Jul
23
2008
I had an outpouring of responses to the posters I mentioned about a week ago. I thought you all might enjoy seeing the finished posters in their frames.
The markers we used were
Pigma® Micron®
and I found them at Michael’s Arts & Crafts for about $3 each.
The Frames were between $25 and $40 for the 20×30 and the 20×28. I picked them up on sale.
I would be happy to hear any feedback you may have.
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Jul
19
2008
Oh Canon, are you listening?! I adore my Canon Rebel XTi!!
I thought I would put together a short list of what I would love to have in my Canon setup.
Rebel XSi (must have for the larger screen and live viewfinder, focus check zoom on the live finder, spot metering, auto lighting optimizer!)
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM OR
EF 50mm f / 1.2L USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Not a Canon Part…. But VERY Cool!!!

Hoodman Loupe
Hoodloupetm Professional is worn around your neck just like a normal loupe. When it is time to review your shot; bring Hoodloupetm up to your image and place your eye up to the eye cup for complete glare free viewing. Hoodloupetm has a +-3 diopter to accommodate those with less than perfect vision. Hoodloupetm adjusts focus just like a binocular eye piece… you turn the eye piece in or out to set for your vision. Minimal magnification is used to eliminate visual pixilation of your image. Each Hoodloupetm is encased in a user friendly rubber for comfort and protection from bumps that will occur throughout your shoot. Comfortable lanyard and compact protective storage case included. Fits up to 2.75 inch LCD screens.
7-16-08
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Jul
18
2008
Port is a wine that is great for after dinner (desert) and pairs with chocolate.
I discovered this delight at a local wine tasting of more than 20 wineries from Colorado. So, I decided to try more… different brands of Port… two types of Port (Ruby Port and Tawny Port).
Yes, I tried cheap and a little more expensive (keeping to my rule of not going over $20 a bottle).
Observations:
Breckenridge Port - Yum, but expensive! $21 for a smaller bottle (I only tasted it at the wine event, but my friend bought a bottle because she liked it, too)
Cockburn’s (just under $10) Ruby Red - the smell about knocked me out… I think this one must need to sit out for a little while before drinking. The color and body were good. If I get this one again, I will let it breathe for a little while and drink from a glass that my nose doesn’t go into while taking a sip.
Taylor New York Label ($4) - The bottle said it was good on ice. It was a little thin even without the ice. Not bad. Not sure if I would purchase it again.
Sheffield Tawny Port - good, but couldn’t have it with something sweet because it tasted like nuts and raisins to me.
Graham’s Six Grapes ($17) - Ruby - Good, not overpowering with the smell, yummy, but boy did my head hurt after two tiny glasses the night before
I know the Ruby Port will go good with chocolate. I hope to find the perfect combination… I will keep trying.
7-18-08
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Jul
17
2008

Meg and I came up with a fun way to exercise creativity in photography. Check out our Fill the Next Frame Challenge at DSP!
Here’s the forum for Fill the Next Frame
Here’s the Gallery for Fill the Next Frame
Object of the game: Look at the last photo in the "Fill the Next Frame" Gallery… what does it remind you of? Grab your camera quick! Take a pic! Post it to the gallery and link it to the thread.
Posting your filled frame: Post your photo that you associate with the previous photo in the gallery and give us a brief explanation of how you connect the two.
Feel free to be inspired by all the photos in the gallery, but be sure when you post it is connected to the previous photo in some way.
Come play along with us… Fill the Next Frame!!
7-17-08
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Jul
16
2008
I thought it would be fun to see how many snapshots people take on average per month of their family. :) Please vote today. If you are like me… I take more than I care to admit.
VOTE in the POLL at the right…
Thank you for voting!
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Jul
15
2008
Sometimes the ol’ blood sugar dips a little. I laid down for a while and asked my son to bring me a teaspoon of Peanut Butter…. what did I get?! Exactly that! I got the set of measuring spoons with the teaspoon faithfully filled with just what I asked for and needed.
Jul
14
2008
This layout totally caught my eye in the DSP gallery! Many Feathers at DSP used my Curvalicious Take 1 Quick Click (Template) and Delicious Dish Page Kit to create a layout that is awesome!
Why do I love this layout? The photos are so amazing! I love the choice of the kit to go with the greens, blues and browns in the photos!
Clear Photos… bugs out of the frame on the right page… artistic representation of what the baby bird sees as momma pokes her head in to feed the little ones, variety of the photos and the feast they show.

Layout of the Day: Delicious Dish Bluebird Baby Food
DSP Member: Many Feathers
Credits: Delicious Dish by Kim Liddiard, Curvalicious Take 1 QC by Kim Liddiard, Digital Dates Carved Text by Meryl Bartho

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Jul
13
2008
This picture was a great match to use with this kit! The shirt in the picture was too bright so I decided to change it to a more sepia look matching the brown in the kit.
For this layout, I just loaded the kit into Photoshop by adding the files to a layer stack, "cut" some circles out of the backgrounds to mat the circle frame, repositioned the elements tow where I thought they looked good, brought some of the elements to the top of the layer stack and then added my text to wrap the frame slightly.
For this layout, I also used the "irresistible" title from my Oodles of Love Alpha Set to top it off… because… doesn’t that say it all??!!
Thank you for looking!
Credits: Hugs Page Kit, OOdles of Love Alpha Set, DSP Toe Jam Font (click on the images to be taken to the DSP Store! - Thanks!)

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Jul
12
2008
Today, the kids and I sat down to do my ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) for the Laptop Crop and Photowalk at Adobe (July 25th and 26th, 2008). The first thing they say is … "do we get this one to add to our collection??" I thought… I have fans!! They collect my cards!! Isn’t that cool?!
So… we start making the cards… cut, fold, laminate. My son was working the laminator.
Our Conversation:
Big Smile
"We are going at the speed of 1 CPM."
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"It means we are going at the speed of one card per minute."
**I love his trading card math!!**
A little later..
"One CPM equals 60 CPH (Cards Per Hour)."
I just love how their minds think!
Want to see it? I would let you… but then it wouldn’t be a surprise.
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Jul
12
2008
Recently, I had the *brilliant* idea to make an autograph poster for my daughter’s Sweet 16 party. It was a hit!!! Since then, I made another for my other daughter’s graduation party. Now I have people requesting me to make them for their parties. Currently I need to make another one for another daughter’s party.
Sam’s Club prints them for me on their matte finish and I have them in hand within an hour. The prints are gorgeous!
My examples are below. They framed up beautifully and are a wonderful memento for the occasion!
Thank you for looking.

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