My Mom's Xmas Gift

Hey there!
I've been working on some Christmas gifts and seeing as I'm near broke I decided to make my mom a cook book! Of all of her recipes that she has and some others that I like or maybe my friends enjoy. If you have any recipes you'd like to share, please post them!

I'm trying to find a way to make it a little more, personal so I'm drawing some illustrations and just make it unique. If you have any good food illustrations or ideas please comment, I'd love to get some new ideas. All I've done so far is the cover. I was going to paste icons in the word "cook" so it'd look like the food was writing (like in this tutorial).

I was thinking about splitting the cook book up into appetizers, entree's and desserts but my mom doesn't prepare many appetizers so maybe just entree's and desserts, maybe throw in drinks? The other thing I'm unsure about is if I should make a page for each "separator" or not. I was going to use the icons on the bottom of the cover for the tabs (can't figure out what to do for a appetizer icon, suggestions?). I was probably going to just print the pages and place them in a 3 ring binder in a protective seal that way we can add to it as much as we want! If she ever choose she can also get it bound into a book.

Now my last question is should I have 1 recipe per page or 2? its going to be 10x8 (so landscape) and I can do two different recipes per page with like a fancy box and some decorations or something, or I can do one per page with bigger letting and maybe more designs. I want to keep it relatively plain and easy to read.

Any input would be great!
I'm off to find an appetizer icon and figure out how to do these recipes!

-Sam

Edit: I worked up a quick option for the recipe page. I can put anywhere from 1-4 on a page (considering all of her recipes are on note cards, they're pretty short). I can two for example and do some sort of illustration on the bottom or I could do 4 with a light illustration in the back (or a smaller one in the corner). Any ideas? Keep in mind this is a quick mock-up and color/different text is possible. There is also room below for two more just may not be visible due to the white background(s).

Christmas Illustrations

 WooHoo! I found something to do for about 5hours the other day in photoshop, i made a christmas card! Granted I followed a tutorial, it was still cool because I legit made everything by hand. The tree took me like an hour to do, I just couldn't get it right (and thats not including the decorations!). Everything else was a breeze and really fun. I love making illustrations, I wish I knew more techniques for them! Here is the tutorial link.

I printed it and it turned out great, I couldn't be more happy! I'm going to send it out as my christmas card this year, now I'm just debating on making another illustration for the inside or just pasting some construction paper (maybe scrap booking paper) on the inside and writing/drawing/adding stickers on it to make it a little more personal for each person. *Shrug* I did find a couple more illustrations I want to make, I'm debating making like a 5x7 flat card (like you would get done in the studio of your family) then I don't have to buy anything (the only paper I have is photo paper, no card stock). That was so much fun though, all done in photoshop.

If anyone has any good tutorials they found on different techniques please comment with the link! I'd love to learn more, this is a big passion of mine and I can easily spend hours on one piece alone.
Time to go Christmas shopping!

-Sam

Holy buckets its been 6 months!

Sorry I left you hanging, I clearly shouldn't be a professional blogger. I do have a lot to say, but generally its personal so its not pasted on the interwebs! :) as for photographs, well I have actually taken a few since my last post!

i saw my cousins twins for the first time this summer! They were absolutly adorable! Kendra and Kiley. Kendra is in the blue and Kiley in the white.

I have seen so many fantastic photo manipulations and/or graphic design work that I am falling even more and more in love with it. I wish I could do it and I'm definitely motived to try to find some more tutorials to learn techniques. My problem is putting these techniques to use and being able to create an amazing piece of art using my own ideas. I also have this thing where I don't like to use other people's stock to create work, i like to be able to say those are all of my photographs. However, that probably will rarely be possible depending on the type of work I'm trying to create. For example, I love messing around with eye shots and I've seen some fantastic artwork but I wish I had more of my own photographs to manipulate instead of using someone's stock. Not sure if that makes sense but guess I'm more proud of my work when its truly my own.

