Silent Auctions and Art Sales

I am not a gambler. I just don't find it fun, and I can never push the thought out of my head "The house always wins." But there is something about silent auctions that sucks me in. Maybe it's the stuff...not the actual items but the shopping aspect of it. You're not just risking your money, if you "win" you actually get something in return. Yay!

On Friday afternoon, we innocently took our two eldest children to their "Student Led Conferences" at their school. Each of them took a turn explaining their work and demonstrating their skills in their classroom. All of which ended with excited pleas, "Let's go to the Art Sale!" In the gymnasium, a Silent Auction and Art Sale. Here's the hook on this one. All of the art was created by the children. I don't know about you, but when asked "Can we buy my art?" I found it impossible to say "No sweetie. Mommy and Daddy are not interested in having any more of your art in our house." We bought everything they made.

Picasso?

Van Gogh?

We arrived in the gym shortly before the Silent Auction bidding was ending, and we bid on 3 items. A movie package, with 2 kids movies (Ratatouille and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), a box of Smartpop, a game and a box of chocolate bars. (It was not the kids who wanted this one.) A car detailing package. (You can guess who wanted this one.) And 4 tickets to any Storybook Theatre performance. We "won" all three. (Remember Joey "winning" the boat on Friends?) Now, all I have to do is pay for them.

On Saturday, we attended a fundraising Gala. Well, I attended. Paul worked all night, playing video on projection screens and shooting video of the speeches etc.


Anyway, the Providence committee do an AMAZING job of planning this event. It is always tons of fun, there are loads of ways to contribute and they raise lots of money. Silent auction, bucket draws, raffle tickets, door prizes. Table sponsorship, live auction, buy-a-brick for the new school. I chose to buy sunglasses ($40 for 2 pairs), have some flowers painted on my arm ($20), and enter to win 5 bottles of wine ($5). I bid on a couple of silent auction items, but did not "win" them. They always invent some sort of game or competition that requires everyone at each table to contribute even more cash on the spot.

Our table.

My red sunglasses.

My arm.

It is an impressive evening, for entertainment and fundraising. Oh, and the on-screen video looked fantastic!

Argentina Anyone?

I just finished this video for a client, who is, believe it or not, another amazing Mom who is starting a business. And once again, I am inspired by her ingenuity and in awe of her creativity.



Not only am I ready to plan a trip to Argentina, I am hoping to be invited to one of her events. Food, wine and dancing. What's not to love!?!

BLINK!

Here is yet ANOTHER great idea from ANOTHER awesome Mom entrepreneur. We rock, ladies!!!



I had fun at this party, I learned a few things, and I looked GREAT when I left. And the effects were lasting, as I have been replacing old makeup, taking an extra few minutes to do my makeup each day, and therefore, feeling just a bit more confident when I head out the door. Nice work, Kara!

2 Photogs and Me

For the past 2 months, I have had the pleasure of working with two photographers on their photography mentoring project. They are providing support and information to aspiring photographers, which includes a series of six video lessons. That is where Small Wonder entered the picture, so to speak.



This was really fun to work on, and I was privy to some great info on photography, like when it comes to getting great portraits of your family, leave it to the professionals.

A Family Portrait

I am always looking for new ideas to expand Small Wonder. To that end, I recently had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with this family, documenting their family photo session with the talented Big Picture Photography. Not only did they end up with some great pictures, they have these wonderful memories to go with them.



I am hoping this Video Family Portrait idea takes off, because I would LOVE to spend more happy afternoons with families like this one.

Shawna Toth
Small Wonder: Cherished Moments on Video

For Hire!!!

It's summer. Backyard pools, bike riding, kite flying, vacations and trips to the lake. I love summer.

But...summer and a slow economy mean a lack of business. I NEED some work!

There are two main reasons I need work. Boredom and money. Let's be honest, I could get over the boredom if I had the money. The boredom is really more of an uneasy feeling that I should be doing something. I should be contributing financially to my family's future. I should be shouldering some of the bread-winning load. I have had this feeling since I got my first job as a teenager, and it is this feeling that sent me looking for a new job only 4 months after my first babies were born. I have been wrestling with this feeling for the past 3 years, since I quit my full time job.

I edit video, as you all know. I can also provide small business public relations and marketing, including writing business plans, press releases and web content. But, I am willing to do almost any work (copy editing, typing, transcribing etc., virtual assisting), as long as I can do it from home. If any of you know anyone who is looking for some help, please keep me in mind.

