Her Father's Daughter or A Tribute to My Dad.

As Mother's Day approaches...... I am thinking about my DAD! (Love you too, Mom, will probably write for you next month!)

My papa is awesome! He taught me many wonderful things, and essential "life skills"...

like "measure twice, cut once"

 and "if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well".

He let me watch him build things, and when I was able, he let me help him build things, and then he helped me build the things I thought up!

He also had an awesome camera!

I remember watching some of his photo shoots, like my baby sister sitting on the floor in front of a mirror, or using multiple exposures to get Christmas lights just right. Now my daughter owns this vintage camera and teaches photography on line! She got the photographer gene! Check out her class schedule here.

So, dad, this blog post is for you!

In order to be able to photograph my sewing projects as I work on them, I built a light tent.

PVC pipe and fittings, 1/2 inch 

36", 24", 18" and one piece left over

Starting with the top frame on the floor; adding side posts

One side frame complete

Second side frame and back rail

Turned right side up

White cloth for light diffuser

Set up and ready to photograph the baby blanket

Arranging the blanket

Result

I did not glue the PVC frame together, I have some extra pieces now so I can make it different sizes.

Shorter front rail with T for lamp clamp stabilizer

Extra lamp to add light from above subject.

Thanks, Dad, for teaching me many skills, and helping me look at my world with a "constructive" point of view!

Odds and Ends; or What has she been doing?

I have had several ideas for posts....... not written yet.
I have been experimenting with my photography equipment...

Fixed the smiles on these monkeys and gave them as gifts

Took apart a ruined back pack to get the pattern for this one
also a gift.

Helped my mom make a sock monkey for one of her granddaughter's birthday gift.

photo by Joy

photo by Joy

Grandpa named her "Gretta".
















The biggest project was the design and construction of these fully lined, white dresses.

photo by Kim

Some thing Else... or a little of this and that!

I always seem to have several "irons in the fire" as great-grandma used to say....

actually I hate ironing .......even though I have the luxury of an electric iron that would have amazed our ancestors!  But I do love to sew.... all kinds of  things!  And here is the reason that the princess slip remains unfinished!

Cindy's cushion project... finished just in time for the arrival of out-of-town family visitors today!

The seat cushion foam was still in good shape, but the inner case of the back cushions was turning to powder. Those pillow style cushions had to be re-made before they could be re-covered.

I did not take photos as I worked on construction, but I will share my photographic struggles with you!

The sofa, chair and ottoman are in a sun room with large glass doors on 2 sides.

By the time I arrived with the cushions, the sun was shining in creating bright spots.





At first I thought the sun might be covered by the shifting clouds, thus giving me some softer light.  I waited while Cindy fixed lunch....... and waited some more.....no clouds.

So let's try adding some 'flash' light... not a good idea!

Hey, where is that sun light coming from? and could I move the sofa enough to block most of those spots? It was an idea worth trying.

See that little sliver of light on the left side...
move the sofa just a little more!

Better, but still not a great photo.

So I moved the sofa back where it belongs, turned the camera off, at sat down to finish lunch and chat with Cindy.... then the clouds came back!

Just as I thought the perfect light had arrived, I missed it!

Finally, the soft light I wanted.

I know it's not a perfect photo, but given my simple photography skills (few) and the available light.....

I'll keep it!

For some really great photography and classes, check out my daughter   Faith and her blog.