Momathon Blog

Move over Instagram, make room for the Camera Awesome app

I've experimented with loads of photo apps to turn your iPhone or smartphone a better camera. The new Camera Awesome free app from SmugMug joins my list of personal faves for camera versatility and high performance, a list that includes the Instagram, Adobe Photoshop Express, and Camera+ apps. All of the apps listed here are free except the Camera+ app that costs $1.99. However, I will warn you the app is so much fun it is very tempting buy extra bonus features for the Camera Awesome— each set of nine additional (totally awesome) effects is 99 cents. The Hancock effect adds a layer of script and you can see it above.

The photo included in the post today was taken and/or processed with Camera Awesome. I tried to pick a very ordinary subject—a string of lights—and see if the app could "Awesomize" it. And, yes, that is the term the app makers use. Since I am a Photoshop geek, I wasn't sure if this iPhone app would be as versatile and tweakable as a I wanted. Turns out it was a great deal of fun to use. The so-called boring string of lights (I stood on a chair to take this shot) turned out kind of magical with the Hancock filter. I have to add one thing that I really love about this app, you can upload any photo in the app to post process. Here are my thoughts on the new app:

Camera Awesome 

• Camera app works with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S (an Android app is in development)
• Full-featured and full-powered camera app
• Free app comes with 36 free effects: presets, filters, textures, and frames
• Option to upgrade and buy more presets, a total of 297 presets available
• Image stabilization, burst mode, camera timer, and more
• Fast burst option for active shotss—camera can capture photos in quick sequences
• Works in video mode 
• All your photos can be shared on social media through the easy built-in sharing feature
• Option to use SmugMug photo archiving at full resolution 

Wordless Wednesday & Lovely Links

Stitch the Jack Russell Terrier has a great sense of humor and boundless energy to match. He's a friendly shelter dog who would be perfect in almost any family. He just needs lots of exercise. He is available for adoption at Pals Forever Animal Rescue in Colorado. (This photo was processed using the Camera Awesome app that I reviewed here.)

• Lovely Links •

Today I took another amazing ALT class with the awesome blogger Melanie at You Are My Fave and in class she mentioned her new "In the Box" series. This series is so cute. I know this isn't surprising because I am nuts about boxes. This week's post is adorable: Paris in a Box Is My Fave. 

If you are looking for a cute way to add a romantic glow to your dinner table, check out the cute Fellowfellow blog and Claire's votive candle tutorial. This DIY project combines fabric scraps, craft glue, and small jars to make Sweet DIY Votives. Because I know I am one of those moms who will always worry too much about just about anything, due to the fact the fabric lines the inside of the votive glass, I I would follow Claire's advice and stick to battery operated tea lights instead of real candles in this votive.

Photo above by me, Chris Olson.

Four Ways to Save on Your Vacation Airfare

As fuel prices rise, it is nice to know how you can cut your travel costs when you purchase your vacation flights. According to travel experts—FareCompare.com and others—the cheapest days to fly and best time to buy airline tickets are base on a few simple rules.

Another travel tip is to shop for only ONE passenger's airline ticket at a time to get lowest rates. Why? The airline reservations systems lump your tickets together and highest individual price in your group will determine the cost. 

More ways to save:

You can find more ways to save in my post about using airfare alerts. If you use technology to notify you when prices drop and comparison shop, try using travel sites like these:

• FareCompare
• Expedia.com
• Priceline.com
• KAYAK.com
• Orbitz.com
• Hotwire.com
• ShermansTravel.com

Image above created by me, Chris Olson with yellow flower image by D Sharon Pruitt.

7 Styles to Wear to the Beach

I am very picky when it comes to fit and style for beach wear because I used to spend a lot of time at the pool when I was a lifeguard. I like clothing and accessories that stand up to sand and the hot rays of the sun. And if I can't sit down and then stand up without rearranging the swimsuit, well, the suit will never be worn again. The best swim cover ups are the ones that multi-task. I love the green cover up you can wear as a skirt or a strapless dress. The comfy hoodie is a must when the sun goes down and you want to be wrapped in something warmer--also doubles as a good way to keep the sun's rays away. Here are my 7 favorites this year.

 

1) Print Impossible Tankini $59, Bikini Top $49, Bottom $44

2) Eden Sunglasses by Kaenon, $219

3)  Aquamarine Super Summer Hoody, $62

4) Green Multi-Tasker Cover-Up (Skirt/Strapless Dress) $59

5) One In A Million Messenger Bag, $115

6) Amo Flip Sandals, $59

7) White Pearl Soft Kore Kaenon Polarized Sunglasses, $239

Image above created by me, Chris Olson.

