Scrapbook Organization - Finding Time To Scrapbook

Scrapbook organization can help you enjoy your hobby of Scrapbooking. It is amazing how much you can get done when everything is in place. Scrapbooking organization can help you make the most of what little time you have to spend Scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby to have. Not only is it fun and rewarding, it also results in books full of beautifully preserved memories. It's no wonder that scrapbooking is such a popular pastime.

The problem for many scrappers, though, is finding the time to do it. Most scrappers find it difficult to dedicate as much time as they would like to their craft. Sometimes it just seems that there are not enough hours in the day to get the basics done, much less create a scrapbook page. Yet we feel mournful when we see all of our treasured photos sitting in a box, just waiting to be displayed in a manner befitting of them.

If you love scrapbooking, Scrapbook Organization can help you find ways to get the time to do your scrapbooking.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Keep all of your supplies well organized.

Scrapbook organization can ensure that when you are able to scrapbook, you won't spend half your time looking for that green striped paper or those cute teddy bear stickers.

2. Schedule time to scrapbook.

Whether it's an hour every evening or half a day each Saturday, setting aside a time specifically for scrapbooking can help you get more done. But it only works if you stick with it. Once again this will only work with proper scrapbook organization so you can make the best of what little time you have.

3. Work with friends.

If you have friends who scrapbook, set a time each week to get together and do some scrapbooking together. This will give you a chance to socialize, share ideas and swap materials, as well as the motivation to get more scrapping done.

4. Multitask.

Fit in scrapbooking everywhere you can. Work on your scrapbook pages while you're watching the news, helping the kids with their homework, or talking on the phone. There's nothing like getting two things done at once!

5. Keep your layouts simple.

If time is limited, you really do not have to make your pages really elaborate. If you insist, you will only end up frustrated because it takes too long to complete them. A minimalist approach will allow you to get more done in less time while not overwhelming your photos.

6. Consider digital scrapbooking.

Digital scrapbooking can be much less time-consuming. You don't have to go completely digital if you don't want to, either. You could use software to create your layouts and do the rest by hand, or even just type your journaling.

7. Subscribe to a monthly scrapbooking auto-ship program.

This is another very good scrapbook organization idea. You'll receive things like embellishments and layout ideas each month that are appropriate for the season. This will save you time because you won't have to shop for supplies as much, and it will also keep you motivated to scrapbook.

In our busy lives, it's sometimes hard to find time to do the things that make us happy. But if you have a passion for scrapbooking, you owe it to yourself to make time to do it. These simple scrapbook organization ideas should get you well on your way to scrapbook happiness.

9 Organizing Ideas To Organize Holiday Photos

We love looking back at photos of our family Christmas memories--how about you? Some years my five daughters would "pose" for pictures taken from the back showing their long hair. The bonus of these pictures was we didn't have to wait for makeup to be applied. (If you have girls you know what I mean). Other years they would sit on the couch and hold their feet in the air to show their cute Christmas socks. Here are some organizing ideas on organizing Christmas photos:

1. Get your photo album now--don't wait until after Christmas.

2. Start sending those photos taken with your digital camera now, no need to wait until a roll i
full.

3. When you get your photos back as you are looking at them, throw out any you don't really
like. It is okay to get rid of pictures that make someone look ugly or it is blurry or you just
hate it. Don't keep a photo that you will gag every time you see it! This will cut down on the
amount of organizing and journaling you will have to do later. And it saves space in your photo
album.

4. When you get the photos developed take a few minutes and put them in the album. By doing i
a little at a time it will seem to go faster.

5. If you don't have time to organize them within a
couple of days, label them with an acid free pen made especially for labeling photos. You can
also separate them by activity and put them in labeled envelopes so when you are ready to
put them in an album part of the work is done.

6. The albums where you slip in the photos are
great as it is fast to slip the photos in and they hold the memories in a dust free environment.
The photos are all together so you can enjoy them now and not have boxes stored somewhere
in your home. You can embellish the pages with stickers and other mementos.

