i don't claim to know it all. i don't claim to be perfect. i just claim to love jesus.

Friday, April 09, 2010

a bit 'silly' giveaway...((gala day five))

day five...ALREADY!?! this week has seemingly flew on by!! and each day has brought some new faces to my blog. it gets me excited to see you all coming back too! i'm almost bummed that i only have today's giveaway, and one more tomorrow left... and remember all giveaways will end on APRIL 12th. so be sure to enter the other giveaways if you haven't already.

and onto today's giveaway.

last year for my birthday i got a nikon d90. and almost a year later i don't think i know any more than i did about it than last year...i think i need a private lesson or something...ANYWAYS...i loved seeing all the slip covers for the straps out there. and knew i needed to find one for my camera. i mean...a black boring nikon strap? come on. i wanted something FUN! or maybe silly?

silly is a play on words..because i found Silly Jilly Boutique on etsy. all of their straps are beautiful. funky. and really not silly at all! i asked if they'd be willing to send me a strap to review...and they were so willing!! i said i didn't care what i got...this is what i got:: ((and i already had the strap on my camera, and didn't feel like taking it off...so that's why the picture is the way it is))
i absolutely LOVE IT!! ""the camera straps are out of the highest quality cotton fabrics. and they are lined for the ultimate in comfort and style"" and i must say the strap is highly comfy and super stylish. they offer a ton of other cute patterns too::


i just love the variety of patterns. and i have more on my list of ones to get! i really just should learn how to sew...but then no one would make money off of me!

silly jilly also offers up lens cozies...cute matching 'bags' for your lenses. how fun!! now if i only had more lenses! ((which this is way off topic...but does anyone have any reccomendations on a good extra lens for the d90? i'm trying to find one!))

so guess what!?! i KNOW you want one of these, right?! or maybe you know someone with a DSLR that this would be a great gift for! well...

one of you get to pick ONE CAMERA STRAP COVER out!!

::MANDATORY ENTRY::

**if you have one...let me know your favorite photography 'hint/tip'! if you don't have one...just tell me that. :0) easy peasy!!**

((my tip...hmmm...i guess i really try to shoot without a flash. but most people tell you that. and i guess try taking shoots from different angles, not always centered. those are usually my most favorite pictures! and i'm no where near a professional...or semi-professional...i just love to take pictures!))

::EXTRA ENTRIES:: (please leave a different comment for each entry! and thanks for taking the time to do them!!)

**follow MY blog (or let me know if you do already)**

**grab the GALA BUTTON (or let me know if you did already)**

**blog about the giveaways (or let me know if you did already)**

**visit SILLY JILLY BOUTIQUE and let me know which one you'd pick**

**tell me what camera you have ((DSLR or not)) OR which camera you'd love to have!**

ALL of the giveaways will END ON APRIL 12th at MIDNIGHT. any comments left between now and APRIL 12th will count for the giveaway.

the winners of each of the giveaways will be announced on April 13th. the winners will have 48 hours to get back to me with their information. failure to do so will result in a new winner being picked. so please be sure to have a way for me to get a hold of you! :0)

and there you have it. only one more giveaway left after this one! i can't wait to share it with you.

152 loving words from you.:

Kelli W said...

I just took a photography class, so I have a great tip for you! Try shooting in P mode...it is sort of like auto but so much better! Also I just got the 35mm f/1.8 lens for my D40 and I LOVE it! It was around $200 which is pretty cheap for a new lens. It takes awesome depth of field shots and works great in low light too:) Thanks for all the great giveaways this week Amanda! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mir said...

Just seeing your giveaways - very cool!! Signing up now. :-)

My tip, late, late afternoon sun and pretending to tickle your kids. That gets the best realistic smiles!!

Oh, and I love the Amy Butler Lacework strap! Beautiful!

Rusti said...

I don't have any tips :( but I DO want a nice digital camera ;) mine is a little point & shoot (which is great for carrying everywhere I go) but both my mom & aunt, and several other family members have NICE digitals (Nikons, Canon Rebels, Konica Minoltas, etc.) and while I'm mega jealous - I also get to borrow their cameras if needed... or just have them take lots of pics of E for me :)

Rusti said...

I follow your blog :)

Rusti said...

I already have your GALA button on my blog!

http://babyshitandgiggles.blogspot.com

Kelli said...

I love to shoot from lots of different angles and if it doesn't look good just delete it! i love digital!

Kelli said...

i follow your blog!

Kelli said...

I have a Nikon D40X but i'd really like the new Cannon that came out! My camera might just accidently break before my warranty is up in September!

Rusti said...

I absolutely LOVE the Mod Dots cover!! (my favorite color is brown and I have an addiction to dots, circles, stripes... I can't help it!) this would be PERFECT!! (and I know my mom would love it too... she has a birthday coming up!!) ;)

Kelli said...

i love this one!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42989622

carissa said...

i'm terrible with photography. i blame it on my camera. my hubby has promised to one day get me decent camera. this strap would be a great reminder of his promise. he he! ; )

The Tesdalls said...

I don't have a favorite camera tip but I LOVE taking pictures and having pictures of my family!!:)
kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I already follow your blog!
kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I already have your gala button!
kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I like the funky floral strap cover!
kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

Anna said...

I'm no photography expert, but I love taking pictures. I look forward to coming back and reading other people's tips though :) These days I need lots of tips on shooting a moving target since that is what Fiona has become

Anna said...

I have a Canon Rebel xti that is a couple of years old, but works wonderfully.

The Tesdalls said...

We have a Canon digital rebel xsi and love it!:)

Anna said...

I like the pink and green one or maybe the chocolate lollipop

Stef said...

My tip: become a follower of Karen Russell's blog. Not only is she an amazing photographer and photography teacher, she has some of the cutest kids ever and her posts are great. She puts a lot of tips/suggestions up about lenses, cases, shutter speeds, etc.

sbriesh at gmail dot com

Stef said...

I'm already a follower of yours!

sbriesh at gmail dot com

Stef said...

I'd love to have the black and white zebra print. I have to pick one that's not too "girly" (even though some of the others are STUNNING) because my husband also uses our camera a lot and he'd probably prefer it didn't have flowers or anything like that on it.

Stef said...

I have a camera that I LOVE but, like you, it's capabilities are WAY beyond me right now. It's a Canon Rebel xsi and it is fabulous.

sbriesh at gmail dot com

Kristin said...

I need a cute strap for my camera!! I have no tips. I have had my DSLR for a year and still don't know how to do anything on it except auto. ha!

Kristin said...

I follow your blog

Kristin said...

I have a Sony DSLR and discovered yesterday that I really need a zoom lens! We were at a school program and my camera just does not zoom in enough.

He & Me + 3 said...

I love to shoot at angles. They can turn an ordinary picture into something great!

He & Me + 3 said...

I have a nikon d90...love it

He & Me + 3 said...

i love the zebra print camera strap.

Stephanie said...

I love using Picnik for all my editing - so easy and makes my pictures look amazing. I don't have a DSLR yet, but really want one. For now, I would love to give a camera strap to my mom for mother's day.

Stephanie said...

I have your Gala button on my blog.

Stephanie said...

I would LOVE a Canon Rebel DSLR - but right now I only have a good ole' point and shoot camera.

Stephanie said...

I love the Mod Dots camera strap.

Mom's Place said...

My favorite hint, is nothing is silly! If you think a shot is silly, that will be one of your best shots!

Mom's Place said...

follower

Mom's Place said...

I have a Canon Rebel XTI.

Mom's Place said...

I love the Amy Butler Duck egg print.

Ashley said...

i don't have any 'tips' per say, just a lot of what i like to do! i like getting down to the kids level when taking the picture, so i'm constantly crouching when taking pictures of ayden, i also love my 50mm 1.8 lens and opening the apeture up all the way to get that blurry background (i'm a blurry background LOVER)! a good thing to do is check out the library and see if they have any photography books that can help, that is what i did, saved me money on buying them!

Ashley said...

i follow your blog!

Ashley said...

i'd get the funky floral camera strap!!!

Ashley said...

i have the canon t1i dslr and LOVE it! i don't know what i did without a dslr! i just love photography SO much!

Anonymous said...

I am not the person to ask for photography help-I'm no good at taking pictures :(
sara http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/
vzsara@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

already am a follower :)
sara
http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/
vzsara@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

your gala button is on my blog :)
sara
http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/
vzsara@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

blogged about your giveaways earlier this week :)
sara
http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/
vzsara@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

love the Mod Dots print :)
sara
http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/
vzsara@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

My camera is a really old Samsung-one of the first digital cameras to come out. I really need a new one!
sara
http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/
vzsara@yahoo.com

christy rose said...

I do not have a dslr camera. I would love to get one some day. I have made so many blogging friends in the last year and my enlightenment to photography has grown tremendously. I just have a point and shoot now and most of the time I am so disappointed in my pictures. But they are what they are right now and so I capture as much of my life and the people in it with the lousy camera that I have. :) But let me tell you a new camera is definitely on my list of upcoming buys for me and a nice pretty strap could be its gift to our home. I would love to win one. :)

christy rose said...

I follow you!

christy rose said...

Obviously I do not have a photography tip because all I get to do is point and shoot. :) But I have learned a lot today from reading all of your comments here today.

christy rose said...

My favorite strap is the gray funky floral one!

Jennifer said...

My favorite tip is to not let me take pictures cause they turn out fuzzy as I am still trying to figure out the new camera

Jennifer said...

I follow your blog

Jennifer said...

I have your GALA button in my blog: http://whateverandbeyond.blogspot.com

Jennifer said...

I like the Boutique Camera Strap canon nikon Pink Green

Jennifer said...

We have some $100 camera from best buy that takes decent pictures

Bets said...

My camera tip is just take tons and tons of photos and then delete the obviously bad ones on camera but leave yourself lots of options! It's amazing how many facial expressions a kid can go through in just a few seconds!

Bets said...

I follow your blog!

Bets said...

I have the Nikon D40, which I absolutely adore, but I can't help drooling over even nicer cameras!

Bets said...

Love the black and white damask! All of the straps are gorgeous, but that would be the most "me." :-D

Megan said...

*Mandatory Entry* My favorite tip is taking shallow depth of field pics - turn the stetting to manual aperture (or A) and set the aperture to the lowest setting (like f3.0). Take picture. Then you get your subject up close and a blurry background!

Worst explanation/tip ever, sorry.

And I love my D5000!

Megan said...

*Extra Entry 1* I follow your blog!

Megan said...

*Extra Entry 2* I have a D5000 and love it! I'm looking at new lenses for my birthday, I want a wider zoom lens!

Megan said...

*Extra Entry 3* I would pick the mod dots camera strap cover!

Unknown said...

I have TWO camera tips. First, unless the background is attractive and you want it in the picture ALWAYS take portrait shots vertically. And CLOSER is always better. Second, avoid using your flash at all costs! You can almost always adjust your settings to help with lighting a bit.
Oh and one more...learn how to use your various settings. Aperture priority, shutter priority or complete manual can make for some amazing photos!!

Unknown said...

I follow your blog!!

Unknown said...

I am thinking I would pick the one in the Amy Butler pattern, sort a blue/paisley with an orangish background. Love it! Love them all!!

Unknown said...

I have a D40, D60 and the D90. And I recommend your second lens be a 50mm f/1.4 or 50mm f/1.8. Both are fabulous portrait lenses and produce fabulous photos. I do not go anywhere without my 50mm lens. A zoom lens is nice too, but honestly just not as practical.

the thrifty ba said...

my tip is to make one of your kids sit and the other (well, if you only have 2) hug the 1st around the neck. always a great photo.

the thrifty ba said...

i have a nikon that isnt the best but i have super cute boys-so that makes up for it!

Steph said...

OHH, I want this soooo bad!! I have not tips, most of my "good" pictures are by accident. Wish I had more skill!

Steph said...

I follow your blog!

