DIY Instagram Sticky Notes

I'm always looking for new ways to use my Instagram photos besides storing them on my computer.  Because Instagram photos are square in shape, I got the idea to print them out on sticky notes.   After a little trial and error, I got the process down so I'm sharing it will all of you today. This project is good for leaving a special note or using it as a unique gift tag.  You probably wouldn't want to print out an entire pad on your printer (there are printing sites that will do that for you).

To get started, you're going to need some kind of photo editing software along with knowledge of the program.  I used Photoshop for this project.  Whichever program you choose, I recommend using one that gives you the option of layers. 

1.  The first thing you will need to do is make a template.  You can copy this one if you want.  You'll want your squares a little bigger than a sticky note.  I made these squares 3.1" x 3.1".  Once you have your template made, print it out on cardstock.

2.  Attach the sticky notes to the inside of the boxes.  I taped the sticky notes down with washi tape to ensure they wouldn't come off during the printing process. Trust me when I say, you don't want to fish a sticky note out of a jammed printer.

3.  Using my Photoshop square template file, I added all my pictures in a different layer.  The whole point of adding the pictures into the squares ensures your images will be printed on the sticky notes.  For the photos above, I changed the opacity to 50%.  I also had to scale them to size.

Now hide the "square box" layer so the boxes will not print, only the pictures.

4.  Your project should look similar to the photo above, once printed.  In the above photo I removed the tape.  Once dry, your sticky notes are ready to use.  Slowly pull your sticky notes off the paper so you can use your template again if you want.

Keep sticky notes on kitchen parchment paper until ready to use.

Another idea, use your Instagram sticky notes for special reminders. What would you use them for?

Finding Vivian Maier

A few years back you may recall the surprising discovery of the street photography artist, Vivian Maier by John Maloof.  John Maloof purchased a box of photo negatives in an auction that he planned on using for a book he was creating.  What he discovered was a collection of never seen photos by an unknown artist, Vivian Maier.   After publishing some of the images on a Flickr page and his blog, the photos quickly went viral.  From there, exhibitions of her work were being shown all over the world. Unfortunately, Vivian passed away before her photographs became publicly praised.

Just about a month ago the trailer was released for Finding Vivian Maier, a documentary about John Moloof's discovery and Vivain's secret life.  I find the whole story so fascinating.  What did you think of it? There's no date set when the film will be released but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's soon.  To learn more, visit the Vivian Maier site.

Photographing Craft Projects

A couple weeks back Caca asked me how I photograph my projects so today I'm going to try to answer that question. First you should know, I am not a professional photographer nor do I claim to be. However, I have been taking photos of my projects for over five years now so I've learned a few tricks along the way. Here goes. . .

The Set Up

Almost all my projects are photographed by a window with natural light or outside, no flash.

*First I place a large white poster board on the table for a blank slate.

*Next I set up a bi-fold Foam board. This reflects the light and helps prevent shadows.

* I like to use scrapbook paper for my backgrounds since it's inexpensive and comes in so many styles . Some times I use fabric too. I try to stay away from prints that are too busy.

Lighting

* Once I have everything set up, I find the best light. Since I've been doing this for a while now, I already know what window and time of day works best for me. This is something you'll have to troubleshoot on your own.

*Last I will angle the entire setup for the best light. I'll simply turn the bottom poster board to find the optimal light. Often I'll take a few pictures, see how it looks, and adjust accordingly.

Photo Editing

If the colors or lighting don't come out the way I like, I'll edit the pictures with Photoshop. Above is an example of this, the top picture was not edited, the bottom one was.

*First I adjust the lighting with the manual levels option.

*Next I'll dodge and burn (lighten & darken) specific spots. For example if a shadow is too dark, I'll lighten it up with the dodge tool.

*Last, I'll crop the photo to the size I want.

There are a lot of great sites online that dive deeper into these topics. If you're just starting out, I recommend iheartfaces and Photojojo for detailed tutorials.

Help, I'm Trapped In A Photo Frame!

I had planned on sharing this project for April Fool's Day but unfortunately my printer wasn't cooperating. It's as if the printer was playing an April Fool's joke on me. I'm convinced it has a mind of its own but I digress. Now that the printer is working, I'm happy to share this silly project with you. This doesn't have to be for April Fool's Day. Personally, I think it would be fun to have a few of these pictures in the office for a little whimsy.

Trapped in a Photo Frame Tutorial

The first thing you need to do is take a picture of someone squished against a window. This is the trickiest part of the project because you need to avoid glares, reflections, and fog from breathing.

Once you have the photo, size it to an 11" x 8" (landscape) and print. Cut out the background with scissors and an exacto knife. Place photo in frame with a white piece of paper behind it. Hang in the hallway and see if anyone notices.

Choosing Photo Backgrounds

Today I would like to share about how I photograph my crafts. Specifically, I wanted to talk about backgrounds. When taking pictures of my craft projects, I always like to have a complementing background. It adds another dimension to the photograph and can make the picture as a whole more interesting. Below are a few examples of backgrounds that I like to use for my pictures. You'll notice that they are all things you can find around your house.

* I'm by no means a photography expert and don't pretend to be. This is just what works for me when it comes to taking pictures of my projects. Take it for what it's worth.

Nature: Often I like to place items in trees, on the grass, and in the sand. I photographed this bluebird card in a tree by my house.

Table linens: In this case I used a table runner. I often use placemats, tablecloths and fabric napkins as well.

Clothing: This is one of my favorite backgrounds to use, clothing. And it doesn't just stop at my closet, I use my husband's and kid's clothing as well. The background in the picture above is one of my skirts. You'll notice that I coordinated the color of the ribbon and button to the fabric. When done right, it can really complement your subject.

Baskets: I like using baskets and wood floors for backgrounds because they give that zakka feel. If you've ever looked through a zakka craft book, you might have noticed that many of the pictures are taken on wooden tables and floors. Which brings me to another tip, see what others are doing. Look through your craft books and magazines for inspiration. Have fun.