Parties - 5 Tips to a Couples Game Night - Plus 1 Bonus Tip

Organize a Playdate with other Couples

It sounds racier than it actually is...we're talking about a good ol' fashioned game night. You remember when you were kids you would break out the board games, the snacks, the soda and spend a cloudy/rainy/snowy day inside laughing and playing silly board games with your friends. We may be bigger now, but their is still much fun to be had playing board games.

Whether it's financial, kids or you just plain don't want to get dressed up to go out, game night is your at-home answer for staying social without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips from us to you on throwing a successful and fun game night without going overboard:

1. The Gamers. Keep the get-together small. Invite only a few other couples otherwise it will be more difficult getting everyone to pay attention to the board game rules. If you just can't keep it to a few, organize the game night in groups so there are 3-4 people per group each playing a different game.

2. Feast. Serve easy to grab, bite-sized appetizers such as caprese skewers, olive & sundried tomato hummus tapenade on pita chips, and pizza bites. You can order a whole pizza, ask them to not slice it, then you cut it into the size of pieces you want, and add a little extra topping of perhaps spicy chutney to give it that little extra something. Also, ask everyone to bring an appetizer so you only have to make a few items yourself.

3. Sip. Provide a small variety to drink. We don't want you to break the bank, but we do want you to be a good host. Provide a bottle of red wine, a bottle of white wine and a pitcher of a signature cocktail you've created picked special for your party (we like the Voodoo Tattoo cocktail). While you don't have to go all out providing every type of soft drink or non-alcoholic beverage, we like to offer both sparkling and flat water along with lemons, limes and an ice bucket.

4. Decor. This really depends on how fancy you want to get. We think the very idea of game night is a nice casual night spent with friends. However, that doesn't mean you don't want to have a little ambiance. Obviously, you're going to want to go with the game theme. Perhaps, instead of using a plain piece of paper to keep score, create cute score cards with everyone's name that match the game(s) you will be playing and let everyone have a chance to keep score. If you're playing a game like Pictionary, you could pre-draw some funny pictures that relate to your guests and hang them around the house.

5. The Games. Find games that aren't too complicated and be sure to let your guests know in advance what games they might be playing. It's okay to have a few options and let the majority choose the night of the game. Most people don't want to spend too much time learning rules, so the simpler the rules the better. Some games even have a 'get to the game' section of rules that are a shortened/modified version of the game. Old standards like Monopoly, Pictionary and even Cranium are good choices for these very reasons. Also, games that get people involved and talking or just being silly really are what make game night fun. If the gamers have to be quiet and think for too long, things can get stale.

*Bonus Tip* Music. Most games do have moments of silence. During those times, it's best to have some music to keep your gamers upbeat and in the gaming mood. We're not talking Metallica here (not that there's anything wrong with that), but music that makes your toes tap or your head bob while trying to think up a definition for "Cachinnator" during a game of Balderdash. Yes, that is a real word.

Parties - 5 Tips to a Couples Game Night - Plus 1 Bonus Tip

Japan Red Crowned Cranes Dance

Tube. Duration : 3.97 Mins.

Japan Red Crowned Cranes Dance

This is a short video of the Japanese Red Crowned Cranes dance from the Japan: Sapporo Winter Festival & Snow Monkeys Tour which is run by Destination Management every February. For more information please visit www.toursgallery.com Video by Anna Osetroff Photo albums on facebook www.facebook.com/Toursgallery more videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/DestMgt Phone toll free from within Australia 1300 307 317 and see more about Destination Management Toursgallery small group escorted tours on www.toursgallery.com Every year we take a small group of 10 people in a private 23 seat executive coach on an escorted tour of wild bird sanctuaries, lakes, farms and coastal areas. This is an excellent opportunity for our bird watching guests to get their own photos and video footage of cranes, Steller's Sea Eagles, White-tailed Eagles and various ducks. Join our next tour .... contact us now!

Japan Red Crowned Cranes Dance

Japan Red Crowned Cranes Dance

Japan Red Crowned Cranes Dance

Japan Red Crowned Cranes Dance

No URL Japan Red Crowned Cranes Dance

12 Creative Photography Ideas

Here are 12 ideas to get your creative juices flowing and increase your skills and value as a photographer.

TIP 1 - Time Lapse photos. I showed my niece how to do this with clay figures and stitch the resulting frames together into a video file, and she was busy for days. If you control the exposure consistently to keep the images consistent with one another, you can do some really fun stop-motion animation. Or, you can set up your camera to capture other slow motion effects such as flowers opening and seedlings growing.

TIP 2 - Night Lights. Things look very different at night. Shooting city scenes with available light creates some interesting images. And shooting outdoor images under moonlight or with "light painting", where you open up the camera shutter for an extended exposure, and "paint" your targets with colored or plain light, can create some truly bizarre images.

TIP 3 - Astrophotography. Hook that SLR up to a telescope, and you are ready to peer into the depths of space and time. You'll need some adapters, and ability to compensate for the earth's rotation for really long shots. Start with the moon and move on from there.

TIP 4 - Macro photography. From flowers to coins to stamps, you can polish your skills at close-up photography and capture some really detailed images. Often a macro lens or close-up attachment will help. See my tips on Flower Photography to get more information.

TIP 5 - Micro photography. If you can interface that camera with a microscope, you can get some really crazy images. Or, stack up a bunch of close-up magnification and try your hand at turning salt crystals into surreal imagery.

TIP 6 - Insurance Photos. OK, maybe a bit boring, but you and your friends and relatives will thank you. Take a couple hours and touch and photograph everything of value, with a full shot or two if each item of value, accompanied by a shot of the identifying marks - manufacturer model or serial number. Then burn a CD or DVD and store it off site. If you have a fire or other loss, this could save the owner thousands of dollars.

TIP 7 - Family Recipe book. Anytime those family favorites are prepared, copy down the recipe and take some photos of the food. You can produce a printed or electronic cookbook of family favorites that everyone will love.

TIP 8 - Stock Photography. This is a very busy market niche, but the cost of entry is low. Specialize in things you love, and you may be able to generate some income from your stock images. Search for stock photography sites, and make sure you understand your rights before you post images.