Steph said...

I would want this strap: Boutique Camera Strap cover DSLR Canon Nikon Mod Dots

Steph said...

And this is the camera I would like:

Canon - PowerShot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black

Erin said...

i NEED tips- but i guess my main tip is just to take TONS of pictures b/c u cant ever get that "moment" back! better to have too many than not enough!

Erin said...

i follow your blog!

Erin said...

i love YOUR strap cover! but i guess on that etsy shop i would pick the black & white damask.. i like alot of the colorful ones too but i couldnt find the "name" for some of them!

Erin said...

i have a Nikon D60 & love it!!!!

Holly said...

I have no tips b/c I still take pics on my Canon on auto! lol I'd love to take a class and learn more how to work all the settings on my camera.

Holly said...

I follow you

Holly said...

have gala button

Holly said...

I have a Canon Rebel.

Emmalie and Aidan's Mom said...

My best photography trick is to take a TON of pictures, that way you are bound to have a few good ones in there, lol.

Emmalie and Aidan's Mom said...

I follow your blog!

Emmalie and Aidan's Mom said...

I have a Canon Rebel XT that I love as well as a digital.

Heather Fox said...

I have no advice. HA I love me some pictures. I really need to take more/better ones. Which would require a more professional camera....Hmmm oh well!

Elyse said...

Photog tip-use auto and let the flash come naturally. Don't force it. Use natural light whenever possible!
~Elyse

Elyse said...

I follow your blog too :)

Elyse said...

Your blog button is on my site :)
~Elyse

Elyse said...

I love the canon nikon pink green custom. WoW...what have I been missing? Camera straps rock!
~Elyse

Elyse said...

I have a canon rebel XTI! It rocks my world!
~Elyse

Beccalynn said...

I'm not the best photographer or anything but I think the best thing is to clear your frame of the nonessentials so that it's clear who/what your subject is. Also, if you're taking pictures of a baby, it's a great picture when you get on their level. And I like the Rule of Thirds. Divide your frame into thirds horizontally and vertically and put the subject of your photo where those lines meet.

And I try to shoot without a flash too :-) It makes the colors more brilliant and real.

clothdiapermommy at yahoo dot com

ps--I'd LOVE this strap for my D80!

Beccalynn said...

I follow your blog
clothdiapermommy at yahoo dot com

Melissa said...

i dont really have a hint or tip for ya....plus if i did...you were probably the one that told me :0)

Melissa said...

i follow your blog

Melissa said...

i would pick the mod dots...thats super cute.

Melissa said...

we just got the nikon d90. lovin' it!

The Beaver Bunch said...

I don't really have a favorite photography tip. Maybe just to take the camera EVERYWHERE b/c you never know when you could get the perfect shot!

The Beaver Bunch said...

I'z has a Nikon D3000 I think. And I'm too lazy to walk the 10 steps across the room to check for sure the numbers after the D.

The Beaver Bunch said...

I like the Gray Funky Floral at Silly Jilly Boutique.

Jonna said...

I really don't have any hints or tips. I'm still learning!

Jonna said...

I follow you!

Jonna said...

Got your button!

Jonna said...

I think I would have to get the zebra print!

Jonna said...

Right now I have a Sony cyber-shot. But I want to up grade. I'm looking at the Canon Powershot 12.7 and the Nikon Coolpix 12.1, neither are DSLR, but I'm just learning. So I think these 2 are more up my alley, but give me more options then just a point and shoot!

Vanessa said...

My only tip right now is to just keep shooting. Honestly, with digital photography you can delete anything you don't love. And if you just shoot you get some non-posed shots which are the best!

Anonymous said...

I got my canon dslr just before our Thanksgiving trip and haven't really learned all of the settings. So I keep it on auto and take a bunch of pics and hope I get one or two good pics :(
aechika at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog: BabeeLove
aechika at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'd pick the black & white damask
aechika at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I have a Canon EOS Rebel XS DSLR
aechika at hotmail dot com

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

how adorable? My photo hint? Keep me out of the photo!!

McCrakensx4 said...

