DIY Disney Camera Buddy

DIY Winnie The Pooh Camera Buddy

I've been wanting to give this idea a try for a while now, but didn't want to screw up a $20 souvenir! So when I recently stumbled upon Tuesday Morning's clearance sale, I knew it was time to give this a try. Have you ever tried getting a little one to look at your camera? It can be pretty tricky. This camera buddy will turn your clunky black box into a soft fluffy Pooh Bear. A much nicer and interesting object to look at, don't you think?

I found this Winnie The Pooh plush for only $4; a steal if you ask me! And I used this very easy to follow tutorial on  making lens creatures. Seriously, it only took me an hour. And the tutorial only calls for scissors, pins, needle & thread, and enough elastic to wrap around your lens twice. THAT'S IT.

My seams were not so lovely, but since they are facing the lens, it doesn't really matter. I will say, I was surprised at how hesitant I was to cut into Pooh. I suppose Doc McStuffins has it's affect on a Mama.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with how this Camera Buddy turned out. I had no idea it would come together so quickly! I think this would be a fantastic gift for a new mom, a scrapbooker, or a Tinkerbell Treasure for your resident Disney photographer. It would also be a great way to upcylce those Disney souvenirs that get neglected. If you have a passing thought that this would be of interest to a fellow Disney mama, you absolutely should give it a try. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Scrapping WDW | My Favorite Apps for iPhone Photos

Six years ago I would never have believed you if you told me I wouldn't be carrying my DSLR to Walt Disney World anymore. I mean, I am the queen of snapping vacation photos! I love to catch every moment - many times! And I actually scrapbook. Photos are a major part of my vacation experience anywhere I go.

But I have, in fact, been photographing my family exclusively with my iPhone for last several years. It may be because I now have two toddlers who keep me on my toes! Or it may just be the fact that I feel like my entire life is on my iPhone. Whatever caused the switch, I am quite happy with it. Let's face it; the iPhone is smaller, easier to pop out to catch that photo with, and always with me!

I'm guessing I'm not the only one who is experiencing this change in photography habits. So here are some of my favorite apps. They both help me post great pictures on the fly (to Instagram and Photos) and get them ready for the scrapbook! In full disclosure I use an iPhone 6 and have only tried these with the iPhone.

1. Snapseed - This is my go to app for any of the photo editing basics like brightness, contrast, and tone; it also has the ability to add some fancier features for filters, grain, etc. This app is free.

Edited completely in Snapseed

2. PicFrame - easy to use collage app that allows you to change the shape of just one photo. App price is $0.99

PicFrame was used to create this collage

3. Big Lens - my newest favorite! With this app you can create the effect of changing your aperture on a DSLR. Essentially you can get your subject to stay in focus and blur the background after you've taken the photo. App price is $0.99

Edited in Big Lens and Instagram

4. Squaready - can edit any photo to fit a square frame. Very easy to use and uploads directly to IG if you wish. It has several other functions, but I don't use them. This app is free.

5. Over - gives you the ability to put text and or art work on your photos. It's interface is super easy and allows for the basics. App price is $0.99

Over was used to caption this photo Doors Of Dublin

6. Rhonna Designs - this is for lots of artwork options and text. I use it sparingly, but it has lots of options for design. And there are tons of preloaded phrases and goodies so you don't have to come up with them yourself, all for an additional cost. App price is $1.99

7. RealBokeh - allows you to add bokeh to your photos after you've taken them. You can choose where to put it and what shape you want. There is also a Mickey mouse shape perfect for your Disney photos! App price is $1.99

And there you have it! The apps I use to edit my iPhone photos. Once you have the hang of it, it's easy to do while waiting in line or for your ADR! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Scrapping WDW | My Favorite Apps for iPhone Photos

Five years ago I would never have believed you if you told me I wouldn't be carrying my DSLR to Walt Disney World anymore. I mean, I am the queen of snapping vacation photos! I love to catch every moment - many times! And I actually scrapbook. Photos are a major part of my vacation experience anywhere I go.

But I have, in fact, been photographing my family exclusively with my iPhone for last several years. It may be because I now have two toddlers who keep me on my toes! Or it may just be the fact that I feel like my entire life is on my iPhone. Whatever caused the switch, I am quite happy with it. Let's face it; the iPhone is smaller, easier to pop out to catch that photo with, and always with me!

I'm guessing I'm not the only one who is experiencing this change in photography habits. So here are some of my favorite apps. They both help me post great pictures on the fly (to Instagram and Photos) and get them ready for the scrapbook! In full disclosure I use an iPhone 6 and have only tried these with the iPhone.

1. Snapseed - This is my go to app for any of the photo editing basics like brightness, contrast, and tone; it also has the ability to add some fancier features for filters, grain, etc. This app is free.

