Flickr

it's an obsession. Flickr that is. If enyou don't have one get one. I can sit on there for hours. Too many hours. Looking through all the photos. Photography fascinates me. Getting to see so many things from so many perspectives. It is stunning. The best part of Flickr are the differt groups. There are thousands of them. So many different subjects. You can find a group for just about anything you could ever imagine. Each group has their own topic and then everyone uploads their pictures relating to that subject to share with everyone.

A few of my favorite groups are

• Canon Powershot A560 - this is the camera I have. It's fun to see all the different pictures people have taken with the same camera as me. Just do a search for your camera. I'm sure there is a group for it!
• Craft Rooms - Oh my this groups is amazing! Seeing all the different craft rooms/art sudios! It makes me very jealous!
• Scrapbook - Share all of your scrapbook creations!
• My Chihuahua Is Cuter Than Your Chihuahua - So much cuteness here!
• Document A Week in The Life - This is Ali Edwards group following her series A Week In the Life. Check out her blog, it is an amazing project. I am thinking of starting one.
• Chicago - Since going there I have become slightly obsessed. 

I am in the process of redoing my flickr page with just photography. Check it out and add me to your flickr friends. I would love to see your flickr pages! Leave them in the comment section! 

Pink Sketch #8

Pink Sketch #8 is up over at Pink Sketches I had a great time working on this layout using pictures that I took from a trip to the cider mill last week. I used Cosmo Crickets Mr. Campy Line which is actually camping paper, but looks great in a fall layout because of the wonderful colors. The chipboard owl is from Maya Road. I covered it with Mr. Campy paper and then made my own eyes and mouth. I might add some journaling to it later, but for now I think it looks great.

Tips on Taking Pictures of Your Layouts

One of the first things I learned when I started posting my layouts on the internet is..... a horrible picture can ruin a beautiful layout. I quickly learned how easy it is to make a picture of your layout look just as good as the real thing, without using a $500.00 camera or a fancy scanner!

I take all my pictures with a simple point and shoot Canon A560 camera. I got it for around $150.00 at Target about a year ago, and it is one of the best cameras I have ever owned. 

Here are some simple steps to get a great picture of a layout using your own point and shoot camera.

1. Go outside. Natural sunlight is the best place to take your picture. Even if the sun isn't out the natural light outside really helps.

2. I usually alway leave my camera on the auto setting, but one thing I do change when I take pictures of my layouts is the macro setting. It usually looks like a little flower on your camera settings. Just hit the button and it should turn macro on. I find it to be great for really showing detail work in a layout.

3. Set your layout on the ground. I usually put a scrap sheet of 12 x 12 paper under it just to keep it protected from any dampness, dirt etc.

4. Stand directly over and about 6 inches away from the bottom of your layout (so your feet aren't in the picture), hold your camera directly over the layout pointing at the ground. Now usually I don't zoom in that much because I use photoshop to crop my pictures, but if you don't want a lot of surrounding background in your picture make sure to zoom in and crop the layout using your camera zoom.

5. All that's left to do is snap! Instantly you should have a better than average picture of your layout.

Here is a layout I took a picture of yesterday morning. 

Supplies: 

Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants All Fall Collection

Rub Ons: Scenic Route

I hope this little tutorial helps some of you out. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you A.S.A.P.

Fresh Start

I took some time and cleaned up the blog. Nothing drastic, Im still working on it. I took a lot of stuff off moved some things around and made a new header. I'm not sure how long it will last I liked it a lot better when I was making it, now I'm not sure. Anyway I'm starting fresh with new layouts, pictures, everything. I'll add things more throughout the week, I just don't want it to be too crowded.

Now in Scrappy news..........

I never posted my layout for Pink Sketch #7. So if you haven't seen it get over to Pink Sketches and check it out. Tomorrow will launch another sketch!

I have quite a few new layouts to post, I just have to take some pictures of them when the sun is out today. Hopefully. 

