Travel Photography Tips

Hi Everyone!

Sande Krieger here...posting for Paula while she's out on a walkabout. She asked me to post about something I love - so of course that would either be eating, shopping or photography! I tend to scare my husband when we travel abroad because I'll disappear in the morning before it's light and venture out by myself to take pictures before all the tourists are up. He's sure that one day he's going to be called to the morgue to identify my body. So before that happens I thought I'd share some tips that I've picked up over the years.

1. Use LEADING LINES to create an interesting photo. Leading lines draw the viewer into your photo. If you can shoot a photo with the lines leading diagonally through the photograph, that's even better. In the right photo the lamp posts are the leading line that leads you to the couple that are walking towards the golden domed building. In the upper left photo the picture frames on the outside wall lead your eye into the photo and down the alley. In the bottom left photo the chairs are lined up leading you to the front of the cathedral and also there is a great contrast of light and dark with the chairs and the white stone of the cathedral - which brings me to the next tip:

2. Look for CONTRAST. Light and dark areas in a photo keep our eye moving so that the photo doesn't feel stagnant. In the left photo, the dark shutters really pop against the cream stucco walls as do the clothing on the laundry line. In the right photo I saw a white lace doily laying on a charcoal gray piece of monogrammed linen. The high contrast of colors really added dimension to the textures of the different fabrics. I love to look for a bright pop of color amidst all earth tones like this turquoise door in the middle of all the browns. 

3. Use a SHALLOW DEPTH of FIELD. Many point and shoot cameras will now allow you to set the aperture (how wide the lens opens to let in light). The lower the number (as in 1.4 ) the larger it opens and the more light it lets in. When that happens, whatever you are focused on looks sharper and the background is more blurred. If you set your aperture on a larger number (as in 5.6 ) the aperture does not open as wide and lets in less light so your more of your photograph will be in focus. My favorite lens for my Nikon SLR is a 50mm 1.4 which will really blur the background. This really makes your subject stand out. Below is a comparison of photos, one shot at 1.4 and one shot at 5.6 to give you an idea of the difference in background blur.

Top taken at 1.4; Bottom taken at 5.6

If you are interested in some more photography tips- pop on over to my blog. I have a few more to share. Just in case you are wondering, the taped together frames are designed by Katie Pertiet from Designer Digitals.

June kit

SOLD OUT!

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We know it has been months of waiting... but a new kit is finally here!
 This 5 x 7" journal has all the good stuff; manila paper, dyed cheesecloth, hand dyed seam binding in 3 colors, a bit of vintage and the new Flea Market Findings from 7gypsies.  It has been pre-cut, pre-stamped, and even has modeling paste tags to distress in your favorite colors.

SOLD OUT!
As usual, kits can be paid for by check or Pay Pal.

Shipping is $5.85 for US and Canada

Please contact us for all other international shipping rates.

Kits will start shipping, Wednesday June 13.

If you are interesting in purchasing a kit
please email us at debbie@2gypsygirls.com
Please note payment choice in your email.

All kits are sold on a first come, first served basis.

Lucky Day Winner

All we can say in wow!!!  Thank you all for your comments and kind words.  With such a huge response to our giveaway we have decided to give away two additional bundles of goodies.  The other two bundles will be a group of my choice, but equally fun.  Winner #2 and Winner #3 we are going to let your bundle of goodies be a surprise....what fun you will have when you open your box!!

Winner of the library drawer and bundle of goodies:

the gypsy magpie said...

Wow, the possibilities with this drawer are endless... and the goodies that go with it are incredible! Especially loving the details on Ann Mabee's drawer. SO glad she shared it!

Winner #2:

 Montgomery Family said...

Awesome giveaway...like always! Y'all are amazing!!

Winner #3

 Danee said...

It is funny how a contest brings out the comments. I would love to win…in fact I have looked at this system for quite awhile but haven't jumped in.

Winners, please email us with your address and we will get your boxes right out to you.

Again, that you all for your support.

deb

Lucky Day Giveaway

Feeling lucky?  

We love the library drawer from 7gypsies especially with the latest Postale goodies that fit perfectly inside.  We thought you might like them also and bundled some items together that we think you will enjoy.

Here is a couple of ideas of ways to use your library drawer:

This one from talented Ranjini Malhotra, get more instructions on this lovely here and be sure to check out her blog here.

Also, love this from Ann Mabee (from the 7g website).....she adds the best details!

If you are feeling lucky and want the chance to win the library drawer and goodies, please leave a comment by Monday the 4th at midnight.  We will announce the winner on Tuesday the 5th.

Good luck!

deb

Farm Chicks Tickets

Hey, if anyone is going to be in the Spokane, WA this next weekend, Sande K has two early bird tickets for sale.  They are $26.50 each....which gets you into the event 1 1/2 hours early (worth every penny).  They will need to be purchased using Pay Pal.
cheers!
paula

Tickets are sold!  thanks Lori!

Inspired Journey Journal

Today I am sharing the journal that was created by the ever fabulous, Sande Krieger for the Inspired Journey Event I attended last week in Manhattan Beach.  I helped Sande in her classes so I was able to make one of the journals before the event so I would be familiar with the project.  Today's post is sort of a "blog hop".  After you see the basic journal here, use the links provided at the bottom of the post to see Sande's completed journal on her blog, Pandemonium.  Then you see her true talent shine.  I have never met anyone who can use plain ole letter stamps like she does...certainly not me.