Edited completely in Snapseed

2. PicFrame - easy to use collage app that allows you to change the shape of just one photo. App price is $0.99

PicFrame was used to create this collage

3. Big Lens - my newest favorite! With this app you can create the effect of changing your aperture on a DSLR. Essentially you can get your subject to stay in focus and blur the background after you've taken the photo. App price is $0.99

Edited in Big Lens and Instagram

4. Squaready - can edit any photo to fit a square frame. Very easy to use and uploads directly to IG if you wish. It has several other functions, but I don't use them. This app is free.

5. Over - gives you the ability to put text and or art work on your photos. It's interface is super easy and allows for the basics. App price is $0.99

Over was used to caption this photo Doors Of Dublin

6. Rhonna Designs - this is for lots of artwork options and text. I use it sparingly, but it has lots of options for design. And there are tons of preloaded phrases and goodies so you don't have to come up with them yourself, all for an additional cost. App price is $1.99

7. RealBokeh - allows you to add bokeh to your photos after you've taken them. You can choose where to put it and what shape you want. There is also a Mickey mouse shape perfect for your Disney photos! App price is $1.99

And there you have it! The apps I use to edit my iPhone photos. Once you have the hang of it, it's easy to do while waiting in line or for your ADR! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

DIY Disney Vacation Fun - Instagram Hashtag

So I saw this idea on Pinterest (because what don't you see on Pinterest?) to make a sign sharing a custom hashtag at a wedding, and it dawned on me that we need a hashtag for our upcoming trip! We all use Instagram, even the older kids in the group, so I thought it would be cool to have a way to pull up all those photos at once.

I made this little collage and sent it to our party. By sending it to them in a message I was able to explain what it was all about. And of course, anticipation is half the fun, so it also gave me a way to pump up the excitement factor just a little bit.

A fun idea for you Instagrammers from the cottage! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

DIY Disney Mountain Range Digital Scrapbooking Brushes

Disney Mountain Ranges Photoshop Brushes

I love scrapbooking. I don't get to do it as often as I like, as I am sure is the case for most of us! I especially love digital scrapping. I love not having to leave a mess out, being able to customize the colors and sizes of things, and in general, making my layouts exactly the way I want them. But as I have said before, it can be hard to find Disney themed digital scrapbooking elements. So the DIYer in me has to get a little creative in this department if I don't want all my pages to look the same. And when you travel to Disney as much as we do, that can happen quickly.

If you are a digital scrapbooker too, then you know how fantastic brushes can be. Brushes are shapes that can be customized with texture, pattern, and color so that they can look like stickers, chipboard, metal, or a host of other scrapbook elements. They can even become a frame for your photo! The thing is, brushes are not hard to make if you have a little knowledge of Photoshop. If you'd like to try it yourself, check out this helpful brush-making tutorial. I was able to make three of these brushes from Mr. Photos From The Parks's personal photos in less than 5 minutes each. (Space Mountain took me a little more time!) And now I have them to use in all my layouts! AND, so do you! I'm sharing my brushes with you as a FREE DOWNLOAD, for personal use only. Just click on the photo caption above to download these brushes now. For you Disneyland aficionados, I apologize for not having the Matterhorn available. Never having been to Disneyland, I am without my own photo of that attraction. Something for the Disney Bucket List!

I am working on an entire scrapbooking kit, but that will have to wait for another time. It's coming along though, so hopefully I'll be posting it sooner, rather than later! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

DIY Disney Camera Buddy

DIY Winnie The Pooh Camera Buddy

I've been wanting to give this idea a try for a while now, but didn't want to screw up a $20 souvenir! So when I recently stumbled upon Tuesday Morning's clearance sale, I knew it was time to give this a try. Have you ever tried getting a little one to look at your camera? It can be pretty tricky. This camera buddy will turn your clunky black box into a soft fluffy Pooh Bear. A much nicer and interesting object to look at, don't you think?

I found this Winnie The Pooh plush for only $4; a steal if you ask me! And I used this very easy to follow tutorial on  making lens creatures. Seriously, it only took me an hour. And the tutorial only calls for scissors, pins, needle & thread, and enough elastic to wrap around your lens twice. THAT'S IT.

My seams were not so lovely, but since they are facing the lens, it doesn't really matter. I will say, I was surprised at how hesitant I was to cut into Pooh. I suppose Doc McStuffins has it's affect on a Mama.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with how this Camera Buddy turned out. I had no idea it would come together so quickly! I think this would be a fantastic gift for a new mom, a scrapbooker, or a Tinkerbell Treasure for your resident Disney photographer. It would also be a great way to upcylce those Disney souvenirs that get neglected. If you have a passing thought that this would be of interest to a fellow Disney mama, you absolutely should give it a try. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!