Grab Bag & PAD #31

This Grab Bag has something sweet and delightful inside! Full sized product, for a steal at only $2! Be sure to grab it quick!

Get it HERE for a very limited time!

***hint hint: You just might see a couple examples of what's inside here.

PAD #31

For the homework "Something I Love"

D80, 50mm, ISO 1000, 1/80

It is a bit cliche, BUT I can't start my day with out a steaming cup of coffee. Lately my love is Tanzania Peaberry. YUMM!

This is also in my beloved MOM mug... I got the day after I became a mother.... just a sentimental mug, LOL!

TFL!

PAD #30

This is probably the ONLY time I can get away with shooting my boys on pink seamless.... LOL! But here are their valentine's pics.... Couldn't decide which one was the winner today.

FYI..... there might be a brand new grab bag up for sale tomorrow at TDC! (eyebrow wiggle) Good stuff guys!

Who here is finally SO EXCITED that LOST is back? Woot!

Our church is making new photo directories, so our family is getting our portrait made in the next few weeks. Nate will be in either a navy blue button down shirt or solid navy blue polo, both boys will be in matching polos that are navy/ royal/ baby blue stripes (with tiny orange stripes). I had nothing navy! So shopping I did go, LOL!

Here's what I got!

Gap Dress :::::: Old Navy Necklace

Nasty Flu Bugs....

Sunday afternoon my tummy was rumbling... or as Hannah Montana would say "My tummy has a funny..."

By Sunday night I was hugging the toilet seat, and not keeping anything down. I saw all kinds of reruns... LOL! I was also desperately cold and ended up wearing a full sweatsuit to bed under 2 blankets.

Yesterday was no better... Nate had to stay home most of the day to watch the boys as I slept. You know how you are sick, and you do sleep a lot of the day, but its still such a looong day? That is how it was for me.

I finally kept down a Cup-O-Soup last night at 8 pm, and this morning I've been able to hold down a piece of toast and some Gatorade. I have a nasty headache, but no doubt its from dehydration.

I think I'm turning the corner back to the land of the living!

PAD #27


Not the greatest picture.... I had the wrong lens on, so there is some funny lens angle distortion going on....

two hours later I got slammed with the flu

PAD #28

you are looking at my sustenance the day of my flu... sometimes I held it down, sometimes I didn't, LOL!

PAD #29

Seth saying goodbye to daddy as he goes to work....

PAD #26

D80, 28mm, F3.5, ISO 200, fill flash

This pic is completely inspired by a photo by Brenda Acuncias~ http://www.brendaacuncius.typepad.com/ One of my faves! Hers is by far better (of course, she rocks) by I've still been itching to try it.

TFL!

PAD #25

28mm, F2.8, ISO 200, SS 6 seconds

Last night Nate and Seth went "camping" for the first time in our basement. Here they are having fun with a flashlight. I had my camera on tripod, and the Shutter speed was 6 seconds to properly expose the light like this.

****************

Phew! My teeth and gums are sore. I had a very vigorous cleaning yesterday. My dentist also found 2 cavities. :( Oh well, at least they are right next to each other, so she can knock them both out at one time. However, being new to MD, our dental insurance doesn't cover cavities till we've been clients for 6 months, so I won't have them filled till May, LOL!

Actually, she found a couple other cavities too. I've always been proud that I have all my teeth. I had the room for my wisdom teeth, and they came in straight, no problems. Well, she caught a couple cavities in a couple yesterday, but she really wants those to come out. She says "why bother to fill them, when they are so far in the back?" Eventually they would just infect the gums and molars next to them. Soooo.... after we look into what our dental insurance does, I'll be looking to say Goodbye to my wisdom teeth.

We are cleaning house today! And then, we'd better go do something fun, or else you might hear about us on your nighttime news. And it won't be pretty. LOL!

PAD #24

Homework "Storyboard" (To tell a story in 3 pictures.)



These past few days have been busy, busy, busy. And I'm so tired. I've been having a hard time sleeping lately, and I think my iron is low.

Yesterday Lucas had his follow up to his ear infection, and Lucky is all better. Today I go to the dentist for my cleaning and some xrays. Fingers are crossed! I'm also working on getting some business cards made, but I'm actually leaning towards making business postcards. More space to showcase more images, LOL!

PAD #23

PAD #23

Homework: Self Portrait

Just me. I'm not sure I like it, its kinda of hard to do a self portrait, LOL! The shadows are a bit harsh for my taste, but its hard to run and check the LCD every time, LOL! I used my remote. You also don't want to know how much retouching I did! Lots of healing tool, ROFLOL!!!!