7. The albums where you slip in the photos have glue between the sections for 4" X 6" photos. T
put a larger picture or memento on a page simply loosen the glue and slip the photo in taking
up the two spaces. Or with glue dots or double stick tape put the photo over the plastic.

8. As well as putting photos in your child's book, make a Christmas photo album with the entire
family.

9. If you have boxes of past photos don't overload yourself with the project of getting
them all done right away. Stop feeling guilty about having them in boxes instead of albums!!
Work your way back through the years when you have the time, or when it is not holiday time
and you can schedule a time to put them in albums. Start with the most recent photos first and
work your way back through the years. It is fun to look back at the albums that include photos
of what each family member is doing on Christmas Eve, decorations in our home, concerts
attended, and places we volunteered to mention a few. When the girls come home at Christm
that is a favorite thing they do--they get out the albums from the past 15 years and pour over
them, laughing and remembering. It doesn't have to be a hassle to create family holiday
memories.

Collecting Vintage Avon Decanters

Collecting Avon decanters can be fun and profitable and it will probably turn into a great hobby for you. Some collectors focus on all different types of Avon collectibles while some collect Avon decanters from other parts of the world. Vintage Avon from a particular country is very popular. There are some collectors out there who focus on collectibles that include the original box and packaging. How important are the boxes? Most collectors do not show boxes, but when you buy and sell them, the boxes are very important to ship them safely. These Avon Decanters have no wear and are usually in mint condition. In fact the original packaging is sometime worth more than the contents. You will start collecting particular types of Avon products when you figure out what your specific interests are.

From the late 1990's forward Avon produced very few new collectibles and most of these do not include the Avon name on the products. If your interest is in the later resale of your collection it's probably best to avoid these newer items.

Online websites are a great place for you to buy decanters, plates, powder boxes, soap dishes and other collectible Avon items to start or continue your collection. However you should exercise caution when purchasing Avon Collectibles at online auctions, look over the items carefully when you receive them to make sure it is what you ordered and they are in good condition, ask questions, ask the sellers if they are aware of any missing or broken parts.. Check out the seller's feedback rating if you buy Avon through an online auction site. This will give you a good indication if other buyers have been happy with their items. It is very unusual for collectible Avon to be bid above their actual value so be careful when buying Avon products through an online auction. If your interest is solely to put a pretty decanter on you shelf these things won't be that important.

Check out the reference books at your local library, many excellent books have been published on this fascinating hobby of collecting Avon decanters, They can be very helpful and contain grading and pricing guidelines to help you enter your new found pastime. Find out if there are any clubs near where you live that you can join to help you start learning about Avon collecting.

There are other resources out there that are great for finding collectible Avon at wonderful prices. Check out flea markets, craft fairs and antique shows because you never know what treasures you might find. It is doubtful that you will ever find all of the Avon Collectibles that were ever produced and that is what the fascinating hobby of collecting is all about. You can find excellent examples for your hobby at www.collectibleavon.com and other great online sellers.

Studio Photography Equipment

Studio photography is considered to be very common these days as you get the perfect picture what you aimed for. Even though it seems to be simple, it is one of the most difficult things to be done. All the studio photography equipments lies within your control and if you are simply creative enough, it is sure obtain the desired result with the perfect finish.

The studio photography equipments largely depend on the budget you are having as you can either rent them or buy. The equipments are also available in different ranges and new techniques. The rate will also be varying according to the latest in market. At home also you can make up your own studio so that it might sound pretty easy for you to take it out for work. While choosing such equipments, make sure that they are portable and light weight.

The lights would probably depend on the camera you are using as bigger cameras need smaller aperture forms and thus get require more light to get the real depth. Two major lights needed for studio are the hot and cold lights and it depends largely on the amount of light needed by you. Hot lights are actually metal halide iodide or tungsten which has its own positive as well as negative effects. Due to its drawbacks most professionals do not wish to work with this.

Cold lights are also known as the electronic flashes which have the same effect as that of the camera flash. There are two types of the same known as the moonlights and the head or power pack systems. The working of both is the same with an incandescent light but the effect proves to be a little different. The weight and the cabling are considered to be very little for the former than the latter.

