I'm Really a Digital Photography Newbie

I know it might sound weird, because I've been using a digital camera for at least 10 years now, but I am truly a newbie when it comes to digital photography. I used to just be a "point and shoot girl", but now with a brand new camera, and my youngest brother's wedding coming up (where I have been asked to be the photographer), I am really digging and delving into whatever I can find online that will help me learn how to take amazing photos.

DPS, or Digital Photography School, has quickly become one of my favorite places to learn. I'm no techie by any means. I STRUGGLE with technology! (I still have a Motorola Razr cell phone, even though Papa Bear asked me if I wanted to upgrade and update.) I'm not the kind of girl who can read through a manual and just "get it". I have to learn by doing, and by making mistakes, and by accidentally coming up with something fantastic!

Here are some of the photos I've taken recently, with the help of some great gems I've picked up from DPS, and from my friend Julie:





So, what do you think? I'm sure having fun, and I'll be posting more photos as I learn more!

Have a blessed day in Christ,

Mama Bear

I'm "Sew" Into Quilting Right Now

In February, a friend from church started a monthly quilting class for those who want to learn to quilt. In the group (The Soul Stitchers), there are first time sew-ers, experienced sew-ers (like me), and even an experienced quilter. We are putting together one block a month for 12 months. This has really inspired me to do some quilting. Mind you, it's baby quilts that I'm working on. I haven't quite gotten the nerve to do a large quilt, although, I have been working on a quilt for Papa Bear and myself since oh, about 2004!!! It's a simple work in progress. It will get done, but most likely, I will not try to take on the actual quilting of that one. I will gladly PAY to have someone else quilt it!

Well, since I've been so inspired, I wanted to show off my first "quilted and binded (bound???)" quilt (the captions go with the photos above each caption):

The fabric I used.

The front of the quilt, before adding the side strips.

Marking the quilt with lines for quilting (a very LONG process for me!)

A closeup of the "line-marking" process.

The quilted front.

The quilted back.

The finished product! I purchased the binding on Etsy.com from Shasta Creations. YAY! I truly believe that I will learn to make my own binding some day, but until then, I am glad to purchase it. I have no problem with that at all. In fact, I am working on a second quilt now, and I will be purchasing the binding from the same Etsy shop.

The finished back. OOPS! I forgot to rotate the photo. The stripe actually goes horizontally.

I will be back, to show you my next quilt, which is ready for the quilting right now.

Have a blessed day in Christ!

Mama Bear