Fiskars Craft

* Card a Day | Use a Photo !

An easy and unique way to do a card and it makes it more personal too, is to use a photo you have taken.

Landscape type photos and old vehicles/cars make great male cards. 

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Lyn travels EUROPE and ASIA - week 3 - GERMANY

Welcome to WEEK 3 of my travel diary.....we are now in GERMANY.....and boy.....was I in my element in the Kathy Wolfharte Christmas shops throughout GERMANY.......Kathy's Shops are well known throughout EUROPE for the high quality wooden Christmas Decorations and Ornaments.

But shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you aren't suppose to take any pics......LOL!  But I couldn't resist....so I snuck this one in....he,he. I love the way in which the European countries celebrate Christmas......the handmade wooden ornaments were amazing...many hand painted.

Rothenburg is a Mediavel Town in Germany about an hour and a half drive from Passau.....we were taken from the Ship by coach and travelled along the most beautiful drive.....passing many farms and lots of green pastures.......they call it the Romantic Road to Rothenburg....and I could see why after we travelled along it. Mind you hubby wasn't being too Romantic....he was sick of me clicking the camera through the Bus window.....LOL!

I purchased this gorgeous Angel for our Christmas Tree.....can't wait for Christmas to come now so I can put it up......I thought I might hang it for now on the door knob in the kitchen...right above our bench......it's sort of like my Gaurdian Angel.....he,he.

I loved ROTHENBURG....the town had the cutest old shops.....lots of crafty shops like this LACE SHOP

I tried to duck inside for a quick look but hubby dragged me out.....he thought I was falling behind our Tour Group.....LOL!  Really.............I think he was worried I'd spend more money...he,he.

Whilst in Germany we visited Marksburg Castle....the only castle not to be destoyed by War.....and inside there were soooooooooooo many old tools and even the canons.....but the thing that took my eye was this old wooden loom...........isn't it amazing!

To think that this had been so well preserved was incredible in itself...

I had to keep reminding myself that what we were seeing in EUROPE was sooooooooooo old.....and I mean.........................centuries old.......so mcuh history...I was loving it!

I was amazed at all the cobble stone roads and pathways that just blended into one.....

We were lucky enough to visit a German Winery owned by Johannes and his family.....he told us he was the fourth generation running the family business......OMG.....fourth generation...can you believe it!

The first thing that I spotted when I met Johannes was his little cute wooden BOW TIE......well being the crafty person I am....and the never too shy to ask a question type of person.....LOL!  I had to ask where he got it from.

He told me that his grandmother made it for him from an old wardrobe that she had.....and it is held on by elastic......yes....I just had to ask that too.......ROTFL!

In ROTHENBURG there was this gorgeous TEDDY SHOP....and inside was this HUGE snoring teddy....yes....as we walked inside Rod said..."What's that noise?"

We then saw what it was......so darn funny.....it even lifted it's head slightly and raised it's tummy whilst it was sleeping/snoring!

ok...now for some DESIGNER BAGS.......check these out.....found these in a shop window in PASSAU

....and in another shop window in the City of NUREMBURG.......how cute is this? Must be a Lioness.......LOL!

I was taken in by the sign on this Patchwork Shop in ROTHENBURG....try saying it fast three times...he,he.

and I walked inside.......................

I must admit I was loving all the arty/crafty things that I was seeing in EUROPE......

Rod was pleased to see all the GERMAN BEER STEINS......some of them were sooooooooooo BIG!

I was more interested in the GERMAN DOLLS.....in fact I had one sent home  whilst we were still in EUROPE....SHE NOW STANDS on my bedside table and in our kitchen we now have a real GERMAN

Cuckalino clock........it's not a Cuckoo Clock......it sings in a wee small cuckoo voice....and also the litte girl swings across .....all hand painted and handmade......it's so darn cute and our grandkids love it!

We brought this in the German town of RUDESHEIM......but they were available throughout Germany and also AUSTRIA. I was taken by all the handpainted Edelweiss flowers.....oh forgot to say that the little bird moves on the hour......very cute!

I was amazed at all the handpainted walls inside the Restaurant in ROTHENBURG where we had a coffee...

All around the building were these amazing handpaintings.....which depicted the history of ROTHENBURG.....fascinating to see....I stood for ages trying to work out what was happening in the pics and trying to imagine what it must have been like.

