it's the little things

Are you slightly obsessed with stationery? Want to get away from technology for awhile? Join photographer Amanda J Webb in her love of the little things :).                                                               Contact her at: [email protected]                                                                     

[ajwebb-blog]

Anniversary card

My latest card creation, for my parent's wedding anniversary. An impressive 38 years - congrats!

I bought a package of these flowers from Michael's and literally just used blue sticky stuff ("Sticky Tack" if you're getting technical) to keep it all together. I'd suggest the blue stuff over tape because then you can move things around slightly if need be.

I'd love to hear your creative card ideas :). Email me & let me know!

[ajwebb-blog]

2013 Dayplanner

It's that time of year again! Time for a new dayplanner :P. Just got my Peter Pauper Press 2013 Calendar from Chapters. Isn't it beautiful? :)

There were lots to choose from at Chapters, but I love this particular dayplanner because it has 16 months instead of 12, and has a back pocket where you can add notes/photos.

Can't wait to start writing in it! I'm officially a nerd. Here's to hoping I'm not the only one...

[ajwebb-blog]

Cute wedding idea!

Here's a cool way for guests to learn a few little fun facts about the bride and groom: The folded paper game! I saw these while photographing the wedding. Very sweet, reminds me of playing with these as a kid :).

Want to make one? Here's a quick video showing you how (just fyi: they call them Paper Fortune Tellers).

[ajwebb-blog]

New notebooks for Christmas

Here are some of the latest notebooks available at Chapters:

I'm not obsessed with them, but they still made it onto the blog :P

They're Ice Crystal Journals by Indigo - retail: $18. Would I pay that much for them? I don't know, they are leather bound...but it's not like they're one-of-a-kind, or someone has put her heart & soul into making these. They're pretty, but still seems like a lot for something that was quickly mass produced.

What do you think?

[ajwebb-blog]

How to wrap a gift: Here's a quick fix!

I found this quick wrapping solution on Pinterest: If you're either...

a). in bind for wrapping paper

b). want to be more eco-friendly

c). want to keep costs minimal

...then this is perfect!

Just grab a paper bag, piece of white paper, and something to accessorize it with, such as a bow, doily, or tassle. You could use anything really. A quick staple (or even a matching safety clip) and your set! You could also put the bow to the side and write something in sassy calligraphy on it.

Easy peezy! And pretty :).

PS. Make sure to put the gift in first before you staple! ;) Happy wrapping!

[ajwebb-blog]

Words to Cherish

I love this journal for two reasons:

1. For when & where I bought it.

I was travelling through Europe with two of my best friends, a trusty MEC backpack, and Europe on a Shoestring as my guide. Our trip was unforgettable, from swimming with bats in a Greek cave, to getting lost in the markets of Istanbul, to eating delicious free crepes in a simple hostel in Portugal, we were having the time of our lives. I eventually found this notebook in beautiful Amsterdam, and being the stationery geek that I am I fell hard for it - the lovely pinks & soft fabric...heaven on paper :)...

(too much? :P)

I'll always remember the time in my life when I bought this.

2. For the journey, the country, & the man I love so much.

I took this journal with me on my first trip to South Africa. What a place! I fell in love, mainly because of the handsome South African by my side, but the enchanting country grabbed me. Starting with our first kiss xxx and ending on a stare-off with a giraffe (and every wonderful thing in between), I'll forever be thankful that I wrote those precious moments down, and I still smile looking back on them today xo.

So what's inside it? Well now wouldn't you like to know...Every girl has her secrets, right? ;).

[ajwebb-blog]

Throwing stationery on its butt

We can all admit to writing a whiny/freaked out/slightly crazy journal entry at least once in our lifetimes (more likely mainy, mainy times) - so why get a plain journal when you could buy a BITCHY one? Or a NEUROTIC one? The creators of the notebooks below are letting us know that it's OKAY to be a little dysfunctional. Their bright & bold covers are just the beginning - these babies are stuffed with tons of hilarious quotes that suit the mood. And yes, there's still ample space for jotting down your own brilliant, albeit loco thoughts ;).

Best. quote. ever.

Another example:

And for all you fellow neurotics...

So who makes these bad boys? The cool nerds at Knock Knock.

Have you seen any other cool notebooks like these anywhere?

[ajwebb-blog]

Have you ever seen these?

