Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

Lilac Love

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The scent of moist earth and lilacs hung in the air like wisps of the past
and hints of the future
Margaret Millar

Lilac Love, Keeping With the Times, Still Life, Photography
How true is that?! Lilacs have been part of my life since I was a little girl growing up on a farm in Saskatchewan.

They remind me of my Mom, spring wedding showers complete with little sandwiches and cakes, and the aroma of coffee brewing for the adults … nothing is more memorable than a smell, wouldn’t you agree?

Lilac Love, Keeping With the Times, Still Life, Photography

… before the storm …

Have a lovely day everyone! Are you ready for June?

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Holiday Tablescape Ideas

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As November draws closer to December, I’ve been thinking about a few holiday tablescape ideas. It’s never too early to start planning and I hope some of my ideas might inspire you to try something different this year.

I often decorate in neutral tones, and lean toward a rustic country style. However, when I received this stunning bouquet from FTD, it set my to mind spinning, and all I could think of was gold and black, gold and black!

And notice the pumpkins! yes, this style of holiday tablescape will take you from Thanksgiving, through Christmas, and on into the New Year! I think the sky should be the limit when it comes to setting your holiday table, and it doesn’t have to be limited to what you usually do … this is where you can really let loose (in my opinion.)Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

To achieve a rich looking holiday tablescape, my best advise is to use layers. I like to have the table set when my guests arrive, and I pile it on.

Again, I pile it on!

You may not actually be going to use all the plates, and probably not the accent plate, but who cares? we’re going for the wow factor here. Guests will not be aware whether you used such and such a plate ;) or not! Some day I’m going to pile on even more plates if I can find varying sizes.

Start with a gorgeous charger like this natural beaded charger I’m using here. Add layers of plates and top with one small accent plate to add sparkle and interest.Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

For a Thanksgiving tablescape you cannot go wrong with the teeny white pumpkins that are everywhere this time of year. Cut out a few leaf shapes out of card stock, spray with gold paint, and use as placecards. Pull a few flowers from the main bouquet and place them in tiny bud jars around the table.Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

At Christmas, replace the pumpkins with a little willow wreath that you can purchase in any craft store. Or try using a bunch of fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme tied together with gold ribbon.

Instead of tall taper candles which may compete with a large bouquet, opt for small tea lights and place in pretty glasses. I love these simple, gold-striped water glasses, and with the tealight inside … well, again, can we say layers? and sparkle sparkle!Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the TimesThis time of year, gold spray paint can be your friend :)
Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

I couldn’t resist these fun, spiky accents which were originally intended as wall art …Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times
Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times
Holiday Tablescape Ideas, Keeping With the Times

Holiday Tablescape Ideas

  • Stack several plates on top of each other to create layers, finishing up with one small accent plate on top.
  • The accent plates don’t have to all match. Check your local thrift shops for anything with a bit of gold. Even mismatched teacup saucers would work, especially since you are going to set some small item on top, such as a tiny pumpkin, or a leaf, or a handmade wreath made of herbs.
  • Obviously we all don’t have black walls, but we could all very easily use a black tablecloth.
  • Use table runners in creative ways. When I couldn’t find the exact runner to match my table, I used a scarf! Or, you could purchase bargain bin fabric and tear it into strips.
  • Use pretty drinking glasses to hold tea lights. It adds to the layer effect and adds extra sparkle.
  • If your floral arrangement is tall, try setting it a one end of the table, then position place settings across from each other. That way, the bouquet will not be in anyone’s line of vision. Alternately, you could move the bouquet to a side table during dinner (in full view of guests of course ;)

Disclosure: FTD generously offered to provide me with a holiday bouquet for this post, but all photos and opinions are my own, and I am truly very impressed with the quality and service from FTD. I wouldn’t say so if I wasn’t!!

 

holiday-tablescape-ideas

Fireweed Bouquet

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Hello! I shopped the ditches this morning, and came home with buckets of fireweed… but just because a person has buckets of one particular flower, doesn’t mean they should use them all does it?!

So I added cow parsley and a few greens, but I’m still dreaming of that bucket of fireweed and hoping to share that later.

