Raised In Cotton

My Photography Help List

 I hope you enjoy visiting these!

*BetterPhoto.com offers online photography courses over a 4-8 week schedule from actual Pro Photographers. EXCELLENT! Even if you don’t take one of the many online classes, sign up for the free newsletter and receive the tip sheet which is packed with info.

*Digital Photography School is a favorite online site that is packed with all types of information and tutorials including Photoshop help.

*Canon Digital Photography Forums A great Canon resource.

*Michael’s Photography School Michael offers a comprehensive list of free lessons for all levels of users plus a great forum.

*Pioneer Woman Photography Ree Drummond has one of the best sites that teaches basic photography and photoshop lessons. Her photoshop actions are a favorite of mine and free!

*You Tube! There are hundred’s of video’s that you can watch to learn photography and they are free.  Try searching for “Photography Tutorials” to start your list.

The next couple of links are from AMAZING photographer’s that might not be necessarily in your niche but trust me they are well worth the visit.  They are at the top of my Google Reader List!

*Jasmine Star,  is a true Rock Star among Wedding Photographers. Jasmine’s photo journalistic style is breathtaking. Check out her Frequently Asked Question section on her blog where she freely gives advice on equipment, techniques and photo editing. I would love to take a Jasmine Star workshop one day.

*Sunday Suppers Blog, Trust me if you have never visited this site you are in for a true visual treat.  Photography and Food Styling by the talented Karen Mordechai.

Photo and styling from Sunday Suppers Blog, Karen Mordechai.

Two sites that I use to purchase equipment. Great customer service.

Adorama, B & H Photo

If you like to “try before you buy” how about renting? Very easy to do! They even rent camera bodies too.

Lens Rental, Borrow Lenses

How about some photoshop action links? You bet~

*Forabella Beautiful and soft photo enhancements.

*Coffee Shop FREE for Photoshop, Elements and Lightroom.

*Totally Rad Actions for Photoshop.

Do you have any links you would like to share that have helped you? I would love to know.  I hope you have fun with your camera!

My Camera

One of the blog questions I get quite often is what type of camera I use.  Canon’s have been my camera of choice for the last several years starting with a simple point and shoot which I carried with me everywhere. My first venture into a big girl DSLR camera was with the Canon Rebel series.

I really love throwing things in the snow to photograph.

Since I was a novice photographer, I wanted the freedom to learn how to switch from the automatic functions to the creative mode buttons that the Canon offered. About four years ago, I made the commitment to learn as much as I could to improve my skills to become a better photographer. I actually figured out the meaning behind all those creative mode buttons and how sweet your images could turn out with just the right combination. Along the way I also started investing in better lenses to really make my photo’s sing. My current camera is the Canon 5d MK2 which I purchased last Fall and it is a dream to use.

The 5d MK2 does not have a pop up flash which is ok with me. Since I love taking natural light photos, it once again has made me learn the correct settings to get the best exposure without needing an on camera flash especially in low light.  It also has great video capabilities which are easy to use. I purchased this camera because my love of photography has really grown over the last several months and I wanted to push my skills.

Another question I am asked is what type of photo editing program I use. Once again wanting to learn and have every available option in photo editing, I use anything from Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Picasa which is a free service.  I almost always try to get the best possible “straight out of the camera shot” that I can to begin with before editing.  Oh yeah one more thing, I hit the “delete” button a ton on my camera too. 

Straight out of the camera shot.

Photoshop used to pop the egg and fern colors just a tad. 

There are also a ton of Actions that you can plug into Photoshop to produce virtually thousands of enhancements and touch ups for your photos.

Linen texture to produce a ethereal photo~

A little vintage grunge added~ 

Photography for me is just another extension of creativity. It really does not matter what type of camera or equipment you have as long as you are enjoying yourself!

On Monday I will have a list of my favorite links and tips that have helped me learn more about photography to share with you. Have a great weekend!

Dollar Store Shopping

The other day I was looking for some glasses to supply the farmhouse kitchen. I found these at my local dollar store for $1.00 each~

 

They are heavy and remind me of the old style pressed glass versions my grandmother used in her own farm kitchen. I am planning on placing them on a couple of open shelves that we are adding to the kitchen with stacks of white plates.

Or maybe using them with my brown and white transferware.

I found the glasses here. What favorite finds have you found Dollar Store shopping?

My Dang Treadmill

Yesterday in my Weight Watchers meeting, my group leader Beth singled me out for my success thus far. “Carol, tell everyone how much you have lost since joining”………….Oh Dear Lord, everyone is looking at ME I thought. I have never been one to shy away in group situations but this was different. This whole room was filled with people of all shapes and sizes just hoping to get in better shape and hear motivational speak……. “ Um, 17.4 pounds as of today”…..applause….. “Carol, that is FANTASTIC! Could you share with us what has worked for you”……… Again Dear Lord let me say something profound…… “Portion control, tracking my food, not starving myself and my dang treadmill”…….Dang treadmill? I really wanted to use a more descriptive curse word to describe my love-hate relationship with my treadmill but I thought better of it.

