Matryoshka Dolls 101

I have enjoyed all of the guessing that has gone on regarding my most recent "creation". Many of you know that the Mr. and I are adopting... but do you know from where? Okay, this is a little hint as to where our "lil' one" is going to be from... however, it's not Russia! They tell us in preparation of bringing that "lil" one home, to get to know the country's culture and traditions and I've been trying my best. Part of that, involves folkart... and that's where this new creation comes in.

This country is best known for, Pysanky, brightly colored and decorated eggs and also Matryoshka dolls (similar to Russian nesting dolls). Since I didn't feel like painting something tiny and delicate, and because I found this random piece of particle board by the garbage and couldn't see it going to waste, I had the Mr. cut out the shape of a Matryoshka doll and went to town.. painting.

Awhile back, I said that I would probably end up painting/using my chalkboard paint in EVERY room of the house, because I hold it that near and dear to my heart. I started by painting this cutout with the chalkboard paint... and then took it from there. I added some acrylic paint on top of the chalkboard, just to brighten it up.

Try not to paint the kitty that perches his body on your project... I told you, he's ALL up in my business lately... perhaps he's already getting jealous of all the attention that future "lil Davis" is getting? Or perhaps he's trying to get me ready for how it'll be when there is a "lil" one running around while I want to craft!

Try the chalkboard out... personalize it...

Might I add... SUPER EASY... and our lil' one is going to have a "one of a kind" chalkboard that'll remind them of where they came from...

Follow the Leader...

Okay, apparently my cat, Runyan, wanted to play "follow the leader" today... wherever I went... he followed. This happens all day long whenever I'm in the house... you think he loves me much? I think he does.

** Also, you guys are CRACKING me up over the ideas from this post... I'd have to say Richard is the closest so far, just because he said it's something for the kid's room. I'll post on that creation soon enough, if I can ever get my cat to leave me alone!**

Life's Greatest Blessings...

They say that the love of a family is life's greatest blessings... and that is certainly the case with this beautiful family I had the pleasure of photographing. It was such a hot/humid morning, but you can't even tell by the way they were smiling for me... such troopers. Also, check out the barefeet... they are MY kind of people! Enjoy the photos as much as I have enjoyed taking them...

Making Something Out Of Nothing...

Hmm... I wonder what this will be? Okay, okay... I KNOW what it will be, but you don't. Take a stab at it... I dare you. In fact, the first person to guess correctly "might" just win a little something something...

I totally hear your wheels turning in your head, all the way over here in Korea!

Bohemian Tote

The other day I picked up this wonderful fabric at my "Happy Place" and I made a cute tote bag out of it. It'll be up in the shop today- first come, first serve! Let me know what you think, and if you want to see more of these. SOLD!

Unexpected Reaction

I recently ate eggplant... and it did a body NOT so good... This was my second bad reaction to it, so I'm guessing that it might be some sort of strange allergy. Also, did you know it grew like this? I didn't... but when I went for a walk the other day and saw my neighbors gardens, I found some and was fixated on how it grew. Unfortunately, I won't be eating it anytime soon. My neighbors can keep it ALL to themselves!

All in the details...

Okay, so I'm ALWAYS trying to find props to use for photo sessions these days. It's the new "thing" to me, because I find that "details" make or break a photo. I recently had a maternity session, and wanted to bring something along to add that "fun" element, since we were shooting inside. I love a little playful/whimsy look... and it was tough, thinking about the RIGHT thing to create. I went upstairs into my sewing/crafting room... and looked around at all my junk goodies and figured, I can try and make my own paper bunting. Bunting, listen up men that read my blog...yeah I know there's a few of you , for those that don't know, is usually made with fabric and ribbon, looks like a bunch of flags lined up and hanging together. I'm just now realizing, how horrible I am at describing things. So, maybe you can check out this cute tutorial from Martha.

First things first... pick out your paper that you want to use. And stencil on, letters that spell out whatever you want your bunting to say. Since my client was having a girl, I stenciled out "girl".

Next, you'll want to cut out those letters, and stick to your patterned paper in any which way that you want... I used double stick tape to do the job. I cut out the letters on the patterned paper, in a circular shape, using some decorative scissors... but the sky's the limit... you can make rectangles, stars, flags, etc. Once you have them cut out, add some ribbon holes at the top of each, and string on to your ribbon. Easy peezy!

On another note... I'm constantly looking for great photo props... and if you're a crafter and have a shop (etsy, big cartel, etc.) or know of anyone that might be interested... I'd LOVE to try out your/their product and use in a photo shoot and post/feature you on this blog. Please contact me if you're interested: kdaviscreates@yahoo.com

Brown Paper Packages...

I'm pretty sure that everyone has had a "penpal" at some point in their lives, right? Well, I decided to participate in a package swap this summer, that this adorable blog was hosting, and was paired up with a lovely military spouse stationed in Germany, The "Sometimes Single" Mom.

It was so much fun to shop for... and so much fun to receive a gift in the mail! These are some of the goodies that my "swap pal" sent me...

Just the sight of the packages had me super excited... unfortunately the small one didn't make it. It was demolished in Japan at one of the military bases. But, it was the thought that counts, right?

All my "goodies"...

Worth the Wait pt. 3

This will be my closing post of that "adorable" lovey dovey couple that I recently photographed. Have I mentioned in the previous posts how cute they are?!? They call eachother, "Handsome" and "Lovely"... and ADORE one another. Seriously, what an awesome couple. When "handsome" proposed to "lovely", there was a picnic involved, while the sun was setting. So, of course I HAD to recreate that for them as the last part of our photo session! Enjoy these last few...

Brown Thumb vs. Green Thumb

We have had so much rain in the past few weeks (thanks to monsoon season)... but the last few days, have actually been hot, humid, and the sun is shining! I just want to share the difference between me (a brown thumb gardener) and my neighbors (amazing green thumb gardeners)...

{my poor lavenders are dead... pretty sure they were like this before the rain came}

Now let's walk down the street and see how all this rain and sunshine has had an effect on my neighbor's gardens...

Man, oh man... I can only wish to have as "green" of a thumb as these folks have! Any tips would be greatly appreciated...

This is how I roll..

This is how I roll these days... rain or shine... It's monsoon season over here, and my sister sent me a pair of rain boots/wellies for my birthday. They came at JUST the right time. However, there's a theory I'm working with... If I don't wear them out, it POURS BUCKETS (still drying my sandals from an outing Friday afternoon)... If I wear them, the sun shines! I can NEVER win... so, from today forth, I will wear these, until I feel confident with what the weather guesser predicts! (Oh, and today, when I wore them, the sun shined...)

Yes, I shaved my legs... just for Y-O-U!

Worth The Wait pt. 2

After hanging around and snapping away in the "downtown"... we headed out to my house for some cute bike photos. What did I tell you... that I love bikes? Yes, please. The Mr. and I acquired two Dutch lovelies when we were living in Germany... and yes, we ride them... but one worked really well as a photo prop for this session. Couldn't resist!