{Photography} Newborn Session

I was so thrilled when this couple from my first maternity shoot asked me to photograph their newborn baby.

He was only four days when I did the photoshoot. How good do those new parents look?

 You got a little sneak peek of him in my latest Project 52 post but here are some more of my favorites.

 I'm totally new to newborn photography but the parents had some ideas and we worked together to get some really special shots.

 Maybe he'll share his dad's love of baseball.

 A shot I love to get with babies is the parents' wedding rings.   He was being a little squirmy.

 I loved capturing him on this family heirloom blanket and don't get me started on those matching booties with the pompoms!

How lucky to catch a little smile too!

Linking up:

Creative Mondays

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{Recipe} Rice Noodle and Veggie Spring Rolls with Almond Dipping Sauce

I was always a little nervous about trying to make my own spring rolls because of the rice paper but it really isn't that hard at all. If I can do it, anybody can do it!  Spring rolls are healthy, versatile and delicious.  

You can fill them with pretty much anything your heart desires!  Some of my favorite fillings are:

• cooked rice noodles
• shredded carrots
• shredded cabbage
• avocado
• cucumbers
• cantaloupe
• peanuts
• tofu-pan fried
• scallions
• fresh cilatro
• mint leaves 

To make your spring rolls, have all of your fillings ready to go.  You'll also need a big bowl of warm water, a wet dish towel and a plate for putting your finished spring rolls on.

Dip one spring roll wrapper in the warm water until it becomes transparent. It will be sticky but pliable. Put it on a wet dish towel and flatten out gently.

Add fillings to the bottom half of the wrapper, being careful not to overfill. Leave some space at the bottom of the wrapper.

Pull the bottom part of the wrapper up and over the filling. Fold in the sides and then roll filled part onto the remaining part of the wrapper, pulling it all together as you go. You might rip the rice paper but if you're gentle, you should be able to wrap it up easily.  The paper should stick together to hold the spring roll together.

Place spring rolls seam side down on a plate as you work. 

Serve immediately or keep in the fridge until ready to serve. They keep fairly well in the fridge for a few days.  Serve with almond butter dipping sauce.

Almond Butter Dipping Sauce

1/3 cup almond butter (or sub any nut butter)

1-2 TBS soy sauce

1-2 TBS maple syrup (or sub agave, coconut sugar or brown sugar)

2 TBS lime juice

1/2 tsp chili sauce

1/2 tsp fresh ginger (optional)

hot water to thin

Stir all ingredients (except water) together.  Adjust by adding more soy sauce, lime juice or sweetener to taste. Thin the sauce with hot water, adding a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency.

Let's Keep In Touch!

Linking up:
Welcome To the Weekend
Cooking and Crafting with J & J
Creative Gallery
Wow Me Wednesday

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{Project 52} Weeks 16- 23

I'm still rolling along on my Project 52 photography challenge.  

 16|52 Favorite (photo)

 17|52 Backlight

 18|52 Movement

 19|52 Love

 20|52 Spring

 21|52 Nature

 22|52 Hands

23|52 Rule of Thirds

Let's Keep In Touch!

    
Linking up:
Wednesday Blog Hop

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{Get Crafty} DIY Disney Ears

 It's been awhile since I've been to Disney but Miss High School just came back from a grandma/cousins trip to the "most magical place on earth"!  The cousins all got crafty and made their own ears.

My daughter made a pair for each park. #overachiever If you'd like to make your own here's what you'll need.

Materials:

• headbands (we found ours at Dollar Tree 3//$1)
• foam and or poly stuffing (from craft store)
• fabric of your choice
• needle and thread
• hot glue gun
• Optional add ons {faux flowers, trims, bangle bracelets}
• cup or circular item for tracing ears
• card stock or cardboard

I had a special helper to model all of the designs. 

Note the Star Wars ears have two sides.

 To assemble:

Find a cup that matches the size of the ears you want to make. Trace onto card stock for your template and use to cut your fabric.  Cut the fabric leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance all around. Hand stitch together with wrong side facing out, leaving a hole for stuffing the ears.  Flip right side out and stuff with foam (also cut to size). Add stuffing to give your ears more dimension. Close hole by hand stitching.  Attach ears to headband with needle and thread and add hot glue for extra stability. Add any extra trim to your ears, like bows, sequins, flowers, etc.

 I think my model was getting tired here in her Minnie Mouse style.

 Wait, she's happier again thinking about Animal Kingdom.

 To make flower crown version:

Attach bangle bracelets to the headband with hot glue. Secure with some floral wire.  Add faux flowers to make a crown with hot glue.

She was telling us what kind of ears she wants for her next trip to Disney (still thinking...).

How fun to have one of a kind ears for her trip!  The total cost was just a few dollars for materials.

Let's Keep In Touch!

Linking up:
Wednesday Blog Hop
Cooking and Crafting with J & J
Creative Gallery
Wow Me Wednesday

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