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Saturday, January 5, 2013

FAVORITE THING SATURDAY

I am so glad it is Saturday! I don't know why, but for some reason, when you have a short week at school, it seems like the longest week!  I guess you have to produce the same amount of work in a shorter period of time. Today is just for relaxing...and getting the tree down.  That's always a little sad, even though I'm ready. I hate having the tree sitting in the room all dark and empty. It might be tomorrow before they can actually get the tree back to the shed. 



Today I'm joining the fun at Mockingbird Hill today for Favorite Thing Saturday.   I'm showcasing a little photo box.   I love it when something you make turns out just like you want. If I remember correctly, I got the idea from a book by Heidi Swapp.   I bought the little plain wooden box at Michael's. Sadly, they no longer sell these and I never got to make one for pictures of my son.  I bought little wooden circles and painted them black and put a shiny finish on them. Then I used a circle cutter and cut out pictures of my daughter. The little discs have pictures on both sides. 


I stained the little box and put a finish on it. Then I stamped my daughter's name on the lid with a small alphabet stamp.  



On a different note, I was having trouble sleeping last night and decided to see if I could find some tips for better pictures. I have just a simple point and shoot camera that allows you to select a few preset situations (museum, snow, sunlight, etc...). I found two great tips that I will surely use. 
 With flash off, you can bring more light to your subject by focusing on the darkest area, then shooting your subject.  In the pictures below, you can see the difference.  In the second photograph, I first focused on the dark green of the pine, then moved to the little wooden cup.  You can see how much brighter that area is.  



The second tip was to help with blurry photos. It was suggested that you use your camera's timer. This is something that will be a big help to me.  Even when using a tripod my photos are often blurry. I don't think I'll ever get the really sharp photos, but hopefully I can at least overcome the hand-shakiness.

I hope you are having a great Saturday.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

12 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for joining in this week. I love your sweet photo box - what a lovely idea. Those are good photo tips. I've also found that if you hold your breath while pushing the shutter button, it will steady your camera.

    xo
    Claudia

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  2. What a cute idea!I have seen those before at the craft stores. I also love the picture of Santa!
    Thanks for stopping by to see me.

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  3. What a cute box! Fabukous idea!

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  4. Love this idea...I am a secret little box junkie! The smaller the better. Thanks for the photo tips as well. I try to shoot my photos in natural light as much as possible...what better light than what God provides us.
    Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!!
    XO barbara

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  5. It is a cute little box. I have been trying to learn some new photography tips too and it is amazing how much you can learn online.

    Carolyn

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  6. I love the little box..It's such a cute idea and thank you for stopping by. I am your newest follower.
    ~Clara

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  7. Cute box. You did a great job.

    Love the photo tips. I seem to have a problem with camera shake too. I try to practice holding it steady and I think it's helped. Will try the timer and see if the results are better.

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  8. Thanks for sharing your photo tips. And the photo box is a very sweet way to show off precious pictures of little ones.

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  9. Your little photo box is super cute! Great photo tips, I can't wait to try them. Happy Sunday

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  10. Hello Leslie girl !
    Thank you so much for your many compliments about my garden .. you are so sweet : )
    I love your projects and tips here .. I haven't seen pictures done on something like this before .. they are adorable! .. I absolutely love that Santa picture to the left in that wonderful frame .. it looks antique and is such a wonderful example of an old fashioned Christmas (which we will never see again with the way technology is stamping the kids out to be little techs ? LOL)
    Heuchera ... there are so many and breeding is creating more types that will stand the sun .. but each one has it's own levels .. but, on the other hand ? I have experimented with many .. forcing them into a little more sun. The best advice I can give you for most of them is that a little morning sun shouldn't hurt them and it should bring out more colour .. I am actually looking at some new ones, one called Buttered Rum and Midas Touch have colours I like. I think Redstone Falls would be a perfect one for you .. it is very hardy and the colour is gorgeous and it spreads !
    So if you have a chance to find that one it might be ideal for you : )
    Thanks again Leslie for dropping by !
    Joy

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  11. That's a darling box! I haven't been able to find any wooden boxes at my Michaels either. Thanks so much for the photo tips, I need all the help I can get! I have a terrible time not jiggling the camera, woe is me.

    Happy Sunday!

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  12. Sweet little project and useful camera tips.
    Balisha

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