My Week Through Instagram: Week Four

Here is what week four looked like through me...through my Instagram lens of course.

Sunday: Started my morning with chai tea and a good book. Every morning should be so great.

Monday: Anthropologie tweeted that it was National Pie Making Day. I couldn't resist fixing up this apple pie again. I have been lucky to enjoy this delicious treat all week.

Tuesday: Trying more watercolors this week, this time peach tones.

Wednesday: My digital camera finally got fixed and came back to me. It was the sweetest surprise waiting for me on the porch when I got back from my evening walk.

Thursday: I made this adorable deer plaque and you can make it too! Here's the DIY.

Friday: After my first successful Blurb book I'm working on my second one. I spent Friday (and today) editing Italy images and compiling them into book form. 

Saturday: A chill Saturday at the computer. I had to represent my team and wear purple and gold. Go Lakers!

What did your week look like?

Follow me on instagram if you like. My username is laurenelisecrafted. Or see all of my pictures on the computer through Followgram. Happy weekend! 

Happy New Year + Happy Packaging

Hi blog friends! Happy New Year! Can you believe it's 2012 already? I had to write 1/1 yesterday and it felt so weird. But I am so excited for the new year and am happy to get back into the swing of things today with a blog post. I was oh, so neglectful in December (embarrassing) but we'll forget about that and move forward with a plethora of posts in January. Today I'm going to share with you some of my Christmas packaging and later in the week we'll be recapping my Twelve by 2012 goals (I did ok but definitely didn't accomplish all twelve). I want to set up a new mini goals list and share it with you here (you keep me motivated) so I'll be announcing that soon.

But first I have some sad news. My faithful and reliable old friend, my Nikon d40x camera, is currently experiencing some technical difficulties. I was taking some shots with it a few days ago and suddenly an error message popped up on the screen and the shutter will no longer fire. The message reads: 'Error. Press shutter release button again.' Based on some research I did, I don't think the camera is totally dead or anything but I'll need to send it into Nikon for fixing and have to pay some fee which I won't be happy about. Poor  camera! It is five years old and has taken a ton of pictures but still, I'm frustrated that I will be digital camera-less for awhile. I rely on it so much, especially with the blog. But I'll find a way to share pictures here...that's why Steve Jobs invented the iPhone I guess. Has anyone else experienced this problem with their Nikon cameras?

And now for the pretty packaging part of the post. This year wrapping mostly consisted of white paper and washi tape. Simple components yes, but I came up with a handful of different configurations to make each package feel unique and fun.

I think my favorite was this one to my brother. David has gotten into photography this year so I gave him a few different photo/camera goodies. I incorporated this old photograph into his packaging, using my label maker to write out our names. A pop of color with some washi and some bakers twine and this easy package was completed in no time.

The present on the left was for my Mom. I cut wahi tape into triangles and made garlands on her package. This is so easy to do but it has major wow factor. It would be perfect for birthday wrapping. The present on the right was for my brother. I bought the cute glasses tag at Renegade this year. It was designed by Invita Paper Studio. Find the tags here. I actually saw Adriana (the talented designer behind Invita) at two local shows and was so happy to chat with a local creative. She is super sweet and her designs are just so colorful and fun. I definitely recommend checking out her shop. 

This simple criss-cross washi was for my stepdad. 

I dug out these cute bike stamps and made a fun little package for my brother (side note: I can't believe I bought these stamps a year ago!). I'm digging the collage effect with the washi. I'll need to try that more often. 

And finally, another one for my Mom. I had to wrap it in kraft paper because of the size. I love that the design on the washi is actually illustrated buttons and then I added a few actual vintage buttons to keep up the theme. And a skeleton key with some lace is always the perfect feminine touch. 

How did your wrapping go this year? In the past I have saved wrapping until the end and then I just stick everything into bags, very uncreatively. So I was proud to actually wrap everything up this time around. And I even did it a few days ahead so the presents got to enjoy some time under the tree just looking pretty before getting ripped into. Christmas success!

