Hello Bunny...

So how many of you forgot to set your clocks forward for this morning? I still haven't done the rest of the clocks in the house but at least we had the alarm set correctly!

This cute little munchkin was hanging out this morning...he was quite unconcerned about my presence and went through his full grooming routine for me...


Pretty sure I haven't actually dropped any pounds and become impossibly fashionable just by carrying my new camera bag but as promised, here is a little peek at it in action!
Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag (Mica)


It has plenty of room for my camera with a lens attached, a second lens, wallet, keys, cell phone, extra battery and memory card, notebook and pen, a few filters and the manual. Here it is with the back zipper opened to increase the interior by about 30%...


There's a nice padded insert that my camera fits in just comfortably and there's enough space for my camera strap to fold up on top. Notice those two little black flaps? Those are the pockets for a cell phone and the extra battery.


Here's the thing for anyone with a larger camera like mine, the insert comes with a handy dandy divider that you would theoretically use to snuggle your extra lens into but when my camera is in the insert there's no room to spare. I figured I'd give you a picture of how it would look with the divider in...use your imagination that there's a camera there too!


I have a solution though, I plan to sew another side on to the divider and make it into a little pocket that will go beside the insert instead.

For those of you who are here for the beads, here's a peek of some of what came out of the kiln yesterday... This interesting glaze has a matte finish and did a neat antiqued kind of effect in places. I said I wanted a glaze that reminded me of the flamingos from my zoo post... I think I almost did it!
Now I must get some work done- I need to start pulling together last minute numbers before our ever so fun trip to the tax man this afternoon. I hope you have something more fun planned!

Logical Expectations...

So I ordered a camera bag for my new toy... I'm sure it's totally reasonable to expect that once I receive it I will miraculously lose 15 pounds, become unexplainably fashionable, and begin speaking with an intriguing accent... Doubt me?? Watch this and be convinced...



Want all of these things to happen to you? This is where mine came from: Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag (Mica)
Let me know if you have quicker success than I do :)

New Camera...Nikon D3000 DSLR

Nikon D3000 DSLR

And let me tell you how excited I am to have a decent DSLR.  I had a Nikon SLR film camera for years.  Absolutely loved the thing.  But, I had to sell it to get a digital camera as film just is not the way to go anymore.  So, hubby bought a Kodak D6490 DSLR...without my input, obviously - after all, I am a Nikon girl.  Trying to save money, I guess.  I suffered with that crappy camera for 5 years.  The worst part?  He bought it used.

So, I took it out on Monday to do some product shots and to my glee...I mean, to my dismay, when I tried to turn the camera on, I got an E45 error message.  So, I looked on line to see that the lens was stuck, probably dirt.  Not only that, but a common problem with this camera.  Repairs?  Begins at $80.  I was both upset that photos had to wait, but totally excited because now I can get rid of this hunk of junk and get a real camera!

The thing I love most about this camera?  It is an SLR, which I prefer, but there are so many compensation electronics in it, you don't have to worry about compensation for all those tweaks you need before shooting the actual shot, unless you are in the mood for the ritual of it.  It also has the typical fabulous Nikon metering system, where as the Kodak had a super crappy one.  Minimal at best.

Now, here is a shot I took this morning...this image is before even touching it up:

It looks exactly as it did in the sky.  In order to get it that good with the Kodak, I would have to adjust levels, vibrancy, white balance...the whole 9 yards.  Big difference.

The Nikon even has photo editing software built in to the camera for picture fixing before you even upload; as well as  filters, so the only filters I have to invest in is the protective UV filter, a polarizer and maybe a star burst.

The Nikon is obviously a little heavier and pricier than the Kodak, but well worth the sacrifice.  The only real complaint is that the view finder doesn't jut out far enough and I always have a nose print on the display in the back of the camera. 

I just may get back into photography again.  I haven't done any real photography since 6 months after getting that hunk of crap in 2005.  I gave it up with the Kodak as the pics were just too grainy, too high maintenance and too small.  That Kodak took the fun out of photography.  I still have to spend some time over the weekend playing with the Nikon, but this one will certainly not be returned!

Oh, and this is not a paid post, I just love this camera and wanted to share it with you :)