Fireweed Bouquet, Keeping With the Times
Did you know fireweed is one of the first flowers to appear after a fire? Hence the name… and it’s the official emblem of the Yukon Territory in Canada.

… microblogging through the summer …

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30 Ideas to Make June Magical

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Coming up with 30 ideas to make June magical may seem like a lot, especially since it’s already the middle of the month, but trust me, there’s still time to dream!make june magical, dream, barb brookbank, keeping with the times, bella grace magazineI live on a small lake in the middle of the beautiful boreal forests of Central Alberta, Canada, and I draw inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds me. As I type this post I’m listening to loons, geese, crows, and robins as they begin their day. It’s a regular cacophony!

It’s also pouring rain (again) for which I am always thankful! When you hear me say I’ve had enough rain, it will be time to get on the Ark ;)

For the last few years, I’ve primarily been a still life photographer, but there’s this other side of me that swoons over the dreamy, the impromptu, the unexpected.

Artful images that make my heart skip a beat when the light hits a subject a certain way, and reveals the magic in a seemingly ordinary moment.make june magical, dream, barb brookbank, keeping with the times, bella grace magazine… or leads my eyes (and my thoughts) into the distance …
make june magical, dream, barb brookbank, keeping with the times, bella grace magazine

One of the things I want to see this month is fireflies flitting through the aspens. Little sparkles that, when you first see them, defy comprehension. The first time I saw these little miracles, I was incredulous. I stared into the darkness and laughed and pointed in amazement until I realized how many there were, then I fell silent and simply watched. And I want to see them again.

So here’s my list of ideas to make my June magical:

30 Ideas to Make June Magical

  1. Watch fireflies on a warm evening.
  2. Wear comfortable clothes that flatter and flow (maybe even a skirt)!
  3. Explore the beautiful countryside where I live.
  4. Photograph it’s beauty.
  5. Spend an afternoon on a blanket spread out on the lawn, with only a stack of magazines and a cup of tea to keep me company.
  6. Find a great used book store.
  7. Take photos of fences, and barns, and cows.
  8. Visit the Devonian Botanical Gardens. It’s a half hour drive from my home and I haven’t visited in years and years.
  9. Spend as much time as I can in my garden. Maybe even stay out until dusk, coming inside just in time for a soak in the tub, and then to bed.
  10. Photograph my garden in creative ways.
  11. Have a campfire. Roast marshmallows.
  12. Pick and arrange tiny bouquets from my back yard and garden.
  13. Press flowers.
  14. Snip a few peonies before they open and place them in a bag in the fridge to be brought out and enjoyed a few weeks later.
  15. Use fresh herbs in all my cooking (I have tons of them growing in pots on my deck).
  16. Eat extra fresh fruits and veggies.
  17. Try a new recipe from one of my many beautiful cookbooks.
  18.  Sit on the dock early in the morning with a hot coffee and muffin (and maybe my hubby ;)
  19. Take a slow boat ride around the lake, again with hot coffee and a muffin, and definitely hubby!
  20. Say “no” to extra commitments.
  21. Go to the local town garage sale (this weekend – woot)!
  22. Keep my home clean and clutter-free (now that’s a dream).
  23. Sit at the kitchen table one afternoon with tea and a beautiful magazine. Watch the leaves on the aspens shiver in a light breeze.
  24. Have a pedicure.
  25. Get a haircut.
  26. Dream about a few classes I want to take this fall. Actual “in-person” classes. Maybe even book one or two.
  27. Sleep in as much as I can. I’m such an early riser, so a lazy morning is truly special.
  28. Have the occasional glass of wine … preferably red.
  29. Eat dinner outside.
  30. Put up patio lights.

I invite you to make a list of 30 things you want to experience this June. They don’t have to be big, earth shattering moments … keep it simple, and think magical.

Imagine … if you dream of 30 things, and 15 or even 10 come true … what will that feel like when the calendar turns to July? Pretty fabulous I’m betting!

*This post was inspired by my Bella Grace Instagram takeover earlier this month.

Lilac Party II

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Today I thought I’d better get on with the lilac party … even though the shrub I picked these from has finished blooming. It happens so fast … but I have another type that’s just starting … too much fun around here I tell ya!

Lilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_dreamlike

Lilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

Original

You can’t even imagine the scent … or maybe you can …

Lilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_QuietDreams

Here’s a favourite from last year, edited with the new preset kk_Hush …

Lilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture TuesdayLilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_Hush

I take hundreds of photos and it seems that once a few weeks (or years) have passed, I don’t feel right using them. Well, I’m on a mission to get over that! Does it matter whether I took a photo today or last year? I don’t think so … a lot of work goes into setting a scene, shooting, and then processing images. It’s a self-imposed restriction I’ve put on myself … one of many it seems.

I do think a side note letting viewers know you’re using an older image is all a person needs to do … or maybe not even that? Anyway, seems like I was into a lilac series last year as well:

Melancholy Lilac I

Melancholy Lilac II

Melancholy Lilac III

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Lavender Love

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I can’t believe how fast I went from the lilac party to lavender love … but when I spied these lovely plants at Costco I was thrilled!

I haven’t been able to find this specific type at any of the greenhouses I’ve been haunting. I love the small, slim wands with the tiny flowers.

Lavender Love, Keeping With the Times, Friday Finds

The scent is beyond words … but even more so when dried (I know because I’ve already dried a few sprigs).

Lavender Love, Keeping With the Times, Friday FindsSo far I’ve simply photographed the plant like it’s growing in a field that goes on forever, but ideas are spinning around … small bouquets, dried bunches, perhaps even a wand or two …

Lavender Love, Keeping With the Times, Friday Finds

kk_Hazed

I want my summer to look like this … lazy, hazy, and dreamy …

Lavender Love, Keeping With the Times, Friday Finds

kk_Hazed

Thank you for dropping by, and have a wonderful day!

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Lilac Party Part I

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Oh my heavens … it’s lilac party time around here and I haven’t shared any photos on my blog! And I’m so overwhelmed I’m going to have to break them into Parts I to III, or maybe even IV or V.

Spring is one crazy season in these parts … it’s like a dam has burst and every plant is pouring blossoms out in torrents. Everything from shrubs and perennials, to annuals in the garden and pots on the deck … flower overload … and then there are the wildflowers popping up everywhere I look.

Therefore, today I’m going to take it slow and concentrate on my #fromthechippypottingbench series from Instagram.

Lilac Party Part I, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_Lilly

With the rustic nature of the bench and the tools, I felt stronger edits (presets) were in order; kk_SoftLight and kk_Lilly. Both enhance clarity and colour. Everything just pops, including the white paint, but believe it or not, there’s a slight (de)saturation adjustment as well … and that’s a good thing …

Lilac Party Part I, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_SoftLight

Here I set a few snippets on the back of my “green” door, which is white …

Lilac Party Part I, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_Lilly

OK, I guess I’ll stray one tiny bit and share my white lilac that clearly is not white … note to self … don’t buy shrubs unless there is at least one bloom for colour verification …

So, I'm going to go slow and concentrate on my #fromthechippypottingbench series. With the rustic nature of the bench and the tools I felt that strong edits (presets) were in order.

kk_DayDreaming

“Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see”

Oh I had fun trying to give credit for this quote! Who do you think said it?

Happy Texture Tuesday everyone!

Kim Klassen dot com

Fabulous Friday Finds

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Good morning! Another week has flown by and I have some fabulous Friday Finds to tell you about.

What an amazing week! I’ll start with my second best find—a chippy little green door … to.die.for. but I think I say that about every treasure I drag home … look at that chippy goodness, the dirt, the scratches, the colour … swooning here … and it’s small and light, which makes it easy for me to pick up and carry around.Fabulous Friday Finds, Keeping With the Times

When I walked into One Man’s Treasure, there it was … the sun was hitting it, and I think I heard angels (just kidding). But those people that own that store can see me coming, and they set these treasures right at the front, in a very prominent position, and I’m a lost cause … .

