Another Mini Session

I've spent some time this week considering a lot of things when it comes to my photography, not the least of which is the time and talent I invest into each shoot. I enjoy doing it. I down right LOVE doing it- from taking the photos to editing them.

I'm still contemplating a lot, but in the mean time, here are some photos I took yesterday of my son Chris. He's leaving in just 2 weeks (!!!) for a summer in Florida without us (EEEK!), and I really wanted to get some Spring photos of him, as I have taken photos of the girls both this spring already.

Since posting these on Facebook & Gather, I've heard he looks like a blonde Buddy Holly, a young Mackauley Caulkin, and even Clark Kent. What do you think?

Here are some of the shots from the mini-session with him!

Gillian's Mini Session Photo Shoot

Well, I had a photo shoot scheduled for this morning, but it's raining, with a promise of thunder & lightening. -sigh-

I figured I would take a moment to poke this blog, so you don't all think it's dead. Earlier this week, it was gorgeous, blue skies, and sunny, so I took my youngest, Gillian, for a bike ride. We brought along the camera, and found some interesting places in our small city.

Oh, and the shirt? I consider it my craft fail of the week. See, last weekend, we were at Target, and I saw some tank tops with a tulle, ruffled, lacy "skirt" attached. Not long enough to be worn as a dress, but over leggings, it'd be totally cute. They were all sparkly with gems and sequins. They were something like $12.99. I thought, "I can make that!" Below, you'll see my effort. It isn't too hideous, but let's just say I won't be making them to sell any time soon.

Here are the results of my little mini-session.

Talented Tuesday Postponed

Hi everyone! I know a lot of people come here on Tuesday looking to link up, but right now, I'm just so busy, and feel like I haven't been able to give the links the attention they deserve.

For this week, at least, and possibly the next few, I will not be holding Talented Tuesday. I am so very sorry! I feel like even my crafts are kind of slipping to the way side, but I have a project planned for this week (while I am, temporarily, car-less, due to transmission issues...)

There are a lot of other places to link up, though, so check out some of these parties, if you haven't already!

Keeping up with Heather's Family

It's been a long week. Well, actually, it's been a long few years, but that's a whole different matter. Anyway, if you guys are at all interested in what I've been doing, you can check out my family blog, Minions X 3.

The "I'm A Slacker" Late Night Talented Tuesday

Yes. I slacked. I was full on in photo editing mode yesterday and today to get the photos from Sunday's shoot ready for my client, and frankly, it just slipped my mind. Then today, I spent a good portion of the day gone for a doctors appointment.

If you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, here's a late edition of Talented Tuesday, Slacker Edition.

<a href="http://theherberfamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="200" src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv318/princessspanky/tt1.png" width="195" /></a>

New Winners!

Last night, I fully intended to post the winner of contest #7- the set of Fabric flowers. However, it was stormy, and my internet was spotty (not to mention the two times my power flickered, and caused me to LOSE the graphics I was working on... -grumble-), so I never got around to posting it.

Instead, today, I will announce the last two winners in my Birthday Week contests! I'm SO excited to have been able to put this all together, and hope that all the winners really enjoy the prizes they receive!


First up, a cute little purse filled with paper and fabric flowers from Tammy at Life On Possom Trot!

The winner is....

Comment # 13, which belongs to:

Lee on May 2, 2010 5:32 PM said...
I facebooked this one:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative2xmom/300573804476?ref=ts

BethAnn_97 AT BLAH DOT BLAH


Congratulations Lee! Both Tammy and I will be in touch via email!!

And a HUGE Thank YOU to Tammy for sponsoring this contest for Birthday Week!!


And last, but hardly least, the last prize- A Diaper Clutch & Go from Rose at Really Rosy!

And the winner is...

Comment #2, which belongs to...
JHill on
April 30, 2010 9:04 AM said...
PS You're the Friday Feature at Mad in Crafts today!!! So promoted the crap outta your blog and your birthday giveaways!

madincrafts at blah dot blah

Congratulations Jess! Both Rose & I will be in touch via email! I hope you enjoy your prize!!

And a GIANT Thank YOU to Rose for sponsoring this contest!!


I would like to thank EVERYONE who sponsored a contest, and all of my viewers who entered them, and who blogged, tweeted, and facebooked about the contests!! It made for a really fun Birthday Week, and I hope to repeat it in October for the blog's 1 year anniversary!!

MP3 Cover Tutorial

A few years ago, I entered the modern age with an MP3 player. Actually, I got one for Nick first, then loved it, so he got me the same one (for Valentines Day for both of us!). Somewhere along the way, both players were lost. Of course, this was 5 years ago, so they were pretty old anyway.

