Stamping Intervention

How to Light a Photo

From eHow.com:

Proper lighting is one of the most crucial elements of a good picture, yet is one of the most commonly overlooked. Follow these simple steps to make sure your pics impress.

Step 1 -
Determine the "dominant light source." An easy way to do this is to look at the shadows in the area - they will point away from the dominant light source. If there are multiple light sources, the dominant one will create the darkest shadows.

Step 2 -
Decide what type of shot you're after. Usually you'll be wanting a fully-lit shot of your subject with as little shadow as possible.

Step 3 -
If you're going for a normal, well-lit photo, shoot away from the light source. This will eliminate harsh shadows and make sure your subject is lit up in your pic.


Other Tips -

• Don't rely on the flash! Most digital cameras have an automatic flash that's there to "fill" in bad lighting situations. Problem is, it's usually a pretty harsh light, and can wind up reflecting off your subject and making them look washed out. If there's enough light in the area and you're following these steps, turn the flash off!
• If you're outside during the day, the dominant light source is easy to find - not much is going to outshine that big light in the sky. Shoot away from the sun whenever possible.
• Don't stifle your creativity. Odds are you've got over a hundred shots to waste on that camera of yours - use them. This is simply how to properly light a photo - sometimes improper shots can accidentally wow everyone with your artistic ability!

For more great Scrapbooking Tips, book your scrapbooking workshop with me! Email me at sara@stampingintervention to reserve your date!

St. Patrick's Day Card Idea

Recently, I was challenged to create a St. Patrick's Day card. At first, I panicked because I'm not Irish, I don't have any St. Patty's Day stamps and I almost always scoff at the day being a holiday. Green beer and Corn Beef and Cabbage anyone? (Sorry, I used to work in a restaurant and would stink after working all day on St. Patty's Day...the stench was awful and almost always lingered for days.)

So, I had to put on my thinking cap...Hmmm...yup. I have lots of alphabet sets. Yup...I have a Scallop Circle Punch. That sort-of looks like it could be made into a four-leaf clover. I got to work.

Okay, so I have to admit...my first thought was to have the card say "Get Lucky". But, there just wasn't enough room on the Whisper White cardstock. (Perhaps it was Divine Intervention?)

For supplies, I used Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White cardstocks, Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive Classic Inks, Big Deal and Short Order alphabet sets, the Scallop Circle Punch, and the 1/2" Circle Punch.

To make the four-leaf clover, I simply used my Scallop Circle Punch with Kiwi Kiss cardstock. Then, I folded it in half and using my paper snips, I cut about one scallop out into the fold. I opened it, folded it the other way, and cut again. I decided that I wanted to cover the folds in the center of the clover, so I inked Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive directly onto a piece of Whisper White and used my 1/2" Circle punch to fill in that space.

Do you have any ideas for a St. Patty's Day card? If so, write a comment about it in this thread, email me your email address and phone number (so I can contact you if you win) and I'll put you into my March giveaway drawing!

Quick Tip: Crooked Images?

I've been known to mount my rubber onto the wood blocks crooked. It's totally unintentional, and I can't even begin to explain why I do it...maybe my head's a little crooked too???

Anyways, here's a quick tip for what to do when you've mounted your image to the wood in a place that you don't like. Throw the stamp on the wood in the microwave for 5 seconds. Check to see if the adhesive has loosened up. If not, continue to heat the stamp in 5 second increments (don't do this more than two or three times!). Then, gently remove the rubber from the wood and re-mount it to the block.

Another tip regarding mounting your stamps, you can use your Stamp-a-ma-jig to position your rubber exactly where you want it on the wood. Simply use your stamp positioner as you would for a piece of cardstock with the label and then adhere the rubber accordingly. For more information on this quick tip, please email me at sara@stampingintervention.com.

NEW Event! Urban Garden Card Class

Urban Garden Card Class

I've designed a class using the beatiful Urban Garden Designer Series Paper! You get to make six cards with envelopes, using multiple accessories and punches including the Flower Fusion felt flowers and brads, and the Scallop Circle Punch and the NEW Scallop Edge Punch.

The class is on Monday, March 23rd at 7:00 at my home in Ann Arbor. (2421 Pinecrest Ave, A2)

The cost is $13.00. I only have six seats left for this class, so RSVP soon to reserve your space. Pre-payment is required. Please RSVP no later than Friday, March 13th.

Volunteering my Stamping

I missed my time to volunteer last week because of the flu; there was no way I was bringing my 101 degree fever into a nursing home with hundreds of residents. So, I'll be going on Monday this week to make up my time with the residents in the assisted-living wing.

We'll be making a simple bookmark. I think that this is all they can handle at once...one simple project that gets their hands moving and their neurons firing is perfect.

