Thank you for all your super kind comments yesterday. Your comments are always so encouraging.
I am grateful you take the time to write them. Thank you.
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Today my monthly diy project on Design*Sponge was posted. I thought I’d give you a couple behind the scenes peeks of the project again…
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Photo Tip: When you are photographing an item (like for etsy) you don’t need a great studio with tons of artificial lighting. You want a background that adds to, but does not distract from the item. You also want to take advantage of natural light. Here I sat the box on my chair, hung wallpaper (that is waiting to be hung on the wall) over the kitchen counter, turned the box just a bit towards the light and zoomed in. The camera settings for this photo were: ISO 250, 1/80, f/4.0, 70mm.
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Do you like ‘behind the scenes’ posts like this for my Design*Sponge and Design Aglow posts? If not, I don’t want to bore you and I’ll stop!
Head over to Design*Sponge today to find the full tutorial (not sure what time it will be posted). I’d love to hear what you think. I’m pretty sure this is my personal favorite diy project I’ve done this year.
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I did a little “Day in the Life” post for the domestic wannabe…it is posted today too…
Anna Marie - I enjoy them Ashley, you aren’t boring me. Also, thanks for the great idea about taking Etsy photos. I am always looking for new ways to get good photos of my items.
Amy - i don’t think there is a post you could post that i wouldn’t love!
Caroline - Oh please Ashley, Continue doing it! your posts are never boring. dont underestimate yourself! i love it as much as other readers do!
Pamela - I love your “behind the scenes” posts. Please keep them coming, they are anything but boring.
Yanet - Please don’t stop. I love learning about how you do certain shots and just what’s happening while your posting. It’s fun to see. You do some major multi-tasking like I do and it makes me feel “normal”.
Karla - The wallpaper is lovely!
Brianna B. - I LOVE the behind the scenes stuff. I’ve never held more than a camera phone but want to graduate to a big girl camera one day. It’s fun to see how much effort goes into beautiful photos.
Jess - Where did the wallpaper come from? I love it!
Reidunn - I enjoy all your posts and photos. Yesterdays post I loved. Maybe because I can relate, having two brothers myself. Your guestposting is also great work. Already looking forward to tomorrow and your next blogpost
Rebecca - Yes, please do! I’m learning a lot!
And love, love that wallpaper – will you share who makes it and what the pattern is called?
Jennifer Dayman - Love the behind-the-scenes, and the wallpaper! Would you share where you found it?
Leah R. - I love ALL your posts! LOL You NEVER bore me, in fact I can’t wait until I see a new post! I especially LOVE when you give tips on camera settings and lighting!
colleen - Honestly, i love it all. Especially the part about wii bowling with your family. Our wii broke a few months ago and i really miss “putting a whoopin” on my kids and husband!
i think you have to be from below the mason dixon to get that phrase! I may be the one getting a new wii for Christmas!
Shannon - I agree with the line of thinking that I don’t think there is a post you could post that I wouldn’t love! Can’t wait to see what you do with that wallpaper!
kate - keep the behind the scenes stuff coming! i love your blog, and your features on other blogs, too! i have question based on “day in the life” (you might have addressed this at some other time!) i’m curious if you homeschool? or does biggest brother go to school? thanks!
Sara - I almost fell of my chair when I saw your wallpaper. I’m in love with that pattern/colors! I tried to get some fabric in it but lost my ebay bid over in England. It may also have something to do with the fact that she didn’t offer int’l shipping.
I tried anyway. Can’t wait to see what you do with the wallpaper!
Katie - i adore the wallpaper! can’t wait to see the diy project, too!
Seamingly Sarah - I love the behind the scenes stuff, especially if it’s a photo tip I can relate to etsy. Plus I’ve already started trying some tips you gave for point and shoot cameras and they’ve worked! Thanks!
ashley jensen - I loooove behind the scene shots and I never find anything boring on your blog! Please continue doing what you’re doing!!
Trinity - I really like them. You have great tips and ideas to photograph things that are actually attainable. When I look at your pictures, I think I could never do that, but when you post behind the scenes things, it makes me want to try. Thanks Ashley!
Juli I - Love the behind the scenes info. Please don’t stop sharing. Love all your photo advice. I want to know how your house always looks so clutter-free? I have three kids and the house is always cluttered with shoes, socks, backpacks, toys, etc…what’s your secret?
katie - Ha! I was JUST wondering when you’d have another DS feature… YES, please keep the behind-the-scenes photos coming–they give this busy, crafting mom encouragement!
marcy - that wrapping paper rocks!! and the calendar!!
Hannah Bunker - That wallpaper is awesome! Would love to know how to get my hands on some!
Tricia - Ireally ejoy the behind the scees posts. Actually, I really ejoy all of your posts.
