TaylorMade

DIY, Home Decor & Sewing

  • Home
  • SHOP
  • DIY & Sewing
    • For the Home
    • Sewing
    • Costumes and Holidays
    • Cricut Projects
    • Crafting
  • Parties
  • Recipes
  • Home Tour
  • Favorites
  • About

Kid Photo Tips… for the Amatuer

December 8, 2015 By Taylor Leave a Comment

Kid Photo Tips

You know how it goes… you have a baby then all of a sudden you have to have a nice big DSLR camera but you have no idea how to use it. It actually happened to me a few years before having kids so I had a tiny bit of practice :) I am by no means anywhere close to a photographer, I just have a few lenses that are “ok” and I practice a lot. I did take one class in person which I highly recommend if you have access to that but the internet is the next best thing. If you are anything like me you think your own kids are the cutest thing on the planet so you have to get everything documented and you have to do it now. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned for the Amateur mom (or dad) so you can be a total Paparazzi and follow your kids everywhere with your big ole camera.

Kid Photo Tips

kids photo tips

1. Lighting – my absolute favorite time of day is the “golden hour” as the fancy photographers call it :) It is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset when the sun looks magical… or golden. Trust me, during this time everything looks pretty. My kids are not morning people so waking up at when the sun rises is usually not an option but I do try to take pics in the afternoon if I can. I like to use this website HERE to find out when that time is going to be for my area… it knows when the sun will set and tells you when to go take your photos, couldn’t be easier!

golden hour

You also want to look for areas that have a lot of light around them but aren’t in the direct light. See this clearing, it’s perfect because it’s very warm and sunny but the shadows won’t be harsh on anyones face. Ideally you want to be close to that light line without being in it.

how to take kid photosPicMonkey Collage

2. Location and Background – If you start to look around your area there are plenty of places to take photos that you didn’t notice before! This road is only about 1/2 mile from my house and has a huge open field with tall trees behind it. You want a background that is somewhat neutral or uniform… I usually go for trees or greenery, I live in Houston so our scenery isn’t too exciting ha! As we were driving I saw this open field and right behind it was the prettiest red barn, which was so perfect for Bee and her adorable dress.

Kid Photo TipsKid Photo Tipskids photo tips

3. Cute clothes and accessories!- This dress from Little Skye Kids Boutique from the Paper Wings Clothing line is so perfect for an easy Holiday Photo shoot and how cute would it be on a holiday card?! It’s super soft and flowy… Bee loves anything she can twirl in! Little Skye is a one-of-a-kind children’s boutique that embraces the beauty, joy, innocence, and artful wonder of childhood. Classic but whimsical… It’s the perfect holiday dress for all little girls and all their holiday functions :)  Bee is wearing the Winter Wonderland Bustle Dress in a 2T because with a timeless piece like this I wanted her to be able to wear it for a few years. She is kind of short so it looks long on her but I love the maxi look she is giving it. That’s the great thing about girls dresses, they can keep growing and eventually it’s a tunic haha!

kids photo tipskids photo tipskids photo tips

Lastly, don’t forget to take pictures of all the little details like the ruffles or the shoes! Also, at this age I like to give them something to hold to keep their little hands occupied. And most importantly… let them have fun and run wild! It’s the only way to get the real faces you want!

kids photo tipskids photo tipsIMG_3050 Holiday dresses for girls kids photo tipskids photo tips

And I have an awesome deal for anyone little girls who need some fun and unique Boutique clothing!:  All Paper Wings for Little Skye and Blu Pony Vintage for Little Skye purchases through 12/15/2015 receive a Free Shipping & a $25 gift card valid on future purchases for every $100 spent when you use code BLGLS2015.

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Little Skye Boutique, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #embracechildhood http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Filed Under: Christmas, clothes, gift, Uncategorized Tagged With: holidays

DIY Bee Costume

November 15, 2015 By Taylor 2 Comments

bee costume

For our last trick, we have the Bee costume! We call our daughter Bee so when the boys came up with a “bug theme” it was kind of a given that she would be a Bee!

 bee costume

This costume was also super easy and semi-homemade! I found the cutest little ballet leotard in the dance section at Walmart, which she will be wearing often because I can’t handle how cute it is!! I found the antenna (which she hated and wouldn’t keep on haha) at Joanns, it was so cute but sister would just not keep them on at all! The skirt and the wings were mama made :) bee costume

For the wings, I used a metal hanger, cut it in half and shaped both sides, Then I covered each side in some fabric that I think is iridescent organza? Then I used electrical tape to connect them and sewed elastic straps on the back for her to wear them. I added the veins with a sharpie.

bee costume

For the skirt, I tried to find yellow and black striped fabric, I’m sure I could have found it online if I wouldn’t have procrastinated :) But I did wait till the last minute so I had to make my own. I cut 2.5″ strips of fabric and sewed them all together to make the fabric for the skirt, I made the skirt fullness 2 and a half times the waist so it would be flouncy! I added yellow pompoms and called it a day!

bee costume

bee costume

She loved the shirt and the bodysuit and the wings grew on her, I just couldn’t get her on board with the antenna! She did like to eat it however.

bee costume

bee costume

bee costume

Here are a few pics of the whole “bug” game.

bee costume

IMG_2322

They had so much fun and it was so a mom dream to see all of my little critters trick or treating together!

