Getting crafty
Canon SD960 IS
I wish that I’d have the foresight to save more than a few of the dark slides from my stockpile of expired Polaroid 600 film because I now have a plan. With a wee bit of cross stitching, card stock and rubber cement, I’m turning this by-product of my ongoing Polaroid adventures into greeting cards.
Granted, I have been been ill and this all could be a crazy plan spun out of my drug-addled brain, but so far, I’m having a good time. My first three endeavors are now available on Etsy for my ukulele fund.
The Oates Boys
Polaroid SLR 680/Polaroid 600 (expired)
My fingers are covered with a myriad of little tiny scratches after meeting the Oates boys today. Granted, their rambunctious play was of my own making and Sixty & Niner (!!!) can’t be blamed. There really is nothing like a couple of kitties to lift the weight of the world from your shoulders. You can view more kitty goodness (including video) here.
Fun with packing peanuts
Next time something comes to your door protected with those corn starch packing peanuts why not have a little fun before you flush them down the toilet?
All you need to do is moisten one end and then press to firmly to fur or skin. When you’re done, the peanut will peel of with ease. Small children and pets are an ideal canvas though adults will do in a pinch.
My favourite lemon loaf
Polaroid SX-70/Polaroid 600 (expired)
It will come as no surprise that I have a sweet tooth and I do love a good lemon loaf. At the end of last year I began trying out the myriad recipes I found online. After much trial and error (think half of the loaf remaining in the pan when trying to remove), I finally found *the* one (for me). Funnily enough, it’s called “Our Favourite Lemon Loaf” at Food.com. I’ve made a few small tweaks to their original recipe. Here my favourite lemon loaf:
LOAF
½ cup butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup milk
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 lemon (finely grated rind)
GLAZE
1 lemon (juice of)
¼ cup sugar (if you want a shinier loaf, add a little more sugar to the glaze)
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Then add the eggs one at a time, beating until creamy. Blend in milk.
In another bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add to this dry mix to the wet until moistened and then stir in the grated lemon peel. Scrape the batter into a well greased 8 x 4 inch loaf pan and bake in 350° degree oven for 70 minutes.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool another 10 – 15 minutes. While the loaf is cooling combine the lemon juice and sugar in saucepan and stir over a medium to low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Pop the loaf back into the pan and spoon the glaze over the loaf. Let the loaf cool completely in the pan and then turn out onto waxed paper.
Otherwise, don’t eat too much in one sitting or you’ll get a stomach ache (I learned this the hard way).
Wedding Portraits
The Polaroid SLR 680 is a great camera for impromptu portraits at a family wedding. You can view more in this Flickr set. (Along with a few LOL disposable camera photos, which I think you’ll agree, isn’t the best camera for a wedding.)
My favourite iPhone photography apps
I think the Lifehacker selection of photography apps for the iPhone is lacking. I should note that I don’t mind paying for apps. Whether it be .99¢ or $9.99, if it makes your life easier, then it’s worth it. Without any further ado, three photography apps I can’t do without and one confession:
Photogene ($1.99) My greatest issue with the Lifehacker list is that there’s no mention of a robust editing app. Snapture sounds like it might have some basic editing, but I want more. Given how often my iPhone gets the orientation wrong, having a tool to change the orientation in camera is key. I also can crop and colour correct an image.
Autostitch ($2.99) I love this app. View more of my Autostitch photos.
Diptic ($1.99) This is my recently purchased photography app. For those time that you want to arrange multiple images, then this apps for you.
Confession: TrueHDR ($1.99) is a nice little app that can work wonders when you’re trying to take a photo where there’s extreme contract between elements in the image. Yes — Haitch-Dee-Arr! If the end result is a little too Dr. Seuss, you can bring it into Photogene and fiddle with the colour.
What are you favourite iPhone apps? What am I missing in my toolbox for better iPhone photography?
Heather Powazek Champ never leaves the house without a camera. A Canadian by birth, she now calls San Francisco home. More »
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