New Stuff... Finally

I took my new camera out for a spin last week. While I am still learning (and will be for eons to come), I had lots of fun. The fun factor was ratcheted up because I had a camera buddy with me. Catherine and I made a three hour escape to take photos. It was SHORT, but it was FUN.

A friend told me about a cool old building missing its roof. When we got to the location, we discovered the site was completely grown over. BONUS! I think it would be such fun to take portrait shots here. What do you think?

Here are a few from another location.

 I like this one in B&W. I also like how some of the letters are wonky.

Is it just me, or does this look like a model town (like from Mr. Rogers)? Even with the boarded up window and bent strip of awning, it looks more like a toy set from this angle.

It was a beautiful, overcast, fun day. Thanks for going with me Catherine. We should do it again!

Homemade Camera Bag

I mentioned on facebook that I was in desire of a cute, affordable camera bag. Alas, that combination is pert near impossible to find. Most medium sized bags start around $50 and are U*G*L*Y black nylon.

A few of you may have seen the adorable, insulated lunch bag I decided to use as temporary housing. While it was cute, it was too small and didn't afford enough protection for my new camera. So I went on a hunt to find a stylish bag that I could convert into a camera case.

Here is the result.

It's a big bag. Probably too big (20" long), but I'm cool with that. Besides being super cute, the best part was the price. It's a $70 Liz Claiborne tote, but I got it for $21! (I added the LOVE key chain.)

One more thing- the colors above are true. The colors in the remaining photos are a little off.

That's because I'm still learning how to use my camera.

This is the inside (it's really raspberry, as you can catch a glimpse of it in the first picture). I made a foam box and covered it with taffeta (because it is slick and all the ripstock was in UGLY colors). The bottom layer is 2" foam and chipboard. The outside walls are 1" foam and chipboard. I also made a foam insert to fit inside the top of the box. The cute, dotted ribbon is a handle to make removal easier.

This is a view with the top insert removed. I sewed Velcro onto the walls of the inside fabric so I could attach my dividers. The dividers can be moved around, just like a "regular" camera bag.

This is the top of the bag showing the height difference between my foam box and the bag. By making the box this height, I am able to still use the pockets and zippered compartments of the tote, as well as snap it shut. Win-win!

Now the pictures don't show what a truly amateur project this is. I laughed and told my mom that I'm positive that either my bff Jef or my S-I-L Karen could have whipped this out in a couple of hours, but I'm not a sewer and it took me a day and a half. HA! (I also coated all fabrics with a water repellent spray... important!)

Still, I'm pleased with the outcome, and I didn't have to spend $150 - $200 for a stylish bag. My total cost: $45!

Design Idea

A while back my mom found a metal wall hanging she liked. Her obvious choice for display was the bathroom. Unfortunately the sign is rather small (about 11X14).

Too small for the preferred wall.

 

The solution? Hang the small, metal sign inside two empty, wooden frames. It not only fills the visual space on the wall - it also draws your eye to the center (which is the point). 

I think it is a charming solution. What do you think?

Flowerbed Friend

Everyday there have been hundreds of dragonflies in the front yard and flowerbed. I saw this beautiful guy resting on a fern. 

I've ordered my "grown-up" camera and am waiting for it to be delivered. Then I'll just have to learn how to use it. HA! In the meantime, I'm still going to use my P&S. It did alright here. You can see the hairs on the dragonfly's legs. (It is obviously a boy dragonfly!)

Big Lips and Mater

I hadn't seen my Caitie Bug in a couple of weeks. I missed her. She missed me too (YAY!). So we decide on a spontaneous trip to the movies. YAY again! It was a Light TaterBug Day.

Just one little problem. I poked something into my eye.

Pain... check.

Tears... check.

Late for our last minute movie... check.

Oh well. We were still going to get four hours together. Since we were hungry we went to one of our FAVIE places - Pei Wei. (We also hit The Container Store since we were in that shopping center.) Next up was a thrift store for items for a craft project I'm working on.

Our last stop was the Brown Sugar Bake Shop for cupcakes. Bug got strawberry - her favorite. I got chocolate Oreo (and a red velvet to take to my mama). If you are in the LR area you MUST stop by. The goodies are delish, and the shop is too. stinking. cute! (Please forgive the lack of a photo. I forgot to take my camera. I could have taken a photo with my phone, but it was raining outside, and we were too busy noshing to take a photo inside. Next time, I promise!)

We decided to have fun on the drive home. I broke out the big lips and Mater teeth. Unfortunately we laughed for a good five miles, so we were useless. We finally got ourselves under control and rode down the road like this.

Very few drivers noticed, but those who did were fun to watch. We had such serious faces, and we caused a few double takes. The best reaction was from an airman on his way home from the LRAFB. We passed each other a couple of times in both lanes. When he went by on his second pass we waved at him. He kept turning around and looking back as he passed. He never stopped smiling!

Honorable Mention

This sweet girl got an honorable mention in a photo contest. She placed in the top 20 (not counting the three winners). I am so pleased with that result, especially since there were thousands of entries. I'm also excited because it was taken with a 5 mp, point and shoot camera! It is from 2008.

This beautiful child was a seven year old from Tibukon, Haiti. She attended the New Mission school on the top of the mountain in Tibukon.

Little Rock/North Little Rock

Early Sunday morning, a friend and I went to shoot a charming neighborhood in North Little Rock. It's called the Argenta District, and it is delightful. I plan to return as soon as I get my big-girl camera. (I giggled when I learned that my cousin Casey used that phrase. I have said that for a while now and wasn't surprised when I read her use it too.)

We got to the neighborhood around 6:30. The Sun was still on the rise and the clouds were perfect.

The Argenta Drug Company. It makes me smile.

The Starving Artist Cafe (just as the sign reads).

A typical sidewalk. That morning there was a city worker driving around in a little cart 

with a huge water tank.

She was watering all the hanging plants.

The baskets are all over the area, so she had a big job.

See! I told you. Perfect clouds.

Next we moved to the river (the Arkansas River of course). There is a great walking/bike trail along the river. There is also plenty of seating along the trail, in case you want to watch the barges go by.

 This is the bridge that leads to the River Market (just behind the amphitheater with the blue tent) on the Little Rock side. There was a healthy breeze blowing that  kept us cool. God was all over us!

We crossed over the river and went downtown to Capitol Avenue. 

The clouds were even fabulous on the buildings.

 And we ended at the Capitol.

 It was a fun morning. We took pictures for about an hour and a half then headed home to get ready to go to church. It was a delicious day!