It was just what I needed to set beside my new chippy potting bench from the Carvel General Store …

Fabulous Friday Finds, Keeping With the Times, green chippy door, potting bench

… so let the fun begin, it’s green door party time! Notice that little door knob … I wonder how many people get excited about door knobs … adore …

Fabulous Friday Finds, Keeping With the Times, green chippy door, potting bench

So, now, here’s my best Friday Find this week: Carolyn! When I first “met” Carolyn in The Studio, I knew right away she was a lovely, lively, sweet lady. She’d made some comments that made me laugh out loud, and I knew she was for real. Then, much to my surprise (because I am hopelessly reserved, and an introvert as well), Carolyn contacted me and asked if I would like to meet her for lunch. She only lives about an hour away … amazing … why hadn’t I thought of that! Um, because I am hopelessly reserved and … well you know.

Anyway, long story short—we met, we hugged, we laughed, we talked—we connected. A kindred soul who shares a passion for food, photography, and life, (hey … that’s part of my blog by-line!)

We met for lunch at 12:00 noon and didn’t leave the restaurant until 2:30, and that was only because we had some serious shopping to do.

Fabulous Friday Finds

shaky iPhone shot …

I could go on, gushing and gushing, but I’ll finish by saying how amazing it is to be a part of The Studio Online. So much goodness in there … and not just still life, but real life. On-line friends, and “irl” friends. What more could you ask for? I am already looking forward to seeing Carolyn again, she has the biggest heart (truly).

So, have a wonderful weekend everyone! We’re heading into our first long weekend of the year. The dock is in, the boat is (almost) in, and the s’mores supplies are ready.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Flower Press DIY

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Today I’m sharing my flower press DIY. There’s a fun hashtag on IG right now called the #botanicalseries hosted by @adiandbert and @missaimeefleur, which inspired me to dig around in the storage room to find the flower press I made last year.

Flower Press How-to, Keeping With the Times

Imagine my surprise when I saw these two sprigs of Queen Anne’s Lace! I’d forgotten I’d even pressed them. Love!

To make the collage, I layered several pieces of my own handmade paper and placed the flowers on top.

Flower Press DIY, Keeping With the Times

kk_TouchaHaze

Last summer … peonies … sigh …

Flower Press DIY

At first I wasn’t going to include the following photo because I didn’t like my hands … but I think I need to celebrate them and be thankful for all they allow me to do …

Today I'm going to share a little flower press DIY with you.

Drill a hole in each corner of the wood. Do this for both pieces and make sure they line up with each other so you can put the bolts through. I would suggest drilling the holes closer to the edges than I did – mine are in a bit too far and this limits the area available for pressing.

Sand the edges of the wood to smooth, then brush lightly with paint. The next step is to cover the outside with decorative paper (I used scrapbook paper).

flowerpressdiy2 (5 of 5)

Brush the top of the board with glue and lay the paper on top.

Today I'm going to share a little flower press DIY with you.

When the glue is dry, sand the edges of the paper to distress:

Flower Press

When ready, place your chosen flowers between two white sheets of paper, then between the heaviest thin hard cardboard you can find. Here I’ve used the protective cardboard that’s included with photos (from Costco). Use as many layers as will fit between the boards (that will depend on the length of the bolts you use).

Flower Press

For each hole you’ll need one wing nut, one bolt, and two washers.

Today I'm going to share a little flower press DIY with you.

In the diptych below, the top image is the front of the press, and the bottom image is the bottom of the press:

Flower Press DIY, Keeping With the Times

If you have any questions, just ask in the comments and I’ll help you out! The is more about making the press, than the actual pressing of flowers. For further inspiration check out my Flower Pressing Pinterest Board.

What you need:

  • 2 boards of the same size (they don’t have to be square)
  • sandpaper
  • paint
  • decorative paper
  • glue
  • 4 wing nuts, 4 bolts, and 8 washers
  • white paper
  • hard, thin cardboard
  • flowers

How to:

  • sand edges of wood
  • lightly paint edges of the two boards and let dry
  • drill a hole in the corner of each piece of wood (make sure the holes line up between the two pieces of wood)
  • glue decorated paper to the outer side of the wood
  • when dry, sand edges of paper to distress

Flower Press How-to, Keeping With the Times

 

Potting Bench for Friday Finds

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Of course you knew you were going to get more of the potting bench for Friday Finds … right? And about Friday Finds …I can hardly believe it … where did that week GO? It’s just … gone …

Potting Bench

kk_MatterFact

It was a crazy, chaotic, and creative week—I had messes all over the house; from the basement, to the deck, and everywhere in-between …

potting bench

kk_still

Parts of it were a bit more organized, like when I went to town to get a hair cut, and then groceries. Of course I had to visit every greenhouse in the area (just to look, I told myself).

