i heart this idea!!!

I am really, really smitten with this garland idea Tania shared with us. She created a t-shirt on zazzle, then sent the t-shirts to family and friends near and far, with the request to photograph themselves wearing it. She even sequestered far-flung family members in Italy, neighbors and pets! Then she backed all of the photos with fabric and strung them on a garland to surprise her husband on his birthday. This homemade present was huge hit!

This idea is so fabulous and I think could be used for so many occasions beyond a birthday...a friend stuck in the hospital? Someone going through a hard time? Such an amazing pick-me-up to let someone know they are loved. Bravo, Tania! Check out more of the 'I heart Steve project' right here.

photo backdrops

I'm still loving the backgrounds of these super fun wedding photos! Created by Ashley of Smilebooth, via Once Wed.

wall o' maddie

A photo wall for Maddie's first is a great way to show how she's grown! Mom Becky says she was inspired by G's photo garland. I love her adaptation.

snuggly baby photos

I'm always looking for interesting ways to take photos of my babe. He's too old for this set-up, but I'm in love. Perhaps if there is a #2 at some point, I can stage something like this (from Birmingham photographer Grethel Van Epps)!

via Surviving Ophelia

photo garland

Miller created this cute photo garland for her sister's baby shower. Old photos of her sister and brother-in-law got everyone guessing who the baby might look like!

my new favorite thing

The hit gift at Christmas was this little album I gave to the grandparents. I created it on iphoto (I'm on a Mac) in under 10 minutes. The album is slightly larger then a credit card, and contains up to 14 images. A pack of 3 (you can't buy them as a single) costs about $18 with shipping. But be prepared to wait...it took over a week and half to arrive. I loved it so much I ordered a second pack of three to give to other relatives and to have one for myself!

fyi: I realize sometimes I sound like an advertisement for certain things/companies, but NO ONE pays me anything to say anything! I promise, if I ever do get paid for something like that- I am totally transparent and won't try to pass it off as a 'post.'

thayer allyson gowdy

Love, love, love the work of Thayer Allyson Gowdy. Her pictures of the peanut butter and pencils show just how a great photographer (and stylist) can elevate the ordinary to something spectacular. When I looked through her portfolio, I realized she photographed one of my all-time favorite weddings- Lena Corwin's!

Her website has a supercute I 'heart' theme...reminds me of the great bag Joanna posted about when she got engaged. Check it out here.

vintage photo cards

I was flipping through some of my husband's old baby albums the other day, and ran across these vintage Christmas photocards. Apparently there was one variation- candy cane horizontal or candy cane vertical! I don't know why I thought this was a new invention...so funny to see these from the late 70's.

happy thanksgiving! (+ contest!)

I couldn't have picked a better time for my self-proclaimed 'fall photo day' with my son. Unfortunately, he has just started walking, was tired and didn't cooperate. Still, I managed to get a couple of good shots. The above photos give you a sense of the idyllic setting... even a couple of little deer joined us at one point (top photo)!

I was hoping to get 'the shot' for my holiday photo card. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to pick from some older photographs. Which reminds me...don't forget to enter Whitney English's contest. She's looking for great photos of YOU and your family to use on next year's photo card samples. The winners (and there will be many), will get FREE photo cards- 50 for every photo used! Send your entries to contest@whitneyenglish.com.

I will be back with lots of great inspiration to share next week. Thanks for sticking with me...it has been an unusually busy time around here. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

kid photos

For those of you who take fabulous pictures of your kids on a daily basis, you must share! How do you do it? What kind of camera do you use? My photos turn out just fine- and I actually think I'm doing pretty well until I see some like these. I snagged these from a friend's Facebook page. They're great- right? 

My problem is that I don't want to carry around a huge camera (been there, done that). Yes- the photos turn out with that depth-of-field I aim for, but I almost never have the camera with me (since it is such a huge pain to carry around). I have a simple, small, point & click that I love for daily use...but with my son's birthday coming up I am yearning for something more for my photos!