Mini Ink

Cool photography editing packages

2012-02-10T03:47:00.000-08:00

HIPSTAMATIC
If you always have your I phone, and love to take photos, you'll love Hipstamatic.
You change the lens, film and flash, use different combinations and produce different often surprising effects. "Digital photography never looked so analog. The Hipstamatic brings back the look, feel, unpredictable beauty, and fun of plastic toy cameras of the past! The Hipstamatic keeps the the quirks of shooting old school but gives you the ability to swap lenses, film, and flash settings all with the swipe of a finger."
Hipstamatic is available for purchase through the app store for $1.99. You get a collection of lenses, flashes and film to combine in as many different ways you like, you then purchase film packs as they become available if you wish.

Below is a pretty boring subject but Hipstamatic makes it look a lot more appealing!
Heaps of fun!

Original image

Hipstamatic variations

CAMERA BAG
If you like the cool retro/vintage look of some pics these days, then you'll also love 'Camera Bag'

It works on your desk top computer and you 'run' your images taken on a standard camera, imported into your desktop computer and then run them through Camera Bag.

It is available for PC or Mac and can transfom the simplest of photos into a work of art!
Its a photo editing software that filters your work allowing you to change the look and feel of an image ans well as add a border/edge
The neat thing is you can have a quick view of how your image would look after changing and adjusting the filters.
I started with the same basic image and chose a style I liked, re-saved the image and hey presto - neat image!

Dear little Caspa

2012-01-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

We had to say goodby to our little girl Caspa this week.

I didn't realize how much she cleaned up after us! Food scraps fallen on the floor never lasted long with her around. In a house of 2 small boys now I have to double my vacuuming efforts!

Its amazing how many little habits you form to accommodate them that you continue to carry out after the habits are no longer needed.

Also incredible the many places you expect to see them sleeping, or peeping or wagging about in and you have to look twice when they aren't there.
xxx

DIY Slip cover for a couch

2012-01-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

And now for something completly different!
How to make a slip cover for a couch/settee.
So I found these marvellous mid century couches on the side of the road on verge collection day.
Beautiful teak wooden frames, terrible condition...

Re-upolstering them couldn't be too expensive right? Quotes came in from $3000 - $1,800. Sigh.
Time to get crafty.
After nagging my mum to borrow her sewing machine, she gave me one for my birthday! Score!

1. Make paper pattern of side and inside arm rest panels. I literally held sheets of brown paper onto the sides and traced around them.
2. drape fabric down back and onto where your bottom sits, you could drape all the way down the rear (behind) of seat as well but I wanted this part black.
3. Cut top of arm rest pieces.
4. Place all pieces inside out onto chair. Tuck the large panel into creases. Its better to have more fabric. When you cut pieces, leave around 1cm hem to play with.

4. Pin everything together.
5. Tack stitch everything together. Not entirely necessary but allowed me to remove some pins
6. I marked with chalk where to sew since my hand stitches were a bit off and my seams weren't a perfect 1cm.
7. Sew it all together.

8. Hem the skirt and dress!

Yay! Am quite proud! Thanks go to Ikea for supplying well... everything. The seat cushion was the perfect size so for now, that will do just fine.

Designer birth announcement cards 'Jake'

2012-01-14T19:09:00.000-08:00

A lovely combination that works superbly!

By using the Lucas colours of soft pale blues & beige and combining it with the Elizabeth layout, creates this new design! Love it!

Thankyou everyone!

2011-12-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all of our supporters over the years. Hers to a fantastic 2012!

Front page screen shots

2011-12-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

Love these picks!

I love pretty things!

2011-11-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

Check out this gorgeous online mag full of Christmassy goodies! (watch out for us on page 17!) Click on this link to view online:
I Love Pretty Things christmas-gift-guide

New Christmas Cards Ready for your photos!

2011-10-30T05:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a wonderful photo shoot with my wonderful family, I was spoilt for choice of pics to use in my 5 NEW Christmas cards for 2011! What a handsome bunch! Visit our Christmas Gallery for more inspiration.

Kind thanks to Onesies & Co our wonderful photographer! Find them HERE!

Fluid Ink Letterpress

2011-10-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

Mini Ink's little sister!
Please visit her on Etsy!

Fluid Ink Fine Letterpress of Australia

Pretty pushers

2011-09-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

I'm torn... Do I love or kind of think they are a bit naff... No I think I love...
Pretty pushers 'disposable' delivery gown. Not a bad idea me thinks!
http://prettypushers.com/

Thanks to I love pretty things for this find!

Design of the month - September

2011-09-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

Ok so its more like a bi-monthly thing but time is getting away from me.
Its about this time of the year we start to see the first glimpses of Christmas fare and freak out (well I do anyway) and let out the inevitable gasp: 'Are you kidding me? - Already?"

That aside, I mentioned this gorgeous custom combo-job in last months post. Its luscious colours and fantastic photos make it a beauty!

Latest designs

2011-08-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

NEW - Vintage Circus First birthday invitation

An adorable 1 year old + super pretty and all the rage vintage circus theme = awesome invitation - (if I do say so myself) Too Cute!

NEW - Fairytale invitation

Ella's birthday had a castle and fairy theme - so we coordinated with this fairytale invitation designed especially for Ella.

COMBO REQUEST - Jarrad

For this birth announcement, the client requested the colors from Austin and the layout from Ryley or Bailey. The photos that were supplied were orientated differently to both of those layouts so I used 'Bailey' as a starting point and re adjusted the grid to accommodate the proportions of these gorgeous new images. I think it looks fantastic!

COMBO REQUEST - Aidan

Another beauty born out of a combo request. This time the colours from Seth and the layout was left open to accommodate the images. I went with a simple design and used the colours from the middle photo to add to the mix. Love it!

Design of the month July - Birthday thank you cards.

2011-07-23T01:49:00.000-07:00

A great idea! How about a thank you card to thank guests for their generosity, friendship and love!
I love the fact that these thank everyone individually. there is space to write a short special note on the reverse of these mounted thank you cards. Its personal and it teaches children that gratefulness is something that we should all embrace and encourage.
These were designed especially for this special little girl. The client wanted something black and pink. It really was a joy to be inspired by such spirited photos!

Tooth Fairy!

2011-07-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome idea!
I Love letterpress.
I know our local tooth fairy finds it difficult to find places to stash children's lost teeth but cant quite bring herself to throw them out!
It includes a record keeper, a certificate for your child and a tooth holder (to be filed and stored with the tooth fairy)

www.officeofthetoothfairy.com

lucky man!

2011-06-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

I have never seen one in my life and my little boy bends down and plucks a four leaf clover out of the weeds!
Needless to say we bought a lotto ticket on which we won...$30. But hey better than the proverbial kick in the behind!

New designs!

2011-05-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Camilla, was created as an alternative to lashings of pink - but still pretty and feminine! Inspiration drawn loosely from 'Elley'. The client requested greens and not too much pink. A great way to display 6 gorgeous photos when you just can't choose one!

William - the boy version of our very popular 'Tilly'. I have been desperate to make a boy version, just waiting for the perfect photo and client request!

Bree is a mauve version of 'Amelia'. The client requested butterflies to signify a special family meaning. Very cute!

Design of the month - May

2011-05-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

This month's design is for Wedding thank you cards.
The lovely newlyweds received Olivia's birth announcement in the mail (design of the month in March) and contacted Mini Ink to create something gorgeous for her.
We haven't created wedding thank you cards before and as such had no designs in our gallery and so I was wrapped to be able to unleash a completely new design that evolved from this job.
I love the quote they used from their bridal waltz 'I hear you laugh, I heard you sing, I wouldn’t change a single thing. For you I’d wait 'til kingdom come. Until my days, my days are done' - an excerpt from Coldplay's 'Til Kingdom Comes'
Gorgeous photos, lovey colours, awesome quote!

