In The Frame: From My MIL’s Garden

 

Bougainvillea

Photography is one of those hobbies I really enjoy. I take pictures around the house and whenever I’m out and about. Most days I just use my iPhone 14 Pro Max, but I also have a Sony APS‑C camera with a few lenses that I pick up when I feel like playing with something a bit more “proper.” I haven’t shared much on social media or here on the blog these past few years, so I thought this year I’d start posting more of my photos again.

These flower photos are from my MIL’s garden. A lot of the blooms are wilting because of the heavy monsoon rain, but she still manages to grow the most beautiful flowers. I don’t have green fingers at all, so I just enjoy photographing whatever she grows.

Camera: Sony ZVE-10

Lens: Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210)

The lens is not the sharpest but that was on my budget when I bought the camera last year and I enjoyed taking videos and some sewing videos with it. 

Bougainvillea

Pink Trumpet Vine

Butter Daisy Melampodium or Mini Sunflower and Violet Salvia

Female lacewing butterfly

I had fun taking these, even if the garden is a bit weather‑worn right now. Hopefully I’ll have more photo posts to share as I go.

Thank you for stopping by, 

Have a nice day,

Elvira

Linking up to these wonderful BLOGS

Quilted Table Runner and Placemats Inspired by AI

 

I have 1 yard fabric leftover from my fabric shop. Just for fun I put the fabric photo on Gemini and asked to create table runner for inspiration. It came up with the above photo. I was so inspired that I decided to create a table runner and a set of placemat based on the photo.  The fabric width was 44 inch and for 1 yard I can easily make 1 table runner and 2 placemats. There is a little bit left, so maybe I can whip up a few mug rugs or coasters. 

Red Quilted Table Runner

Block Printed Table Runner

I am still amazed how fast AI can edit the photos for you esp. for lifestyle photo. I did some reading and apparently Etsy and other social media platform are encouraging the user to use the help of AI. Frankly, that's really helpful, esp.  for me who's doing everything by myself. It helps me to create a lifestyle photo so that the prospective buyers can visualize how it looks when certain products are used or worn. 

Block Printed Placemat

Which AI agents to use? My favorite is Gemini. So far the result is great. ChatGPT is also good and also Copilot. 

While Gemini and ChatGPT will create photo immediately based on the prompt you give, CoPilot will ask you questions to fine tuning the result. Like what sort of lighting, vibe, set up, etc. The best part is, once you train them enough, next time you only have to give short prompt and they'll do the job! 

For now I noticed that after several prompt, they will create a little bit "nonsense" photos hahaha. Well the technology is still evolving. A few months ago when I tried to create lifestyle photo, they could not even get the photo correct. Now, most of the result are using my own photo and it will make it better by adding suitable background. 

Dinner for two

Here's another lifestyles photo edited by AI

Colorful Quilted Runner

And some more inspiration from the block print fabrics in my shop: 

Red Fabrics from HERE

Red Floral Fabrics from HERE

Black and White Fabric from HERE

Some people are still hesitant about AI, but when used well, it can genuinely support our creative work. As sewists and quilters, we all know the struggle of trying to picture how a fabric will look in a project. With AI, you can upload your fabric photos and get a clear visual mockup in seconds.

Fabric bundle from HERE

Tie Dye Fabrics from HERE

Baby quilt fabric from HERE

In the end, AI isn’t here to replace our creativity—it’s here to support it. When we use it thoughtfully, it becomes another tool in our sewing room, helping us visualize ideas faster and make more confident design choices. It’s simply one more way to bring our projects to life with clarity and joy. 

Thank you for stopping by today,

Have a nice day!

Elvira

Linking up to these wonderful BLOGS