However, I did bring home a few pretties … such a miracle after a long, cold, colourless season …

potting bench, friday finds, kk_litely

kk_litely

Oh yeah … we did have a bit of this … aaacckk …

Keeping With the Times

… and I fell down some icy stairs (ouch), but other than that, it was all good …

Potting Bench, Friday Finds, Pansies, Keeping With the Times

kk_Midnight

Thank you so much for dropping by today!

Hapa Zome Book Mark for Mom

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The technique of “Hapa Zome” just blew me away when I first discovered it on the Terrain blog.

Oh my gosh! the possibilities!!

Make one for your mom, a friend, yourself … it’s so easy, make one for a stranger!
Hapa Zome Book Mark, Mother's Day, Gift, watercolour, watercolour, pansies, botanical, Keeping With the Times

I didn’t follow the directions exactly, but what I did worked beautifully:

  • Set a flower face down on a piece of watercolour paper.
  • Cover with some parchment paper.
  • Pound with a mallet.
  • Peel away paper.
  • Peel away smashed flower … that’s it.

Hapa Zome Book Mark, Mother's Day, Gift, watercolour, watercolour, pansies, botanical, Keeping With the Times

PIN IT

Hapa Zome Bookmark, Keeping With the Times

August: Inspiring Reverence or Admiration

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It’s August! Did you know it’s the only month this year to start on a Friday? Cool interesting fact!

Did you know that the Gladiolus is the birth flower for August?

I wasn’t really aware of that as I picked up a bunch of these stately flowers. I felt a bit guilty paying money for them but, hey … they cost $5.00 and I won’t be seeing them at this price for another year.

Gladiolus, August, Keeping with the Times

noun

AUgust

1.the eighth month of the year, containing 31 days.

adjective

auGUST
1. inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic: an august performance of a religious drama.
2. venerable; eminent: an august personage.

Gladiolus, August, Keeping with the Times

So that’s what I found this week. I’m going to treat this month with the respect and dignity it deserves.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Vintage Baking Powder Tin Vase

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The flower arranging bug has hit me — and hit me hard this year. I’m not content with putting only one type of flower in a vase and calling it done.

Last week after I arranged my Funky Modern Triangular Bouquet I started to see possibilities everywhere … such as this lovely lily and (bluebell) bunch that I placed in a vintage baking powder tin. Easy peasy.

In the past I’ve been quite annoyed by these purple flowers (I think they’re some kind of bluebell) and I would pull them out of my garden like weeds …

… oh, now wait just a minute … I love weeds! so I added some flowering thyme to fill in the spaces and voila!

I processed this photo in LR and used kk_oldendays at a reduced opacity.

Vintage Baking Powder Tin, keeping with the times, vintage, flower arrangement

For these two images I simply let the vibrant colours loose …

Vintage Baking Powder Tin, keeping with the times, vintage, flower arrangement

DSC_0604-copy

Summer is so busy! This week I have three of my grandchildren visiting and the days are packed full. So now before I call it a day I have to muster up some energy and go and water my plants.

So thank you for visiting and I do hope your summer is going as beautifully as mine!

Casual Country Garden Bouquet

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This week I’m like a kid in a candy shop. I”m finding flowers everywhere I look.Peony & Lilac Bouquet, keeping with the times, friday finds

To say my garden is exploding would be an understatement. I hardly know what to do with it all! Oh would that I could save some for January, February, and March! But alas I cannot, so photos will have to do.

Peony Lilac Bouquet

I could post a flower-a-day for 365 days I’m sure … .

So here are five random things that made me happy this past week:

  1. Spending time with family on the holiday long weekend.
  2. Lots and lots of delicious food.
  3. Weather ranging from not bad to amazing, and that the big storm with giant hail did not materialize.
  4. Flowers, flowers, and more flowers.
  5. Taking photos (especially with my iPhone) and editing on my iPad.

