Sloane's Zoo

 You know what I love?  I love turning a passing thought that's actually a really good idea, into reality.  That's what I've been doing lately. Let me show you.

It all started when I stumbled on Hippopata.  Don't you just love it?  As soon as I saw that hippo, I knew I needed to do have a portrait of Gareth for Sloane.  Wait!  $900 minimum.  We can't do that; just can't.

So, the idea sat in the back of my mind and I pondered.  Of course, if I am going to the trouble to set up a photo shoot for Gareth, why wouldn't I do it for all Sloane's stuffies?  The two constant loves in Sloane's childhood have been books and stuffies.

The final impetus came when Sloane wanted to clean our her closet and pack away several of her old friends.  You notice, we are storing them - no getting rid of family members for the Lawson girls.  Attic, here we come.  Before we did it, I told her that I would have a photo shoot for her stuffies.  They've been family members, after all.  Each one has a name and a distinct story.  In fact, we used to play a game at bedtime.  Sloane would close her eyes and I would choose a random stuffed animal for her to sleep with that night.  (Along with Gareth.  She always sleeps with Gareth.)  Sloane could tell me which stuffie it was every single time - without looking.  She knew them so well, she could recognize them by touch.

So.  What would I need to take photos like that?  Turns out, not much.  Just a light box.  Thank you, Anne, Jeffrey, and Arlen.  My husband and his sweet brother actually made the light box for me from a tutorial I found online.  The cost was less than $5.00, and it only took 30 minutes.  Perfect!  I'm not finished with the project.  Sloane has at least 76 stuffed animals, after all.  I am pleased with what I've done so far though.

What about you?  What good ideas can you turn into reality?