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Introductions

 Hey guys! I am excited to tell you about a little paint developement today! A few years ago, I came across a couple "oops" paint colors that I absolutely loved, so I scooped them up, and have used them over and over. These colors became two of my Knack basics. I started receiving several requests for  these paint colors, with the most requests coming in for my famous green.  I listened to those requests as they came in, and thought it would be a good idea to move towards having these colors formulated, so that I could share them with all of you. I am happy to say, that we have a couple winners!
Introducing... Knack Esme Green
and
  Knack Wyatt Gray!
These two colors can be shipped directly to you from Knack, and are mixed and formulated in Benjamin Moore's Aura paint. I have really enjoyed working with this paint, and it is my choice for these exclusive colors. It is creamy, but not thick, ultra pigmented, self priming, green, and provides fantastic coverage. All of that equals greatness to me!
This is by no means a full on color line by Knack, but rather a dipping my fingers into the world of creating original paint colors, and an exciting first step. Color is such a huge passion of mine, and paint is just a little bit of a passion too! {wink!} 
If you would like to purchase either color, email : barb@knackstudios.com
I will be happy to get it shipped right out to you! Gallon prices are 52.00 plus shipping and handling.
xo,
Barb
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Grateful

image via pinterest
I will be, and I will be grateful for this week, this month, this year, this life, this abundance of goodness, this everything....the good, the bad, the broken, the ugly......because all of it shapes and molds, and brings forth transformation.
....
It has been a very busy past couple of weeks here at Knack, and this week, I will be heading out of town with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving. I want to take this week to completely unplug, reflect, laugh, love, pack suitcases, eat derby pie, shove some mashed potatoes down JB's shirt, have impromptu dance parties in the car, watch Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, hit the JCrew clearance store, wear fuzzy socks, and take a million pictures. 
I hope you all do a lot of the same, and I will be back next week!
xo,
Barb
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oopsie......

In the craziness of this week, I forgot to let you all know the winner of the Stacey Winters heart photograph contest! Stacey took care of drawing the name and making all of the arrangements....all I had to do was announce.......For goodness sake.......
Well....Rebekah from Honey Suckle Life is the winner! Congrats, girl!
xo,
Barb
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hey!

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I'm the Stacey behind Stacey Winters Photography. Along with photography I enjoy creating handmade items and am a huge fan of Barb...in every single way! As a guest blogger over here at Knack I'm going to share some photography tips that I have gathered along the way.

Usually the first question I get is what camera are you using and what lens do you go to most often so we'll start there. I work with a Canon 5D and am in love with my 100mm macro lens. I use it for most everything aside from people portraits. For portrait sessions I bring my 35mm, 24-105mm and 200mm. 
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an iPhone photo, boca sparkles added in picture show then filtered in instagram and printed on 5x5 metallic paper

For my everyday carry along the iPhone is quickly becoming an addiction especially when mixed with instagram or picture show. I've recently started printing them and plan to add them to the shop soon.
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Capturing an image in natural light is essential for me. The early morning sunlight is quite beautiful. I work in a room with a large window that gathers the light and pours it in for inside objects. Just by stepping out my front door I see nature up close and am awed by the tiny details. Experiment by moving around the subject rather than moving the subject to see how the light is enhancing the item.

A few more things I do and use:

  • It's always good to frame your shot and then take one step closer.
  • When shooting a product you can make it personal by just holding it in your hand and having a little bit of yourself in the frame. 
  • Printing for me ranges from home printer (an Epson Stylus Photo printer) to Costco to WHCC. If the colors on your computer are not matching your prints you'll want to calibrate your monitor.  
  • Working in Photoshop or beginning in Photoshop Elements is a fun way to play in the "digital darkroom."
  • Once you feel comfortable in Photoshop applying actions to your images can enhance your already beautiful images.
  • Don't delete anything in the camera until you've gotten home and taken a look at all the images, sometimes a little gem is in there when you see it on the big screen.

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Oh Goodie...A Giveaway!
In celebration of Knack's love of photography and creative ventures I'm offering the 5x5 heart balloon print in a giveaway. Leave a comment here along with your contact info by 11.9.11 and a winner will be drawn. 
Thank you so much Barb! It was a treat to be your guest today!!
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FYI

....thought I'd pop in during this busy week and show you a peek of these large 4x8 magnetic boards that I had made for the studio! I will have one, and my photographer will have one in his studio, so that we have an organized grouping of all of the book photos and projects. It will help both aesthetically and organizationally. It is good to be able to visualize things off the computer screen sometimes......:}
All for now.....I have my first big book deadline tomorrow, a three day show this weekend, a speaking engagement on Monday, and another show in the studio next Thursday! I am organized and ready, so no stressing...it is just very busy!!
Have a good one, peeps!
xo,
Barb
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FYI

 I have some fun news today! I have been wanting to come up with a little "thank you" gift to send out with my furniture...because everyone likes a little surprise in the drawer, right? I wanted something that would be both fun and functional....and so I immediately thought of my pal Sara with Girls Can Tell. I have carried Sara's coasters for a while now at Knack, and am such a fan of her work. Sara did not disappoint, and whipped up the cutest design for me that is just happenin' all the way around.....and I am thrilled to now have these pieces of felt goodness to send out with my furniture! Good stuff!
Thank you Sara, for being so fantastic!
xo,
Barb
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Etcetera

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 It has been a busy week here in my neck of the woods, and I am really looking forward to the weekend! I am also looking forward to the fact that tomorrow it is only supposed to reach 65 degrees! I will be sitting watching my son play soccer with a scarf on, a hot drink, and I may even whip on the tall socks and boots........hah!!
Enjoy this weekend, wherever you are!
xo,
Barb
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