Spring Photography Appointments

Well, I'm back in the saddle again...

The long winter brought about a much needed break in my photography (for other people).  But the warm weather last week led to the phone ringing, and my schedule filling up with appointments.

Here are a few pictures of little Colbie.  I shot them in her front yard.  She recently turned one.

And she was absolutely precious.

I simply followed her around the yard, and took pictures of her for 45 minutes.  One of those times when I couldn't wait to get home and upload the pictures, because I knew a few were going to be ones to melt her Mama's heart.

If you would like to schedule photos, please drop me a line (Turay413@gmail.com) or call me for an appointment (locally in Northeast Ohio 440.353.9663).  I have many appointments for graduating seniors, so if you have not booked a date, you may want to call within the next week to allow time for editing.  Senior sessions are two hours long.  I have also booked a few Spring family sessions, as Mother's Day and Father's Day is a good opportunity to take special photos of the children and give as gifts.  Those sessions can be 30-90 minutes, depending on how many children and the ages of those involved.  I'd love to do your family's session!!

Enjoy your day...

Easter Egg Hunts

Tis the season for Easter Egg Hunts!!  If you're like the folks in our neighborhood or community, you always look for alternatives to stuff in those eggs.  Look no further!  You can check out the awesome ideas here.  Get hoppin'!

This blog post also has great info and inspiration on how to host your own Easter Egg Hunt (for those of you who are much more ambitious than me!!). 

And for a cute egg hunt invite, click here for a free printable!

Enjoy your day!!

iPhone app of the week--Snapseed

My pic this week is Snapseed.  I took the above photo of my street last week, and edited it with Snapseed.  Fun and EASY to use!

Scott Kelby stated that it was, "Hands down, the best photo app for the iPad to date."  And I am a big fan of Scott Kelby.

And if you're into apps like I am, you'll want to pick this book up ASAP.  My sweet friend and neighbor, Pam brought it over (gotta love a librarian!) and I've added at least a dozen apps because of this book.  What did I do before this little device???  THANK YOU for thinking of me, Pam!  You're the BEST!

Enjoy your day!

Amish Friendship Bread

I've been making this bread for years now. Whenever a friend gets a "starter"--I jump at the chance to bake it...

Amish Friendship Bread.  Have you heard of it?  The bread that "takes 10 days to make."  SO worth the effort.  It freezes well, and you can make a ton of different types of bread, depending on what you add to it.  My freezer is stocked with about a dozen loaves of it right now...

I found a much better pic on Pinterest, so I thought I'd share it...

You can find the printable 10-day directions here.

And you can get the starter recipe here.

Enjoy your day!

Fun Easter Finds

Aren't these little buggers the CUTEST?  Adorable little Easter favor for your guests, or a classroom!  You can find out all the details here.

And these napkins are too cute to pass up.  The directions are in another language, but the photos are easy enough to follow along (and they're found here.)

Last year, I made these Bunny Tails for classroom favors, and they were a huge hit.   You can find the free printable at eighteen25 here.

And you can bet your tail I'll be making this awesome looking Bunny Bark for Easter this year.  How cool is that??  You can find the directions for it here.

Enjoy your day!!

Oh, Target...

I love you. I really, really love you...

Your new office supply section is fully stocked, and I do believe it was made for me.  And can you believe WASHI TAPE??  Four rolls for $4.00!!!  YES!!  Coordinating accessories for my desk AND my scrapbook pages?  YES!!

And ginormous rubber bands to hold all my stuff in place? 

Thank you.  Thank you, Target. 

Go forth and shop, people.  It's worth the trip!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Cute Easter Ideas

Hard to believe, but Easter will be here before you know it!

Aren't these adorable?  Chocolate covered strawberries, made to look like carrots!  How cute would that be on a platter for Easter?

Tip Junkie posted a bunch of fun and creative foodie ideas for Easter too.  Check them out here.

I found this on Pinterest, with no link to give credit (sorry!), but thought my kids would be all over this idea.  Easy and interesting enough to hold their attention!

Or if your kids are healthy, you could give this darling idea a shot...

You can check it out here at the Hip Hip Hooray blog.

Enjoy your day!!

Fabric Flowers

A few weekends ago, my daughter and I set out on a fabric flower making frenzy. We made a few dozen after reading this tutorial...

