Monday, June 22, 2009
En Route, With a Stop to Meet a Horse
I am en route, with an oh-so-brief stop in New Jersey to celebrate Father's Day with my dad, sister and stepmom, and we had the incredible opportunity to meet a 3-day-old filly on Saturday afternoon (it was pouring at first, hence the grayish cast to a lot of the photos, but let me tell you, this camera is aMAZing!).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
How I Will Prove the Existence of the Loch Ness Monster
So I leave on the first leg of my England-Scotland trip (the leg where I go celebrate Father's Day with my Dad in New Jersey) on Saturday, and in preparation, I have been experimenting with my brand-new, not-really-all-that-shiny-but-still-very-pretty Nikon D40.
Aside from the fact that I was sold on Nikons through years of reading blogs - is it just me, or is this camera pervasive among art/craft bloggers? - the reviews I read before actually making the purchase were glowing. Probably the best reviews I've read for any product I've purchased in a long, long time. Glowing.
It's not hard to see why. The camera makes my front patio look interesting, and this is just pointing and shooting - I haven't yet added the filters (immediately, I promise!) or changed a single setting on the camera, and it's cloudy outside, as you can probably tell.
In fact, it makes grass look interesting. Well, I already find grass interesting. I find everything interesting. Except lima beans.
I keep saying that this trip - which is in support of a family friend, who is graduating from the University of Dundee - is going to be a great research opportunity, but since I managed to kill both of my compact cameras in the past months, I needed some way to actually document my research. You know, so I can take photos of castles, palaces, cottages, fairies, and the Loch Ness Monster.
I was tempted to take it back and trade it for a D60, solely out of megapixel greed (well, and to prevent those naysayers who will say my photo of Nessie is fake), but I've read hundreds of reviews in the past few days, and consensus seems to be that, unless perhaps you're a billboard photographer or make your main living with a digital camera, megapixels don't matter all that much these days. This is the page that convinced me.
I was also convinced by this photo, which may just look like a shoe to you, but in which I can see the texture of my shoe better than I can when I pick it up and hold it up to my face.
Hmm, maybe I should go see the optometrist again. But seriously? If you click on the photo, you'll see what I mean. This camera rocks.
Too bad this guy didn't have it:
Aside from the fact that I was sold on Nikons through years of reading blogs - is it just me, or is this camera pervasive among art/craft bloggers? - the reviews I read before actually making the purchase were glowing. Probably the best reviews I've read for any product I've purchased in a long, long time. Glowing.
It's not hard to see why. The camera makes my front patio look interesting, and this is just pointing and shooting - I haven't yet added the filters (immediately, I promise!) or changed a single setting on the camera, and it's cloudy outside, as you can probably tell.
In fact, it makes grass look interesting. Well, I already find grass interesting. I find everything interesting. Except lima beans.
I keep saying that this trip - which is in support of a family friend, who is graduating from the University of Dundee - is going to be a great research opportunity, but since I managed to kill both of my compact cameras in the past months, I needed some way to actually document my research. You know, so I can take photos of castles, palaces, cottages, fairies, and the Loch Ness Monster.
I was tempted to take it back and trade it for a D60, solely out of megapixel greed (well, and to prevent those naysayers who will say my photo of Nessie is fake), but I've read hundreds of reviews in the past few days, and consensus seems to be that, unless perhaps you're a billboard photographer or make your main living with a digital camera, megapixels don't matter all that much these days. This is the page that convinced me.
I was also convinced by this photo, which may just look like a shoe to you, but in which I can see the texture of my shoe better than I can when I pick it up and hold it up to my face.
Hmm, maybe I should go see the optometrist again. But seriously? If you click on the photo, you'll see what I mean. This camera rocks.
Too bad this guy didn't have it:
Friday, June 05, 2009
FantaSci-tastic!
I am hurriedly packing new prints, ironing tablecloths, checking my list and getting ready to run errands, so this is just a quick note in the middle of a very, very busy day to let you know that I and my maps will be at FantaSci tomorrow at the Chesapeake Central Library.
This event, when it was held at the Hampton Convention Center in 2007, was my first event ever, and I am excited to be a part of it again this year. I am also delighted that it is returning to the library, where it originated, and free and open to the public this year.
I'll have lots of maps there, including prints of The Land of a Thousand Rainbows:
and Rascal's Island Treasure Map:
and many, many more prints and originals. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello!
Me at my first FantaSci.
This event, when it was held at the Hampton Convention Center in 2007, was my first event ever, and I am excited to be a part of it again this year. I am also delighted that it is returning to the library, where it originated, and free and open to the public this year.
I'll have lots of maps there, including prints of The Land of a Thousand Rainbows:
and Rascal's Island Treasure Map:
and many, many more prints and originals. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello!
Me at my first FantaSci.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Turn over that little pail and give me a drumroll, please...
A big thank you to everyone who signed up for my Etsyversary celebration giveaway, and thank you for the wonderful recipe suggestions.
Your names went into my happy new little blue bucket (from the Dollar Spot at Target...I try to not even look in that direction as I walk in the door, but they make it nearly irresistible when they have lovely things like this):
My husband was at work, and the cat doesn't have opposable thumbs, much to his chagrin, so I had to hold the pail out with one head, turn my head, scrunch my eyes closed, and draw out a name with the other hand:
Congratulations, Summer! Wishing you happy travels and many wonderful adventures with your Kingdom of Delight map!
And, while I'm at it, thank you to the three who signed up for part 2 of The Great Book Giveaway...
The winner of these three books is Marissa of Mama Sparkles, and they are on their way to you! I hope these books bring you much joy!
More giveaways coming this summer! These have been great fun for me, and I hope for you too, because I have lots more goodies to give away. I mean, lots and lots and lots.
Your names went into my happy new little blue bucket (from the Dollar Spot at Target...I try to not even look in that direction as I walk in the door, but they make it nearly irresistible when they have lovely things like this):
My husband was at work, and the cat doesn't have opposable thumbs, much to his chagrin, so I had to hold the pail out with one head, turn my head, scrunch my eyes closed, and draw out a name with the other hand:
Congratulations, Summer! Wishing you happy travels and many wonderful adventures with your Kingdom of Delight map!
And, while I'm at it, thank you to the three who signed up for part 2 of The Great Book Giveaway...
The winner of these three books is Marissa of Mama Sparkles, and they are on their way to you! I hope these books bring you much joy!
More giveaways coming this summer! These have been great fun for me, and I hope for you too, because I have lots more goodies to give away. I mean, lots and lots and lots.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)