The saga of my treadmill story goes something like this; About three years ago I was watching one of those Home Shopping network shows I think at night and most likely eating a bag of chips. Right before my eyes was this tanned, thin beauty walking on a treadmill explaining all of the benefits to be had from this fancy machine. She was laughing and smiling talking about how easy it was to get into shape using their treadmill. I placed my order and could not wait for it to arrive. When it finally did, we decided to put it out in the garage so it would be easy to see and use. The first time I got on it I was scared to death holding on to the handles for my life.  As the days progressed I increased the speed and was able to not even think about holding on. Shoot, I didn’t even need the emergency safety string that turns the machine off in case you fall.  One particular day, I was feeling really cool on the treadmill with my IPod in listening to tunes, moving my arms like I was race walking. Then it happened…..it seems my cool race walking arm maneuvers pulled my IPod right out of my ears. The IPod went flying behind me on the treadmill belt. The moment I glanced down to try and locate my IPod, I lost my balance and new I was going to fall. My split second decision was to either land and most likely impale myself on Mr. PracticalPants prized 1955 mint Chevy Belair that he strokes every time he enters the garage or do some sort of Olympic splits.

Well guess which one I went for? Yep the splits. My pride and my body were sore for days. I even had treadmill road rash from the belt for Pete’s sake.

Needless to say it took me a little while to recover from that mishap. I did go back to using the treadmill but it just did not have the appeal (go figure) to me any longer. So for about a year I would only use it occasionally. The first of January when I decided to change things for myself, I knew it had to include exercising to get any results.  Since the weather has been horrendous and walking outside was dangerous with the ice and snow, I took another chance with “my dang treadmill”. I once again (sounds like getting back up on a horse) started using the treadmill again. I did not mention that this time Mr. PracticalPants turned the treadmill around to protect his prized ‘55 so the only thing I would hit would be the wall.  Believe it or not, I am now able to jog/walk for about 2 miles over 40 minutes 5 days a week.  So long story, don’t give up on yourself and keep moving.

Thank you for listening to “My Dang Treadmill” story.

A Nest Of Love For You

The winner (selected using Random.org) of the Flea Market Style Magazine is; Lori Farmer! Congratulations Lori, I will contact you for your mailing info:)) To each and everyone of you that took the time to leave a comment and enter, Thank You! I hope we all can support the new magazine and make it a success.

Enjoy your lovely weekend and I will be back next week with updates on the farmhouse and myself!

Sending to you my Dear Friends~A nest of Love:)))

Win a Free Issue of the new flea market style magazine

Here it is! For all of us VINTAGE LOVING TREASURE SEEKING DECORATORS, the first issue of the greatly anticipated FLEA MARKET STYLE MAGAZINE is READY and I have a issue to give away! Just leave a comment on the blog including your email and I will draw a name on Friday.

Decorating with flowers vintage style

If you are like me, searching flea markets for great treasures is a passion. Half the fun of finding all those treasures is thinking of creative ways to use them in projects. One of my favorite things to do with rustic finds is to combine them with a bouquet of flowers for some fresh vintage style. Here are a few of my ideas that you may want to try;

I had been searching for a long metal box to put on my window sill in the farmhouse so I could add seasonal flowers. Kansas City antique dealer Donnie Volkart who always has the best vintage selection, had just the right one for the space.  I lined the metal box with four glass jars filled with daffodil bulbs that I bought at the grocery store florist.

Just look what happened.

Galvanized tubs are another favorite and perfect to use with those inexpensive floating candles. I sprinkled a few flower heads beside the candles and placed the tub on top of a table for a evening dinner with friends.

Bottles and unique glass jars are always on my shopping list at flea markets. This is an old mustard jar that I filled with a small handful of flowers then tied with raffia.  Total cost under $5.00.

Look for salt and pepper shakers that are usually very cheap when missing the lids. I found a milk glass shaker and filled it with more flowers. This entire display cost  about $20. I replicated the same look for a Summer wedding that I was helping at a couple of years ago for a friends daughter.

Milk bottles usually can be found in two different sizes and are great to use as small vases.  This was a project I did for a past publication where I took milk bottles and pinned them on a clothesline beside vintage linens.

Often times when I am vintage hunting I look for a certain color or texture. I gathered a bunch of sun kissed vintage bottles and added a $3.00 thrift store basket for a past Easter photo shoot. You don’t really need a ton of flowers to make a big impact especially when using the same color. I snipped the flowers and used them as “bottle toppers” and tinted the water with some purple food dye.  Can you guess which color I was after for my project?

 

This is a photo from a project I created for a Romantic Country photo shoot I did with my buddy, the super talented Karla Nathan. I created a “garden board” for a luncheon theme that we were doing and fashioned a garland using vintage bottles and flowers. Using an old seed catalog, I formed a cone to hold some hydrangea blooms. All hooked to a rusty garden gate to display at our luncheon.

 

White roses and a vintage quilt, always a classic don’t you think? I wrapped some wire around the top of the bottle so I could hang it off of a peg on the wall.

I used a primitive iron bucket and added some lovely white peonies for a farm table display.

I hope you have fun decorating with your own fresh flower projects using those vintage containers you find at flea markets. Beautiful and rustic.

*******************************************************

Speaking of places to find vintage goods, my friend Gwen of French By Design who sets up at Marburger, Texas and our Frenchie Show will be doing this show~~  

February 5 & 6 from 9am-5pm 
Opening of the newest monthly antique and vintage market
in the historic Kansas City West Bottoms. Some of KC’s best dealers
will be presenting amazing finds in an 8,000 sq. ft. warehouse setting.

1200 West 12th Street at the corner of 12th and Santa Fe, Kansas City, Missouri 
(just north of the 12th street bridge).

**********************************************************

While in KC, check out Deb’s Valentine Art Show at Curious Sofa~

February 5, 6 & 7 Friday and Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12-5