 

DIY: 50 "Weekend Knitting" Projects

Melanie Falick's lovely knitting book will keep you busy and inspired for many weekends.

Knitting is therapeutic in so many ways. I love to keep busy with my hands doing a handmade project while watching TV or sitting outside watching my kids and dogs play. Picking out new yarn colors and textures that will go together for a specific knitting a pattern is a fun twist on picking out a paint colors for my illustration and design work.

Quick knitting projects always appeal to me and author Melanie Falick and photographer Ericka McConnell have assembled beautiful book with both easy-to-do as well as some more challenging projects in Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas. The book also includes a sweet selection of favorite weekend recipes and even movies that feature knitting.

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Image: WEEKEND KNITTING PROJECT graphic is by me, Chris Olson featuring photos from Weekend Knitting. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Other handmade craft posts you might enjoy: 

DIY: Make It Sew Modern

35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps

Sewing Projects for a Handmade Weekend

Feed your creative soul with the craft book Weekend Handmade

Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake (and Hug a Puppy)

Hello Friends! Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Remember to keep a happy thought in your heart.

Photos/Images by me, Chris Olson.

Photos: On My Desk Today

Thinking about the 5" inches of snow that came as a fluffy surprise yesterday. Plus Mardi Gras and those amazing masks. The book on my desk is a childhood favorite: Snow by Roy McKee and P.D. Eastman. Here is what’s on my art studio desk today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection. 

Homework Helper: How to Write a Theme Statement in Three Easy Steps

I included the graphic above to show how to compose a theme statement using the three steps given here. I think this handy fill-in-the-blank format to writing a theme is almost fool-proof for kids in middle grades and above. 

3 Steps to Write a Theme Statement:

1) Select an important TOPIC the book includes. Topic ideas include: freedom, love, trust, death, forgiveness, and many others. (This topic is often called an abstract concept.)

2) Begin the theme statement by listing the book genre, the name of the book, and author. (See graphic above to help you begin the sentence.) 

3) Now finish the statement from above by adding what the author REVEALS about the topic. 

 

Are you looking for more homework help?

Here are a few more writing resources I created: 

How to Write a Concluding Sentence: Did you know the last sentence of a paragraph is key to keeping your reader's interested? I've got a foolproof and easy way to write a strong concluding sentence.

How to Write a Strong Paragraph: Composing a strong paragraph is key to writing effective reports and essays. I created the following handy guide to help you writean effective paragraph.

How to Edit an Essay: A helpful checklist to help you polish an essaybefore you turn in an assignment. 

 

 

Images: All infographic images in this post were created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Wordless Wednesday & Lovely Links

A few lovely links this week:

• Sprinkles on popcorn? I want to thank the clever cook that first tried this recipe: Party Popcorn
• Sigh... The Downton Abbey second season is over, but you can still print out and play with the Downton Abbey Paper Dolls.
• Spots and even more spots make the best finds from Melanie at You Are My Fave.
• One of my hidden talents is the hula hoop. Never knew you could also use it to knit. 

Rose photo by me, Chris Olson.

Decor Crush: A House Tour with George Clooney

I admit I have a crush on George Clooney, now I have a decor crush on his lovely home too. Check out his Los Angeles house tour here via CBS.com. His kitchen looks fabulous even though he says he doesn't do much cooking—instead he says the kitchen is the place he "orders food delivered." In the CBS interview he talks about the difference between a house and a home. He also chats about adopting his shelter dog Einstein, the importance of friendships, his family, his famous aunt Rosemary Clooney, politics, and the Academy Awards to be held this weekend. If you missed his dreamy I-can't-watch-it-enough TV commercial where he gets hitched, check it out here.

So many of Clooney's films are my favorites: Ides of March, The Descendants, and Up in the Air. On a personal note, as a shelter dog adoption counselor, I love the fact George adopted a shelter dog. 

Here's the interview tour of Clooney's house via CBS.com.

Photos: images from the CBS.com home tour.

DIY: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps

If you're like me, then you probably have a box or two (or three!) of fabric scraps you wish you could use in handmade projects because you love them so! PortabelloPixie blogger and fabric designer Sandi Henderson comes to the rescue with her book Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps. The book includes chapters with projects for the kitchen, bed and bath, children, party, crafts, and adults. My favorite projects are the party lights using fabric scraps with lantern lights, the Mary Jane slippers, and the tattered rose headband.