101 Video Scrapbooks

This time let's talk about more business related uses for Video Scrapbooks. There are so many ways to use your video and digital still camera to enhance your small business.

• Website Video-Produced video on websites is fast becoming the most common and powerful tool for selling your product or service. There is nothing like actually seeing something in action to convince consumers to buy.
• Business Plan Video-Including video of your proposed or current location, product or service samples and your personal explanation of your proposal could help investors see the value in backing you.
• Training Video-Many, many large corporations use video training to cut down on costs and standardize training information. Use it to train new employees, provide overall company info or for franchising.

And the list can go on and on. Events, investor relations, expansion. Small Wonder provides you with an affordable way to enhance your small business using video production. And we'll have fun doing it!

101 Video Scrapbooks

I create Video Scrapbooks of everything. In fact, it has gotten to the point where I imagine how I will edit it as I take the pictures and video.

Of course, I know that not everyone is going to be able to edit their own videos of every long weekend camping trip and afternoon at the zoo. But there are some occasions where it is worth it to gather the photos and videos and pay someone (me, for example!) to create a lasting collection of memories.

Wedding Planning-The Maid of Honour or someone else close to the prep process can snap photos and take video of the dress and tux fittings, bridal fair visits and all things related to the planning of the wedding. Then have it edited (I'll do it!) to music as a wedding gift to the couple. It makes a great compliment to the Wedding Day video.

Family Reunions-Have all the family photographers and videographers send their digital files to one point person, who will then bring it to an editor (possibly me!) to create a keepsake of the family event. The cost can be shared, and everyone will love to share the memories.

Graduations-Assemble all your child's school photos and video of select concerts, sports days and science projects, as well as some photos and video of Graduation festivities. Bring it to an editor (could it be me?!) with a couple of their favourite songs, and create a montage of their school years for them to take with them to college. A great keepsake for you, too!

Video Scrapbooks. Not just for babies.

SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Vote Now for Small Wonder to be Canada's top Mom Entrepreneur!

Small Wonder is entered to win $15,500 and I need your votes to help me win.

I've has put my name into the ring to win The SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a readers' choice contest designed to find Canada's top Mom Entrepreneur. The winner will be announced in the fall, and will be rewarded with a $15,500 that was designed to help take that business to the next level.

I have been working hard at making Small Wonder a success since 2006. I know it can be what I imagined it to be, and this is one of the ways I will make that happen! (Like the positive thinking?) I'm not going to give up, at least, not yet. (Oops! My true colours show through...) So vote for me, please!

Throughout the contest period, Savvymom.ca will be hosting a 'Mom Entrepreneurs Gallery' at www.mompentreneuraward.com. Small Wonder can be viewed by clicking on this URL...

http://momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=273

Also, check out some of the other nominees, because there are a lot of talented and gutsy Moms out there! And if your one of them, nominate yourself. I'll vote for you!

Voters are also eligible to win prizes provided by Mabel’s Labels, Starrytime Keepsakes and Joe Fresh Style in the voter sweepstakes that accompanies this award program.

So there's a bonus for you, too!!!

New Website!!!

Yay! It's finished. And it looks great, I think.

I have to thank my wondeful husband (again!) for his patience and hard work.

Take a look and tell me what you think.

www.smallwonder.ca

Movie Monday

Choosing Music

So, I have committed to creating video yearbooks for two Grade 2 classes at our local Elementary School, they happen to be my sons' classes. I am attending as many school and class events as I possibly can, recording the highlights of each one on video. Now, I decided that instead of leaving it all to the last minute, like I normally would, I would turn over a new leaf, and start assembling what I've got so far. We'll see how that goes.

Anyway, the first decision that needs to be made is the music. (Technically, I could edit the whole thing and put the music on later, but I think the finished product flows better when the music is taken into consideration while editing video.) But I am having a hard time figuring out where to begin when choosing music. On www.smallwonder.ca, there is a question of the week that refers to just this dilemma, so I read my own advice. That was really helpful.

Considering the age of the children who are starring in the video, the fact that it is related to school, learning and the classroom, and the potential likes and dislikes of the parents watching the video, as well as the number of different preferences involved, I am feeling overwhelmed by this choice. And I need to find 2 different songs!

Any suggestions? Anyone? Please?

Movie Monday

A movie that is not new, but not everyone has seen it.



And a bonus movie...this is new!

Whose Idea Was This?

Tomorrow is Movie Monday, and I have no movie. Aaaaaaah!!!