TIP 9 - Special Effects. Maybe you want to specialize in high-speed images of athletes, or surrealistic collages. Try your hand at using your editing skills to put someone in a soda bottle or floating on a candy lifesaver. Often more artistic than photographic, it will test your composition, lighting and editing skills to come up with believable artificial realities.

TIP 10 - Still Life. Ahh, the bowl of fruit. Sometimes a simple object or collection, properly lit, shot and edited, is a thing of beauty. It's a great way to study light. Start with an egg on a light background, a lamp and a window and see how you can learn about lighting and composition.

TIP 11 - Computer Control. Many cameras have a USB interface and remote control software. You can actually control the camera from the computer. See if you can get it to work to your liking, and maybe even program some time lapse or exposure bracketing experiments.

TIP 12 - Be Like Andy. Take some images of everyday items and try to create those neat colored backgrounds like Andy Warhol used to make. Create a 4-up print of the same image and change the colors of each quadrant to make an interesting square print.

Have fun with these ideas, and let me know when you become famous!

12 Creative Photography Ideas

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

photographyequipment.yolasite.com (Budget Equipment) razzi.me www.facebook.com twitter.com Equipment used in this video DSLR - Nikon D7000 Nikon Lenses 50mm 1.8 D lens and 85mm 1.8 D prime lens Lastolite Diffuser (1 stop) A short behind the scene video / tutorial of outdoor shoot. Photographing kids - children - family portraits

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Nothing beats the warm glow you feel when a child first sees their painted face. But how do you know which kids face painting designs you should offer? Well that's easy. Just master the most requested face paintings and you will not go wrong.

Irrespective of what the latest hit movie is, I've found the following kids face painting designs are always in demand. They never seem to lose their appeal.

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Girls

Butterfly Fairy Princess Fantasy Bunny Rabbit Ladybug Cat Flowers Rainbow Puppy Dog

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Boys

Red Spider's Web Pirate Skull Tiger Robot Bat Clown Puppy Dog Alien Tribal

The Most Popular Halloween Face Paintings

Vampire Witch Devil Skull Spider's Web Bat Cat Alien Monster Clown

And remember, there are 5 basic principles to follow if you want to create stunning face paintings with speed and ease:

Have a collection of great designs to offer; Know exactly what steps are required for each face painting design in your collection; Use only quality paints; Use the right tools, the right way; and Know how to mix paints and blend colors.

It's best to stick to simple designs until your face painting skills improve. And of course use templates, stamps and temporary tattoos to help speed up the process.

And, whether you are painting the children of friends and family, or offering your services at school fetes, kids' parties etc, have a photo album filled with your face painting pictures. That way each child can choose the creation they would like painted on their face.

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Video Clips. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Free Scrapbooking Catalogs - 5 Tips To Use One To Create Your Own Scrapbook

Well, it's time for another general house cleaning. This is the time when you stumble across those valuable sentimental items you want to keep forever. Pictures of you and your best friends, family gatherings, and those great shots of the kids doing the fantastic recall happy times you never want to lose. Then the idea strikes: How can I keep these in a safe place?

This is the perfect time to start building a scrapbook to preserve and protect your favorite memories. Scrapbooking is a fast-growing hobby - so fast, in fact, a new industry is growing up around it. Scrapbooking is a great way to express your individual personality and creativity while creating something your whole family will treasure and enjoy for years to come. It takes time and effort, but it's so worth it!

If you're a novice at scrapbooking, you may want to try some free scrapbooking catalogs for your first efforts. You can find free scrapbooking catalogs in local stores and on the Internet. They are full of useful information that will give you a lot of great ideas for your scrapbooking projects. Even better, they outline the basic steps in scrapbooking so that beginners will be able to create beautiful pieces right off the bat.

If you have a shoe box full or a big stack of photos, why not get them organized? Sort them by event or occasion or by specific people. This way, you'll get your photos organized and stimulate your mind to think about how you might want to present them in a scrapbook. A very helpful addition to your photo sorting task is attaching notes to each one. Your notes describe the photo, its context in time and place and its importance to you.

This is a critical step everyone who scrapbooks goes through before they begin a project. Inventorying your materials and pondering the best way to assemble them prepares you for your project and helps you decide what materials you need. And if you can't find a retail supplier nearby, you can order your materials through the catalog or the company's online store.

Free scrapbooking catalogs are a great tool for shopping without getting in the car. They will describe the following steps in more detail, and they will give you images of the kinds of supplies available including decorative papers and paper sets, stick-on borders and alphabets, ribbons and trims, cut-outs and die-cuts, frames, felt flowers and paper blossoms, rubber stamps, glitter pens and cuts, and colorful acid-free pens.

And you'll find all the tools you need in free scrapbooking catalogs: paper cutters, scissors, organizers, brads and clips, and the ever present acid-free glues. These days, you can even find special pieces and embellishments to use on the Internet when you decide to make your first web-based scrapbook!

To get a free scrapbooking catalog, look for one of these three outstanding companies who'll mail you a paper catalog: A.C. Bailey Designs, Times to Cherish, or Creative Express. Of course, there are dozens of online catalogs you can browse while you're surfing the web.

No matter what free scrapbooking catalog you use or what supplies you need, there are some basic first steps involved in scrapbooking.

1. Gather Your Photos and Memorabilia

If you're like most of us, you have photos and other mementos scattered all over the place - ticket stubs in coat pockets, receipts stuffed in pants pockets or purses, invitations stacked with your old bills, confetti from that great New Year's Party, buttons from political events, and many other precious items.

Gather these mementos in one place. Search closets, drawers, the attic, even the garage to find them. Now, just pile them up on a table and start spreading them out so you can see what you have. As you go through them, put them in individual stacks of items that are related to each other. You may have enough treasures to build several scrapbooks!

2. Sort Your Mementos

After you have separated the items into related groups, you'll want to sort through them to figure out which ones to use in a scrapbook, which ones to throw away, and a logical order for the ones you want to keep.

There are several ways to group your photos and memorabilia: by family or family member, by how you're related, by friend or groups of friends, by clubs or associations. Those are a few approaches for sorting by people.

But you can also sort by events and times. Perhaps you have a bunch of memories for a specific wedding, anniversary, or the birth of a new baby. Maybe you want to group them by a time in your life like your college days or your first job. You can also sort them chronologically, showing the passage of time in your life.

