Camera Craziness

The longer I work on this blog, the more I know I need to cozy up to a very visual person who will indulge my vanity long enough to take some dang photos of me. I need a photographer. Of course, the longer I run this blog, the more I become interested in photography. I know, I know, the last couple weeks does not show that ... I've been slacking.

Recently, I have been absolutely lusting after these old cameras. I would love to have a very visually appealing mode of capturing visually appealing images! Or even if they were just used as decoration, I would love them. Guess that's another thing to put on my "someday" list.

Ladies and gents, meet my dream camera. This puppy shoots professional-grade photos and video and would be so, so, so perfect for my Korea-and-beyond adventures. I could finally achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a youtube star, incorporating journalism and blogging and making a living off of doing everything I love, all at once. This is the be-all, end-all of those dreams coming true. Too bad it retails for $1,699. Cheaper on amazon and eBay, but still, out of my price range entirely.

Although the Canon 7D is my dream camera, there are definitely other cameras out there that I would love to play around with. Take, for example, the Holga:

Shooting film in 35mm, I want this adorable toy camera not just because it's adorable, but for the images it produces. Although they aren't necessarily the best quality, that's where the charm comes in. I love looking back at photos from my childhood, or heck, photos from my mom's childhood where the images are distorted and grainy. There's a feeling you get from those photos and that's what images should do--inspire a feeling.

I'm also in love with the Diana. I think I like the images off these cameras more, if possible. You shoot using 35mm film, but you can shoot in half-frames or full-frames, and there are exposure option, something you usually don't get with toy cameras.

Finally, this post wouldn't be complete without an instant camera thrown in. I love instant film--it's instant gratification and sure, sometimes the colors get messed up if you touch the image too soon, but then again, there is part of the charm.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini is such an amazing camera. I love that the photos are miniatures and that they print in high quality. During a night out, you can snap photos and share them with friends immediately, leaving behind memories and capturing some for yourself. I love the idea and would LOVE to own this camera.

Although, not as much as I would LOVE to own a 7D.

Craft Linkage: To Crochet or Not to Crochet??

Not sure these books are worth the trouble, especially when there are easier ways to make personalized journal/quote books, but you can't argue with results, and the results of this tutorial are just darling.

One of the best things about growing up in Arizona and having a birthday in July was that my party always had to incorporate water activities to keep my guests' skin from melting off. This is why I have had the chance to play water kickball on multiple occasions. Well, let's just say that pegging your opponent in the head with these puppies would have made that game so much better.

Although I see these lamps all over the place, I am definitely loving the bigger-is-better motif here. Also, never seen them done with coffee filters before.

These slippers make me want to fish out my crochet hook again! After the crochet madness I went through to get all those lovely hats made, I thought I would want a nice break, but I just can't wait.

All my packaging templates in one printable friendly place? Why, this must be a joke! Nay, I say. Now I know what I'll be doing at work tomorrow ...

Craft Linkage: Gender Norms

This is a craft link for those of you who are more industrially-minded. And by that, I mean men. And me. Because I like building things with my hands, too. Although the wiring might be a little tough ... Is there a boy around to help me? Or my mother?

A potentially awesome laptop sleeve? Or just yet another giant, inconvenient bag to haul around?

Another hardware handy DIY out of cupboards. This is just so adorably adorable and all, but could have been turned into any number of things. I'm thinking paint it in a nice vintage-y burnt orange and turn it into a locket-style picture/art frame? Even a contrast in dualities? Like, put art/pic on the front and one inside to respond/contradict?

I make these envelopes all the time as part of my magazine art obsession.

Craft Linkage W - workspace, wearables, walls

I almost cried at the beauty of these work spaces. Could you imagine how wonderfully productive I would want to be if I had a space dedicated as my own?

Although I've seen this simple dress tutorial before, I've never put it down in a place to remember it. Also, I would like to someday find a simple dress tutorial that isn't high-waisted, empire-waisted, or the like. I mean, I know that fitting my waist on my extra-long torso is practically impossible, but it shouldn't be impossible when I'm making the dress myself.

Speaking of an incredibly long torso and ill-fitting clothes, I would love to make this dress form, but have neither the money, time, ability to stand still, etc.

These steampunky bracelets rock! And are as easy to make as going out to the garage (if you're lucky enough to have one).

When I saw a picture of a friend's apartment, I thought it was freakin' adorable. It had one of those vinyl wall attachments of birds on a wire. When someone told me that thing cost like $70 (or more), I was pissed. It's vinyl! I can justifiably chalk this up to the ever-increasing peripheral popularity of birds in the vintage-loving sub-set of society these days. It doesn't help that Portlandia is telling everyone to "put a bird on it." Anyway, with that being said,  I want this.

Craft Linkage - total chaos

DIY leather shoes - These shoes looks super cool and (fairly) easy to make, but living in California means I won't have much of an excuse to make or wear them, considering they appear fit for inuits.

Bookmarks - I used to be an avid reader, but have since lost the time I used to spend reading to other, more profitable ventures. One day, bookmarks!

Lampshades - I see these everywhere and want to make one so badly! I have two lamps (used to be three until the Beard crushed one under his ginormous feet and then I thought I could DIY something out of it, which really just destroyed it beyond repair... RIP dino-stamp lamp) that could both use new shades, but, paradoxically, am running out of both time and excuses.


Newspaper Nails - In LOVE.

Dry-erase board - Something my mother would go nuts for.

Confetti Eggs for Easter, anyone?

Invitations - Color me intrigued. I wonder if these would take forever to do?

These pinwheels would be perfect for a May wedding!

Another magazine craft?!? I'm in love!

Craft Away Bay: Valentines Crafting Links

I don't give gifts for Valentines' Day. I think it's a dumb holiday and my boyfriend and I don't even celebrate it. That being said, when I was single, I hated this dumb holiday for entirely different reasons, mostly being that it is single-awareness day. So, combining my prior experiences with my current perspective, I think that we non-single people should bestow our kindnesses upon the singles in our lives with some heartfelt gifts.

Okay, now that I am done being such an gloating ass, here are some links that would make anyone love V-day. Besides, we all know how much more fun being single is anyways.

Shadow Box - I have seen so many variations of this, and every time I do, the urge to make one grows stronger. One of these made for a loved one from a particularly memorable occasion would be adorable.

Heart-Shaped Crayons - These would make super cute Valentines gifts!

Pop-up Flower Cards - These unfairly easy cards could easily be made from reclaimed (from the workplace) materials.

Packaging - This would be a super cute way to package any V-day gifts!

More Pretty Packaging - My takeaway from this page is that I need to invest in

• ribbon
• double-sided tape
• doilies
• finally learning how to make bunting

Picture Me in the News! - Super adorable. Some readers of my blog may be receiving this for future gifts. Just sayin', don't be surprised.

Candles - If your beau is anything like me or mine, he (and you!) loves candles. This is just about the cutest way to turn an addiction to drinking into a present. WANT. And after reading the tutorial, I realized how g-darn easy it would be, too.

Bracelets, Necklaces, Streamers, Charms - These can be anything! It's such a simple craft!

Umm ... love this!