Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

Senior Portrait Photography-Hope White-Galena 2015-Eightymillion Photography

I had the pleasure of photographing  this Senior last weekend here in Galena, IL.  She was so much fun to work with and went along with all of my crazy ideas.  Congratulations Hope on your upcoming graduation and to what adventures lie ahead!

From now on I’ll be sharing my future photo sessions here on the blog.  Therefore, the numbers are for the clients to order their prints.

Until the next session…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Handmade Card Inspiration-UPDATE!

I take a lot of photos.  Let me say that again.  I take a LOT of photos.  It’s time to put them to use.  A lot of my prints never make it to paper.  They exist only on a flash drive.  Why?  My daily struggles with time I guess. 
I’ve been coming across all sorts of interesting things in the craft store.  Photography related rubberstamps, film strip washi tape, Polaroid scrapbook paper, and a few other goodies.  And of course I buy it all!  Then it sits in a drawer in my office. 
My goal this week is to dig it all out and create some new cards.  I need to get my Etsy card shop back open and why not do it with a whole new look?  My card rack in Galena needs some sprucing up as well.
I’ll post an update as to how they turn out.
UPDATE!
This past weekend I added a new stack of handmade cards to the shop in Galena!  Many more to come.  Here’s a little preview.  
Next up…re-opening the Etsy shop (Eightymillion Dog Card)!

Until the next word…
~Jennifer

DIY Inspiration: Handmade Vintage Button Magnets

I have a {secret} obsession with buttons.  Especially vintage ones.  Their small, colorful, unique, and most of all useful. I’ll be sharing more ideas as I have time to create them.  Here’s the first.
Create your own magnets.  These have gone over well in our vintage shop so I’ve decided to make more with plans of adding them to one of my Etsy shops.  
Then I ran into a problem…
I don’t want to give the new batch up.  I sent some in my sister’s Christmas box.  Maggie (niece) loved them. They’ve found a good home on my metal cabinet that I have in my office.  And they might just stay there. We’ll see.
Assorted buttons, button magnets, and a hot glue gun.  That’s it.  Attach one button to each magnet using the hot glue gun.  Get creative and stack various colors inside one another.
I found that a cookie sheet works great as a drying station.  
As I slowly clear away the holiday mess in my office I’m finding more DIY projects.  You were warned.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

DIY: Inexpensive Holiday Arrangement Of Ornaments

Easy, festive, inexpensive, and takes less than five minutes to put together.  Keep reading!
Have you ever purchased ornaments with the intention of hanging them on the tree, but they stayed in the holiday box year after year?  
Several years ago I found this adorable tube of assorted Christmas balls at Old Navy.  The holiday was over so they only cost me $1.99 (love those clearance bins).  We’ve all made purchases simply off of the “they looked cute” method.  Right?
When I first moved into my house I noticed these swag hooks in various spots in the house.  The first thing that comes to mind when I see them is those plants that hang in a hand knitted holder.  Remember those?  Throughout the years I’ve found uses for those hooks.
Using various lengths of ribbon I strung each of the ornaments.  I wanted the bold colors to pop, so I chose a cream colored ribbon to hang them with. 
And there they hang.  In the corner of my living room.  You could also hang them above a doorway.  Or on the hardware that opens your closet.  I would recommend choosing one that you don’t open a lot, especially if the ornaments are made of glass.  My dogs don’t bother them because they hang so high.  Not sure if they’re cat proof.  They may think your hanging up toys to play with in passing.  
Need a quick gift for someone who just moved into a new house and doesn’t have a lot of holiday decor?  How about someone that is away at college?  The arrangement would be small enough not to take up much room.  Hostess gift?  Giveaway at a holiday craft show?  Please stop me, because I could give you ideas all night.
Okay, one more.  Do you find yourself buying new ornaments every year and then you don’t know what to do with the old ones?  Pass them along to your kids when they move out on their own.
Have fun!  Perhaps I’ll hit the clearance bins again this year.  They would look cute in our shop in Galena, IL.  
Tomorrow I’ll be in the kitchen again.  Baking more goodies for the gift bags.  This time I’ll be adding a little twist to a traditional recipe.  Chocolate?  Of course!  I’ll be posting the recipe here when they’re finished.  Are you baking this year?  
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Friday’s Top 10 List: 11-16-12 (Gifts For Her)

Taken at All That’s Vintage in Galena, IL

Hello!  Not sure where you live but here it’s sunny and 50 degrees.  I’ll take it!

