2011 May | I Should Be Folding Laundry

Archive for May 2011 – Page 3

In the news (plus a giveaway!)

Monday, May 16th, 2011

By Beth

Updated (GIVEAWAY CLOSED): The winner of the print from June Afternoons is Nikole! Congratulations!

Well, I guess when I say “news” I don’t actually mean CNN, I just mean, “In my head.”

I wanted to come here and talk to you guys about the point of my pregnancy I’m in but time is not allowing me to do that right now. But I did want to stop in and tell you a few other important things.

First:

If you live in Northwest Indiana (or the surrounding area, of course) I am hosting Father’s Day Mini Sessions on June 4th. The idea is that I’m taking Mom (You!) from behind the camera and photographing you with your kids as a special gift to your husband for Father’s Day.

I am only scheduling six 30 minute sessions, only four remain. Also, I updated the design of my BFP blog, so head over and check it out. It looks extra pretty!

Second:

Remember my cute photography project June Afternoons? Well, since we’ve met and exceeded our goal for Team James and Jake, I’ve decided to begin donating to the victims of the floods and tornadoes that have affected so many in the United States this spring. If you head over, you’ll see that all proceeds from the sales from this shop go directly to just that. I believe I have found an organization where I can purchase baby food, diapers, canned goods, etc and ship directly to this organization and they will distribute, as needed. (still investigating) Any remaining funds will be donated to the American Red Cross. Please keep in mind that I do not receive any profit from this project, it’s something I’m doing so I can help. (for the March of Dimes, I was able to donate over $700 from this shop. This after the cost of listing, shipping, supplies and printing.)

Also, I just listed these postcards. I have two sets, in stock, ready to ship. Last time I had a set, I posted them on twitter and they sold in four minutes. So, I’m sharing with all of you first. (because you’re my favorites)

And finally, I’ve decided to give away a print from June Afternoons.

This print is an 8×10, a beautiful photo taken by THE Lisa Leonard. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Just head over to the shop and tell me, in the comments of this post, which print is your favorite. That’s it! I’ll choose the winner, randomly, tomorrow evening. Comments close on Tuesday, May 17th and the print will ship on Wednesday!

Tweeting or Facebooking about this giveway will earn you extra entries! Just leave the link in a separate comment, in order for that entry to count!

Good luck and happy browsing!

(please don’t say “pick me,” saying that will earn you a time out.)

Categories: Beth Fletcher Photography, Friendly, Giveaways, June Afternoons

Friday Morning Coffee

Friday, May 13th, 2011

By Beth

Hi friends.

This one will be a quickie. I’m actually sitting on bed in a hotel in downtown Chicago. It’s a plush bed, the kind with all white bedding. It’s very comfortable. I’m here. Alone. Listening to the Avett Brothers, rollers in my hair, makeup done, I have to pack up soon before a limo comes to pick me up.

Yesterday, I had a prenatal massage, it lasted nearly an hour. It was super dreamy. Last night, I had dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant where they serve all patrons a glass of wine upon meeting your waiter because it’s customary to toast at every meal. It was wonderful.

I’m lucky enough to be in Chicago in a room next to Stephanie, yesterday, we were able to visit Anthropologie which is quite simply good for my soul

I feel like I’m writing about some sort of dream I had but this is real life. I’ll fill you in briefly here but more later. I’m working with Serta, you know the mattresses people with the cute sheep. I feel really lucky to be here, as a trusted blogger, I feel grateful that they wanted to form a partnership with me. This is a pretty big deal but I promise, one of my lucky readers will be as lucky as me, soon.

TRUST. ME.

I’ll be back with more details about this trip and some photos, of course. But for now? I need to remove these rollers from my hair and get packing.

Happy Friday, friends!

Categories: Friday Morning Coffee

Photo garland

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

By Beth

I had a friendly reader request a tutorial on the photo garland I created for Eli’s Birthday.

I especially love this garland because it was purely my idea and not something I saw online. But mostly I love it because it’s so simple to do that it’s nearly embarrassing. But that’s how my crafting rolls. If it ain’t easy? I get it off Etsy. Am I right or am I right?

With all of my babies, during their first year, I took a photo of them on the day of the month they were born through 12 months next to a little stuffed animal. With Eli’s first year photos, I printed them out, at home, about 45 minutes before the party.

photo-garland-1

I opened up my drawer that contains everything that has no home and pulled out a hole punch, ribbon and well, scotch tape.

I punched a hole on each side of the photo and began weaving the ribbon throughout the holes. I decided to let the ribbon show in the front and have the ribbon in the back for every other one. I began weaving the photos on the left side of the length of the ribbon, so I began with the 12 month photo and pulled it completely over to the right., then 11 months, 10 months, etc. If you’re ribbon isn’t long enough, do not despair, just cut another section of ribbon and staple the ribbon together, hiding the stapled section of the ribbon behind one of the photos. (this happened to me. Of course, it did.)