Design of the month

2011-04-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Charlotte's visionary mum! We started with a rainbow theme. Charlotte's mum sent me an image of some gorgeous stitched rainbows (photographed below) to use as a starting point, and chose the 'Isabella' naming day invitation from our gallery.

Inspiration!

What I really enjoyed about this one was the brilliant feedback and collaboration Charlotte's mum gave me after the initial design that made it better and better until we ended up with this gorgeous final product.

Gorgeous gift idea!

2011-04-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

Check these out from Chick Design. Gorgeous gift idea when you are stuck and want something new and original!

http://www.chikdesign.com.au/product.php?category=18

Mini Ink of the month

2011-03-25T00:36:00.000-07:00

A new feature!
A beautiful order for Olivia, based on 'Ginger' from our gallery - pics of the order just before they are packaged up and posted. They look much better in real life!

Love my job!

2011-03-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

Ok.
So, when people say to me at school (after the whirlwind morning of getting kids dressed, dealing with the 'I dont want to go to school' tears, brushing of hair as we walk through the front gates, realizing we have forgotten hats and waterbottles, dashing back to the car - really I could go on, and I am happy to report that Im not the only one who goes through this fairly often!)

"What are you doing today?"
I say; "Im going home to work - not work on the house - but do my job - at home...."

I must admit It takes a little explaining and I would rather say that I'm going shopping, off to lunch etc, etc, going home to work just doesn't have much Pizazz! I must work on a better 'sell' for what I do..

Maybe; "Im off to create something that will make a lot of people happy" - but at 9am after one of 'those' mornings, it usually comes out with a sarcastic edge.

Anyway, I came across another business blog from Duct Tape Marketing and I found a few words that struck a chord:

Love – Thankfully, this a word we can now use in business without being thought weak. Ironically, it takes a great deal more strength to do things in business out of love rather than out of profit, and yet, to do so may be the most profitable methodology you can adopt.
I really love the people I work with and for. I love the people that are drawn to this brand and community and the only way that happens is if you continuously communicate what you believe is important.

'Tis true.
I love what I do....

Now if only school hours could be extended just an extra 30 mins, I could fit in "Watch the tv soaps and eat Tim Tams"...

http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2011/03/07/work-as-craft/

New designs!

2011-03-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

My task for Molly was to combine the colour of 'Mary' from our gallery, with the layout of 'Sidney' and 'Angie'. I love the modern twist with vintage papers!

Elley was created for a lovely returning customer. I saw the photos and was completely inspired to use the colours in them. Using a blue in a girls card is something I haven't done before but it works a treat. Its my new fave!

Kitty Rose, was custom created for a client that requested the 'Tilly" design but in a rectangle format, and incorporating 3 pics.

The above 2 designs were a play on some chalky colour schemes I came across in a home decorating mag. They appeal to the strong and courageous little personalities! Very different designs that are clean neat and striking.

Look to the sky

2011-02-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

I love to look up and witness the ever changing sky gorgeous colours and cloud formations. I think I have passed it on t my kids as I spied them finding animals in the clouds in a rare peaceful, calm and endearing moment. Its good to know Im not the only one I note when I came across the below blog.
http://www.good.is/post/good-design-daily-type-made-from-the-sky/

Quoteable quotes for new babies.

2011-01-14T16:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some wonderful quotes I have found over the years that are meaningful to new parents and babies. Taken from: http://www.miniink.com.au/quotes.htm.

If you have any more good ones, please put them in comments below, Id love to add them!

Babies are such a nice way to start people.
Don Herrold

When babies look beyond you and giggle, maybe they're seeing angels.
Eileen Elias Freeman

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.
Carl Sandburg

Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of life.
Maureen Hawkins

Every child begins the world again....
Henry David Thoreau

Children are one third of our population and all of our future.
Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981

Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music.
William Stafford

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.
John W. Whitehead, The Stealing of America, 1983

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.
Rabindranath Tagore

Children make you want to start life over.
Muhammad Ali

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
Angela Schwindt

The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child.
Joe Houldsworth

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.
Walt Streightiff

When I grow up I want to be a little boy.
Joseph Heller

Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit.
Bill Cosby

A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
Eda J. Le Shan

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
Elizabeth Stone

Children reinvent your world for you.
Susan Sarandon

It is the nature of babies to be in bliss.
Deepak Chopra

Mankind owes to the child the best it has to give.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

