{ Long Weekend }

Long weekends seem to be an occuring theme for me this summer and I couldn't be more thrilled to skip out of the photo studio a day or two early to enjoy the long summer days and nights. Tonight I pack up to head out to the family cottage (thank's Bri) in Nekoosa Wisconsin. Where there will be plenty of stories to share, fish to catch, and memories to be captured! I'm so excited to spend these next few days with my family. I can't think of a better way to spend a summer weekend than wrapped up in all there company and craziness! I am happy to share these photos that I took this morning using natural light. These shells have been collected from trips taken in Florida and Cancun (I heart beach vacations). Have a great weekend!
{EV Photography}

{Things to Pack:}

• Swimsuits
• Book/Magazines
  
• Camera and lens
• Journal
• Running shoes
  

{ Photoshop Play }

These original photos were cameras from my collection. I transformed them in Photoshop using the diffuse edge filter to give it a grainy screenprint like look. I have plans to use them as promos and will be adding them to my Etsy shop soon.

{EV Photography}

{ Amy Butler Free Patterns }

Since being bit by the sewing bug I've been on the lookout for more sewing projects and excuses to keep me tied to my sewing machine with Project Runway episodes playing in the background (a great source of inspiration, by the way)! I've always loved Amy's sweet and playful patterns and mix of fabrics. I'm excited to have found a few projects that can be completed in a weekend afternoon or two. I love the cute silhouettes paired with vintage wood frames,the hourglass pillow patterns are sure to jazz up any cozy resting place and you'll be excited to tote your business cards with your cute and handy business card keeper! Check out Amy Butler's website to download these and many other free crafty sewing patterns. Ready...Set...Sew!

{Images provided by Amy Butler.com}

{ Camera Collection }

{EV Photography}

I was fortunate enough to inherit these vintage cameras from a family friend who passed away a few years ago. If only these cameras could speak, I wonder what stories they would share? Not only do they serve as creative inspiration for me but they are a great way to add vintage charm to a simple bookcase. I also have a few at the photo studio near my work station for some camera eye candy! Here's to starting a collection that is fun, functional, and a great source of inspiration! What collections have you grown over the years?

{ Happy Friday }

{EV Photography}

Wishing everyone a happy, relaxing, fun, summer weekend! Thank you for all your sweet comments this week and for your support. Back again next week with new photos and findings!

{ Quilty Beaver }

Over the years I've grown my collection of T-shirts into...well a collection. Unwilling to part with some of my best memories from high school, college, and charity runs I decided to turn my most beloved cozy cotton tees into a quilt. With much help from designer/quilter Denyse Schmidt and her great, easy to follow book "Quilts", I just finished my last square and most labor intensive stage of the quilting process. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to create a fresh and modern quilt that you will be proud to curl up in and call your own! And to anyone who has never worked with templates or worked from a pattern. Her book does a great job at explaining every detail of how to select your fabric, preparing your pieces before you begin sewing on your machine and assembling the multi layers of your quilt. Her instructions are not overly wordy and the photographs for each project highlight the point she is trying to make for each step. Which is super important for a beginner like me. Quilts comes with instructions and patterns for 30 quilt and patchwork projects as well a great beach tote and throw! I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress. Quilt on!

{Soft nubby cotton pieces in creamy and gray nuetral colors.}

{Sewing in progress.}

{My completed 10 x 10 quilt squares!}



{Quilts by Denyse Schmidt}

{ Freebies }

Who doesn't like to find printable freebies? I'm always on the hunt to find cute labels, stationary, and post cards to add to my stationary drawer. I want to give a BIG THANKS to all the generous bloggers who take the time to create and share these great downloadable printables for everyone to enjoy for personal use. These labels,notepad, and fonts are from the lovely A Print a Day illustrator/designer Yasmine. Check out her beautiful daily designs. Happy printing!

{Images/Downloads by A Print a Day}

{ Show Me Yours....}

I thought these shots found over at Creature Comforts and Muse were great and fun to share. EZ, looks like you had a great time photographing your sister's wedding! My version has yet to be shot, what would yours look like?

