Happy Sunday Peeps!

{SIG} X-mas Giveaway Extravaganza

I was originally looking for new sponsors for the blog.
BUT...

things have changed up a bit.

They are still sponsors but we are gonna make this all about Christmas!

And let me tell you something, we have 10 giveaways over the next 6 weeks.

There is going to be a little bit of everything.

Most of it is hand crafted.

Some of it is the craft of photography.

And some of it smells good.

Check out this awesomely long list of peeps sponsoring a giveaway!

And you know they are linked so you better check them out.

~ Eye Candy by Candace ~

Free Sitting Fee - $75

11-14-11

~ Lily Lou Designs ~

Christmas Applique Shirt

11-17-11

~ A Bit of This ~

Camera Strap

11-21-11

~ Debi Lou ~

Hoodie Shirt

11-28-11

~ Prissy Girl Tutus & More ~

Custom Tutu & Bow

12-01-11

~ Whisper Blossom ~

12-05-11

~ Shop name coming soon ~

Tutu Tote Bag

12-08-11

~ Triple Take Photography ~

Free Sitting Fee - $75 OR Free 10 x 20 Wall Portrait - $125

12-12-11

~ Melbows Place ~

Cup o' Bows

12-15-11

~ Skye Reve Fabrics & {SIG} ~

$20 GC & 1 {SIG} Pattern

12-19-11

And for those of you that want to share, please do!

Check out the cute button on top!

Happy Wednesday Peeps!

Organizing Patterns

Trying to figure out how to organize patterns?

It took a while for me to figure it out.

And I didn't get this idea from anyone else.

I'm sure it has been used a million times.

So it isn't likely to be an original but it works really well for me.

It is a pretty simple system.

First, I bought a bunch of sheet protectors from Target.

{one of my fave all time stores}

Then I print out my patterns.

Do all the tracing for the sizes.

And on the white part of the protector, I write the name of the pattern.

Stuff the pattern in there.

I categorize my patterns in a file cabinet.

Dresses.

Tops.

Rompers.

Pants.

Anything else you can think of.

It is YOURS to customize.

Not too difficult.
Easy to keep up.

The sheet protectors keep everything pretty.

And that is it.

The file cabinet sits right under my sewing machines.

Easy access fo sho!

Now, go on and organize your patterns.

Oh, did I mention it was a cheap way to do so?
Yeah, not too shabby!

Have fun!

My Hobby ~ Photography

I've always loved taking photos.

Something that is in my blood.

My dad use to be a photographing maniac.

And he was pretty good.

It just took me a while to get there.

And a good camera.

And a few reasons to use it.

Those would be my beautiful children.

Secondly, the clothing {SIG} makes.

We all know that photos sell products.

Ya gotta make them look good, right?

Last Christmas I got my Nikon D3000.

Love it.

Adore it.

Then I got an awesome lens for my birthday.

It became a hobby.

Trying to learn how to use it.

I'm still learning.

By no means an expert.

As a matter of fact, I would like to take a class.

I'm a hands on kind of learner.

Can't read and get the concepts.

Someone.must.show.me.

Much like my sewing was a hobby and now a business,

my photography is branching out the same way.

I've gotten a few paid gigs.

They have been lots of fun!

My style is a bit different.

I'm not really in to the posey-posey stuff.

I have been told I fall in to the photo journalism category.

I like to tell a story.

To capture a moment in time.

I was fortunate enough to have been hired to take photos at McKenzie's

birthday party this weekend and the above photos captured her perfectly.

And while I am at it, I am learning Photoshop hence the 2 versions above.

I much prefer the black and white.

Hunter was such a sweet and curious little boy.

I had plenty of opportunities to snag some beautiful photos.

Again, playing in PS & did an edit.

But that isn't all I like to do.

I really like things off the beaten path.

When my friend Kris hooked me up with a local artist, Solomon Kane,

I was able to photograph these awesome longhorn skulls he painted.

I absolutely LOVE the colors.

I have many, many more.

Just not enough time to share them.

But if you like what you see, check out my new Facebook page.

Smoke n' Lens

Have a wonderful Monday!