Check back tomorrow to see if I pull a rabbit out of the hat...so to speak.

Movie Monday

Your Life and Mine

The best part of what I do is getting to know people. Sometimes I think its strange that I rarely get to meet the people I get to know. When I make a Video Scrapbook, the subject of the video is usually not my client. My client is their mother, father, daughter, son, aunt, uncle, cousin. You see what I mean.

Recently, I finished project which involved about one hundred and fifty photos of someone who has lived a long, long life. It never ceases to amaze me that I can watch video and look at photos of total strangers, and feel connected to them. You can learn so much about someone's personality and life from the photos they were in. Was he an artist, scientist or writer? Was she outgoing or shy? Did they have a big family, lots of friends, like to travel?

Not only do I get to know total strangers, I am inspired by them. From watching a toddler's enthusiasm for dance to seeing a grandmother's lifetime of adventures, I feel like I have been changed by each and every person whose life story has come to me for editing. Short or long, just beginning or coming to an end, these lives are now a part of mine.

Thank you for trusting me with their stories. Don't worry, I will hold them in my heart and treat them with all the care they deserve.

A Day for Grandparents

Grandparents day is just over a week away! What? You didn't know? You have never heard of Grandparents Day? Well, I am sure it was invented by Hallmark, but nevertheless, Sunday September 7th is Grandparents Day. I have a snappy little idea that could turn this greeting card holiday into something special for Grandma and Grandpa.

Quickly scan through your digital photos from the last year (or 2) and mark about 30 to 50 of the best ones of your kids. Make sure there as as many as possible with the grandparents, and include some of your nieces and nephews, as well. Burn them to a CD. Now, choose an appropriate song, like Circle of Life by Elton John, Forever Young by Rod Stewart, or What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.

If you are feeling particularly energetic and creative, and have a few extra hours on your hands, go ahead and assemble it yourself. There is some pretty user friendly software out there. Better yet, call or email me, and for a special price, I will put it together and make you a personalized DVD for Grandma and Grandpa.

They will love it, and they will be so surprised! The only thing is, now they will expect something equally as wonderful next year.

Hold It Steady!! Please?

I have just spent the day editing a video for a friend who shall remain nameless. Now, I say I spent the day editing, but really, a few edits took all day. After five minutes of trying to cut around shaky zooms and camera moves, I'd get frustrated and needed to take a break. When I was almost ready to call above mentioned friend and say something about their camera work that could end the friendship, I reminded myself why this happens, TO ALL OF US, when we are taking video of our children. We are so focused on what they are doing, and what we want them to do on camera, we forget about the camera work.

Let me offer a little advice for those about to turn on the camera and capture those precious moments.

1. Hold the camera steady for at least 10 seconds. Its a news shooting rule that works for all video camera work. Once you see the shot you want, press record and count to 10 (at least) before you move. Count to 20 or 30 if you can stand to wait that long.

2. I know they put a zoom on the camera, but please don't use it. Okay, you may use it, but then see rule number 1.

3. Get a wide shot. Let us see where you are and what the child is doing. Hold for 10 seconds.

4. Get a close up. Now you can zoom, then hold to see baby's hand movements, or facial expressions. Hold for you know how long.

5. Keep your talking to a minimum. It is tempting to make sounds, especially when you want to get baby to smile or laugh on cue. But what you get on video is your really loud sounds (your right next to the camera) drowning out baby's soft sounds.

Although I am thinking about baby video when I write these rules, they apply to most video work. If you are yelling at junior's soccer game right beside the camera, you will not hear even the loudest cheers of a victorious team.

Bonus Rule: Be patient. If you sit still and wait, you will get the video you want.

Support Your Local Mompreneur Part 2

Hello everyone! I am shamelessly soliciting your support for Savvymom's Mom Entrepreneur Award. Go to http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=120 and vote for me, and feel free to check out all the other great Mom-run businesses and vote for your favourites...after you vote for me, of course.

Oh, and if you are a Mom with a business, nominate yourself. I did!

Website!!!

Hello friends. Against all odds, the website is finally finished. Fully revised and quite pretty, I must say. It took a little longer than expected, but it looks almost exactly how I hoped, so it was worth the wait. I must say a giant "Thanks" to my personal webmaster, who solved flash video issues and contact form problems in between reading bedtime stories and emptying the dishwasher, after a full day of fighting his own fires. He is my hero!

I would love to hear what you think of the site. http://www.smallwonder.ca