Children have neither a past nor a future. Thus they enjoy the present.
Jean de la Bruyere

Wisdom begins in wonder.
Socrates

Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.
Ron Wild

Having a place to go - is a home. Having someone to love - is a family. Having both - is a blessing.
Donna Hedges

A baby is a blank cheque made payable to the human race.
Barbara Christine Seifert

Babies are always more trouble than you thought - and more wonderful.
Charles Osgood

Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy's heart instead of her tummy.
Author Unknown

A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back.
Arthur Miller

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
Author Unknown

I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.
Vincent van Gogh

Not just for the Mini people!

2011-01-01T04:40:00.000-08:00

Just a few examples of cards that have been custom designed for 'Grown ups'.

Family Christmas card

60th Birthday invitation - invite text printed on reverse.

16 year old birthday invite - invite text printed on reverse.

Male 40th Birthday


40th Birthday Invitation

Mini Ink Christmas range

2010-11-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

Check out our new Christmas card designs!
Totally customisable, change the words, change the number of photos, change the layout, swap colours, anything you want!
Make your Christmas card the one everyone keeps forever!

Order flat mounted cards before 22/11/10 and receive a FREE upgrade to our new folded card option.

Spell with Flicker

2010-10-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

This is fun!!
http://metaatem.net/words/
Write anything you like and the letters are pulled from Flickr's archives to create your word.

Photo Collage Maker

2010-08-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

Here is quite a cool free Automatic Photo Collage Maker that produces shape collages out of your favorite pics!
http://www.shapecollage.com/
You can use a standard shape to turn your collage into, or draw your own custom shape.
Customise the background with any colour or add an image of your own.
Here is a quick sample I whipped up in a few minutes.
I could even drag and drop images out of iPhoto.
The quality is high enough to print out at a photo lab onto photo archive paper - even use as a poster to decorate a room!

If you upgrade to pay version, you don't have to look at the darn watermark (which sometimes moves to the bottom of the design but wouldn't for me today!)
Give it a try, its really an amazing and well thought out little application that is a lot of fun!

Origami butterfies

2010-08-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Check out these gorgeous origami butterflies. They would look great made from coloured wrapping paper, double sided scrapbooking paper or any type of paper that takes your fancy!
How about using your newborns wrapping paper saved from all of those gorgeous pressies?!
They look great on walls or made into a mobile to hang above babe's cot.
Even make them out of paint swatches for a nice tonal effect!
Try following these instructions I found off YouTube: origami butterfly video

Etsy shop Roundhouse Designs

Etsy shop Laylalou Studio

Photo tip #3 - When to take the perfect pic...

2010-07-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a few timing tips to think about when you are considering your 'baby photo shoot'

Taking first photos in hospitals can work really well. Most babies sleep a lot during the first few days and its easy to move them around without disturbing them, but don't rush to try and get the perfect shot, even the most beautiful babies have temporary imperfections right after they are born. It may be better to wait until those little spots have cleared up and their personality starts to shine through.
Make sure baby is not tired, hungry and cranky. Its really hard to get a good photo when they are restless. A rested, fed and content baby is much easier to work with.
Sometimes pacifying your model with their dummy can calm them for a little while, then you can gently remove it, take a few pics before they gaet cranky again, and repeat the whole procedure. (it takes time and patience!)
As an alternative, photograph while asleep. They are surprisingly durable and resilient to being moved about and a calm relaxed face is beautiful. Its also a lot easier to take photos of hands and feet while asleep.
Don't forget to do a last minute model check for stray bits of food or dribble!
You may need to try several times over the week especially if you wish to try different outfits and positions.
Try to minimize distractions such as other people, the t.v, bright movements etc; so baby can stay focused on your face.

Cool party idea! Candy Sushi!

