More of the same, and a little tute!

Firstly, I was so bugged by the fail that was my first attempt at the FPPFTT Circle of Geese, I sat down last night and made another.

This time I scaled it at 50%, for a 6" finished block.  The pieces weren't too tiny, and my fabric was pretty much cut with perfect 1/2" seam/sewing allowances, so I was never in jeopardy of having gaps like before.

Love it!

So pleased I got this out of my system, I hate having niggles!

As anticipated, I was off work with a poorly girl today; spent most of it cleaning the house whilst she slept before and after a trip to the doctors and pharmacy.  Now she's tanked up on anti-biotics, so we all might get a good night's sleep and feel better tomorrow.

As you asked/hinted so nicely, I will show you how I am getting my latest pictures of smaller items to look a little swankier.  Although you could use Kerry's wonderful Photoshop tute, I am always up for a simpler option...

Place your objet d'art on a white background.  I use the lid of an IKEA storage box, and place it in the brightest place you have; note that if it is really bright you will get shadows, but I think that still looks good...

Take your shots...

Load into the photo package on your computer.  Now I use a MacBook Pro, and hence iPhoto; I have no experience of any other software, so substitute this as best as you can if you are of the PC persuasion.

iPhoto has a few cropping edge borders and blurring, I pick the one that white-outs the edges into a circle or oval; don't panic if it cuts into your object a little, you can remove it later...

Now you will be able to see how non-white your white bits are!

Here's where it can all go so right, (the ones you've seen), or so wrong!.  Adjust the exposure of the picture until you can no longer see the edges...

Sometimes it will come out too over-exposed, but most of the time, if it was all pretty bright to start with, it will look cool!

Then crop to size and remove your edge whitening if it has affected the subject...

Nothing complicated, but it can look way more accomplished than it really is; and now I've gone and blown that illusion, doh!

If you want to go into the realms of light boxes and all that shenanigans, Kat had a cool way of making one.  So I think I have covered enough methods of snazzing up your photos to keep you going, have fun.

Oh, and if you Pin this, I won't sue you!  I will be flattered and take it in the spirit of what Pinterest is meant for, goddamit!

New toys...

Today I treated myself to a well-earned upgrade to my poor old camera in the Sales, (we popped to Curry's for a tumble-dryer vent hose, and well, came out with a Samsung ST61!).

To test it out, what better way than to show you my best Christmas presents!

Super-duper Father Christmas read my blog, and even got Emily Peacock to send me a personal note!

I did get loads of other wonderful things, and my dad gave us each a stained-glass leaf; I will definitely photograph them to show you once they have been given pride of place in the new conservatory.

This time next week we will still be surrounded by boxes, but in the NEW HOUSE!!!

I cannot believe that tomorrow is New Year's Eve - 2010 was pretty good, and a real turning point for us, but I cannot wait for 2011!