Rod and I talked about these amazing pics for ages....we were really taken in by all the work that had gone into them.......

Well...........................hope you are still enjoying my crafty travels.......if you have any questions or wish to comment below....please do so.....and if you missed

WEEK 1 - SINGAPORE it's HERE

WEEK 2 - NETHERLANDS is HERE

I'll be back next Wednesday September 5th with more of my crafty travels from EUROPE .....some pics from AUSTRIA and HUNGARY.

Hope you'll drop by if you are interested in learning more.

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Take More Pictures in 2012

Designer: Katrina Simeck

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Taking photos has become second-nature to me. I’m dutiful about taking my camera to kid’s sporting events, school activities, and holiday celebrations. I even manage to snap pics of favorite foods, craft projects, and cute outfits. Despite all of this clicking, I sometimes wish that I had an easy way to track the must-have photos for each month of the year. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take more pics, check out these ideas for organizing your picture taking prompts-

Schedule your Photo Ops

Use Google Calendar to schedule photos throughout the month. Google allows the option of color coding your calendar entries, so you can choose a color to dedicate to your photo ideas. Adding the photo as an appointment ensures that you get a reminder on the day that the photo is due.

Create Crafty Reminders

Rolodex files – change tabs to months, and write a photo prompt on each card. The benefit of using rolodex cards is that you can move repeating prompts to the next month. For example, you may want to include a self-portrait and a family portrait every month.

Tag book – especially useful if you carry your camera bag with you often. You can use a binder clip to attach this tag book to your bag.

Office décor – use a small frame or easel to feature each month’s photo list. You’ll be more likely to complete each month’s list if you have daily visual reminder! (Tip – to create sparkling snowflakes, punch from cardstock, then spray with adhesive. Sprinkle glitter onto punched shape while adhesive is still wet.)

Participate in Challenges

Photo challenges are abundant on the internet. Whether you want to target a photo-a-day, 12 per month, or photos timed to children’s milestones – you’re sure to find a list of photo ideas with a quick search. One advantage of participating in challenges is having a group of people motivating you – think of it as working out with a buddy, but using your camera!

Feature your Photos

Taking a lot of photos can quickly fill up your hard drive, and leave you wondering “now what?”

Start the year with a plan – choose your favorite photos from each month & move them to a favorites folder. At the end of year, have a photo book printed that includes all of these pics.

Create a layout each month that highlights your photos. Many photo editing programs come with an option to print multiple photos in contact sheet format – doing so allows you to include dozens of photos on one layout.

Invest in a digital photo frame to easily sync your photo display. You’ll be even more motivated to keep clicking when you can see the results of your efforts.

Need even more ideas on how to use your photos? Check in with Fiskars.com every month to see how our designers are getting crafty with photos and Fiskars tools!

                                             

Card 7 with Lyn

How are you going with all the Card Sketches?  Have you found them helpful?

This week I'd like you to take another photo of something you love.....could be anything.....a person or object maybe something from around the home.......and then create a Card with the pic to give to someone......just to show you another way of designing a card if you don't have a sketch to follow!

Here's my card....

I took this pic of this gorgeous plant that grows near our back verandah.....I adhered it to some plain white light weight cardstcok.....next I punched out the butterfly from some paper I had in my stash...using the Fiskars Seal of Approval Squeeze Punch.

Lastly....I Journaled on the front with my White Gel Signo Pen...straight on top of the photo!!!

This is such a fun but quick way to create a unique card for someone......using your own pics and supplies from your stash........why not have-a-go today!!! If you really like the pic you take....why not run off another few copies and then make a few more cards using perhaps a different Punch on the front and maybe another patterned paper.

   xoxo Lyn

Sad it's finished

Just sharing a few more pics I have taken in this last week of my Photography Course...these were both taken in Manual Mode.....I have submitted these for my final photo critique in this last week.... Do you know what this next pic is of?

I'm going to miss the interaction of my Group...it's been a HUGE learning curve for me to finally get OFF AUTO MODE on my SLR camera.....but hey.............I did IT!!!

