A Creative Cookie: April 2012

Apr 30, 2012

Have you seen the Photo A Day challenges over at Fat Mum Slim?

I am sooo excited to be participating in May! I will be sharing the photos on my Facebook page and post them often as well.

Are you up for the challenge?

Apr 28, 2012

Today I'm joining a photo contest over at Laura's blog. The theme is "From a low angle".

The first photo is my entry. I am addicted to dandelions! There are too fun to photograph.

:)

linking to:

{Guest Post} Laura from Our Reflection

Today I'm so excited to introduce to you Laura, in case you haven't already seen her amazing blog!

Laura will be sharing some tips on photography. Being a photographer herself, she really knows her stuff!

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Hello! I’m Laura from Our Reflection. I’m super excited about being guest a guest today.

A little about me. I’m a full-time working mom of two amazing daughters and an admirable, encouraging husband who are my life. I am, regrettably, a bit addicted to social media. I have a constant connection Facebook and Twitter wherever I am. I love Starbucks, the colors pink and yellow, mountain biking, and listening to the piano. My new addition seems to be blogging!

When I’m not working my 8-5 or being “mommy”, I’m a lifestyle photographer based out of Monterey, California. In my mind, I am ALWAYS thinking about photography. It never ends. My brain takes snapshots everywhere I go. My photographic passion is people. Couples, families, and children. Nothing brings me more joy than capturing those unforgettable moments that will be treasured for a lifetime. Check out my photography page by clicking here.

Today I wanted to share with you some of my fav's and helpful tips when taking portraits.

1) Time of day. Its all about lighting. The best pictures will be taken the 2 hours after sunrise and the 2 hours prior to sunset. This gives everyone that natural "glow."

2) Don't go crazy buying expensive equipment but do invest in a DSLR camera. They're not to expensive these days and worth every penny. {I'm a Canon girl myself.}

3) Keep your camera with you at all times. I'm one for spontaneous photos. The ones unplanned are always the best.

4) What should I wear in my portrait? I get asked this question all the time. The clothes a person wears has a big impact on the end result of the photo. They need to be comfortable. If they feel awkward in their outfit or environment, you won't capture them looking like themselves.

5) Don't be afraid to experiment. If you're using a digital camera, the cost of errors are free. Go crazy - you might end up with one you really love.

I hoped this help you feel more comfortable with your camera. I love questions or comments so please feel free to drop me an email.

Come and and say hi anytime.

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These are great, Laura! I love all of your beautiful photos.

Be sure to check out Laura's:

{Blog} {Facebook} {Twitter} {Bloglovin'} {Pinterest} {Hello Cotton}

Huge Group GIVEAWAY!

Apr 22, 2012

I am so happy to announce my first GROUP GIVEAWAY!!!

The best part is, there will be 10 winners! That means 10 times the chance to win!

And, if you have a blog, then you are in luck! Most of the prizes are ad space.
But of course, there are some supplies, accessories, and more!

Thanks to all of our lovely contributors! You can find each of their sites in my sidebar - be sure to check them out.

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Want to know what you could win?

One lucky winner will receive...

A $30 shop credit to Splash of Color by Moonlight!

{Website} {Facebook}
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Another lucky reader will win...

A 150x150 ad space on Miss Information!

{Blog} {Facebook} {Twitter} {Google+}
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The third winner will win...

An adorable Saturday Tote Bag from Applestone Drive! ($15 value!)

{Blog} {Shop} {Facebook} {Pinterest}
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The fourth winner will receive...

A 250x150 one month ad space from Bear Rabbit Bear! ($5 value)

{Blog} {Facebook} {Twitter} {Google+} {Pinterest}
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Another extremely lucky winner will receive...

A 300x175 ad space for one month on Imprintalish! ($10 value)

{Blog} {Facebook} {Pinterest} {Bloglovin'} {Google+}
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The sixth lucky winner will win...

A 150x150 ad space on One Artsy Mama!

{Blog} {Facebook} {Pinterest} {Bloglovin'} {Twitter}
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Another lucky, creative winner will receive...

A mystery box of craft goodies from All Things Blogs!
It might include:
Shells, fabric leaves, corks, bells, glitter, etc.

{Blog} {Bloglovin'} {Hellocotton}
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The next lucky winner will win...

A 250x150 medium ad space on The D.I.Y. Dreamer for May! Trust me, you want to be on this gal's sidebar! ($5 value)

{Blog} {Facebook} {Twitter} {Pinterest} {Bloglovin'}
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And finally, the last TWO winners will win..

Two pairs of earrings each from me! You can see each prize below...

{Facebook} {Bloglovin'} {Pinterest} {Google+}
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Just some details and rules:
Be honest! Only hit "enter" if you have done what is says to do. No cheaters allowed!
Please play fair, I don't want to delete your entry.
If you aren't honest about the first mandatory entry (following A Creative Cookie), any following entries will be deleted.

