working on a few things 'for the boys'...

 i am working on a few new designs just 'for the boys'...

if you have been following updates over at BIRCHseed face book page, you would have seen a sneak peek of these 'boy things'.

as you can see... the 'victor' lawn mower design is getting alot of action atm. doing my test prints, my son has acquired a few new additions to his wardrobe... (a very big thanks to Mel from the organic mamas for that lovely & soft organic singlet you see on the right). i love the orange print on the navy fabric of this bonds onesie...

... and here i have experimented with printing directly onto the ribbed fabric of a bonds singlet... this technique, while looks ok here, is real hit and miss with it being very difficult to get a clean pressing of the print. i have many singlets that have not worked!!

... and these are the colours i have printed & are up for-sale in my shop (minus the dribbles)

and now onto the 'digger' design. diggers are what toddler boys are into - as i am quickly finding out! my idea behind this print is to make digger softies (teddies) for boys to cuddle & play with. girls seem to have a plethora of dolls and teddy's, and so i am thinking boys need something other than a typical teddy to add to their collection. 

and here is digger morphing into other play items for my son...

i think i may experiment with printing him a linen doona cover with diggers.?

... and finally the humble chook gets a look in here 'for the boys' too...

i made this chook pillow i made for my sons bedroom. whilst this is not a new design, i am playing around with using the print in many other ways than for the 6 different colours i do for the chook softies in my shop.

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so there you have it. my new 'for the boys' range is slowly developing. being a mum to a 2 year old boy really does put you in-touch with whats important for the little men of this world!

:: what are your boys into right at this moment for their age?

top ten tips for shooting your own product photos -- at home with kids!

let me tell you that photo shoots with kids are not easy! you will find yourself crawling around on the floor, twisting and contorting your body to get the right angle, right light, no dribbles & you have to do this as fast as speedy gonzales before your kid runs off in the other direction & starts eating chocolate biscuits.

i have been taking photos for over 15 years, working from time to time as a freelance photographer. it is my belief that anyone can take great photos... you just need to know a few tricks of the trade and have camera that has a good portrait function (i use my trusty old nikon d70 that is about 8 years old now and quite outdated, but it works fine for me). 

:: so just to help you along here are my 10 tips for shooting great product photos with kids:

1. choose a nice light filled room in your house. using alot of natural light means you won't need a tripod or flash, therefore no harsh shadows reflecting all over the place from a flash.
2. think about the background, plain white walls bounce light off the best. you can always tape a sheet or some calico up on the wall.
3. have all your products ready, ironed and clean in one pile ready to dress as quick as possible
4. make sure your little models are fit, fed & happy - do not attempt this just before nap time!
5. having a friend over is handy for quick outfit changes, as toddler-age kids do not tolerate the whole on / off redressing thing to well. 
6. have a stack of toys and props ready to hand them and keep them occupied.
7. have a dry face washer to catch dribbles before they run down and leave wet blobs on their chest (my boy is a big dribbler, as you can see below!).
8. don't get upset of things are not going your way. praise and cuddle them, whilst trying to make the whole session appear the two of you are just hanging out playing with some toys.
9. also do not get too in their face with the camera, as they will then want to grab the camera the whole time. this means use your zoom on your lens and distance yourself back a little bit from them.
10. i normally love shooting my pics on a full manual setting, but forget about that with kids. i use a full automatic setting with auto focus and make sure that the flash mode is disabled.

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... here are some shots from a quick photo session i did this week.... obviously i culled & choose the best from the 100 plus shots (thank goodness for digital cameras!)

talking to them about the product may help to engage and direct their attention

i am under the rocking horse on the floor shooting upwards to get this pic. move around constantly to find your best angle

remember to shoot all angles of the garment / product

use props & toys to add interest both to the shot and for your little model

kids love rolling around on the floor. for some reason they think it is hilarious when you stand above them and take their photo, who knows why?!

so there you have it... some tips that may help you to get some great pictures of your products with kids. if you rely on selling your products through online shops like me, using pictures where kids are wearing or using your products, will make you stand out & 'pop' amongst items that are photographed on coat hangers or the dining table.

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:: if any of these tips appeal or work for you, drop a comment below or send me an email... i would love to know that what i have offered here today is useful in anyway :)

ps: head over to my madeit or etsy store for your own lawnmower singlet (or apple bib)... where singlets are selling for just $12!

production series: tea pots -- part 3

we continue on today from part 1 & part 2 of this production series to show you what products i have made using this new tea pot print.

 its a similar post to the one i did about my 'apple' prints. some items are available to purchase in my shop now, others will be there soon after a bit more refining.

tea towels - these started out in just red. but thanks to a custom order request (via my madeit shop), yellow and blue are now featured there too. (ps: i actually LOVE the blue best!)

then onto a bit of creative sewing to make a birthday gift for a friends 2 year old girl...i used a natural linen fabric for the print patch & then appliquéd it onto a bondsie.

important announcement...i have fallen in love with hemp fabric! (organic of course!)

i have begun to experiment with this wonderful textile & i am addicted. you will certainly be seeing alot more BIRCHseed hemp products soon.

 ... and here we have a tea pot coaster to place underneath my tea pot. i have used hemp for the print and some vintage floral fabric from my own stash - have you seen my stash btw?

and finally, i am toying around with the idea of creating a little 'tea party' softie set for toddler-girls imaginary playtime.

i have an amazing tea cup collection to use for some new blockprint designs that will be added to the tea set over the next few weeks. 

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:: Do you think some tea cup tea towels would be good too? i know i will be making some for my kitchen!

ps: this post was featured in this weeks 'our creative spaces' blog spot... some great designers & makers over there so go check it out!

apples -- part 2

... & the apple-ation continues...  (i just invented the term 'apple-ation' to highlight the celebration of apples!)

here -- i share with you the many & varied items i have created to date using the humble apple print...

bean bag chair for my son

brown paper gift wrap 

apple mac linen pillow

100% cotton tea towel

organic baby rattle / teething ring in green or red

toddler / baby cotton singlet

organic fabric combo pillow - made by joint efforts of BIRCHseed & The Organic Mamas

toddler / baby singlet with green apple motif

fat 1/4s of  fabric - as featured on crafting a greener world

fat 1/4 of fabric ready for making

baby bib - a completely home-designed, sewn & handprinted item  

organic onesie - SOLD OUT

phew, thats alot of apples. -- BIRCHseed 'apples' can now be found across most states in australia and around the globe in places like singapore, new jersey, connecticut & new zealand.

if you would like to join in on the 'apple-mania' (another word creation ooops!) you could purchase one for yourself if you pop over to my shop.

oh &... i love making new stuff, it excites me!... i will continue to post in this series when i have more apple items to share with you. until then ...

:: is there anything you would like an apple print on? just pop up a comment & we can work together on creating something completely and utterly for you!

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