When all of the photos are attached to the ribbon, you can move them about freely, making sure they are spaced just as you want them.

And, to keep things fancy, I attached the photo garland to my mantle with scotch tape. Probably lots of it to make my eight year old daughter proud.

photo-garland-2

Had I more time, more photo paper and more ink, I probably would have created another for the kitchen. The guests loved looking over how much this sweet boy had changed throughout the year.

Categories: Being a Mama, Friendly

Idol Chat with Adam & Beth – Top 4

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

By Beth

Yep. Four contestants. James, Haley, Lauren and Scotty.

Most importantly: NOT JACOB.

Tonight, Lady Gaga graces our screens as the Idol’s mentor. I sometimes like her songs but under general everyday conditions, I try to avoid making any type of contact with her. Mainly, my eyes to her.

Adam, I heard you’re a big fan of Gaga’s. Is this true or just a nasty rumor?

Adam: Beth, I really have no idea what I feel about Lady Gaga. There are times when she makes me want to eat my own fingernails and other times when I think she’s adorably amazing. (For the record, I don’t actually ever eat my fingernails.) Anyway, I’m excited to see what tonight holds. (I swear, no nail eating.)

James starts us off with a rockin’ rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing.” And while I’m certain the judges will love it, I’m just going to say that I found it completely safe. The song? It’s an easy sing, even for us shower singers and who doesn’t tap their toes to that beat? This performance proves to me that he would struggle in the Top 40. Let alone the Top 3. I’m hoping the next performance is miles better.

Adam: Ironically, I just two days ago absolutely nailed my shower performance of this song, I kid you not. My best ever. James, however, delivered what might be the single most boring performance of this song in the history of narcolepsy. Awful. He hit some difficult notes. Hooray, James. It sucked. I have two requests: 1) Idol contestants, stop talking to the audience during your songs. And judges, don’t compliment such garbage. Be forewarned, Beth, I am seriously angry at the judges tonight.

One reason I’m seriously angry at the judges? J-Lo and Randy ripped a vastly superior performance by Haley (Michael Jackson’s top-selling hit in the UK, by the way). It’s not my favorite MJ song, but I loved the performance. I know you’re no fan of Haley’s, Beth, and that’s okay. Jennifer and Randy are absorbing every ounce of my ire tonight. And maybe a couch cushion or two.

Luckily for Haley, Adam and I both love Michael Jackson. I wonder if she knows this information? Do you think she’s reading our emails, trying to get on our good side? Anyway. I ADORE, LOVE, WANT TO KISS this song. When Michael sings it. Not that I think Haley did a poor job, but she sounds like she’s crying during the first part and then turns into the throat-singing. There was much too much throat-singing. Overall, I didn’t hate it.

I’m glad Steven is a good judge tonight.

Scotty is up next. I’m not sure what song he’s singing but I know it’s by Alan Jackson. Oh, Scotty, he sounds so nice and country. And this song is so dramatic and sad and does a good job roping us into the emotion he’s feeling but dammit all, Scotty. COWBOY. HAT. He sounded good. Maybe a little safe. But good. No real complaints. So wait? Scotty was seven on September 11, 2001. whoa.

Adam: The thing that bothers me about this song is that it feels just a little cheap. The September 11th song a week after the death of Osama bin Laden? If it were the results show and he sang this song, I’d probably love it. And he’ll probably get 2 billion votes tonight. It’s smart of Scotty, but it’s not my favorite decision.

Lauren sang Martina McBride’s Anyway, a little ditty I’m not all that familiar with. I enjoyed it. She really opened up on the biggest note of the song, nailed it, and then inexplicably pulled back a bit after her vocal victory. Still, I think it’s a rebound from a pretty disappointing nearly-lost-to-Jacob performance last week. Randy continues to insult Haley. I want to take J-Lo’s little denim frilly collar and strangle him with it.

Agreed. Lauren did really well tonight. Her voice was basically flawless – I wasn’t necessarily moved but she sounded really good. Adam, you do realize if you removed the denim frilly collar what you would see underneath. Her very rich boobs.

It’s pretty amazing how cruel Randy is being to Haley tonight. I’m thinking he’s decided that Haley should go this week and he’s doing his best to play his role in her departure. Lady Gaga has made her appearance known by showing up as Cruella DeVille, Holy Mother of Evil Stepmothers. Haley is taking the stage and I would love it, if just once, Haley would come onstage with her hair straight. That would be so cool. I thought she sounded super good – a nice improvement from prior weeks.