Reflectors are one of the most significant products to be used as equipments. It can also be used effectively to discard the use of strobe heads. Yet another important thing is that background which plays an important role in making the best picture. It is actually sheets of paper which falls off to the ground. These might be different plain colors, designs or sceneries. It adds to the beauty of the entire photograph which has been taken.

These papers are available in the forms of rolls measuring 53 inches, 107 inches and 140 inches in width. The smallest of these is not recommended as it might cause some discomfort of not including inside the photo. The most preferred is the 107 inches roll which is available in almost all colors and it measures up to 9 feet in length. As the 140 inches roll does not come to use mostly, they are available in very less color varieties. These are not as costly as it should be and for the starters colors like black and white would do a great job.

The camera used should be the best in town for the high quality photographs. Nowadays studio photography is mostly confined to digital cameras as it gives the relevant images at the best quality which could ever come out. A good research about the studio photography equipments might prove to be very useful.

Learn Digital Photography - 5 Tips To Take Great Digital Photos

Personally, digital photography is here to stay and it is pretty much how photography is going to be from now on. Manufacturers are going to refine their skills and pack more juice into the digital cameras. Nowadays, you can add special effects to your picture immediately on some of the compact digital cameras.

With all these technology backing you up, you are now more likely to be able to take great photos. So, what you need to do now is to choose the right camera. Always look at what you need. When you have problem choosing the camera, get the retailers or professionals to help you. They will are experience enough to fit the best camera to your needs.

Then you need to practice digital photography with your camera. Always keep your camera close to you. You never know when the best subject will comes out. When you are taking your pictures, remember to take more shots and different angle of your subject. With digital photography, all your pictures will be converted to digital storage and you need not to worry about spending money for films.

After that you need to compare the photos you have taken. This is the trial and error stage where you find out the best way to photograph your subject. Which of them looks better? Ask yourself why you this picture is better than the other? Think about what will happen when you change the white balance to photograph the same subject. Sometimes, challenging yourself is how you improve your digital photography skills.

During the comparison of your photos, you also need to recall what you did to the photos. This is because when you move forward with digital photography, you are supposed to consistently pump out great photos. You are supposed to know how to position yourself to take great photos of your subject. You are supposed to know how to use your flash under different circumstances instead of trial and error with your pictures.

The last tip to taking great pictures is that you must constantly update yourself. Go online, read magazines and visit exhibitions to find out how other photographers are taking their photos. It is even better that you can talk to other photographers and have them comment on your work.

Collecting Franklin Half Dollar Coins

The Franklin Half Dollar coin was issued from 1948 to 1963 to celebrate one of the most well known figures from the American Revolutionary period. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and among other things was a leading author, scientist, and inventor. Although the coin series issued in his honor was short lived, it provides coin collectors with many unique aspects and challenges.

Franklin Half Dollars followed the highly popular Walking Liberty Half Dollar series which ended in 1947. The new design continued the trend of replacing the allegorical figure of Liberty with historical American figures. Within the same time frame, George Washington was honored on the quarter dollar and Franklin Roosevelt was honored on the dime.

The new coin featuring Ben Franklin was designed by John R. Sinnock under United States Mint Director Nellie Taloe Ross. The obverse design of the coin features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin based on a medal previously designed by Sinnock in 1932.

The reverse design of the coin features the Liberty Bell located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The choice was appropriate because of Franklin's close ties to Philadelphia and the bell's association with the American Revolutionary War. Sinnock had used a similar rendition of the Liberty Bell on the 1926 Sesquincentennial Commemorative Half Dollar. Credit for the design was also subsequently provided to John Frederick Lewis. Sinnock had apparently based his original 1926 rendition on a sketch prepared by Lewis.

The reverse also features a small bald eagle placed to the right of the bell. Because of the small size of the eagle, this design aspect often seems like an afterthought. The odd inclusion of the eagle was actually the result of prevailing legislation which required the Bald Eagle's appearance on the reverse of the half dollar coin.