3. Label Your Items

It's important to add some information to each piece you plan to use in your scrapbook. Short notes may simply remind you when and where photos were taken or the date and place where a ticket stub was used. You may want to write more about the event or person, though. Detailed notes can be used to give depth and meaning to the items you mount in your scrapbook. Clip or tape your notes to the item for later use.

4. Store Your Treasures

Now that you've got them organized and labeled, you may need a break before starting your scrapbook. This time, you'll protect them from further damage by keeping them cool and dry. You can use any number of organizing systems - bookshelves, filing cabinets, bins. Whatever is most appropriate for your space and the way you operate is best for you. One note: when you use plastic containers or bins, avoid PVC plastic. It's corrosive and can damage your photos and delicate pieces beyond repair. And remember when you prepare your storage space that there are three elements to protect your treasures from: light, humidity, and heat.

5. Plan Your Scrapbook

Now the time has come. You've got your photos and memorabilia nicely organized, and you know what you want to include in your scrapbook. It's time to give some serious thought to your presentation.

Think about the type of scrapbooking album you'll use. The amount of photos and keepsakes will determine the size of your scrapbook. Albums come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The smaller square ones (6x6") are portable and easy to handle. But they won't give you as much space for creative touches and embellishments. The larger ones, usually 8-1/2x11" or a foot square, give you plenty of room to decorate the pages and insert larger mementos.

Now you know what you want to include and what album type you'll use to present your memories. It's time to think about your theme. The theme will determine page layout, color scheme, and the types of embellishments you choose. Themes vary widely. You'll want to think about your memento group and the common thread that ties it all together.

Is your material related to a holiday season? A baby?s first years? Your family's history and heritage? A specific person's whole life? A period in your life? A favorite sport or family activity? A special relationship?

As you can see, the themes you can choose are limitless. The important thing about YOUR theme is that it's personal and meaningful to you. When you've decided on a theme, it's time to get your supplies, and that's where the free scrapbooking catalog will come in very handy.

You can select and coordinate your paper and your decorative touches. You can find or make a scrapbooking template that will be the basic design for each page. You can choose from a wide range of embellishments. You can spend a fortune or stick to a set budget. This may be the most fun part of the scrapbooking project, so enjoy!

See how great it is to use free scrapbooking catalogs?

Free Scrapbooking Catalogs - 5 Tips To Use One To Create Your Own Scrapbook

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

How to Shoot Video of Your Kids Sports Team So That Anyone Else Will Watch it!

Break out that video camera, there is a game this weekend!

1. You bought a video camera

2. You want to shoot sports of your kid

3. Here is how to do it right!

What a wonderful age of technology we live in. You can buy the greatest gadgets now days to record video and music and play them in all sorts of ways on other great technology gadgets from computers, DVD's, MP3 players, VCR's, and many more. It is all great stuff. But they all come with thick owners manuals that do not always get you going the right direction. You may eventually learn to use your great new camera for instance, but that does not mean you will necessarily take pictures that are worth looking at down the road. Rolling tape in your camera is one thing and creating video that is high quality and interesting is another thing. The goal of this product is to bring you up to speed with using your video camera (whatever format, and whatever brand) to get the best results for recording those precious moments of your kid's athletic achievements.

We as parents spend plenty of hours out on the field, court, pool, or track watching our kids take part in and compete in youth sports. If you have a video camera you are going to want to record some of these events for posterity and perhaps education. Following the simple steps in this guide will help you to capture them in the best possible fashion so that it is watch able but also usable down the road.

My video expertise stems from two decades as a network television cameraman and as a parent with several kids actively involved in youth sports. In my years of shooting video professionally I have been around the world and seen just about every type of news event. I also spent 15 years covering pro sports events for my employer. These were the best type of assignments as far as I was concerned. In my entire career the things I have enjoyed most is being able to go to places where the average person cannot. In sports that usually means being on the field, next to the court, in the press box, or in the pit. I have shot football games of all levels up to and including NFC and AFC championship games. Living in the Bay Area has allowed me to cover many baseball pennant races and several World Series. I was right behind home plate the night the earth shook in the 1989 World Series. Talk about a shock. I had to give up covering a World Series between the two Bay Area teams to go and cover a huge news event. Baseball seemed small for a while after the magnitude of the earthquake. The point in this is that I love sports, have been around sports my whole life and I know how to shoot video of sports. With that in mind I will do my best to give you advice on how to do the same.

Gear

Now whether you have the latest DV camera in your hands or an old VHS format camera there are basic things you will need to keep in mind if you are going to shoot sports. As we say in the video business your camera is only as good as the glass that you hang in front of it. The better the lens the better the results will be no matter what kind of recording format you use. Now you already have a camera in hand and may never have heard this particular bit of advice so it is too late to factor it into the equation. However if you have camera in hand and it has any limitations on what it can do due to the lens being less than wonderful there are things you can do to mitigate the situation. We will discuss those things in more detail later on.

The key factors before setting out on your game day video assignment are to make sure you know the operating functions of the gear, have a tape supply in hand (soon to be DVDs with the revolution in gear design that is taking place right now), and batteries fully charged. I know these may seem like the simply obvious things but even the pros have to constantly remind themselves to check and double check these items.

A little aside here about preparation. Over the many years of covering news I learned lots of little tips from other photographers in the field and applied them to my work regimen. In the early days of video we always had to carry around a portable hair dryer because the record decks would seize up if the moisture levels got to high. So in the winter time if you came in from the cold outside into a nice warm building the air would condense inside the machine and cause moisture build up. The warning light would come on and bang we were dead in the water. One of us would have to run to the car and get the hair dryer, fire it up and chase the water away from the record heads of the deck. It caused some very funny moments in public places I can assure you. (This by the way can still be a problem even today with electronics/VCRs/lenses. Too much moisture can cause havoc. So just remember a portable hair dryer can save your day)

Another thing I learned from others is the value of backup. A few years ago I was out on assignment and we had a young eager college intern along with us in the field. This young man wanted to learn all about what we did in our job. He was very interested in how to take pictures, unlike most of our interns who only wanted to become reporters or anchors. He asked many questions and after seeing that he was really paying attention I decided to take him under my wing and really fill him up with information. One tidbit that I shared with him was to always have an emergency stash of tape in his car when out on assignment. He didn't quite understand the importance of this at first since I had already drilled him about always bringing tape stock with him when going out on assignment. I filled him with stories of times when something or other happened and I'll be darned if you didn't need another tape and there under the seat of the car was that emergency spare. So anyway he went off to graduate from college and get a job in a small market TV station. He would send us progress reports from time to time, which I really enjoyed. Then lo and behold one day he sends me a letter telling me how he got into a jam one day on a story and needed that emergency tape. He had dutifully tucked one under the back seat and it was there to save the day. I hope that what you learn in this book will in some way keep you from having a video failure down the road. What I learned in my career is that video production is 80% of it is dealing with the curves and problems that are thrown at you and 20% talent. If you can learn to trouble shoot then you will always be successful.

