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I don’t usually do very many Instagram posts on my blog, but I did one last week and now again this week. The question keeps popping up of what apps I use to edit my photos, so I’ll finally officially answer it. But before we get into that, I just wanted to say that lighting plays a huge part in a good photo, even in Instagram with all its filters. My friend, Daniel Usenko, taught me that ages ago, and I have implemented that — because a filter can’t cover up a badly taken photo, although they do seem to help every now and then. My husband teases me of how particular I am when I take most of my photos for Instagram. I’m always looking around for good light, haha.

My two favorite editing apps are Snapsneed and VscoCam. My friend, Julia Manchik, directed me towards those and I’ve been hooked since. I rarely use their built-in filters; I like to customize my own to get the look I want. So I mix those two apps and have pretty much stopped using any of the built-in Instagram filters. And if I do, my go-to filters are Sierra and Valencia. I just recently was referred to an app that lets you add text to your photo: Phonto. I have stayed away from those types of apps for a long time simply because the font choices are always weird. This one has some really neat ones, so I can’t wait to try it out.

Below are just some of my snapshots in the past week. So happy Instagraming! And if you’re not following me already, I would love it if you did! Find me: @anastasiamika

Lots of stuff has been going on in the studio of late, and I’ll just share a quick rundown with you using photos from my Instagram:

1   My studio is currently undergoing a huge makeover. It’s my husband’s gift to me to help make my space more creative and fun. So sweet of him. We’re bringing in lots of uncoated pine tables and shelving and I can’t wait to show you pictures of the final look. This is a shot of one of my tables in its temporary situation.

2   I’m putting together a set of hand-painted notecards for you! These won’t come for a wee bit since I went through a creative-relapse earlier this summer. Oh boy. But I’m back on track, refreshed, reorganized, and ready to roll.

3   A different type of notecard is coming to the shop as well! Not handmade in any way. Digital design + digital print — these cards are just two of the ones that will be hitting the shop very soon.

4   Playing around with patterns, I am. This particular one will also be part of the set of notecards I mentioned in image #3.

5   There’s a big party going down in Portland on August 10th. It’s the big launch for Eyes + Edge, Portland’s new online lifestyle publication featuring all the best Portland has to offer. (Check out their site for more info + tickets.) This is a little mock-up of the little flyer I made for the swag bags that will be handed out there; I might show you the finished product later on.

6   And on a personal note, my husband surprised me with this lovely succulent basket for our 3 year + 2 month anniversary. Love him.

Also, my vineyard wedding stationery was featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper this week. Hooray!

Lots of things have been going on in the studio this past couple months, and I can’t wait to start blogging about it all. If you follow me on Instagram (follow me if you dare: @anastasiamika), you’ll have seen little snippets of what’s been going on. Here’s a little peek: