I've been thinking about buying a video camera, but I'm a complete ignorant when it comes to this kind of stuff

I'd mostly use it to record tutorials and speed-coloring videos, like the ones on my personal or my store's You Tube channels. This means I'd mostly use it indoor and to shoot "small" areas.

I'd love something that can be mounted on a tripod and that allows me to zoom in and out while recording; I'd also wish I could use the same SD memory cards I use for my reflex, so that I wouldn't have to buy other ones

I have a budget, obviously; I don't want to get the cheapest model out there, but I don't need a professional tool either.. considering I wouldn't really use it on a regular basis!
Do you own a video camera? Do you have any suggestion for me? I'd love to hear your feedbacks!

...I'm not going to lie, I prefer the real thing. All the way
Weeks ago I tried to reproduce my Shortbread Brownies recipe in miniature. I managed to take a few pictures of the steps and put together a quick DIY tutorial!


Click here if you want to learn how to make miniature brownies. You'd rather have the real thing? Click here for the recipe!

The miniature cake-stands tutorial that I promised a month ago is finally ready!
All you need to make your own is cardstock, a button and acrylic paint..

Click here for the tutorial!!

These stands were part of my entry to ~xgnyc's amazing Halloween Contest...

I've just found out that I won in the Artisan Crafts category and I'm so happy! This is probably the most exciting thing that has happened to me all week
Make sure you take a look at all the wonderful entries!!

Find more of my works on my blog (DIY projects, works in progress, freebies), website (artworks and free downloads) and online shop (charms and miniatures)



It may come as a surprise, but I'm a foodie. I love to eat food, bake food, make miniatures of food.. I guess it makes sense that I also love craft projects that use food!
I found this blog through Craftgawker.com; it's full of cute, quick and easy DIY tutorials. My favourites? The walnut-pumpkin and the painted pasta!


Source


Finally, here's some of my favourite deviations from last month



Stella

You're in the mood for some french fries but you're on a low-cal/low-fats diet?
I can feel your pain
...But what about some miniature french fries? They're not quite as tasty, but they're lots of fun to make and you won't gain a pound!


Find the easy 6-steps tutorial to make your own here!

Part of my "Grease is the Word" set, wich was my entry to #semi-sweeties's Movie contest. I didn't place, but the winning entries are so lovely that I really can't complain!



Find more of my works  on my blog (DIY projects, works in progress, freebies), website (artworks and free downloads) and online shop (charms and miniatures)

Last month I was very glad to see one of my suggestions being picked as Daily Deviation. If you haven't already, make sure you take a look at *Nassae's lovely Poundcake with berries




I've noticed that one of the most common reactions people have when they see miniature food is "OMG that is NOT real food?!". I know I often think these very words!
Well, I'm pretty sure that these pictures will make you think the exact opposite: can you believe that these adorable miniatures are, indeed, edible food? I stumbled upon them a few weeks ago and I still can't wrap my head around it. They're quite amazing!


Source


Here's some of my favourite deviations from last month



Stella

Last month I was really excited to see one of my suggestions become a Daily Deviation! If you haven't already, make sure you have a look at *Zhoira's gorgeous Sundaes


I've recently started to translate all the recipes on my blog into english.
Have a look if you're interested and please let me know if I made some translation mistakes! I'm eager to improve my english

Find more of my works  on my blog (DIY projects, works in progress, freebies), website (artworks and free downloads) and online shop (charms and miniatures)



Some of my favourite deviations from last month.



Stella

I've been tagged by

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 5 things about themselves in their journal.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create eleven new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and post their icons on your journal.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have tagged him/her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about "you are tagged if you are reading this". You legitimately have to tag 11 people.


1. I like being tagged because I have no life. Weeee

2. One of my feet is slightly bigger than the other, but I never remember wich one it is when I'm buying shoes.

3. I have a driving licence, but I don't drive because I feel terrible at it

4. At the tender age of 24, I've finally learnt to use a sewing machine. Yippiee!

5. I like weird nail polish colors.


1. What's your favorite country BESIDES the one you live in (includes dual citizenship)?
I love winter, so I have a thing for cold countries. I've always been fascinated by northern/eastern European countries - such as Norway, Denmark, Russia and all the former URRS countries. I've never visited them, tho..

2. Milkshakes or slushies?
I only know slushies because of "Glee", so I'll go with milkshakes

3. What's your favorite movie genre (ex. horror, romance, drama, thriller)?
Romantic comedies (and comedies in general)

4. What's the last thing you ate?
Cappuccino (does that count as eating?)

5. What's your favorite item of clothing?
Frocks!

6. What's your favorite style of music (ex. pop, rock, jazz, classical)?
I like every kind of music exept maybe for Hip Hop music. I'm eclectic!

7. Would you rather have a red-lipped batfish or a pet palmetto (look them up)?
Uh? *googles it* - ok I give up. the first thinghy is ew and I can't find the second one. Shacchan you really are weird (also, I can't believe you actually got me to google it. )

8. Fruity flavors or chocolaty flavors?
Chocolaty flavors of course! Although fruity chocolate is probably the best of the best

9. Pixar or Dreamworks?
Disney..? I'm old school..

10. Would you rather live in a castle in the middle of the desert or a cottage in the middle of the ocean?
This is a tricky one, 'cause you see, I love cottages but I can't swim..

11. Your favorite dinner or your favorite dessert?
You can never go wrong with chocolate-based stuff. Hate to be redundant, but this is the plain truth..



