Good vs. Great

Ready to take your photos to the next level? Have you ever heard someone look at a photo and say "She must have a really good camera"? We want to share a few photo tips with you that will help you take good photos and make them great. And all of these are ones you can use without having an expensive camera!

The photo below is a "good" photo taken one evening at the beach. How can this photo go from "good" to GREAT?

Change your perspective...

Did you know having your subject look up at you minimizes any double chin effect? (I always remember this when someone is taking a photo of ME...ha!) See how much different this photo is just by taking it from a different angle?Put your subject in the best light...

Both of the above photos were taken an hour before sunset. But in the second photo, her face seems to almost glow. Have you ever noticed in the evenings how everything outside seems to be bathed in a golden glow? At this time of day, the sun is low in the sky and acts similar to a big gold reflector like the professional photographers use. The light isn't too bright but instead hits the left side of her face more to create shadows. It also reflects in her eyes. If you're trying to capture this golden glow, remember to turn off your camera's flash.

Hmm...what else can you do to improve a photo even more?....

Add a tilt...

If you look at photos in magazines or today's senior portrait photographer displays, many of them have the subject tilted to one side or another. Try it! Rather than holding your camera with a horizontal or vertical orientation, just tilt it slightly to the left or right. You'll be surprised at how much more dynamic your photo can be. And at first, it does feel a little strange... but the results are worth it!

Give these ideas a try and let us know how they work for you!

Lots to share with you!

We're very excited to have Sharon Laakkonen, design team coordinator for Prima Marketing joining us on Saturday, March 28. You may have seen Sharon's work in many scrapbook magazines including Creating Keepsakes or in advertisements for the lovely Prima flowers we love so much! Or maybe you saw the stunning acrylic album she created for the Crop for the Cure Silent Auction. Sharon's morning class will be a two-page layout. In the afternoon, she will guide us in creating a mini album. Both projects will use all Prima products and are sure to be amazing! Those who register for both classes will save $5 plus enjoy a free lunch. Space is limited so be sure to sign-up soon to assure your spot!

What a better way to start the new year than to create a cute desktop calendar?! With chipboard tabbed pages and a sturdy acrylic base, this Maya Road desk calendar is fun and easy to create. Since it can be viewed from both sides, you can create this as a multipurpose project--one side of each tabbed page as a calendar and the opposite side for showing off your favorite photos. Its size makes it a great way to use up those paper scraps you've been saving.

January-Paper & Glitter Chipboard: Melissa Frances, Calendar Grid: Teresa Collins, Flowers: Prima, "January" stamp: Pink Paislee, Pearls: Kaiser Craft, buttons, pom trim

Also don't forget to join us on January 31st from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for our Winter Mega Crop and Garage Sale to be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church. It will be a great way to spend time with friends while forgetting about the cold weather outside. And if you've been looking to reorganize and purge some of your "scrapbook stash," please contact us for more information on how you can be part of the Garage Sale that day. Whether you're buying, selling, scrapping, or all three... it is sure to be a fun day!

Welcome 2009!

Hope your 2009 is filled with lots of good cheer and happy memories!

You may have noticed we are having some technical difficulties with our main website. When you view our web address, another site appears. We are working to rectify this as quickly as possible. Until then, please check here at our blog for updates on all the fun things we have planned to get us through the cold winter months.

First, mark your calendars for January 31st--it's our annual Mega Crop and Garage Sale. The event will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. The cost is only $40 and will include a goodie bag, home cooked meals, great prizes and a discount coupon good for that day at Bloomin' Scrapbooks. AND... if one of your New Year's Resolutions is to organize your scrap space and purge some of the items you no longer use, plan to sell them at the Garage Sale going on during the Mega Crop! For details on how to participate in the Garage Sale and the Mega Crop, please contact us.

Below are some of our upcoming classes:

January 6, 6-8 p.m.
ATC Swap--Cost=FREE!
This month's theme is "New Beginnings." Plan to join us for fun trading and creating these cute cards to swap with friends from BS&S.

January 8, 6-8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS PAGES--$12
Ready to scrapbook those Christmas memories? Join Mary Williams to create a two page Christmas themed layout using lots of ribbons.

January 10, 10a.m.-Noon
NEED 'EM NOW CARDS--$15
In this class we'll create 6 cards with envelopes for whenever you need a handmade card in a pinch. The cards will include two Thank You cards, two Sympathy and two birthday cards.

January 17, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
RECYCLED CEREAL BOX--$12
We've invited Cassidy Young to share this cool recycled cereal box with us. Cassidy made all her Christmas gifts this year using recycled items! We will provide all cereal boxes for the class. This is such a unique idea, you won't want to miss it!!

January 22, 6-8 p.m.
HERITAGE PAGES--$12
Create this stunning two-page layout perfect for your heritage photos. We'll be using beautiful Melissa Frances embellishments, flowers and lace for a timeless vintage look. Below is a peek: