Cartwheels In My Mind

Wedding Inspiration: my FAIR lady.

'Ello poppets! How was your weekend? Did you do anything funzies? What about crafties? What about carnival'y? Weeeeeeell, speaking of carnivals I did go to one! Would you like to see an photo from it? This is just one of many but I just want you to get a taste of what I saw.

Pretty colors, right? I thought so too. In the midst of editing my photos I was so inspired to see what other carnivals were like... which took me one step further in my rabbit trails of thoughts and... got me thinking about a carnival wedding theme. 

Um, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? How amazing is this wedding theme?!? I LOVE THIS WEDDING ON EVERY LEVEL! Being a photog myself, I'm always daydreaming of amazing props/locations/themes for photo shoots. If you want to drool over this wedding a bit more then go HERE .

Random fact about me: My lips have always been in rough shape so I ALWAYS have chap stick with me. 

::SHOUT OUTS::

The following Charlotte wedding vendors contributed to this inspirational wedding shoot:

Production – Lindsay Emeigh and Blake Miller for Charlotte Wedding Magazine
Design – Favor Me Events
Bakery – Wow Factor Cakes
Food – La-Tea-Da’s Catering
Floral – The Place For Flowers
Rentals – Party Reflections
Stationery – Nuage Mulberry
Location photography – Chris Edwards
Studio photography – Sara from Whitebox Weddings
Lace gown – Claire Pettibone
Strapless gown – Jason Alexander
Halter gown – Monique Lhullier
Column gown – Nicole Miller
Pink pleated gown – Alfred Sung by Dessy

  

up close. {and perhaps too personal}

 hello fabulous ladies {and gents too... i didn't forget about you lovely men out there}. you know, i was thinking the other day that i have never truly allowed you to get up into my personal space. i've been posting my little heart out and expect you to know about me even though i've never really told yall about myself.

well, today is your lucky day... because, it's all about me. whoa. that sounded very conceited. hold the phone! let's take a time out to say that i didn't mean it to sound that way {yeah yeah... i know, says the girl who has a giant picture of herself posted above.} okay, that picture represents us pretending to have a cuppa {that's what the british say for tea... you know, like "cuppatea" instead of "cup of tea"} and me being in your personal space a table length's away. so, if you don't mind i would love to share some things that you need to know about me in my random incomplete thoughts:

  i met my hubs while working in a coffee house. me&the hubs live in england.  i'm southern bred but pretend that i have a british accent. i consider SWEET TEA as part of a well-balanced diet. typing in lower case=awesome. i sweat A LOT. washing my feet is my form of relaxation. paying full price for anything should be considered a crime. driving stresses me out and i think a personal chauffeur for life would be a great birthday gift. huge families are the best. me&the hubs sometimes talk in funny voices to each other. orchid LOVER. hugging is the best form of medicine. my closet used to smell like coffee {because i worked in a coffee house}.  for immediate warmth i sit in front of my hair dryer. the thought of childbirth makes me want to pass out. music junkie.  once had a wreck with myself in a mall parking lot while looking for a cell phone that wasn't even in my car. major shoe&giant ring fetish. i'm trying to convince the mister to buy me a dog... but not just any dog: a PUG {for all of you that just said "eeeew" you better take it back! THEY ARE THE BEST!} i constantly think of cool photo prop ideas. i prefer to shop alone {unless thrifting&antiquing} because i take FOREVER to make up my mind. most people think i'm between the ages of 16-18.

 

well, i'm not sure if that helps but maybe you know me a little better, right? i'm completely random in life but really love it and try to squeeze as much of the juices as i can out of it... except for the really cold and rainy days. on those days i just retire myself and take a 2-4 hour nap. yes, seriously.

 so there you have it. that's me in a nut shell. i hope you've enjoyed today's session of get-to-know-elizabeth's-random-quirks. thanks for tuning in today. big hugs to all you folks out there today. 

Random fact about me: see all of the above.

Christmas List Check-off Help :: The Artsy Photographer.

Attention Shoppers...Cartwheels In My Mind encourages all of you to take the virtual tour through the magical World Wide Web where we will be stopping at some of the coolest places that carry the exact gifts you need for each person on your list. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Because my name is Cheryl, and I'll be your tour guide today. 

Today's virtual shopping trip will be all about finding that perfect gift for the artsy photographer friend. I decided on this theme for today because I feel like anyone that is reading this blog either is or knows someone that fits the bill perfectly. So let's surprise them with the best gift ever this year!

First up...How adorable are these little Camera Zipper Pulls from fredflare.com?

And then there is this super cute Camera Photo Album from Anthropologie.

 
Speaking of Anthropologie, how AMAZING are these Well Read Pinhole Cameras made out of old books? 

 
Ok, (This is fun, right!? I'm LOVING shopping for everyone else. My dream job is to be a personal shopper, by the way. Anyone want to hire me? ;D) next let's talk about camera cases. To find a couple that I felt were totally fun and unique I went into Etsy and started scouring all the shops. And here's what I found:

1. I am LOVING this little green crocheted purse...and even though it was made with the intention of being a clutch, I think it would be perfect for holding one of my smaller cameras when we are headed to the zoo or something and don't want to bother with the big camera. And it looks like it might fit in the diaper bag, so double bonus! :)

2. But as much as I loved the above bag, I NEED this Red Vintage Luggage Bag from GetReadySetGO on Etsy to use as my camera case. need. So so loving it. Can you imagine opening this on Christmas day? I'd just die of excitement.

Check out the rest of her shop as well...super cool stuff all the way through! She adds little decals to old luggage and the end result is just amazing.

Alrighty, speaking of bags, what do you think of this Crocheted Camera Cell Phone Case from skymagenta on Etsy?? Oh my gosh, PERFECTION is what I think! 

Now I just HAVE to share a camera strap. Because even though I know that almost everyone else on the planet has one, I do not. So that means there should be a few stragglers out there that are like me and could use one too. :)

This Psychedelic Seventies Camera Strap from Howard Avenue is super retro and fun: 

But just in case you are looking for a wristband strap instead of the full sized ones, check out Studio ALX on etsy...They have a bunch of funky patterned ones, including this one made from my favorite fabric EVER!

   
And finally, no gift sharing post would be complete without a little bit of jewelry right? Well, I have just the photos you need to be drawn in:

First up, a Polaroid Necklace from AngelMonsterr on Etsy:

And another Camera Necklace from BabyLovesPink on Etsy:

And then this Camera Ring from CreativeAccidents on Etsy (only $7.25!!):

and finally, one last Polaroid Necklace...only this time it's wooden (From Seattle on Etsy.)

Ok, so remember how I insinuated that the jewelry were the last ones to share? Well I implied wrong. Because I found a couple more things that I just HAD to bring to you. Extra Inspiration is always good, right? :)

Hopefully you agree, because I found the coolest little Camera Gift-Card Holder (I would totally use it to hold my credit cards once the gift cards were used up if I received one.) from One Late Night on etsy.

And wouldn't this Fake Tattoo Sleeve from Fredflare.com (yes, I'm, obsessed with fred!) make the coolest prop in an engagement photoshoot where the subjects were artsy?

Speaking of cool props...here's a photo of some really cool Mustache Photo Props by HerFlyingHorses on Etsy. And every photographer needs props, right?

And this time, I really am going to stop. I'd love to keep going (this has turned out to be one of my favorite types of posts since opening Cartwheels...I may just have to figure out a way to incorporate it into the site year-round.) but I'll be back very soon with more to share for other people you are shopping for. :)
Which reminds me...I got one request for organizational stuff, a couple for home decor and one other one for unique jewelry...and I just wanted to say first thanks for the feedback, and second...I'm on them all! It's so great to hear back from you and know you are excited about a feature on Cartwheels. I'm always open to suggestions so don't hesitate! :)

Happy Friday everyone!

P.S. Be sure to check the site frequently next week...I'm going to be doing some fun give-aways for Christmas! :)

Reader Submissions.