PAD #22

50mm, F3.5, ISO 640

Some rare smiles from my serious lil' guy. I was trying to take pictures to submit to Live with Regis & Kelly's Beautiful Baby Search... but it turns out submissions closed 10 days ago, LOL!

Thanks For Looking!

MLK Day....

Today is a "work" day for Nate, but b/c the kids have off school today he is out Geo-caching with them. Its still considered a work day for him even if he's hanging out with the Youth, LOL!

Geo-caching is Nate's new obsession. Geo Cache is kinda like treasure hunting with Longitude and Latitude. People ALL Over the world go to different places and then hide stuff, whether its just a log book for you to sign, or whatnot, and then they go to this website and plug in the co-ordinates. People then (like Nate) use the co-ordinates to hunt for whatever was left behind.

Once you find it, you just sign the log book.... Boys!

Which, by the way~ he is still fighting a fever! Yesterday it was my brother-in-law's birthday, and we drove over to eat with them, and Nate ended up sleeping the whole time on the couch. Poor guy. But of course, he couldn't miss out this morning, HA!

***Did anyone see Home Makeover last night? It was filmed in Port Deposit, MD. My family lived there for 5 years, when I was in elementary school. Let me tell you... the house is just a *bit* out of place.

PAD #20

D80, 50mm, F3.2, ISO 640

My sister while at her husband's birthday party.... I have never realized that her eyes are so green, WOW!

PAD #21

D80, 50mm, F5.6, ISO 100

Just a moody one of Seth.....

Thanks for looking!! Oh and Meg... You totally made my night last night and rocked my world. THANK YOU so much for such an awesome compliment. Truly humbling!

My Equipment....

Thank you so much for such a great response to the pictures yesterday! I am tickled to death! I love the PAD, the first one of Seth, b/c that is SO him right now. Pokey hair and all!

Many of you wrote asking about my equipment, and that is what today's post is going to be, a list of my equipment.


Nikon D80. This is obvious. ;)

I have the Alien Bee 400, with the Large Foldable softbox. The softbox gives those great rectangular catchlights. Both are set up on the heavy duty stand.


I use the radio transmitter and receiver so I can go wireless.


I also have and use the 5-in-1 Reflector kit.


Now, for my backgrounds, I have the Seamless Paper Stand. The port-a-stand comes with a free roll of white paper.

I also have a few other seamless colors. (all in 53")

• black
• bone
• chestnut
• coral
• crimson
• sky blue

Yesterday, I got the white paper set up. I had the light on the left hand side at a 45 degree angle. Standard studio settings are F5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 ( I learned this after yesterdays shoot, you'll notice my ISO too high in those pics.)

I think I eventually need a handheld light meter, as I'm still trying to figure out the output I need. Oh! And that Smoke Grey seamless paper is next on my list.... ;)

ETA: Here is the set up in my basement.

That set up, using the sky blue seamless, was what helped create this picture of Lucas. Which BTW is Picture-A-Day #19.

There you go, and I hope this all helps! I've labeled this Photo Tip Friday for easy reference.

PAD 17 & 18, and new AB!

PAD #17

Homework: Action

50mm, F16, ISO 320



I was able to capture the snow falling. See those streaks? Its snow falling! Which by the way, we got about 5 inches yesterday. It was very pretty, and VERY cold!

Nate and I also got my new Alien Bee light set up, and I was fooling around with it.

here is PAD #18

50mm, F4, ISO 200, 1/125

And a couple more for your pleasure......

Thanks for stopping by!

Glorious SALE & Retirement

Glorious by Amber Clegg & myself is now on sale and will retire in just days! Get it quick before its gone!

Get it HERE

PAD 15 & 16

The Picture A Day challenge at TDC is still going strong, and we are all so proud that we've hit the half way mark!

PAD #15

This is for the Homework "Love"

D80, 50mm, F3.2, ISO 800


I'm so happy my Nate is home from his conference!

PAD #16

D80, 50mm, manual

This was our dinner and desert last night (well within rules, taken within 24 hrs it's posted). We came across this recipe in one of the Kraft mailers, and we've enjoyed it several times in the last couple months. Its quick and tasty.

Speedy Chicken Stir-Fry

8 oz angel hair pasta, uncooked

2 cups broccoli florets*

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces

1/2 cup Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (I use closer to 3/4)

2 TBS soy sauce

1/4 tsp. each ground ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper

1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts

Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 minutes. Meanwhile, spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray, heat on medium high. Add chicken; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Stir in dressing, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper; cook a couple minutes stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta mixture; and dole out onto plates or bowls. Spoon the chicken mixture evenly over top the pasta. Sprinkle with the peanuts.

