Notes from the Patch

Let there be light

I bought myself an early Christmas present.

Grey skies and dark of night can no longer stop me from getting my shots.  I'm so excited I doubt that I'll ever sleep again!

Bill went off to bed so I thought I'd set the thing up and take a test shot or two to give it a  whirl. I ran upstairs to get the camera and AWK! Bill had bought me a new computer and printer and secretly got it all set up while I was at work!!! My old desk top was seriously about a hundred and fifty years old and soooslow. Well you can bet I'll be up all night now snapping pics and checking them out on my new GIANT monitor!

Merry early Christmas to me. I'm calling in sick in the morning. Just want to stay home and play with my new toys. Can you blame me?

Encourage one another,

Boy, have I got a deal for you!

I just heard from Josh and Kevin over at Shoot Fly Shoot. They are offering my readers a 30% discount on their Photography 101 and editing classes! (So excited) Just enter the code SFS30 and it will get you 30% off your class through Monday only! If really learning your DSLR camera and getting off auto mode is on your "to do" list, this is a terrific deal. I personally recommend these easy to understand classes. I've spent hundreds of dollars on photography classes in the past and this is by far the best class I've ever taken. It's a deal at $69, but now it's 30% off.

Encourage one another,

Back to school

I signed up for on line photography classes today over at Shoot Fly Shoot.

Since learning to take better photos is on my short list of things to do in 2012 I thought I'd give them a try. (It's about time. Huh?!)

So far I'm really loving the classes so I thought I'd share.

I've been practicing a bit...

Aren't my little french yogurt pots cute with mini violets in them?

Don't forget tomorrow is Facebook Friday where you will have the opportunity to take advantage of some terrific savings on our regularly priced fabric or kits. You just need to go to Strawberry Patches Facebook page to get the deal. (There's a new special every week)!

That's tomorrow. (I think).

Or is today Monday? (I hate it when holidays are in the middle of the week).

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go deadhead my violets

and check my calendar.

Encourage one another,

 

Summer plans

For me one of the best things about getting away for a few weeks of vacation is getting a new prospective on my everyday life. Things that I was willing to overlook before suddenly seem unacceptable now that I'm back. Projects that I'd put on the back burner are now at the top of my "to do" list.

Here's that list:

I'm this close to being obsessed with #1. My sewing/crafting areas are complicated. I have lots of room in my Bakersfield home for sewing but no time to sew when I'm home. I have lots of time to sew (most weekends) in my Ventura home but have no room so my stuff is strewn over 135 miles of central California! I don't know about you all, but if my creative space isn't clean and organized I can't seem to function. I'm determined to do something about it - again.

My problem is that I've lacked vision before. I have absolutely no problem helping others with projects whether it be sewing or decorating, but I often feel overwhelmed with my own decorating/organizing dilemmas. This time however I do have a plan and I'll share some of what I've done to get organized once I get a little further along. I'm excited and motivated so wish me luck!

#2. I love taking pretty pictures for my blog and I have a good camera so the only thing holding me back is a little more knowledge and practice. Photography classes are definitely on my short list for the summer.

#3. Exercise. I used to be so disciplined. Not so much any more. Now that the weather has turned hot I've been swimming. Everyday after work. I love it! Don't hate me for this, but I actually hope for days over 100 degrees so our pool water stays nice and warm. I guess you could say I don't want to be uncomfortable while exercising. I do know that I sleep better when I swim.

So what's on your list for summer? Do share. They say sharing your plans is the first step to making them a reality.

Encourage one another,

 

Celebrating life - What A Beautiful Mess!

 

I woke up extra early Saturday morning and tip toed from the bedroom so as not to wake up my sleeping husband.  As the coffee brewed I grabbed a pad of paper and pen and in the quiet darkness of morning I started my list. I had big plans to explore some new territory, a you've survived the holidays so celebrate kind of day.

I Map Quested my course, south down 101 about 30 miles to an area I'd read about on blogs and in magazines and heard about from friends. I was excited as I added my camera to the list. I thought it would be fun to take you all along. After all, we're kind of birds of a feather here and chances are that if I liked something you probably would too.

My destination was Agoura Hills and my first stop was A Beautiful Mess, an antique boutique featuring an eclectic flow of antiques, design and oddities that all come together beautifully in simple elegance. 

As I chatted with the shop clerk I asked for permission to photograph the store, telling her about you friends in blogland that would just love the inspiration found here.

As I returned to the car to get my Nikon I discovered I'd failed to add check camera for SD card to my mornings list.

There would be no photographs on this trip. All photos here are from the store's websites.

Very disappointing because there was so much inspiration there. Oh well, I'll just have to go back - not that I need an excuse.

 I loved the elegance of A Beautiful Mess

and I think you will too.

Just down the walk was a wonderful 9,000 square foot antique mall that featured finds from over 40 vendors with a good mix of old and new.

The window still showed bits of left over Christmas but I could tell that I would love it before I ever stepped inside.

So many things I love from places I adore!

Couldn't you just imagine this full of fabric in a sewing studio? Don't know about you but I could sure fill it up without a problem.

 

Don't be surprised if you don't see this French enameled table at the Patch in the near future. I just need to figure out where to put it. It kept whispering, take me home, take me home as I walked by.