My first suggestion for shooting your kids sports activities is to go watch TV. Yes sit down put your feet up and watch some sports on TV. Really watch how they make it interesting at the top level. Then watch the news and see how they cover the games from a news perspective. Don't pay attention to the content; just watch how it develops visually. Now of course you can never duplicate what the networks are doing with just your one camera. However if you can glean anything from watching it should be how they try to bring intimacy with the athletes out in the broadcast. All the new improvements in covering sports have to do with getting you the viewer as close to the athlete as they can. Bring you into their world. From cameras on wires overhead that swoop along the field to cameras in the net of a hockey game to cameras inside the cars at Daytona, it brings you into the game. Now you cannot stand on the pitchers mound at your kids' baseball game but you can learn some techniques that can make your baseball video more intimate and therefore more compelling to watch.

A side note here, if your task is to capture the whole game or sporting activity for review as a coaching tool you should focus mainly on getting a good high view and putting the camera on a tripod. Pan slowly to follow action and don't zoom in and out. My main goal here is not to teach you this skill since it is pretty darn basic. However if this is what you are doing you should do it right. Find the right framing to keep as much of the activity in the frame and follow it carefully. Some sports move quickly from one end to the other and you will have to be smooth. Resist the temptation to follow the ball on full zoom. You will lose. Those guys that shoot sports on TV are full on pros using much better gear than you will ever have at your disposal.

Now in order to get a good video of your child's game you need to find that emotion and excitement that exists in any game. Think of it as capturing a few of the things that occur and making those golden. Does the team do a pre game cheer? Get up close, stick your camera wither way up high over their heads looking down or get underneath looking up and shoot it in a way that takes the viewer where they can't go. Capture an at bat in baseball by taking a full pitch cycle in close-up of the pitcher, and then one of the catcher and then as close as you can of the hitter. Show their face if you can. If they get the big hit don't go crazy rushing to zoom out. Follow the runner down the line. It will be almost impossible to follow the ball so stay with the runner. Look for the angles that will give you these emotional shots.

Some sports are more of a challenge due to the size of the field and the amount of movement up and down the field. Take soccer of instance, if you follow the ball the camera is moving all over the place and the viewer gets queasy. To capture some good video of your kid playing you need to focus on specific shots and not try to follow the play. Look for moments such as throw ins, free kicks, kick offs when things are predictable and you can get closer to the action. Walk down the sideline and wait for the action to come to you. If you child is playing right forward then get ahead of the play and when you see the ball moving towards you then you can find you child and roll tape in anticipation of them playing the ball. Be sure to get some shots of the crowd cheering, the coach watching (not yelling I hope) the goalie waiting in anticipation.

Hold your shots steady for 6-10 seconds at a time. If you are taking a shot of someone watching the game actually count it out in your head (thousand one thousand two...) This will ensure that you get good solid shots and that you don't run on and on with the shot. Brace your arm against your chest for stability and use your other arm across your belly underneath to create a stabilizing platform. This is in lieu of a tripod of course. If you have a tripod it can always be a good thing to use if it does not get in the way.

Use creative angles as much as possible. Get down low and wait for the action to run by you. Don't pan with it but rather let the action race through the frame. At a swim meet get the camera down on the deck for more of a swimmers perspective of the action. Of course you may not want to stay there when the swimmers approach for a turn. Digital electronics do not like water inside them. I was getting the most awesome low angle shots of some open water ocean swimmers one time and the boat lurched on me and salt water sprayed over the camera. I had a cover on the camera but salt water seeped into the crannies and it caused us much grief getting it cleaned out so as to avoid damaging the electronics of the camera.

How to Shoot Video of Your Kids Sports Team So That Anyone Else Will Watch it!

Joel Turner - City Of Dreams

Tube. Duration : 4.52 Mins.

Joel Turner - City Of Dreams

Directed by: Benjamin Samuel Broso Produced by: Will Alexander Edited by: Amy Hughes Director of Photography: Hugh Miller

Joel Turner - City Of Dreams

Joel Turner - City Of Dreams

Joel Turner - City Of Dreams

Joel Turner - City Of Dreams

No URL Joel Turner - City Of Dreams

Tips for the Harry Potter Attraction at Universal Studios, Orlando

The latest Harry Potter blockbuster sets a new standard for amusement park attractions, drawing record numbers to Universal Studios Florida. Visitors to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will discover all the magical places they've come to know and love in the book and movie series, but they'll also find packed crowds and wait times of up to two hours for the most popular rides. Don't let the muggle mobs deter you from this extraordinary adventure!

On a recent sweltering Florida weekday, with temperatures nearly into the triple digits, we ventured in to see if the Harry Potter attraction was worth all the hype. It was hot, crowded, and loud. And yes, it was worth it. My jaded teen, a veteran of the scariest roller coasters, deemed the Forbidden Journey "THE BEST RIDE EVER!" Her tween brother vowed to read all the books as soon as he returns home. Both begged for another Harry Potter movie marathon.

Here are a few tips for making the most of your visit.

Admission - It's not cheap to visit Universal Studios. You can realize some savings if you purchase multi-day combined park tickets, especially if you take advantage of the discounts and incentives for buying online. Instead, I bought the bare bones one day, one park option for Universal's Islands of Adventure at /adults (ages 10 & up) at the gate entrance.

I was tempted to get the Express Pass which allows you to bypass the lines for the rides, but couldn't justify the expense of an additional /person. (Note that the pass is significantly less expensive at other times of the year.)