Now that I'm taking an active interest in being more active, I wanted some music to listen to while I do it. I talked to Nick, and we decided that we could afford an MP3 player for me this week, so off I went. I found a 4GB MP3 player that also does voice record, plays videos, and stores pictures, and it was only $50. Ok, "Only"... I think it's high priced for what is essentially a toy, but I got it anyway.

The downside- the store had no accessories for this model, and I wanted some way to clip it to my clothing or body, so it wouldn't get lost, or fall from a pocket. So, what did I do? Got out my sewing machine. Three different times, actually!

MP3 Case

You'll Need:
Fabric Remnants- I used 3 different prints
Sewing machine
Elastic
Button
Needle & Thread
Fabric marking pen

1. Measure the player on a piece of fabric, and cut the fabric about 1/2 inch wider on three sides, and about 2 inches longer on the top side. Repeat an identical size with another piece. Repeat this with a third section of fabric, but measure it just 1/2 inch wider on the top this time.
2. Stitch the two identically sized pieces of fabric together on three sides, with the face of the fabric facing inward. Once it's sewn on three sides, clip the corners, then turn it right side out, and use a pencil to poke the corners out.
3. On the remaining section of cut fabric, sew a hem across the top side, just a thin hem. 
4. Choose which side of the double sided length of fabric you want to be the outer shell. Pin this side to the smaller section, face to face, with the unsewn edges together at the bottom. This section will not match in length- that's fine!
5. Sew the two sections together on the sides and across the bottom, then trim the edges, and turn it right side out, once more using a pencil to poke the corners out.
6. Now that it forms a pocket, slip your MP3 player in, and make sure it fits (psst... my first try didn't fit, oops!). Keep it in, and measure where the long section lands when you fold it over the MP3 player. Mark the spot.
7. Hand stitch your button onto the shorter section of the fabric below where you marked where the flap landed. You'll be using elastic to secure the top flap to the bottom section, and you want it nice and tight. 
8. Using the elastic, measure how much is needed to fit over the button from the flap, while remaining nice and taut. Sew the loop of elastic to the underside of the top flap.
9. Now comes the tricky part. put the MP3 player back in, and mark on the outside of the fabric where the headphone cable goes. For mine, I opt to put the MP3 player in upside down, so that the headphone cord comes out on the top flap. It was easier to create the hole there. NOTE: If you have a hole in a different location, such as the side, you may want to do this step before sewing the pouch together!! Once the location is marked, sew a box around it, then use scissors or a seam ripper to cut the fabric out from inside the box, clipping all the loose threads. You could also use a button hole stitch, if you know how to make one!
10. Lastly, because I used white thread, I sewed a coordinating length of ribbon to the flap to hide all the hideous stitching I had done!

I have not yet figured out a clip to attach to it, but I have figured something fun out- if you are wearing a tank top, you can slip the player under the strap, then fold the flap and button it over the top of the strap. It'll stay in place nice and easy! I've also buttoned it to my jeans with a belt loop, when I have wider belt loops on. Even with a short sleeved or long sleeve shirt, you can easily use your bra strap for attaching it.

And, when you are done using it, wrap your headphones cord around it, then button the flap so the cord stays wrapped around it, and they don't get tangled or lost!

All of this was done with scraps of fabric I had on hand, and notions I had on hand. FREE! Gotta love that!

This post is linked up at the following linky parties. If you are looking for ways to have more traffic on your blog, consider linking up or hosting weekly link parties!!

Make New Friends!

As I typed the title, I am reminded of that Girl Scout song- Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. ;)

Today, I joined up with New Friend Friday, and it gave me an idea. (Psst... if you are looking for new friends, link up!) Every Friday, when I am around and remember, I am going to feature a blog (or several) that I have found which has under 75 friends. This way, they can be seen by more people, and hopefully, get some new friends!

First up is Cindy from Little Did I Know





Cindy is a mom of 3 kids, and they are currently building a new home. And, she still managed to find time to redo this bird cage and birds!






Next up is Rachel at Sew Ambitious.

Rachel only just started sewing about 9 months ago, and is already making some darling projects, including a sweater hat (very similar to one I made last fall!), and a darling little polka dot dress!

Last up for today is Janel at MacKenzie's Crafty Mom.

Janel is a stay at home mom to an adorable little girl. She also is an amazing cake decorator! For her daughter's teachers, she made a totally cool sunflower cupcake bouquet, which includes a tutorial. Check out her St. Patrick's Day cookies! (Psst... she's also running a $60 CSN contest right now!)

Make sure to stop by and check out these blogs, and let them know you found them on New Friend Feature at My Frugal Family!!