Happy Mug Visits The Library

Early this year I joined an online photography group that challenged members with a different assignment each week. It was fun and I looked forward to it. It forced me to try new things with my camera and got me out of the house during the cold winter months.  Recently while going through my photos from earlier this year I remembered the assignment starting January 23rd. It was "Composition Contrast" meaning have your subject in an unusual environment. I decided my happy mug would be a good subject and stashed it in my purse while visiting the library.  Here are the results:

As I look back at these images I recognize how bad the lighting was, and some other technical issues I'm not pleased about but it is part of the learning curve.

This website no longer does these types of assignments. Too bad - I really enjoyed them.  I've tried a couple of others, but they haven't been nearly as much fun. Maybe I should start one myself!

Photo frame; Greeting cards; Photo transfer onto glass

Finally getting around to sharing a few more crafts I've had fun with.

First up is a photo frame for my new grandson Ben.  I really enjoy working with plastic canvas.

Plastic canvas; embroidery floss; beads

I've also been finding more patterns to make "Iris Folded Greeting Cards".  I have two new friends from Bowling that are celebrating their birthday next week.  They are both named "Barb" and were born on exactly the same day.  One is 11 hours older and of course the younger one keeps reminding her of that! Anyway I wanted to personalize a birthday card for each and because one enjoys jigsaw puzzles and the other opera I came up with these.

"It's a puzzle to me...how do you stay so young?"

Sidney Opera House

Then, I saw something about transferring photos to glass and investigated a bit further.  The process is not hard and I really like the results:

• Need black and white photos - with lots of contrast!
• Must be copied or printed on a laser printer (ink jet won't work)
• Reduce in size to fit on clear packing tape with a little border of tape on top and bottom
• After photo is placed on tape; press down using a credit card or ruler several times to aid transfer
• Soak the taped photo in warm water for two or three minutes
• Peal off the paper - you may need to rub a bit...
• Let tape dry until sticky again (don't blot with paper towel or napkin!)
• Wrap tape on your item of choice

I chose glass candle holders.  One of them was frosted so the photo didn't come out real sharp but still worked.  I read the tape may come off if item gets wet like in a dish washer, so keep that in mind if you decide to do this to drinking glasses or a vase.

Passion Flower lit with a tea candle

Larger candle holder with a votive