Images: Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps.

Happy Thoughts from Winnie the Pooh

Hello, Friends! Seems like only yesterday I started blogging, but this is my 1,000th Momathon Blog post. Wow! I decided to post a happy thought to remember this week. Enjoy your day. And remember to take a friend to lunch too!

 

Image: Wisdom by Winnie the Pooh. Art by me, Chris Olson. The role of Pooh played by the handmade and much-loved Honey Bear. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

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More reasons to love books:

The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

The 25 Most Beautiful College Libraries in the World

On My Desk Today: Castles, Crowns, and Frilly Things

Thinking about castles, crowns, and frilly things. Here is what’s on my art studio desk today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection. 

And, yes, I really do wear that tiarra! It's very effective in getting the attention of my kids.

It's almost the weekend. Looking for some DIY inspiration? Check out my book reviews--loads of photos--featuring a selection of decorating books here. 

DIY: Sewing Projects for a Handmade Weekend

Designer and blogger Heather Ross includes a variety of lovely "weekend" sewing projects for you, your kids, and your home in her book Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching. Some projects will only take a couple of hours to make, others are a bit more lengthy. Her pullout patterns in the back of the book make this book very sew-friendly! The step-by-step illustrations for how to sew the projects are adorable and useful. She even includes a handy "Sewing Basics" section and a comprehensive resources section.

If you like to sew for little ones, Ross dedicates an entire section to sewing for kids--including  Ruby's Bloomers, Smocked Sundress, Kai's Shirt, Patchwork-Trimmed Baby Blanket, Huck Finn Pants, Flower Girl Dress, and Lucy's Kimono. 

Here is a sampling of a few more of her sewing projects to make home decor and clothing for adults: Everything Tote, Fat Quarter Napkins, Guest-Room Slippers, Weekend-Away Travel Bag, Quick Garden Gloves, All-Weekend Sundress, Town Bag, Summer Blouse, Pajamas For Everyone, and a Kimono Dress. You can download her Quick Garden Gloves Pattern on her blog here. And you can follow Ross on Twitter here: @HRossTweets. If you want to attend one of her workshops, here's the link.

Time for me to return to my sewing machine. But first, maybe I need to whip up her recipe for Vanilla Ice Cream with Vermont Maple Syrup. Hope you are inspired to sew too. 

 

Pinterest: How to Pin Favorite Websites Using the Pin It Button

Finding an image on a website to share on Pinterest is addicting. And pinning that recipe or photo or illustration is super easy if you have the  helpful "Pin It" goodie provided by Pinterest. This button does two important things:

• The Pin It button allows you to grab an image from any website and add it to one of your pinboards—just make sure you are grabbing it from the ORIGINAL source. In other words, when you pin a recipe, make sure the website is the one that created the recipe. (More about this below.)
• When you see something amazing on a website and want to pin it, the Pin It button automatically grabs the source link so you can credit the original—to do this the linked website should be the original source.

The step-by-step directions for getting the Pin It button and adding it to your Bookmarks bar make installing this helpful goodie a snap. You can find the directions here. 

 

 

LinkWithLove explains in their recent "Dear Pinterest" post why it is so important for Pinterest users to link to the original source because there is a person behind every piece of art, photo, or recipe and that creative person deserves to get credit. Find out more about savvy pinning here via the super savvy Kal Barteski.

MORE Pinterest Goodies

Pinterest offers a variety of other goodies including:

• Follow Button for Websites (Similar to a Twitter or Facebook follow button, add this button to your blog in a post or add it to the sidebar) 
• Pin It Button for Websites (Readers can use this to pin your images on your blog onto Pinterest)

 

12 Unexpected Love Songs on My Playlist

Here are 12 favorite—but not so typical—love songs on my playlist. It's a perfect soundtrack for  a wedding, or Valentine's Day or an anniversary. Oh yeah, I added a few alternative songs if romance is the last thing on your list. Enjoy. xo, Chris

Click on the links and you can hear the songs in iTunes preview:

• Have I Told You Lately That I Love You - Van Morrison - Still On Top
• All You Need Is Love - The Beatles: 1
• I Will Always Love You - Whitney - The Greatest Hits
• Love Is Here to Stay - Harry Connick, Jr.: When Harry Met Sally
• You're the First, the Last, My Everything - Barry White:  Can't Get Enough
• You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection
• She - Sound-a-like Cover - A Tribute to Notting Hill
• Wherever You Will Go - The Calling: Camino Palmero
• Running Around In My Dreams - Tyrone Wells: Metal & Wood
• Have a Little Faith in Me - John Hiatt: Greatest Hits - The A&M Years '87-'94
• L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole
• The Time of Times - Badly Drawn Boy: Born In the UK