Again, happy 2012 dear readers! I am so looking forward to this next year together. Cheers to pretty pictures, fun blog posts, and lovely inspiration and projects to come. 

My Lovely Christmas

Hi friends! I am afraid it has been quite awhile since my last post. Far too long in fact but this month has been a busy one for me as I'm sure it has been for all of you. The holidays are sure a bustling time. For me it has mostly consisted of my part time job at Anthropologie which, at times, has felt like a full time job. In my spare time I got in some Christmas shopping and found some great presents for my family and friends. My brother has been home on winter break from college and so we have spent a lot of time together which I love and cherish. I have also been relaxing when I can, reading a lot of good books and watching a bunch of old movies. Although I haven't officially declared a vacation for myself, I guess I have built it into my schedule a bit, hence the silence here in blogland. Forgive me. But I am so excited about 2012 and have a lot of exciting things planned so I guess I'm gearing up for the new year by allowing myself a break.

Today I wanted to share some of my pictures of our home leading up to the holiday and some shots on Christmas Day. Christmas is a simple affair for our family but I wouldn't have it any other way. It is about surrounding yourself with loved ones and enjoying your time in their company. And we managed just that quite successfully I think. 

A favorite Santa since I was little.

You may remember some of my mantle decorations from last year. We spruced it up a bit differently this year including this awesome silver owl that my Mom found. Now the Santa on the right is truly my favorite. He has adorned the top of our Christmas trees since I was a baby. He might be a bit unconventional, usually you see stars or angels up there, but I find him quite perfect. He is showing his age though and we actually have to rubber band him to the tree.

This festive garland is a recent addition to our holiday decor thanks to my Mom. She put it together using vintage Christmas postcards she found while antiquing. Sadly I haven't had much time to be crafty lately but I was super excited to see her creation. 

Christmas booties!

My stocking on the right and my brother's bear stocking. I want my brother and I to be in our 70s and still using these two guys. 

This is one of Scout's stockings. Yes, her toys actually overflowed into a second stocking this year. She is quite spoiled. Again, I think she got the most presents out of everyone. 

Our mantle. I have actually never had a mantle before. The houses that we lived in previously did not have fireplaces so seeing all the stockings actually hung up is still quite a novelty for me.

Here is Scout with one of her new toys. She was so excited that she tuckered herself out and eventually had to nap away the afternoon. And David experimenting with one of the new cameras I got him. It's called the Lomokino and it actually shots little videos with 35mm film. David has been talking about shooting some videos so I cannot wait to see what he creates with this.

And finally David and I wearing our new Christmas scarves and holding the two cameras that I bought him. I'm holding a vintage one, an old Kodak Brownie, that I got for $10. We think it is in working order though and hopefully we can get a chance to test it out. But for $10, you can't really go wrong, even if it is just a decor piece. 

So that was a peek into my holiday. How was your Christmas?! I wish all of my readers a merry holiday time and the happiest of new years. I am so thankful to have my blog, a place where I can come and be creative and open. And I cannot thank you all enough for visiting and sharing and commenting. It all means so much to me, words cannot really describe. So continue to enjoy your holidays and time with loved ones. I know I will which probably means that my posting will be sporadic this week but I'll get back on track in the new year. Take care dear readers!

A Hot & Happy Fourth

Happy post 4th of July everyone!  For my American friends, I hope everyone had a great and safe holiday weekend...for friends around the world, I hope you had a great non-holiday weekend.  I spent the last few days trying to catch up on projects and DIYs.  I have some creative ideas that I will be sharing with you really soon and I can't wait...I think you're going to like them!

I was lucky enough to relax for a bit yesterday and lounge by our pool.  It was about 100 degrees so it felt good to soak up the sun but then jump in the pool when it got too hot.  Here are a few snapshots from my weekend...

