New Camera!

Got a new camera this week! Our old camera got dropped and messed up not too long ago, so I thought it would be a good time to go ahead and purchase a camera like I have been talking about getting for a while....After doing a little (a very little) research on Amazon, I decided to get the  Nikon D3100.

It sounded exactly like what I wanted - easy to use, excellent quality pictures, the capabablity for some bigger lenses eventually, and HD video!

So far I have been very pleased with all of it - it's exciting to have a camera of my own for the first time, and I am hoping to become a better photographer. I know there is lots for me to learn...

My brother also talked me into buying a separate lens, the - Nikkor 70-300 mm Telephoto lens. I can't wait to use this at upcoming reenactments for far-away battle pictures!

A few pictures taken so far....

I'm loving the clearness of the pictures and the capability for different points of focus.

The view across our beautifully green wheatfield

Sweet smelling wildflowers...I like being able to blur the background for effect! :)

This may not seem like a very epic picture - but it's sort of a big deal to me....it was taken in our kitchen at night which has terrible lighting for photography. Our old camera always blurred the pictures terribly when I was trying to take pics of yummies in the kitchen. But now.....don't have to worry about that! yeah! (those are sweet potato pies, by the by....) That was one of the reasons the D3100 sounded so appealing to me - the high range of ISO settings for low-light situations. Because our house just doesn't have good lighting most of the day.

Texas has the most beautiful skies!

Do you have any photography tips? What sort of camera do you prefer?

Update Pictures on the Museum Dress....

Just recieved some pictures of the Museum of the Confederacy dress in progress being covered and painted! Go to the updated post to see!

Museum of the Confederacy Dress

In February I was contacted by a company about doing a dress comission for a display to be housed in the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, VA. Even though the request was a little unusual, I was beyond excited! The museum is somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time.

The above dress picture whas what I was given to reproduce.

Slightly modified fan front bodice with a waistband, v-neck, bishop sleeves, pleated trim, and a box pleated skirt. The material really didn't matter, as it wasn't going to be seen (I'll explain...) So we chose a wool for the right drape, and for the sturdiness so it would stand up well to the treatment.

The below pictures is the type of treatment the dress will recieve for display: covered with resin that is let to harden, then painted white. The dress will be on a mannequin representing a mother sending her son off to war.

The dress was mostly machine sewn, as the treatment would obsure any tiny details such as handsewing, and I also didn't take time to match up the plaid pattern, since it wasn't going to be seen. I have to say it was a little strange working on a dress that 'wasn't actually going to be seen', but covered over with resin and paint....

I really did enjoy the project, as I always love doing 1860s era dresses - especially ones with a specific inspiration picture. Hopefully I will get to see pictures of the display when it is finished!

UPDATE! 3/15/12

 Just got some pictures of the dress/figure in progress - being covered, painted and posed.

Pictures of the finished work to come...

UPDATE 3/19/12

Finished!

Also, a picture of the entire display! I love it.....

UPDATE 6/12:

Well, there has been a slight change discovered. This dress is not displayed at the museum in Richmond, VA as I had thought.

When my friend Rebecca and her family were traveling through Virginia on vacation in June, they did some searching and found the dress and its display at the Museum of the Confederacy at Appamatox!

Read Rebecca's story here.

You can see more pictures on the Museum's website here, and be sure to watch the informational video linked on the front page - the dress is featured twice!

SAICFF Trip 2012

Our trip to San Antonio at the end of February was fast-paced but fun! We went down for the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival and for the Filmmakers Academy. The Academy was for 3 days at the beginning of the week - and it was fantastic. We got to hear so many wonderful speakers, including Doug Phillips, Geoff Bodkin, John Fornof, Kirk Cameron, Stephen Kendrick, and many others!
Even if I never get into film-making, all the thought-provoking lectures were completely worth it in terms of perspective and worldview. I came away very inspired to be alert and active for Christ in all areas of my life (including what films we allow into our homes). Click here to see pictures from the Academy. We also got to meet so many fun and like-minded people from all over the country!

I also enjoyed getting to see several blogging friends - Ashley, Gabrielle, Michaela, and Anna!

The Alamo.

Getting to spend a week in San Antonio was so much fun. It is such a beautiful city with all the old architecture, the fun little shops, historic downtown, and of course the Riverwalk!

A San Antonio Rose! :)

Aspen and Desarae on the Riverwalk

A tall stone church spire, and inside the Alamo courtyard.

During the time we were there, it was the anniversary of the first days of the seige of the Alamo. There were groups of reenactors who were talking to the crowds and even 'firing' a canon down the street!

Me, Mom, and Aspen on our way to the Alamo plaza to take the kids to see their favorite toy soldier shop.

The little ones enjoy a resting place on the riverside.

Right next to house where we were staying was Mission San Juan, with buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.

A charming little stone house with built in garden beds!

The gatehouse reminded me of something from a medieval castle!

During the lunch breaks for the Academy and Festival, we enjoyed exploring the Riverwalk.

So many lovely vignettes!

A riverside cafe.

Lovely staircases

An adorably old-fashioned shop

We stopped to get an ice cream treat at a shop in the historic Menger Hotel,

just across the street from the Alamo.

(Wearing my blue hearts skirt from eShakti.)

All dressed up for the final night of the Festival!

   

Remember the Alamo!

March 6, 2012.

176th Anniversary of the fall of the Alamo.

I often read this letter written by William Barret Travis, commander of the Texian forces at the Alamo, and it always makes my heart beat faster:

To The People of Texas and

All Americans In The World --

February 24, 1836

Fellow citizens & compatriots --

I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis

Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves --

Travis

26-year old Travis died in the early morning battle on March 6th, defending the North Wall of the Alamo.

These detail pictures of the Alamo I took when we were in San Antonio last week for the Film Festival. We always go there several times during any San Antonio trip. It's hard to stay away. One day I plan to make an 1830's dress, specifically for visiting the place. :)

But for today - remember the heroes who died fighting for Texas against incredible odds.

Remember the Alamo!