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project 365: week 4: january 28-february 5

project 365: week 3: january 19-27

on photography

I have always wanted to be a photographer. I’ve been itching to buy a dSLR for at least three years now. Buying one is on my list of goals for this year, but I’m not certain that it will happen. I love my point and shoot, but the images that I have seen from people’s dSLR’s make me wonder how much more I could do if I had a better camera.

On the other hand, I know it’s not just the camera. It’s also the photographer. I know that I am not as a good as Lauren or Dave (or really, as good as anyone else that is on Flickr). I know that I can get better with practice and that I need to practice more (beyond my 365). I need to go out and shoot every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. I need to use the manual mode. I need to use the other settings on my camera, besides macro. I need to be less afraid to take pictures.

I was talking recently with my friend Catherine about feeling awkward when taking pictures. I always feel completely awkward when I’m taking pictures. I shouldn’t, because I’m not the only one who has ever taken a picture in a public place, but I feel uncomfortable. Along with that, I feel awkward and uncomfortable when taking pictures of myself, although I am working on overcoming that (I’m in four of my 365 pictures so far).

I also am not good at shooting people. I don’t want to have to give orders and be in charge. I have done one shoot with people. In 2008, I did a Valentine’s Day shoot with my class at the preschool I worked at. I wish I could share those pictures with you, but I don’t have parent permission so I will not. But, it was a fun shoot and I would love to do more, but it’s hard. People tend to shy away from that when they find out I only have a point and shoot. I guess I feel like I’m not a real photographer because I don’t have a fancy camera. I know that it shouldn’t make a difference, but in my mind, it does.

I guess the whole point of this post was to say that I want to become a better photographer. It should be fun, not stressful.

project 365: week 2: january 10-18

sunday sunshine

Hi! I know, I know. I’ve been terrible about blogging lately, but I am so uninspired. I haven’t done any crafting since the first of the year.  I’ve been job hunting a ton, though, and doing a lot of reading. I am actually finishing books and enjoying reading for pleasure again.

Anyway, my friend Cat, over at No Wooden Spoons, gave me the Happy award, so today I am combining that with Sunday Sunshine and listing ten things I am loving + make me happy right now.

1. Books. This goes without saying, really. I have always loved books. I like reading. I like going to bookstores. I like going to the library. My ideal date would be dinner and browsing Barnes and Noble or Borders for a while (Jason, if you’re reading this, yes, I just professed the fact that I really and truly am an absolute nerd). I can’t wait to have my own place so I can floor to ceiling bookshelves and put all of my books out (most of them are stored in boxes in the closet right now due to lack of space).

2. Photography and taking pictures. Doing project 365 has been a lot  of fun. I like that it has forced me to get outside the box and really play with my camera. {source}

3. Pretty dresses. I can’t wait to find a job so that I can go shopping and buy a whole new wardrobe. I want a closet full of dresses and skirts. This is unusual because I am very much a jeans and t-shirts sort of person, not a dresses and skirts sort of person. {source}

4. Writing letters. Not e-mail letters (although I like those too), but real snail mail letters. It’s fun to open the mailbox and see a letter from a friend. {source}

5. Music of all kinds. Right now, I can’t get enough of The Decemberists, Belle and Sebastian, or Regina Spektor. {source}

6. Say Yes to the Dress, on TLC. It’s so over the top and some of the women are so picky and mean, but I can’t seem to stop watching. It’s a guilty pleasure.

7. Alice in Wonderland. I am so excited for the Tim Burton version to come out in March. {source}

8. Owls. I’ve liked owls for a long time and they’ve been a fashion trend for a while, but I am finding myself drawn to them more and more lately. {source}

9. Records. I really want to buy a record player so that I can get my favorite albums on vinyl. My parents had a record player when I was a kid and I used to pretend that I was a ballet dancer dancing to the music on the record player. {source}

10. Children’s book made into movies. I don’t mean Harry Potter or series like that. I mean picture books, like Where the Wild Things Are or The Polar Express. I would really like to see David Weisner’s books made into movies. I think they would translate really well to the big screen.

I am supposed to nominate people for this award: Heidi * Jennifer * Ari * Janssen * Tessa Ann

project 365

This is the first time I’ve done project 365. Well, I attempted it last year, but I wasn’t in a good frame of mind to focus on it and see it through until the end. This year is much better and, nine days in, I am totally loving it. I only know of two other people that are doing it: Ari and Cat.

Anyway, I’ve come across a few helpful links this week that might inspire those of us that are embarking on this journey and those who might decide to do it. I started on the 1st, but you really could start anytime and go until you hit 365 days.

This site has a list of 365 pictures you could take. You have to click on the images to make them bigger. I printed the list out and hung it on my bulletin board so that I can easily refer to it.

Making crazy light trails. Ross, over at 365 Project, posted a tutorial for this here. I’m going to give it a try at some point. There are tons of tips and suggestions and images to inspire on this website. There is also a theme each week; this week’s in yellow and starts tomorrow. I’m excited to try out the themes, I think it will really force me to think outside the box and get creative with my picture taking, which is the whole goal of a project like this.

