Oh what a difference...

...the correct lighting can make! I have to say that I have never been overly emotional about the lighting in my stamping area. I mean, I have a good overhead light and a halogen torch lamp both burning when I work, but I have noticed that when shooting pictures things could get kind of dicey. Sometimes blues want to be grays and pinks and oranges get confused.

Just look at the following two pictures of the exact same card, inspired by a card made by Traci DeGolier that I received during swaps at Regionals:




















They are indeed the exact same card. In fact, these two photos were taken less than one minute apart. The difference? The one on the top was lit with my Ott Light, and the one on the bottom was just my regular dining room lighting. It amazed me to see exactly how much the color shifted using my standard every day lighting versus the natural color of the Ott Light. The colors of this card that suffered the most under my "regular" lights were the Sage Shadow and the Really Rust. I was happy when I got my new little light, mostly because I got an incredible Thanksgiving night deal on it at the big craft store whose name we won't mention here (you know---the one that rhymes with "Nichael's"), but when I saw how well it worked I was hooked.

Here is another card that I made last night. All of the cards you see here are going to be featured in my Stamp-a-Stack class next week. There are still some spots open if you are interested, so drop me an email to let me know. I love this designer paper and have been wanting to spend more time with my Bella Blossoms stamps, so this is what came of that little adventure. Just simple, with only Baja Breeze and Basic Gray carrying the load on this one. (Forgive the shadow on this one, I'm still figuring out the best way to use the light when I shoot!)

Finally, my last card using Upsy Daisy and some more really cool paper.

So, that is all for tonight. I have to say thanks to all the folks who have hung in here with me during my creative slump the last few weeks. Between trying to get classes done, fighting bronchitis (still) and taking care of a kiddo who has been more sick these last two months than her entire life, I just haven't felt the good juices flowing at my stamping table.

Hopefully all that nonsense has come to an end and I can get back to making some pretty things that make me happy on the inside. I hope everyone has a great weekend, and until next time--Happy Stamping!

Kim