*** You can substitute snow peas for the broccoli too!

The desert is very simple. I baked some chocolate chip cookies, and when they were cooled, I spooned some vanilla ice cream onto one, and placed another on top to make ice cream sandwiches. Then I rolled the edges in sprinkles.

PAD #14

PAD #14, Homework Close Up



50mm, F2.2, ISO 1000

Here's PAD for yesterday! LOL! I had *just* remembered that I needed to do it, and the light was fading f-a-s-t! So here is my Christmas Cactus in bloom. (Is it weird that my white one blooms at Thanksgiving, and my pink one after New years? {roll eyes})

I need to completely catch up and post 2 in a row for ya'll. Maybe tomorrow. ;)

****************

I am feeling much better today, thank goodness. Thank you for your concern and well wishes, I appreciate it! Its just a cold, and I am treating it with trusty Tylenol Cold and Zicam swabs.

Something I am sick and tired of is the acne I battle every day. I've had it for years and faught it with prescriptions and over the counter meds. I've tried Proactiv, RetinA, & Benziclyn. The last couple years I hadn't tried so hard, and was just using Oil of Olay Anti Age & Anti Blemish.

Well, the Oil of Olay wasn't working anymore, and I've got some ugly zits on my chin and jaw. I had been thinking of trying the Proactiv again, but the price was deterring me. I had heard some good things about a similar line at Target, so when I was there I picked it up.

Acne Free

Don't buy from that link! It's about $10 less in retail stores, LOL! So, I'm giving it a try. Nothing to lose... except hopefully my breakouts. :c) I just need to be careful about my blue/ green/ purple towels and sheets. The Benzoil Peroxide tends to bleach those out.

OK~ commercial over, LOL! I'll let you know how it works.

Creative Congestion....

Hello everyone!

I am back from my weekend in NC, for my cousins wedding. What a great wedding, what a fun time! There's a reason you shouldn't hire family for stuff... ya'll should have seen me blubbering behind the camera. But it was a really powerful ceremony, with my cousin Michael getting emotional, seeing the love between them both.

That said, here are my pictures-a-day to get caught up....

Hopefully ya'll will give me a pass on the 2 wedding pics, since I took well over 450 photos that day, and travelled all day the next, LOL!

All shot with my D80.

The first shot is my beloved grandpa, reading his bible.... TFL!

I also wanted to share some lovely layouts created by some members of my creative team with my latest products....

A New Day kit

Watercolor Solids

I am feeling really cruddy today. I am pretty congested and achy and I have a million things to do. Nate is out of town for a couple days (of course!) and I need to get groceries and such. I didn't sleep well last night, I was up a few times with congested headachy- can't sleep- I'm cold-I'm hot... yada yada.

Love to all of you! I need to take a shower and brave Target.

Watercolor Solids

New today at The Digi Chick~

Watercolor Solids! Lights, Brights, and Neutrals!




And of course, the whole set together! 24 papers for one low price!


I love these papers, *I* can't wait to scrap with them! They are so delicious, and they are perfect for mixing and matching. I'm sorry I can link you to them, the Boutique is momentarily down, and I'm out the door for the weekend. But don't let that discourage you! ;) They are on sale for the next 24 hrs, so go get 'em.

****************

My dearest and only male cousin is getting married this weekend, and yours truly will be working it... LOL! So I'll be away till Monday having a great time with all of my kinfolk.

See you on Monday, where I'll catch up on all my pictures-a-day!

PAD #9

Here's my Picture A Day for today!

This is for the homework "No Faces"

D80, 50mm, F2.8, ISO 800

Just my little guys' piggies! TFL!

****************

Last meal you cooked: Monday night, stuffed shells and a caesar salad

Good piece of advice: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” (Dr. Suess)

Favorite pajama pants: red flannel from VS, that are about 100 years old

Last item/person you took a picture of: See above.

A good friend's name: Jessica

Something you are excited for: the wedding this weekend

Something you miss: summertime

Last purchase made for yourself: Alien Bee studio light

Three current hobbies: photography, cooking, wiping boogers

Favorite piece of furniture: probably my new Dining Room Hutch

Something you want to buy, for kicks: this!

Something you need to buy, out of necessity: dishwasher detergent

#1 cleaning product, according to you: Carpet Cleaner, ie. furniture cleaner, ie. pee-mopper-upper

Three things you have to do today: go to Mom's Bible Study, meet Nate for dinner, go to Youth Group

When you need inspiration in your day, you go: Here to ILP

Song you are playing on repeat right now: the song on my MySpace page, Best of Me by Chrisette Michele

Favorite dessert: Olive Garden's Tiramisu

Last bill you paid: ROFLOL~ Nate takes care of that....