A refreshing beverage, a good book, and my cameras...that is all that I needed for a good time.  I got a new camera too...did you spot it?  I'll talk more about that later this week.  I'm a bit of a camera junkie now.  I always have my eyes on a new one.

What did you do this weekend?   

Crafted DIY: Photoshop Effects

Photography is one of my favorite hobbies.  The love affair started when I was in middle school after my Dad bought a Nikon film SLR camera.  His main reason for buying it was to take pictures of my brother and me playing soccer (we have hundreds and hundreds of soccer pictures...did we not do anything else picture-worthy in those years?) but I always enjoyed borrowing it to take creative shots.  Before I went to Italy two years ago, my Dad bought me a Nikon D40x (digital!!) and I've been happily using that camera ever since.  And I love it!  I don't claim to be an amazing photographer (I'm very far from it).  I think I'm decent but I still have so much more to learn.  But I am excited to spend the rest of my life learning about photography and perfecting something I enjoy doing.  Like reading, it is a hobby that will never go out of style with me.

Unfortunately at this time in my life, I don't have the money to go buying every camera, film and digital, or lens that my heart desires.  Because of a lack in resources I am not able to replicate every photo effect that I would like.  For example, I love polaroids but sadly I don't own a Polaroid camera.  I would like to do more experimentation with film but film is a more expensive hobby so my experimentation is kept to a minimum.  One day I hope to have more resources available to me (don't we all?) but until then I can rely on Photoshop!!  Yes Photoshop, the king of all computer programs, can help me transform my digital images to whatever my heart desires.  I can make my pictures look like polaroids.  I can make my pictures look like they were taken with a Holga.  I can make my pictures look TTV (Through the Viewfinder) style.  The possibilities are endless!  Serious photo enthusiasts would say these images are imposters and in a way they are right but I am not entering these pictures into any contests...I am not claiming that I shot a picture with film when I really did it with digital...they are just for my personal use and enjoyment...no one is getting harmed in the Photoshopping of these photos.  

Below are some photographs I recently altered.  I'll show the before and after as well as the link to the tutorial so you can replicate the effect.

The first picture is of the Arno River in Florence highlighting the Ponte Vecchio.  I love this image.  It was a perfect day and the reflection on the water is beautiful.  I gave this image a cross-processing lomographic effect.  The tutorial can be found here.  The overall effect is slightly darker than I would have liked and the vignetting and contrast are fairly extreme.  I like some of the other results better.  

Before:

After:

The second picture is of the Athens Acropolis.  The light, sky, and clouds are breathtaking to me.  I gave this picture a slight vintage effect and I really like the result, which is much more subtle than the last picture.  The tutorial can be found here and it is pretty easy to follow.

Before:

After:

The third image is not a photo effect but a cute detail to add to a picture.  I can definitely see myself using this scalloped edge in future projects.  The tutorial can be found here and it is also very easy to understand.  Also, this is a really fun, crafty blog.  Check it out!  The before shot can be seen in my last post here.

After:

Next we have a TTV, or Through the Viewfinder, effect.  Here you can read about what TTV is and how it works.  I used the tutorial found here.  The textures I used were found on Flickr here, here, here, and here.  The pictures are of my brother and one of his bands. 

Before:

After:

Next I have a Polaroid effect.  The tutorial can be found here.  I really like these results.  Just find a Polaroid background on Flickr and then delete the image in the middle replacing it with your picture.  This picture was taken in Como, Italy.  My classmates and I would sit along the lake during lunch and feed the birds. 

Before:

After:

Finally, I have an effect that replicates a Supersampler camera.  Read about it here.  Basically the camera has multiple lenses so it takes a series of shots.  This camera is great for capturing motion.  I did not follow a specific tutorial for this effect.  Instead I used the texture found here and then basically followed the directions for the TTV tutorial here.  This series is of my friend Edward preparing for and doing a cartwheel while in Ferrara, Italy.  

Before:

After:

Experiment with these effects...they are all super fun!