He’s pulling up on everything, but hasn’t figured out the art of getting down. He hasn’t mastered the staircase, but stands holding the bottom step and gazing up with intent to follow his brothers up. He’s too much fun

Here’s a little photo tip:

I have had several emails asking about lighting and why pictures turn out orange. The orange is due to the lighting in your house. If you come to a SnapShop I’ll go into more detail on ways to solve this. In the meantime, if you are able (if there is enough light), turn off your interior lights and use natural light coming from your windows. You can tell on the pictures above that from behind there isn’t much light on Rett - not a lot of detail comes out. However, when I moved closer to the window and used the window to light his face….adorable baby boy!

NOTE: When I talk about using natural light (like in the Christmas tree post and here) through your windows I wasn’t clear to say that the best time is when the sun is not directly shining in. Typically mid-morning to mid-afternoon when the sun is over your house is the best. You should be able to look out your window and not squint because the sun is in your eyes….

If you know Corbett (and even if you don’t) please leave him a comment…he’ll love it.

Melt wax (I used beeswax from Hobby Lobby)

Apply wax to fabric (I used wood block and rods, flour sacks from Walmart for towels)

Dye fabric (I used Rit liquid dye, added HOT water & salt)

Dry fabric, iron out wax

Wash

Now those directions won’t really help too much. You can find better ones HERE courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Here’s my supplies, the wax melting, the fabric after the wax was applied

The dyeing process (some I dyed wine, then denim blue hence the purple), drying process

The final product…cute custom dish towels

There are endless options of what you could make and dye. This is a bit of a long process depending on how much and how big you do. It was a lot of fun for me though…I’m thinking of what I could do next!

You will need:

Epoxy

Plate, platter, bowl, etc.

A base that is wide enough to make the stand stable

Books for weight

Step one: Wash and dry the plate and base

Step two: Find the center of the bottom of your plate and mark it

Step three: Mix your epoxy and apply a thin layer to the base

Step four: Attach the two, turn upside down and use books for a little weight

They dry in about 5 minutes and are ready for use. I bought candlestick holders from Hobby Lobby for my base and plates from Southern Hospitality on Main St. in BA.

For those wondering, yes one of the bases is an old coffee can. That is the one I made for myself. No one else likes it, but I do and it is in my house so that is all that matters to me. When I showed my mom she smiled and said it looks like something I would like….:)

I’ve always loved Christmas, but so much more now as a mom. It is so fun to watch the boys tell eachother about Jesus’ birth and get excited to give presents…thrills my heart. I’ll be enjoying the week with my family, so no need to check back here…no posts until sometime next week. Yes, this was our Christmas card. Totally random I know - fitting for us! I hope you all have a great week and a very Merry Christmas!

This is one of my favorite Christmas 2007 pictures…it is Corbett and Chris at our Christmas Eve Candlelight service. Part of the challenge for candlelight services is you can’t use a flash…for one it is hugely distracting and two it destroys the feel of the moment. So here are some tips depending on your camera and understanding:

If you have a point and shoot or a dslr, but don’t really understand more than automatic shooting you will need to first turn off your flash. If your camera has a night mode, try that. If not use the auto setting and either hold your camera very still or sit it on something sturdy for the shot. Using the self-timer option will also help with keeping it sharp. You will need to be steady and still.

If you have a dslr and understand its manual settings….flash off, use a high ISO (mine was around 600), slow shutter speed (mine was around 1/60), low aperture (mine was f/2.8) and a sturdy hand/lap/tripod.

I know a lot of moms who are getting cameras for Christmas or recently purchased a new one, so I thought I post a little note about Christmas present pictures. I’d encourage you to pick 1-2 presents for each kid that you know they will be overjoyed to open….then do the following:

1. Take a picture of the present before it is opened

2. Take lots while your child is opening it from several angles (lay on the floor, stand over them, close ups of their hands opening it, every possible detail you can get, etc.) You’ll have to move fast for this….

3. Take some of your child playing with the gift…and you or your spouse joining in the fun.

Then after you have fully captured a few presents being opened, set your camera down and be fully present with your kids as you finish up the rest. Too often parents, myself included, get so wrapped up in taking pictures that we aren’t fully involved and a part of the moment. I will enjoy having pictures in the future, but my kids want me in the present. And really…what are you going to do with tons of pictures of every present being opened? Enjoy your kids and breathe in those moments with them….

Tomorrow I’ll post on getting great Christmas Eve candlelight service pics…

Upstairs in Everett’s room I hear Corbett on the staircase…

Then I hear a golf ball rolling down the stairs

It hits the hardwood floors and keeps rolling

Now Corbett is running down the stairs to see where it lands

“CRASH” - the kind of crash a golf ball makes when hitting a ceramic nativity scene

“Woah. I just took out Joseph. That is awesome!”

Upon my running down the stairs to insure that Joseph is still in one ceramic piece, I notice an odd arrangement in the other nativity scene….I ask Corbett to explain.

“Mary was tired, so Jesus is holding her while she sleeps.”