Light Box-ness

A while ago I finally made a light box/tent (whatever you want to call it) using this tutorial and have been meaning to post about it.  I've been meaning to make one for a while, but never did even though I had all of the supplies.

Turns out, it was pretty easy.  Eventually I'd like to invest in some better lighting, but the daylight bulbs and clamp lamps did the job for now!  So, here it is, in all of its cardboard glory....

I went a little crazy testing out backgrounds (8.5x11 sheets of paper) and photographing different objects.  There had to be about 1,000 pictures when I was done.  Here are just a few below...

Some antique Italian chandelier crystals that I have sitting around, waiting to be used for something...

The charm bracelet I will be wearing on my wedding day that my mom gave me for my 18th birthday.  I add charms to it whenever I get to travel.

My favorites so far are the hot pink and bright blue backgrounds.  It's amazing what you can do with a cardboard box and some lightbulbs!  Oh, and a little bit of help from Photoshop (only a little, I promise).

DIY: Easy Circle Garland Tutorial

With my wedding coming up in April, I've been planning and testing out so many DIY decoration projects.  This was a little test run I did to make sure my idea of sewing the circle garland together (instead of gluing/taping) would work.. . and it did!  So easy and inexpensive and would be so great at any party. 

Enjoy!

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What you will need:

- Sewing machine

- Scissors

- Paper (the number of sheets is up to you)

- Matching thread

- Pencil

- Several objects with circular shaped bottoms of varying sizes (jars, canned food, etc)

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Step 1: Trace the bottoms of your circular shaped objects onto the paper

Step 2: Cut out the circles you traced  Tip: I found it was easiest to stack pieces of paper on top of each other while I cut, that way I'd be cutting out multiple circles at once (stacked paper shown in the 3rd photo).

Step 3: Keep cutting, cutting, cutting...  There's no set number on how many circles to cut out, it just depends on how long of a garland you want to make.  I definitely cut out way more than pictured below...

Step 4: Make sure you have your sewing machine set to a long stitch length (I set mine on 4).. A short stitch length could cause the paper to tear as you sew it.

Step 5: Pass your first paper circle under the presser foot, making sure to sew a straight line....

Step 6: Once the circle has come out from under the presser foot, continue letting your machine sew while gently pulling the paper circle out the back of your machine (3rd picture below).  This thread will be what sews your whole garland together..

Step 7: Once you feel that there is enough spacing for your next circle, go ahead and pass the next paper circle through the machine...  It's up to you how much spacing you want between each circle on your garland.  Personally, I varied the spacing and also alternated circle sizes to mix it up a little.  Keep repeating this over and over and over over over over over (you get the idea) until you run out of circles.

Step 8: After you sew through your last circle, continue to let the machine sew, to create a string for tying at the end of the garland.

Step 9: Cut the end thread to detach the garland and you're done!  So easy....  Now go hang it up somewhere!