During its run, Franklin Halves were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Proof coins were produced at the Philadelphia mint from 1950 to 1963. The lowest mintage coin is the 1953 Franklin Half with only 2,796,820 produced at the Philadelphia Mint. Even though it did not have the lowest mintage, the 1949-D Franklin Half is considered to be the key date of the series. The mintage was 4,120,000.

Coin collectors of the series often take focus on two unique aspects. First, collectors will seek out coins with sharp strikes and well defined features. The key aspect for differentiating these factors are the two sets of horizontal lines included on the Liberty Bell. Sharply struck coins will display "Full Bell Lines." To qualify for Full Bell Lines, the two sets of horizontal lines must be well defined and uninterrupted by bag marks or other abrasions. Some dates are exceedingly difficult to find with Full Bell Lines and can carry significant premiums.

Collectors of the proof coins will often seek out coins with a cameo or deep cameo finish. Proof coins struck during this era typically have a mirrored finish throughout the entire surfaces of the coin. A small number of coins display frosted raised features over mirrored backgrounds. This is known as a cameo finish. The most difficult coins to find with a cameo finish are the early proof coins from 1950 to 1953.

The Franklin series was ultimately cut short by events which took place in 1963. On November 22, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The idea to memorialize the fallen president on a circulating coin quickly emerged. By the end of 1963 legislation had been passed to authorize production of the new Kennedy Half Dollar. The legislation overruled a requirement for circulation coin designs to have a duration of 25 years. As a result, the life of the Franklin Half was cut short in 1963 at only 16 years.

Scrapbooking Backgrounds; 3 Dynamic Ways to Choose

First, I know you are asking about a Scrapbook Background, "This is kiinda simple, Right? You just get one and use it." Well, yes, that might be the case generally, but have you seen the volume of backgrounds out there? It is mind blowing! Your choice of a Scrapbook Background could mean the difference between a Scrapbook that Rocks or one that should be put in an attic somewhere.

Drama, right? I suppose, but this thoughtful approach is a dynamic way of showing others that you know what you are doing, especially if you are in the business of leading clubs or a Scrapbooking business.

So, let me tell you why I know this. I was putting together a theatrical Scrapbook to sell for a show and thought I would run it by an Expert in the biz. She went about telling me about my choice and why I should not just pick pretty stuff, but pages that reflect the character of the book. I scratched my head as she explained that a Scrapbook should tell a story and not just be about a lot of pretty pages with grandiose displays, although that can certainly be a component of the Scrapbook.

So, based on the advice my expert gave me and with subsequent discussions with other Scrapbook people, I came up with three guiding principles I have used to put together my Scrapbooks. No way these are definitive as I can probably write volumes just on each point alone, but hopefully, these will give you a starting point.

First, discover your Scrapbook theme's desire. This means, what is the idea of your Scrapbook? Usually a Scrapbook is an ongoing project, but you usually you have a main theme for the book. Knowing the theme will help you to develop a style for your backgrounds. The pages should reflect that theme with a general style that seems to flow from one page to the next.

Second, watch the use of bright pages that follow each other. The point of this tip that has helped me is that just because I like colorful pages, if you don't put them one after another, you won't distract your viewer. You want to make sure the person you are intending to show it to is not distracted by the colorful pages and looks at the content.

Third, one word, White Space...actually that is two words, but the point is that be careful of clutter on a background, especially if it tends to be busier than most. A caveat here:I have found some very bright papers that are great backgrounds but the whole intent was that they became more of a frame that a main theme.

Like I said, there are a lot of ways to focus on this subject and the ways that Scrapbooking Backgrounds are used are mind-boggling, but remember the Scrapbook Theme and try to stay true to what it is all about.

Holiday Cards: 6 Ways to Repurpose Those Received

Holiday cards are the best! Don't you just love receiving all those beautiful holiday cards this time of year? I know I do. They're great for staying in touch, but often you just don't have time to give them your full attention. With so much shopping, entertaining, and decorating to do often the cards are quickly opened, glanced at and then set aside. Now that the rush is nearing its end, here are a few suggestions for getting the most enjoyment out of your annual holiday greetings.

Holiday Card Displays.

