What's in My Craft Room - My Photo Set-Up

I love seeing other peoples crafty spaces. I love getting ideas from all the pictures and feel inspired to keep my space as organized as I possibly can. I am fortunate to have my girls sharing a large room, so I can use the small room as "my craft room". However, they are growing, and so am I, so we are currently in the midst of renovating (finishing) the space above our garage to become my "studio space". And I couldn't be more excited.

I thought I would share a few pics of my own crafty space and the light box that became my best friend while working on my book. It looks pretty clean here - but that's only because I would work on one chapter for the book (about 4 patterns), clean it all up, and then get working on the next chapter. So I snapped the pictures in between chapters. Cheating? I think so! I didn't take pics of my fabric stash or my knick-knacks - but will do that when they are all unpacked!

A few people have also asked (as well as my offering) what my photo set up is like. So I'm going to share that too.

This is my trusty Kenmore sewing machine. I do hope to get a Bernina soon, a Juki someday, and a baby lock as well...but until then, this workhorse has been so good to me. It currently sits on the Porter Desk (from Pottery Barn). The drawer underneath is awesome - but the weight of my machine is proving to be too heavy for the top, and is beginning to sag! *cringe*. So I will have to switch things up when I move up to the studio and will most likely put my computer on this desk instead.

My awesome green chair is from my husband. It was my birthday gift a few years ago and he picked out my favorite color.

Here is my photo box. It's actually a light tent and can fold up into a little pouch. I know it's quick and easy to make a cardboard photo box - but this is a great investment since it's about $60. You can't put the cardboard one away and hope that it survives. This one is great for using, traveling, and storage! That's totally my opinion and I'm not being paid to say that. I will say though - that I had to by some white fabric to hang & lay inside, because the material it is made with is very wrinkled and not seamless. I bought some bright white velour material at Joann's. You can ask them if they would recommend anything in particular - but this white material is great because it doesn't show everything (like wrinkles). Keep a sticky roll next to the light box though - you'll need it once in a while to remove threads and fiber specs. I pinned the fabric up in the back at the top, so it drapes nicely and doesn't create a shadow.

To make this box or any box work right - you also need the right lighting. The awesome thing I was told at a photo store nearby - was to use photo bulbs in a regular desk lamp - saves you a ton of cash! The bulbs (added a pic of the packaging below) will run you about $15-$20 and the desk lamp can be purchased at Target or anywhere for $10! That is - if you don't already have one! I used 2 that I already had - and they have both been great. You can use up to 4, both sides, top and back. I only have 2. And it works fine. The green one was from target years ago and the other one is adjustable up down and every which way. That helps too.

I took a few pics of some Heather Bailey and Amy Butler fabric in the light box, and some little lavender stems in an old ink jar.

If you have any questions for me let me know. You can leave me a comment below - and I'll reply as soon as I can. Just so you know - I didn't use any filter effects on any of the pics. It was a while ago - but I did change the saturation levels on the flower image - it was fun playing with these flowers in the light box. Thanks for visiting and I hope you all have a great time creating in your space.

Life Cycle of a Poppy Flower

I have become some what obsessed with this little plant of ours and had to share some pictures to show you this amazing life cycle. I received this poppy plant from my dear sweet friend Amy almost 2 years ago. She loves the color orange (and who can blame her) and thought it was just too pretty to leave at the store and gave it to me.

My husband takes care of the plants better than I do in this family, which is why we almost lost this one. It was dying rather quickly, so I found a rather empty spot in our newly landscaped yard and popped it in a little hole (before it was too late). I watered it frequently during the hot summer, as I watered the rest of the flowers, and nothing happened. Last year, we left it where it was and watered it more. Nothing happened. 

My husband was going to pull it out this year with the weeds, and I said, no just leave it in there. It's not like the leaves had all died and withered, it just wasn't blooming. About a week and a half ago, my husband sent me a message and said "I'm glad you told me not to pull the flower out! There's a bud shooting up". The fact that he was glad I told him not to pull it was so sweet, but the fact that he was checking on it, was cuter than anything else! He kept me up to date on the buds progress and then a few days later the bud and shoot were well above the height of the nearby Daisy plant. One tiny little bud leaning over and dangling on a shoot almost 2 feet tall. Then another day went by and it got taller and slowly stood up a little straighter.

Friday morning he told me it was going to bloom soon, and later that day the bud popped open. So I immediately took my camera out and snapped a few pictures. I have not photoshop'd these pics at all. I have not added any filtering effects. These are pure nature at it's best. (And I couldn't be more thrilled if you were wondering!) I wish I had gone out later that afternoon or evening, because by the next morning (Saturday) the poppy was standing straight up, and in full bloom. Isn't it beautiful? It look so soft and fragile, like tissue paper. How does God make such amazing and beautiful things like this? I'm in awe!
 

Today, Monday, I noticed that the flower had already reached it's peak and was quickly fading. Even in death, this amazing flower, was too beautiful to not capture. It was very windy (of course) and I had to lean it over a little to the side, in the hopes of getting the flower to be still. Just one picture was all I was hoping for, that captured the beauty of it fading away. One picture that was crisp and clear, and it worked. It reminded me of Orange Sherbert. So sweet. So delicate.

Flowers are so uplifting and inspiring, and as this little plant began to bloom this year, we awaited it's blooms with baited breath. We did not give up on it. Almost did, but in the end, held out just a little longer. How often do we have to wait a little longer, to enjoy the richness and beauty that life and opportunities have to offer...until of course, the time comes to an end? It's worth it.

While this little flower bloomed, this little friend enjoyed his share of sunshine and sunflower seeds in our back yard. He was too cute and had to be photographed too! (again - no filter - no photoshop)

Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope that you can stop and enjoy whatever cycle you are in. Every cycle has something wonderful to offer. Even the end, because that only means a new cycle is just beginning.

Giddy-Up Friday: Photo Booth Magic

There's just something magical about a photo booth! It certainly isn't the lighting or the lack of Photoshop to adjust the picture to my liking and rid any and all imperfections! But every chance I get to hop into a booth and snap a few random pictures to capture the joy or chaos of a moment...is nothing less than magic! Move over kiddos I'm coming in! In this instance my girls and I were buying new vest and coats (on sale) at LL Bean's since they grew out of their old ones!

If you can't find a photo booth near you....try setting up your camera on a tripod, in a really crammed space and take some of your own random and silly photo booth style pictures! Have an awesome weekend! See you Monday for my trip to CHA day 3!