I haven't! What a cool idea: Peel & Stick Chalkboard. I found this nifty item at Indigospirit, but you can also get them online (they have big ones!). I can see a lot of fun being had with the use of some chalk (doesn't it take you back to being in elementary school? Ugh just shivered at the thought of nails on a chalkboard...).

I haven't had a chance to see this product in action. Has anyone tested whether it's worth the buy?

[ajwebb-blog]

Easy Yummy Salad:

spinach

walnuts/almonds

raspberries

parmesan

s&p

olive oil

vinegar

Other toppings you can add: hard boiled egg, bacon, avocado

Delicious! And healthy!

Quickie Note: You can buy a big bag of walnuts and just keep them in the freezer.

[ajwebb-blog]

Simplicity

Too simple? You might think so at first, but consider what the main subject is in the photo: The pot in the foreground. These unique looking cacti are great plants to put in or outside the house, and are obviously the focus of this shot. Having a simple background helps keep your eye on the subject; a busier background would just be a distraction.

This background actually has more to it than you might think. Did you notice the leading lines that bring your eye back to the pot? What are they? The floor, the wall line, and of course, the bench. The texture of the wall is cool too because it's plain enough that it doesn't take away from the subject, but its imperfections add more depth to the background and more character to the overall feel of the image. If you use a background that is plain white, you run the risk of creating a flatter, more boring photo.

So keep things simple to hold the focus on the main subject. Less is often more :).

[ajwebb-blog]

What do you think?

Here's a quick teaser of my revamped photography website :). Want to see the rest of it?

Visit webbypics.com and tell me what you think!

[ajwebb-blog]

The Conversation Starter

Who likes long awkward silences during a conversation? I'm pretty sure the answer to that is no one.

I certainly don't. I have a sudden urge to fill the void, but if I'm lost for words about someone, because I know so little about them, well, I'm in a bind! Hence, more awkwardness...

So if you're having people over, give them a leg up by displaying some art pieces that show your character or are eye-catching. Your guests may be able to connect to them, or will at least have something to ponder while you put the finishing touches on the appetizers. So don't leave your walls too bare! Unless you're a fan of the awkward pause...

Wonderbucks has some cool wall art on display that won't break the bank.

[ajwebb-blog]

I Feel Pretty...

Oh so pretty...

I loved how gorgeous and fresh these teardrop flowers looked after a short rainfall...

Here's a hint: If you want to photograph flowers, fruit, or basically anything macro, take your camera out just after the rain has stopped. But if the weather hasn't cooperated with you, get a little spray bottle and spray some water on your subject! The droplets will make the colours pop and add more depth to your photo.

Happy Shooting!

[ajwebb-blog]

A Thorny Gift

What is it about cacti? And why does that word make me giggle? They're so cool! They make a great little gift for the home, they're really easy to take care of, and they come in all sorts of funny shapes - my girlfriend had one that was so phallic looking you had to laugh...

Just watch out for the thorns! ;)

I found these plants in a cute little flower shop not far from West Georgia and Denman.

[ajwebb-blog]

Keeping My Obsession Organized

Ok, so maybe I have a bit of an obsession...

This nifty (is that word still allowed?) contraption is great for storing all your scarves in your closet. When you have this many, it makes finding one (and remembering which ones you have!) so much easier. Ties and belts fit nicely too. Due to the mass of scarves in this photo it's hard to see, but the scarf holder has twenty-eight rings, so there is plenty of room, and you can slide your scarves through each hole easily.

So handy. So happy I bought this!

Where did I get it? Gotta love Woolworths! ;). I wonder if The Bay has anything similar...

[ajwebb-blog]

No Beach In Your Backyard?

Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy makes a beautiful romantic dinner on the beach with candles and tiki lights around a cosy blanket...

Yes, I'm a romantic. No, I don't have the beach at my doorstep (yet!)...

What's the next best thing to do? Bring the beach home :). I always collect shells when I'm walking along the shore; they're great for centerpieces, or what I love, candle holders. Why buy fake shells from a craft store when you can enjoy a relaxing (and possibly romantic) walk on the sand (while exfoliating your feet at the same time ;).

[ajwebb-blog]

Sweet Goodness

In a bind over dessert?

A quick fix takes just two simple ingredients: raspberries and chocolate chips. For those of you deranged people who prefer white chocolate, you can always try that too. Just stick the chocolate chips inside the raspberries, throw into a nice bowl and serve. Pretty hard right? ;) A nice bright munchie or display for the table. And you won't feel so guilty about eating the chocolate ;).