Nicole - How timely! Was just wondering how I want to set up some shots of the DIYs I have done with your tutorials to post on FB!
Tricia - Oh, and I need to learn to spell check before I post a comment and I have a three year old crafting play dough Rudolphs on my lap.
Nicole - Let’s try again!
How timely! Was just wondering how I want to set up some shots of the DIYs I have done with your tutorials to post on FB!
Anna - oh yes, i cannot stand artificial light. natural light makes everything so much fresher and brighter. i like to take my pictures on our kitchen island or my night stand because they have the clean white background. and none of my walls are painted because i like white for my pictures. white…im all about white! have a good day!
patti - i love the behind the scenes peek. thanks for sharing!
Jennifer - Ashley,
I love your blog! I read it everyday and I’m so inspired by you! I would love to make this journal. Can you share with me where I can find a date stamper like you used? Thanks and have a blessed day!
Jennifer
Lori - i love the behind the scene shots – don’t stop em!!
Aunt Sandy - I love, love, love that wall paper!!!!!! Where is going and where did you find it? I am not much on wall paper, but, this one could change my mind!!!!!
Lesley - Love this, Ashley! Hey, by the way, I think I have a challenge for you. I found a couple of old film tins (the big, heavy, flat ones) that someone was going to throw away and thought…I bet Ashley could do something with these. So, anyway, that’s your heads up, the next time I see you I’ll give you the tins.
Jane - I LOVE all of your behind-the-scenes posts, especially when it involves photography tips. Are you continuting to use your zoom lens more? How are you liking it vs. your 50mm and 85mm primes? I’m agonizing over which lens to get next and can’t decide between another prime and a zoom (already have the 50mm f/1.4).
Jen - well…fist off i want to thank you for giving the tip about setting up for an etsy shop. i have a nifty canon, but cannot for the life of me figure how to take perfect photos. secondly, can i say i l.o.v.e your wallpaper. you are so crafty!
Kristin - You don’t post anything boring!!
Rebecca S. - I LOVE LOVE LOVE the behind the scenes photo tips. Your pictures are always so gorgeous and I love learning from you. Thank you!
Sarah S - It’s up! What a great idea! I started taking a photo a day recently with the same purpose in mind. But I am more of a writer than a photographer, so I think I am going to start this in 2011. So neat!
Pam @ Keeping Life Creative - I’m with everyone else. . . I love the behind the scenes posts! And I love the calendar idea!
Erica - I love the behind the scenes posts!! I also have a question for you…I have an etsy shop and don’t have a fancy camera, just a point and shoot. Do you have any tips for taking photos of objects with a point and shoot? Usually, I go outside to take my pics, but it’s like 3 degrees out there right now, so that won’t work!! p.s. Love the wallpaper!
nori - i love the behind the scenes tips! i always stress over how to take pictures of my etsy items… this was SUPER helpful! thank you!!!
Christina - I love seeing how you compose your pictures! I especially love seeing how close you actually get to the things/people you are shooting.. i tend to stay away because I feel like I’m all up in their business, but I know I can get a better shot if I just step closer. These posts help!
Marykay - Love the behind the scenes, love the project and love that wall paper!!!!
Martina - Yes – and thanks for the photo tip, too! I commented on D*S already but I’ll say it here too: I love this idea. I’m going to do it!
Karen - forgot to comment yesterday so I thought I’d add it today. I grew up as the youngest of three- two older brothers all of us spaced two ish years apart and then me- their little sister. I was not spoiled because I was a girl or treated differently or more special but I was one of them and yet was allowed to celebrate being a girl. As we grew older, every time we would have a huge fight, my mom would get really emotional and tell us that we needed to be kind to each other for someday we would really depend on each other and that her prayer for us was to always be close. We are all super close as adults- my moms words and prayers rang true for us. Despite two of us being married and having kiddos now, they are still the first people I call to celebrate joys with or to share struggles with. We dearly love one another and I’m so grateful for a mom who prayed for this and who worked hard to instill this in us. I adore being their little sister and I can imagine your daughter is going to grow up feeling the same way!! There is nothing like having great big brothers!
Lindsay - You don’t ever bore. I love all the behind the scenes stuff. LOVE, LOVE IT!
the whyte house - you know, it’s hard to walk away from the ashley posts when there are 3 in one day….
cruel and unusual punishment.
gina - i love your behind the scenes peeks and your wallpaper!!
Dick - Always enjoy the behind the scenes. Haven’t seen a post from you that I didn’t like.
Bree K - Not Boring! Especially becasue you had a photo tip! Love those!
Shea - I definitely enjoy the behind the scenes photos and often enjoy the backstory more than the actual topic. I’m so glad you’re on d*s. And I love this project. I’m trying to figure out who for to make it this year. Well, besides myself! I love the way you record fun things in your daily life.
