{Merry Christmas to All!}



{Project Christmas} Cooooookies!!

I think mine (and my kiddos') favorite holiday tradition is baking and decorating cookies! Every year, we break out the Christmas cookie cutters, flour, rolling pin, sprinkles, and icing and make a huge mess in our kitchen! They have a blast and it's the only time you'll see a mess in my kitchen AND a smile on my face!

(Please excuse the muddy photos- it has been raining non stop here for the last three days, so the kitchen was dark and a bit dreary)



{Project Christmas} Decorative Trees

I tried my hand at these last year, but made a few improvements this year. You can use so many different materials for these trees, but here are a few examples to get the juices flowing!

 

For mine at home, I used red and gold ribbon and for another, twine.

Check out the tutorial HERE!

{Project Christmas} Christmas Framed

One of the cheapest Christmas decorations in our house is our framed Christmas cards. I hang onto a few of my favorite cards every year and the kids help me choose which ones get framed. I simply switch them out with my everyday photos! Cost- $0! Can't beat free!



{Project Christmas} Handmade Ornaments

I found this recipe online and thought it would be perfect for both my 4 year old and my 8 year old. It's called salt dough and it could not be easier to make!

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1/2 cup warm water

Mix together in a large bowl, then roll out as if you were going to make cutout cookies. I used a few of our Christmas cookie cutters and made a couple shapes that the boys could choose from. I poked a hole in the top of each with a chopstick for the ribbon to hang. They took about 3 days to completely dry out and harden.

After they were nice and dry, the boys used acrylic paint and glitter and went to town!

The final products hanging on our tree! I put their name and the year on the back with a Sharpie.

Super easy and the boys had a blast making their own personal ornament!



{Kaydence} | 4 months | Gwinnett County Baby Photographer

Little baby Kaydence, you were so cuddly and cute! I don't know what it is with these babies lately, but I am so jealous of the hair! My kids were bald till they were two!

Kaydence won our Halloween costume contest back in November. We waited just a few weeks until she hit that 4 month mark. I adore this age because their little personalities start to show and they can't run away from you yet!

We had a great time playing at the studio last week; they even brought along their dog for some fun! Thanks for coming to see me guys! 



{Project Christmas} Red Velvet Minis

So, this project I "created" on my own. I LOVE red velvet cake, so I figured, hey, how fun would little bite-size cakes be? And thus became my Red Velvet Minis!

I just used regular old store-bought red velvet cake mix and scooped it into a mini muffin pan. I baked them according to the instructions, but cut the bake time by half. And of course, what's a red velvet cake without cream cheese frosting? Again, store bought cause I'm lazy. I have been nommin' on these all day and they'll most likely be gone by tonight.

{Sweet Baby Avery} | Gwinnett County Newborn Photographer

This little newbie could not have been any sweeter- so quiet and calm and a good sleeper! And that hair? Love! I was so excited to use a few new props since it has been a little while since my last newborn shoot, and she was a willing model!

Avery, you are a lucky girl to be born into such a wonderful family! Thank you guys for allowing me to capture your beautiful new addition!

{Project Christmas} NOEL!

Turn any inspirational Christmas word into an artful decoration! I am actually wanting to do this one, but haven't had time to venture out to the craft store in awhile. Maybe this weekend...?

via Better Homes and Gardens

{Project Christmas} Cinnamon Candles

How cute are these? And so simple! I am a PartyLite chick, so I will be burning Cinnamon and Bayberry all season long. Mmmmmmmm!

Get all the info on making your own Cinnamon Candles HERE!

And please share any crafts you create on our Facebook Page!

{Happy Thanksgiving!}

Hoping you all stuff yourselves full of happiness, love, and turkey!



{The Barnett Fam} | Gwinnett County Portrait Photographer

I met this sweet family of photographers about 8 years ago- before they were actually a family! These two were college classmates of mine at Gwinnett Tech where we all studied photography. It wasn't until after we graduated that they finally began dating and the love they shared began to grow! I was pregnant with my youngest at their wedding a few years ago, and was thrilled when they had their first baby last November. Now that their sweet little bundle is now a rumblin', tumblin' toddler, it was time for family portraits!

I was honored to capture these memories for them! The weather looked ominous, but the light remained gorgeous as we shot almost till the sun went down.

Love you guys and thanks for this opportunity!

{Giveaway Winner!}

Thanks to everyone who entered! I love bringing awareness to another local talent!

Here are the two winners from the Beadiful Soul Giveaway, randomly drawn from all the sweet comments -

Bangle bracelet winner:

Diane Yuhas

Pearl Snowman Earrings:

Sunny Susan

You can email me- ashley@hugghinsphotography .com or leave Victoria a message on her Wall!

CONGRATULATIONS!



{Local Ladies} Victoria Gaines

Your Name: Victoria Gaines

Business Name: BeadifulSoul

City: Atlanta,GA

Year Established: April 2011

Etsy Website: http://www.BeadifulSoul.etsy.com

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/BeadifulSoul

Personal Blog/Website: http://victoriagaines.com (Light for the Creative Soul)

Do you have a location or are you exclusively online?

I sell exclusively online right now. 

