2009 May 01 | ScrapMatters Blog

Archive for May 1st, 2009

Announcing the Design Star Winners!!!

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Things have been so busy today with all the goings on in the forum/gallery and shop that I haven’t been able to get in and post the Design Star winners. Here they are:

Introducing the SM Design Star Apprentices!

I am so excited to announce our newest apprentices: Chelle’s Creations (markyzmom), Hafen Creations (BrianneHafen), Man In The Moon, Plum Dumpling Designs (little hiccup) and Sahlin Studios (sahlinks). Everyone was so talented, we had such a difficult time choosing our winners. We offered the runners-up spots on our site CT and are so happy to have them continue to be part of the SM family. Congratulations to all of these talented ladies.

Here are some highlights of what they’ve put in the shop for you today. In alphabetical order:

Chelle’s Creations:

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Hafen Creations:

Plum Dumpling Designs:

Family Game Night by Plum Dumpling Designs

Frame It With Words by Chelle's Creations

Sahlin Studios:

So This is Love by Sahlin Studios

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Tags: design star
Posted in Challenges | 2 Comments »

A Matter Of Scrap #8 (May 2009)

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Hi Henriëtte here with this months photo challenge.

First I would like to announce the winner of last month’s challenge: it is Mary’s (littlehiccup) really jummy looking picture of this beautiful lamb cake (minus the eyes that is, those look a little bit scary)!

Congratulations Mary!

Because spring is in full swing this months theme is photographing flowers!
Whether in your garden or a vase, flowers charm and enchant the eye with their dazzling colors and delightful shapes. Here are some tips to help make your flower pictures equally charming and enchanting.

Tip #1: Use a simple background

Find a position that provides a plain, non-competing background.
Or place a black or pleasingly colored cardboard behind the flower.

Tip #2: Get close

If your camera has a close-up focusing mode, use it and get as close as the camera manual suggests.
With a digital camera, use the display screen to compose the picture.
Accessory close-up lenses are mandatory for dedicated flower photographers.

Tip#3: Shoot at different angles

Vary the level of your viewpoint.
Shoot down to create attractive patterns of little flowers; kneel to the level of other flowers, such as tulips and daffodils.

Tip#4: Use creative lighting

Observe the lighting on your flowers. Backlighting shining through some flowers gives them an appealing glow. Cloudy-day lighting reveals subtle hues.

Tip #5: Control the wind

Is the wind tossing the flower about? Bring the flower indoors and create an attractive still life that you can easily photograph. Put the flower in a vase and place it near a window. Or use a piece of cardboard to block the wind. Choose your camera angle so the cardboard doesn’t show in the picture. Or choose a colored board and position it to block the wind and to serve as the background.

(From an article by Kodak)