Art & Design of Kelli Murray

I am in desperate need of some new pillows! Why is it so hard to choose!!? Here are a few I am loving.  What do you think!?

1.  John Robshaw Peak Decorative Pillow / 2.  Rebecca Atwood Ripple Shibori / 3.  Fine Little Day Dotty Pillow / 4.  UO Magical Thinking Crewel Ikat Pillow / 5.  Cotton & Flax Golden Plus Linen Pillow / 6.  Joss & Main Ikat Pillow / 7.  Sukan Modern Bohemian Throw Pillow / 8.  Proud Mary Grey Dot Pillow

Home tour! Just kidding!  I’m just working on my picture taking skills.  Although I really should do a real home tour one of these days.  The only problem is that I don’t want to share it until it’s perfect and I don’t think it will be perfect until i’m at least 50….and by then, i’m not sure if I will even have a blog anymore (…but I digress!).  I think i’ve used my camera more in the last two months than I have in the last 2 years.  Largely due to this project, but also because of my year’s goal of becoming a better photographer.  I feel funny even calling myself that. We’ll go with picture taker, or moment capturer.  I’m more comfortable with that.  If any of you guys have been a reader for a little while, you know i’ve been on a journey of getting to know my camera a little better this year.  Sam got me a DSLR  3 years ago for Christmas, and up until a few months ago, the setting never changed from auto (gasp!).  For a while, I didn’t mind.  But the more I blogged, the more I realized the importance of quality images.  And once I had Rylee, the game changed completely and I was all the more motivated to learn how to take a good photo.  I got tired of relying on other people to capture the images I essentially wanted to be able to capture myself.  Is anyone with me on this?  …it was just a matter of taking the time to learn the fundamentals of photography.  I was clueless.  And not to mention overwhelmed at the thought of even learning.  But only a few months in to ditching auto mode and shooting manual, I am realizing what a difference it makes!  Same camera, way better photos!  I still have so much to learn, but I am totally loving the process.  I’ve realized you don’t need the best camera or the fanciest lens to take a great photo, you just need to know how to best utilize the capabilities of the camera you do have.  Of course, nice equipment helps…but my point is, if you understand the fundamentals, you can capture images you can be proud of.

What I wanted to share with you today is the workshop that kickstarted my journey….in case any of you are local to San Diego, and in the same place I was a few months ago and looking some guidance on where to start.  It was a workshop by Photo Creatures called Amazing Photos in a Snap : An intro to taking better photos.  My mom actually forwarded me the link to a beginner’s class that she discovered through Amazon Local…and it seemed like just what I was looking for.  We actually ended up going together! (this is how basic it is, people…no offense mom!) haha.  I really can’t say enough good things about the class.  The intimidation I felt before going was quickly diminished when I realized most of the students were on the same level that I was.  The class was all about the fundamentals.  Getting to know the way your camera works and understanding how to create the proper exposure using shutter speed, aperture and ISO.  It may sound like gibberish (it did to me too)…..but take this class and those three words will make all the difference in your photos! On auto mode, your camera is playing a guessing game.  But shooting manual allows you to have full control over your exposure.  Probably the most exciting part of the workshop for me was understanding aperture, which controls the depth of field.  You know that sharp foreground focus and blurred out background that looks so amazing in photos?   Yep, that’s a shallow depth of field….meaning a larger aperture (but a lower number on your camera!).  Gibberish again? This post might help. The class goes into all of this in much greater detail…with a wonderfully patient instructor helping you along!  I can’t recommend it enough.

Photo Creatures has generously offered all of my readers 50% off their intro workshop or a single walkabout! Woohoo! Such an amazing deal!  Use the promo code ‘KelliCreatures’ when you register.  It can either be applied to a gift card or directly to registration for a specific workshop/walkabout.  Maybe i’ll see you there!

I can’t get enough of Colette Bream.  I discovered her etsy shop over a year ago, but I can’t help but keep coming back to see what new items she’s listed.  Her shop is filled with the most wonderful, imaginative  products for your little ones.  And ohhhh the pillows!….this one has our name written all over it.

For the last few months, i’ve been dying to find an excuse to try white ink on kraft paper.  And a recent holiday party served as the perfect excuse. I found this amazing diamond circle stamp at Paper Source that I thought would make the perfect oversized polka dot wrapping paper.  I bought a Frost White Color Box Ink Pad (also from Paper Source)….and I found the thin kraft paper from Target. My polka dot pattern was not perfect, but you really couldn’t even tell once the package was all wrapped up!  For the smaller polka dot paper….I used the same white ink pad, but I applied it using the bottom of a pencil eraser.  It didn’t go on as nicely as the stamp….but it got the job done.  If you are wrapping a lot of presents….this does get a little time consuming!  But it makes for a really beautiful presentation!  I finished off my packages with twine and wild berries.  You can see how I created my custom clay gift tags HERE.  Or you can also purchase them, for a short time, HERE on my Etsy store.

Let me know if you give this a try!

Hey guys…I am over on A Beautiful Mess today sharing how to make these pretty Clay Ornaments!  I had so much fun making them.  A few of the ornaments I created for this post are for sale in my SHOP.   Enjoy!