Wednesday, February 29, 2012

DIY - Making a Light Box

Last year I opened my Etsy shop, Today is a Sunny Day. I experimented with photography and natural light to get photos to show off my products. The result was taking photos against my wooden coffee table on the back porch during sunset.




While they came out quite nice, I wanted that plain white backdrop that I was seeing so many sellers have. After Googling "how to make a lightbox" I created this. It's not actually a light box, but more like a light diffuser, creating soft shadows on a seamless white background.




The supplies I used:
  • Cardboard box
  • Scissors
  • White tissue paper
  • Duct tape
  • White poster board
  • Desk lamp

Step 1

Cut three sides out of the box, not including the open side and the original box bottom. Think about it like this: your new bottom will be one of the sides and the previous bottom will be your backdrop. Bonus: You will work on your forearm strength for sure!















Step 2

Tape the white tissue paper to the open box sides. Essentially, you are replacing the sides you just cut out with the tissue paper.




Step 3

Cut the white poster board to fit the width of the box. Slide it in to fit. Leaving extra poster board in hang out the opening can be beneficial for certain depth of field shots. Note: Since I didn't have poster board on hand, I used the back of a poster. It's not as study as a poster board and gives more of a shine in photos than I would like, but it works for now. Here's an very unglamorous shot of the inside of light diffuser box.




Step 4

Finally position a light on the outside of the box to create the brightness you desire. You'll want an exposed bulb pointing at the box. You can create different shadow effects by where you place the bulb and how strong it is. If you don't want any shadows, put lamps on either side of the box. It worked best for me in the closest corner to me.





Finally, I snapped some photos using my newly created box. I tried to take some of Twitch, my parrot, and I only got one good shot of him in the box. He kept running to the edge. Ha!











Here are some shots I took of my Etsy items. Before, I used to count of natural light for my photos, which limits when I can take them. I was able to add these items to my Etsy shop at 10 p.m.!






Learn more about Today is a Sunny Day or check out other photos I've taken at www.todayisasunnyday.etsy.com.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

What's Your Love Language?


It’s Monday morning, February 13th, and the morning radio shows are abuzz with talk of Valentine’s Day. One of the morning deejays voiced how this year it didn’t matter if there were not dinner reservations or cards to exchange. She said she understood that her husband shows love by getting things done around the house, like installing new cabinets and remodeling the bathroom. 

As my husband and I listened to this on our way to work, he looked at me and said, “He’s acts of service.” I replied, “And she’s gifts.”



Defined by author Dr. Gary Chapman, there are five love languages. I believe that it’s extremely beneficial for us to know how we as individuals receive love and appreciation best. 

Think of it as literally speaking a different language. If you are trying to show someone that they are appreciated by giving compliments and they do not receive love by “words of encouragement” they just simply won’t feel love. It’s as if you are speaking Italian to someone who only speaks Spanish and expecting them to understand. Now that’s just crazy.



Celebrate Valentine’s Day by learning what love language you primarily speak. Take this 30-question quiz to learn where your love languages rank.  



Did your results surprise you?

Friday, February 10, 2012

Making Life Beautiful - DIY Home Calendar

Now that my husband and I are working for separate companies, I realized it was tricky for us to stay updated with each others schedule. I decided it would be a good idea for us to have a family calendar.

There were a few challenges:

1) It needed to be centralized in our home.
2) It needed to be cute. 


Here's the supplies I used:
-- Poster frame / picture frames
-- Colored cardstock and patterned paper
-- Ruler
-- Straight-cut / scissor


First, I choose 4 different kinds of paper - white, sea green, pale purple, and a striped pattern. Then I cut them into 2 inch squares. I have a straight-cut so this made the process very simple and each cut was perfectly straight. If you don't have a straight-cut, you can use scissors.



Next, I arranged the square in the pattern that looked best to me and used a ruler to tape them down in straight lines across my picture frame backing. Previously, I covered the photo frame backing with kraft paper gift wrap. It's very inexpensive and can be found in your local craft store. It's great for gift wrapping and can add a sophisticated, yet homemade touch to presents.






Next, I arranged everything I was going to hang on my dining room table so I could find the perfect arrangement. You'll also see some wooden frames that I tucked ribbon into and I later attached clothespins to hang loose photos, invites, and to-do lists. 





Here's the finished product!




Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A Night to Dream

This week I was blessed with the opportunity to showcase my business, Today is a Sunny Day, at the Girl’s Night Out event “Resolve,” put on by For the Girls International. The night was full of encouragement and dreaming. I had a wonderful time meeting new people and catching up with old friends. 

Here are some photos of the event, along with my booth display. 


Tracey Metzger delivered a great message with practical steps to keep dreaming. My personal favorite was to be fearless... or do it afraid! (That last bit was compliments Joyce Meyer)

All the women who attended. (I'm in the way back, so don't bother looking for me. Ha!)

My set up featuring my favorite props! Lace fabric scraps I found in the AS IS section of Ikea for $2, my family's vintage, fully-functioning Westinghouse fan, and my family's green vintage sewing box in the background.

I love my new page corner bookmarks!

Recycled confetti. See the listing here.
Learn more about For the Girls International and their upcoming events by clicking here.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Popular Reads: