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Archive for September, 2010

setting your camera down & another photo challenge

Monday, September 6th, 2010

First of all, the results are in. Thanks for your “with” and “without” votes on the floral arrangement. The winning vote is to include the greenery! But get this. It won by just 22 votes, from the 535 votes that were cast (465 on blog + 70 on facebook). No wonder it was a tough decision!

Major thanks and big hugs to Vicky and Debbie — 2 kind & willing volunteers who (via facebook) offered to count all those votes. That was super generous, and I appreciate them. I am sure there is a way to do a quick survey like this on my blog and on facebook (thanks Kee for reminding me!) … and so I’ll definitely look into that for the next vote. ; )

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You guys are so much fun! Many of you took the challenge to set your camera down for a different photo angle. And many of you submitted your picture(s). Thank you for sharing a piece of your life and surroundings with me! I loved looking at every single picture. I was touched by the notes you shared on significant findings in your own pictures. Realizations that were had. Special occasions that were captured. Everyday stuff that might have otherwise been missed.

Some of you took it “down” even farther and got your camera all the way to the ground/floor. If you submitted a photo from this angle, I have it and will keep it filed for this next challenge.

So — for all who are interested, this week’s photo challenge is to set your camera down on the ground. Inside, outside, wherever you are. The key is to take a picture from the ground, not necessarily of the ground. : )

I was on the ground to take this shot of a street in Tallinn, Estonia.

I was on the ground to get this, when our kids had passed out after snuggling up to watch a movie together. This is a picture of looser schedules on Summer days.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Submit your floor photos to projectlife@beckyhiggins.com by this Thursday, 9/9.

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Okay — here are my personal favorite Top 10 photos from the tabletop photo challenge.

Photo by Amy: Creating on her flight. Love that she got herself in the shot.

—– Photo by Keri: Grandparents over to help the four-month-old twins with their bedtime feeding.

—– Photo by Rhonda: Wishing I could have had a slice of this when it came out of the oven.

—– Photo by Kim: Taken the day her sixteen-year-old son got his permit driver’s license.

—– Photo by Nikki: Current project on her craft table. I’m thinking … baby shower?

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Photo by Laura: Mmm. Yum. Could these possibly be pulled from her own garden?

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Photo by Meggan: Organizing the kiddos’ clothes. How sweet is this?

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Photo by Kevin: On a business trip, in the hotel room. Now I want Quizno’s.

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Photo by Carrie: She finally beat her boys at Star Wars Monopoly! They had to use Hershey kisses because they ran out of cities and settlements. Yay for families that play together.

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Photo by Lori: I’ll have what little Lindsey’s having.

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You know how hard it was to narrow down to just 10 favorites? And you know how much harder it was to choose just one winner? Congratulations to … Meggan! I’m sending you Project Life, girl. I chose Meggan’s photo because she did a brilliant job capturing her task-at-hand while also getting a glimpse of who was hanging out with her. It’s a picture of motherhood, a picture of life, a picture of love. It just really captivated me.

Good job, everyone! Now … let’s see your floor shots.

Tags: creative angle, photo challenge, table top shot
Posted in photography | 28 Comments »

weekend vote

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

Life is full of big decisions. For everyone.

That’s why it’s just fun – once in a while – to make a decision that’s not serious at all. Not life-changing. Not big.

Like this.

I am pulling together another 15-minute floral. (Remember these and these?) Just something fun and fast and a beautiful splash of Fall color for our entry way.

Love the pot (already had it). Check. Love the big flowers that I got 50% off (Hobby Lobby’s current sale). Check. Love the green filler stuff. It’s pretty. But … do I like it in this context?

With: Kind of fun and a little unexpected. Helps lighten it up and possibly adds some needed character?

Without: Simple is good, right? Although without the greenery, I’d shorten the stems a bit more so they’re a tidge more cozied into the pot.

Okay, I know. I’m a nerd. But humor me and put in your vote.

With? Or without? What’s your opinion? Majority will win. : )

Tags: fifteen-minute floral, floral design
Posted in DIY, style & design | 478 Comments »

pumpkin makeover

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Oh, for the love of Fall decorating.

All crafty pumpkins are not created equal. But most of them tend to have some drab little stems and leaves at the top. I mean, I get it. It’s kinda realistic and all. It’s just that … I just want my pumpkins looking a little more peppy. That’s all. So this is what I did. Super simple. Super easy. And super quick.

