Ruth’s Crafterly

I’ve had my digital camera since 2004 (it’s a Kodak EasyShare DX7630, discontinued). At the time that we purchased it, it was the best in the market out there of its tier, with a whopping 6.1 mega pixels, and customizable manual controls. Now, I’m a tad irritated with it, as the newer cameras in its tier have surpassed it with the latest technology. Hubby and I are researching for newer upgrades. We’re currently looking at Canons, and I have my eye out for the PowerShot SX100 IS. He wants more of a digital SLR feel, with the PowerShot S5 IS. He likes landscape/outdoor/action shots, while my preference is for something that would work great in low light,  indoor, macro setting stills. We’ll have to do more research and play it by ear. =P

In the meantime, I am tinkering with my Kodak, and playing with different settings. I hear that photographing jewelry is probably the most difficult. I have to say, all the shots below are without my tripod (I was too lazy to go upstairs and find it and set it up). Although, perhaps it would have been better to use the tripod. Meanwhile, lighting is a whole beast I’m trying to figure out.

Model: I’m using bridesmaid bracelets I’ve been making for a friend who is getting married in a couple weeks. Her bridesmaid dresses are all variations of blue.

In lightbox, florescent lighting, regular macro setting:

In lightbox, florescent lighting, florescent macro setting:

Without lightbox, indirect afternoon sun, regular macro setting:

Without lightbox, indirect morning sun, daylight macro setting:

All pictures were touched up with photo-editing software. I’m not very happy with any of these pictures, I’m going to have to play around some more. My camera just doesn’t produce vivid colors like the others, and the lighting is so-so. Any tips?? (I just want a new camera!! haha)

Over the weekend, I had some girlfriends over for a little beading-a-fete. We were working on various projects together, sorting through our bead stash, and teaching each other different wirework techniques. It was a lot of fun. Must do it again! With our time together, I did an impromptu little bracelet (apologies for the bad photos).

It’s a fun little thing, custom fit just for me. =)

Sometimes I do my cooking “by packet”. My MIL just got back from visiting friends and family in Singapore/Malaysia, and she always brings back seasoning packets for me… stuff that is hard for me to find, where I am at. Hubby and I will be making that same visit to see his grandmother in Johor Bahru (and hanging out in Singapore), but probably not til this fall.

A few packets she brought me:

She also brought me these packets from the Giant supermarket. I love Malay chicken curry, but these packets come with no instructions! (Or any ingredient listings.) Any help (????) would be greatly appreciated!

I have a whole box full of packets in my pantry. Here’s a little peek at some of the more recent stuff I got:

And of course, not all packets are Asian. Sometimes I have a few American ones lying around:

Sometimes I feel a little guilty cooking “by packet” because it feels a little like cheating. But it is so much more convenient and quicker, so who cares, right? =)