October 30th – November 4th

This weeks guest judge: 
Tia from: Christopher and Tia.
This weeks challenge:  “Halloween“
The challenge: 
The challenge will be based around your children. Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid… or puppy… or kitty) in their Halloween costumes. OR, if you don’t celebrate Halloween… a photo of what you did on October 31st. 😀

*Disclosure: no babies were harmed in the making of this challenge.*

Tia’s example of “Halloween“:

Chelsey’s example of “Halloween“:

{Ruari 10.5 months}

Here are a couple links to some free photo editing software if you don’t already have something:
Picnik
Picasa
Gimp
Pixlr

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There always has to be rules… I know, boring right? But, it’s to help me and you. 🙂 Click on the link for more details… Each entry does need to link back to my blog… Click here to see last weeks winner… All photo entries need to be in by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on November 4th…
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Winners so far:

• Fall: … And, then she (snapped) …
• Black and White: … Jennifer Leigh …
• Halloween: … no one yet …
• Food: … no one yet …

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If you have an Etsy shop and would like to give away an item as a prize… please drop me a line! I ♥ sponsors and will show your shop some love for your contribution. 🙂
♥♥♥♥♥♥

Click here to see last weeks winner of “Black and White”.

Hey! If you want to link up your Halloween photo in another challenge, here you go: A Sorta Fairytale.

just bits & pieces

Charmaine from Just bits & Pieces.
This weeks challenge: Black and White.
The challenge: The challenge will be based around your children. Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid… or puppy… or kitty) in a black and white photo. This week I’m encouraging you to work with photo editing programs. Don’t let it stress you out! Just play with it and have fun. I’ll include some links to some free editing programs (If you don’t already have one).

• First: Jennifer Leigh

Why Charmaine chose this photo: “I was drawn to this photo immediately. The thumb in the mouth, the stunning eyes & the dream-like light around her little piggies. It’s almost like a secret moment was captured.”

Congrats! Please feel free to grab a “fact: I’m awesome … #1 winner” button below. Because: you ARE awesome! And, thank you SO much for participating!

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• 2nd: Life with the Lyngs

Why Charmaine chose this photo: “I loved the sharp contrast between the black and white…..the fluffs being blown away…beautiful conversion.”

• 3rd: Nellie V. Photography

Why Charmaine chose this photo: “The light…a beautiful subject…need I say more??? Gorgeous!”

• 4th: At Last…We are family

Why Charmaine chose this photo: “Again…sharp contrast, which I’m loving. And it seems like she’s lost in a moment. I wonder…what is she thinking about? Intriguing.”

• 5th: Harpers Happenings

Why Charmaine chose this photo: “The moments before a new life is brought into the world…..amazing capture. I can feel the pain, the excitement.”

If you’re a top 5 photo, please feel free to grab a button below!

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5085298170_31cb9fb3a9_z.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

 My favorites (in no particular order):

• Jennifer Leigh

I just love how these eyes pop! Beautiful.

• Curious Georgie 

This action shot is awesome!

• Letters to Little

So so sweet!

• The “J” Family

I love the angle of this shot!

• Shutter Ninja

I pretty much love everything about this photo.

• The Boy Named After a Car

I love this little naked silhouette!

If you’re one of my favorites you are more than welcome to grab a “Paper mama hearts me” button below!

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5084702705_ebcd889293.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

 
And, we both had a few honorable mentions:

• I guess you could say we have a good life

• The Daily Wyatt

• Moments in Between

Winners so far:

• Fall: … And then she snapped …
• Black and White: … Jennifer Leigh …
• Halloween: … no one yet …
• Food: … no one yet …

♥♥♥♥♥♥
If you have an Etsy shop and would like to give away an item as a prize… please drop me a line! I ♥ sponsors and will show your shop some love for your contribution. 🙂
♥♥♥♥♥♥

I know you’ve all see these buttons off in my sidebar, but I wanted to dedicate a post about these lovelies that help support the Paper Mama blog.

