfect candid:
Come back next time when we'll be showing you three cool digital photo effects to make your pictures shine!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
"Ask The Masters" - Part 2
In this second installment of "Ask the Masters", the Memory Makers Masters are addressing this question - "Seriously, I'm sick of the groaning involved with taking group shots. How can I make it more fun for everyone (myself included)?"
Well, if you're going to have great-looking scrapbooks, you want to start with great-looking photos, right? Here's what Kelly Goree has to say:
"Don't Pose Them: Who says faces in a group shot need to be staring directly at the camera with perfect grins? For many group shots, that is darn near impossible, especially when photographing small children." Unposed shots can show spunk & personality.
This is one of my favorite shots of my kids, and they weren't even looking at the camera:
And Diana Hudson suggests:
"Angle the Shot: OK, so this really might not make it more fun for those in the photo (promises of candy or money usually works), but it will lend a cool perspective to your shot!" A change in perspective might be just what your photo needs. Try shooting your group from above, from one side, or even from the ground up. You'll be amazed at the differences!
I had my kids lay on the floor for this photo:
Happy shooting!
Well, if you're going to have great-looking scrapbooks, you want to start with great-looking photos, right? Here's what Kelly Goree has to say:
"Don't Pose Them: Who says faces in a group shot need to be staring directly at the camera with perfect grins? For many group shots, that is darn near impossible, especially when photographing small children." Unposed shots can show spunk & personality.
This is one of my favorite shots of my kids, and they weren't even looking at the camera:
And Diana Hudson suggests:
"Angle the Shot: OK, so this really might not make it more fun for those in the photo (promises of candy or money usually works), but it will lend a cool perspective to your shot!" A change in perspective might be just what your photo needs. Try shooting your group from above, from one side, or even from the ground up. You'll be amazed at the differences!
I had my kids lay on the floor for this photo:
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Jump Into Fall With Olivia!
Who's Olivia you might ask? "Olivia" is more of a what than a who - it's this month's Kit of the Month from Close To My Heart! This kit is my favorite one yet, with absolutely gorgeous colors (Barn Red, Pear, Smoothie, & Sunset), bold patterns, and a beautiful stamp set entitled, "Timeless" (Get a glimpse at the stamp set by viewing the flyer HERE). This kit also comes with our brand new Shimmer Designer Brads! You are going to love it! The full-color Workshop Guide, which is also included, will show you how to create a two-page scrapbook layout and six cards (two each of 3 different designs). When you're done with that, you've still got a TON of paper left, and a stamp set to use over and over again!
Here's a look at the scrapbook layouts:
And here's the cards:
Aren't they gorgeous?! If you'd like to purchase the kit, and you have your money to me by THIS FRIDAY, November 5th, the cost is $34.20 ($29.95 kit + 2.38 S&H + 1.87 tax). After November 5th, the cost is slightly higher (due to shipping individually) at $36.57 ($29.95 kit + 4.75 S&H + 1.87 tax). You get a B-size stamp set, a full Level 2 Paper Pack, a full set of Shimmer Designer Brads, and the Workshop Guide. In addition, you can always order the Kit of the Month online at http://funforyou.myctmh.com!
If you would like to join me for the Olivia Workshop at my home where we will create these projects together, you MUST have your payment to me by Friday, November 5th. The workshop this month will be on Sunday, November 21st from 1-4pm. This will be the last workshop I will hold until next year! Give me a shout so you don't miss out!
Here's a look at the scrapbook layouts:
And here's the cards:
Aren't they gorgeous?! If you'd like to purchase the kit, and you have your money to me by THIS FRIDAY, November 5th, the cost is $34.20 ($29.95 kit + 2.38 S&H + 1.87 tax). After November 5th, the cost is slightly higher (due to shipping individually) at $36.57 ($29.95 kit + 4.75 S&H + 1.87 tax). You get a B-size stamp set, a full Level 2 Paper Pack, a full set of Shimmer Designer Brads, and the Workshop Guide. In addition, you can always order the Kit of the Month online at http://funforyou.myctmh.com!
If you would like to join me for the Olivia Workshop at my home where we will create these projects together, you MUST have your payment to me by Friday, November 5th. The workshop this month will be on Sunday, November 21st from 1-4pm. This will be the last workshop I will hold until next year! Give me a shout so you don't miss out!
Monday, November 1, 2010
It's November!
Wow, can you believe it's November already? The holiday season is upon us! I was out doing errands this morning and actually heard Christmas carols being played in the store. It's scary, really. But here's something that's far from scary - it's wonderful! Close To My Heart is offering you "A Little MORE Thanks" this month. Their new Stamp of the Month for November is called "A Little Thanks". It is a terrific stamp set to have - especially for creating one-of-a-kind thank-you cards this holiday season - or anytime!
Isn't it great?! BUT, with the "A Little MORE Thanks" promotion, if you place a minimum CTMH order of $100, you will not only receive the Stamp of the Month for FREE, you will be able to choose a FREE STAMP SET OF YOUR CHOICE from the CTMH Autumn/Winter Idea Book! (Does not include E or K-sized stamps, regular priced SOTM, or Workshop on the Go. Tax & shipping may apply.) How cool is that?! You can browse the Autumn/Winter Idea Book on my website at http://funforyou.myctmh.com and order online there as well! Start your holiday shopping now - even if it's just for yourself! Happy shopping!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)