Friday, July 22, 2011

Like Mother, Like Daughter

My daughter is awesome.  She's super smart, sweet, funny, beautiful, goofy, athletic, a good person with a generous heart and so so much more.  And, she's a beader!  I have to show you what she finished making today.  She beaded three tubular netting beads with 3mm pearls in the core...all by herself.  Sure, the thread got tangled a time or two and I helped her with that, but other than that she did them herself.  She is a very quick study.  Every so often I would be beading at the table and she'd come get her bead mat and project out and sit with me and just bead and be together for a while.  Sweet times.

There are 3 beads about 1" each, and then they are spaced with 1/2" metallite beads.  It's on beading wire with a lobster claw clasp.  It looks so cute on her.  She's very proud of herself, and so am I.  Here's Sara's project....
Way to go Sara!!!

The second thing I wanted to show you today is my newly acquired super duper Photoshop skills.  I thought I was pretty good at adjusting photos before, but now I am like a pro!  Thanks so much to Robin Atkins for spending an hour or so with me on the phone going through bunches and bunches of steps and settings.  I had to learn to edit my photos really really good for the step by step photos for the new book.  Here is an example of the drastic change I am now able to accomplish.  The first pic is the photo as it was taken in its original form.
Pretty kinda ick, huh?  Well, what do you think of the transformation in the next photo?
I can hardly believe the difference myself.  I showed it to my dh and he says, "Did you just use a filter or something?"  No!  It wasn't "just" a filter!  I had to adjust levels, colors, hue/saturation, brightness/contrast, shadows/highlights, make layers, make the shadows disappear with the dodge tool, use the eraser tool (from large to very itty bitty), and i had to merge it together and then use the burn tool to finish it off.  So, no, it wasn't "just" a filter.  I did a lot of work to get it to look this way.  The book photos are looking great, too, but sorry to say I can't show you those.

Teaching a small group of ladies tomorrow how to make a bracelet (and of course Sara will be there, too).  That should be fun!

Ok, kids.  Wanted to pop in to let you all know I'm still here and haven't forgotten any of you.  I've been super busy trying to make pieces for the book, write instructions, get lessons in writing instructions, having the instructions tested, taking photos and editing photos.  phew.  No wonder I'm tired!  But it's a good kind of tired.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

9 comments:

EWA gyöngyös világa! / EWA's World of Beads! said...

Very bautiful as always!

Anonymous said...

I love Sarah's bracelet! It is beautiful, smart girl!

Danielle said...

I love your daughters bracelet!! one stitch I have yet to try, but I would cetainly wear hers in a minute. Your photoshop skills have definitely improved, what a difference! Actually made me stop and think about the photos that I post, I just take them and add them, might not hurt to tweak them just a bit. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your class today,
Danielle

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Lisa, you are amazing. I think there are no limits to what you can accomplish. I think your daughter is learning that from you too.
xx, Carol

Robbie said...

You and Sara should both be proud!! Sara did a great job! But she has a great teacher! Way to go!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Congrats Sara on your beautiful bracelet! And congrats to your mama on mastering Photoshop!

Abracadebra Designs said...

Hey Sara, Your bracelet is gorgeous. I haven't even had the guts to try netted tubes yet. Great job!!!! Me and my daughter Tammy have been working on macrame this summer, like we do every summer when she gets a little bored. It's really fun to have Mother/Daughter creative time. And Lisa, good for you, tackling your photos!!!
-Debbie

Bellesanbeaus said...

Way to go Miss Sara!!! and congrats on the photo learning stuff Miss Lisa...you never cease to amaze me! Big hugs

Dees said...

Must have missed out on something, cause I didn't know you were participating in writing a book! Very good for you and deserved too.

BTW excellent job Sara... hope I won't misspell anything this time in paying you a compliment. I love your bracelet.