I wish I knew more about my camera and how to take pics...my IRL BFF tries to teach me and she just taught me about my macro button which I am loving to take close-ups...I am also trying really really hard not to center and be creative with my angles.

McCrakensx4 said...

and I follow!

McCrakensx4 said...

And I have a Canon PowerShot S5is...although I wish I had one, not sure which one, that had a lens that I could switch out with an external flash!

McCrakensx4 said...

I would either choose the polk-a-dot one or the one with the big pick and green flowers on it!

Liz Mays said...

I don't have the tips but I sure need them myself!
doot65ATcomcastDOTnet

Liz Mays said...

I want the Nikon D90 myself, but what I have is a Kodak Easy Share 4MP. :(

Liz Mays said...

I'd choose the black and white damask cover!

mittelmommy said...

i don't have a tip, but i hope to learn a lot of them on saturday!

mittelmommy said...

follow you!

mittelmommy said...

i'd go w the camera you have bc nathan likes it and you could show me how to use it!!! =)

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

My fav photo hint. Is teach your kids early to take pics. :) My kiddos LOVE to smile and are VERY photogenic now since I started early. You say smile or cheese and they are all ready. HA . well my lil' man gets distracted, but still I get some cute pics. :)
itzacin@aol.com

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

i follow
itzacin@aol.com

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

have your gala button
http://littleyayasandblessed.blogspot.com/

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

we have a cannon, a kodak, a sony, and a new rebel, and a few others. My goodness I have a lot. LOL
itzacin@aol.com

Rachel @ Finding Joy said...

You know I follow your blog! It's awesome.

Thanks for doing such wonderful give-aways---they make blogging so much fun! My daughter is hosting huge give-aways and it is amazing to see the response!

Blessings on your day!

agk11808 said...

yeah i have no hint or tip, i don't have your skills

agk11808 said...

following you

agk11808 said...

have the gala button

agk11808 said...

blogged about the giveaways

agk11808 said...

i have a kodak camera, not anything high tech at all!

agk11808 said...

the mod dots strap is super cute

Amanda said...

I don't think I entered this one! :( YIKES This is another one I HAVE to win! :) Don't have a fav tip..other than make sure your camera bag is always zipped shut. I need to take my camera in after a fall! :(

Amanda said...

I posted the blog button on the blog today! :)

Amanda said...

Blogged about the giveaways today when I put up the blog button!

Amanda said...

I have a Sony Alph DSLR

Amanda said...

I'm in LOVE with the pink/green strap!

The Campsall Family said...

I don't have a photography hint , but I did just get a new digital camera, and I am still trying to figure out how to use it!

Unknown said...

I was recently told to always shoot with my exterior flash to help "even out" the lighting- even in full sun. All my pics have been fantastic too- I tilt the flash to the ceiling inside, so I get a soft look and the pics have been great!

~Becca

Unknown said...

New follower!!

~Becca

Unknown said...

Visited Silly Jilly- totally love the green & pink one!!

~Becca

Unknown said...

I have a Nikon D40 and am learning all about it....LOVE IT!!

~Becca

Diana Ferguson said...

I am a follower!!

Diana Ferguson said...

I have no great photo hints. I am just learning how to use a DSLR.

Diana Ferguson said...

I have a new CANON DSLR. And baby I would love this. At least I would look great, because I don't really know what I'm doing yet! HA

newwife said...

My favorite photography tip- call my husband! He is the master photographer in the family and I love his pictures!

newwife said...

I follow your blog!

newwife said...

If I won I would pick the mod dots because it is manly enough for hubby but fun enough that I could carry it too!

newwife said...

Hubby has the Canon RebelT1I which he received from the coolest wife ever for his birthday- I have an awesome scratch and dent Sony powershoot that I use for scrapbook stuff!

Chaukie said...

Sorry, I don't have any photography hints/tricks. I could stand to learn some myself!

Chaukie said...

I follow your blog!

Chaukie said...

I visited the Silly Jilly site and love the Gray Funky Floral one. I am looking at it for a gift for someone else.