Using photo challenges

Some of you know that I got a new Canon EOS T2i for Christmas this year (thank you, best husband ever, for surprising me with that). After a few days of using it in the auto and other pre-set settings, I started to explore the Manual option. I am so hooked on manual!

And now I am determined to get really good at this. I started a Pinterest board for tutorials, tips and tricks. I also started hunting down other photo bloggers and challenges for inspiration.

I'm excited for the challenges. It gives me a definite time period and a skill to concentrate on. I like having that extra pressure of not putting it off, and I love the sharing aspect.

TwoPeas had a Shallow Depth of Field challenge this week and here is my final photo for that challenge.

I am really happy with how it turned out. Especially since I had a five year old modeling for me. 

Do you have any recommendations for photo challenges to send me? Leave the URLs in the comments section! Thanks for stopping to see my photo today!

american crafts giveaway

Over at 2Peas there is an organizational challenge going on right now. I am a neat freak by nature, so I am not participating in the challenge, but it did make me evaluate my stash. I have a lot of stuff!

I will never be able to use all of it and there are people that can, so here is the best part: I am giving away a kit of American Crafts stash. There is double-sided card stock, Flair, Thickers, ribbon and a mini album in here.

Do you want to win? All you have to do is post a comment here about how you plan to clean up your scrappy space this season. Want a second chance to win? Sign up to be a Follower of this blog. I plan on covering some great things in the next few weeks (hint: need wedding gift ideas?). Post your comment and link to follow by 11:59 pm EST on May 28.

Thanks for stopping by! I will announce the winner on Friday, May 29, so check back to see if you won.

i won the weekly challenge at 2Peas!

I am so excited! This layout won the Weekly Challenge at Two Peas in Bucket this week. The challenge was to use multiple photos. This challenge was so outside-of-the-box for me, but I really enjoyed it.

thanks vintage plum!

Earlier in the week I shared a Mother's Day card that I made.

Well, I had made that card for the NSD challenge at Vintage Plum. And... I won that challenge! The prize is some really cute handmade tags.

Thanks Vintage Plum! You all are a great community with fun, new and fresh challenges. Just wanted to share my joy and VP love!

To add to my good day yesterday, I won the random drawing for the Video Warehouse Walk at 2Peas. Not much involved there except that I realized I should have played the lottery on Tuesday!