Should I be worried...

The other day (or maybe it was today- I can't remember) Micky asked if I had realized that other companies can use my pictures without any consent needed. I guess in a way I did realize this, after all, a couple of my friends and family members have tried to download and print my photos via my flickr site and it seemed (overall) to work. I did not fully realize that companies could use it without your permission. On each photo there is a copyright on it stating "All Rights Reserved", so you think there would be some kind of safe guarding but it leaves me to wonder... if it ok to post my photos to flickr.

The reason I have used flickr for so long is because it's an easy way for people to access my photos and view them. I guess that comes with the good, the bad, and the ugly viewing them as well- the "unknown". I'm sure I could get Micky to make a site for me that's easy to upload and easy to view. I would just hate the mundane task of uploading all 400 photos again.

For now I am okay with using flickr and the off chance that someone might use. There is so much talent on that site that I doubt my photos would even get a second glance. But this has raised a lot of questions for me, if I choose to get serious with my photography, and I will have to think of some alternatives in the meantime.

That's all for now.

Flickr Inspiration

I should have mentioned flickr in my Top 10 inspirations. Here's a new inspiration from them: Amazing circles.

Lot 'o fun

Top 10 Things That Inspires Me

Not to say that there are only 10 things that inspire me, but the list has to end somewhere doesn't it.

1. Country Home Magazine: I guess if I had to define a style that I like it would be country cottage. There is something so welcoming and warm about that rustic style. Lots of good ideas in this magazine. Now all I need to do is get a subscription (or perhaps someone could get it for me- wink, wink).

2. My students: It's always amazing to see what kids can create with just a few tools and instructions. I love it when they explore or when they learn their hidden potential.

3. Candice Olson from Divine Design: I am not joking when I say that I would move to Canada just so she could re-do one of my rooms. One day I will sign up for an Oprah show and tell her that I would http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.giflike to meet Candice Olson. Then Oprah could bring her to me, instead of moving.

4. Michaels: Some people might actually think I chose my home because it's only a block from Michaels. I'll leave that up to you to decide.

5. My mother: She probably should be at the top of the list. I think it's in our genes to be crafty because she is my Asian Martha Stewart. Also, my two other sisters are on the craft scale as well, which is why I think it's in our blood. If it's not in our blood then it's because of all those fun after school classes that she signed us up for. I remember learning about photography in the basement of the Anchorage Art Museum.

6. Other craft people: In general people inspire me. Take for example my parent Kapris. Her one gift caused an infatuation with scrapbooking. Crafting is really an addiction and an expensive one at that.

7. Better Homes and Garden: LoVe, LoVe, LoVe this magazine. I never seem to make anything in the magazine, but it's definitely inspirational.

8. Artsonia.com: Great idea for children's artwork, which is something I am constantly looking at.

9. IKEA and Pottery Barn: Even though I can't always afford their furniture, I will often look at the artwork in their displays for painting ideas.

10. Nature (some of my favorite flickr photos from other peeps): As many of you know this is the one and only thing I like to shoot. It's always so simple, clean, pure, and beautiful. I love finding the perfect moment to capture outside and I am so excited about my new Macro lens. This will enable to me to get even closer to flowers and bugs, etc. Can't wait.

Photoshop Here I Come

Ok, my sweet and loving boyfriend (I know I don't say that as much as I should) uploaded Photoshop on my computer. This is a whole new playing field for me. I don't know anything about this program and I would like to take a class on it. I'm a visual learner. The only thing that I do have down is how to make these block collages (I don't know if collage is the right word for it). I saw someone do it at the Arts and Wine Festival and I really wanted to do it as well. I am going to Costco to pick up my first print order to see how it looks like. I am excited *cross your fingers* to see the results.

I have to upload a couple of pictures of some paintings I have finished and I also worked on a couple more candles. At this point I need to stop spending on crafts and use what I have.

Costco.com

Costco Photo Center has had some recent, very exciting, changes happening. They are now doing square prints. Yes, I know you could just buy a regular print and cut it, but I'm lazy and I don't cut straight lines very well (I joke not). The second is that I can finally print stickers!!! If you are a Mac user you were unable to access this function. It's funny that they finally enabled others to do this because Moo is about to launch their stickers this month as well. I will post a picture when I get my first batch! Can't wait!

Getting Better

I am getting better with this Lazertran paper. I made a couple more candles. I could definitely see these selling in a store somewhere. I just wish the transfer was a little more glossy, but I really can't complain. I also love the rub-on wordage that I can put on them. So cute!

6 Craft Books Later

I am addicted. I can't stop making these cute photo albums. They are a lot of fun and I can't get over them. I've now made 6 and have plans for 4 more. The hardest part is to find embellishments that match up with the albums. I wonder if there is therapy for this kind of thing, perhaps Crafts Anonymous.

Ta Daaaaa....

My painting project is now done. Only a couple of days and 12 bottles of paint later I have a piece of artwork that I am proud of. Here's a helpful hint if you're going to attempt a painting project. I would rethink using acrylic paints when you do this because it took A LOT of layers of paint before the color even stuck to the canvas. With all of that said, I do love this project. I know I wasn't very creative in sketching out the painting (it was an adult paint-by-number kind of kit except you had to supply your own paint).One day I would like to be skilled enough in my drawing skills to be able to do something like this. For some reason I have no concept of proportions (that's probably why I'm never successful in a diet). I am proud to say that I did all the color decisions for this painting. Chocolate brown is such the "in" color this year. It's everywhere and to be honest I am also a big fan.

