Tag! I'm it

My good friend, Amy tagged me yesterday, 

and I'm game, so here we go. 

Here are the rules:
*Post these rules.
*You must post 11 random things about yourself.
*Answer the questions set for you in their post.
*Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
*Go to their blog or facebook page and tell them you’ve tagged them.

So here we go with ELEVEN Random Things About Me:
1. I am the youngest girl in my family, 

although I am the tallest girl in all of my family and extended family.
2. In high school I ran my fastest mile ever, 5:32. (There is no possible way I could run that now)
3. I dance to music in my head while I am making dinner, or any food for that matter.
4. My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for over 2 1/2 years.
5. I desperately want to live overseas.
6. I like to jump off cliffs, into water of course! 
7. When I start to read a book, I don't do anything else until that book is finished. 

So I read, really fast.
8. I wear a size 10 shoe, I am shocked and amazed when I fit into a 9 1/2! I usually buy them. Just 'cause.
9. The most expensive item of clothing I have is probably my big winter coat, which was $50. 

And now we live in the desert, so I don't use it!
10. I never ditched high school. What a nerd!
11. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Okay now for the questions that Amy asked me:

Favorite Book? I'm going to say, A Series of Unfortunate Events, the whole series,

it got me to like books again. 
Weights or Cardio? Cardio
What is your biggest fear? Not being able to help my daughter when she needs me.
What is your favorite TV show? White Collar, just watch it, you'll understand.
What is your favorite food? Goldfish
What is your most beloved item? I think it might be a tie between my sewing machine and camera.
What is your favorite gift to yourself? Fabric, expensive fabric.
What is your favorite drink? Cream Soda
What would be your dream job? A fashion designer 
What is your least favorite vegetable? Carrots
What is your favorite memory? Anything that involves my family. We're an obnoxious bunch,

and we don't always get along, but we always have a blast together. 

Here are some questions:

What couldn't you live without?

What's your favorite project you have worked on?

What's your guilty pleasure?

Your most embarrassing moment?

What would be your dream job?

Biggest pet peeve?

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Do you have any unusual talents?

Whats your favorite gift to yourself?

Your favorite place to shop?

Favorite movie?

I tag, 

Tricia, from Leafy Tree Top Spot

Alli, from Ella Mae Designs

Maryanne, from Scrappy Gifts

and do you know what...

any of my followers that want to join in the fun too!

P.S. Go check out these awesome ladies! 

They are amazing! 

Photography Hack

I think many of us are aspiring photographers. Just admit it. 

But let's be honest, 

who can really afford a backdrop?

Seriously? 

They are like $100-$300. 

That's just for the backdrop, don't forget about the flooring, 

and the baseboards, and the lights, blah blah blah.....

The list is long....

Well, to make this long story short, I was at the dollar store the other day, 

and well I found these...

Contact paper! Apparently, people use this for lining in cabinets and such,

but the clear stuff, I use for laminating. 

There is so many uses for contact paper!

I have seen wood print contact paper at WalMart too, but $8...

GA! I'm so cheap. 

Anyway, I saw this and my brain got turning. 

I remembered I had this roll of paper.... I know!

(Oh you guys are going to love me!!)

I'm going to make some backdrops. 

Oh yeah!

I stared with the edges, and lined it up as best as I could. 

If you just leave the contact paper on the roll and pull the flimsy white stuff off slowly, 

you shouldn't get any bubbles. 

Just go slow and a few inches at a time. 

Then I went down the center.

All done! 

Here's the rundown:

12 rolls of contact paper

White Paper on hand

which made 2 backdrops

and 2 flooring drops

Total: $12

I just saved myself over $500!

I call that a win.

Here are the backdrops in action!

Please excuse what my daughter is wearing and her hair, oh, and the rubber band.

I let her get dressed by herself, and I was too lazy to tame that wild mane!

See how awesome! I don't have any baseboards, but I just couldn't wait to show you!

Looks pretty good right?

If you look closely you can see where the pattern doesn't line up, but come on $3??

There is a downside to them, 

but I think it would be the same with professional backdrops, 

they need to be completely flat. 

As you can see by my daughters feet, 

that is where the tile changes to carpet, so there's a tiny bump. 

I don't find this a huge deal for what I paid for them.

Also, the light green backdrop, 

if the background is in focus, 

you can see the lines, where is over laps. 

Again, I don't find this a big deal, I'll just blur the backgrounds!

Easy!

My 1st Portraits

You might remember this post about my new lens:

Well, I got to take some portraits the other day, 

and I had a blast! 

I think she did too. 

I heard Sheri talking with her sister, 

saying she looked hot in the pictures. 

So I guess, job well done!

I didn't get paid, for this, I am just learning.

I am just experimenting with this new lens, 

and gaining experience. 

Here are some before and afters:

 

I really didn't do much editing, 

I, personally, am not a big fan, 

of extremely edited pictures....

At least for portraits. 

So what do you think of my first try?