Adam: I just hope no dalmatians were harmed during rehearsal. I should say, I hate the song Haley sang. I Who Have Nothing? Not my favorite song. And maybe it’s just me being completely biased, but I was a fan of Haley’s rendition (again), especially her angry glare at Randy after the final note. It took quite a lot of guts to deliver when she was very clearly upset. I can’t believe I love her.

Scotty sang another comical country song, but I actually loved this one. He showed off his gut-thumping bass, as he should. But the real greatness of his performance was in the clip with Gaga. Scotty getting advice from Lady Gaga was like Shirley Temple in a Tarantino film. Oh. My. Awkward. Exquisitely delicious.

The scene with Gaga and Scotty could go down as TV’s Most Uncomfortable Moment. You guys know I love Scotty but really, he makes some freaky faces at the camera. It’s distracting me from this Jerry Lee Lewis sounding song. not a favorite performance of mine. Not even with my eyes covered. Here’s the thing, though. I agree with Randy. I can see him putting on a pretty good show.

Lauren Alaina is up next, she’s decided to dress as Heart tonight, an odd choice for a sixteen-year old girl. Adam, if she didn’t want to say she was “evil” why did she choose a song that say “I’m Evil” 414 times in it? I’m so confused. I thought her performance was entertaining but I thought the song was just an odd choice.

Adam: Maybe she could change the lyrics to “I’m unclear on the concept of song choice.” I guess the performance was good, but it did leave me thoroughly confused. It’s the Final Four! Sing a song you believe in, girl!

James concluded this night in which Lady Gaga was only the 3rd or 4th most bizarre part of the show by claiming the trophy for weirdest decision. Love Potion #9? Beth, does James want to lose? Is he making fun of America for voting for him? That’s not nice, James. Don’t make fun. That’s our job.

Adam, I have to agree with you. Why does he want our job? His choice in songs tonight left me feeling perplexed. And many times during his last performance, he sounded flat. MANY times. Rewind and listen. You’ll see.

So, who’s going home?

Beth: After tonight’s performances, I think James should go. Yep, I said it. However, I think Haley will go. And yes, this is just my fancy way of choosing two people.

Adam: I think James is going home. I’m not happy about it, but he deserves it.

Okay friends, time for you to speak up and tell us what YOU think. Yes, YOU.

Categories: American Idol, Idol Chat

You Capture | Motherhood

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

By Beth

Hi friends. I hope you all had a great day celebrating Mother’s Day. (whether you’re a Mama or not.) Mine was sweet, very sweet.

I had a newborn session last Thursday and never once did I consider taking a photo of the baby with her Mama. How perfect would that have been? Think, Beth. THINK!

Oh well.

I have photos of a different variety.

First, this sweet Mama bird on our front door wreath. She’s a Mama to five little birdies. The fact that she’s on our door makes us extremely nervous, but we’ve taken many, many precautions to ensure their safety. I plan to blog about it soon. (which means I probably won’t but I’ll try.)

mama-bird-to-five

And then there’s the seed my boy planted for his Mama which begin to sprout yesterday morning. And just look at how it grew by the afternoon. Right before my eyes. Just like a child.

motherhood

This photo opportunity really spoke to me. It’s my bed, all nice and made. With Anna’s toys strewn about. When I went upstairs, she was nowhere to be found, just her toys in the spot where she left them. I don’t know why but I loved finding these toys on my bed that day. (I love even more that she cleaned them up without me asking her to do so!) (which is quite unlike my sweet baby girl.) (who leaves trail of toys where ever she goes.) (and forgets to pick them up.) (despite me asking her to 22 times.)

mom's-bed

ANYWAY.

Here’s a shot of the kids and I on Mother’s Day. Although I did not hit the shutter button. I did set up the shot, set the settings and instruct Brian where to put the focus. So. It counts. Yes it does. Don’t argue with me.

I really want to comment on how my large calves and my double chin are a sign of motherhood. But I won’t. Even though I just did. But it doesn’t count. No it doesn’t. Don’t argue with me.

Now it’s your turn to share!

PLEASE READ THIS GUIDELINES, especially, yes, especially if you have never linked up!
1. Anyone can join in on the challenge at anytime.
2. Please make sure the photos you use were taken for the challenge, meaning do not search your archives for an appropriate photo. The goal of You Capture is to get you out taking photos each week!
3. Use YOUR photos.
4. When linking up, only link to your You Capture blog post, not your main blog URL. (incorrect links will be deleted.)
5. You MUST link back to You Capture in your post.
6. I encourage you to visit other participants and leave comments. This is a great way to meet new friends!
{more You Capture info can be found here.}