For A Moment Photography

iPhone Photo Collage

 

A lot of my favorite ideas (haha, I don't want to say best) come about when I'm slipping away to sleep or even in some my dreams.  It sounds crazy but I 've heard that your subconscious mind is working with out you getting in the way of it (or something like that).  This is how this idea came to mind today. 

Like most of you I use my camera phone a lot and snap tons of photos I don't (allow myself to) erase at don't love the quality enough to print.  All I do is admire them or post them to Facebook only to be forgotten days later.  Then this collage idea occurred to me this morning!  I don't know if there is a product out there like this but I love it (if I do say so myself).

The thing I love about this collage is that these photos (for the most part) don't really mean much on their own, they are just fun snapshots.  However grouped together it's a fun little peek into what our year has been like so far...  They mean more to me all put together.  I'm reminded of our trips, yummy food, our flowers we planted, my grandmother and little Mr. Lenny (our new dog).

It's sort of funny, I found myself importing my photos taken with my SLR camera on to my phone for edits!  What?!...  This is a test collage and I have plans for my next one already.  These are a bit out of order because I imported a few etc.  This next time around I already have my system set up to organize and store them so I can simply import them (and they will be in order).

Next time I may add more photos and depending on how this one turns out I may change the color to blend them all so they look more the same...  Or not we will see...  I wanted to post this because I think it could be a fun do it yourself type project! 

 

 

Shop out of the box!

The cars are smaller then a quarter.

 

It seems that I enjoy the holiday season more and more as the years go by!  I don't know why that is but I hope it continues...  Today I did some Christmas shopping for Presley and for one of her playmates (it's his birthday this weekend).  

I have been looking for toys for Presley's friend and had no idea what to get them.  I thought maybe an art set (no he might write on the walls).  I thought maybe a cap gun (are those even allowed anymore?).  I was drawing a blank...  Then I heard his Mom talk about how she keeps little army guys in her purse.  She said they are a great restaurant toy and no one cries if one or two goes missing.  Aha, I'll get him trucks! 

I decided to go look at a few Antique stores, the old metal ones (trucks) are the best!  After getting lost in a store for over an hour this (toys pictures above) is what I came up with.  The collection of military vehicles on the right are for Presley's playmates gift.  The others are for Presley next time we head to a restaurant or Christmas.  I decided to get the old tins to carry the cars in.

I decided to post this because I liked the idea of the purse full of army men and now the tin of cars...  I imagine soon we all will be looking for gifts and the Antique stores are filled with unique gifts.  The cars were $3.00 a piece and the tins were $10.00.  I thought it was a good price for a fun gift.  Plus!!  I found a pink (metal) Tonka truck and horse trailer!  It's perfect for my lil' One!  How will I keep it from her until Christmas ?!!

 

 

   

Essential Organic Products

My products in my bathroom sink

I was so excited for this package from the UPS man to arrive.  I ordered a few products from Sweetie Chey Pie Shop at Etsy.com.  It's a very fun place to shop and support small business owners, mostly women.  A lot of the products (on etsy) are homemade so it's a great place for unique gifts!

Last week I got these products for Presley and I.  She has very sensitive skin and during the winter her cheeks and hands are always chapped.  I've been using Shea Butter from the Farmers Market.  The only problem with that is it's really thick and she didn't like me putting it on her.  So when I found this Orange Coconut Balm, that wasn't as thick I decided to give it a try.  After only a few days her cheeks were healed and she loved putting it on.  It has a very light scent (which I love) and Presley feels like such a big girl putting on "face stuff".  Plus the ingredient list is short and no harmful chemicals added.  Just know the balm is still thicker then lotion (which is exactly what she needed).

For me I got the Multi Pain Relief Creamy Compound Oil.  After some of our work outs at Core Crossfit I have sore muscles at least one to two times a week.  Sometimes wake up with really bad muscle craps in the middle of the night.  Most people think (or have been told you need more potassium) I've read that it's actually magnesium, which this rub has in it.  So at the end of my day I spray a little on my aching muscles or through out the day.  I can't tell you if it's working yet...  I enjoy the smell, feel and another excuse for a massage!  

Like I mentioned before I bought the product from Etsy the shop is, Sweetie Chey Pie shop.  I've emailed Robin (the shop owner) and I was't sure about one of the ingredients (Lavender I worried it was too strong).  For a small fee she was able to change that (to orange ~ a special order)  that we thought would have a lighter scent.  I have to say I love the combination and I now have a custom made product!

I also got a small Honey n' Orange Lip Balm, I love it and use it daily.  It's not something I allow Presley to use.  It's a all natural product and there for it's a soften lip balm.  Presley already dug her fingers in it once, apparently it's yummy. 

The Orange Coconut Balm is $17.00, not including the small fee- that price may very depending on changes made.  She ships her products within days of your purchase.  So check out her stuff and contact her if you have any questions on her products or would like a special order.  I'm pretty sure you'll love it!  Oh the Orange Coconut Balm, it's a special order so you won't find it on her Etsy page.  Contact her and tell you I sent you for the Orange Coconut Balm.   

 

Second Time Around

Yippee!  This year Christmas shopping was such a good time.  I found Presley some vintage Strawberry Shortcake dolls (circa 1970's).  Opps, one doll is missing in the photo.  I had been bidding on ebay for them but ended up finding them locally for only $4.50 (yes, all 5 with clothes).  The ebay thing just drives me so crazy, then the sellers undress them and sell the clothes separately.  

I didn't know how I was going to wrap them, I decided to the Antique store and find a small piece of luggage or lunch box to put them in.  I'm soo lucky I found this cute little canvas blue mini suitcase.  It's in perfect condition and great for all those lil' toys she carries around.  We are going to a party this weekend where Santa will come by for a visit.  I'm thinking he may give this to her then.