 And then some totally love-ly but unromantic heart songs:

• Free Me - Joss Stone: Colour Me Free
• Strip Me - Natasha Bedingfield: Strip Me
• Love Song - Sara Bareilles: Little Voice
• Rolling in the Deep - Adele:  21

Image: DATE NIGHT artwork above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Valentine Doodle: All You Need Is Love

 

Hello, friends. Hope your Valentine's Day is filled with sweet surprises because you're simply the best!

(Valentine doodle art by me, Chris Olson.)

Free Printable Gift Tags: English and French Sayings

Hello, friends. Handmade tags are wonderful to have on hand to attach to a gift so today I'm offering a free printable gift tag file for you to download. The digital PDF file includes 9 designs I created. Great for packaged gifts--and several tags with a L-O-V-E theme are perfect for Valentines. The 3" x 2" tags include the following sayings in a versatile graphite hue font: happy birthday, cheers, to, and I love you. Plus these sayings in French:  bonjour, je t'aime, and l'amour. The Valentine-y tags also have light pink hearts. The back side of the tags is left blank for you to write on.

All you need is the PDF file, 8.5"x11" card stock paper, a printer, hole punch. To attach the tags to a gift use ribbon, yarn, or twine. You can also embellish the cards with glitter. I added a hint of pink glitter to the hearts after I printed them.

Here is a link to the PDF file that you may download and print. Please use these for personal use only. Thanks!

Sweet things: Handmade cards that build confidence and pride

Spread a little love with these handmade cards created by adults with intellectual disabilities. 

The card featured above is one of a series of designs featuring a unique paper folding design that adds texture and color. Many of the  cards feature a silhouette of a variety of dog breeds and cats. I especially love the doxie card above as well as the poodle designs. The cards are made by a super talented group of adults at Chrestomathy , an organization that specializes in creatively providing work opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.

If you are interested in the cards, email Kara Townsend, the vocational coordinator at Chrestomathy. 

 

Breakfast club

 

My morning cuppa joe wouldn't be the same without my friends.

Photos by me, Chris Olson.

Wordless Wednesday: A teeny tiny world in stop motion video

 

 
Nokia 'Dot'

What happens in a microscopic stop motion adventure? Well, it's strange and beautiful--a sea of pencil shavings, a flower parachute, and knitting needle nails. If you like Wallace and Gromit videos, you'll enjoy this clever video by Sumo Science. 

Nokia 'Dot' from Sumo Science on Vimeo.

 

Photos: Screenshots from the lovely Nokia 'Dot' by Sumo Science.

DIY: Handmade Heart Pin

Create my handmade heart pin to add some Valentine bling. Or attach the heart to a postcard. For this easy craft I use felt as the heart structure and add embellishments using embroidery thread, beads, more felt hearts, sequins, and even recycled jewelry. The dark pink heart uses medium-size pearl beads from a favorite bracelet that unfortunately broke one day. Instead of throwing away all those adorable beads I add a few here and there to craft projects. Easy peasy! See the complete directions below.

Step-by-step directions below.

Brrr! It's cold outside

 

Time to  build a nest or play outdoors?

 

Photos by me, Chris Olson.

Feed your creative soul with the craft book Weekend Handmade

Turn your weekend into a creative weekend with a copy of Weekend Handmade featuring more than 40 projects and ideas for inspired living. Written by Kelly Wilkinson of the popular Make grow gather blog, the book includes an eclectic mix of projects in three sections: "Make offers projects to wear or decorate with; Grow presents projects inspired by gardens, fields, and farmers markets; and Gather spotlights projects that enrich casual get-togethers." You can find out how to make Kelly's Pressed Floral Luminaria project below.

What I like about this book:

• variety of craft skills covering paper crafts, sewing, gardening/outdoors
• each project includes step-by-step directions illustrated with splendid photos and line drawings
• can be completed in a few hours or over the course of a weekend
• unique "weekend" project ideas make this perfect book for both the experienced crafter and newbies
• useful resource section at the end of the book

Here are a few of my favorite page spreads from the book: 

Winter Blossom Cowl

Adas Story Box

Botanical Note Cards

Bohemian Necklace

DIY Gift: Rose and Grapefruit Oil Bath Salts

 

Looking for a fun gift to give your mom, sister or a friend on Valentines? Give the gift of pampering with this easy DIY gift you can make at home.  I have several recipes for bath salts, but I like this one best from Martha Stewart's magazine Whole Living. Stewart got the recipe from Bettijo Hirschi, founder of Bath by Bettijo. I also like the bath salt and shower scrub recipe by Kelly Wilkinson in her book I reviewed. (In Kelly's book she also shows you how to make a lovely label for the bath salts jar.)