So since I didn't take any new pictures of the new layouts I decided to give the whole digital scrapbook thing a try again. I actually really like how it turned out. I used a Harvest Spice digital kit from ShabbyPrincess.com. They have some great free digital kits to download. If you haven't visited them yet make sure to check it out. So here is the layout I created using Photoshop Elements for Mac and the ShabbyPrincess Kit.

Just something quick and fun. I enjoyed making it. Something out of the box that I haven't done in awhile and it's always good to have a challenge. Hope everyone has a great Saturday, I have to work unfortunently. See ya tomorrow with some new layouts.

Relaunch

I am getting ready for a relaunch of pink chihuahua art this weekend. New layout. New content. New everything. So expect some construction over the next few days and check back soon.

New layout

Here's a new layout I did last week. Products are October Afternoon for the most part. I've been experimenting with cutting patterned paper and kind of fitting it like a puzzle. I love how this turned out.

I'm Back

I have been so bad about blogging. I just have had no time. So I promise I am going to blog the rest of the week! Todays blog is just going to be short and simple. My layout for Pink Sketch #6.

Come on over to Pink Sketches!!

Pink Sketch #5

If you haven't checked it out yet, make sure you head over to Pink Sketches and participate in Sketch #5 here is my layout.

Except more scrappy blogging this week! :)

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been so incredibly busy lately. Doing what? I really have no idea. lol. I've been working, working, sleeping, dealing with allergies, and fitting a little bit of scrapping book in. I actually for the first time scrapped at home! I know that sounds really strange, but I never ever scrap at home. This week I actually took some time sat down and completed one layout and started a little homemade mini chipboard album.

I got the idea for the chipboard album from my LSS when they had a free make and take for their customer appreciation sale. Here's what I made at The Scrapbook Tree

and here is my own little mini album that I started

It's something that is really simple, easy and quick. I still have to add pictures, embellishments and finish it up, but I think it is a great start.

I'm headed off to a 8 hour crop tomorrow night so I hope to get a ton of stuff done. I really want to get some layouts done to submit for publishing. I still have a million chicago pics to scrap and a ton of other great moments as well. Have a great Thursday!

Pink Sketch #4

Today is the launch of Pink Sketch #4. It's a 2 pager, which I know a lot of people were looking forward too. If you haven't checked it out yet make sure you head over to Pink Sketches and join in all the fun.

Yesterday was also customer appreciation day at my local scrapbook store. They were offering 20% off everything, free make and takes and prizes. Boy did I go nuts. As soon as I walked in the door they had ALL of the new the My Mind's Eye Collection. Embellishments, Paper, Kits. It was AMAZING. I got all of the Christmas line I wanted and a ton of extra stuff. Plus they had an adorable mini book make and take. I will post in the next few days.

So here is Pink Sketch #4 

Sneak Peek!

Here is an exclusive sneak peek of my layout for Sketch #4 at Pink Sketches. Make sure you check out Pink Sketches on Sunday for the Launch of Sketch #4!!!! And if you haven't seen Skectch #3 yet, get over there and join the fun!

Holiday Weekend

The holiday weekend is over, and it was back to work yesterday. YUCK. I didn't do much over the weekend. I worked on Saturday and Sunday then had Monday off. I took a trip to Michael's and went out to lunch with my Aunt and super adorable cousin. Michael's had 4 for $1.00 paper and from what it looked like in the paper I thought It was going to be all new. Well I got there and it was all the same old junk! I got a few American Crafts papers and that was about it. I did take some adorable pics of my cousin. I can't wait to scrap them. Especially this one.

How cute is that? lol.

Also a big thanks to everyone who has given me The I love your blog award. I promise I will take the time in the next few days to post it and nominate my own 7 blogs.

Well that's all for today. I'm hoping to get some scrapbooking done in the next few days, but we will see what happens. On Saturday I am going to my local scrapbook store where they are having a customer appreciation day. 20% off your entire purchase, free make and takes, and a ton of giveaways. Hopefully I win something. I am also still on the hunt for the new My Mind's Eye and October Afternoon, hopefully I can get my hands on it by the weekend!