Search Results for: blog napping and memory

Scrapbook the Snips and Giggles

Next week, my soon-to-be third grader will visit the salon to get her annual back-to-school haircut. Nothing drastic; the hair stylist will simply clean-up her existing bob. I’m not anticipating any tears, though you never know with my scissors-fearing kid. This is a child, who has never once felt the sting of a wayward clipper, blade or stylist’s fingernail, but freaks out whenever we enter a hair salon. It’s been this way for years; however, she’s gotten a lot better in the last 18 months. Still, if you look through old scrapbooks documenting my daughter’s visits to get her hair … Continue reading →

Snapping Beach Keepers

The long Memorial Day weekend is set to kick-off in just a few days. Traditionally, the holiday marks the unofficial start to summer. For many families that means picnics, backyard barbeques, and trips to the beach. If you are planning to document your family’s fun in the sun, consider these simple tips to keep your camera safe and your photos hot, hot, hot: Gear: Personally, I don’t bring a bunch of fancy camera gear with me to the beach. After all, you don’t want to expose your equipment to the hot sun for long periods of time. What’s more, if … Continue reading →

Listening to Your Body (and Interpreting the Message)

Two out of the last three days, I was attacked by a ninja. A ninja nap. It snuck up on me after my usual post-work routine: walk the dogs, feed the dogs, feed myself. I found my limbs sluggish and my eyes heavy, so I gave into the ninja nap. Three hours later, I woke up. (Both times.) Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes a nap catches me off-guard. I’ve got things planned, work to do… but I find myself sinking down into sleep instead. It can throw off my whole schedule for the rest of the day, but sometimes … Continue reading →

Napping and Memory

I’m a big fan of naps. Back in my radio days, I often kept a weird schedule — up at four in the morning and at work by five-thirty. I’d be done for the day around two in the afternoon… and would often take an afternoon nap to recharge. Even now that I’m keeping a more normal schedule, I often find myself wanting a nap around two in the afternoon. I enjoy curling up with the dogs and taking an afternoon snooze. I don’t necessarily need to do it, but it’s good to relax a bit and wake up with … Continue reading →

Megapixels and Picture Quality

Ultra-thin, point and shoot digital cameras are all the rage among young photographers (not so much with me). I always figured the people who opted for these slim-Jim cameras were more concerned with style and size than with picture quality. However, these days ultra-thin models are packing more megapixel capacity than ever before. So how much do you really know about megapixels? Or perhaps the better question is, how much do you really need to know? If you are in the process of purchasing your first digital camera one of the first steps to understanding what kind of camera is … Continue reading →

Knowing When to Zoom and Other Photo Tips

These days almost every digital camera on the market comes equipped with a zoom feature and a wide-angle feature. Both have their advantages, but you’ll find your pictures will benefit if you know which to employ at the appropriate time. Zoom. There is a basic rule my photography teacher drilled into me that I have never forgotten: zooming in flattens the depth of the photo, so the foreground and background are basically the same size. Wide-angle. In contrast, a camera’s wide-angle feature will expand the depth of the photo, enlarging the foreground and shrinking the background. Many times people zoom … Continue reading →

Scrap Your Magical Spring Break Adventure

If your family’s spring break escape includes a sprinkling of pixie dust, a pair of glass slippers and a castle fit for a princess, then you will likely be documenting every magical moment. No trip to a Disney theme park can take place without snapping at least a few hundred photos and collecting a mountain of memorabilia.  When you return from your fantasy vacation you’ll want create a scrapbook detailing all of the fun had with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and the rest of the crew. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a ton of money crafting a Disney-themed memory … Continue reading →

Spice Up Your Halloween Story

When it comes down to it, a scrapbook layout is really an adventure in storytelling. Photos, embellishments, memorabilia, captions and journaling all help recount a special memory and preserve it for years to come. With Halloween just around the corner, now is the time to start strategizing holiday layouts. Consider how you want to tell the tale of your All Hallows’ Eve festivities. For example, if you want to put an emphasis on photos rather than write out lengthy journaling blocks, consider spicing up the shots by taking them from unique angles. Experiment with some extreme close ups and or … Continue reading →

Halloween Pages

Now is the time to stock up on Halloween scrapbooking supplies. Typically, I don’t purchase holiday-related items until after the 31st, so I can take advantage of post-holiday sales. However, this year, I’ve seen several major retailers (including Michaels and Hobby Lobby) offering up to 50 percent savings on Halloween-themed scrapbook elements before some kids even have their costumes picked out. Not that I am complaining. Still, if you are planning to purchase materials for your Halloween memory book prior to the holiday, there are some factors to consider. For starters, if your children haven’t already selected their costumes, stick … Continue reading →

Scrapping Your Camera

Scrapbookers are gearing up for the busiest time of the year. October, November and December are prime months for documenting holiday-related events. Memory book makers’ cameras will be getting a major workout as 2012 comes to an end. Consequently, you’ll want to make sure your camera is in tip-top shape in order to capture all of those special holiday moments. Now is also an ideal time to upgrade your digital camera if you are looking to improve your scrapbook pictures. When shopping for a new camera it’s important to conduct some research prior to purchasing. Fortunately, the Internet is teeming … Continue reading →