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Zoom In, Zoom Out: Week 4

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I'm back with this week's pairing for Helena's Zoom In, Zoom Out. A few mornings ago, I looked over at our bedroom window at the beautiful patterns the frost made, and decided it might make a great pair of photos. Today I walked in with my camera just as the sun made it's appearance. Perfect timing.

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You can see from the Zoom Out why the ice has an orange cast.

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Between this meme and the Frugal Still Life class, I'm always thinking about what subjects might make for an interesting photograph. I'm slowly working on my photography project for 2014 as well, but my work on my One Little Word "Simplify" is occupying most of my free time!

Frugal Still Life: Week 3

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This week Cheryl had a guest photographer at Frugal Still Life who shared her set-up as well as a beautiful still life composition. Cheryl challenged us to work on a similar composition with three items. At this time of year, I regularly buy flowers at the grocery store to brighten the long winter days. I had these lovely white astromeria on the dining room table, and decided on a still life around three white items. I found (and ironed!) a beautiful hand-embroidered tablecloth that belonged to my mother as the backdrop. If you look closely you can see a bit of the beautiful stitching. Here are a variety of shots. As always, I'm interested to know which shot you prefer.

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Here's what the set-up looked like. I draped the tablecloth over a piece of folded white board on our kitchen table. This is the only room in the house that gets good light even though it's a northern exposure. 

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January 2014 Papertrey Blog Hop and Stenciled!

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Last week was one of the busiest weeks ever, and I totally forgot that today was the 25th and the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. Before I left for Dining Room Ministry this morning I got this card started, and finished it when I returned. I combined one of the techniques from the Online Card Class "Stenciled" Day 1 with the blog hop inspiration. The very first day of class featured several techniques for using stencils, and I have tried almost none of them. It's going to be a great class.

Here's the inspiration piece for the Papertrey Blog hop. The charge was to create a card using just a variety of pinks. Neutrals like white, black and silver are allowed.

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I first cut a mask with my Spellbinders Nested hearts, and used it to apply both Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry Distress Inks over the Hero Arts "Tweed Pattern" stencil on my heart which I then die cut. 

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Next I cut the next size heart from Raspberry Fizz and layered them. I tried a variety of card bases and didn't like any of them. So finally I pulled out my Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Creme de Rouge. For once I got the spray just the way I wanted it. 

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The sentiment combines the stamped word "love" from Rustic Branches and a die cut "you" from Wonderful Words. A few scattered pink and silver sequins and it was done. The first of the valentines completed!

Card Recipe:
Cardstock: Select White, Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
Stencil: Tweed (Hero Arts)
Stamp: Rustic Branches (PTI)
Dies: Wonderful Words (PTI), Nested Hearts (Spellbinders)
Sequins: Michael's

Frugal Still Life: Week 2

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It's getting toward the end of Week 2 at Cheryl McCain's Frugal Still Life class. I've know all week what I wanted to use for my subject, but time is just slipping through my fingers here. Finally, today I got it all set up. 

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I've become a big fan of organic brown eggs. I looked around for the right size container to hold a dozen eggs, and decided on my berry bowl. It's navy blue on the outside, so I pulled out my handloomed table runner as a background. One of the considerations for this week was to leave some "white" or negative space in your photo. That's a technique I like quite a bit. 

I used my 18-270 Tamron lens for all the shots, and ended up with four I liked. Which one most appeals to you?

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Usually when I shoot a half shot, I have the subject on the left-hand side rather than the right-hand side. This wasn't thought through completely, and I think I'd prefer it if it were reversed.

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This top down shot might be my favorite.

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I decided on a square crop for this one.

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And here's one on the left-hand side, but with a different point of view. I have to admit I like taking the time to try a lot of different shots. These are the four I liked best, but I took quite a few more.

Die Cut Challenge & Anything Goes: Take 2

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I'm back with a second post today before the link up closes at Addicted to CAS for their Die Cut challenge. I'm also linking these up at Simon Says' Monday Challenge "Anything Goes."

Right before Christmas one of our good friends graduated with his MBA. He had a perfect 4.0 grade average, and received a number of awards. He and his wife were visiting here over Christmas, so we were able to extend congratulations in person, but I didn't have time to get a card made. It's in the mail now.

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This Bubble Talk dies make a great card, good for young people and appropriate for guys. In this case, both categories fit.

Last night we said good-bye to one of the members of our Resource and Education Committee members. Also a young person, she is leaving to become an associate pastor at a church in Pennsylvania. We had a potluck dinner and gave her a card with a gift card inside.

