*New* Let It Snow

How about one more design for 2011? I was originally planning to release this in January, but I just can't help myself.

We are all super ready for SNOW to come again, so why wait? Get the word out! Let it Snow!

Inspired by the graphic appeal of woven antique coverlets from the beginning of the 1800’s, with Pinetree and Snowball patterns.

This is my own interpretation, combining elements from coverlets by different makers, and with the addition of those irresistible lyrics from one of my favorite Winter songs.

Let It Snow!, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in 1945…

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Stitch Count: 135 x 121

Model stitched on Northern Cross 40ct Cream linen that was tea-stained prior to stitching.

Using thread from The Gentle Art: 7055 Uniform Blue

The lovely frame is an antique.

My Shadow is now available in my etsy shop and will be going out to my distributors soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

Taking Pictures

The camera that I have been shooting with for the last five years is a Canon EOS Rebel XT (previous to that, I used a Canon Rebel film camera). At 8 megapixels, it delivers large, clear shots and gives me plenty of opportunity to play with settings to achieve my desired outcome.

But every year, when the winter months roll in, my struggles to get well-lit photos that are sharp and clear become monumental. I often go for days without picking up my camera, because I know that I will just become frustrated.

It does have a built-in flash, but in general, I tend to avoid using it, because I don't like the harshness that is inevitably present when flash is used.

For the past year I have been saving money to get a new camera body. My ultimate wish was for a new Canon in the D series, but after a year of squirreling my pennies away, I wasn't even a third of the way toward the sticker price.

After doing more research, and reading hundreds of positive reviews online, I decided to stay loyal to the Rebel line, and bought an EOS Rebel T2i.

Just the body for now, since all of my lenses are interchangeable.

The photos you have been looking at are a representation of how much better this new camera handles low-lighting. I used the same exact settings, and only slightly different lenses to capture the same shot with each camera.

I am so pleased and excited each time I take a low-lighting photo with my new camera. It is almost effortless to capture what I have imagined in my mind, and the time spent editing my photos has dwindled down to almost nothing.

More play, less work... bringing back the joy of taking pictures... happy, happy me!