Oh and I can’t wait to see that wallpaper in action.
Jenny B. - Oh, I love the behind-the-scenes posts – especially seeing how you set up the little photo shoot for your calendar/journal. I would never have thought to use that wallpaper as a backdrop, but once it’s all blurred, it makes the perfect background! I liked what you said on Domestic Wannabe about how being a mom impacts every nook and cranny of your life.
There are movies I saw before I was a mom, and then again after, and it’s so weird to me how before, I identified more with the daughter character, and now I can relate more to the mom character (I’m thinking of Freaky Friday). Ha! Anyway, thanks again for sharing bits of your life.
sarah - What a cute idea. These would be so great for new moms. I never wrote stuff in my kids baby books, but this seems much easier.
Gretchen - I love your tips and behind-the-scenes stuff. And the journal is darling.
Carolyn - Yes! please keep doing the ‘behind the scenes’ posts. I LOVE beautiful photography (like yours) but I just as much love to see how a beautiful photograph is made. It’s really helpful. I enjoyed reading the guest posts too. Great stuff!
Jamie - I love the behind-the-scenes tips; very helpful! And, I can’t wait to see your wallpaper. I love Orla Kiely! I’m trying to figure out a way to get some in my new house. So cute!
kari - Love, Love, love your DIY posts and this one is especially nice.
XOXO
Kimber - Keep these coming! I love them! And I love the simplicity of the photo tips!
ash - what kind of pie? you should link the recipe.
Nancy - I really enjoy all that you post, so don’t stop what you’re doing. You give me great inspiration! Now all I need is a little more time
Lynn - Love seeing them, in fact, I get up early just to see what you write everyday! I know…weird but I love your blog!!! You rock that you have so much time, I have one kid and a photography business and have a hard time keeping up and then doing DIY projects…I have bought a lot of stuff with good intentions!!! Maybe tonight I will get done the dot cheese trays I am doing for the holidays!! Then I will post photos!! Thanks for writing everyday…I miss your posts on the weekends, but everyone needs time off!!
Margie - It’s nice seeing the behind the scenes…it gives a taste of what it’s really like doing projects when you have little ones running around.
Lindsay - I wish i went to YOUR town’s flea markets… I can’t find all the neat things you seem to at mine. I searched high and low today for old postcards…i’ll check out the next flea market…hopefully I find some. Until then, I may replace the cards with pictures or something. Love the idea too much to pass up.
jessica h - yes! “behind the scenes” are my favorite part of your posts sometimes! real life…it’s very entertaining
Susan Caing - i’m hooked with your blog. can’t start my work without reading your inspiring daily blog. i’m a new mother of a 1yr old little girl and hoping to have a baby boy.
Jeannette - I love everything you do and post!!!!
Adrienne B - Love that wallpaper – and LOVE the photo tips… Keep them coming!
michelle - I love the behind the scenes! Don’t stop!
(I love everything else you write too… thank you for taking the time out of your day to entertain all of us.)
Lila - I really like the behind the scenes shots. The photography advice is also a really nice touch. Thanks for the tip!
The Prairie Hen - Dear Ash,
I vote “yes” for the behind the scenes… WAY cool!
Love,
Another Blogger in NE
yannpendaries - your work is simply superb and I speak geek
bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;o)
amac - I enjoy the sneak peeks. And the project! Incredible!! I just added a date stamper to my wish list
Brooke Whitis - LOVE the behind the scenes…and I LOVVEEEE the wallpaper!! Where did you find that super fun stuff? I want it.
I am glad we don’t live in the same town. You would come in my house and find all your crafts on my wall…no originality at all…{maybe not entirely true…but …you might feel flattered if you came in. I’m just saying…}
Stephanie - I like them very much. Especially when I see craziness going on around you. It inspires me to work on projects in the midst of my “craziness” 4 girls!
Julie B - Please please please continue! I learn so much about photography and feel like I can make my own stuff look almost as good as the professionals (you). Well good enough for me and being free! Behind the scene stuff is the best!
Leah - Please keep them coming! As a *just for fun* photographer I especially appreciated the photo tips! I love this project and started on it already!
Ana - I love the behind the scenes posts! And I find them very useful too.
Becca - NOT boring at all! Love it! I found a cute little brown box at Target today that will be perfect since I am not patient enough to try and find a fruit box right now. It was a basic brown box holding 50 white thank-you cards(which I can use) but the little box that held them is what I wanted
Can’t wait to put it together!
Jessica - Yes, love the photo advice!! Not boring at all!
Pleasant Vonnoh - I LOVE behind the scenes posts! Love them!
Jürgen - Beautiful photos and very good work.
Thank you, regards.
Kelly - I like these behind the scenes posts a lot. It keeps it real and encourages me to know that I can still craft and do creative things even in my new role as mama. Thanks! Kelly
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