May Photo a Day Challenge wrap up

On a complete whim this month, I decided to participate in the very popular Photo A Day challenge by fat mum slim.

I already have tons of daily content on my blog, Facebook fan page, and Twitter account so I decided to create a Pinterest board for my challenge photos.  You can check out the entire board here (or by clicking on the above photo).  I'm just sharing a few of the highlights in this post today.

Day 3: Something You Wore Today

I went through a huge thing in high school and part of undergrad where I really loved socks with fun designs.  I still have a few (okay, more than a few) pairs that I love.

Day 4: Fun

I finally made the effort to get a photo of us in Milwaukee.

Day 11: Kitchen

I made chocolate chip cookie bars (the classic Nestle recipe) and salad for a little get together that one of Jake's friends organized earlier this month.  I love having an excuse to bake.

Day 14: Grass

The grass in our backyard grows ridiculously fast.

Day 15: Love

Of course there are a few pictures of Angel.

Day 18: Something You Made

I have sold out of nearly all of my shell bracelet designs during the last few months.  I've been working on restocking them this month.

Day 19: A Favorite Place

 You can check out more pictures from this little excursion right here.

Day 20: Something You Can't Live Without

This photo of one of my newest card designs represents two things that I can't live without: crafts and music.

Day 26: 12 O'Clock

Someone else is ready for lunch, too.  She knows my schedule.

Again, you can check out the entire set of May photos on Pinterest right here.

My confession about the May challenge: I did complete all of the prompts.  However, I did not necessarily take each one on the appointed challenge day.  I believe that I got better photos by using inspiration as it came to me than by forcing a photo every day.

Was it tough to participate in this challenge and the Scavenger and Macro challenges?  The short answer to this is yes.  There are weeks that some of the prompts were more challenging than others or that it was tough to get out to take photos.  On the upside, there were other weeks where some of the prompts overlapped and I had a lot of inspiration so things came together more easily.

Was it worth it?  Again, the short answer is yes.  I like to use as many original photos in my articles as I can.  There are several reasons that it's worth it but the biggest reason is that taking this many photos every month greatly increases my general photo stock.  It's always a big plus when I can pull something from my files for a current article instead of having to make a point of shooting, editing, and uploading something else or pulling a stock photo from elsewhere online.

I am planning to participate next month.  I am also planning to do what I did this month with not forcing photos everyday and only taking time to upload once or twice a week.  All of the June prompts are right here if you want to jump in and participate.

What have you been photographing lately?

Newest article:
Fourth of July Drink Recipes: Non Alcoholic and Alcoholic
Looking for older articles?  Click here!

10 Things I've Learned From Pinterest

I'm shamelessly stealing this idea from Urban Heirlooms Style who wrote this post about Pinterest earlier in the month.  Enjoy!

1) You can do anything with spray paint.

Source: flickr.com via Pearl on Pinterest

2) Just in case you can't use spray paint, Mod Podge will never fail.

Source: makeit-loveit.com via Kathy on Pinterest

3) Who knew that there were so many ideas for cakes with different colored layers?

Source: glorioustreats.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

4) You can make a fabric or paper wreath for literally any holiday, season, or event.

Source: craftomaniac.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

5) Paint chips are a must have for your craft supply stash.

Source: thehobby-room.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

6) There is nothing that can't be made better with a fabric or paper flower.

Source: icandabble.blogspot.com via Ruth on Pinterest

7) Who knew that decorating for minor holidays like St. Patrick's Day could be so much fun?

Source: hostessblog.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

8) Planning for future events that may not ever happen just became so much easier.  Seriously, if you are 15 years old, why do you have a "for my kids someday" board?

Source: daniel-worththewait.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

9) When all else fails, make a casserole.

Source: themenumom.com via Renee on Pinterest

10) Everyone has turned into wannabe decorators.

Source: bhg.com via Karen on Pinterest

What have you learned from Pinterest?

a mystery unveiled

The distinctive camouflage markings are barely visible through the thick underbrush.  Most people pass right by them without even stopping for a second look.  The person who is meant to find them is the only one combing every square inch for a tiny glint of metal or sun reflection off of the glass.  The thin camouflage piece has a silver key and a bottle with a message attached to it.  The bottle holds a seemingly meaningless scrap of paper.  Only the intended recipient will be able to decipher its message.  This message will lead the recipient to the door that requires the key and that is hiding away the treasuries just beyond it.

The June EBW Challenge is Mystery.  You can read more about it here.  I love mysteries and was excited about the narrative element that this challenge could include.  It took me a couple weeks to put together this concept and then a couple more weeks to create the piece.  Putting together the concept was the real challenge for me for this piece.  And yes, it does include one of my new bottle charms!  I'm excited about that.

Like all of my wrap bracelet/necklace pieces, this can be worn as a bracelet or necklace.  Both charms are detachable, giving you the option to wear it with both charms, one charm, no charms, or any other charms of your choosing.  While the charms add a substantial presence to the piece, they are extremely light weight.

This piece is available for sale here.  As always, if you're interested in something similar but with different colors, charms, size, etc., don't hesitate to contact me.  Voting for the June EBW challenge will take place the beginning of June.  I will post all of the information about it then.  To get a sneak peek at the current entries, search EBWC on Etsy.

What have you been working on lately?  Have you taken on any new challenges?

Newest articles:

Summer Greeting Cards: Homemade Card Ideas to Make
Fourth of July Desserts: Easy Patriotic Recipes

Looking for older articles?  Click here!

