LilSugar

Go-To Online Art Shops For Last-Minute Gifts

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:58 PST

Online art and print galleries allow you to browse hundreds of pieces of art in every imaginable medium, which is incredibly helpful for last-minute gift shopping. If you are looking to give the art lover or new home dweller in your life something special for their walls, check out these online shops that stock surprisingly affordable art. See something you like? Click on the layout below to shop these pieces!

Paperwork carries art starting as low as $20, and if you get the prints framed, they even throw in free shipping! Its sister website Ugallery also sells fairly priced pieces starting at $50. Choosing art for someone other than yourself can be tricky, but both websites offer tools like Art Assist and various themed collections to make it a little easier. If you’re still feeling indecisive, you can always purchase a gift card as well, which is redeemable at both sites and emailed to the recipient instantly.

20x200 is another website that merges limited edition art and budget-friendly prices. They introduce at least two new editions a week: one photo and one work on paper, so it's a good idea to check back frequently. Most pieces are available in three or four sizes, with the smallest size starting at $20.

To see more of our favorite online art shops

Snap to It! Halloween Costume Tips From a Pro Pet Photographer

Morgan Ashley Parker — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:03:48 PDT

Since we currently have a costume challenge in our community, what better time to gather picture taking tips than before the big day? Photographer Jesse Freidin created the wildly popular Doggie Gaga project earlier this year - that's his cute Boston Terrier, Pancake - and he offered tips on both costumes choices and creation in addition to photography ideas to share with you.

PetSugar: Halloween costumes already have so much going on, how do I create a setting that limits visual distraction?
Jesse Freidin: If you’re going to put your dog in a costume and create a fun photograph showing off the costume and the dog, what you want is for the dog and the costume to really stand out. That’s the focus. You want to show off the costume and show off your dog being beautiful so there’s not always a need to make your background really busy. What you could do is work with a simple background whether it’s putting your dog outside near a wall that’s really simple. Then be really thoughtful and have a couple props, maybe there’s a pumpkin or maybe there’s some leaves. As long as your eyes are really drawn to the focus, which is the dog, that will make your hard work, stand out.

PS: What if I pass by someone else's cute dog on the street? How do I get a good shot?
JF: A good thing to do is get on their level and, before you stick a camera in their face because you’re a new person and it’s a camera and that can be weird, just let the dogs sniff you and get used to you for a second. Make sure you know their name and call it and hopefully they will look at you. It’s always an overstimulating environment to have lots of dogs, lots of people and costumes so keeping everything as calm and simple as possible is the way to get some really great photos.

While Pancake is posing as part of the Doggie Gaga project here, learn what Jesse's cute pup will be for Halloween this year, how to pick out a photo-worthy costume for your pet's coloring, and get an amazing base for any DIY costume when you

read more. PS: How can I tell what costume would work best with my dog's coloring? JF: I think it depends on whether you really want to have the dog blend in or if you want to show that sort of ironic, funny contrast. It’s fun to play with your dog’s coloring so let’s say you have a black lab. Sometimes it’s fun to put them in a black spider costume because they blend in really well, that line is blurred, and maybe that’s the look you are going for. Sometimes it’s fun to go the opposite route and contrast. I have a lobster costume for my dog - it’s bright red and it really makes him stand out because his black and white fur stands out against the red and that’s a funny shot. PS: Any plans to dress up your pet this year? JF: Pancake’s costume, we need to finish it, but he is going to be a pet rock, actually. I always make the costumes by hand and for some reason I think conceptual costumes are the funniest. Last year, he was outer space and the year before he was a box of Polaroid film. I just think it’s funny to make dogs into inanimate objects. That’s just my own weird sense of humor. I always make sure that the costumes are easy for him to wear and as comfortable as possible. Usually what I do is create some sort of harness base and then build something on top of it so he can wear it and walk around. I am going to try and find some light foam, make it rock colored and put moss on it. PS: That's an amazing idea. So If I wanted to make North a costume, could a store-bought harness work as a good base? JF: Yes, totally. I’ve done both, taken one of his walking harnesses and then built on top of that and I’ve also made my own harness out of a comfortable foam and Velcro. That way it will fit on him and it doesn’t feel awkward. My theory in dressing up dogs for Halloween, or any reason, is that they need to be comfortable and they need to know that it’s a fun challenge for them and they need to be rewarded. I’ve been putting my dog in sweatshirts cause he’s always cold so he’s used to wearing clothes and all the dogs that I’ve ever photographed in a costume I know are used to wearing clothes and enjoy the challenge of working for me. Using things they already know like a harness or a collar and that’s just going to make it easiest to them.
Source: Jesse Freidin

Use Vintage Photos to Create Table Runner

Tara Sharp — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:59:00 PST

Perusing Pinterest the other day, I came across this vintage tablescape from Oh So Beautiful Paper that had an unusual, whimsical table runner made from old black and white photos. I love how the photos cascade onto the floor! Not only is this a practical and creative way to incorporate vintage pics, but it's also easy to re-create and can be adapted for different themes.

Flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops always have boxes of old postcards, photos, and other paper goods, so gathering the supplies is affordable and relatively simple. I'd take a narrow strip of butcher paper and start affixing the photos from the center out. Use double-sided tape and be sure to completely cover the paper so that it looks like the photos are just scattered on the tabletop. Depending on how dramatic you want to go (and how many pics you have), you may want to keep it on the table vs. piling the photos on the ground. For a bon voyage soiree you could use postcards from tropical locales, for a bridal shower old wedding pics, or for a game night it could even be crafted from playing cards (a little Alice in Wonderland, don't you think?).

Source

10 Tips For Taking a Grrreat Holiday Photo Featuring Pets!

PetSugar — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 03:15:24 PST

For most of you, there will be at least one holiday photo with a furry friend. (I know North can't wait!) If you're thinking of sending a Christmas card to friends and family, check out my tips for staging the best shot with dogs and cats - step-by-step, I've got you covered!

The New York Times Releases Its Legendary Photo Archives and Celebrated Interior Designers Curate Their Favorites!

Julia Walsh — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 06:00:08 PDT

The New York Times is releasing its extensive archive of photographs from the last century, some never before seen by the public, on its microsite, The New York Times Store, making them available for purchase for your home. To celebrate, The NYT has asked five noted interior designers, including Vicente Wolf, Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, Laura Kirar, and Thom Filicia, to each curate a collection of 10 of their favorite photographs. Ranging from scenes of contemporary life (swimmers on a lake in 1997) to historic images (a pair holding hands at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral in 1968), the designers' selections are a telling reflection of each of their aesthetics and are available for purchase online today.

The designers have chosen special mats and frames for each image to complement their collections. Each exhibition-quality photograph can be printed in a range of sizes, from 11 by 14 inches to 20 by two inches, framed or unframed. Prices begin at $199.

I chatted with Jonathan Adler about his curated photography collection - stay tuned for that interview later today!

Turn Your Favorite Photos Into Coloring Pages For Kids

babysugar — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Coloring books are fun, but it's hard to form a connection with a page full of generic characters. Give lil ones a stack of coloring pages they'll recognize by converting mama's digital photo files into black and white sketches that they can doodle on. The professional-looking conversion only requires Adobe Photoshop and five minutes of mom's time.

Lovely Little Vignettes: My Marilyns

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:30:00 PDT

Speaking of Marilyn Monroe . . . I picked up a pair of black and white portraits of Marilyn Monroe for only $10 total at a new antiques fair in San Francisco yesterday. I'm not generally a pop icon buff, but I like the juxtaposition; there's something about seeing the same face in different settings (and outfits) that's intriguing. They also integrate well with my bedroom's black and white artwork theme!

So I hung the duo beside my DIY upholstered nailhead trim headboard, above my makeshift candleholder nightstand. It may not be original artwork, and I admit it's a bit gimmicky. But for now the pair of photos is a good placeholder until I find more artwork I want to invest in.

Be sure to share photos and details about your own little décor arrangements in the Lovely Little Vignettes group!

How-To: Photograph a Home For Sale

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:00:17 PDT

One of the most important tools in selling a home is how it looks in photographs online and in brochures. Along with price, pictures that capture your pad in the most appealing way are the first step in getting buyers in the door. If you're using a real estate agent, they're usually pretty adept at photography (or will have someone their broker uses). However, I've been known to use my own pics after being less than impressed with those that my agent took. No matter if you're using a broker or selling your place on your own, use these tips for getting shots that will help make your house a star.

Are All Birth Pictures Appropriate For Social Networking Sites?

LilSugar — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:30:19 PDT

Birth is beautiful, but should photographs of baby making its way out of mommy or shots of the bloody afterbirth come with a warning on social networking sites? People go to places like Facebook to keep up with friends, family members, and acquaintances. Is updating your status to include a photo of your pregnant belly or newborn different than posting a picture of the doctor probing your placenta? What's your opinion?

Source: Flickr User Emery Co Photo

Capture Baby's Growth With Monthly Photo Sessions

babysugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:00:30 PST

A baby's first year of life goes by in the blink of an eye. While some days may seem like an eternity, by the time the lil one reaches her first birthday you will wonder where the time went. Many parents track their tot's first year with monthly photo sessions. Rather than taking the tyke to the studio at the mall today's digital cameras and photo editing software make it easy enough to capture a monthly pose that allows you to see just how much she's grown from month-to-month. For some unique ways to showcase the photos, check out what some mamas have done.