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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Sisterhood Social: Book or Movie Inspiration

Hiya folks!

Teri here, my turn to host this week's challenge, yeay! As it is a five weeker this month, I am hosting a bit of a social type of challenge.

There have been some fabulous books and movies in the past. Sometimes the movies fail to live up to the books or even do them justice. Sometimes a movie is so captivating you just have to go see it more than once (some recent movies come to mind. . . LOL).

Personally, I have always been 'into' thrillers and murder mysteries. I started reading avidly when I was a teenager, lying in bed 'til way after midnight with my latest library book. Usually it was an Agatha Christie novel, but then I progressed into heavier reading, the likes of Dean Koontz, Richard Laymon and the King of thrillers and horror himself - Stephen King!

Of course this all lead to my liking of horror movies. I used to watch the re-runs of the old Hammer House of Horror movies, with Christopher Lee as Dracula, and Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, ah, those were the days! Trouble is, the Vampyre thing has stayed with me, and I still love a good Vamp movie! I really loved the Gary Oldman version of Dracula, and of course Tom Cruise's Lestat in 'Interview With a Vampire'. Must admit though, I cannot see what all the fuss is about with the Twighlight movies.

My eldest D brought the DVD of New Moon home the other day, and I sat watching it for the first time (didn't see Twilight either!) thinking to myself - OK, so why is everyone so caught up in this? Bit too much of a teenage anxst type of thing for me. I prefer a more mature Vamp myself, he is way to skinny for my taste! LOL. Now if it were Hugh Jackman. . .mmmmmmm!!


So, with all that said, my challenge to you is:


Create something that is inspired by your favourite books or movies, and tell me a bit about why.


And here as a bit of inspiration for you are some fabby samples from my lovely sistahs:

















Twilight Love



WOW ladies, what a brilliant job!


I do hope you can all join me and share your favourite books and movies. Can't wait to see what you create for this challenge!! Don't forget, as ever pop your link in with Mr Linky so we can come visit!



Tuesday, June 29, 2010

And the Winner is.........

Our winner this week of the CSN $60 gift certificate is:

KIM

Congratulations Kim!!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Quality Photography

Hi Sisters!! Boni here with your weekly post.  I have HUGE news 
CSN Stores has amazing online stores where you can find anything from lighting to furniture to cookware. I love their amazing collection of online stores - wonderful for people who love shopping as much as I do! The great news is that the lovely folks at CSN are partnering with me in a giveaway - this time for our U.S., Canadian, UK, and Germany readers. Be sure to read through the entire post (it is somewhat lengthy but well worth the read) then leave me the necessary information in a comment below and be entered to win either $60 U.S./Canadian / 60 Euro UK / 60 Euro German funds from CSN sister sites. I will give you all the information you need if you are picked. Your gift certificate is good for use on any one of CSN's fantastic corresponding websites. 

Now for the topic of the week - Taking the Best Photos of your Projects 
DIY offers this perfect solution to an inexpensive light box.

Materials Needed:

1.) A Box – It could be any size you want as long as you can light it! I prefer it to be as square as can be. You can find boxes anywhere for free. I got mine from work in which they throw out anyway. You can also find boxes in the back of strip malls, grocery stores, appliance stores or basically any place that makes or sells products. Thicker the better! (Free)

2.) Fabric ‘ This again could be any type. In my box I used white muslin fabric that is found at your local arts and craft store. Buy enough to cover the entire box. (4.00$ US or 1.99$ a yard) People suggested other fabrics like White Nylon and white fleece. If your extremely cheap and have some white under shirts laying around. Cut up the sides to where you have two halves of the shirt. If you use multiple shirts, be sure that the color matches or your end result may not turn out as you like it
3.) Tape ‘ I use tape to secure the fabric to the sides of the box. Reason being is that In-case you want to try out different fabrics. I use regular masking tape. (1.00$ US A Roll)
4.) Glue ‘ You can use a “Glue Stick” (1.00$ US a Stick) or spray adhesive (5.00$ US per Can) to stick the lining in the box.