Tried it with a larger, three wick candle first.  Didn't work.  (But this is a new favorite, thank you Bath and Body Works--lol!)

We went with a tea light.  And we kept a bowl of water nearby, just in case.  I'm clumsy!

Be sure to cut out several circles that are graduated in size, and use synthetic fabric.  As you swipe them over the flame, the edges melt, making them no-fray.  AND...they curl up, making it lovely...

We layered 3 deep for smaller flowers (little girls) and 5-7 deep for larger, lapel pins.  I sewed them in place (because I felt they were more secure like that) and then added pearl beads or rhinestones to the centers.  You can add pin backs or alligator clips to the backs (for hair clips or pins)...

And the finished product looks like the one here on the April Project Kit cover.  Each one, unique and pretty!  I took the clip off this one and used hot glue to the cover for a flat look...

I hope you try this at home, and have fun with it!  Link us up if you do!

Enjoy your day!!

iPhone App of the Week--Red Stamp

My pick this week is a new favorite, for sure.  Red Stamp is an app that allows you to send postcards--virtually or by snail mail.  The best part?  You can make lists, journal, send a note--and save it as a photo to print out for your scrapbook (Project Life!) or to a friend.  And it's FREE.  What's not to love?

Reminder: Plant your Wheat Grass!!

Okay folks.  Here is your annual reminder to PLANT YOUR WHEAT GRASS.  You have until about the end of the week, so don't panic.  (If you got a main April WIP Kit, you'll be good to go, as the seeds were included as a thank you gift!)  But just as a public service, you'll want to do this so you will have them ready for awesome Easter displays in a couple of weeks.  The perfect way to welcome Spring, right? 

You will find my original post here, with all the info and details.  Please post any questions in the comment section, and I'll be happy to help you out.  Above, you'll see I use natural baskets that are lined, so the soil doesn't spill out.  I bought mine lined, but you can easily use a ziploc bag cut open if you are in love with a basket that doesn't have a lining.

Yes, I trim my grass with scissors when it starts to wilt.  I find it very satisfying, thank you very much (OCD).  My sister saves the clippings and juices the stuff (and if you're a health food guru like her, by all means, go for it!).  Wheat grass shots go for $2.50 at Robeck's--so save a few bucks!

Enjoy your day!

April 2012 WIP Kits

April 2012 Main WIP Kit--$30 ($28 for Subscribers)

Contents of this kit include:  9 Double Sided 12x12 papers from Echo Park Note to Self, 2 Note to Self Sticker Sheets (1 Alphabet sheet & 1 element), 1 Label sheet Note to Self, 14 mini posters, 30 die cuts, and various tags/notecards shown.  Exclusive All About Me journaling cards--two full sheets  See below for more details:

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April Project Kit--$28--The Complete Book of Aunts mini book kit

Contents of this kit include everything to make this project, plus finished photos to complete your own (no directions--but the photos make the project EASY and DOABLE for the beginner scrapper!).  The entire line of Dear Lizzy Neopolitan 6x6 is used with this project, along with other tried and true favorites.  The book and everything shown comes included, and there are many extras to make yours unique!

The binder clips can be used along the spine of the book, or along the back of the book, as shown.

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Flower Power Card Kit--$12 for 18  3.75 x 3.75" cards and envelopes

To reserve your kit(s), please email Trish at Turay413@gmail.com, long with your Paypal address, and we'll get an invoice via Paypal out to you ASAP!  Thanks so much!!

I apologize...

Sorry guys, but I won't be able to post pics of the kits until tomorrow. I'm very sorry. I'm waiting on one shipment, so rather than post the two that are ready, I'm going to hold off until tomorrow when I can post all three and spare more confusion. The good news is that its worth the wait! :) Enjoy your day...

Sneak Peek

Thought I'd share a couple sneaks with you today...

Here is a sneak of this month's Card Kit.  Felt the urge to include flowers since Spring is upon us!  I'm really happy with how they turned out...

And the main kit?  It will include the entire Collection Kit from Echo Park's newest line--Note to Self, along with a bunch of really awesome die cuts and embellishments that are perfect for straight up layouts, or for those of you who are partaking in Project Life.  Can't wait to show you more!

Stay tuned...