The Covers

Jesiah and I are moving into a new "town house" and I have been busy trying to move in and create a nice space for us.  I have this half memory of making these outlet covers when I was a kid with my mother.  They are incredibly easy,  cheap, and look pretty.

I found a pack of scrap-booking paper from Micheals for $10.  The packs are nice because they have multiple variations on the same design and color.  You do, however, have to sift through all the terrible terrible scrapbook paper out there.   You can also use fabric or wrapping paper.

You also need some Mod Podge.  I used the matte finish for this project but glossy or any of the other hundreds they sell.  There are even some with glitter.   An X-acto blade, some sort of cutting surface, and a large marker are also handy tools.  I just bought cheap covers from Home Depot for about 25 cents each.

I didn't take pictures of this next part. But, basically, you cut the paper out so it is about 1/2 an inch bigger than the cover on all sides.   Using a foam brush (or a paint brush, just make sure it's okay quality so the bristles don't get caught in the podge) podge the front side of the cover and center it on the paper.  The back side of the paper.   Use a marker to smooth it so you don't get any air bubbles or wrinkles.

Carefully podge the edges of the paper and fold them in, pressing against the paper until it sets.  You might need to trim the paper down or cut small triangles from the corners.  Fold down the edges on all four sides.   Don't be afraid to get crazy with the podge here.  I like to coat over the edges 4 or 5 times.

Using the x-acto knife, cut an X shape in the "hole" part of the light switches or a 6 pointed star in the outlet covers.  Carefully fold over and glue down making sure the edges are tight.   If there is excess paper the covers wont fit properly.

Podge the back side.  Turn it over and brush podge all over the front side.  I set on a towel to dry in my living room, and then later went back and re-podged them.  The podge makes them less papery and more plasticy.   I imagine you could wipe these guys down with a damp towel with no problem.

Dry overnight and... voila you have outlet covers!   Don't worry about holes for the screws, just carefully screw them into the wall.
I chose turquoise and teals for the livingroom/kitchen/dining room as they are all pretty much one giant room.

The two bathrooms have weird purple/pink butterfly wallpaper.  I hate them.  So I decided to do rainbow because I wasn't sure what else would match with this ugly space.  I wasn't about to find pink butterfly paper.  

For the hallway and staircase I did these.  Simply because I liked the paper. 

For the office/guest room I did these nice green colors.   And for the bedroom I chose reds.

 This apt has a crazy amount of outlets.  Over 20.  Six in the bedroom.

I can't wait to put them in the wall... after my landlord comes by tomorrow.

Wedding Bells

Today I am headed out to go and take some "getting ready" pictures for an old friend from highschool.   We didn't stay in touch after I left for college but I am excited that I get to be at her wedding (as a guest! wahoo!) and take some 'before' pictures.

Katie spent every night at my house during high school.  And by that I mean that she told her parents she was at mine but never actually stayed over.  When I first met her mom she was incredibly happy to meet the girl who her daughter had been 'living with'.  

Katie and I feel out of touch for the last 6 years or so.  I am so happy that I not only got to reconnect with her, but that I got to attend her beautiful wedding!

CONGRATS KEEBLE!

Maternity Photos

This week I got the opportunity to 'practice' taking maternity photos for a friend-of-a-friend.   Maternity photos are something that I had never done and was dreading having to do.   I feel like so often they are cheesy or just plain weird.  Rarely do I see any that I like.  Something about being pregnant just seems to bring out the strange photography fantasies in people...   

You know, like tiger people...

   or creepy naked ones.

Luckily, Bernadette was not only sane, she was extremely photogenic.   I really enjoyed our morning together.  She is only 22 years old and an incredible mom to one and expecting another.  Her family raises adorable red rabbits and easily have the strangest cutest cat ever.  But more than anything, she was a dream client.  Every pose was perfect and she had an uncanny ability to look 'candid'.   I can't wait to photograph her newborn son in the fall- even if he is only half as photogenic as his mother. 

Here are my favorites:

oh, and her cat!

On a business note, today I ordered business cards.  Wahoo!  I am well on my way to actually charging for my services.