I did create this piece, which was fun to do! I think it turned out really pretty. Please keep in mind that all of my photographs and manipulations are copy righted and are not to be used without my permission. Also, all of the stock credits are linked on my Deviant Art account.
Please link me any photoshop tutorials you think i might enjoy!
-Sam

Well, I'm not going to school after all. Apparently I can't get a loan without a co-signer and I refuse to ask my parents (considering they said they wouldn't help at all) and I can't ask any other family member to help out. I don't want to put them in that kind of debt. So frustrating.

But, on the other hand - I've been trying to get into the animal care/rescue industry. Applying to volunteer and animal shelters and for jobs at vet clinics where I didn't have to have any vet training. I also applied for a pet photography job - that is my favorite thing to photograph! We'll see what I get. I'm super excited and I really hope I get a job so I can help animals.

Annnnd, I've FINALLY gotten around to take pictures of someone's eye with my macro tube. I have Fergie's eye and Rosey's eye. Tomorrow I'll be taking a couple more since I'm going to Taylor's Falls. Oh that'll be fun! I'm so excited. Here are the eye's I've came up with so far. I want to do more manipulation but I have to learn some new techniques so it looks good! :)

 

TTFN Ladies and Gents!
-Sam

PS - I'll post some Taylor's Falls Photo's Wednesday!

School, Yay!

I had a meeting at school today. I'm totally going back! I was debating if I should go back into photography or if I should stick with just doing graphic design ... I'm still on a big debate about it but I'm leaning more towards Graphic Design. There is so much artwork that I enjoy, that I wish I could create but a lot of it is graphics. I don't quite have the skill for that ... sure I can make a few things but these are the types of things I find amazing:

http://rescueme06.deviantart.com/favourites/#/d3d7rrt
http://rescueme06.deviantart.com/favourites/#/d3d7uzm
http://rescueme06.deviantart.com/favourites/?offset=60#/d38rvtc

I want to be able to create stuff like that. One of my drawbacks is that I can't draw (never really attempted) and I have this thing where I like to use my own stock photo's but lets face it, the same model used over and over gets a tad bit overwhelming. Also, some of the stock photo's you can find are fantastic and you may or may not have friends who can dress up like that or pose like that.

Here is something recent I made from a tutorial:

None of these stock photo's are credited at the moment nor do I take credit for them. They are not my photo's.

 I also have a big interest in web design and I'd like to learn more about html, css and java, however thats more of a multi media major. I may have to just take those classes separately for funziez, or pay a friend, haha. Anyway, time to get going ... gotta try to get inspired to create something!

TTFN Ladies and Gents,

Sam.

Snow Snow Go Away

Well, as usual it's been a while! I haven't been busy just sick. Stupid head cold makes me not want to get out of bed some days ... the snow doesn't help either. Yea you heard me right ... SNOW. Ugh. It was super nice and sunny for like a week or two and now its just trash. All white and snowy out again, at least it stormed a bit last night. We have had so much snow this winter ... I have some pictures of the two bigger snowfalls, enjoy.

 

The first 5 are from the biggest snow storm, the last one is from well, probably just a normal snow fall compared to the other one. :) And yes, my dad is handing my brother a beer. That's how we roll. Haha. So, we don't need anymore snow. I think our lakes got filled up again. Mother nature, please be kind and bring back the sunshine! I need to take some pretty pretty pictures that have absolutely nothing to do with snow. Kay, Thx!

I tried taking a macro of Houdini but the little guy wouldn't stop moving ... nor would he look into the sun long enough to get a decent shot. I'm guessing it hurt his eyes, hah. I need to find something to take photo's of, anyone have any ideas?

TTFN Ladies and Gents!
-Sam

Happy VDay!

Well, happy belated Valentines day! I hope everyone had a good time celebrating with their sweetie. I had a few flash backs this year when that day rolled around, haha. Last year I spent it sitting on my couch with my roommate watching movies and eating junk food! Hey - at least I wasn't alone! The Saturday before (it was on a Sunday last year) my parents took me to the casino and thats pretty much when I got addicted/started enjoying myself. Free Drinks!

This year, I spent it on my computer with my sweetheart all day. He sent me roses and a teddy bear, now I have something to cuddle with when he's not around. Awe, cute right? Yup. I was excited to take pictures of my flowers just took me a day or two to get them edited, here they are.