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Here's a closer look at one of my favorite dies:

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Card Recipes:

Graduation Card:
Cardstock: ribbed black (unknown; been in my stash for years); Orange Zest, Limeade Ice, Summer Sunrise (PTI)
Dies: Bubble Talk (PTI)
Stamps: Bubble Talk & Live, Love, Life (PTI)

Happy For You:
Cardstock: Select White, Orange Zest, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise, Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
Die & Stamp: Absolutely (Simon Says)

Zoom In, Zoom Out: Week 3

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I finally got time last night to edit the last of the Florida photos. Before we left Florida, Tracy, his mom, and I drove to the Everglades and took a guided boat tour. Our guide was fantastic, and I'll be back later with more photos from our trip. This will be the last colorful ZIZO for awhile as it's pretty much brown and gray here, although today was sunny with a wonderful blue sky. Winters in Rochester certainly make you appreciate the blue skies and warm weather when you get them.

Last year, we saw a squadron of white pelicans at a wildlife preserve. I got a nice group shot, but I was too far away to get a close up. Being on the boat changed that. This group was much larger, and although it's hard to tell from the photos, the white pelican is one of the larger aquatic birds. They can stand as much as 70" tall and weight up to 30 pounds. They are very impressive to see.

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Although Helena's meme is Zoom In, Zoom Out I always seem to put the Zoom Out first. 

Die Cut Challenge & Anything Goes

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We've been home just a few days, but I needed to get to the crafting table for several cards. All four of them used die cuts. I'll be posting two tonight, and two tomorrow for the Die Cut Challenge at Addicted to CAS. They'll also qualify for the Monday Challenge at Simon Says:  "Anything Goes." 

The first card was a negative die cut. Tracy needed a thank you note to send to his brother-in-law.

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Several months ago I picked up a paper pad at Michaels, not really paying attention to anything but the printed designs. It turned out to be a pad of cards which made this a quick and easy one. I've seen some folks post cards at a 10 minute dash challenge, and this would have definitely qualified! Simple and masculine.

The next card was for a friend of mine who became a grandmother on Monday. To say she's excited is to put it mildly!

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This one used a premade card as well, the last of a pack I purchased at Impress years ago. The die cuts are Nestabilities Label 11 by Spellbinders.

Card Recipes:
Thanks:
Card: MAMBI Cards (Me and My Big Idea)
Cardstock: Classic Kraft (PTI)
Die: Thanks (Memory Box)
Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye

Little One:
Card: Impress Rubber Stamps
Cardstock: Sweet Blush (PTI)
Dies: Label 11 (Spellbinders)
Stamp: Baby Button Bits (PTI)
Button: PTI
Twine: Doodlebug

Zoom In, Zoom Out: Week 2

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I managed to find several shots along the beach to Zoom In, Zoom Out, but this threesome won out for the week. Tracy and I met two fishermen on the beach. Last year, the same (I think) tri-colored heron was hanging out with some fishermen, and this year there was a pelican as well. One of the fishermen was showing Tracy a blowfish they had caught. If you look between Tracy and the fishermen, you'll see the tri-colored heron and to the left is the pelican. Then I zoomed in for two photos, one of the heron and one of the pelican.

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I suspect the next couple of weeks will be a lot less fun than I had today walking on the beach! Thanks, Helena, for a great meme. I know I'm going to love this!

 

Frugal Still Life: Week 1

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This is the first week of class at Frugal Still Life with Cheryl McCain. I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep up on the road, but it wasn't at all difficult.

The weather in Florida is certainly a big improvement over the weather at home, but it's been overcast and cool. Nonetheless, we've been able to get in a good walk on the beach both mornings we've been here. Today as we walked back, I stopped and picked up a piece of driftwood, some seaweed, and some shells to create a still life. I had a picture in my mind, and for once, it turned out pretty much as I imagined it.

Here's the set up. I used a piece of particle board my mother-in-law had in the condo and set it on the screened porch. There was nice indirect light so I didn't need to do anything special. (Good thing, since all my "tools" are at home.)

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This was shot with my Tamron 18-270 lens at 54mm. I wanted the focus to be sharp throught the whole image so I shot it at f/18 and needed to bump up the ISO to 800. The shutter speed was 1/40.

One Little Word and Fourteen for 2014

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My OLW last year was “DO,” and I have to admit it’s the first OLW I’ve chosen that didn’t really resonate with me. When I reviewed my intentions from 2013, I was rather disappointed with myself. I gave some thought to holding onto the word, and trying again, but a week or so ago the right word for this year appeared: Simplify.

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Image credit: Pinterest

I’m surprised it didn’t come to me right away. A few weeks ago I enrolled in an online course called “A Simple Year:  Twelve Months of Guided Simplicity” while there was a nice discount available. I’ve started and abandoned attempts to purge our home of unnecessary and non-useful things so many times I can’t count them. I really don’t want to leave my children with a house full of objects to dispose of when we can no longer take care of them. I’m also going to finish the book I started when Alexa recommended it ages ago, The Joy of Less.

I’d written out quite a few things I wanted to accomplish this year, but this weekend I read Kim Klassen’s blog post where she made a list of 14 things for 2014. So here is my list of Fourteen Intentions for 2014.

  1. Purge and organize closets and wardrobe
  2. Purge and organize cupboards and shelves
  3. Purge and organize digital file folders and scrapbook supplies
  4. Use every stamp I own, and get rid of those that don't inspire me
  5. Modify diet to include more vegetarian recipes
  6. Complete Project Life monthly
  7. Read four books/month
  8. Complete outstanding classes
  9. Create and publish a Blurb book of our European trip
  10. Complete photography projects for 2014
  11. Streamline the budget; save more
  12. Exercise a minimum of 3X/week
  13. Monitor my time on the computer
  14. Complete five card challenges/month

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When I purchased the little notebook for my 2014 photography project, I also bought one for my OLW. I have lists of specific places and areas to purges, books I want to read, & ideas for streamlining my schedule so I make time for the daily practices I care about. I’ve also started a Pinterest board with quotes and ideas to inspire me in this year’s journey. I’ve always loved beginnings, and I’m excited to put these ideas in place in 2014.

 

52/50 Wrap-Up and Photographic Challenges for 2014

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I’ve really enjoyed my 52/50 Project and am so pleased that I didn’t miss a week of it. I love my 50mm lens, and it was a good excuse to be sure it got put on the camera at least once a week. So here are the last of the photos, some of which I've posted earlier for other subjects.

Week 48:

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Skylar was loving the ranch dip at Thanksgiving. I don't think too much celery got eaten.

Week 49:

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I had my zoom lens on most of the time during my first trip to Chicago, so there wasn't much to choose from. I love the photo, but it's not technically very good.

Week 50:

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The perfect photo for the week!

Week 51: 

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We took Caleb to the Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Once again I had my zoom lens on until lunch when I remembered I needed a 50mm photo. Caleb's delight in this photo is watching the train that goes around the dining room of the cafe.

Week 52:

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Caleb was helping put away all the Christmas decorations. Sarah made sure Christmas was over before Caleb's birthday celebration on December 30th.

With a new year ahead, I’ve given a lot of thought to what kind of photography project I wanted to take on for 2014. I’ve considered a lot of different things, but have finally settled on spending a year with David DuChemin. His e-book “The Visual Toolbox: 50 Lessons for Stronger Photographs” should give me more than enough challenges to last the year. Here’s a blurb from Craft and Vision where I purchased the e-book a few months ago.

 The Visual Toolbox is packed with lessons about the tools of the photographic language – the camera, the lens, and the more important stuff like visual language, composition, and learning to see. Most of those lessons are accompanied with real-life, honest-to-God assignments to get you out there learning how to make stronger photographs, not just learning to use a camera.

 On my reading list for a couple of years are two of DuChemin’s books, Within The Frame and Vision and Voice, so I hope to finish both of these as well.

 I purchased a small notebook to use for this year’s project on Amazon. I’ve already made a list of a variety of subjects and themes I might use as I practice my skills, and will use it to take notes on my reading, and reflect on my experiences.

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I’ll be participating in Cheryl McCain’s Frugal Still Life class as soon as we return from Florida, and in Helena’s meme Zoom Out, Zoom In. Here’s the first pair for Week 1:

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One of the many amazing displays at The Chicago Botanic Garden. I took the zoom out first, then the zoom in.

Having a photography project (0r two or three) seems to keep it fresh, and I'm looking foward to finding new images in 2014!

Papertrey Ink December Blog Hop

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The challenge for December's blog hop was perfectly timed:  Tied Up with String. The challenge was to use your papercrafting supplies to make a tag, decorate a package. I didn't use string on many of the packages, because I'm a ribbon girl at Christmas.

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I started out with Papertrey's Notched Star banners and created two tags in a silver/gold combination. The first I paired with gold (almost kraft) paper. I have no idea where I got it, but I'd love to find some more. I added Sarah's initials to this tag.

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I made a second tag and added it to a much more elegant package for my mother-in-law.

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Then a couple of packages for guys, using the feather die from Simon Says and sentiments from Rustic Wreath (Papertrey) and Avery Elle's Winter Wreath. (And finally, a package tied up with string.)