For these particular pumpkins (that I’ve had for years … probably got them at Michael’s or some craft store), they happen to be made of a very lightweight foam or something. So I literally pulled out the original stem and stuck in my new (happier) sprigs of faux green berry-like foliage.

No matter what material your pumpkin is made of, the point is this: If there’s something you don’t really love about it, just change it. No need to go and buy new stuff, you know?

I hope you know this post isn’t just about my silly little pumpkin makeover. I hope you are thinking about other ways you can be creative with changing just a little something here or a little something there. We are creative creatures. Add your personal touches to your stuff.

Tags: Fall decorating, pumpkin
Posted in DIY, holidays & seasons | 18 Comments »

want free stuff?

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Got a couple giveaways to let you know about. First of all, photographer Kara Layne is giving away a Project Life kit over on her blog. In fact, she’s been celebrating her birthday with a giveaway each day this week. How fun is that?

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Also, for those of you scrapbookers who love your stuff, ExpressTheMoment.com has some fun kits they’ve put together. They’re giving away one of each of these collections.—–

Want to enter for a chance to win the Project Life kit? Head over to Kara Layne’s blog here. Kara asks a profound question and invites you to answer in your comment. Very, very touching responses so far. Totally worth reading, whether you enter or not. It will cause you to think about pictures you take. And pictures you should take.

Want to enter your name for one of the ETM kits? Leave your name, city, and state in the Comments of this post and just for fun, simply tell us how long you’ve been scrapbooking (or card-making or paper-crafting…). Four randomly selected winners will be announced Monday.

Tags: Express the Moment, giveaway, kara layne, Project Life
Posted in Uncategorized | 716 Comments »

fall decorating

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Happy September! In Arizona, we’re absolutely not seeing the temps drop yet, but we can sure celebrate Fall inside our home. We can and indeed … we are. (Hard to tell which is my favorite season, I know.) I’m going for fresh, clean, and light. Not so much the traditional darker tones that we typically see this time of year.

Note: I’m personally not into the gory, scary, icky, dark side of Halloween (at all). You won’t see any spiderwebs and bats hanging from my ceilings any time soon. I know. Call me un-fun, but it’s just not in me. Anyway, this decor will last through all of Fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving.

John Broderick, personal friend & woodworker extraordinaire, made the lazy susan. That’s not seasonal. It’s there all the time, but I wanted to mention that since I keep getting questions about the lazy susan. More on John in this post about our pantry.

All the glass containers are from Michael’s (using a 40% off coupon) and Home Goods (usually great deals). These are terrific for switching things out each season or for special occasions. They’re great year-round. Ornaments in all colors are now available everywhere (seems to early, but that’s just how it is). I picked up the orange ones at Hobby Lobby and already had the green ones from Christmas decorating over the years.

Got those little green foam bead things at Hobby Lobby and these pretty, sugary little pumpkins at Pier One Imports.

Below: Found this giant green pumpkin at Home Goods and I had everything else from over the years. Notice the use of candlesticks here. Not for candles, but to elevate stuff. A fun technique that can be used for all sorts of decor, seasonal or not.

We always have a few pictures around the house from our childhood. I want our kids to remember that we were once kids too. Plus, I think we need the reminders ourselves sometimes. : )

Above: That sprig of green was not originally part of this pumpkin. More on this later. And that candlestick? It was blah & black and I gave it a little facelift with white spray paint. Of course. (If you missed it, click here and you’ll see a free download of spray-painting tips, down on the right side.)

Below: Candlesticks and pumpkins are Home Goods finds from this year. Love that place. I can already see how the candlesticks will look come Christmastime — giant ornaments on top. Or something like that. Fun.

This here is a niche in our kitchen that has these 2 TVs that always rotate through our pictures. This was David’s vision (he’s genius), which John carried out and built earlier this year. Naturally, the pictures are all Fall-related right now.

This wreath was one of my favorite Target bargains. I scored it on clearance last year. Or two years ago? Can’t remember. Doesn’t matter. It’s a fun splash of just the right colors.

Below: I think these black & white candlesticks are great year-round too. I think I picked those up at Hobby Lobby last year. I think they still carry them.