2010-06-10T23:28:00.000-07:00

Visit: http://mommyknows.com/birthday-party-candy-sushi/

Photographing babies: Tip # 2 Keep it simple

2010-05-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

If you are after a photo of your newborn to use as a photographic keepsake for birth announcements and baby thank you cards, here are some tips to make it a success.

Today we are considering babies clothes and the background setting.

Dress baby in something simple - or nothing at all. If you are planning on having Mini Ink design a birth announcement for you, what colours do you like best from our gallery? What are the babies wearing in our samples and what is in the background of these photos?

Plain white singlets or snuggly onsies are great. Birthday suits are always gorgeous! Try and avoid bright and busy prints and let your babies face speak for itself. Don't forget it is lovely to see the babies hands and feet so un wrap any swaddling.

If your baby loves a dummy (don't they all) use it to calm baby down and once they are relaxed, try removing it and then shoot a few pics, you may need to be patient and put it back in several times to keep them calm.

Consider the background you are photographing baby on. Couches, bead spreads and cots are great spots but the fabrics can often be busy and distracting. I always drape a white blanket or throw over the couch, (sheets are ok but can be creased, and creases show up gloriously in photos!)

Try to avoid too many objects in the background - different coloured walls, chair legs and textured carpet. I like to make a mountain of pillows on my bead and then drape the rug over the lot. (excluding the baby) It creates a cosy spot and gives you a consistent background to your shot as well.

Photographing your baby in someone's arms can also be very effective. It helps to position baby. Don't forget to get the 'holdee' to dress in a neutral un-fussy colour too.

In saying that, some outfits can enhance a photo - beanies, head bands, and even dresses and shirts can speak volumes about your babies personality.

Delicious Delicious Delicious: Chocolate Party Spoons!

2010-05-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

Delicious Delicious Delicious: Chocolate Party Spoons!

Seriously awesome idea! I love it when people come up with ideas that are different to anything I have thought of! So easy. Such a shame my youngest just had his party last weekend because this would have been great. Just think of the possibilities - turn them into spiders, beetles, anything!

Photo Tips - Episode 1

2010-05-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

Mini Inks tips for great photos -part 1

If you are anything like me, taking photos of your newborn baby is compulsory! Blurry, over exposed, taken on a mobile phone, in the dark because you were worried about using a flash.... it doesn't matter because they all represent a special moment like the first bath, smile, hold by grand parents or little brother.

But if you want to take photos specifically to share with everyone for birth announcements, baby thank you cards or baby keepsake cards, perhaps even baptism or christening invitations, and you want them to look the best, its easy to create a 'studio look' photo in your own home.

Here are some tips to making a 'photo session' work for you. (I know I have chosen the easy option of using a doll that doesn't squirm, wriggle and is always placid but you can get the general idea!)

NB: I am not a professional photographer - I don't have a studio but I love taking photos of my kids. None of these photos have been edited and they are all taken using 'dummy mode' on my camera no fancy tricks, just helpful tips!

1. LIGHTING, lighting, lighting - tip number 1

Great lighting creates clean crisp photos that are more likely to be in focus, less grainy and aren't wrecked by harsh shadows.

Turn the flash off - flash lights can startle a new born and make them cranky. They also can cast hard shadows on babies face and around their body.

Natural lighting - is the best. Open all of the curtains/blinds, turn all of the indoor lights on. I have even used an empty bathtub filled with blankets! - It's nice and white and many bathrooms have sky lights and good sunny lighting. This creates softer shadows and a more natural skin colour.

Position of light source- try not to pose baby with an open bright sunny window directly behind them. This will make your subject dark with the light behind being over exposed. Instead, position yourself between the window and your baby so that baby is bathed in the light, but you are pointing the camera away from the window.

Go outside- I think photos look best outside. Try taking photos on a sunny day outside under a pergola, sail or well shaded tree. Direct sunlight is harsh on a newborns skin and can also cast hard shadows. If you are under a tree, make sure the dappled shade isn't dappling your babies face as well. In full shade, shadows are soft, skin tones are natural, dewy and soft - just like a babies bottom!