Now I just need to keep practising what I have learnt to make sure it sinks in......LOL!

xoxo

Lyn

I've learnt so much

Hi everyone, Just popping in to say how much I have been enjoying my on-line Photography Course the past 7 weeks.....I have one week to go.....I have learnt so much more about my SLR Nikon D40 Camera.....and have enjoyed taking more pics of Sam(grandson) using Manual Mode.

I even managed to get the Catch Lights in Sam's eyes in the pic above....

Manual Mode allows me to have more creative control over my pics.............and I love that!!

I am so glad I decided to learn how to use my camera OFF Auto Mode....it's been a HUGE learning Curve for me......but a great Journey!!! Can't wait to try out my NEW Camera Skills when we head overseas in July/August!!!

This has been my challenge for 2011.....to improve my Photography Skills.....do you have something that you would like to challenge yourself to learn for this year? Leave a comment below here telling us all......maybe it's to learn to sew,knit,crochet,make cards,embroidery,journaling,etc,etc.

Please share with us!!

 

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

 
 

Calendar Layout by Robyn

REMEMBER last year when Dawn Stan started the Calendar Challenge....well Robyn Wilkinson has sent in her October Calendar Challenge Layout .....don't you love how Robyn has included so many pics from the month of October 2010.....

Robyn has also designed the Blog Banner that we have up the top of our Blog for this month......cute hey!

xoxo

Lyn

Getting more creative with my pics

Hi everyone,

Well I'm half way through my Mastering Manual Mode Camera Course and am loving it! This week we are playing around more in Aperture Priority Mode and taking pics on different planes......I took this pic of our wind chimes out the back with my camera tilted..... I also used my new Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens.....loving it.....

I'm starting to really understand my SLR Camera now and just what it really can do....still have plenty to learn.....I'm baby sitting Sam(grandson) tomorrow so I'm hoping to do one of my Assignments by taking some portrait shots.......mmm.....might be interesting......LOL!

Do you have a SLR Camera? Do you use AUTO all the time? I must admit I had been using AUTO most of the time until I started this Course 4 weeks ago......and I think it's fair to say that  my pics are now improving...... I would highly recommend taking a Class at Big Picture Scrapbooking.....the classes are so well organised and the Tutors are very passionate about what they are teaching!!

There is so much support,videos,audios,daily emails -photo tips and fun assignments......this is an 8 week course but the beauty about doing it on-line means you can pace yourself and do the assignments and field guides at your leisure.....with me working 3- 4 days each week at the WATERGARDEN until end of March.....I am often doing things at night or early morning before I head to work....so it's perfect for me!

 My added incentive is of course being able to take great pics in Manual when we head overseas in July!

I'll post some more pics soon!

xoxox

Lyn

Getting off AUTO MODE - yeh!!!

Just popping in to share a few pics with you all......I am in Week 3 of my Mastering Manual Mode Photography Course at Big Picture Scrapbooking On-line Classes and loving it......even shouted myself a new lens for my Nikon D40....it's a little beauty 50mm f1.8 lens so I can take pics at a smaller Aperture now...I'm still learning....but at least I'm now starting to GET IT....you know ....ISO,F-stop(Aperture) ,Shutter Speed .....and what does what....LOL!

I'm also teaching myself how to use my GIMP Photo Image Program...it's a FREE Program...not as versatile as Photoshop though.....but it's FREE!

I love taking pics of our garden but I also need to take some pics of people....so that can be my task for the rest of the week.

I'm having fun learning though....just need another 24 hours in the day at the moment!

So what do you think? I'd love some feedback .......this is my little TREAT to MYSELF to start the year!! I want to be able to get the best out of my SLR Camera when we head overseas in July! 

 

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

photo Card share from Robyn

Hi guys,

I have been playing with a few ideas and making cards with my photos. This photo was taken at a mate's place and I manipulated it a bit with Photoshop and then printed it as a standard 6 x 4 print.

To make the card I grabbed my cardstock, using my trusty Fiskars trimmer, I cut my card and scored it,

I also used my trimmer to cut about 5mm from each side of the photo, I like it to look like it's matted, but you could make your photo fit your card to fit it perfectly. I ran my stazon ink pad around the edge of the photo to give it an edge, added some ribbon and the tag and it's done.

Why not take some photos of your favourite flowers and make your valentine a card from it. I would love to see what you come up with.....I will be back with another idea soon

Robyn