Lens and Needle

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sweet christmas treats

I love all the treats that come with Christmastime! How 'bout you? Do you have a favorite Christmas goodie? I don't know if I could choose a favorite, but I really love orange creams. They bring back memories of making them with my granny when I was little. One year we made all the balls of that delicious orange cream, froze them, dipped them in chocolate, and then proceeded to eat them all! Just the two of us. Oh boy, my mom and grandma were not happy. ;) 

Here are a few recipes I want to try this holiday season!

 

Homemade Hot Chocolate *photo via Tasty Kitchen

Hot Chocolate, not Hot Cocoa. Mmm. 

 

Spicy Gingerbread Cookies *photo via smitten kitchen

 

Chocolate Peppermint Roll *photo via Joy the Baker

When my little brother saw me looking at this, he said "Let's make that for Christmas!" I agree Ethan, let's!

 

Roasted Berry Flaugnarde *photo via Nourished Kitchen

I think this would make a great Christmas Eve morning breakfast!

 

Pain D'Epices *photo via Tartelette

 

my "winter wonderland"

 

 

 

I've lived in the same neighborhood my entire life. We have "green" Christmases. I don't really mind; but somewhere, someday, I want to get snowed in. Because it sounds romantic, and I'm a hopeless romantic. :)

Do you have white Christmases or green ones?

pretty vintage

 

I absolutely adore all things vintage. Every time I walk in a thrift store, I scan the racks for lost treasures. That funky patterned skirt, the odd Corningware mug (or maybe a complete set!), a colorful piece of Pyrex, or an awesome velour "granny chair". I almost always bring home a little something, whether it be a skirt for my future-Etsy-shop stash, a picture to pretty up my home, or a vase to add to my ever growing collection. 

Do you love vintage too? Do you have a special piece that made you squeal when you found it? Or a collection of vintage somethings? Let me know, I'd love to hear about your love for vintage!

source: one, two, three, four.

For Kicks Patchwork Ball

Some year I want to hand make all the gifts I give for Christmas. This year I'm not doing that, however I am making a few gifts, one of which is Anna Maria Horner's For Kicks Patchwork Ball (found in Seams to Me). I sewed this cute toy up yesterday, and I must say it was pretty fun! 

You start by cutting out all the hexagons and pentagons, 32 pieces in all! I used my mat and rotary cutter to do this, making it go fairly fast. 

 

Then I started sewing together the hexagons and pentagons. This part was a bit tricky at first, but once you sew a few together you figure it out. 

 

Don't forget to stop and refill your coffee cup! 

 

And never, absolutely never embark on a sewing project without one of these dandy's. A seam ripper is a seamstresses best friend! 

 

After I got all the pieces sewed, with just two pieces left open, I stuffed the ball with Poly-Fil. Make sure to stuff the ball really well; otherwise it won't hold it's shape when being played with. 

 

Then I hand-sewed the ball closed. And it's done! Now I have a nice handmade toy to give my little sisters for Christmas, and it only cost me an afternoon and a few dollars. 

 

Sewing Books I enjoy:

Seams to Me 

Bend-the-Rules Sewing

Handmade Home

 

 

Emily ~ Class of 2012

Earlier this month I had the privilege of taking this lovely young lady's senior portraits. Thank you Emily, you were so fun to photograph!

Here is a peek of all the fun... :-)

 

a Saturday at the Portland Farmers Market

 
 
live music. :)

 

 
beautiful handmade goods.

 

 
fun, not-handmade goods. :)

 

 
my beautiful new friend Amy buying a hat!

 

 
more handmade goodies.

 

 
food... now we're talkin'.

 

 
i love that i caught the moment here. street photography is so fun!

 

 
and the perfect way to end a visit to the market... a visit to Stumptown Coffee! mmmm.

 

 

Portrait Assignments at IPS

 
Outdoor Portraits: used reflectors and available natural light

Outdoor Portraits: used reflectors and available natural light 

 
Indoor Portraits: used reflectors and flashes

 
Indoor Portraits: used reflectors and flashes

 

Lovely Models (in order of appearance): Peter, Evie, Joanna, Tiff

For the past two weeks I have been in Portland, OR, attending IPS's Prizewinning Photography 1 & 2. And I must say, I had THE BEST time!!! Rowan & Jocelyn Gillson and Andie Haugenwere the greatest teachers and so much fun! I learned so much about photography, and made lots of new friends too! I can't wait to go to another IPS workshop!!

A few more PWP photos (the last two posts' I took in Portland too)...

 

 

 

 

If you love photography and want to learn how to take great photos, I highly recommend IPS!

 

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