Age Level - Although the Wizarding World is compelling for those familiar with the book or movie series, you don't have to be a Harry Potter buff to enjoy the attraction. Children (and adults) of all ages will get a kick out of exploring the magical settings, and there are rides for both the under and over 48″ crowd. While the Dragon Challenge roller coaster is only for the above 48″ crowd, the milder Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster can be enjoyed by all.

The most sought after attraction in the Wizarding World is the Forbidden Journey, which takes you on a tour through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before depositing you at the ride. This exhilarating, total immersion ride through the monster-ridden school halls is not for the faint of heart, or those under 48″; however, you can always skip the ride at the end of the tour.

Dress For Success - When dressing for a day at the amusement park, think marathon runner. Shock-absorbing sneakers are essential when standing on long lines, and fast drying fabrics are helpful when going through fog machines, misters, or water rides.

Sun protection is critical in Florida, especially if you're unaccustomed to the strong rays. We slathered on waterproof, high SPF sunscreen before leaving the car, and carried a small tube for reapplying later. My daughter and I wore sunglasses, and I purchased a pair for my son who promptly lost them it in record time. Hats are also advisable, but we just made it a point to travel in the shade as much as possible.

Pack Light - You may be tempted to bring all kinds of essentials, but keep in mind that on many rides you won't be allowed to carry loose items or bags. Lockers are provided, for a fee, throughout the park, but who wants to waste time looking for an available locker?

One advantage of traveling with older children is that, unlike the days when I had to haul a diaper bag with snacks and sundries, nowadays the only items I carry to an amusement park are: a point and shoot camera and a Neck Wallet containing cash, ID, chapstick, and a mini-sized sunscreen.

Hydrate Often - Given the limitation on carry on items, holding onto a drink container can be tricky. Fortunately, many rides such as the Forbidden Journey provide water fountains, or you can spring for a drink when you get off a ride and finish it before the next. Consider bringing a Platypus Softbottle that can be refilled as needed, or folded flat when it's time to get on a ride.

Arrive Late - There is no advantage to arriving early; in fact, some visitors contend that lines in the Wizarding World diminish considerably later in the day. On our mid-July weekday visit, we didn't see any visible reduction. The lines were just as long at 7:30 PM as they were at 2 PM!

Still, a full day at any amusement park can be exhausting, so I recommend going with your natural inclinations. I prefer to start late, and go nearly until closing, but a morning person might prefer a different schedule. The key to enjoying the experience is to realize that you can't do everything, so choose wisely.

Timing - Universal's Islands of Adventure is laid out like an oval donut around a large pond, with the Wizarding World placed on the opposite side from the entrance. When you enter the park, you can turn left or right and eventually circle to the Harry Potter section. With older children, we chose to head left so that we could take in some of the more thrilling park rides first.

Between noon and 2PM, we managed to take in three rides: the Incredible Hulk Coaster, the Spider-Man 3D Ride, and the Jurassic Park River Adventure. All of these posted 45 minute to 1 hour wait times, but as we were willing to split up our group to get into the Single Rider line, we bypassed much of this. We could've gone on even more rides, but we finally, after years of fruitless requests, fulfilled my daughter's wish to get a hair wrap.

Wizarding World - Plan on spending the bulk of your day at this attraction if you want to see and do everything. Here is how we did it all:

Enter - At 2PM, we crossed into the Wizarding World from Jurassic Park. Butterbeer - At either entrance, you'll find carts selling Butterbeer, a popular wizarding in the Harry Potter books that tastes like a cross between butterscotch and cream soda, and is available as a soda or slushie. We conducted a taste test of both to confirm that the frozen version is the yummier choice! Forbidden Journey - Carrying our drinks, we went directly to what we thought was the end of the Forbidden Journey line, not realizing that this was actually for the lockers. Most of the people in line didn't realize this either, so it might have been awkward to walk past them to the real line inside the building. Indoors, you can skip the tour to join the much shorter Single Rider line, but we didn't want to miss seeing the interior of Hogwarts. And there is much to take in, as well as many hidden secrets and variations, that it's worth letting people pass so that you can fully appreciate all the effects. Filches Emporium of Confiscated Goods - One of my pet peeves is being forced to exit an attraction through a souvenir shop so I just made a beeline for the door and didn't see much of the wares. Three Broomsticks - Nearly 4PM, we had worked up quite an appetite by the time we left the Forbidden Journey, so we headed over to the Three Broomsticks, an extremely well-run cafeteria that looks like an old English Tavern. We were soon at the front of the line where a hostess assigned us our number, and the system of dedicated cashier and server soon had us moving on with our filled trays to where another host led us to our table. The food was hearty and filling, and I highly recommend the combination of fish and chips washed down by Hogs Head ale. Moaning Myrtle - Even a visit to the bathroom is entertaining! The Girls' Room of the Public Convenience located next to the Hog's Head Pub is enlivened by the sounds of Moaning Myrtle. Olivanders - After our early dinner, we carried our drinks with us as we joined the queue for Olivanders, the wand shoppe. This turned out to be the longest line, but with our drinks in hand and street entertainment that included a frog chorus and ribbon waving girls from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, it was tolerable. Inside, the store is filled to the rafters with wand-filled boxes, and spectators watch as one young boy, selected from each new group that enters every 10 minutes, is outfitted with a wand that can be purchased afterwards in the connected store, Dervish and Banges, for merely . We passed on the shopping and headed out to the rest of the rides. Dragon Challenge - The line for this ride was fairly short, just 20 minutes, but it's only for the fearless (who are over 48″.) Every rider can choose from two dragons, each a different roller coaster, that zoom and twist, nearly colliding as they come within 18 inches of each other on multiple occasions. When it was over, my kids wanted to repeat the ride on the other dragon but my stomach had had enough. Flight of the Hippogriff - With no Single Rider option, we had to wait the full 45 minutes for this ride but as with the rest of the Wizarding World, the wait is part of the attraction. In this case, you pass Hagrid's hut where somehow we missed his instructions for properly approaching a hippogriff, but it was a great photo stop. Later, my kids complained about the tame ride, but I thought it was a delightful with a splendid view of the park. Honeydukes and Zonko's - We saved the best shops for last, as we thought we might be tempted by candy and joke gifts. The two shops are connected, so we spent a good deal of time going back and forth, mulling over our options. Many items, like the foul-tasting every flavor jelly beans, we'd seen and sampled long ago. After careful consideration, we purchased the two items that my children deemed unique and interesting, the Chocolate Frog and Chinese Fortune Sticks. (FYI - The Chocolate Frog was disappointingly waxy and flavorless.)