So what did you find this past week? What made you happy?

Marsh Marigolds

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Marsh Marigolds [caltha palustris] are one of the first (if not the first) wildflower that pops up around here. Every spring these wonderful flowers light up dark boggy areas with their bright buttercup-like flowers and are a welcome sight to us winter-weary Albertans!

I braved a swamp and an army of mosquitoes to get these photos (and a small handful of marigolds).Marsh Marigolds, Keeping With the Timesmarsh marigolds, Keeping With the Timesmarsh marigolds, Keeping With the Times

Caltha palustris is more commonly called marsh marigold or kingcup. It’s rather toxic and requires careful handling as it can cause blistering. I used rubber gloves to pick and arrange these little beauties.marsh marigolds, Keeping With the Timesmarsh marigolds, Keeping With the TimesTruly a welcome sight in these here parts! Thank you for stopping by!

Texture Tuesday: Lavender and Soap

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There’s nothing like a bath and there’s nothing like a bath with fresh lavender bits floating around in it.

I have a wonderful little kitchen/herb garden growing on my deck again, and this year I added lavender to the mix. So lovely! This image was created for the Be Still 52 class which I’m enjoying so much.

just breathe
Spring is such a whirlwind here. The first signs of green are like a miracle and then every day there’s another miracle and another and another… it’s very hard to keep up with all the photo opportunities!

Then there’s the clean-up of the yard, garage, flower beds and lawns … running to the greenhouse (10 times) and hauling plants and pots and soil around.

I’m exhausted and by the time I sit down at the computer at night to write something my body complains and I truly cannot stand it for very long. That’s when a bath with Epsom salts, Aveda body wash, and fresh lavender come to the rescue. Ahhhh, bliss…

Be Still 52 Class

Day 2: Room to Breathe

Joining in the fun today for Texture Tuesday!

kk_rainyday

Just Playing With Poppies

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Good Saturday morning everyone! Hope this finds you well!

I’ve been playing around with my Nikkor 40mm f2.8 and was reading that with this particular lens, the best images are taken at least 6.4 inches away from your subject, and then on to portraits and landscapes.
Poppies

But then I captured this … I think I was about 1 inch away from this poppy.

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Perhaps it has to do with getting the best possible focus, and not taking into account artistic expression.

Lately I’ve been studying up on my camera and my lenses and its amazing how much more control I’ve gained over my photography. A quick push of a button and a turn of the command or sub-command dial and you can change ISO, exposure, metering, etc. You all probably know this, but I’m a slow learner, or at the very least, I’m slow to study up on my equipment.

Having said all this, I still end up deleting over half my images, mostly due to dreadful exposure or focus.

What’s one thing that you’ve learned, either about your camera or a lens that you’ve found helpful? What lens do you love the best? I’m dreaming about the Nikkor 18-300mm f 3.5 – 5.6 … dreaming, I said … .

Spring Fever in January

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succulent-copy

Oh my, the sun is shining, it’s 8 degrees Celsius and I can hear water dripping off the roof. It’s January in Alberta and I have windows open, fans running, and the sun is pouring through the windows. Bliss.

This is not the photo I set out to take this morning. I had been carefully arranging tiny pine cones and clay pots and nothing was working when I turned around and saw this succulent sitting quietly (of course) in my window garden. What gloriousness! And there’s my rosemary in the background! I had hoped that that would survive at least until Christmas but it has outdone itself and is thriving.

I need to get to work, but I think I have spring fever so a little watering and re-potting of plants is in order. Then I’ll get to work … I promise …

Happy weekend everyone!

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

 

 

What’s Inspiring You?

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barb brookbank, photoshop, photography, textureThat’s the question Kim is asking today at Friday Finds.

I can answer that one quite quickly; flowers.

Oh, and autumn, and spring, and summer, and winter.

My DSLR, my iPhone camera, Photoshop, and Lightroom.

Blogging, reading blogs, other people’s work, and lately, Flickr.

Books, catalogues, magazines, and manuals.