Tell us about your product

 I love designing classy, elegant, and timeless jewelry. My aim is to always craft something beautiful, sturdy, and affordable ~ memorable, artistic jewelry that's fun to wear. For that reason, I only work with quality components, mainly sterling silver, plated silver, copper, bronze,or gold-filled.  Semi precious stones, luminescent shell beads, glass pearls, andsparkly Swarovski and Czech crystals ALL make lovely Beadiful Souldesigns, which I try to hand-select in person before buying. My signature bracelets include some very sparkly Swarovski crystals with an AB (aurora borealis) finish for that shimmery pop factor ♥

What made you want to start a business?

 Actually, my daughter and a couple friends urged me to sell my jewelry when they first saw my handcrafted designs. I had been making jewelry sets for birthdays and Christmas gifts for a few years and enjoyed bead collecting. It wasn't until my husband lost his job earlier this year that I seriously considered showcasing my creations online. By then, the time was right, and necessity being the mother of invention, I found myself eager to take this creative journey to the next level. Since then my custom orders have kept me busy while building my Etsy shop. I love playing with color palettes and textures, learning new techniques, and getting wonderful feedback that comes from happy customers.

What’s your favorite thing about owning your own business?

 For me, it's really about flexibility and the opportunity to bless others through this creative process. Being able to work from home is the perfect scenario for me.

Any advice you’d give someone looking to turn their hobby into something more?

 Pray about it. Listen to the voices that affirm your God-given talents and abilities, and move in the direction of your dreams. Those who know you and care about you, will speak truth into your life, encourage you, and nurture your creativity. Building a business is a lot of hard work, and sometimes lonely, so surround yourself with plenty support and look for opportunities.  

These little babies will be mine soon!

 
What inspires you?

 Beautiful photography, art, colorful fashion, music, and good writing. When I'm zapped of creative energy, I'm usually refreshed in the company of other artistic people, but I find inspiration everywhere.   

Tell us about yourself, family, interests:

 My husband and I are empty-nesters but we're blessed with a trio of granddaughters who keep us entertained and well loved. We enjoy craft shows and festivals, cookouts, a good movie now and then, drives to the countryside, and family get-togethers. I love to write, paint, dabble in mixed media art, and decorate cakes.  My husband is a two-time cancer survivor who totally supports my "house of beads."

 
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?

 Probably shopping for beads or having a sleepover with my granddaughters:-)

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

 That would most definitely be organic dark chocolate with almonds and sea salt. ♥

 Mmmm...that sounds amazing!

Where is your dream vacation spot?

 France ~ my father's homeland. But a weekend up in the North Georgia Mountains is dreamy,too. Give me a log cabin, hot jacuzzi bath, and some village craft shops, and I'm good to go.

Thanks so much, Victoria! I love your jewelry! I can't wait to own my little piece of Beadiful Soul!
Victoria has been so kind as to donate two of her beautiful creations to two lucky followers- one pair of snowman earrings and one bangle bracelet! 
Simply go Like Beadiful Soul and Hugghins Photography, then leave a comment here or on one of our walls!
Contest ends Friday 11/11!!

{Let's See Those Costumes!} | Gwinnett County Portrait Photographer

I can't believe it is Halloween already! It was so fun seeing all of your kids decked out in their costumes last year, that we just had to do it again! Let's decorate the Hugghins Photography wall with all those "scary" faces! Post your cutie or cuties HERE!

 

Session must be held before December 4th.

{Fall Giveaway} WINNERS!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in our first ever multi-vendor giveaway! We hope to do another one after the first of the year!

Here are the winners, chosen by Random.org, by comment number:

Georgia Couture Headband- Kaeleigh Gajan

Headband Shoppe Feather Clip- Jess Geddes

Kiwi ad Kiki Flower Headband- Heather Payne

Mellon Monkeys Brown Argyle Tie- Amy Hoemeke

Posh Tots "Boo" Dress- Missy Dooley

Pretty Baby Bowtique Tri-flower Headband- Nicole Sears

Southern Stitches Acorn Tee- Rachel Harvey

Button, Bows, and Tiny Toes $25 Gift Certificate- Korey Ladd

Sweetest Stitches Pumpkin Knit Hat- Jessica Yaun

Two Lollidots Crown and Bow Tie Set- Alia Noel

Hugghins Photography Half Off Session- Jeanette Morris 

CONGRATS!!

Please email me at ashley@hugghinsphotography.com to claim your prize by Monday or another name will be chosen! Thanks!!

{My Baby Sister's Family} | Gwinnett County Portrait Photographer

My family has always been very supportive of my "little photo business". At the beginning, most thought of it as a fun hobby, but now, they are confident in referring to me as a pro. I love to do shoots for my family because we are so close and I feel like this is something I can give them from my heart.

My sister doesn't usually wait for me to offer- she asks- ok, tells me that I am her photographer (and let's face it, I'm not gonna turn her down!) I am always very flattered that she trusts me to capture my niece's newborns, first months, and now, her sweet little family! We ventured to a local park to find people camping on the site (ummm, huh?) but we were able to find a nice quiet area all to ourselves and had some fun!

Love you guys!

Yup- that's my sister!