"So many things your hands can do!"

The Birthday Photo Booth

Since Hez's birthday was at a park, I didn't feel the need (or desire!) to do any organized sort of game. But I did want something fun for everybody to do, so I decided to construct a photo booth of sorts. It was pretty inexpensive, the frame is just a few pieces of PVC and the fabric is some sort of fake cheap velvet. I used iron tape to make a simple curtain to hang from the frame, no sewing required! The one thing I was worried about was sunlight shinging through the back since the fabric was so thin, but I clamped a piece of black-out fabric I already had to the back.But I wanted more than just a red curtain, and since nobody seems to sell large circus font letters I decided to make them myself. The actual project was easy, but incredibly time consuming. First I cut out two of each letter and used strips of poster board to make some 3D letters.Then several layers of paper mache.Then some spray paint.Then a little gold paint for details.And once I set up the tripod and camera I ended up with this! Next to our 'photo booth' was a bucket full of props: the barbell from his invitation picture, top hats, big glasses, mustaches and clown noses...most of which was from the dollar store. I did a vintage effect on all the photos too.

A Strapping Young....Strap?

Teen Mom commercials = perfect mini-sewing project time! Made myself a cover for my boring 'ole stock camera strap. It's just a tube of fabric with some hot glued little fabric flowers I made. It was so quick and easy I'm thinking I might whip up some more, you know, so I have options. After I made this one (and one for my sis!) I found a lot of tutorials online for making straps, and they are a lot more fancy than my little 10 minute one! I'm definately going to try a few of these.

• Skip to my Lou's Tutorial


• The Cottage Home's Tutorial


• Crafty Southern Mama's Tutorial


• Kevin & Amanda's Tutorial

Nifty Fifty

image from Amazon.com

I've got a new lens coming my way, and I can't wait to try it out! This is my first new lens I have bought for my Canon (besides the one it is sold with) and even though it's one of the smaller (and thankfully less expensive!) ones, I think I am going to love using it! The Canon EF 50mm is supposed to be great for low light and portraits, and my house lacks good light and I have a baby that ends up in most of my shots! Perfect! Several sites have recently listed the lens as out of stock, including the site I found it for the cheapest at. I ended up getting it through Amazon and paid neither tax nor shipping. Now to wait 5-8 days. I'll be stalking the tracking number on UPS. On a completely related side note, I've started a photography challenge blog. Check it out, and join us over at the Shutter Bug Challenge!