As I was out in the yard preparing my flower beds for the long winter ahead, I came across these lovely, willowy anemones peeking out from behind some Creeping Charlie (yes, my garden has deteriorated to the point where that creepy weed has almost taken over).

What a nice surprise – I think I love these more than a dozen long-stemmed roses (but hubby–if you’re reading this–remember, our anniversary is on Friday).

Ahem.

Texture and Word Art by Kim Klassen

Whenever there’s a long weekend I always forget what day it is – Tuesday morning seems like Monday morning . . . you can tell I don’t work Mon-Fri, or have children starting school this week.

So now I have to get twice as much done today and here I am playing with textures.

This photo makes me feel peaceful. It’s simple and uncluttered. I love the soft colours, the late summer light coming in the dining room window, and my favourite antique duck that makes it’s way into most of my seasonal decorating. But before I can really get into my autumn decorating, I have other things to do.

We watched an episode of “Hoarders” on the weekend. I tell you, that show strikes fear in my heart. So I’ve started a pile of stuff that’s destined for Good Will this week. Clothes, decorations that I’ve outgrown, household gadgets – all going to be gone by Tuesday night (or is that Wednesday night)?

I also need to organize my craft room (horrors). It’s a dark little room that I have been avoiding like the plague. But it’s time . . . my stuff has been sitting in there in boxes since early spring.

Ugh

Texture:
kk_stampedright1

Today is the Free and Easy Edition over at Kim Klassen Cafe. It’s also the guest-host day. Sylvia from Cosiness has the honour and it’s not hard to see why. You should hop over to have a look at her work – it’s gorgeous!

Last Saturday we finally made our annual trip to the market gardens. We came home with potatoes, carrots, beets, corn, and sunflowers – 20 sunflowers for $10.00! A simple, guilt-free pleasure.

On the way to the gardens we followed some signs to a garage sale. The house was pretty secluded so there weren’t too many people around. First thing I spied was a set of three old suitcases. Cream coloured leather with a rusty trim. They were in fabulous condition – inside and out and were only $25.00!

Oh, I wanted them – I wanted them bad . . .

But . . . I am amassing quite a pile of photo props and my closets and storerooms are overflowing. This is driving my hubby crazy. He wasn’t in the mood to cart home three suitcases that to him looked like junk (would that I had discovered these suitcases on my own) . . .

After a few minutes I listened to him and my inner voice telling me that I really do have too much stuff. So I walked away. It wasn’t easy. In some ways I regret it – in other ways I don’t. I have lots of props that I haven’t even used yet – just sitting on the shelves making me feel guilty.

So I comforted myself with sunflowers. It is a beauteous bouquet – huge and wild and bright. And I don’t have to find a spot to store them when autumn is over . . .

I went bold today – I used one layer of Kim’s ‘heartfelt’ on multiply.

When I got up this morning and checked on a project that I was hoping would get published, I was disappointed to see that it hadn’t been. I had jumped in with both feet and was fully expecting to see it. . . but it wasn’t there. I checked three times.

So I sent an e-mail to see what happened and why wasn’t it published. I think I at least deserve an explanation. I haven’t heard back.

Then I grabbed my coffee and checked in on Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen. Today there are no rules – you just post whatever you want.

So I set up a little photo shoot of my peonies – they are bursting out all over the place in my garden. Pink ones and white ones. My house is full of them. So beautiful. So fragrant.

I edited them in Photoshop – adjusting exposure, white balance, and contrast. I added a blur here and there and then a white overlay. I’m never completely happy with the way I photograph peonies – I think it’s because I just can’t capture how I feel about them. I wish I could send their heavenly scent out into blogland – then I’d be happy!

OK, wait a minute. I just heard what I said. “If I could send . . . then I’d be happy” . . .

I suddenly remembered a video Kim showed us in the “Behind the Scenes” class. The man said over and over again that if you are expecting a certain outcome, you will be disappointed – every time. He went on to explain why, and what to do about it.

Back to my unpublished project. I did my best. I submitted it to the universe and was expecting a certain outcome – and was disappointed. I can see what’s happening here . . . I think I had better go and watch that video again . . .

Photo Art Friday at Flowers by LeAnne

Last Sunday evening after a busy weekend spent with family, I was feeling the same way I always do after everyone leaves . . . a bit lost. I had vacuumed up every crumb, cleaned the kitchen and washed a few towels when I suddenly decided I’d had enough of that – the rest of the house could wait . . . until when? who knows . . .

I was tired and I knew I couldn’t sit down at the computer and attempt to work on a project. But a stroll around the yard seemed quite inviting. I picked up my camera and went outside with just one lens (my 18-55mm), no tripod, no expectations.

It had rained and these pansies stopped me in my tracks – I hadn’t even got off the deck before I was snapping away. I was happy that I hadn’t brought my tripod – I could just try to capture what I was seeing/feeling and not worry about ‘setting up’.

I had to crouch and twist to avoid a cluttered background, my hands were shaking a bit, and I had to use a relatively slow shutter speed since it was quite cloudy.

I don’t know, these just make me feel happy. I’m so glad I let the house go . . .

Texture: iAm by Kim Klassen

My lilacs are in full bloom. Heavenly. That about describes a lilac . . . and fleeting, that’s another way to describe them. They are positively humming with bees this year, plus we’ve seen two Hummingbird Clearwings hanging around them (a most fascinating moth).

Every year I cut a few lilacs and bring them in, put them in vases and try to photograph them. Let me tell you I have taken dozens (maybe a hundred) shots but have never like a single one of them. Until now. It’s not just Kim Klassen’s textures (which are magical) but I love the composition of this one – a single stem, an old jar, a rock and some florets that ‘fell’ off . . .

I love the text (Kim taught us a little secret from her ‘Beyond Layers’ class on how to achieve that look) but ‘country living’ is just what popped into my head so I went with it.

There is one other thing. One pretty important thing here in this image. Something I am over the top excited about. The backdrop.

I finally painted an old hoosier that I’ve had for at least 15 years (maybe 20 years the way time is flying). Hubby’s parents gave it to us – it was brown with a bright orange interior. As you can see it is now a lovely shade of off-white.

Oh my! I had a fun time painting it – no delicate job this one! Slap it on and don’t worry – what’s a few paint drips? Let it dry for about a week and lightly sand the edges. Love love love it!!

Today I couldn’t post the before and afters . . . I didn’t want to spoil the magic of my lilacs. I’ll show you the transformation later . . .

Linking up to Kim Klassen’s “Beyond Layers”.