Flower Arranging

Years ago, I made my sister some floral arrangements...you remember, jewel tones?  She mentioned in the fall that it might be time for an update....

How to make a floral arrangement:

Get some green foam and a container, cut the foam down to fit, use glue to hold it in to the container firmly.

Gather some silk florals...I always go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels on 50% off days...never pay full price....same with containers....

Here they are individually....

Start with your center flower...

Use wire cutters to cut to size....

Play around with height....trying things in different areas until you are happy.....

I went on to make 2 more arrangements....

Enjoy!

P.S. How to make mosaic photos? Go to BigHugeLabs.com!

Linking up to these parties: (Click "Read More" for rest of post.)

Update on My Word Verification Post

Since I posted the very popular "Do You Still Require Word Verification" post a few weeks ago, I have gotten much feedback.  

The biggest surprise was that most bloggers who HAVE word verification or Captcha?  Didn't know it!  So, this tells me that any blogger reading this right now should take a moment and GO CHECK....just to be sure......since we don't get this if we look at our own comments, how would we know unless someone tells us?


That said, of all the bloggers who gave it a try - turning OFF Word Verification, only ONE has written back saying that spam got through. ONLY ONE!


I also wanted to show you a photo of the proof that the new Blogger software catches the spam....I have received 39 SPAM comments since May 3, 2011 and NONE made it through to my blog.

Once I click on that Spam tab, the number (39) will go away so THIS time, I remembered to capture the photo first!

Wouldn't you love to have a spam free blog AND make it easier for your buddies online to leave comments?  Surely that answer is YES.......????????

Give it a try - check out my tutorial and give it one month.  You (and your online friends) will be SO glad you did!!

I have put this post as a permanent button on my upper right sidebar....traffic has been incredible.....it' time - turn Word Verification and Captcha  off!!

I may be joining THESE parties!

Do You Still Require Word Verification in Blogger? Tutorial

Before I begin......even if you are POSITIVE you do not have Word Verification turned on, please go and CHECK.  My mail is proving that most people who have it don't even know it!  (Must have been a default setting???)

I just had to add this plea to all my new friends online, many of whom still use Word Verification in their comment section.  I'm wondering if you guys heard/read that Blogger added some amazing Spam software that has ELIMINATED ALL my spam comments?  As in, EVERY S.I.N.G.L.E. one!!!

Now, I do still get that spam comment in my email, notifying me it exists BUT Blogger has stashed it in the new Comment Spam section.   Therefore, I have had NO need for word verification, unlike last year when all comments came through.

Now, here is why I care if you have Word Verification:  


A.)  I have ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and I rarely remember to stop and check to see if there is Word Verification when I leave a comment.  Do you know how many comments didn't go through????  It slows the process down by DOUBLE, at least.    

B.) I know many bloggers who will leave a comment but when they see Word Verification, they just leave and don't "finish".  Some have a lower irritation trigger.  lol  Me, however, I WANT to communicate, I want to share thoughts and comments, so I wondered if we could do a test.

How about ALL of you who currently use Word Verification turn it off for one month or one week.....and report back if ANY spam comments get through????  I bet you will be VERY surprised.  I'm sure you turned it on for a reason, but since then....Blogger has added a really great, fully functioning feature. Here is what it looks like in the Dashboard:

Click Comments in the tabs across the top and you will see a new feature - SPAM:

I will tell you the MAJORITY of spam comments show up on much older posts....on pages I'd never visit again.  But the spam function catches them!

Here is how you adjust your comment settings (in case you've never done this and just have default settings....)

OK First, look up in the upper right corner and click DESIGN:

Then, click Settings and then Comments:

One of you first choices is WHO can comment?  Did you know you can block Anonymous users or only allow members or only Google account holders?  Decide here:

Scroll Down to the Comment Moderation area:

Next, would you like to receive an email every time a comment is left on any post?  Comment Notification is great for older posts on previous pages that you might not notice otherwise.  Definitely enter an email and turn this feature ON.

OK, Now click Save Settings in the orange box and you are DONE. 

Please please please, pretty please will my new wonderful friends please do a trial on turning OFF word verification to see if the spam filters work for you??  I promise you - you will be SHOCKED at how great they work.   

Please let me know if you do this trial and how it works.  I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to leave more comments........please just try, OK?

