DIY Photography Lamps

I always have problem taking my food pictures especially what I cook for dinner. I depend a lot of natural lightings and during fall and winter that is hard to come by. The sun will set by 4.00pm and my dinner will be done only around 6.30pm. Most of the pictures I took will either come out too dark or too bright if I use the flash.

Amazon.com does sell the Pro Lowell Ego Set but they were too expensive. It cost close to $300.00 for set and it is not worth investing so much money on it since I blog only as a hobby. Carlos went and bought me a small mini studio but I am not too happy with it. I have been nagging him for the longest time to make me a simple lighting since he has all the tools to make it. I show him something I saw on Jugalbandi blog and I am sure he can make it in no time since it’s pretty simple. But knowing Carlos if I want him to make something it is either a proper one or not making it at all.

With some wood and a few other materials this is what he presents to me when I came back from Malaysia. What do you think? Pretty awesome, isn’t it!! THANK YOU SWEETIE.

Getting ready the wood for the lamps



Cutting, drilling, .......




Adjustable height for the light.
Using two different kind of light bulbs. The one on the left is Ego bulb bought from Amazon.

All ready to go.

Here is where I put all my photography props. A permanent spots at the basement.

Patio Table

Most of you know that my husband Carlos is crazy over woodworking. Here is the table he made for our patio a few years ago. I really like the table a lot especially the colorful tiles. I am not sure of the step by step procedure but I let the pictures do the talking. I only help him with the laying of the tiles on top of the table and also the little personal touch on the patio.

The top of the table

The edges of the table. It took him some time to do this.
Clamping up the edges (I think)

More fancy clamps ;)

Trying to figure out the best design for the tiles

The finish product!!

The legs of the table

Enjoying our BBQ and evening at this table

Some personal touch to the patio.

The Door Is Done!!!

Carlos finally finish repairing the door and also painted the wall. It took him awhile to finish it because of the cold weather and now it look as good as new. He will be going away for a short business trip tomorrow and he told me not to get into any mishap again while he is away. No more calling the police or breaking the door down. I told him I will try my best ;)

mmmmm trying to figure out the best way to repair this

Carlos said : "See, now you know why I like to buy a lot of clamps!! "

It's as good as new.

Top 10 Grouses of Woodworker Spouse

I came across this article from one of Carlos woodworking magazine and I think is really funny and I find my husband guilty of most of them.

10) There's never room for my car in the garage

9) He keeps bringing home pieces of wood that he's found, like stray animals. But he never uses them, so our house features an unusual 'woodpiles everywhere' decor.

8) He spends hours scouring antique shops for old tools and I'm tired of being dragged along and staring at dingy knick-knacks, worn-out furniture.

7) Nails and screws left in the pockets make an ungodly racket when they go through the washing machine and dryer.

6) A problem in the shop casts a gloomy pall over the entire house.

5) His 'good' woodworking tools are off-limits for the rest of us.

4) He's oblivious to the sawdust trail he leaves throughout the house

3) The outlines of his tape measure gets worn into the back pocket of his jeans, so people are always staring at his butt!

2) My hair is wet, I'm late for work and my hair dryer has disappeared from the bathroom. He used it to remove old glue.

1) He keeps saying he's going to build things, but all he does is buy tools.

I like to add a few more to the list.

1) He can spend hours at Home Depot, Lowe's , Habour Freight and Woodcraft.

2) Woodworking magazine everywhere i.e coffee table, family room, computer room, bedroom and basement.

3) He left a big mess at the basement and it looks like a tornado just landed there.

4) He keeps buying clamps and tools. He said a woodworker can never have enough of clamps.

5) He will go to each and every woodworking show here.


Some of their actions that seem perfectly resonable to them but to us it can be frustrating.