My creative “spidy senses” are always on high alert (sometimes I wish they weren’t). Good golly, can I not just watch a sunrise without rushing to grab my camera? Yesterday as I was grocery shopping, I picked up a fennel bulb. Hubby asked what I was going to do with it, and I said, well it has a wonderful licorice flavour, but… I think I want to photograph it… hmmmm… (that gave us both a good laugh).

So what about you? What is inspiring you? Head over to Kim Klassen dot com to check out some great “Friday Finds”. That’s a great place to find inspiration, I can assure you!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Autumn Photography

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adobe, photoshop, barb brookbank, autumn, nurture photography, friday finds, kim klassen

This tenacious little Amur Maple sits at one corner of our house, underneath a window.

Two years ago, it got so big and unwieldy that I cut it right to the ground. I did say sorry while I was doing it though…

It must have forgiven me, because it has come right back and its beautiful fiery orange, red, and yellow leaves are gracing our yard once again.

barb brookbank, autumn, nurture photography, friday finds, kim klassen

Just one of those perfect autumn moments…

Orange-Fiery-Still-Life

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Autumn Greens

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Blissdom Canada is fast coming to a close. I can’t wait to share some of the insights that I gained from this blogging conference but that’s going to have to wait until I get home and get my thoughts together.

There was a lot packed into these last four days, and my head is spinning. Thank you everyone, for your words of encouragement – you were right! Everything went well and I am very proud of myself!

For now, I simply want to celebrate the greens of autumn with Kristy at Live and Love out Loud. Kristy has teamed up once again with Rebecca of Bumbles & Light and they are hosting the Nurture Photography Challenge.

I took this photo before I left home – it’s another one in the series #fromthepottingbench that I put on IG. I love the greens in this one! And I can’t wait to get home…

Nurture Photography - Autumn Greens

I spied these cabbages in the planters in front of the hotel where I’m staying – aren’t they gorgeous! Love these!

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Nurture Photography - Autumn Greens1

… and this… as seen on the wall in the Tim Horton’s lounge…

write-about-what

… is what I’m going to continue to do…

Friday Finds with Kim Klassen

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Friday Finds

… and a little sneak preview of my autumn tablescape.

Last Friday I went to the market garden with a friend, where we found all kinds of fabulous veggies, and pumpkins, and squash. As the owner was taking us for a ride in his little ‘gator, and we were tearing around in his fields, I spied a patch with some white “things” way off in the distance. When I asked what they were, he told me that they were some kind of weird squash, just an experiment, and he was going to plow them under.

OK,  wait a minute… take me over there…

As soon as I saw them, my heart did a little leap! How pretty, and how fun are these?! They were just what I was envisioning for my autumn decor. They sparked an idea that led to my autumn tablescape. Warm whites, pinks,  greys, and greens. Love!

friday finds, autumn, sedum, squash

I do have some amazing light in my dining room…

friday finds, kim klassen, tablescape

Later today I’m going to post my complete tablescape. I’m so thankful that I was able to finish up the photo shoot given the fact that for most of the week I could hardly move. My back has much improved and I am so, so thankful!

Have a wonderful Friday!!

Linking up to Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com.

 

Friday Finds

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Here are just a few of the extraordinary things that I found this week…

A nasturtium and a marigold that I dug out of the garden about a month ago and put into a pot on the deck are rewarding me with a profusion of new growth.

friday finds

friday finds

Crispy and colourful leaves on the driveway leave no doubt as to what is on it’s way.

friday finds

Morning sunlight streaming through the trees and onto the dewy grass.

friday finds

Some beautiful light shining into a farmyard.

friday finds

This slippery salamander was on the road as I walked to meet my friends. It seemed to be frozen, so I had to push it along to the ditch so that it wouldn’t get run over. In the ten years that I’ve lived here I’ve never seen one until now.

friday finds

It was a beautiful week.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

This is What I Found

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Clematis-in-Bird-Bath

I found a Clematis flower and set it in the little bird bath that I fashioned out of a big bowl that I found at Winners, and a rusty stand that I found at our town-wide garage sale this past spring.