This travel Journal is all about 7gypsies latest line Postal.  These are some of the products used:
Postal Alphabet
Postal Collection Sticker
97% Complete Sticker - Vagabond 
Postal Paper - Numero (black/tan stripe)
Ephemera - Vintage (used through out the book)
Journal cover - Elizabeth

Postal paper - Document (white arrow paper)

Note: I somehow came home without page 2 which should be showing in the this picture.  SO when you look at Sande's final journal with all the picture you will see a page that has a flip up that is tied with a black ribbon, that is my missing page.  sorry about that!

What you are seeing here is a plastic 4 x 6 photo sleeve. Sande covered the inside edge with a strip of paper then punched with the Binderie Punch to add to the book. 

The stickers were placed right on the plastic sleeve and even though you can see they are white on the back now, once you slide a picture into the photo sleeve the white will be covered up.

Love this idea of the punched Gypsy tags.  Sande added a number at the end of each tag set.  You will see in her book, she used each tag to stamp out a note about the picture that is added in between.

Postal paper - Numero (black/creme stripe)
Postal paper - This end up (on envelope flap)
Postal Clear Stamp - Par Avion (black arrows)

Each of the shaped pages through out the journal were made using the Photo Carousel cards...we clipped off the tabbed edges or added paper over them.

The back of this one was made into a pocket.

Another photo sleeve

Here we used two 6" Elastic bands to create a holding place for a Petit Carnet.  Clever girl, that Sande!

The last photo sleeve

The pennant is made from part of the Vagabond sticker, ephemera and a tag:vintage.  Held in place using mini paper clips and paper fasteners.

The text on the right side in from this rubbing: Nomenclature

So that's it, the basic journal that everyone made in class.  Now, hop on over to Sande's blog to see the real deal where she has added all her pictures and journaling in pure "Sande style".  It really is fabulous.

Here are the links:
Part One - The inside of the Petit Carnet and start of the journal.
Remember I am missing my page two. So there is an extra page that you will see in Sande's completed journal.

Part Two - Second part of the Journal

Part Three - Last part of the Journal

 Now off you go!

cheers!
paula

Stationery Portfolio

I love almost any project that include paper, fabric and sewing.  For this one I especially like the "deconstructed" edges and things a bit imperfect.  This stationery set, in it's own little portfolio, might be a fun project for the long weekend....and a great gift for someone special.

Lets' start with the cards - 

CARDS:
1.  You will need a small piece of fabric.  I chose this Wavery print that I had in my stash.  I love the washed out look and the texture in the weave.  Lay your fabric face side down on the printer screen and copy onto white cardstock.  For a little more dimension use a textured cardstock - like Bazzill's burlap or crisscross.

2.  Fold your printed cardstock in half long ways and cut to size.  Folded, mine are 4" x 5 1/4". You can get 2 cards out of each page printed.  Pink the right edge.

3.  Print "thank you" or other sentiment onto fabric.  Also print a sentiment that will be stitched to the stationery cover.  I did "materially speaking" since this project is all about fabric, but you chose what you want.
4.  To print on fabric, cut freezer paper and fabric to 8 1/2" x 11".  Iron the shiny side of freezer paper to fabric.  If edges of fabric aren't completely adhered to freezer paper you might need to tape down the edges.  Or, you can also purchase printable fabric at your fabric store.  
You may chose different sentiments for an assortment if you like. 
5.  Cut your sentiments apart with pinking shears.

6.  Sew the fabric sentiment to the card.

ENVELOPES:
1.  Lay a linen or other textured fabric on your printer screen and copy onto white cardstock.   Again, you can use a textured paper if you like for more dimension.   
2.  Cut out your envelope from the printed cardstock.  Use an old envelope for your pattern.  When folded mine is  5 1/2" x 4 1/4". 

3.  Cut, fold and glue the sides.
4.  I stitched along the edge of the flap.

STATIONERY PORTFOLIO:
1.  Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard to size (I used the flap of a shipping box).  Mine is 10" x 6 1/4".  Make sure the corrugated lines in the cardboard run the same direction as the short side....this is so you can fold it over to make a spine in your portfolio.  

2.  Use the cardboard as your pattern and cut a fabric piece slightly larger (about 1/4" larger all the way around) for your front cover. 
3.  Cut a piece of fabric (I used linen) for the inside.   Cut the same width as the cover fabric piece in step 2 but add 2 1/2" to the height.   This will allow a fold along the bottom edge to create a pocket.  
4.  Turn under 1/4" along long edge and stitch.
5.  Fold bottom edge up to create the pocket and press.  (see photo below)
6.  Apply a little glue stick to both inside and outside fabrics and attach to cardboard piece and stitch as shown below.  TIP:  Apply just enough glue stick to keep fabrics in place to sew them down.  Try to avoid putting glue where you will be stitching.

DETAILS:  stitching lines, fold line, dimensions, etc.

 

Detail of bottom folded edge

 7.  Stitch front patch onto cover.

8.  Sew button and twill closure onto front cover.

I wanted my button to look more worn like the fabric so I sanded it lightly.  Here is what the button looked like before I sanded it.

All done!!  Look how cute the cards and envelopes look inside the portfolio.  Add something fun to write with.  I even attached some extra sentiments with a bamboo paper clip.

Have a great long weekend....do something fun!
deb