I will edit this post as I find ideas and other blogs to share. If you know of anyone who is doing this or you’re doing it yourself, leave me a comment and I’ll add a link to your photos in the entry.

So far:

Ari

Cat

Brianna (yeah, that’s me!)

Mollie

project 365: week 1: january 01-09

anyone home?

I have been a blog slacker lately since I’ve been sick. Actually, I’ve been slacking off at everything: reading books, reading blogs, stitching, crafting. I’ve kept up with my project 365, though, so that’s good. I want to share those pictures here, but I’m not sure how yet. I don’t know if once a week is best or if I should do it once a month. Opinions?

I’ve been reading a lot about Waldorf schools in preparation for my interview on the 21st. It’s a new-to-me philosophy, but one that I really agree with and can definitely see myself involved in as a teacher. Basically, the science behind it is that children need to play and use their imaginations. Public school education these days has become something of a race to be the best and every teacher I have encountered is forced to teach to whatever standardized testing their state requires. In Waldorf education, the curriculum changes with each grade level to fit the needs of the students. I realize that happens in public school, as well, but in Waldorf, only certain aspects of history are taught in each grade level. For example, ninth graders only study history up to WWI, rather than cramming the beginning of time to present down their throats in nine months. I could go on for days about this, but you can read more about the educational philosophy here and more about its founder here.

I haven’t been crafting much at all lately, so I don’t really have any inspirational things to share with you right now. I will, however, be crafting tonight so I will definitely be back with some pictures of works-in-progress.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching…I’ve been working on cards for my Etsy and I have a few other cool things up my sleeve. I know that Cat is already doing a card swap, but if there is interest in another, just let me know and I’d be glad to get another one going. If not, any suggestions for another type of swap? My mailbox is in dire need of some happiness.

2010 goals: how is everyone doing on these? I’m actually doing pretty well. Other than this week, I’ve been reading a ton and taking pictures. I have plans to do some writing next week and would still like to try to find somewhere to volunteer. Project 365 has been fun and a good exercise in thinking outside the box.

What have you been up to? Fill me in!

sunday sunshine – favorite blogs edition

I cannot believe it’s January 3 already. This year is going to fly by in a flash. There are so many things I want to do and see this year. I have some big plans for this year – I hope I can accomplish everything that I want to.

One of my goals is to do NaBloPoMo, where you blog every single day for an entire month. It usually takes places in November to go along with NaNoWriMo, but I’m not sure I want to do try to accomplish both goals in the same month. I think writing my first novel will be enough stress for the month of November.

Anyway, as a writer, I read a lot – books, magazines, blogs, online articles. I want to read a book a month this year, although I have a feeling I will end up reading more than that, which will be awesome. I’ll talk about my favorite books some other time, as it will be hard to choose ten favorites. For today, though, I’m going to just link to ten of my favorite bloggers. Their blogs are constant sources of inspiration for me.

So, in no particular order:

1. Diane at CraftyPod. Not only does she blog, but she also writes e-books about running a crafty business and runs an awesome podcast about crafting. Her site is definitely worth checking out if you have a few free minutes.

2. Ari at Curious Illusion. Ari has quite a bit of talent in the photography department. I would love to go out shooting with her sometime – it seems like she always finds the coolest things to photograph.

3. Janssen at Everyday Reading. Life as a middle school librarian. She also writes excellent book reviews.

4. Megan at Princess Lasertron. This girl knows how to run a business. I want her to do my flowers if I ever get married. I’d also love to spend a day with her, learning all her business tips and tricks.

5. Amanda and Jenn at Kind Over Matter. I only found their blog recently, but there is tons of inspiration there. They focus on the handmade community, which is becoming more and more prevalent these days, especially with the advent of sites like Etsy and Artfire.

6. Joanna at A Cup of Jo. Lots of random bits of inspiration here. She also writes a column+blog for Glamour magazine.

7. Bethany at That Just Happened. Bethany and I went to high school together, but like most people, lost touch after graduation. I stumbled across her blog, by accident, a year or so ago. I love reading about her adventures in Utah – she has a knack for humorous writing, in the best way possible.

8. Christina at My Topography. This lady has a way with words. She always manages to find a way to say everything she has to say in the most concise manner. I like to read her blog when I’m feeling at a loss for words.

9. Mollie at Wild Olive. I’ve talked about Mollie here before, but it’s worth repeating. She has a lot of talent as a designer – her embroidery patterns are some of my favorites. She is also very generous – with free patterns and finding ways to help others. I love that.

10. Frank at PostSecret. He’s just a guy who somehow got people to start sending postcards with their secrets to him. It’s grown to a website, books, and a tour. I sent in a secret once (no, I will not tell my secret), but didn’t make the website.

Honorable mentions go to: Nic – Lindsay – Cat – Elise