At The End of The Day - Departing the Wizarding World, we still had two and a half hours until closing time but I was ready to call it a night. The kids selected our last rides of the night, The Cat In The Hat and a return engagement on The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and we left Islands of Adventure by 9PM.

Again, was the Harry Potter experience worth the expense and effort? Definitely! For one day, we entered a magical world where I was as much of a kid as my children. We laughed and screamed, and just enjoyed playing together. It doesn't get any better than that!

Tips for the Harry Potter Attraction at Universal Studios, Orlando

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

How to Shoot Portraits - 5 Camera Setting Tips For Great Results

Camera setting tips for portraits:

Portrait photography delivers best results when you focus attention on the subject and control the background. Avoiding distracting elements or blurring the background draws the attention on your subject. Besides making your subject "the star" of the frame you also need proper exposure and focus, showing right skin tones and details.

Whether you are shooting for posed portraits or moving children, if you can control 5 camera settings you will capture excellent portrait shots.

Control 5 Camera settings for superb results:

1) Shooting Mode
2) Focus Settings
3) Exposure
4) Metering
5) White Balance

SHOOTING MODE

Aperture priority is the most popular shooting mode for portraits. Using this mode Photographer sets the f-stop and the camera chooses the shutter speed.

Aperture priority mode gives direct control of depth of field. Controlling depth of field means that you can blur the background to draw attention on your subject.

Alternatively you can use Manual Mode. Using this mode you can you can control both aperture and shutter speed. If there is a consistent light source use manual and you still be able to control surroundings of the subject.

EXPOSURE

When you shoot portraits and slightly overexpose you will notice that your background details will be washed out and your subject's skin tones will appear lighter. After your camera meter suggests exposure values,first shoot with suggested settings. Later shoot couple extra using plus 1EV or plus 2EV of exposure compensation to see what they look like.

FOCUS SETTINGS

Single-Shot AF (Auto Focus) mode is perfect for shooting portraits. When using Single-Shot AF Mode, select a Single Auto Focus point. For example for portrait shots, focusing closer to the subject's eyes works best. When focusing on the target point, you may use either Centre or Off-Centre settings. This way you will get sharp focus.

One of the most difficult portrait shot is a moving subject. If you are photographing moving children use Continuous AF mode. In addition choose multiple focus points. Combination of continuous AF mode and multiple focus points will increase the chance of capturing a sharp image.

METERING

For general portrait shots Multi-Segment Metering works just fine. However, if you are shooting a back-lit subject, Multi-Segment may not work properly because this mode will underexpose the subject's face. In such case take a reading from your subject's forehead or cheek using Spot Metering. Then use the values and shoot in Manual Exposure mode. Make sure that you are not shooting in Aperture Priority mode - (you will need to set both aperture and shutter speed values manually since you have use the spot metering and received new exposure values).

WHITE BALANCE

Auto White Balance is good for general shots. However shooting in different environments things may go wrong. For example if you are shooting in a shady area you will not get the proper white balance. Or if you shoot in scenes with predominant white blue or green (beach, botanic garden, forest etc...) your subject's face will reflect that predominant color. In such you can take a custom white balance reading and use it.

Keep in mind that you have the option to change white balance settings and apply correction if you are shooting in RAW mode. So if that portrait shot is quite important for you, shoot in RAW so you have an option to correct white balance later on.

How to Shoot Portraits - 5 Camera Setting Tips For Great Results

How to Make an Accordion Photo Album

Tube. Duration : 3.45 Mins.

How to Make an Accordion Photo Album

A folded accordion photo album made without any glue or adhesive in its construction. Check out the accompanying post at curbly.com for additional hints.

How to Make an Accordion Photo Album

How to Make an Accordion Photo Album

How to Make an Accordion Photo Album

How to Make an Accordion Photo Album

No URL How to Make an Accordion Photo Album

Creative Club Ideas For a Kid After School Activity

School is back in session and you're looking for a creative after school activity for kids. Whether you're a parent or after school care provider, keeping kids busy, happy and safe can be a challenge. Between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. is when kids need fun activities to keep them from being bored. I have listed ideas for after school clubs that are easy to plan and fun for kids to do.

Organize a cooking club to make a nutritious snack for everyone. Make a healthy trail mix with granola or cereal, peanuts, pretzels, seeds and dry fruit. Mix up fruit smoothies in a blender with low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit, honey and ice. Put together mini-pizzas with small bagels, pizza sauce, and cheese. Review math concepts such as fractions, addition and subtraction with the cooking lesson.

Physical fitness is an activity to plan each day. Kids need about an hour of physical exercise each day. Have a fitness club to organize a team sport such as dodge ball, softball, and volleyball to play with everyone. The club can also plan relay races and fitness and movement games. If weather is rainy or snowy, play indoor volleyball, basketball or set up an obstacle fitness course.

Putting on a play or puppet show is an activity that can be ongoing for several weeks or more. Have a drama or puppet club, which meets twice per week. The kids will pick a story or play that they like, design costumes or puppets, create props, and practice their parts. Pick a date for the performance and invite other students, friends and family to come see their production.

Eight more great after school club activity ideas:

Science Club: do experiments and record results Chess Club: have tournaments Book Club: read a book, discussion, and write book reviews Dance Club: learn dance steps from all over the world Language Club: learn sign or a foreign language Photography Club: take photos of other clubs Journalism Club: put together a monthly newsletter Art Club: drawing, painting, sculpture, and cartooning

Plan on each club being between one half to one hour in length. Offer sessions so everyone can have an opportunity to participate in many of the activities. A different club or activity can be offered each day. Have kids sign up for a club that they are interested in. Involve the kids in the planning, preparation, and even leading the club. The more the kids are involved in the activity, the more successful the activity will be.

Creative Club Ideas For a Kid After School Activity

How to blush actual bark in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial

Tube. Duration : 5.27 Mins.