Proudly exhibit your cards. Stand them up, tape them to windows or doors or staple them to a long wide piece of ribbon. Each card is a pretty piece of art that should be enjoyed and shared with many pretty enough to display all year long.

Recycle Cards.

Save the cards you have received this year for use next year by cutting them up to use as gift tags or package decorations. Or check online for charities that can reuse the fronts of cards and donate them to a worthy cause.

Thank You Cards.

Cut the cover off your holiday greeting and fold it in half to use as a thank you card for all those gifts you received during the holidays. Trim if necessary to fit envelopes purchased at any office supply store. Not only attractive, you are helping the environment by recycling.

Mailing Lists.

Remember to update your mailing lists. Note any cards that may have been returned to sender and add names to your list of those that sent cards to you this year that may not already be on your list.

Keepsakes.

Many cards make great keepsakes, especially photo cards. It is fun to pull out your collection of cards and see how much everyone has changed. Save them for years and surprise someone special with a framed collage of cards sent from years past.

Original Art.

Take cards received and cut them up to make a beautiful original piece of artwork. Greeting cards come in bright colors with special foils, embosses and metallic inks. Chopped up and pasted together, they easily create a beautiful piece of mosaic art suitable for framing.

With a bit of organization now, you'll be all set for the holidays next year!

10 Simple Digital Photography Techniques

Digital photography has revolutionized picture taking, no more old school film and driving to the drug store and waiting for film to develop. Digital cameras allow the photographer the luxury of concentrating on taking pictures and simply delete away those that are not up to standards.

Prior to looking at effective digital photography techniques, it is important to understand the difference between the old school film cameras and the new digital technology. Same as the old school film SLR (single reflex lens) cameras, digital SLR or DSLR (digital single reflex lens) camera use lenses and mirror. But instead of a film that records the image, a DSLR camera uses light sensor chips and digital memory. In other words, a DSLR camera is the computerized version of the traditional SLR camera.

Using these simple and effective digital photography techniques can aid those taking photographs with a DSLR cameras in capturing the best images using the new art of digital photography.

10 Digital Photography Techniques

1. Probably the greatest feature of digital cameras is the fabulous LCD screen that allows for real time preview of pictures as you take them. One of the best and most practical digital photography techniques is to make sure to utilize the LCD to its fullest potential by previewing each each picture and making sure it is perfect, if it's not just click delete it and re shoot.

2. Try to get a digital camera with image stabilization. If you don't have that feature then here is a digital photography technique to get clearer pictures without any blur. Hold your hand steady when taking pictures to prevent it from shaking and moving. Also, it is better to hold your eye up to the optical viewfinder when taking pictures, rather than the electronic viewfinder. This helps you to see exactly what your capturing and also helps to keep the camera steady when taking pictures.

3. Flash seems to be a challenge for most beginner photographers. Most flash technology can only light up a up a subject within an average of 10 to 15 feet. Make sure to move in closer, or add more light to the subject area.

4. Because digital cameras can take slightly longer to focus than film cameras, a good digital photography tip to avoid blurry and out-of-focus shots is to half-depress the shutter button until the camera has had time to lock the focus, and then completely press the button to take the actual shot.

5. The law of optics remains the same whether using new digital photography technology or an old camera. For instance, if the sun is behind an image, the picture will be silhouette. If light is in front of the image, the picture will appear squint.

6. Another digital photography technique is when using a polarizer, be sure that the source of light is perpendicular to the object. If you do not have polarizing filter capability then a good digital photography technique is to use a quality pair of sunglasses. Place the sunglasses as close to the camera lens as possible, then check their position in the LCD viewfinder to make sure you don't have the the sunglasses rims in the picture.

7. Instead of film, digital photography uses memory cards to save shots. A good digital photography technique that can prevent lots of regret is to always have back up memory with you. There is nothing worse than missing that great shot because there is no more storage available in your camera.

8. A good digital photography technique for shooting bright landscapes and outdoor portraits is to change your white balance setting from auto to cloudy, this will yield brighter and clearer shots. This will give a warming filter on your camera and increases the reds and yellows resulting in richer and brighter pictures.