Are you keeping a secret from anyone: I might be... I might not be... I don't know. ; )

#1 pampering item, according to you: I love a good french pedicure

If not here, we can find you: probably Here on ILP

Baby Sydney....

Picture A Day #8

D80, 50mm, F2.5, ISO 320


Just Seth showing off my prize from winning Tara Whitney's contest! I was showcasing his tootsies, LOL!

Here are some more Baby Sydney pictures... what a sweetheart!




TFL!

PAD #7

Go Bucks!

PAD 5 & 6....

Here are my PAD's....

I had a newborn shoot yesterday, so I figure that still counts as a PAD... LOL!

PAD #5~ Baby Sydney

Nikon D80, 28mm, F4.5, 1/60, ISO 640

(itty bity 5 pounder!)

PAD #6~ Homework Texture

D80, 50mm, F2, 1/800, ISO 640

My curtains... LOL!

TFL!

More pics to come from baby Sydney's shoot!

GREAT News!

I have great news! I just got back from my Orthopedist, AND I am healing just fine. I can take my boot off now and wear shoes. However, if I feel pain, I need to put it back on for another week. Doc doesn't see any reason why I won't be running by late April again.

He also mentioned that I should wear shoes more often since most of my injuries were barefoot related. He also wants to call attention to my bunions sometime in the future.

So~ YAY!

****************

PAD #4

50mm, F2.5, 1/100, ISO 200

Just my lil' Lucas in natural light.



And I'm sharing the eye crop, b/c you can see Seth in his eyes, that was what made him laugh!

TGIF!

A New Day & PAD #3

Because, Baby~ It's COLD outside!!


Each new day gives us a chance to become more than we ever imagined. --Flavia

A New Day is a Wintery kit, a snowy kit, my first kit of 2008. Its a New Year, a New Day.

A New Day is filled with 9 luscious artistic papers, 5 buttons, 4 rhinestones, 3 frames, 2 bows, 2 wordarts, 2 fuzzy snowflakes, 2 tags, 2 beaded wires, 3 swirl stitches, and 1 glitter paint square.

You can find it HERE in TDC Boutique.

*** 20% OFF Today only!

****************

PAD #3~ Jan 3

Homework~ Child's Toy

Nikon D80, 28mm, F2.8, 1/200, ISO 1250

This is Blue Dog, AKA "Puppy." We bought him for our first son, Seth, on our way out of the hospital after our ultrasound confirming Seth was a boy. Puppy has turned into Seth's Lovey, and even though you can't see it, Puppy's tail matches his nose.

We love Puppy in this house!

Thanks for stopping by!

Photo A Day #2

28mm, 1/60, ISO 1000

This is my brand new hutch I got for Christmas. I believe that it is what finally made my new house a HOME, since I was able to finally get pictures up and out. Featured on the hutch are beloved pictures of mine and Nate's ancestors/ family.


In the other pic you can see how I hung pictures to one side. I plan to make it symmetrical and hang 2 more on the other side too. I plan on one of them being Lucas in the pitcher bowl picture, which IS printed, it just needs a frame! (see the pic a couple posts below). That is baby Seth below!

Oh!! Amanda & Bethany!! You do win a prize for being readers so long, LOL! Write me at andreaburnsct at hotmail dot com, and I'll send you a coupon to my digi scrap store at TDC. THANK YOU for listening to my diatribes, LOL!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year faithful Blog Readers!

This lil' blog is 2 years old now~ wow how the time flies! It also means I've been at The Digi Chick for 2 years. I'm blessed that I kept up with the blog, with the journaling, and now I have a rich reminder of the last 2 years. (Is there a reader out there who's been with me all this time?)

Do I have any resolutions?

Well, not so much resolutions, but more like goals.

• I want to become more consistent in my photography, capturing better images IN camera. Less post processing.


• I want to expand my business~ get my name out more in this area.


• I want to actually scrap more. Catch up on my boys' albums.


• I want to teach myself to play the Piano a bit. I have some Adult Lesson books, and I need to schedule myself some time to sit and learn.

****************

I've gone and started a Photography Challenge over at the Digi Chick. It's a Photo A Day Challenge.

TODAY starts the Photo A Day challenge, so show us what you've got!

Here are the rules~ Anything goes for 5 of the days, but you do have 2 homeworks you have to complete. They also have to be taken within the 24 hours that you post the image.

Come back to THIS thread and post your image, you can also post it in the Photography Gallery too.

The 2 Homeworks for this week, YOUR interpretation of these 2 themes....

Texture
Children’s toy

If you want CC, ask for it!

Alright~ Lets Have some Photo Fun!

My first PAD~

Seth, in natural light

Nikon D80, 28mm, 2.8, 1/80, ISO 500