How to blush actual bark in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial

Watch more at www.lynda.com This Photoshop tutorial shows how to adjust the CMYK numbers to make color corrections to skin. This specific tutorial is just a single movie from chapter three of the Photoshop CS5: Portrait Retouching course presented by lynda.com author Chris Orwig. The complete Photoshop CS5: Portrait Retouching has a total duration of 11 hours and 2 minutes, and explores the deep resources for portrait retouching available in this program, while inspiring photographers to do their creative best with everything from blemishes to backdrops. Photoshop CS5: Portrait Retouching table of contents: Welcome 1. Getting Started 2. Basic Color Correction 3. Color-Correcting Skin Tones 4. Reducing Blemishes and Cleaning Up in Adobe Camera Raw 5. Reducing Blemishes and Cleaning Up in Photoshop 6. Cleanup Project 7. Correcting Tone 8. Reducing and Removing Wrinkles 9. Enhancing Eyes 10. Enhancing Eyelashes and Eyebrows 11. Improving Lips 12. Enhancing Teeth 13. Improving Hair 14. Improving Makeup 15. Enhancing Skin 16. Softening Skin in Practice 17. Making Body Improvements 18. Structural Image Enhancements 19. Retouching Workflow: Project 1 20. Retouching Workflow: Project 2 Conclusion

How to blush actual bark in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial

How to blush actual bark in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial

How to blush actual bark in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial

How to blush actual bark in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial

No URL How to blush actual bark in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Irrespective of what the latest hit movie is, I've found the following kids face painting designs are always in demand. They never seem to lose their appeal.

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Girls

Butterfly Fairy Princess Fantasy Bunny Rabbit Ladybug Cat Flowers Rainbow Puppy Dog

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Boys

Red Spider's Web Pirate Skull Tiger Robot Bat Clown Puppy Dog Alien Tribal

The Most Popular Halloween Face Paintings

Vampire Witch Devil Skull Spider's Web Bat Cat Alien Monster Clown

And remember, there are 5 basic principles to follow if you want to create stunning face paintings with speed and ease:

It's best to stick to simple designs until your face painting skills improve. And of course use templates, stamps and temporary tattoos to help speed up the process.

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

How to Shoot Video of Your Kids Sports Team So That Anyone Else Will Watch it!

Break out that video camera, there is a game this weekend!

1. You bought a video camera

2. You want to shoot sports of your kid

3. Here is how to do it right!

Gear

How to Shoot Video of Your Kids Sports Team So That Anyone Else Will Watch it!

"Back To Innocence" Teaser

Video Clips. Duration : 1.05 Mins.

"Back To Innocence" Teaser

UPDATE: We will be releasing "Back To Innocence" on this channel by the end of June 2012 (YOUTUBE PREMIERE: JUNE 26). Thanks for your patience! For those of you in Washington, DC, we will be premiering the film live at a Fundraiser event hosted by the Jubilee Project, Collaborate to Impact and Jessica Main on June 22 from 8-10pm. Please support the Jubilee Project by joining us for the event to end sex trafficking: www.eventbrite.com Tweet: clicktotweet.com | Share on FB: bit.ly 246 million children are currently victims of sex trafficking and forced labor. "Back to Innocence" is a short film and fundraiser produced to create awareness around sex trafficking. Featuring Megan Lee, Trip Hope and Lauren Lee Written and Directed by Eddie Lee Director of Photography Francisco Bulgarelli Produced with Eric Lu and Jason Y. Lee Music in teaser: "Just Another Man" by Tim Be Told This short film will be featured on the Jubilee Project College Tour. It will be released on YouTube following the tour. To become a sponsor of the short film and donate one penny for each view the video receives, email us at project.jubilee@gmail.com. All donations will be directly donated to Odanadi, a non-profit organization whose mission is to stop trafficking. support jubilee project: www.jubileeproject.org facebook.com/jubileeproject @jubileeproject support megan lee youtube.com/cutiepiemeg918 facebook.com/cutiepiemeg918 @cutiepiemeg918 support Tim Be Told youtube.com/timbetold @timbetold facebook ...

"Back To Innocence" Teaser

"Back To Innocence" Teaser

"Back To Innocence" Teaser

"Back To Innocence" Teaser

No URL "Back To Innocence" Teaser

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Irrespective of what the latest hit movie is, I've found the following kids face painting designs are always in demand. They never seem to lose their appeal.

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Girls

Butterfly Fairy Princess Fantasy Bunny Rabbit Ladybug Cat Flowers Rainbow Puppy Dog

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Boys

Red Spider's Web Pirate Skull Tiger Robot Bat Clown Puppy Dog Alien Tribal

The Most Popular Halloween Face Paintings

Vampire Witch Devil Skull Spider's Web Bat Cat Alien Monster Clown

And remember, there are 5 basic principles to follow if you want to create stunning face paintings with speed and ease:

It's best to stick to simple designs until your face painting skills improve. And of course use templates, stamps and temporary tattoos to help speed up the process.

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Free Scrapbooking Catalogs - 5 Tips To Use One To Create Your Own Scrapbook

No matter what free scrapbooking catalog you use or what supplies you need, there are some basic first steps involved in scrapbooking.

1. Gather Your Photos and Memorabilia

2. Sort Your Mementos

3. Label Your Items

4. Store Your Treasures

5. Plan Your Scrapbook

Now the time has come. You've got your photos and memorabilia nicely organized, and you know what you want to include in your scrapbook. It's time to give some serious thought to your presentation.

See how great it is to use free scrapbooking catalogs?

Free Scrapbooking Catalogs - 5 Tips To Use One To Create Your Own Scrapbook

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Creative Club Ideas For a Kid After School Activity

Eight more great after school club activity ideas:

Creative Club Ideas For a Kid After School Activity

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Video Clips. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tips for the Harry Potter Attraction at Universal Studios, Orlando

Here are a few tips for making the most of your visit.

Wizarding World - Plan on spending the bulk of your day at this attraction if you want to see and do everything. Here is how we did it all:

Tips for the Harry Potter Attraction at Universal Studios, Orlando

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Parties - 5 Tips to a Couples Game Night - Plus 1 Bonus Tip

Organize a Playdate with other Couples

Whether it's financial, kids or you just plain don't want to get dressed up to go out, game night is your at-home answer for staying social without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips from us to you on throwing a successful and fun game night without going overboard:

Parties - 5 Tips to a Couples Game Night - Plus 1 Bonus Tip

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Free Scrapbooking Catalogs - 5 Tips To Use One To Create Your Own Scrapbook

No matter what free scrapbooking catalog you use or what supplies you need, there are some basic first steps involved in scrapbooking.