To make this bookmark, I used Baroque Motifs in Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, and So Saffron classic inks. Then, I layered a piece of Tangerine Tango under the So Saffron "heartfelt" sentiment (from Heartfelt Thanks). Finally, I tied a piece of rope thread that's retired to the end of the bookmark. (The bookmarks themselves are retired too.)

I love volunteering with the nursing home- I cherish the way the residents eyes light up when they see their creations; I adore their individual personalities and quirks as some of them insist on perfection albeit with arthritis-ridden, shaky hands; and I appreciate their stories that they have to share with me while I'm there.

If you have time, you should share your love of stamping with a group out there...your grand-kids, your elderly neighbor, your church. Creating has a way of bringing out the best in all of us...

If you're interested in finding a place to volunteer with stamps in your community, I'd love to help you find your niche. Email me at syezefski@yahoo.com for assistance.

Wanna Play? Challenge #7

 I recently made this card for a workshop that's coming up in March. I used Upsy Daisy and Sock Monkey for my stamp sets and based the color combination off the Urban Garden Designer Series Paper.

To be entered into my monthly giveaway, simply write a comment in this thread about this card and email me at syezefski@yahoo.com with your contact information. This month's drawing winner will receive a free, retired hostess Paper Sampler!

I've been sick!

Sorry that I haven't posted anything all week! I've been sick again, this time with the flu and it really hit me hard. Yesterday was the first day I started to feel better...hopefully, today and tomorrow I'll be able to get some new samples up.

Be well and happy stamping!

Valentine's Treat Box

This is a simple 2-4-6-8 box that I demonstrated at my New Catalog Party two weeks ago. Basically, you score a piece of cardstock (8.5 x any height you choose) at 2", 4", 6" and 8" along the 8.5" side. Then, you turn it vertically and score it at 2". With the 2"x2" squares along the bottom, trim up to the 2" score mark. Cut out the 1/2" x 2" piece. Adhere the box together using Sticky Strip.

I stuffed this one with pieces of coordinating cardstock and a cello bag with M&M's. Nice and easy! I used Boho Backgrounds, Sock Monkey and Holidays and Wishes stamp sets and Pixie Pink, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White cardstocks.

 

 

 

Wanna Play? Challenge #6

This week's challenge doesn't involve stamping at all. I would like for you to take a peek at the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog and pick out your favorite sample in the Elements section (pgs 105-129). At the bottom of this post, click on "comment" and write about one thing that you like about the sample- stamp set, color combination, accessories and one thing you dislike (if any). Please be sure to include which sample it is and which page it's on.

Do this and you'll be put into this month's drawing!

Valentine's Journaling Quotes for Scrapping

---

Hi, all! Here's a list of some really nice quotes to use on your scrapbooking pages for Valentine's Day. Please note, they are from the website, scrapbooking.com. Enjoy!

 

From scrapbooking.com:

Valentine's Day Journaling Quotes:

Within you I lose myself...
Without you I find myself
Wanting to be lost again. - Author Unknown

Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Where there is love there is life. - Mahatma Gandhi

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was
not my lips you kissed, but my soul. - Judy Garland

Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same. - Emily Bronte

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.- Unknown

The heart has its reasons that reason knows nothing of. - Blaise Pascal

His Hello, was the end of her endings.
Her laugh, was their first step down the aisle.
His hand, would be hers to hold forever.
Her forever, was as simple as his smile.
He said, She was what was missing.
She said instantly she knew.
She was a question to be answered...
and his answer was I Do - Author Unknown

Just because somebody doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. - Author Unknown

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love
'Til you give it away. - Oscar Hammerstein

As sweet and musical
As bright Apollo’s lute, strung with his hair;
And when Love speaks, the voice of all the gods
Makes heaven drowsy with the harmony. - William Shakespeare


And now these three remain:
Faith, Hope and Love,
but the greatest of these is Love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13


Love bears all things,
Believes all things,
Hopes all things,
Endures all things.
Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:7,8

I love you
Not only for what you are
But for what I am
When I am with you. - Roy Croft

My Heart has found its home in you
And once nestled in your arms
Nothing else would do
My heart wants only you.
My eyes have found their resting place
And once my arms found your embrace
My eyes just could not leave your face
My eyes see only you.
My ears have found the sound they love
Your voice is like music from above
My ears love to hear the sound of your voice so dear.
My ears hear only you.
My soulmate you are and always shall be
For my heart is full of love you see
I will love you faithfully and true,
For my heart has found its home in you. - Thena Smith

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place. - Zora Neale Hurston

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. - William Shakespeare

We loved with a love that was more than love. - Edgar Allan Poe

A kiss, when all is said, what is it?
A rosy dot placed on the "i" in loving;
'Tis a secret told to the mouth instead of to the ear. - Edmond

Rostand