Feeling Flashy: Using Your Flash When it’s Least Expected

Posted in Babies, Photography, Travel by

Recently, I took a web-based photography class via CreativeLive, taught by the incredibly talented Roberto Valenzuela. Though the class was geared toward wedding photographers, I gleaned some valuable information as an amateur photographer (cough cough). A cool tip I learned, which I’ll share with you here, is how to use your flash to create some beautiful shots.

When you think of flash photography, you think of low light, indoors, red eyes, blown out skin…just BAD…right? Well, it’s a tool, and it can be used in a way you wouldn’t necessarily think of!

This weekend, we visited a pumpkin patch at around 2:30 in the afternoon. It’s a notoriously “bad” time of day to shoot because the sun is still really bright, but lower in the sky, creating deep shadows, too much contrast, and it makes people squint if you try to eliminate shadows and have your subject face the sun.

Enter the flash. 

Sunflower photo no flash

It’s an okay shot, but the flower looks dark and sad.

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Rice Rice Baby

Posted in Babies, Family, On the Cheap, Sanity-Saving Ideas by

As autumn descends upon the Pacific Northwest, I’m faced with the prospect of limited outdoor playtime. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a hardy Seattleite, undeterred by a little drizzle and limited sunlight hours. But as a Seattleite with a toddler, the horror of endless hours indoors gives me chills. Her current favorite activities include climbing, slides, coloring (aka–crayons on any surface) and digging rocks, dirt, and sand. I already have a decent couch for climbing, but God forbid I bring a bucket of rocks or dirt into the house.

Enter the Rice “Sand” Box:

Rice Sand Box

Create your own “sand” box for those foul-weather days.

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Fruit Stand. Sit. Stay.

Posted in Eats, Family, Travel by

On our way back to Seattle from Yakima, we stopped at one of the many fruit stands dotting the Highway 82 landscape.

This one boasted “Fruit Antiques”. Well, probably Fruit AND Antiques, but I don’t think the sign painter had the room. Anyway, it was a good stopping point, so we headed in. They did not disappoint. The fruit was fresh, the antiques old, and the wines local. I snapped a few pics around the lot. Enjoy!

Committed Fruit Pears, peaches, and apples are in season! Continue reading →

A Little Slice of Heaven: Paper Cut Illustrations

Posted in Design, Illustration by

Before Pinterest, I was bookmarking every single design and illustration site that I found interesting. It’s still nice to go through the list, randomly pick a link, and be instantly inspired by what pops up. Today’s random link led me to this:

Roadside Projects. Illustrations by Jayme McGowan.

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Hot Pattern-A-Day: Patterns #11 & #12

Posted in Design, Patterns by

I’m clearly very far behind on this project! But instead of beating myself up over it, I’m just going to keep sharing them as they come. Here are two very different options for your patterning needs.

Pattern #11: Spring Swirl

I was browsing an old sketchbook (and I mean OLD–like before I was even thinking about being a designer) and found a fun style. With some touching up and color added, it’s a happy addition to any desktop. 🙂

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern 11

 

Pattern #12: Moroccan Tile

If I could only actually produce these and tile my future pool with these, I’d be a happy gal. I used intentionally misaligned and asymmetrical elements to add to the handmade feel.

Committed Pattern 12

Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to https://committedgifts.wordpress.com