{Photographer: EZ @ Creature Comforts}

{Photographer: Heather Waraksa}

{Photographer: Aaron Delesie}

{ Urban Garden Party }

{Photos by EV Photography}

Today is my friday! I have family coming in from out of town this weekend and want to catch up on some unfinished chores at home in time for the their arrival. That being said, I plan on doing a whole lot of fun and relaxing over my long weekend. These photos totally reflect the kind of laid back weekend summer vibe I'm referring to. My weekend starts off tomorrow with a family picnic in the park over at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. They have free concerts every Friday in the summer as part of their music festival series. Saturday night I plan on heading over to the Sheffield Garden Walk for more live outdoor entertainment and ice cold beverages! Cheers & have a great weekend.

{ Bouquet of the Day }

A simple way to savor a sunny summer day, when I'm unable to come out and play. This photo serves as a sweet reminder to take time out during my day and allow my mind to wander as the clouds pass by overhead. This photo was taken using a photographic method known as TTV (Through the Viewfinder). Through the Viewfinder photography is defined as taking a picture of any subject through the viewfinder of any camera with another camera. I used my ol' Duaflex camera and Nikon D80 digital to produce this image. I love the the surreal and soft qualities that TTV images produce. Enjoy!

{ Photo by EV Photography }

{ Happy Friday }

Hope everyone has a great weekend! It's date night for me tonight. I'm heading out for sushi at Coast and then to The Tasting Room for some dessert and wine. This winery boasts not only great wines but an intimate atmosphere with dim lights and cozy leather couches. I hear table #22 has the best views of the city too!
Happy Friday!

{Photo by EV Photography}

{ Magnolia }

Magnolia, originally uploaded by evphotogal.

All three floral shots were taken in studio using a medium format Hasselblad camera. I really enjoyed taking these for there simplicity and beautiful structure. Enjoy!

{ Lavender }

Lavender, originally uploaded by evphotogal.

Love the purple hues in this bunch of sweet smelling lavender.

{ Orchid }

OrchidOrch, originally uploaded by evphotogal.

One of my favorite flowers. So simple yet so intricate!

{ Style Guides }

As part of my 9-5 photography job I've created these style guides to use as a reference for our photographers, stylists, and clients. But instead of putting items together, I decided to jazz it up and create outfits, paired with all sorts of cute accessories and photo frames (my fave). These style guides were created for a girl's clothing brand called Justice. As one of our studios newest clients, I am heading up the project as lead photographer and photo art director! I couldn't be more excited about working with such talented stylists and production team!

{ Photos by EV }

{ Work Life }

“Being a professional illustrator or photographer is a full-time job that goes beyond the mainstream nine-to-five: tough deadlines mean working through the night and photo shoots might whisk you away to unexpected places. Flashes of inspiration can happen anytime, so your sketchbook is an indispensable appendage. You might spend innumerable hours secluded in your studio, or perhaps you’re a regular at the local coffeeshop. Chances are, your work and your life are one and the same and you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Work/Life is a book celebrating Canadian illustration and photography. Unlike magazine awards annuals or traditional illustration directories that are little more than picture books, this publication delves into what fuels a creative life. Participants were interviewed about their creative focus and artistic technique as well as their inspirations and aspirations. Sketchbook pages, studio shots, inspirational objects and personal photography allow us to peek into their work and their lives.

Work/Life is one of those books to help fuel you creatively and mentality for the all the ups and downs that comes with such passionate energy one has for their craft. I like how it highlights the process and some of the obstacles and joys that are intertwined into an artists daily life. A truly great piece to add to your personal collection!

Designed and written by Janine Vangool
Published and available to purchase by UPPERCASE.





{Photos by UPPERCASE}

{ Paper Banners }

My latest obsession for the past few weeks has included creating cute paper banners to express thoughts for any occasion. Made with premium textured cardstock and hand stamped with archival inks, they give anyone reason to display their sentiments freely! Present them to a loved one, friend or neighbor.

Stop by my Etsy shop to choose a paper banner for your very own!

An extra special "Thank You" to Den 10 Studio for featuring a few of my photographs as her favorite Etsy picks! {Photos by EV Photography }

{ Happy 4th }

I found these vintage spools of thread while venturing the Kane County flea market in St. Charles, IL. It was one of my most surprising finds of the day. I'm excited to share them and all there blue-t-ful vintage hues. I'll be adding them to my Home Goods collection on my Etsy shop soon. I hope they bring you a burst of inspiration to keep creating, crafting, photographing, and dreaming over the long holiday weekend! Have a happy 4th of July!{Photos by EV Photography }