Inspiration Station

How are you feeling about the 30 Day Challenge in my last post? A little daunting, no?

Let me offer a little inspiration - Even if  you're not Challenge-ing, it'll be some deeeeelish eye candy.

 My fave blog for inspiration on all fronts, Honestly...WTF is not nearly as rough around the edges as the title may make it appear. The best friend duo of a stylist and photographer co-author the site from different cities, taking their own incredible photographs, offering DIY (do it yourself) projects that will blow your mind, and featuring artists who work in all forms of media.

 

Talk about dreamy...

 

Custom-made Vans for Robert Verdi, inspired by his collection of vintage Hermes scarves.

 

DIY hex-nut bracelet - I made my own based on the site's directions!

 TopShop look book loveliness

I can't even say I'm scratching the surface of this incredible one-year-old site. They're prolific post-ers, so you're sure to get something for your eyeballs to snack on daily. 

Honestly... Check it out.

~All images courtesy of Honestly...WTF~

An Apple A Day Finale

The grand finale!

Personally, I think I saved the best for last. And it's a newbie on the scene, so I get to do a little introduction.

Friends, meet the Stop Motion Recorder.

Image courtesy of 148apps.com

No sneaky moves with the name - This guy does just as promised, and with panache. Snapping still photos every 1 to 20 seconds (or by using the stop/resume function if you need more time), your movie is created claymation style, complete with all the jerky charm. And it doesn't even have to feature Rudolph.

Image courtesy of us.catchapp.net

Choose your effect (from black and white to mirror image), and enjoy using the on-screen grid and 'shadow' of your last picture to perfectly line up the next shot. Pick your frames-per-second speed and save for easy sharing and all 'round entertainment.

Did you have a flip book as a kid? Well here it is, all grown up.

Image courtesy of edibleapple.com

Thanks for stickin' around for the series - Enjoy your new toys!

An Apple A Day #3

It's day three in the series! No game changer here though. Just another fab app f.y.e. (for your entertainment).

Today's pick: Project 365

Image courtesy of find.macworld.com

This app allows (and even reminds, but we'll get to that later) you to take a photo each day of the year, add a caption, and create an ever evolving scrapbook right there on your iDevice.

Image courtesy of image.macworld.com

There are two versions of this guy: A freebie and a 99 cent-er, and I highly recommend busting out the coin purse for the paid-for version. That reminder I alluded to earlier? That's an included feature by way of a push notification every day (something I really need if this whole 365 program is going to stand a chance). Your near-dollar also gets you a slideshow feature for month in review purposes, cropping, and the option for online back-up.

And you don't need to pay to get the essence of this app - Even with the free version you still get to take the photos and caption each.

Daily documentation at your fingertips.

Image courtesy of thepirata.com

An Apple A Day #2

Number two in the series! I know you've been holding your breath. Sit back, relax, and begin the download.

Pick number 2: Hipstamatic

Image courtesy of iphone.appstorm.net

This is the most-used app I've downloaded on my phone, simply because it's so much fun. The Hipstamatic camera offers an unpredictable, analog-y feeling to any scene you snap. A multitude of lenses, films, and flash effects, I feel like I could take 20 pictures of the same thing and have a different, creative result each time.

Image courtesy of 3.bp.blogspot.com

Fantastic!

Bonus features: An easy button to upload to Facebook for sharing the ones that you feel rival Ansel Adams, and every-so-often themed photo contests for Hipsta-users.

Image courtesy of farm5.static.flickr.com

The $1.99 download comes with 3 lenses, 3 films, and 2 flashes - Plenty to be happy with. If you love it and want more options, you can purchase 'Hipstapaks' for $0.99 each, which also come with several lenses/films/flashes, and can be previewed before purchase. I have to say, I've absolutely zero complaints about this one.

Image courtesy of pocket-lint.com

Oh, snap.

Image courtesy of geeky-gadgets.com

Umbra-lievably Easy

I love to scrapbook, but sometimes I just don't have the time or motivation to bust out all of my supplies and get down to business. I still tend to hang on to all those little bits and pieces that make a scrapbook live up to it's name, and have finally found something quick and easy to take care of the memory-inducing goodies that tend to start cluttering up my mantle/fridge/dresser.

Image courtesy of PostModernDesigns.co.uk

Umbra, which I'm sure you've seen the aisle of at Target, has always been my favorite for clever twists on photo display. Lately they've been doing a lot with magnetic structures, allowing the user to create a three dimensional scrapbook that can be changed in seconds.

Image courtesy of FridgeDoor.com

This is the Seto Suspension Frame, which I've decked out in my house with sports tickets, a sew-on patch, pinback button, and even an ice cream bar shaped eraser. Each spoke is completely removable, allowing any combo of items to be masterfully staged. I needed mine to be a lower profile, so have no spokes emitting from the top plane, taking down the height shown above considerably.

My own 3D scrapbook results

This frame isn't available on the Umbra site any more, but is at FridgeDoor.com, and retails for under $20.

Blow the dust of those scraps, de-clutter your surfaces, and create a piece of art, all in 5 minutes or less.

Go-To Gift

Ever have trouble thinking of the perfect girlfriend gift for your bestie?

You want it to be perfect, a suprise, creative, and, of course, not too spendy. Well, if you have a camera handy, you've got your next present already half planned. One of my long time pals and I are both snap-happy, and both of us place a lot of value on photos. So, rather than agonizing over eachothers Christmas gifts, we've made a sort of pact.

Each year, we will exchange framed photography of our own creation. Sure, we know what we're getting, but the suprise of what photo was chosen and why makes the trade so fun and meaningful. What made that moment in time make her think of me? Out of all the photos she's taken in a year, why this one? It creates discussion and bonding, and we each come out with art for our home.

Christmas 2009 Photos: Left by yours truly, Right by RJF

We've both also become experts at cute-but-cheap picture frames. Target and Walgreen's have captured our hearts and wallets for their wide array, and one can easily find something well-suited to any photo in the $5-$20 range.