If you win ad space but do not own a blog, you may either donate that ad spot to another blog/shop of your choice or a new winner may be chosen.
(Only the first option applies to winner of One Artsy Mama's ad space)
If you win an ad space and own a blog but the blog doesn't fit the standards of the item contributor, a new winner will be chosen.

Winners of my earrings, All Things Blog's craft supplies, and Saturday Tote must have a US shipping address.

Giveaway will end on May 6th, 2012. Winners will be announced shortly afterward and emailed.

Will you be a lucky winner?
Click through the jump to view and enter below!

Dollar Store Mirror Redo

Apr 18, 2012

Today I can't wait to share with you this simple $1 mirror! This was over at See Vanessa Craft last week, in case you missed it.

I have been in desperate need of a mirror in my closet. I found a cheap mirror from Dollar Tree about a month or two ago, but it was literally falling apart. Creative instincts told me to grab the glue gun and start working!

Materials

Dollar Store mirror ($1)

Ribbon scraps (I had them on hand)

Small beads (beads are optional, but they add a nice touch)

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Fabric scissors

Tape

Hot glue gun

Needle + thread (for beads, optional)

Total Project Cost: $1 (woo hoo!)

Directions

Wash off your mirror. I had to pull tape and hardened glue off of the frame sides.

Lay out the ribbon. Take your needle and thread your way through your beads. Knot both sides. Lay that out as well.

Starting with the bottom-most ribbon, wrap it around and tape the ends in the back. Continue with each ribbon (and beads)!

Glue all four sides of the frame back on. It may be a tight fit over the ribbon, but it should fit. You can finish with gluing the ribbon on the back, but the tape stayed on just fine for me.

You're done! Could it be any easier?

Notes:

(1) Grab a hair clip and clip it onto the ribbon. It can give the mirror a new look any time you feel its time for a change!

(2) Even though this mirror can hang on its own, the stand in the photo gives it a nice touch. It's also from Dollar Tree.

linking to:

Washi Pencil Cup

Apr 16, 2012

Today I can't wait to share this cute pencil cup! I think I'm officially sucked into the world of Washi tape. In cased you missed it, I did a post about my Washi tape tray last week.

Supplies:

Washi tape (Target $4/4 rolls)

Square pencil cup (Target, I think around $6)

Are you noticing my love for Target yet?

BEFORE

AFTER

I took three different sets of Washi tape and taped them down vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.

No more explanation necessary (that's the beauty of Washi)

I love my new colorful pencil cup!

Guest Post {Bonn Bonn Boutique}

Apr 15, 2012

Hey there! I am so excited to have my second guest blogger. Meet Bonnie from Bonn Bonn Boutique. Bonnie is so sweet and cute, I'm so glad she is here today! She is showing us how she made the most adorable Lace Flower Headband...

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Hey Craftonistas! The other day I was browsing YouTube and I came across this girl who demonstrated how to make a really cute lace flower. I love lace. It's so delicate and pretty, and I love the way it makes me feel when I wear it. I didn't watch the entire video, but enough to get the gist, and decided I would give it a shot.

To make this beautiful lace flower you will need the following items:

Lace
I got a spool of it from Michael's in the ribbon aisle. The spool came with white lace about 3 feet long and 1.5 inches wide.

Felt
I'm using white lace, so I got white felt. You can use whatever color lace or felt you would like though. Definitely make this your own!

Knit Non-Roll Elastic
I decided to buy this elastic in the sewing section instead of buying an already made headband. I didn't know if I was going to make a cuff or a headband and I wanted to keep my options open.

Alligator clip
This is optional. I want my flower to be multi-functional so I did not want to permanently adhere it to anything. An alligator clip allows that.

Rhinestone embellishment
This is also optional. The flower still looks pretty without it, but my philosophy is the mo' bling the betta!

You will also need scissors, a glue stick, and a pen. I also used the the cardboard piece on the end of the spool of ribbon to cut out the felt circle that the lace will be glued down to. Do not use this as a template because it's too big. I had to rip apart my lace flower and almost ruined the entire thing :-/

Lace, felt, scissors, glue gun, elastic, alligator clip, circle template- you can use anything you have laying around the house. 2.5" is the perfect size. Don't forget your pen and sparkly embellishments. if you wish.

Use your circle template to trace onto the felt.

Once you cut out the circle, begin to glue along the perimeter in small sections.

Continue around the felt circle until you reach the middle.

As you can see the lace flower looks really pretty all by itself.

But like I said, bring on the bling. I went with a green rhinestone. I love the pop of color that it adds!

Glue the alligator clip to the back of the felt, making sure you don't glue the alligator clip together. That is totally something I would do!

I decided to make a headband instead of a cuff. I placed the elastic around my head to gauge how tight I wanted the elastic to fit. For me that was about 22 inches. I cut it with scissors and glued it down with a hot glue gun.

I clipped the lace flower to the elastic where I glued the two pieces together and voila, here it is!
I love it :)

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Bonnie, I L-O-V-E it! The green gem is so cute. Thanks so much for sharing!
Be sure to check out her:
{Etsy Shop} {Blog} {Facebook} {Pinterest} {Twitter}