this heart of mine

Camera {Lens} Tricks

May 15, 2013

In the past, I have, on occasion, made fun of MJ’s camera skills. Don’t worry, it’s totally warranted. And I tried to help. I tried to explain a few DSLR camera-in-manual tips I figured out along the way but apparently, I spoke in some spouse-nonsense language he couldn’t understand. So when a family friend asked MJ to take a photo class with him, I was happy he decided to go.

Now, it’s not like MJ all of a sudden became Ansel Adams or Tim Hetherington. That wasn’t the point. A DSLR is quite the machine and it’s a shame to not learn how to use it better. While different from the way I take photos (weird self-taught person), he now recognizes the terms aperture, shutter speed, ISO and so on, and can manipulate them himself. Hurray!

In class packet, the instructor passed along recommendations for lenses and equipment. I was thankful for the list; I like to hear what actual photographers like to use. As a DIY blogger and a mother, I really like my 50mm lens. It makes that beautiful soft blur around the focal point and allows lots of light in making bright, light pics. It’s wonderful in low-light situations with its large aperture option which is great on Christmas morning or for evening birthday celebrations. However, it does have limitations because it’s a fixed lens; there is no zooming.

The list recommended a set of macro lens filters to connect to the 50mm for close up photography. For their low price, I couldn’t resist trying them. I’m still figuring them out but I think I like them. Here, I’ll show you what they do.

This is how close a 50mm can get to itty bitty sprinkles.

This is with 1x.

This is with 2x

This is 4x

And this is 10x. I haven’t quite figured this one out yet. It’s very magnified and soft.

The filters can be combined too. Like the 1x plus the 4x would be 5x magnification. Exciting stuff, right?

If you’re wondering, MJ ordered this Vivitar set (pick one that fits the width of the intended lens). I’m excited for at the prospects of getting up close and personal. I know. I’m weird. :)

Take care.

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Before We Go…

May 11, 2013

Happy weekend!

After being behind all week, today’s post is no exception. We have a pretty open weekend and it’s our last one for a while so we are loving it. Next week starts birthday mayhem – first Sweet J and then a few weeks later, Love Bug. I’m excited to celebrate them. We have some fun things planned. So let’s get the weekend going.

Links to check:

Animals from flip flops? Amazing.

Heard about this photo on the radio and looked up others. Strange.

Listened the heck out of this song this week. Next is to learn the hand movements.

Would have loved to be at this parade.

An amazing Minnesotan teen choosing to live his last days.

Things for which I am thankful:

Spring! The grass is greener, the tree buds are growing and the flowers are gonna pop!

For bravery and courage.

The week’s end.

Have a wonderful weekend. See you on Monday!

Take care.

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Recipe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake

May 10, 2013

If you haven’t heard it on the television or radio or read it somewhere yet, here’s the news – Mother’s Day is on Sunday. I’m cluing you in because moms are a big deal. I’m not just saying that because I am ~~a harried, in need of a break~~ mother of two. Each and everyone of us is in this world because of a mother; we are kind of a portal of life. And that is something to celebrate. So to all the mothers, mothers of children young and not-s0-young, mothers of children from their womb and not, mothers who have loved and lost, mothers who kiss boo-boos and tuck babies into bed, mothers who Skype their babies halfway around the world, mothers who love and care, let’s celebrate you. So now, the cake!

This coffee cake is my go-to breakfast/brunch item. It is delicious!! And when I say that everyone loves it, I mean everyone. Young and old, picky or not. No one can resist the butter, sugar and cinnamon crumbles atop a dense sweet cake. With a little added butter on top and a warm beverage in hand, the world looks right no matter what. Plus, it’s pretty, right? ~~When I was planning my Mother’s Day~~ When I was planning out props for my styled photos, I thought this cake would be perfect on a tray to deliver to mom for breakfast-in-bed on Mother’s Day.

Psst, MJ….

However, be ready for it not too last very long. My children hound me repeatedly when this cake is in our house. And we usually have two for family functions because there just isn’t enough.

This cake can also be made in advance and frozen. Then when it’s time, pull it from the freezer to defrost and serve. No need for stress or rushing. Just time for eating and enjoying.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Recipe from my mom's friend Donna

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking sofa
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

First, in a large bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon and butter by crumbling it together like a pie crust.
Reserve 3/4 cup of the mixture to use as a topping.
To the remaining mix, add the vanilla, salt, baking soda, eggs and buttermilk. Blend until smooth but do not over beat.
Pour into a greased and floured angel food cake pan. Sprinkle with reserved topping.
Bake at 350F for 45 minutes.
Cool before removing from the pan.

http://www.thisheArtofmineblog.com/2013/05/10/recipe-cinnamon-coffee-cake/

Take care.

P.S. What.A.Week. It’s been a test of wills between myself and real life. Although it looked dismal for me most of the week, I claimed victory last night after making a delectable double layer lemon pound cake with homemade vanilla whipped cream topped with strawberries (to be shared soon). That’s right, we have two cakes in the house at this moment. That in itself describes the week perfectly. But I won. The lemon cake put me over the top and I won.

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Transfer Image Polymer Clay Leaf Earrings with And Then We Saved

May 9, 2013

I’m over on And Then We Saved today sharing the details of these easy polymer clay earrings. You know I love me some polymer clay. And my big earrings. :) Mother’s Day is coming up fast. These would be a perfect gift using whatever image you choose. All the details are over on And Then We Saved, go check them out!

Take care.

P.S. I have a Mother’s Day recipe coming up this afternoon!

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Make Something with Design Mom: Mother’s Day Garland

May 7, 2013

I’ve been using my new sewing machine, even though I find it a little intimidating. Well, it’s more that I don’t want to hurt it. My old one was so old and clunky I didn’t fear messing it up further. But, as you can see, I’m handling the new one just fine. I whipped up another sewn paper garland for Mother’s Day over on Design Mom, complete with a watercolored heart.