I included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday - 6/1/2012.

Where I Linked Up Today:

Scavenger Hunt and I Heart Macro on Monday (5/28/12)

Welcome to another edition of the photo Scavenger Hunt and I Heart Macro!  I had a lot of fun taking a couple mini field trips in Milwaukee this week to get my shots for these two memes and the May monthly challenge.  Enjoy!

1) Beneath Your Feet

Jake doesn't like to feel anything under his feet except carpet and thinks that I'm crazy to do this, but one of the things that I love about summer is getting to feel the grass.

2) Capturing Movement

One of my little field trips this week was to one of the lakeside parks in the north Milwaukee suburbs.  I seriously can't believe that it's taken me almost an entire year of living in Milwaukee to visit this location.  It will definitely not be that long before my next trip up there.

3) Texture

We take a lot of walks through the VA grounds, but I've been making an effort to bring my camera with me more often lately (as evidenced by the Memorial Day picture and by some of my other hunts), which was my other mini field trip this week.  The VA just turned this fountain on again.

4) Face Your Fears

Recently I've started contemplating upgrading to a DSLR camera and finally learning Photoshop.  I have avoided Photoshop for a long time, but I'm determined to make this transition within the next year.  This will be an overwhelming process for a lot of reasons, but it will be really exciting, too.

5) Currently

We are counting down the days to the end of intern year.  Only a little over a month left!

Check out Ashley's blog to see what other people submitted for the themes this week.



Here's my shot for I Heart Macro.  I am really proud of this picture.  Check out that hint of bokeh!

Finally, don't forget to check out my May Photo a Day Challenge Board on Pinterest.  I'm continuing to get that updated at least once a week and will share the highlights from that challenge here at the end of the month.  Stay tuned on Thursday for that post.

Where else I linked up today:

Treasury Round Up - 5/27/12

This past week I was featured in a several beautiful treasuries that are perfect for the end of spring/beginning of summer.  Please help me thank the curators who featured my work this past week by visiting their shops and checking out their treasuries.

Linda (PruittDesign) included my Beaded Rope Bracelet - Triple Strand - Purple, Turquoise Blue, Pink in her Backyard Summer Bash treasury.  Does this treasury say summer party or what?  There are so many fun items here.  Check out Linda's Plum Dangling Flower Earrings.

Margaret (SplendidLittleStars) included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Easter Morning in her Summer Forests treasury.  This is such a whimsical collection!  Margaret did an amazing job pulling together the items for this treasury.  Check out her HEART T-shirt.

Margaret also included my Button Dangle Earrings - Two-Hole Explosion in her color, glorious color! treasury.  Of course I love the mix of bright items here.

Sharla (BeadedTail) included my Button Charm Bracelet - Purple in her Something For You and Your Dog Too! treasury.  I love how colorful and fun this collection is.  Check out Sharla's Purple Polymer Clay and Swarovski Crystal Sterling Silver Earrings - Plum Drop.

Thanks to those who linked up with me last week!  Here are a few of the items that they featured last week.  Click on the photos to check out the product listings.

I am really touched by all the people who I have inspired to start their own treasury round ups with awesome shop features and write ups!  Please link up with me and grab a button for your own post.  I know that not everyone posts these rounds ups on Sundays, which is fine.  I will leave this link up open all week.

If you link up, take the time to visit and comment on at least one other post.  No one benefits from linking up if we don't all support each other.  Thanks!

 



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Saturday Link List: the graduation edition

Welcome another special holiday edition of my Saturday Link List!

I have a handful of articles up for graduation.

Graduations and Graduation Parties: How to Save Money 

DIY: Postcard Party Invitations with Microsoft Publisher

10 Gift Ideas for High School Graduation

10 Gift Ideas for College Graduation

Graduation Card Ideas for High School and College: Sayings, Messages, Printables, and More

I did not put together a graduation Pinterest board, but I've simply pulled some resources from the site for you.  Enjoy!

Graduation Cupcakes - Cupcake Decorating Ideas from Alissa Roberts

Source: alissaroberts.hubpages.com via Rose on Pinterest

Huge collection of 2012 graduation printables.  Water bottle wrappers, candy wrappers, pendants, cupcake toppers, and more.

Source: blog.catchmyparty.com via Debbie on Pinterest

Graduation cap treats from Bakerella

Source: bakerella.com via Kelli on Pinterest

Graduation bookmark favors

Source: didsomeonesaypartysite.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Graduation cap card with free pattern and step by step instructions.

Source: megacrafty.com via Rose on Pinterest

High School Flashback Party Idea...I love retro party ideas!

Source: howdoesshe.com via Rose on Pinterest

"

Keys to Success" Graduation Party Decor Ideas

Source: celebrationsathomeblog.com via Sara on Pinterest

Graduation Quote Ideas from Martha Stewart

Source: marthastewart.com via Mary on Pinterest

Of course I had to include a med school graduation party idea.

Source: divinepartyconcepts.com via Karine on Pinterest

Create your own link list and grab a button for your post or simply spread the word on your blog.


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Did I feature your work here?  Grab a button for your blog or web site!

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Did you use one of the resources, tutorials, or recipes from my link list?  Leave me a link in the comments or send me an e-mail (randomcreative28@gmail.com) with your photos and stories.  I would love to post them here.

Stay tuned next week for a brand new set of June recipes!