Remember when I reviewed the ebook “Say No To Auto!” by the fabulous Kristen Duke?

Well, Kristen is coming to Utah and teaching a class!

Her beginner’s workshop will be held Saturday, May 28th from 9-11 am in Ogden, Utah.  And where exactly in Ogden?

The Vintage Cupcake, that’s where.

Kristen says:

Do you have a big fancy camera, but not sure what to do with it?  Did you buy it thinking you’d have images like the professionals because you have a camera like the professionals? When I bought mine 7 years ago, I thought so too, but I became very frustrated when this wasn’t the case.  I’d see amazing images coming from others, and realize I was missing something.  I used to shoot on auto…it’s easy…and the pictures are decent.  But I didn’t want decent, I wanted amazing.  The only way to do that is to make the decision to say NO! to auto and learn the camera’s manual settings.

Come join me for a fun beginners’ photography workshop!

What we’ll discuss:

• How to use your Digital SLR camera

• Aperture (f-stop), shutter speed, ISO, and how they all work together

• Lighting, how to locate the best light

• Lens suggestions

• 30 min. of shooting time with discussion and questions

• Very basic Photoshop tips

• Ways to get your subjects to relax

• The importance of capturing the candid moments and how to get them”

And, you know who else is going to be there?

Amy from The Idea Room and Tam from Sew Dang Cute and ME.

AND (this is where it gets crazy so hang on to your shorts folks), some of you may remember that I won a Buick for a week last summer at EVO.

Guess when that week is.  Go on, guess.

The very week that I’ll be driving to Ogden for Kristen’s photo class!

So, as a little added incentive, Tam (who lives across the street from me) and I will come pick you up and drive you to the class in a pimp daddy Buick Enclave (if you’re between, say, Herriman and Ogden).

Sound fun?

Click here to EMAIL Kristen or fill out the contact form to sign up!

And then, shoot me an email ([email protected]) and we’ll figure out the transportation details!  I’ve been told this sucker seats seven, so…

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Just a reminder, you have until noon tomorrow to enter to win either this or Michelle’s bowtie pattern here.

I feel like the alternate title for this post should be “Bennett Hates Me”, so just keep that in mind whilst you’re enjoying the pics.  Like this one, for example:

Yes, we do go through this EVERY single Sunday, why do you ask?  He also rips off his shoes and hands them to me as soon as he gets out of class every week.

Where was I?  Oh yeah…the pattern.

The pattern comes in 4 sizes.  I made the large, which is supposed to fit sizes 3T – 6.  Bennett’s a good solid 3T and Campbell’s a 6, so I thought this would be a good size to gauge fit.

The pattern pieces went together easily, and I liked that there were cutting options for making the tie out of either a fat quarter or a traditional quarter yard.

It was a REALLY quick and easy sew.  The only part that I had trouble with is turning the tube for the neck strap right side out, but turning tubes is the bane of my sewing existence, so take that for what it’s worth.

Michelle provides you with a link to a YouTube video to show you how to tie the tie.  It’s slightly different than tying a usual tie, so pay close attention.

I did have a little issue with the seam being visible on the knot of the tie, but if you tie it slightly shorter or slightly longer you can avoid this…It’s only a very specific length where this happens.

Your tie pattern comes with 2 sets of clips.  You can buy more from Michelle’s store as needed.  Making one neutral neck strap and then just swapping out the tie parts might be another option.

And, I’m working on a post for part one of Neighbor Jami’s nursery curtains right now.  Look forward to it?

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(OK, only 2 of you are actual winners)

The winner of the $50 gift certificate to The Ribbon Retreat is…

#169, aka Cherie, who said:

I would spend my 50 on the flowers and ribbon. everything is great.

And, the winner of the Kelly Moore Bag is…

#652, aka Connie/The Colvards, who said:

I follow on Facebook.

Remember, you can still get $15 0ff any bag using code “CRAP”.

And, I still haven’t heard from the Shabby Apple winner, so if you’re name is Annie, you should probably check out this post.

Shoot me an email to [email protected] to claim your prize!