9. Zoom in to emphasize a certain asset or characteristic of the subject being captured. Avoid getting too large of a focus shot, evaluate what you want to capture and focus in on that image, avoiding backgrounds like buildings and landscape, this will give you clearer and better pictures of the object you want.

10. Practice is probably the best tip. The best digital photography technique is to practice using your camera. Get to know it and all the controls and what they do. Take lots of pictures and analyze what works best with your camera and soon you will be an expert with your own list of digital photography techniques.

Digital cameras have really simplified photography and made picture taking so much more mobile and convenient. And employing some of these digital photography techniques will deliver the best pictures of life's memories.

The Making of a Professional Quality Stock Photo

Out with old, in with the new! That is the concept behind my concept stock photo "Wrecking Ball". But perhaps more importantly, the image is a good illustration of the fact that the "imagined" image can be more powerful than the literal one. In stock photography I certainly believe it is true that "perception" is more important than "reality"!

I believe the viewer is more comfortable and more accepting of an image that fits their mental picture…and let's face it…so many times reality just does not live up to what we picture in our heads. Also, when a viewer sees an image and it matches their perception of something they can quickly, in their thinking, move onto the message…rather than using their subconscious process to fit the reality into their pre-conceived notions. At any rate, in my experience, catering to preconceptions seems to work well in conceptual stock photography.

When I first decided to do this image I went to a demolition site in San Francisco and shot a few images. It was, however, immediately apparent that the reality didn't match my mental picture. What I had pictured in my mind as a wrecking ball was a steel ball on the end of a chain…smashing through brick and concrete as it swing laterally from the end of a crane. In reality, it is a tear-shaped concrete device on the end of a cable usually being "dropped" onto a building…at least that is what I was witnessing as I set about shooting that demolition scene. My "imagined image" was far more graphic and powerful than the real one. I decided to go with the perception rather than the reality.

As I was walking back to my studio pondering how to create my image it occurred to me that a manhole cover might do as a wrecking ball. Since I had my cameras with me I photographed one about a block from my studio. I also photographed the sidewalk including a portion that was cracked. Once back at the studio I set up an old rusty chain that had been gathering dust for some time in my prop room and shot that. I scrounged up a brick and shot several angles of that too. In my stock photo files I found some pictures of a simulated computer explosion I had photographed years before for a magazine cover. Shots I had taken of a freeway demolition (after the 1989 quake) provided the background. In short time I had all the parts I would need to create my new photographic reality.

To create the image I started with the wrecking ball. I used the "spherize" filter in Photoshop on the manhole cover, a cover that had been worn smooth by years of traffic. The filter, at 100% turned the flat manhole cover into a steel globe. I added a specular highlight by creating a new adjustment layer (Brightness and Contrast) and maxing out the brightness…then using the accompanying layer mask to isolate the layer effect to just one small hotspot. I repeated the process, this time darkening the adjustment layer and painting it around the bottom edges to provide an even greater illusion of roundness. I used the pen-tool to create a clipping path around the outside of the ball…turned the path into a selection (with a one-pixel feather) and then inverting the selection before deleting… leaving only my new very "dimensional" "wrecking" ball.

I created another clipping path to separate the chain from its background. After copying and pasting the chain into the image with the ball, I used Free Transform to size and position it…then used the warp filter for adding some curve to the chain…and the motion blur filter to add just a touch of movement.

The pen tool and clipping path again did the job for selecting the sidewalk, which, after pasting in, I turned into a crumbling wall by the use of layer masks "painting" the sidewalk in and out as needed. The layer masks also worked well to "paint in" the exploding computer shots to look like dust and flying debris. Finally, the same technique was used to add the bricks. To integrate the whole image I used an adjustment Hue and Saturation control in an adjustment layer to give the image a sepia-toned look. That is how a manhole cover and a sidewalk become a much more powerful graphic than the real thing....

Though done many years ago, the image is a timeless one. By creating images that match our "perceptions" rather than "reality" we can create stock images that have both more impact (OK…pun intended), and provide a longer revenue stream. The best of both worlds!