Bokeh Filters

Bokeh is the out-of-focus or blurry areas of a photograph. Wikepedia has a much more detailed version here. I'm obsessed with it.
Ever wonder how photographer's get the awesome heart-shaped blurred lights to turn out so well in photographs like this:

When I saw mikepageky's flickr pics and his homemade version of a filter, I squeeled with delight!! I happen to have an extra lens cap and I'm going to try this out...

You can read more of a DIY how-to here.

For those of you who want to read an awesome tuitorial on how to capture good bokeh, check out robertsdonovan's tuitorial (DSLR version) or the point-and-shoot version here.

These photos on flickr just blew me away. The stars and the snowflakes...oh, the possibilities!!

Not the DIY type? You can buy a kit here...and it is affordable!

Perfect for Valentine's Day, huh? Go grab your camera...

Sew Inspired

  My first crafty love is scrapbooking, but sewing has become more intriguing to me as time goes on.  I think that the web has played a part in this.  There are so many crafty blogs and sites that offer tutorials on how to create some sewing projects in just a few steps.  I love me some free step by step directions to get me through a project - so here are a couple that I think you might like.

This one is actually a Pottery Barn Photo -- but here is where you can get directions to make your own -- love them!

And this quilt looks like a good starter one.

Here are the directions

And this table tent that has oh so many possibilities- so super cute!

Click here to get the directions.

and one last fun one from one of my favorite bloggers Vand Co.

She does really great tutorials.  Check her out here.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Michelle Lanning

Those little photos...

Have you ever wanted to create a page with smaller photos but realized your favorite online photo site only offered 4x6 prints?

PhotoSheet to the rescue! I found this handy site that will help you collage your photos into four 2x3 images and place them onto one 4x6 file for uploading to your favorite site!

This process can be done in Photoshop Elements but for those who don't own the program, this method is quite to cost saver! There are even more ways to custom collage at the site.

Why I Scrapbook.

I love her. And I'm going to take this creative journey with Shimelle. Check it out--the video did me in...

Also going to check Debbie Hodge's new class called "Building Pages: 12 Approaches to the Blank Canvas" over at Get it Scrapped. I just love her stuff and how she views this wonderful hobby. I'm never disappointed when I take a class of hers.

Have a super Sunday!

doodle daily...

and scribble random thoughts. I enjoy that little saying very often, seen here scribbled in one of my sketch pads. Which happens to be the subject of today's post. Sketch pads. Sketches. Random and specific thoughts.

Above is one of my sketch books that is well loved and worn. Very often my sketches are random thoughts that fall in my head and I need to jot down before they are swiftly swept away. Many times this will include ideas and inspirations I have seen in magazines or online. Sometimes it might be a quote or two that I read, or overheard my kids say. But mainly, I do attempt to be proactive with many of my layout projects and assignments by using my book to purposely plan those pages.

Now there is no real rhyme or reason to my method of planning a layout. Sometimes they are simply mere sketches without even a photo in mind. Every so often I get down to the nitty gritty and use measurements and color and even title idea. The photo below is is an example of getting a bit more specific with my plan in mind.

For me this falls in the doodle and scribble daily category believe it or not. It is relaxing and enjoyable to me to pull out my colors and add that to my sketching. And what is really fulfilling is when the above design turns into this::

You can see it is not the exact sketch idea, but it certainly was a great jumping off point that for me turned out very well.

Another format I enjoy is graph paper. That's when one can really get down to it and use actual scale sizing. I know, that might be a little strict for some, it's not what I always employ. It is simply one that does at times come in handy. The scheme seen in this next photo...

...then became this layout below. You can see how I stayed a bit more true to my original plan. And I am just as happy as to how that turned out too.

So that is a little peek into my creative process. Hope a little something here is helpful to you.

Now, go forth and sketch!

Favorite Photos of 2010...

(ETA: The February Main Kit is SOLD OUT. I've had a ton of emails requesting this as a mini kit, so I've started a wait list. It will take a couple of days to receive the product, but I'll keep you posted right here. Please email Trish at Turay413@gmail.com if you'd like to add your name to the list. Thanks so much for all your sweet comments--I'm glad you like!!)

I have made a "Favorite Photos" book like this the last three years now. The book consists of the cover, a back, and 12 monthly divider pages. Favorite photos of the cooresponding months fit in between, simple as that.

Unlike my scrapbooks, this is a photo album and is simple and straightfoward...with little to no journaling. I know--not like me, really. But there is something freeing about a project like this from time to time.

The chipboard and all the elements to create this book are all included in the Work in Progress February Main Kit this month. It goes on sale to the public at noon EST today.

All you do is add 4x6 photos, adhered back-to-back, and you're done!! The above pics are already added to my January section this year.

Did you catch the whole "three years" thing? Can you believe it's coming up on three years?

Have a great weekend, friends...

Valentine Finds

This pancake pillow...swoon...

I'm in love with these pillows...

Shauna Thompson's idea of creating a date-a-month is nothing short of brilliant. You can check out the details here. I'm going to attempt to do this for my hubs...need to plan it and think a bit, but I love the intention behind it. So cool.

These would be lovely on a Valentine tree, no?

More Sneaks...

I am SO excited about the kits this month!! The above peek is the February Project kit, featuring the 7Gypsie's Printer's box, among other goodies...

And below is the sneak of the Valentine Kit. You didn't think I'd forget V-Day, did you? We have the perfect mix of Bo Bunny, American Crafts and Making Memories...

Can't wait to show you the rest!

Happy Wednesday...

Ebelskivers (Stuffed Pancakes)

I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to kitchen stuff. I like quality, and I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so I pouted the day after Christmas when I was shopping at Williams-Sonoma and their Ebelskiver pan was sold out. I was further disappointed when they told me that they were hard to find, so they probably wouldn't get them in stock for weeks.

The friend (Jen) I was with reminded me that I was a kitchen snob, and laughed at me. It's what we do.

Last Wednesday Jen and I met up and she handed me the ebelskiver pan pictured above. She scored it at Target--and it was only $10!!!

We tried out this simple Rachael Ray recipe using chunky applesauce, and it was delish. Our kids loved them, and couldn't tell I used the Target version (wink).

Now if only the Pioneer Woman could get on the bandwagon and whip some more recipes up, I'd be euphoric.

New Looks for an Old Door...

I'm soooo lifting this idea. Lindsey over at the Pleated Poppy posted this tuitorial. Too cute for words, me thinks...

Later!