1. What's your favourite historical period (or 1900's decade)?
2. And wich famous historical (or mythological) figure you would like to meet, if you could?
3. Date night: would you rather have dinner in a fancy restaurant or have your loved one cooking for you at home?
4. What is your n.1 pet peeve?
5. If you had to describe yourself with a quote from a book/movie/song, wich quote would it be?
6. Bags or shoes?
7. What is your favourite type of art media (photography, pottery, watercolors.. you name it)?
8. Do you have any tattoo? If not, would you like to get one?
9. Would you rather try something new but potentially disappointing, or do "the same old stuff" you know you love?
10. Is there something crazy you've been dreaming about doing, but are too afraid to actually do?
11. You're elected President of the World: what is the first law you make? (Say "Everyone wears pink"! Say "Everyone wears pink"! )





For more news/infos/downloads/whatever check my blog or website


Some of my favourite deviations from October.


Stella

I've recently discovered two lovely social projects involving crafts.
~lycheebunny has launched her Project Inspiration website. The mission of this project is to collect money for the American Cancer Society trough the sale of craft items. You can visit the official website and store and keep updated through the Facebook or Twitter.
*GrandmaThunderpants and *Shelby-JoJewelry are planning a charity auction whose profit will go to the anti-profit pet clinic Pet Luv. You can find all of the infos about the auction here; you may also want to sign the petition for the 'Dexter Stamp' on convicted animal abusers, which you can find here.


On a lighter note, I've opened today a freebies section on my blog. I'm going to post there various templates and printables (for miniature making and papercraft), so make sure to check it out if you're feeling crafty!



Some of my favourite deviations from August.


Stella

Summer time might mean sun and beaches to most, but to me it always means more free time to indulge in fun activities!
So, I have a couple news to share today


I've decided to revamp my old "Helpful tutorials" list! Aside from moving it to a new, dedicated webpage, here's all the new features:


I've also added 15 new awesome tutorials - check them out if you want to learn to make miniature gingerbread houses, llamas, toadstools and much more!
All of the newly added tutorials are marked by a "new" icon to make it quicker to recognize them.

You can find the list here, under Links> Tutorials - Clay and Miniatures







I've finally had the time to open my very own blog. Ok, that's a lie - I opened it two years ago, but I haven't had time to update it since!

Anyhow, I've resurrected it and hopefully this time I'll manage to keep in updated!

I'm planning on using it as a sort of virtual sketchbook-scrapbook.
Aside from pictures of my finished works, I want to post there WIPs, behind-the-scenes pics/videos, sketches, inspirations, products reviews... and maybe even something more!

I'm still learning to use Blogspot - I feel like a total noob! Like, the "Follow" feature, is it like a Deviant-Watch or a Facebookish "Friends" thing? - but I really like it so far

Here's the link if you'd like to pay me a visit: Simplystella's Sketchbook.


And that'd be everything for today - have a nice summer, everybody!
Stella

First time I've been tagged - would you believe it took me a week to this write down? I'm hopeless

1, You must post these rules.
2, Each tagged person must post 10 things about themselves on their journal.
3, You have to choose and tag 10 people and post their icons on the same journal.
4, Go to their pages and tell them you tagged them.
5, No tag backs

1- I didn't know what 'being tagged' meant until today. N00B!
2- I really love compliments. Just love 'em. I guess I have self-esteem issues..
3- I also love food - but I've been on a diet almost non-stop since when I was 15een.
4- Speaking of food, I'm not a vegetarian and I like meat, but I can't eat anything that looks like an animal. Does that make me an hypocrite?
5- Other things that I love - vintage clothes, mistery novels, rom-coms and kittens. Wow. I just realized I'm gonna grow up to be a crazy cat lady
6- I prefer Rolling Stones over the Beatles, pink over blue, dark chocolate over milk chocolate and Aniston over Jolie.
7- I don't date guys with weird last names, 'cause I don't want my future babies to be made fun of at school. I'm that far-sighted. Also, that single.
8- I'm awfully sexist. I have no problem seeing women as the weaker sex - especially when there's something heavy to be carried.
9- I'm ironic the most of the time. Unfortunately, people hardly ever get my jokes
10 - Just to make things straight, the list above was intended to be ironic. Bet you didn't get it












Semi-Sweeties contest for the 1000th member has just ended. I offered a feature for the three winners and ...here it is!
I've picked my favourite works from each gallery - 4 from the winner's gallery, 3 from the first runner up and 2 from the second runner up. Check their galleries for more cuteness!












Once again, congratulations guys!
Stella

I've been really curious about this tecnique shared by *Shacchan - see this journal for the instructions - and finally today I've managed to give it a try
It was fun, althought a little messy. I just need to try some more to find the perfect dosages!

I mixed some light brown clay with about an half of water and an half of Fimo liquid, until I got a creamy thing (as Shacchan explained, it should look like a glaze). Then, I added the baking powder to the clay, proportion as shown, and mixed them:


I made a baking tin with an aluminium foil (I didn't have anything to wrap the aluminium around, that's why it looks so weird! ) and poured the clay in it (well, I poured it all over my worktop too! ). I baked for about 10 minutes.


This is what the clay looks like, after it's baked. Gotta admit it looks anything but good


The big moment! Seems like it worked - but I'm thinking of using a little more powder next time, to get a bigger texture.


I painted the slice with acrilyc paints for a more 3d look. Oh yes I desperately need to improve my painting skills!


Thanks again to *Shacchan for the super-useful tips! Can't wait to try this out again

Stella

My first prize for the Thou shalt eat cake contest has arrived!
I've never had a premium membership before and I still have to learn how all the new gadgets work. It took me ages just to learn how to make the journal skin!
Anyhow, I've always wanted to make a feature, and here it is.. my first feature ever!


I'm officially on diet again, and, since I really hate myself, I decided that the theme for my first feature had to be chocolate!
I decided to feature only deviation with less than 50 faves. Go and check out these lovely works and try not to drool all over your keyboard!



Stella

New home here : [link]
under Links > Tutorials : Clay and Miniatures