For more DIY Costume ideas check our our:  LIZARD, ROACH, UNICORN, SKUNK, FOX, POSEIDON, OCTOPUS, BATMAN and ROBIN

Filed Under: costume, gift, halloween Tagged With: costumes, holidays

Cider Beetles: A Teacher Gift

December 17, 2014 By Taylor 16 Comments

cider beetles

Before staying home with my kiddos I used to be a teacher. I was always very spoiled every holiday by my student’s parents and received so many gifts, too many to remember. But I will always remember one year when a student made me a Cider Beetle attached to Apple Cider. It was so stinking cute that I told everyone about it. I decided this year I would re-create this adorable little gift.

cider beetles

I was so happy to find the recipe on the Imperial Sugar website. Imperial has a great Christmas page full of recipes and craft ideas you can do with your kids! They are also running a Kids Cookbook Giveaway that runs through Dec. 19th.

The boys did almost all the work here and LOVED it! I love boys who love to cook :)

cider beetles

How to made your own Cider Beetles:

Supplies:

  • 12 oranges
  • 5 cups Imperial Sugar Light Brown Sugar, firmly packed
  • 24 (1 1/2-inch) stick cinnamon
  • 24 small whole nutmegs
  • 48 large whole allspices
  • 192 whole cloves (8 legs on each beetle)

Directions:

  1. Slice oranges in half crosswise; scoop out the pulp, and reserve for other uses.
  2. Place orange half shells, cut side up, on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 250°F for about 2 hours or until dry and hard. Let these cool completely before assembling the beetles.
  3. Pack brown sugar firmly into each orange shell, mounding it slightly. Arrange spices in brown sugar to resemble a beetle, pressing slightly into the sugar. Use cinnamon sticks for bodies, nutmegs for heads, allspices for eyes, and cloves for legs. If not using immediately, cover tightly with plastic wrap secured with a ribbon. Store in the refrigerator.
  4. To use, unwrap beetle and drop into 1 1/2 quarts apple cider or straight apple juice, simmer 30 minutes. Remove rind and spices to serve. Store the unused cider in the refrigerator.

We started with our oranges.

cider beetles

Remove all the “insides” of the orange.

cider beetles

Then place them on a baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees for about 2 hours.cider beetles

Then for the fun part… making the beetles! Pack the orange full of Imperial Brown Sugar.

cider beetles

cider beetles

cider beetles

Then you arrange all of the beetle parts.

cider beetles

cider beetles

cider beetles

cider beetles

I wrapped them in plastic wrap as soon as we finished and tied them up with a rubber band.

cider beetles

Then I just attached some ribbon around the apple cider and attached the beetle to the top for a perfect little teacher gift! I also attached some directions on how to brew it but I forgot to attach that before I took this picture. Brewing them is the best part because of the smell :) I hope you guys love making these as much as we did!

cider beetles

cider beetles

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, gift, Uncategorized Tagged With: holidays

16 Handmade Baby Gifts (that every Mom will Love)

September 28, 2014 By Taylor 56 Comments

Handmade Baby GiftsI get a lot of questions about baby gifts here on my blog and via email. Baby gifts are my favorite gift to give. It’s all so magical… a new mom, a new baby, a new life; and it just makes me feel like making something :) Here are 16 handmade baby gift ideas that every Mom-to-be would love.

Appliqued Onesies. These are so quick and easy but also super custom!onesie refashion

Felt Bunting for the NurseryIMG_3599

Icon Onesies… just use vinyl on a hand dyed onesie for an easy gift

boy onesies

Custom Bibbaby girl set

DIY Baby Leggingsbaby leggings

Diaper Bag Tag… this could be fun to add to the wrapping of another gift too!diaper bag tag

Bandit Bibs… every little boy needs these!bandit bib

Baby Name Blanketbaby name blanket

Baby Bunny Plushiebunny plushie

DIY Gauze Swaddle Blankets

DIY-Gauze-Swaddle-Blanket-for-baby-7

Baby Bunting for their nurserybaby bunting

My favorite… DIY Burp Clothsburp cloths

One of my favorite things to give… a baby quilt, I love this one!!baby quilt

Diaper Covers… I need this for my own baby, which is the sign of a good gift!diaper covers

Teething Necklace, such a great idea!

teething necklace

Newborn pants… what is cuter?newborn pants

Everything here is tried and true… also handmade gifts are always a hit at a baby shower! Do you have anything else to add to the list?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Filed Under: baby stuff, gift Tagged With: kids

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 6
  • Next Page »

Welcome to Taylor Made

http://www.taylormadecreatesblog.com/about-me Hi Yall! I'm Taylor... a crafty mom of three from Houston, TX. I love sewing, collecting floral fabric, eating Mexican Food & Margaritas, photography, brights colors, rearranging, and decorating. Taylor Made Creates is all about creating a fun, colorful home, sewing cute things and eating good food. Check out my SHOP HERE HERE! Thanks for stopping by!

Search

Pin with me!

Like Me :)

Facebook Pagelike Widget

More Recent Posts

  • Kid's Animal Room
  • Kids Camping Shirts
  • Mermaid Birthday Party
  • Conversation Heart Cold Packs
  • Holiday Apple Tea Punch
  • Purple Princess Costume
  • Letterboard Costume
  • La Croix Costume

FAVORITES

  • Easy DIY Lizard Costume
  • How to do a Patterned Dot Wall
  • Stethoscope Covers
  • DIY Roach Costume
  • Ombré Baby Quilt
  • Skunk Costume
  • DIY Leather Tote
  • DIY Bee Costume
  • Siberian Husky Costume

Copyright © 2023 · Web Hosting By RFE Hosting