Calling All Photographers

I would like to introduce my brand new blog, Shutter Speed!  It is dedicated to providing free resources for photographers, aspiring photographers, and photo enthusiasts.  In addition to tips, tutorials, inspiration and ideas I'll also have a monthly photoshop freebie, photo contests, and prop giveaways!

This month you can find this free senior graduation announcement photoshop layout for a 5x7 front and back flat card.

I've also just posted our first photo contest/grand opening giveaway!  Link up your favorite photo for the chance to win this cute hanging cocoon photo prop:

And for any of you who have shops that carry photo props or photoshop actions or templates contact me to sign up for our promotional advertising price.  You can have your button displayed in our sponsor box for a full three months for just $10.  We are anticipating hitting 500 followers by then.  We also provide the option of hosting giveaways or reviews.  You can read all those details over at Shutter Speed and email me at shutterspeedblog@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by and checking it out!

My most recent newborn session

I am in love with the pictures from my most recent newborn session, so I have to share, here are my 20 favorite images.

Visit my photography site, Sweet Confections Photography, to check out other newborn portraits, wedding photography, senior pictures, family portraits, baby and child portraits, and more!

I made almost all of the props you see here!  Many of them are available in my prop shop (see sidebar) and a few of them are coming soon.  The headbands can be ordered too, even though they aren't listed yet.  And the crochet patterns are available (also some coming soon) in my pattern shop (also in sidebar).

Thanks for checking out my work :)

Lacey Petti Romper Tutorial

Update: I've had some questions about where to find elastic lace.  I found mind at JoAnns.  They only had a couple colors to choose from, but they happened to have the color I wanted.  So go check your local store :)

Have you seen these lacey petti rompers around?  They're getting pretty popular and I LOVE them!  They make such cute photo props for  newborns and infants.  I thought long and hard about what would be the best way to assemble one of your own and I have to say it turned out perfect!

The one I made will fit babies newborn-6 months (9 if the baby is on the smaller side).  But to make it bigger, just add a few inches to what I used. 

Supplies:

- Sewing machine and other basic sewing supplies (including thread to match)

- Satin Lining (I bought 1/3 of a yard for the newborn-6 months size)

- Elastic Lace (I bought 5 1/2 yards.  You need a lot!)

Making your own lace petti romper:

1) Do not pre-wash fabric.  This romper is meant to be a photo prop and will not be washable. 

2) Cut your satin lining to size.  My measurements were 13 inches long by 25 inches wide/around.

3) Finish your top and bottom seams by turning them under1/4 inch and sewing near the edge.  If you have a serger you can serge the edge first to prevent fraying.  If not, it's just a photo prop so it's not going to get a ton of wear and tear anyways.

4) Okay, now we're ready to start sewing on the elastic lace.  You want the middle of the elastic lace to be just below the top edge of your fabric as seen below. 

5) The lace needs to be stretched to full capacity as you sew.  Take it slow here so you can get a nice seam.  Sew it along the whole length of the garment using coordinating thread.  When you reach the end, cut the elastic off and we'll do the whole step over again (and again and again. . .)

6) Before you start sewing on your second line of lace make a chalk line to guide you. My seams (which remember are in the middle of the elastic lace) were spaced an inch apart.  Don't go any further than that in your spacing.

7) Continue in this fashion (making a chalk line and sewing elastic lace onto fabric while stretching to full capacity) until you have filled the whole garment from top to bottom.

8) Once you have all your lace secured to your fabric you will have a nice bunched up rectangle of fabric.  Fold it in half (right sides together) and sew it together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. 

9) Finish this edge.  I serged it because it's easy and won't show, but you could use any method.  You now have a nice lacey tube. 

10) sew a little line in the middle of the bottom to make the crotch seam.  I sewed a 1/2 inch seam.

That's it, you're done!  Now go try it on your little cutie and see how adorable she looks. 

I also  made the headband.  Super easy!  Just sew a little elastic together for the headband and buy a matching silk flower.  Take the flower apart and remove all plastic parts, stack the petals and sew them together in the middle.  I left the top petal off and hot glued it on after to hide my thread.  Then hot glue the flower to the headband.

To see everywhere I'm linking this, click here.

***************

Only a couple days left to enter the Yellow Plum Blossoms giveaway.  If you haven't checked it out yet, click here to do so :)

I hope to see you back here tomorrow for Idea Sharing Wednesday!