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I used Winter Wreath again to create this package for Sarah, using a chipboard sticker for her initial.

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These tags were die cut with Papertrey's Tag Sale #8. The die cut, "Be," is from Simon Says, and the Merry is from Reverse Confetti, with a Holly Jolly die from Papertrey.

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Another package for a guy, the tag was created with Thickers and a sticker from Michaels. 

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And finally a little bag for my new daughter-in-law, created with the Double-ended Banner by Papertrey Ink with a sentiment from Rustic Wreath and some rhinestones from Michael's. The snowflake die cut is by Memory Box.

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I had a great time wrapping this year. Almost every gift had a handmade tag. Before the holiday I purchased a large roll of kraft wrapping paper with a paper holder/cutter from Crate and Barrel. I love how festive kraft can look when you add real ribbons and bright tags to the package. I'm also linking these to the Scrapbook Circle Gift Wrap Challenge.

I expect to be away from the computer the better part of the next two weeks. We leave later today for Chicago and time to celebrate with Sarah, Adam, and Caleb. When we return, we'll be here just one day before heading off to drive Tracy's mother's van to Florida for her. We'll be back mid-January, and I'll be really ready to get caught up with my Christmas Journal (finally started, but hardly finished!) and to settle in with a few quiet weeks at home. I hope to keep up with some blog reading, but commenting may fall by the wayside while I'm away. 

Happiest of Holidays

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May your holidays be Merry & Bright! Merry Christmas from snowy Rochester!

Ornaments and Decorations

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Our house has been decorated for some time, but I didn't want to post any photos until my ornaments from Missus Wookie arrived. I actually received them over a week ago, but haven't had a chance to take good photos. Miriam's lovely ornament swap was such fun. Then, as luck would have it, another package from across the pond arrived this week from Miriam herself with another delightful ornament for the tree. But, nonethess, the linky to the ornament swap is now expired! With the wedding and travel being behind is to be expected.

Better late than never, here are the gorgeous beeswax ornaments made by Missus Wookie.

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And because the gorgeous detail doesn't show well in the tree photos, here's a closer look.

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They are stunning, and we've never had anything like them. I am equally fond of this darling button tree sent by Miriam.

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They'll be treasured each year as they will remind me, once again, how blessed I am to be a part of such a lovely blogging community.

While I'm here I thought I'd share a few of the new Christmas decorations around here. The biggest one is our tree. For the first time ever, we purchased an artificial tree. This was not an easy decision, but since we'll be leaving the day after Christmas to visit Sarah, and then driving Tracy's mother's van to Florida having a real tree just seems silly. This way I don't have to put everything away before I leave, which seems like an overwhelming task. I'm actually quite fond of the tree, though Sarah was quite disappointed in us!

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When we visited the Biltmore Estate in October I picked up another new ornament for our tree. Our tree is filled with ornaments we've picked up on vacations over the years. It's always fun to unpack them each year, and remember all the great places we've visitied.

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I also bought this gorgeous snow globe at the Biltmore. It's also a music box that plays "Jingle Bells." Both Skylar and Caleb are entranced by it.

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Thanks to a photo on Pinterest, I decided to put out my old typewriter in our front hall. Of all our decorations this year, this one generates the most comments and stories.

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My to-do list is winding down. I still have some packages to wrap, and one more cookie recipe to try, but we're in good shape for Christmas Day when we're expecting 25 for dinner. How's it going at your house?

 

 

Snowy Thanks

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We woke up to 3° this morning, and another inch or two of snow. Snow must be on the mind of the challenge creators this week.
 
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I needed a thank you card, and when I finished it I do believe it qualifies for six separate challenges:
 
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I started with my favorite sketch challenge: CAS(E) this Sketch.
 
ATCAS - code word snowflakes
 
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I love CAS-UAL Fridays challenge site, and here's the snowy reference.
 
And then there are the two Simon Says Challenges. Wednesday's is "Let It Snow," and Monday's is "Use a Stamp."
 
I pulled out my shimmer card stock for this one: both blue and white, so the colors and snowflake also match the inspiration piece for the Case Study challenge.
 
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Finally, here's the card.
 
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In the detail photo at the top of the post, you can see the beautiful textured silver paper I picked up yesterday at Michael's. I wish I'd bought more than one sheet. I stamped the snowflakes from Wplus9's Folk Art Flurries and embossed them with Winter Wonderand embossing powder. The die cut "Thanks" is from Simon Says.
 
Hope it's a bit warmer where you are. I'm off to have a cup of soup, and get busy baking cookies!