Thanks for playing along and HUGE thanks to Kelly Moore and The Ribbon Retreat for the awesome giveaways whilst I was off speaking at Creative Estates!

I’ll be back with something I actually made tomorrow.

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Man, that was fun!

Why do I always forget to take pictures?  I get too caught up in enjoying myself and the camera never comes out.

I’ve borrowed a few, though, so you won’t get too bored.

First up, HUGE thanks to the 2 ladies that spoke with me about blogging authentically and letting your personality show on your blog:

Shelley from House of Smiths and Stephanie from The Daily Blarg

(Photo courtesy of Amy @ The Idea Room)

I’ve had a couple people ask what I thought the most important thing I said was.  So, I’m going to go with the things I saw being passed along on Twitter.

My new motto: “You will never regret behaving appropriately.”

When asked about how I deal with competition: “There is no competition to be me, and that’s what I’m doing.”

And “Don’t compare your worst to someone else’s best.”

Deep, right?  You thought all I did was stick my finger up my nose.  Ha!

I also need to throw out a  public thanks to the AZ GNO ladies, Steph, Kristyn, and Kendra, for a FABULOUS time.

(photo courtesy of Jamie Lynn Photography)

back row: Jen from Tatertots & Jell-O, Lara from Less Cake, More Frosting, Tauni from It’s a Tradition and co-founder of Creative Estates
middle row:  Some dork, Becca from Blue Cricket Design, Amy from The Idea Room, Shelley from House of Smith’s
bottom row:  Kristyn from Lil’ Luna, Steph from Somewhat Simple, and Kendra from My Insanity

And you girls that were at my table that night that I really should have taken a picture of?  HILARIOUS.  I’m making a Chanel bag right now. 

Um, what else?

(photo courtesy of Mom Endeavors, do you like how no one knows where we’re supposed to be looking?)

Oh yeah.  The girls of room 333:  Michelle from A Little Tipsy and Lara from Less Cake More Frosting.  I adore you both.  Thanks for the late night hilarity.

Here’s where I want to make a long, long list of all the other fabulous women I met, but I know I’ll miss someone.  If you’ve posted about Creative Estates, leave me a comment with a link so I can come check it out, will ya?

I’m looking forward to next year (in SLC, woo!) already.

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I’m back from an insanely fabulous weekend in Arizona.  So, so, SO fun to have that many crafty and creative women all in one place.  Like my roommate Michelle from A Little Tipsy said, “Craft blogging is kind of like curling.  You don’t really ‘get’ it unless you do it.”  And these ladies all get it.  More on Creative Estates in a day or two, after I get out from under the pile of laundry that amassed whilst I was away.

Here’s a little something to tide you over:

Things you can learn from this picture:

Sometimes something is really funny in your head and then you see it on the internet and think maybe it wasn’t the best idea you’ve ever had.

Jen from Tatertots and Jello really is so nice that she’ll smile at you even when you shove your finger up your nose.

So, let’s get to that Shabby Apple winner, shall we?

#477, aka Annie, who said:

I like shabby apple on fb!

Annie, shoot me an email ASAP to [email protected] to claim your prize!

You’ve got until Wednesday to enter to win $50 from The Ribbon Retreat (go here) and the camera bag from Kelly Moore (go here).

I’ll have a little somethin’ somethin’ for those of you with boys later this afternoon.  Stay tuned.

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I’m packing up and heading out to Creative Estates in two days.  TWO DAYS!!!

I’ve spent entirely too much time running around trying to find stuff to wear.  I may have accidentally bought 2 pairs of identical capri pants, on different days, at different stores.  And I think I’m going to keep/wear them both on account of not actually having time to care about it anymore.  AZ hit 100 last week (though I hear it’s going to be much more bearable this weekend).  We woke up to this on Sunday:

Hard to think HOT when that’s what’s outside, right?

At least my feet are in the spirit:

And I made something to hold my business cards:

So,  you know, who needs clothes?

In addition to the delightful Shabby Apple giveaway I posted yesterday (go here to enter), I’ve got some more fabulous giveaways lined up to keep you company this weekend whilst I’m away.

You won’t even miss me.

In fact, you might be glad I’m gone.

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