 
Happy Black Friday everyone! For those of you choosing to skip the insanity of Christmas shopping to do a little art (or just searching for a little inspiration!) I've got some really amazing art to share from our readers that posted in the Cartwheels flickr gallery.

First up, this fun little scrapbook layout by Shaina Longstreet. Love the yellow journaling strips...and that photo of the leaf in her pocket is just awesome. love it all! :) 

Shaina: Created as a Design Team layout using the November 2010 ACCEPTANCE kit from ScrapbookingfromtheInsideOut.com, the Inspiration Source, Kit Club and Online Community all about scrapbooking your inner world.

And how sweet is this photo by Amber (theclikchick) using the always fabulous EyeCandy overlays? I'm so inspired to make a little graffiti of my own! And make sure you check out the rest of Amber's photos...she's a magician behind the camera. :)

Amber: http://vol25.typepad.com/

 

And how fun is this bag shared by Katie? So so cute! You can see her blog post about it and another bag she made using the same techniques (and check out her fun fun blog!!) here. 

and here's a layout that katie shared...so cool!:

And lastly, (but certainly not leastly!) check out this gorgeous December daily album by Miya:

Miya: Starting Dec 5th, I will be blogging the pages, as they are filled, here: 
ilovedirtylaundry.blogspot.com/

I just want to say thanks so much to each of you that posts in our flickr gallery. I get so excited each time I check it and there is something new and inspiring to share with our other readers. I have discovered lots of new blogs to follow and always love what each of you shares. :)

Through the Lens: types&effEctS.

 

Fancy meeting you here. What a coinky-dink!!!

Do you want to know how different cameras can have different effects on a photograph? Hmm? Or what about different printing styles? Yes??? YAY! You're such good cartwheelers. 

The Dina.

Ever heard of it? I'm sure you have. I love these little guys... Even though they aren't the professional digital {WHO CARES!!} they make some of the COOLEST images. Wanna see? 

Told ya. Aren't these beautimous? These lovelies came from HERE.

How about the Holga pinhole camera? 

 
 

{source}

Aren't these great?!? Well, that's all i have for you today. Thanks for stopping by. JUST KIDDING. Did you actually think I wasn't going to show you any of my work??? You did didn't you. Hmm. Have some faith, will you?!? :) 

I loooooove trying news things especially when it comes to photography. I like to dip it, dunk it, squish it, cut it, color it, and anything else you can think of when it comes to distorting {or as I like to think} ENHANCING the photograph. 

These images were printed on thick {almost like cardstock} paper that had a linen texture. First I had to coat each piece of paper {in almost pitch blackness because if the paper was exposed to light then it would be ruined} and then wait for the paper to dry before i could actually print on it. The chemicals I used were called something like liquid light. I'm not sure if that was the technical name for it but that's what i called it.

I'm blue daba dee da... wait. Flash back to 1999... OKay, moving on. These images are called cyanotypes. You can probably get this effect with the iphone now however these are actually blood, sweat and tears people. This is how do say... the real mcCoy!

Thanks for tuning in with me today. I hope that y'all go out and get adventurous with your photog'ing. :) You'll be glad you did... promise. 

I would love to know what kind of things you've dabbled in. Have you purchased a Diana camera? Ever used a pinhole before? Hmm. Please comment... if you want. no pressure. 

cheerio darlings,

e

Weekend Photo Challenge:: Peaceful

 

Happy Friday! How did it happen that it is November already, anyway? Early November seems to be a little quiet for me before the start of the crazy Holiday season that comes a little later in the month. For this little bit of calm before the storm, I am grateful. This week I want to challenge you to photograph something in your world that brings you peace. Your family, a cup of tea, crafting...whatever it is, photograph it and share with us what says "Peaceful" to you. My photo this week is of a statue in a local cemetery. It may seem odd to some but I find cemeteries very peaceful and often beautiful and this angel statue is no exception. Remember to add your photos to the Flickr group so we can all see what you find Peaceful in your little world. Happy shooting!

~Amy