Now what to actually do with the painting...Hmmmmm? Does anyone have this color scheme in their house?

Lazertran Project

This is a small project that I have done with my Lazertran paper (see previous post). I bought these very inexpensive glass votives and transferred my images onto them and then added a simple rub-ob wordage ontop. I think that I may need to add some kind of protective layer on top, like a clear paint. I am still excited about the collage idea with the window pane. I think that is going to look really cool.

Design on a Dime

I just got done watching Design on a Dime (HGTV) with Lee Snider and all I have to say is TACKY!!! OMG, it was horrible and I can't believe anyone would like it. To me they spent $1,000 on tacky. Let's just say there was silk, black feathers, weird wall paper, and turquoise all over the place. *Mental Note* Never trust a non-gay guy to re-do your room. I still can't get over it, but at least Chase Dakota is here to the rescue.

On an HGTV note, there are times that I wish I lives in Canada so I could get Candice Olson to decorate my room. She is truly amazing and inspirational. I do realize that they never tell how much the renovation costs because it probably costs an arm and a leg. I heart Candice!!!!!

Abigail's Experiment

Abigail didn't actually "create" this project, but she had the initiative to try it. She found it in in one of the art books that I have in my class (I'll try to find the title later).

What you'll need:
Watercolor paper (8 by 10 or larger)
spray bottle of water
watercolor paint (I used the tube, but Abigail used the Crayola kind and it came out wonderfully)
watercolor brushes with a bigger head
Saran Wrap (pre-cut it to be a little bigger than your paper)


Step One:
Choose a color theme you'd like. Abigail decided on doing her first project using warm colors. She used red, orange, and yellow. I think it would be good if you kept with a color theme similar to that, otherwise your project might look like a tie dye shirt. Her second project used cool tones.

Step Two:
Spray your watercolor paper with water (a lot of water, but not so much that you're seeing puddles)
Add your paint in streaks of color being sure to mix some of them.
Be sure all of your paper is colored and there is NO white space.
Spray lightly again with bottle.


Step Thre:
Quickly lay the Saran Wrap on top of your painting. Move the plastic around so there are cracks and lines throughout the painting. Don't be afraid to play and experiment with it. The let it dry overnight and peel off your Saran Wrap. You'll (hopefully) see a really cool piece of artwork!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Last Summer I took my first watercolor class and I was addicted. Just like my photography, I seem to be drawn towards flowers. In fact, most of my paintings were based off of photos I have taken so I guess my last statement makes sense. My favorite was given to my mother and father for Christmas and it was only the 3rd painting I had done. These are just a sampling of pieces I've finished. I am hoping to start up again this summer. Last year I even had a chance to work with a small group of girls on a watercolor class. All the artwork we produced was put in our Art Show
. It was soooooo nice doing art with a small group of well behaved students who are motivated to do art. You should have seen some of the things that they came up with. That small group ended up making over $100 for our school, which is such an accomplishment. In fact I am going to post a project that one of my 3rd graders, Abigail, experimented with. It's an easy, no fail watercolor project just like we like 'em.

Craft Project #5

I have only done one layer to this painting, but I thought I'd share my work in progress. I am using an acrylic medium for this painting and I got the canvas at Michaels on sale. I am actually liking the chocolate brown and white painting by itself. It would look really good in Charlotte's house (wink, wink). But I did buy a lot of other paint and I intend to use them.

Tomorrow I plan on going to Home Depot to see what inspires me. I will definitely look for chalkboard and crackle paint. I love going to stores like those because you never know what you'll find and what you can turn them into.

Happy Shopping!

Craft Project #4

Here is one of my finished windows. Amelia's was having a sale a couple of weeks ago, where these different window panes were sold 2 for $25. Needless to say I now have 7 panes sitting in my garage. This was the smallest of the 8 and it's pretty simple. I put scrapbooking paper on the back of the windows and mounted 2 of my photos onto some of the paper. It felt like it needed something else, so I added a couple of rub-ons to the glass.

As you can see from my previous post I am hoping to do a photo collage onto one of the frames. I am thinking it will probably be a "barn" theme frame. I also want to try my hand with crackle paint on one of the frames. I am thinking of using a black undercoat and a brick red coat on top. Then I will take out the glass and put a chalkboard onto the backing. Of course this frame will be my homage to school and I will have to find some school days embellishment. Should be fun!!! Kind of scares me to break the glass. Does anyone have any tips?

Craft Project #3

This is more of an experiment then a project because I haven't made anything. I recently purchased Lazertran paper. This paper allows you to print off your photos onto the paper and then it will transfer it onto glass, wood, or whatever you want. I am hoping to make a collage of photos onto one of the window frames I purchased. I still have to play around with the paper because I'm not too sure if I am using it right.

Craft Project #2

One of the cutest gifts I received this year was from Kapris (one of my parents). She made this cute little scrapbooking album. Of course once I saw this I had to make my own. This is one of the two I made the other night. One was black, red, and white and this one was a cute country pink. I was also thinking this would be a great Christmas present for others. It would be a different idea than a typical Christmas letter. So cute.
*Update* I just went to Eugene's Arts in the Vineyard and someone was selling these scrapbooks for $25. Can you believe it? This is why I need to open a booth which would sell all of my crafts. I'd call it, "Jill of all trades". Hmmmmm....

Craft Project #1

Even though you might not consider this a "craft" project it's still something I've created. These cards are called Moo cardsand they are sooooooooo cute! They take your flickr photos and post it onto these mini cards and you can print information on the back. I'm going to use them as a "different" business card. Very easy to order and I was so excited to get it.