Hope you don't mind the overkill on photos, but I am VISUAL learner and for me, photos make all the difference.  Hope it helps you.

UPDATE

Hey, guys......I'm getting emails from folks who don't know they HAVE Word Verification (and are commenting on how much they hate it....)......so I'm wondering if it is a default setting?  So with that info, why not go use my tutorial to DOUBLE CHECK and make sure you don't have it turned on??  Seems many people don't even know!!  Thanks!

I Was Featured!

Carolyn from My Backyard Eden and Momma Hen has featured me for my DIY Lightbox Tutorial!

DIY Lightbox Tutorial

And Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts featured me for my Scalloped Potholders!!

Kelly at Living Craftily Ever After featured my Posies in a Row Bookmarks!

Have you visited their blogs?  If not, scoot on over there now.

Thanks Carolyn, Momma Hen, Mandy and Kelly!!!!!

I Was Featured

Kassi, from Truly Lovely, featured me for my  Gorgeous Hat with Large Flower:

:

Gorgeous Hat with Large Flower

Carrie from Dittle Dattle, , Sarah from Sarahndipities  and Jill from Women Who Do It All featured me for my DIY Lightbox Tutorial!

DIY Lightbox Tutorial

Thanks SO much Kassie, Carrie, Sarah and Jill!!!  If you haven't visited their blogs, scoot on over there now.  They are amazing!!

I Was Featured!

Mary, over at Boogieboard Cottage, featured my DIY Light Box Tutorial in her Top 10 Favorites from Masterpiece Monday #14!!

 

Want to learn how to take amazing photos?   Check out my tutorial!!

Have you visited Mary's blog yet?  If not, scoot on over and check it out!!

Thanks Mary!!

DIY Lightbox Tutorial

Are you ready to take AWESOME photos, even if you have an inexpensive camera?  Well, get ready!!

Since I started crocheting at the end of January, I've noticed some blogs have amazing photos with great color and stark white backgrounds.   I just assumed that must be professional equipment but found out one can make their own lightbox for next to nothing!

LUCKY for me, I am married to a very meticulous amazing ENGINEER.......they are always known for their attention to detail and although their work often takes 10 times longer than someone else (inside engineer joke!), you can't beat the end product.  (You should check out what I call the "forensic vacuuming" my guy can accomplish when he feels like it!)

You will need the following:

Cardboard box

Box cutters

Muslin fabric or tissue paper

Glue gun and glue stick

3 Lights

Poster board or Bristol Paper (found ours at Michael's)

Tape

 1.  Cut out the top of the box, leaving a "picture frame" edge to attach the muslin or tissue paper.

 2.  Cut out 2 of the sides.

3.  Cut out the front on 3 edges,  leaving one side attached (so it can lay down in front, as shown).

4.  Glue or tape muslin fabric (or tissue paper) on the open sides except for the front.

5.  Put the poster board or Bristol board inside, going up the back.  We first used regular ol' poster board, but it looked cream in the photos, so we switched to the Bristol board, found at Michael's or any store that sells painting supplies.

6.  Now add the 3 lights.......my husband elevated my entire lightbox so I can take my own photos (I cannot bend, lift or twist).....so the top light was able to be hung from the dining room light fixture.

Yes, this is an ottoman on our dining table.  lol

 I needed a mannequin head for my crochet hats and saw them online for around $6-9.  But we went to a local wig store and found this one for $3.99.  Perfect!
   

Hubby says we are currently using 75 watt bulbs and he wants to change them to 100 watt.   Meanwhile, check out the quality of the photos!!

BEFORE

AFTER

Isn't that awesome?????  I am SO happy!!!!  My only problem is.....where to put this lightbox??  At the rate I am creating crochet products.........I need it to stay out.  lol  I am hoping to sell things in a few months......and these photos will look great.  If you look on Etsy.com, there are some great sellers but their photos are blah.....whereas newer sellers with great photos are making the sales.  Makes a huge difference!

Hope you enjoyed this DIY Light Box Tutorial!! 

I totally forgot to add what camera I am using.....you might be surprised............it is a 

Sony Cybershot!!

No fancy schmancy camera for this girl.  Frugal here!!  And the CAMERA photo was taken by my Iphone 4.  Can you even believe the effects of the light box??????  Gotta get one, people!!

I may be linking to THESE parties.