A New Camera

I have a confession to make.

Not only have I been blogging less lately because of the business of life, but also because my three-year-old canon point and shoot camera died a few months ago. I'd been using other family cameras in the meantime, but haven't liked any of them.

But, as an answer to prayer, my two Etsy shops have been busy these past few months and paid for my new camera.
 It's a Canon Eos Digital Rebel XS, recommended by a friend. The price for all the features I get are perfect and I'm enjoying photography with a dslr! Here are some random photos from the past few days since I've my camera has arrived. These are all completely un-edited - straight from the camera! :)

I have an obsession with photographing food and making it look mouthwatering-ly scrumptious! Pictures are of Summer Tomato Salad, Cheese Biscuits, and Watermelon, a few of our favorite summer dishes!

We had the opportunity to babysit sweet Rachel and her older sister and brother for a few hours last week. She was a little shy at first but soon warmed up and enjoyed her time. Rachel will be a big sister to twin sisters soon and I'm excited about the opportunity to photograph them!

The table loaded with sweet goodies at a recent baby shower

Brothers!

Another Giveaway!

I'm participating in another giveaway as a vendor right now! This giveaway is hosted by another Ellie Bean Model Boutique Partner, 2 Peas Boutique. Do check out her shop - 2 Peas Boutique. She offers some lovely hats, headbands, bows, and other accessories, and you may just recognize some of the sweet little models! :)

To enter the giveaway, featuring many other photographers and boutiques, you'll want to check out Breanna's Facebook Fan Page and follow the instructions. I'm offering one of these adorable froggie hats to the winner!

Ten Sewing Machine Repair 'Do’s and Don’ts':

These all come from very personal experience and, if followed, will give you a pleasant time with your sewing machine.

1. DO NOT skewer your finger on the needle of said sewing machine while repairing.

2. DO NOT oil machine while it is on. IF you do, turn it off when you see the thin wisp of smoke rising from hot wires.

3. DO NOT work on sewing machines without an apron, or your clothes will be your apron. The stains will linger long.

4. Oiling generously DOES NOT mean emptying half a bottle of sewing machine oil into said machine.

5. Sewing machine repair in a darkly lit basement without a flashlight IS NOT a good idea.

6. IF you are going to cut yourself on any part of the machine, DO make sure it is not rusty first.

7. IF your thread jams and breaks while sewing, DO check that you have threaded the machine correctly instead of assuming the timing is off.

8. When repairing machines for others, always DO make one final check to make sure everything is working before giving it back.

9. DO carry sewing machines back and forth between houses as little as possible. The older the machine, the heavier it is – usually!

10. When adjusting timing, DO check to make sure that the screw you are loosening is not the thread guide screw. You will spend a long time getting it back in.