I really love the bottom one, but maybe thats just me. The  coloring seems a bit off in the top one. Be sure to check them out on DeviantArt, the color is most likely better. 

The weather has gotten better. Warm and sunny (40 degree's! Yay Go MN!), I need to find something to do outside. I wish I had a dog that could actually walk more than a block before getting tired ... I should train my cat, lol just kidding...kind of. 

TTFN Ladies and Gents as I have ran out of things to say...hah.

-Sam

Macro's!

So, I totally got my macro tube and I couldn't be anymore excited to play with it! I've only taken a few pictures so far, but I plan to take more in the summer ... snow kind of gets old and my cat won't sit still! Anyway, here they are, let me know what you think :)

My images are copyrighted and may not be used under any circumstances without my permission! Thanks!

Oh, I'm also excited to start playing with bokeh and making my own! I'll try to post more often, as well as take more pictures to show you guys!

TTFN Ladies and Gents

-Sam

Oopsie!

So I recently forgot my password, which is one reason it's been a while. Sorry!

I also bought a shutter release for my camera (FINALLY) and a macro tube thing (I know I sound so professional right? haha). I can't wait to get back into doing self portraits. And of course, doing macro's. It should be coming tomorrow, I also can't wait to do my taxes and get that money back, I'm going to buy the canon lense that I have been DYING to get.

I got a little chaotic with my two jobs for a while.
I just miss doing what I love, pictures soon!

Busy Busy Bee

Wow, I have been so busy.
I recently switched jobs and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I loved the people at my old job but there were some things I just couldn't put up with anymore. All I care about now is that I'm getting 40+ hours a week and working with some great people. Hurray!

Too bad that doesn't leave much time for photo manipulation. I had an idea I wanted to finish by tomorrow but it wont be. Tomorrow is the release of Cataclysm. I'm stoked, infact I'm going to nap after this post so I can wake up at 2am and play, haha. I'm such a nerd!

I can't wait for Christmas! I've been trying to get my shopping done but I'm still stuck on what to give to a couple of my dad, my brother's girlfriend and one of my other best friends - please let me know if you have any ideas! Cash is the best thing I can come up with because everything people want now-a-days is way to expensive for me to buy. Blah.

Oh well, Off to nap! I'll try to keep this updated more often and def try to do another photo manip (or just take some photo's!) soon!

TTFN Ladies and Gents,
Sam.

Black ... Weekend?

Black Friday was suppose to be super busy?! Well, it wasn't too bad at my job, luckily. But I'm sure tomorrow will be worse and on top of that I have to work both my jobs. I'm totally not looking forward to that - mostly because I hate mornings and my back has been at it's all time worse.  Ugh.

However, I have been busy the past couple days [work, bleh] and haven't been able to manipulate many photos. I did get a couple great ideas from browsing DeviantArt so I'm stoked to try those Sunday night/Monday.

Short blog and I apologize, it'll be better next week!

Ta Ta For Now Ladies & Gents,
Sam.


PS - Happy Belated Turkey Day! Om Nom Nom.

Holy Busy Batman

I had work today from 9am to I wanna say around 7pm? With an hour break. FML. My back is killing me - now I'm not normally one to complain about pain (hey i rhymed!) but when I was a sophomore in high school I hyper extended a ligament in my lower back; it never has healed. When I stand for long periods of time or move around in the camera room it ends up basically killing me that night. Anyone know any ideas to help relieve this pain, maybe put less stress on it while working?

Anyhow, after worked I stopped to see him [[oooOooOooOOo want some juicy details? too bad :P]]. I missed him :) Now I'm getting ready to hit up the bar - debating if I want to drive in this weather or not. It snowed, only a couple inches but enough to make slush and make the roads slippery and as it gets colder here, the roads will get icy [[scream]]. Back roads suck, I almost went into traffic twice because I couldn't stop [[oops!]] but highways are fine for the most part.

I didn't get to do much manipulating today but at least I had a productive day! Now it's time for some Pre-Turkey day celebration [[very much needed!]].

Gobble Gobble,
Sam.

