studio doings

There are only a matter of days left on our Mama's-writing-a-book-sabattical. Amidst the soaking-up of family time before Papa goes back to work, I'm also trying to wrap up a bunch of things in my studio. Things like...

Playing. I made this lightbox a few months ago with these instructions, and am just now really getting the chance to experiment with it - in conjunction with my flash (though, I think I need a diffuser). It's trickier than I thought. Did you see Seedpod's Still Life Project in completion?  Gorgeous, gorgeous - and all shot in a lightbox, which is inspiring me to keep trying.

Scouting. For bits and pieces for the book photo shoots I'm doing this month. Okay, wait. Pause. Am I seriously antiquing because I need to? Oh my. This could be dangerous.

Making. Back to my beloved little quilts for April's gallery show. I love working on these - so much. I'll share all of them when the set is complete in a week or so. Do you think I might have been inspired by green week?

Loving. My frequent visitors and helpers - and the impromptu pant-making (or button-stacking, or fabric-choosing) sessions they request. By far, it's my favorite studio doing.

Comments

[jen j-m]

nice pictures today!

[kristin]

ooooh - so many great buttons here. all the activities souns fun. enjoy!

[{heather}]

I love that green! Lovely photos!

[Rachel]

I just love LOVE the buttons! And pants... of course, how could you say no to a clothing request.

[jessica]

great light box photo! good luck with your shots for the book.

love the pants-making photo of little feet. i love the little peeks you give into your life, still leaving some to our imaginations :)

[emily]

all looks like fun. eager to see the quilt project. and the antique shop looks like hours of entertainment.

(and thanks for mentioning green week! it was pretty inspiring.)

[pancakeandlulu]

Thanks so much for the lightbox info! You are so helpful :)

[hannah]

you know i love that fabric. :) go mama go.

[asti]

The green circle of buttons and that fabric are beautiful..

[Ciara]

How do you fit so much into your day!!

I just love that little green...

[QALBALLAH]

Oh to have a studio. Oh to have a studio full of cool stuff. Loving that green quilt thing going on. Love.

Debbie
xx

[Christy]

I have those same jars, that you show in your last pic, I love them! I too have lots of helpers, and fun interuptions. I find it rare to start a project even a small one, with out someone small wanting me to "help" them do something creative with them. I am so grateful, that it's me they want help from, and turn to...I don't mind. It brings me joy!

[Susanne]

Hi Amanda,

I saw your comment about needing a diffuser and thought that this might work in a pinch:
http://photojojo.com/content/diy/diy-film-container-flash-diffuser/

Love your blog!

[ash]

Buttons! Wheee! And cute pants!

[Sachi]

You look like you are simply loving life right now. Your blog has inspired me to work creatively with my own children. Thank you and I can't wait for the book.

[Liz Cadorette]

There is another tutorial for making a lightbox that eliminates the need for a diffuser by way of making the box itself a diffuser -- they use a cardboard box for the frame, cut out the center of the top and sides of the box, tape white tissue paper over the "window" openings, and instead of clip-on shop lights, they use standing lights of roughly the same cost/calibre. Instant diffuse light!

Here's the link to the tutorial:
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

Hope this helps. I am SO in love with the green fabric and buttons, and is there a link to the antique shop? I'm drooling over here! :)

[Mary]

How do you get time to work with the three lovelies around? Is there just time that they know your in the office and they must keep to themselves? Its something that I struggle with. I have two, a two and a half year old and a 8 month old-- cannot play by themselves for a while yet.
Love the pants!

[Caroline]

I love it too when the kids come in and request a quick make on the old sewing machine, doll blankets and dresses etc. it's lovely some times just to stop what you're doing and say "yes" after all so often it can be "not now I'm busy!"
Caroline
: )
http://carolineinckle.wordpress.com/

[Rubyellen]

Your pictures just exude so much love! It is all so lovely.

[gonzomama]

love those plaid pants! and that antique shop is gorgeous!

[QALBALLAH]

Oops. Back. Forgot to mention I found a "DIY Light Box" tutorial a couple years back which is very effective (and v. inexpensive):

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent/

[Maria]

Must know where that antique/salvage place is! Can you share??

[SOULEMAMA]

*****************

Maria -

Oh yes, of course! It's Portland Architectural Salvage. I should have included the link, but I felt odd since I never asked permission to take the photographs (so bad!). It's a lovely place - http://www.portlandsalvage.com/

And, Mary -

I 'work' when Steve is with the babes. I get some done with them around and 'helping,' of course, but most of it happens when he is home. That's why I'm squeezing in so much right now before he returns to work.