5.) White Bristol board ‘ This will line the inside of the box and will also serve as your back round (.50 a sheet X2). I would suggest to buy 2 or 3 sheets as you will be cutting up two to line your box (Could be more depending on the size of your box) and one for the back round. Bristol board is a heavyweight paper (.006″ Thick) that is used in drawing/art. The name came from where it was originated, Bristol England. If you wanted a different back round you can also pick up different colors.
6.) Lights ‘ You will need to light this box and this could be the most expensive part of the box unless you already have the lights. In my opinion lighting is the most important part of this box. Without it you will not get the picture you desire. I went to my local hardware store and picked up some “Daylight” Bulbs. Using regular light bulbs will cast a yellow light and should be avoided. I purchased “n:vision” 90 watt equivalent compact florescent bulbs ($7.00 US). Basically any “Full Spectrum” light bulbs will do.
Also suggest a lighting fixture. If you have a one of those desk work lamps, It will work fine. If you don’t I suggest getting a “Clamp On Work Light”. At my local home depot they only had two kinds, A smaller reflector dish (5″) for 5.99$ (US) or the 10.5″ reflector for 11.99$ (US).
7.) Miscellaneous Tools ‘ Tape ruler, Ruler or any straight edge, scissors and knife
 
Now that you have the Materials I will show you out to make a light tent step by step. When your done you can take nice clean and crisp product shots.

Step By Step Process:

A) Take your box with a tape ruler and marker and measure in 2″ from the side of the box marking multiple points with your marker. When your done you will see your border, connect the points using your straight edge to where you should have a nice looking square/rectangle in the middle of the box with a 2″ border around it. Leave the top and bottom of the box alone as you will not need to mark it
B) Cut out the boxes you’ve drawn. Repeat that to the sides of the box where you have drawn the boxes. When you’re done, cut off the top of the box or remove the flaps on the top of the box. LEAVE THE BOTTOM INTACT!
C) Now take your Bristol board and make lines with your marker for every two inches 16 times. Then proceed to cut out 16 strips with your scissors.
D) Glue the paper strips into the box. Make sure the side with marker goes against the cardboard so it can not be seen. 
E) Take another piece of Bristol board and cut is so the width is the same as the inside of the box and the length is much longer then the box.
F) Place the long piece of Bristol board into the box to where the piece curves to the bottom. Avoid creasing as it will show up in your photo. Cut off excess paper that is sticking out the top.


G) Cut your fabric to where it will cover the holes. Then cut a big piece to where it will cover the top of the box.
H) Tape the fabric to cover the holes in the box except the one that is facing your background. Then tape the top piece on.
YOU’RE DONE!
Now all you got to do is light the top of the box and start snapping away! 


 There are many variations you can do to get the photo you want. If you’re having a shadow problem I suggest lighting the other sides of the box. If you’re getting vignetting I suggest a lens hood or moving the lens more into the box. Photoshop could be a handy tool also! Since my lens and camera are not the cleanest I tend photoshop the dust that is sitting on or in my camera. I also adjust the levels so it’s brighter.
Camera sticking into the box

I personally have a photo tent after having utilitized the above referenced home-made tent. Santa Claus brought me a tent of my very own last Christmas and I have to say I love it. That's where CSN Stores comes in. CSN Stores has offered a $60 gift certificate for you to use in any of their online stores and you could use it to purchase your very own light tent from CowboyStudio (they are a CSN vendor) OR anything else that you may desire. 


[CSN Stores] $60 U.S./Canadian/UK
Here's the challenge, it's an easy one this week:


Leave your best photography tip in a comment below and a random winner will be drawn on June 29th and posted on June 30, 2010.


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Around the World - Japan Winner

First I would love to thank all of my Sisters this week for doing such beautiful projects on this weeks challenge. I was blown away by what they have created.

Now on to the winner this week...........

The top Sister award goes to:

IRIT





Irit please grab your TOP SISTER badge from the sidebar. You did a fabulous job on your creations!!

There were some wonderful entries this week. Thank you all for playing along with the Sisterhood. Tune in tomorrow for a wonderful tutorial by our talented Sister Boni!


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Sisterhood Celebrates JAPAN

Happy Wednesday Everyone!
It's time again for The Sisterhood Challenge!  
Are you ready???

Lisa is your hostess for today but she's very busy with the "wee ones" so we are going to jump in and lend her a hand!

Today's challenge is celebrating the country of "JAPAN"!  That's correct ... make a card/project that shares what you envision when you think of Japan! 

Here's some inspiration from the Sisters to help get you started!  For more details on their creations, pop on over to their personal blogs listed on the sidebar!  


Teri


Micki

Linda

Linda

Darlene

Boni

Boni

This challenge is going to be fun! Use anything Asian inspired - a cherry blossom, a fish, a dragon, a Geisha, sushi, chopsticks.......ooooh the possibilities are endless and we can't wait to see what you create!

Be sure to add your info to Mr. Linky so we can find you!!!


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

And The Winners Are

Thank you to all the participants of the"Celebrates Children" challenge. All of the creations were fabulous which made the decision difficult to make. With all this inspiration, I am sure to get back to scrapbooking
very soon. Now for the winners:


            TOP SISTER - LOVELY LINDA

            TOP THREE - 1. KATIE TATE
                                   2. TAMARA BENNETT
                                   3. CRAFTY TEACHER

A  big Thank You to all who shared their creations with us for this challenge. Looking forward to seeing more next week.

Terri

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Sisterhood Celebrates Children

Good morning everyone and 
welcome to the newest challenge from the Sisters. 

I (Terri) am excited to be your host today as we celebrate our children and grandchildren. Since my older daughter is expecting her second child in September, I thought it would be a good idea to make this week's challenge honor a child's birth by making a card, scrapbook page or baby gift. I chose to make a scrapbook page for both of my daughters.


The original pictures were in color, but I decided that black and white photos would work better for this page. What do you think???  Need more inspiration?  Take a look at the creations below designed by some of the other Sisters.   then share your creations with us. Be sure to add your DIRECT LINK to Mr. Linky below so we can all see your work and leave some love!!  As always, thanks for stopping by today.







Now it's time to share your creations with us. Please be sure to add your DIRECT LINK to Mr. Linky below so we can all see your work and leave you some love!!  As always, thanks for stopping by today.




Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Top Sister and Top 3....

Thank you all for your display of wonderful projects in this past week's challenge! Choosing Top 3 and Top Sister was difficult for me!
So without further ado, Top 3 this week are Lori, Sheryl, and Heather. Top Sister is The Paper Princess. You ladies really inspired me!
I hope to see you back with a fabby project for the new challenge this week!
Congrats,

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Celebrate the month...

Hello fellow craters,
Kim here this week. It is my turn to be hostess at The Sisterhood. I'm excited to be hosting this week as our theme is Celebrate the Month. This month is my birth month. I'll be celebrating on Monday, June 7! In keeping with the colors and stone for June, here's our challenge....

The colors of baby blue, cream, white, and the pearl for the birthstone.

Here is my layout. This is a photo of my aunt, who is like my mother. She didn't give life to me, but she taught me to live. She is a very special woman in my life. She raised me from the time I was 4 until I married my Honeybee! We are both Gemini's, her birthday is June 9. So I had to do this photo for this challenge. Sorry the lighting is bad on the photo, blame it on the rain.

Are you ready to have your socks blown away by this awesome Sisterhood!

Boni

Dar



It is time to celebrate in Sisterhood style. You will have until Tuesday, June 8 at 5:00 pm to post your creations to Mr. Linky below. If you are having a birthday this month, Happy Birthday!