Can you believe that next week is Thanksgiving?  Being vegetarian I don’t really get all that excited for the “turkey meal” but I welcome the day off of work.  It’s also the official day that I went “cold turkey” and decided to become a vegetarian.  Thanksgiving of 1985 to be exact.  I had already stopped eating a lot of meat prior to this day.  When my parents placed the bird on the table and pulled out the carving knife I decided it was time to give it up.  I’m sure it started more as a mental thing, but there are also a lot of health benefits.
Black Friday?  No thank you!  I was never for standing in line at midnight in the cold.  However, I did notice that many stores are starting earlier this year, so that’s good.  People will go right from the dinner table to the line.  I prefer to browse around the web to look for deals.  Trying to figure out something fun for my Etsy shops.  I wish I had a little elf to list items for me when I’m away from my home office.  Wouldn’t that be nice?
I like to promote other Etsy shops whenever possible.  Etsy is huge and ever seller deserves a little extra exposure.  Treasuries are fun to create as well.  Here’s a treasury titled, 16 Gifts Under $25.  I love this one, Gifts under $25.  Yesterday on Etsy’s blog they published 25 Gifts Under $25.  I want one of everything!  
So, this weeks Top 10 List is all about gifts for the ladies.  Christmas shopping isn’t cheap.  Therefore, all of these items are $25. and under.  Gotta love Etsy.com.  So many creative people.  Enjoy.

The closer we get to Christmas my Top 10 Lists will focus on last minute DIY’s you can make yourself.  Inexpensive and easy to make.

Looking for something Vintage to put under the tree?  Last weeks lists featured a nice mix of pieces from the past.  Click here.

Did you miss my experience with the flying cat?  Cracks me up every time I look at it.

*****

Handmade Fingerless Gloves from warmandsoft.  Love this color!
Handprinted leather ipad/iphone case from inblue.
Mustard Cosmetic Bag from JordaniSarreal.
Eco Friendly Cheese Board w/Beaded Spreader from CDChilds.
Brass Elephant Ear Earrings from shahnazofficial.
Cotton Jersey Scarf from SwedishShop.
Screenprinted fabric from summersville.
Mixed Media Journal from JenofEveDesigns.
Handmade Coin Purse from CottonTimes.
Owl Flour Sack Tea Towel from KitchTowels.
*****
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Friday’s Top 10 List: 11-9-12 (Vintage Gift Giving)

We got our holiday order of Vintage Canfolks for the shop in Galena, IL.  As soon as I saw Ralphie I immediately wanted to watch the movie.  Then reality sat in.  I no longer have cable.  My next trip to the store will included purchasing the DVD.  Maybe Santa will bring it for me.
Remember last week I mentioned that I’ll be utilizing the Top 10 List for holiday gift guides?  Read the entire post here.  This week I’m going to feature Etsy sellers who have shops full of vintage goodies.  Do you have anyone on your list who loves vintage?  Look at it as a great way to save the earth by recycling treasures from another time.
Shopping on a budget this year?  No worries.  Everything on this list is $25. and under!
Have a great weekend!
*****
1970’s Las Vegas Flight Bag from MiesEnScene.
1950’s Weenie Dog Salt and Pepper Shaker Set from Thrift Vibes.
Flowered vintage napkins from TheGlassLily.
Vintage Cake Tin from VintageMeandMom.

Antique Skeleton Key from ashburylane.
Red enamelware bowls from tippleandsnack.
1800’s Antique Mother of Pearl Buttons from AddVintage.
Vintage Fire King Chili Bowls from TheChickenEye.
Industrial Antique Faucet Handles from TheOldTimeJunkShop.
Yellow Vintage Beaded Coin purse from AsYouLikeItVintage.
*****
Until the next word…
~Jennifer 

Laundry: My New Saturday Night Ritual

And here I sit again.  Doing my laundry on a Saturday night.  I truly believe that I’ve started a new ritual.  Remember my post from last Saturday?  I’ve actually got a lot of work done while here.  Gotta love free Wi-Fi.  And yes, you can actually take some interesting photos here also.
Today both President Obama and Mitt were in town.  Traffic was crazy everywhere.  Although I’m looking forward to the election being over (not comfortable with that feeling-blame it on the massive amount of political ads), it’s interesting to see what’s all involved when they come to town.  I had to work at the shop in Galena, but a friend of Adam’s gave him a ticket.  Looking forward to seeing his photos.  He told me he sat six rows away from the stage.  I phoned him once and I could here Obama speaking in the background.  Kinda cool!
My dryers are about to stop.  Enjoy what’s left of the weekend.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer    

My Life With Dogs: Leaving the House

It’s been a super busy weekend here and it’s not quite over yet.  I put in some long hours at the shop to accommodate the tourists that are in town for Galena’s Country Fair.
No complaints!  I’d rather be busy than bored.
The greatest challenge I faced this weekend is leaving the house.  Sounds easy, eh?  NOT!  I was out on the deck this morning with my youngest son, House.  As I was telling him that it was time for me to go to work he gave me this look.  And I just happened to have my camera with me.  He looks happy, right?
No worries, there Dad will be with all three of them today.  House is just very good at making you feel guilty.
P.S.  The word House has two meanings:  First, the place in which I store all my stuff.  And second, the name of my youngest four legged son.
Until the next word…

