Art Was Framed! Part 2

This was another quick and inexpensive customization of a discounted, scuffed frame.

This plastic/composite frame had a couple of white scuffs. I wanted to use it with an antique photo, so the frame should appear worn and scraped up. I took a piece of sandpaper and lightly rubbed some vertical scratches on all sides. I wiped, rinsed, and dried the frame to remove any dust. Then I took a small amount of black craft paint and a paper towel and rubbed paint into the scratches, wiping off excess paint to leave green as the main color. I let the paint dry and reapplied until I achieved the look I wanted.












I really like how this turned out - giving a modern-colored frame an antique feel, but still maintaining the vibrant color. It works very well with the colors in this reprinted photo of my grandfather, taken in the 1920's.

Were I to do it again, I might use a finer-grain sandpaper and perhaps experiment with different scuff angles, or even used a knife to dig in some deep scratches. I could use multiple paint colors to give the scratches a variety of shading.

Scenes from the Old Farm

I took the following pictures during my recent family reunion in south central South Dakota using my Palm Treo phone. Click on each photo to see a larger version.

"Maxwell Smart" Spotted at RUSH Concert

My husband, growing up with the name "Maxwell," was subject to the usual teasing kids give each other. The most often plays on his name were the two easiest, "Maxwell House" (a coffee brand) and "Maxwell Smart" (the lead character from the 1960's series Get Smart).

In my own inimitable way, I turn this former negative into a positive. :)

Looking through the Tour Photo Gallery at RUSH.com, I saw my husband and me in two of the photos. Cropped and marked versions are below. The band has been adding photos to the Gallery from every tour stop, as well as occasional backstage video clips.

I am wearing a RushCon 8 Pre-Con T-shirt with the saying, "Lerxst is king."*

My husband is wearing a shirt from the Austin, Texas band, The Sword.
































*Lerxst is a nickname bestowed upon Alex Lifeson, RUSH's brilliant guitarist.

Consumer Mag is Shot and Framed! You Can Be Too!

In the July 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, they review digital picture frames and digital cameras. You can see a free digital camera buying guide video here on their site.

You can read an overview digital photo frames for free, and if you're a Consumer Reports online subscriber, you can see their ratings.

Digital photo frames can be used in a business setting. If you're clients come to your office or retail location, a digital frame on the front desk or checkout counter can be used to boost sales and your business' reputation.

You can display the Employee of the Month, your "office family," cute pet and kid pictures (encourages the "warm fuzzies" for your business), drawings of your new location, latest sales items, hours of operation, ongoing specials, coupons from your latest flyer, contact information, or latest awards.

The idea is to be subtle and use a soft sell approach. Screaming red text saying "We're the Best!" or several photos of yourself will come across as egotistical, rather than interesting.

Industry-specific ideas include:

1. Destination photos for travel agencies
2. Houses on the market for realtors
3. Babies for OB-GYNs
4. Photos for photographers
5. "Big check" photos for fundraisers

The idea is to subtly sell your business in an interesting way. Mix things up a bit and think about what would keep you looking at the digital photo frame.

Farmer's Market Produce

I went to a local farmer's market and bought these vegetable.



I think they look great, they tasted very good, and were actually cheaper than my local grocery store. I paid $6.79 for everything here. I checked the prices at the store, and would have paid at least $5 more.

Although for some food I might end up paying more at a farmer's market, the extra cost should be worth it because of the better quality, freshness (which means higher nutrition), and taste.

I used these vegetables to make a yummy steak salad. Based upon a dish at The Elephant and Castle chain of pubs, I cooked some steak tips, onions, and peppers. I put this delicious mixture on top of romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, chopped mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, and bleu cheese. The dressing was a homemade balsamic vinaigrette, using Penzey's Italian Dressing base.