Starting from the top with my two newest members of the sponsor family:

Romeo and Mae:

All your sewing pattern needs can be found here at this Etsy shop! Sewing isn’t really my thing… but, I like to recruit people to sew things for me… Well, mostly my Mom. 😀 Be sure to also visit her blog. Check out a few of my fave’s from her shop:

{Romeo and Mae}

{Romeo and Mae}

{Romeo and Mae}

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Barely Measured:

The handmade bags over at Barely Measured are So SO lovely. Beautiful. You may have seen this bag over at I Rock So What. The REALLY neat thing is she really works with you to create the perfect bag for your needs. I’m getting a new diaper bag from her. We will have a place for my camera too! I really can’t wait (But, I have to. ;D)! Visit her blog too!

{Barely Measured}

{Barely Measured}

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BabyPhotographers.com

This is the place to find your baby photographer! I’ve said it before: yes, I LOVE to take my own photos… but, other photographers have a different style (or more professional touch) than I do. Here you can find a photographer in your area! Instead of going through the millions of listings through google. Give them a look!

{Captured by Carrie}

{Angela Weedon Photography}

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Claire’s Creations:

This is the perfect place to find a unique accessory for a loved one! The holiday’s are coming (sooner than you thing)! AND, she has a sale right now: 50% off everything in her shop! Yup! She’s making room for new creations. She also has a cute blog.

{Claire’s Creations}

{Claire’s Creations}

I’ll be sharing more of my sponsors tomorrow!

I don’t know what’s up with my brain and the vote off! I keep forgetting to post them! Well, I was driving to Seattle last Saturday… that’s a good excuse. 🙂

ANYWAY… The winner is…

Captivus Living! For the Fingerprint challenge! Great job!

Congrats! What a lovely photo! Thank you so much for playing! You had 41% of the votes. Followed by Unnoficial Mom, Supermom, and Love3! Thanks so much for playing!

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4846272577_81fafed77c_b.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

I have a small prize for you if you’d like! Send me your address: [email protected]

AND, if anyone would like to donate a prize for a vote off or challenge, please drop me a line! I would LOVE to show your shop some love.

Macro Friday:

Sky Watch Friday:

Your Best Shot and TMMAPC:

Wishful Lamb: Fall

Fix-it Friday:

I’m not really all that in to knitting. BUT, while I was preggo and just sitting on my bum 24/7… I did manage to finish something! Here it is:

Ok, well… It’s not completely finished… I didn’t put the button on it. Ruari would just eat it anyway. I still have 2 blankets and a baby sweater to finish from my knitting projects. I know that’s so bad, but I just haven’t been motivated to finish them. If I don’t finish that sweater soon… Ruari will be too big for it! Hmmm… maybe that’s enough motivation. Nah.

It even has a cute little point in the back. Awww.

See that tile she’s sitting on? Yeah, I REALLY don’t like it. I mean REALLY don’t like it. And, remember when I pulled up the carpet in Ruari’s room on Wednesday? Yeah… I know there’s hardwood under that tile. I can see it when I walk in the door. AND, I know it’s not glued down… MUST..TEAR..UP..TILE. Except… I don’t know how and or what I’m doing. Sludge hammer? Crow bar? I don’t know. Whoever decided tile should go over hardwood is crazy.

And, I spaced yesterday for my 30 days of truth. SO, two truths today!
Day 11: Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
I get a lot of compliments on my crowns.

Day 12: Something you never get compliments on.
Uhhhh… I don’t know. I guess you could say I never really get compliments on my pajamas. You know… the things I wear almost everyday. 😀

How about a Halloween sneak peak:

{Torture device Halloween costume provided by: Hi, Baby.}

Flashback Friday: One year ago… One year ago on Halloween… I was about 29/30 weeks pregnant with a little boo head.

{3D photo of Ruari 2 weeks before Halloween}

{October 28th, 2009}

And, of course we had Angus dressed up. 😀

I’m going blog hopping today: Mama to 4 Blessings, My life as a New Mom, Toddler Awesome, Design it Chic, Thanks Mail Carrier, and The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom.

Makes me laugh. 😀