The recipe below is similar to Martha's recipe, I made some changes to make it easy for you to whip up a batch with your kids helping. Also, remember some bath salts can irritate young children's skin, so this is not to be used in a child's bath.

Rose and Grapefruit Oil Bath Salts

Ingredients to make approximate 2-3 jars of bath salts:

• 4 cups sea salt (or kosher salt)
• 1 cup Epsom salts
• 1 cup baking soda (optional)
• 3/4 cup dried rose--or calendula, citrus rinds
• 2-3 drops soap coloring (optional)
• 3/4 tsp. grapefruit essential oil--or bergamot oil
• 2 or 3 air-tight jars like a mason jar to hold bath salts and labels or tags

(Note: This recipe makes a large amount. If you want to make a smaller amount, just divide this recipe in half)

Directions

1. Combine the dry ingredients: sea salt, epsom salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl or a large ziplock baggie. 

NOTE: If you are doing this with kids, try mixing it up in a large ziplock baggie. Seal it tightly! And knead it.

2. Add essential oils (This is the fun part--pick the scents you like best!).

3. Add petals or citrus.

4. Let the mixture rest. After it rests for an hour or two, check to see if the scent is what you wanted. If you want to add scent, only add ONE drop at a time, then let it rest and check it again.

5. Divide the mixture into air-tight jars. Attach a label

How to use the bath salts: Just add one or three spoonfuls to the bath.

Polka dots, flowers, and best friends

 

Hope you are having a lovely weekend. I'm thinking about sweet things as I plan some projects for the next week. Happy things like polka dots, a dog sitting at my feet and a pink bouquet always get my artistic juices flowing. What about you. What is your muse?

(Art by me, Chris Olson)

Dogs in the kitchen

My three dogs love to gather around me in the kitchen. Maybe they are waiting for table scraps. Or maybe they just like to be with me. We always have fun and my floor stays pretty clean thanks to my little helpers. I know my puppies would love the amazing dog nook and table featured in the photo from the Dogasaur blog.

Photo Dogasaur blog.

 

Recipe: Sugar Bliss Lip Scrub

 

Winter seems to do a number on my skin and my lips. In the morning when I put on layer after layer of my favorite lip gloss, my lips feel great for a while, but the flakiness always returns.The only trick I've found to restore my lips is a homemade lip scrub. 

If you are longing for the days when your lips felt soft and smooth, then try this homemade lip scrub to make your lips ultra kissable. The sugar in the recipe exfoliates and softens your lips and the Vaseline moisturizes and soothes your lips.

Recipe: Sugar Bliss Lip Scrub

• Moisturize your lips generously with Vaseline or generic petroleum jelly.
• Add a tsp. of sugar into a small bowl.
• Lightly moisten your finger in water and dip it into the sugar.
• Apply sugar to both the upper and lower lips with your finger. Gently rub the sugar into the Vaseline for about 30 seconds in a circular motion and you will remove the dry, flaky skin.
• Rinse off your lips with warm (not cold) water. Dry off your lips and add your favorite lip gloss or lipstick.

(Lip photo by Apdk on Flickr) 

Eight essential friends we all need

 


I have a group of close friends I can count on. Each friendship is unique and that's what makes my life better--and even healthier. Your definition of a good friend is as personal as you are. Now with friendships multiplying quickly on Facebook, the number of "friends" you can have is sometimes overwhelming. Of course, my friends on Facebook are important, but those personal friends I can call anytime, about anything, end up being the ones that make the biggest difference in my life.

New research has found certain friendship traits more satisfying. In fact, according to Prevention.com, a 10-year study of older people in Australia found "satisfying friendships predict longevity better than even close family ties, and they can protect against obesity, depression, and heart disease, among other health problems."

So what types of friendships are beneficial? According to the research, the following 8 types of friends improve your life and especially your health.

1) Childhood friend
2) New friend
3) Workout friend
4) Spiritual friend
5) Younger friend
6) Your partner's friends
7) Your mom
8) Yourself

(Photo collage: by me, Chris Olson)