This old store fixture was fabulous with its enameled labels. Love the mustardy color!

Just posting these photos makes me want to head back there soon. There are a half dozen other antique stores in the immediate area and a sandwich shop for when you need a quick pick me up. A girl has to keep up her strength when working so hard doesn't she?

Tell them Suzanne sent you and oh, don't forget your SD card!

Encourage one another,

 

Monday was one of those rare January days when I got an extra day off AND warm sunshine.

In my quest to savor unplugged moments, I ditched boxing up Christmas and ironing sheets for a long walk on the beach.

Good call.

What a perfect way to start the new year.

(Found sea glass too. Yeah baby)! 

It just doesn't get any better than that!

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

Playing with dolls

Friday I finally got to meet three week old Katie for the very first time.

What a living doll!

Amanda and I had way too much fun dressing her in fun hats and headbands and posing her for our little photo shoot.

Katie however quickly tired of our shenanigans and

pretty much slept through all the posing

 

and costume changes.

 

I'm excited that I finally just might have a real live model for all the hairbows, headbands and little outfits we make here at Strawberry Patches.

Thank you Amanda and Katie for a fun morning!

Encourage one another,

 

Doing my homework

So. My former manager, Amanda recently had a baby girl and has invited me over to take some photographs. I immediately did the following:

1. Bought a new camera

2. Purchased a new lens

3. Shopped Etsy for newborn baby photo props

4. Downloaded a book on "The Key to Taking Pictures Like a Professional Photographer"

5. Went to Home Depot for a piece of paneling and some molding for my backdrop and flooring*

6. Shopped Strawberry Patches for the perfect "wallpaper" for backdrop

7. Set up my "studio" and practiced with a most cooperative model

8. Curled up in the corner and sucked my thumb.

I feel so inept when it comes to photography! Seeing great pictures gives me goose bumps, but capturing goose bump producing photos is a struggle for me. Fortunately Amanda has no expectations and if the photos are lousy I'm blaming them on the baby. After all, she's too young to defend herself. 

Here are my practice shots. My model was fabulous. She never once cried or peed on my props. We could have gone on for hours, but I started losing my light (that's professional photography  jargon for, it was getting dark - read that in my new book).

*I did want to share this neat tip with you. Customer,  Michele Hartman  was in the store buying fabric for backdrops for her photography shoots and was kind enough to share this tip with me: Here's what you do. Purchase a sheet of paneling at a home improvement store and ask them to cut it in half. You'll end up with a 4'X4' piece for the flooring and a 4'X4' piece for the back wall. Michele then covers the wall with a piece of fabric using double stick tape. This can easily be changed as desired. Her cool tip was to add a piece of molding across the bottom for a finished look. The fabric totally looks like wall paper and can be easily changed as desired.

Here's a SOOC shot. (Straight out of camera (unedited) - that's book jargon again) You can see the two pieces of paneling and the baseboard. (Sorry. That baby stand in is a bit distrurbing looking).

I just leaned the wall piece against the bar b que to hold it upright

Here you can see that the molding makes the fabric look like wall paper.

Here you can see that I need to press the crease out of the fabric backdrop and pull the fabric taunt and secure the molding with tape. But I love this idea for an almost instant back drop. It's so quick and easy to switch out the fabric for totally different looks. (God knows I have the fabric)! I think the best part is that it all stores flat; under the bed or in a closet and you can get it in your car for when you take your camera on the road. You know, for when you become a famous professional photographer and book your photo shoots all over the country.

Seriously.  I can't wait to wrap my arms and camera around baby Katie Suzanne. I'm just hoping she cooperates half as well as her stand in did. I'll get back to you on how it all goes on Friday. Wish me luck!

Encourage one another,

 

What's for dinner

I've been on a roasted veggie kick lately so my Nikon and I went off to Farmers Market Saturday morning to fetch some groceries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Bill helped me unload the three huge bags of produce from the car I admitted that I may have gotten just a wee bit carried away.

Encourage one another,

 

 

How I spent my Sunday

1. Bought tickets to fly to Kansas in October and got killer fares.
2. Planned to attend the LA Gift Show until I realized it was last week!
3. Shopped for my favorite pregnant girl - loved the prezzie I got her and her hubby! Hope they like it.
4. Bought Bob Greene's book as seen on Oprah. Why do I do everything Oprah tells me?
5. Finally purchased a skin care line I've been wanting then scrubbed twenty years of dead skin off my face. The gentleman at the cosmetic counter called it affordable. I'd call $303 worth of cream ridiculous. Just a warning though; you probably won't recognise me next time you see me because for $303 I expect miracles!
6. Played with my new camera lens which cost more than my camera.
7. Caught up on Real Housewives of New Jersey and Flipping Out (not sure who flipped out more - Theresa or Jeff)
8. Wondered if it was too soon to start decorating for fall. Yeah, probably.
9. Ordered pizza for dinner and had a big ol jalapeno pretzel for lunch. (Need to follow Bob's diet advise starting Monday see #4.
10. Enjoyed the cool beach weather before returning to the hot valley

How did you spend your Sunday?

Encourage one another,