Qalballah & Liz -

Thanks for all the diffuser/light box info!!

-- amanda

******************************

[erin]

goodness, girl - that green quilt! eek! it might as well have my name written all over it.

[Bipolarlawyercook]

That top photo just kills me-- the color, the variety, the DOF, the light. (I'm only in Boston, you're not that far away, why is your light different!?!) I am going to go find all my nana's buttons at my dad's hourse and make something.

[Julie]

I'm new to blogging and just started reading yours, and I must confess that I was feeling a little bitter about all of your goings-on (dumb! I know!). Then I looked into your FAQ and some older posts. Whew! It is SO inspiring to see how far you've come in the last three years--it really makes me look forward to what my endeavor will look like in the future. Your photography is captivating and your crafties are so heartfelt and beautiful. Thank you for sharing so much of your world!

[Tina]

I thought that was Portland Architectural Salvage. I haven't been there in years. Such a cool place. I'll have to check it out again next time we are in town.

Thanks for the Lightbox ideas! I'm just a "take pictures of the kids" type of photographer, but love my crafts and have such a hard time taking pictures of them. Might have to see if I can make a Lightbox.

[sabrina]

Green week coul really be ispiring. I love your photos.

[Jennifer]

I have to ask what paint you used on the walls in your studio. That is very close to my favorite color (the New Mexico and Colorado sky!) and what I wanted to use to paint our kitchen. In some of your photos, the color looks more green than blue. Either way, I like it!

[emily ruth]

oh your pictures are so inspiring! i'm going to go play right now...hopefully i will have a little elf visit me too, he does love the straight pins:)

[Sally McEntire]

Oh how I envy these last days of yours! Having Dad home is so nice.

[Catching Fireflies]

I love your header and that first picture.

The light box info made it look so easy that I think I should make one.

Thank you

[Megan]

Really excited about your book #1. Just preordered my copy. Thank you!

[Lasso the Moon]

The green~! Oh, the green~!
Love it.
Anna

[SpiderWomanKnits]

I have heard, although I have never tried it, that a coffee filter can work to diffuse light from your flash.

Love the little quilts!

[SpiderWomanKnits]

I have heard, although I have never tried it, that a coffee filter can work to diffuse light from your flash.

Love the little quilts!

[Berlinswhimsy]

It all looks wonderful!!

[jess]

i have made many a lightbox in my looong stint at art school. a gray card is a must! you can pick one up at any photo shop. locally photo market, hunt's or even ritz might have on one free st. it will make getting a good exposure in a tight space so much easier. i have always found using rigged up clip lamps with tungston bulbs to be the easiest but, might be hard to wrangle with a toddler. if you can handle the chaos in photo market, they are very helpful and im sure would have many suggestions for diffusers and other nifty, helpful tools as well.

[Annie]

Thanks for the lightbox link. I have been really struggling with the lighting in our place- even with a good camera my pictures are consistently so-so because of light. Maybe I'll try to make a lightbox too. Because, you know, I really need another project right now. (This last sentence should be read with heavy sarcasm).

[Ula]

I love the pics. Love-in-the-form-of-pants is popular here, too. :)

[Kim]

Oh. My. I am in love with that pant fabric! oh oh oh... is that an online find? Yum!

[heather]

lovely photos. there is such excitement in the air around here, it seems palpable.

the new banner is great too, and the new paint seems to be working out just fine. ;) i really need a new banner... mine was my "christmas" banner. must get on that!

[Stephanie]

I'm in love with those little quilts!

The new banner is really cute also. I love that yellow. It looks awesome with those curtains.

[Laura Reaux]

I love that fabric with the green buttons! So pretty. :) And love the picture of you working on your little one's pants.

[Marnie]

I just love your blog- ive been comming here every couple of days for about a year- so I really thought it was time ( or well overdue) that i said a huge THANKYOU for inspiring me in everything you do!

[Andrea Q at Quirky Bags]

Oh my...those rulers in the first photo bring back memories of my grandparents' farm in Northern Maine. Enjoy your last few days of sabbatical!

[Ellie]

Oh, beautiful images. I hope you have some lovely play time before the holiday is over.
I love love love that green quilt. I was wondering - do you only use that raw edge detail on quilts you will frame? Or do you have some special technique for keeping the edges from fraying? I am working on a few ideas using strip peicing, and want raw, frayed edges - but don't want them to fray too much! Do you have any hints, or ideas you could pass on? Thank you.

[Grace]

I really like your new banner.

[Zelia]

oh i love those rulers:)