Friday’s Top 10 List: 9-21-12

I’ve been battling a nasty cold the past few days.  I HATE being sick.  With the help of anything that has vitamin C in it, zinc cold therapy tablets, homemade soup, and lots of rest I’m pulling through it.  Did I mention that I HATE being sick?
So, were you one of the thousands of people in line today for the new iPhone5?  Hopefully everyone will get one before six comes out.  Sorry, had to throw that one in there!  I’m happy with my Google phone.  It continues to amaze me on how much this little device can do.  
Are you following me on Twitter?  I grant you permission…
*****
I grew up with MTV.  It was there that I’ve discovered some of the most influential bands that I currently listen to today.  Either on cassette or vinyl.  Anything that produces music.  One of my bucket list entries read…During my visit to NYC I plan to visit a live taping of TRL.  Weather it be a seat in the audience or someone in the crowd holding up a piece of cardboard, I wanted to be there.  Remember TRL?  I cried the day that it ended.  Looking at how technology has changed over the years I have a better understanding of why it ended.  The internet gives musicians a different avenue for distributing their music.  One in which everyone has adapted to.  
Well, earlier this month I was watching The Today Show and saw this clip.  I jumped for joy.  Ashanti is bringing back what I miss.  The show, Fuse News, will deliver what’s new with music.  She’ll include iTunes updates as well.  Kudos to her!
It’s official!  I’m on the hunt for every scrumptious mouth-watering vegetarian crock-pot recipe I can get my hands on.  I’m starting with this recipe.  You can’t possible think of Fall without a crock-pot full of goodness.  Which reminds me, I need to purchase another one.  One isn’t enough.  If you have any websites to refer me to, please leave me a comment.  Thanks!
A very cool t shirt website I discovered this week.  Which one is your favorite?  Here’s mine.
Camera cozy DIY project.  I like!
A Vintage Christmas?  We’re getting ready to bring in all the goodies here in our shop in Galena, IL.  Here’s a few Etsy shops that I found that carry some goodies to decorate your house.  One, Two, and Three.
Any holiday gatherings on your calendar?  Here’s some mini desserts that look tempting without the gathering.
Vintage is in more now than ever!  What an adorable photo prop for newborns.
Last year during the holidays a friend of mine asked me for a recipe for a mixture to boil over the stove to give the house a nice fragrance.  I knew of nothing.  Truthfully I’ve never heard of such thing.  Today, I asked Google and found these.  Fall is becoming by far my favorite season.  How about you?
Rock-Paper-Scissors for Halloween?  Cute!
30 ways to decorate with pumpkins.
*****
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Friday’s Top 10 List: 9-7-12

It’s good to be back online.  
Last night was the first night that I actually missed having cable.  Why?  Because I missed the VMA’s.  I’m hoping to catch footage on their website.  So, today I chose to rock my MTV graphic tshirt. 
Today’s weather is resembling a perfect fall day.  Crock pot dinners and a warm bowl of homemade soup with bread.  Yum.  I am ready for fall.  You?
Have a great weekend.  Tomorrow I will be sitting in section 202 watching these guys.  And these guys.  And these guys are opening!  I will be in rock n’ roll heaven.
*****
Halloween Inspiration.  The candy corn sugar cookies look awesome.  I’ve never experimented with coloring cookie dough.  What am I waiting for?  I want to create one of everything from this collection.  Kudos to all the creators.
Have you ever dressed your dogs up for Halloween?  The cat?
I LOVE my new smartphone.  Even though I’ve been accidentally calling people (all the time) because I don’t fully understand how to operate it.  Technology continues to amaze me.  Anyway, I’m getting my feet wet with all the wonderful apps you can download.  Shazam is my absolute favorite one so far.  The question I have now is do I download the Instagram app?  Do I really need another site to keep up with?  Time will tell.   
I use to make these cookies all the time.  They will soon fill my belly again. 
An adorable blog that I just discovered (by accident)…(meaning that some accidents are good).  How about that Airstream?  OMG, love it!
I’m a huge fan of raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  BUT, this one just might top that.
Would you like the Key to Galena, IL?  Have you ever visited this charming little town that has something for everyone?  Be sure to follow my friend’s blog for his insight of what the town has to offer you.
Do you use videos for marketing your business? How about Viddy?  YouTube?  Here’s some additional tips to guide you through the process.  I’m leaning more towards Viddy.  Short, sweet, and to the point.
Mixtape necklace?  Cute!
Please keep in mind that I listen to a wide range of music.  Remember I call it mood music.  Okay, to the point.  I first discovered this band during MTV’s Springbreak of 1998.  They made of cover of a New Order song from 1983.  Here’s the video.  As I was catching up with the social sites today I read that they’re back with new music.  I feel like a kid in a candy store.  Perhaps I’ll get the chance to see them live someday…….ah.
*****
Until the next word…
~Jennifer