1. Gather Your Photos and Memorabilia

2. Sort Your Mementos

3. Label Your Items

4. Store Your Treasures

5. Plan Your Scrapbook

Now the time has come. You've got your photos and memorabilia nicely organized, and you know what you want to include in your scrapbook. It's time to give some serious thought to your presentation.

See how great it is to use free scrapbooking catalogs?

Free Scrapbooking Catalogs - 5 Tips To Use One To Create Your Own Scrapbook

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Tube. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Irrespective of what the latest hit movie is, I've found the following kids face painting designs are always in demand. They never seem to lose their appeal.

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Girls

Butterfly Fairy Princess Fantasy Bunny Rabbit Ladybug Cat Flowers Rainbow Puppy Dog

The Most Popular Face Paintings For Boys

Red Spider's Web Pirate Skull Tiger Robot Bat Clown Puppy Dog Alien Tribal

The Most Popular Halloween Face Paintings

Vampire Witch Devil Skull Spider's Web Bat Cat Alien Monster Clown

And remember, there are 5 basic principles to follow if you want to create stunning face paintings with speed and ease:

It's best to stick to simple designs until your face painting skills improve. And of course use templates, stamps and temporary tattoos to help speed up the process.

Discover The Most Popular Kids Face Painting Designs

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Video Clips. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Creative Club Ideas For a Kid After School Activity

Eight more great after school club activity ideas:

Creative Club Ideas For a Kid After School Activity

Our Journey: GINORMOUS Easter 2011 and ACDC!!!!!!!

Video Clips. Duration : 9.63 Mins.

Our Journey: GINORMOUS Easter 2011 and ACDC!!!!!!!

Honestly, this Easter was freakin EPIC!!! I've never seen so many eggs in my entire life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy- Jorge ( HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM MY FANPAGE www.facebook.com Who are we? Please read: ENGLISH manofthehouse.com Who are we? Please read: SPANISH telemundoatlanta.com For amazing photography albums, bios and awesome weekly family moments, add us on facebook! www.facebook.com Finally!! Would you like to reach out? Donations? Support? Use: 3910 University Ave #300-RC San Diego CA 92105 or use e-mails below I'M JUST A FATHER OF TWO WORKING MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE CHECK OUT THE REST OF OUR CHANNEL!! SUBSCRIBE!! BECOME PART OF OUR EXPERIENCE!! CONTACT US AT GONNAWHISTLE@GMAIL.COM

Our Journey: GINORMOUS Easter 2011 and ACDC!!!!!!!

Our Journey: GINORMOUS Easter 2011 and ACDC!!!!!!!

Our Journey: GINORMOUS Easter 2011 and ACDC!!!!!!!

Our Journey: GINORMOUS Easter 2011 and ACDC!!!!!!!

No URL Our Journey: GINORMOUS Easter 2011 and ACDC!!!!!!!

Scrapbooking Ideas - 7 Scrapbooking Projects For Kids

When you think of scrapbooking you usually think of making scrapbook albums. Have you tried using your scrapbooking materials for other projects? These project ideas are great for scrapbooking with kids.

1. Decorate jars and use them as small storage items in your children's bedrooms, like marble collections or collectible game cards. Look in your scrapbooking supplies for stickers and rub-ons to embellish any size jar. Baby food jars and Mason jars work well for this project.

2. Make greeting cards when scrapbooking with your children. Nearly any type of scrapbooking material can be used for making cards. Children will love creating their own Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day or birthday cards.

3. Holiday decorations are easy to make with scrapbooking materials. For example, Thanksgiving embellishments and cardstock can make name plates for the holiday table. Use your creativity and help your children make a centerpiece for the table out of paper and scrapbooking supplies.

4. Help your child keep a vacation journal. Before you go on vacation, create a scrapbook album to take along and have your child complete the album while traveling. Select a small album so it will be easy to pack in a child's carry-on bag. Have pages pre-designed for some of the places you are planning to visit. You could even include some journaling prompts throughout the album. Some examples are "My Favorite Ride at Disneyland" or "The Best Thing about Staying in a Hotel." Then attach a small plastic bag filled with colored pencils or markers, lots of vacation-themed stickers and some adhesive to attach memorabilia and photos from the trip. Let your child do the rest!

5. Scrapbooking for children is an opportunity to make gifts for your family. Flip through any scrapbooking magazine, and you are sure to see a gift project. Your child can use scrapbooking supplies to make picture frames, pencil holders, photo cubes, or note cards. Children also can design pre-made gift scrapbooks, like a recipe album for grandma or an ABC album for a new baby cousin.

6. Christmas ornaments make great scrapbooking projects for gifts. There is no limit to the kinds of ornaments you can make from scrapbooking supplies. Don't be afraid to get messy and use glitter for this project.

7. Birthday parties and sleepovers are the perfect project for using your scrapbooking supplies with your children. Begin with crafting invitations out of paper and embellishments. Have enough materials to keep the same theme throughout the project. Take the time to create thank you notes at the same time. Then use your scrapbook materials to make napkin holders, name plates, centerpieces and party decorations. Finally, using the same theme, decorate goodie bags for your guests to take home.

You'll find hours of fun in these scrapbooking for kids projects. In most cases, you have everything you need in your scrapbooking supplies right now. Scrapbooking for children is a chance to spend quality time with your kids and encourage their creativity and imaginations. Try one of these projects today with your child.

Scrapbooking Ideas - 7 Scrapbooking Projects For Kids

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Video Clips. Duration : 5.75 Mins.

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

No URL Outdoor ancestors portraits - Children Kids Photography Tutorial Tips in Natural ablaze w/ diffuser

photographyequipment.yolasite.com (Budget Equipment) razzi.me www.facebook.com twitter.com Equipment used in this video DSLR - Nikon D7000 Nikon Lenses 50mm 1.8 D lens and 85mm 1.8 D prime lens Lastolite Diffuser (1 stop) A short behind the scene video / tutorial of outdoor shoot. Photographing kids - children - family portraits