I'm a little concerned that she won't like them.  I don't know where she heard about Strawberry Shortcake.  So I'm not sure she really knows what she's talking about...  I guess they are so cute she'll probably like them regardless.  

Disclaimer I have written that I don't buy plastic toys.  I have decided buy second hand plastic toys.  I feel like I'm not adding to the plastic pile in our land fills.  Instead I'm increasing the life of this toy.  Plus Presley is getting older and having more of an opinion about things...  It's a work in progress!   Looking for balance.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homemade Holiday Banner

 

Today's post is my 400th post!  Yippee!  It really doesn't mean anything but whatever I like even numbers...  Moving on, I decided I was going to make this holiday banner.  It think they are so sweet and I wanted to give it a whirl.  I finished the project in about 2 hours.   Which is surprising to me because I didn't have any sort of guide and that usually spells disaster for me.

I added a few video tutorials below if you want to see how I made it.  If not just enjoy my photos (they sort of stink).  I ran out of batteries on my off camera flash but you get the picture...  If I have enough time I'm going to make a similar banner for the tree (which has not been decorated yet).  The fun thing about these banners is you can make personalized ones for holidays, birthdays and parties.  I'm so excited it was so easy!

I didn't go into great detail so if you have any questions please feel free to ask.      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Book Wreath

I made this in two hours.

I love the Holidays!  Today I got started on a really easy and fun craft.  I made this wreath out of pages from a book I bought at the Dollar Store.  I found this project after looking at a blog that lead me to another blog that lead me to yet another blog that lead me to this craft she got from another blog!  

I wasn't looking for a craft to do today I was just clicking on pages, click click click.  I found this and it reminded me of the candles at Pottery Barn I love so much.  They have such cozy ideas, I would love to design for that store...  But for now I'll just buy lil' things from PB here and there!

I'll post directions below.  I of course didn't follow the directions- I never can.  I bought a 12 inch wreath and I bought two 350 page books from the dollar store.  With a project like this it's pretty fool proof.  The project took me 2 hours start to finish.  I love that because what a great homemade gift that I will actually complete!  It would also be an easy craft to do with friends.  Unlike sewing where you can only talk for moments at a time.

I spend the two hours crafting and listening to the Dalai Lama's, The Art of Happiness.  I love that book!  I have to say it helped me too, the few times I burnt myself with the hot glue gun... The pain is going away (from the burns) and I'm super excited to take this gift to my friends house warming party! 

What you will need:

glue gun

glue sticks

book 

foam wreath

Optional: Brown inkpad by Color Box- you'l find that at a craft store.

Below is the video tutorial- my first one ever!  Enjoy.

 

Birthday Package Idea

Edit for photo below.  

"Ketchup is good on everything."

As a former scrap booker I had thought of doing a year book of Presley each year around her birthday.  I had also thought about doing something similar for clients that come to me for birthday photos.  I thought it would be a less time consuming (then a scrap book) and easily replicated one as well.

I have to say the book is now down to a photo (another project in limbo).  I still love the idea I just don't have the time to get it off the ground...  I took these pictures of Presley to day and decided to throw a quick collage together.  She just looked so beautiful!  I'm sure at a later date I can still put together a book.  I'm just not sure how long I'll remember all the details about her during that time, yikes! 

www.foramomentphotography.com

Kids Holiday Gift Idea Ranked #1

 

 

Not my photo.  It's a photo from their website.

We have been lucky enough to have great friends that have invited us on several Mexico vacations.  These friends have also introduced us to an organization in Mexico created to help abandoned kids...  Here in the states kids like these are able to have a government prepared to help them, Mexican kids are not so lucky  that is why an organization like, Hope for the Children is so important.

My idea for the Holiday gift is to have our children (biologically and students) become pen pals or at least send a Christmas/birthday card to these (less privileged) kids.  The website has listed their birthdate's (name age and sex) and a card from you may all they are getting this year.

I hope that becoming pen pals may help our kids become more aware of the different experiences of kids their age and hopefully have a positive impact on them.  It's also a great lesson for us as parents to remember that this years "must have gift" really isn't a "must have" .  We can have such an big impact on our kids (in the long run) by showing compassion and love to all (especially during this time)... 

A man made imaginary line should not dictate if a child is valued or deemed worthy of helping or not...  Send a card and a little hope.

www.foramomentphotography.com

Holiday gift idea #2

 

Still need a Holiday gift and not much time or money?  Check out Groupon.com.  It's a site that has daily deals around the country.  Today's Phoenix, AZ deal is a paint ball trip for the day for $20.  Normally $60(includes: 

• All-day pass includes equipment, air, and 500 paintballs
• Four fields: 2 desert, 2 grass
• 50 minutes outside of Phoenix

  There is one deal per city per day.  You can also buy a gift card for someone and let them check the daily deals for one that works for them.  It's also a great way to buy something for someone in another state without having to deal with shipping (post office trips stinks right now).

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Holiday Gift Idea #3

 

I am a Mac/Apple junkie.  I love their products and can't get enough of them.  Santa came early and I got my iphone (I was a very good girl).  I am so excited to learn how to use the applications and now have the web, email and calendar at my finger tips (I've never had a smart phone before).  I really hope that the phone makes my life easier and frees me from my computer (but at the same time doesn't tie me to my phone- juggle)...

Apple products are great and user friendly (for all ages).  In this technology driven world you can't go wrong with Mac gift cards...  I don't know if this is a good Holiday gift idea for my blog....  I guess it's not new news, but hey a trusted favorite!

www.foramomentphotography.com