Digital Make Up

Well, I tried my hand at digital make up today. I feel pretty comfortable with the outcome. I did one of myself as well but I don't care for pictures of myself. Haha. I'm still in need of some photoshop ideas! [[FML]] The model is one of my besties, Fergie, I took this photo over the spring/summer sometime when she did some modeling for me.

Aside from that - I had the day off today [I am totally not looking forward to this week - I'm far from an early person]. I was glad; My only day off would've been Thanksgiving. I can't wait to eat turkey and stuff and just shove my face full of food! Then rock out to rock band of course!
I activated my WoW account again today to see the changes and I think I stayed on for like 15-20 minutes before I got bored and logged. Is it december 7th yet!? I do plan on doing a Manipulation in honor of Cataclysm however I wanted to be the model in the photo but it's proving more difficult that I had thought. I might have to have a friend take my photo outside [awkward much] - just need me an outfit! Well, a shirt of sorts.
Anyhow - thats enough rambling!


Ta Ta For Now Ladies & Gents,
Sam.

Photo Manipulation Ideas

Don't think I'll have a lot to say in this post. I'm headin out to work in about half an hour and I'll be there most of the night. I wasn't nervous for my first day until now - which is weird 'cause I worked there last year (over the Holiday season) and I know the majority of people there so I didn't think I'd be nervous. Well, I was wrong. Guess I'm just curious what I'll be doing today aside from all the paper work.

Anyway, I was up until I think around one am doing another photo manipulation. I'm happy with the result but I still feel like it needs something. Let me know what you think:

Pretty isn't it? It's all stock photo's and the proper credits are on my DeviantArt page. I think my next project is going to be to learn how to make a sky like that so I don't have to use someone else's stock. Guess that's what I'll be doing next week on my days off.

PS - If you have any requests or ideas please share with me! If you have a photo of yourself that you'd like me to manipulate somehow feel free to send a copy to my e-mail (the original if possible) along with who you are and what you'd like done to the photo. If you don't have any ideas and just want a cool photo of yourself, I'm down to do that too :) I'll be experimenting with a photo of myself in a next few days (basically, as soon as I get some time). Expect all Manipulations to take about a week or so (possibly longer depending on my work schedule - you'll be notified via e-mail with a rough estimate as to when you'll have your image back). Also - I'll do it all for free! It's fun and entertainment for me.

Here's my E-Mail.

Ta Ta For Now Ladies & Gents,
Sam

First Blog!

OHHH Snaps! It's my first blog!
Hah - I've been writing/blogging for a long time (I use to use Xanga), although that wasn't usually useless rambles it was getting things out. Basically, my diary :)

Anyway, today was good. Long? I don't know, for some reason I'm exhausted and the week has hardly begun. Maybe it's because I know I have a long week ahead of me. Transitioning from one job to another, wish I could do them both because the people are awesome but I really can't pass up a full time job opportunity [[espeically because I want out of my parents house! argh.]]

I watched Easy A today and The Last Airbender. They were both pretty good. I'm a nerd and love the kind of fantasy/magical kind of things, [yes I like Harry Potter] so The Last Airbender was pretty cool in my opinion. I did see Harry Potter 7 last night and yes I did love it. Harry, Ron and Herminie are freaking hot. You don't need to be a 16 year old girl to know that, haha.

The weather after the movie last night ... now that's another story. Holy ice batman. I'm just happy I wasn't driving. It was pretty amusing to slide around in the parking lot but not almost falling this morning when I got up for work. So happy my little car warms up quickly. My dad was saying how when he was a kid there was a day like today/last night (pure ice on everything) only the ice was thicker and he went ice skating up and down the streets. I'm totally jealous! I need to go ice skating this winter, it's been too long!

Off topic here a little - I am in desperate need of some inspiration for photographs or even photo manipulation's. I've been having a lot of fun with digital art and I really want to learn how to create some things on my own. I plan on taking some classes once I can get some money for it. Here's a little preview what I've done so far [any help or ideas would be amazing!]:

Please feel free to visit my websites! I always love feedback [good and bad, just maybe not cruel!] :)

Ta Ta For Now Ladies and Gents