Get in the Valentine’s mood and start spreading the love a little earlier this year with a project that ends in a gift. While this is a photo project, moreover, it’s a way to leave a little heart in some unexpected places.

Shown, are just a sampling of outtakes from my Hearts Project. To get started all you need is brightly colored paper, scissors, tape, a digital camera, and the guts to look ridiculous in front other people for a few moments.

The adventure began by cutting out a purse-full of hot pink hearts, grabbing my camera, some silver duct tape (for lastablitiy) and going about my week as usual. The only difference being that, like cupid, I left a little love everywhere I went… and photographed it!!  Sometimes it was not possible or appropriate, but whenever I could I left the heart where it was shot, like tiny pink remanence of joy for whomever might cross its path.

There are oodles of things to do with the pics when you’re done, but if you’re want to really go for it, I suggest transforming your digital collection into a beautifully bound book to present to your Valentine. Both Kodak Gallery and iPhoto are great reasonably priced places to get you going.

I hope to see your hearts around town!!

]]> http://craftawl.com/2011/01/30/the-hearts-project/feed/ 0 http://craftawl.com/2010/11/21/large-scale-artwork-on-a-small-scale-budget/ http://craftawl.com/2010/11/21/large-scale-artwork-on-a-small-scale-budget/#comments Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:29:37 +0000 tammy http://craftawl.com/?p=1352

If you sit around like I do, daydreaming of museum-sized photographs filling your walls, then maybe you should try rasterbating!! (no… it’s not dirty, notice the “r”)

Rasterbating, also known as tiled printing, is a way to take a large image and break it down into smaller, page sized pieces, which can later be reassembled into a whole. So, instead of spending thousands on a 30×40 print, you can get an artful effect for the price of a new cartridge of printer ink and some photo paper. (really, you could use any sort of paper that suits your fancy, I just so happen to have boxes of glossy photo paper laying around my house so I went with that)

Here are some easy-to-follow instructions… clicking on the image will allow you to see the full-sized details:

Since I happen to be a bit of a tech-nerd, I did all of the image tiling myself via photoshop & imageready… but for the not so tech-savvy, there is this great website (although it looks like the website is down right now, so I might just have to write up some steps for the photoshop novice) that will help you through the technicalities.

A few months ago I started a new photo project: collecting letters. What you see above is only a sampling of the ABC’s I’ve snapped throughout the city.

Like bringing little e.lie with me and photographing his adventures, having a side project with the camera is not only fun, but it opens your mind to seeing the everyday in another way.

Check back in a week or so (update: maybe a little longer than that) to see one of the projects I have planned for my new collection… I just need a little more printer ink first.

In the meanwhile grab your camera and click! click!

Toting little E.Lie around NYC and snapping shots was a blast, but even more enjoyable was watching my friends join in on the fun. This little guy was not only photographed by me, but friends from ages 3 to 43.

With the digital revolution in full swing, it is not uncommon for even the youngest of children to enjoy the art of photography. If they’re capable of holding a camera and pushing a button, they’re ready for action!

Before returning E.Lie to its rightful owner, I collected my favorite pics, printed them out at home, and assembled a small photo album highlighting our escapades.

Where did your toys go today?