I’ve found that my iPhone can take some kick*** photos. Here I used CP Pro, which is the $1.99 version of Camera +. It has the capabilities to set focus and exposure, as well as a burst mode, anti-shake, and you can touch the screen anywhere to snap a photo. Way cool! I don’t know how these would print though, since even though it is over 2000 pixels in width, and 3000 pixels in height, it’s still only 72ppi. Hmmmm, this is something I should find out (I’ll let you know). I should mention that this is SOOC, except for a crop. Pretty amazing stuff.

I’ve found that I’m loving my morning walks. It’s been almost 6 weeks and I’ve hardly missed a day. I walk the first part alone, in the quiet, misty mornings…

Misty-Morning

Misty-Morning1

Misty-Morning2

…then I meet up with my little group at the mailbox and we continue on from there. Takes about an hour.

When I get home, I walk around the yard, check the garden to see what’s new (see my quirky little bird bath?), then head inside to start my day.

Misty-Morning3

I tell you, I’m living the life of o’riley…

Art of Blending by Linda Sattgast

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art of blending, digital scrapper

Yikes! It’s the middle of August, people… how’d that happen? I hope all of you are having a great summer, I know I am.

July was filled with family visits, a birthday party, lake time, and the never-ending yard work.

Through it all, I’ve been trying to keep up with my classes and have been doing pretty good. I’m a little behind in a couple of them, but I’m sure I can catch up.

One of my favourites has been “The Art of Blending” taught by Linda Sattgast, at Digital Scrapper (it’s not open to registration at the moment).

This week we are on lesson 6, where Linda teaches about edges, and masks. I was completely fascinated with this lesson, and used masks in ways I never had before. I had to watch the video about 5 times to get the concept into my head… very good stuff!

I hope you like my onion bouquet… when I asked the farmer if I could have the tops off the onions, he was completely baffled… what would you want those for?

 

Textures:
cement-LSattgast-11 – Screen 30%
cement-LSattgast-11 – Soft Light 100%
instagram edges

Lilacs can be Overwhelming

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lilacs, photography

We have a beautiful lilac bush in front of our house. It’s not big, but every year it produces a ton of flowers.

I adore lilacs. I love the colour and the sweet smell. What I don’t like, is that they only last about one and a half days as a cut flower.

So I guess that’s where a few (hundred) photographs come in handy. I have taken a ton of shots and this one… this one here, is the very last one I took. It also happens to be the only one I truly like. How does that even happen?

I’ve come to the conclusion that I am overwhelmed by their huge blossoms which turn into huge bouquets when I try to arrange them. Too much of a good thing, perhaps?

I vow to keep trying though, and I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

An Inspired Barnwood Potting Bench

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wildflower bouquet

Yesterday I headed outside, fully intending to cut the grass.

Strangely, though, I found myself over by my new potting bench… it has become a magnet for me.

I think I’ve been dreaming about having a potting bench my whole life, and I’ll tell you how it came about. Last summer I wrote down in my journal that I would have one. Then I pinned a couple ideas, and voila…

potting bench

I’m a firm believer that if you write something down, there’s a better chance of it coming true. There are tons of books written about that theory but for the life of me I can’t remember where I read it first. I think it was Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, or The Artists Way, by Julia Cameron.

Right now I’m reading The Secret, which of course teaches about the law of attraction. But I digress.

potting bench

So, early this spring I was at my favourite little country store which I frequent on a monthly basis. It’s there that I’ve been scooping up rustic, custom-made barnwood benches by the handful… I can’t resist them. Each one is so unique, with different colours of lichen clinging to them.

potting bench

Anyway, I simply asked the owner if the fellow who makes these benches would consider making a potting bench. She replied; not for the shop, but here’s his number. Hmmmm, I was expecting her to take an order or something. But I took it and ran.

After that it was just a series of fortunate events.

I called and asked this fellow if he would consider making one for me. He replied; well, I’ve never even thought of making a potting bench, but here’s what I think: it should be about 5 feet in height, 44-45 inches wide, with a 21 inch deep counter. Add a small shelf in the top part, and a large shelf on the bottom.

Ummm, well, OK (said I) as I crumpled up the little scrap of paper with all my measurements written on it … I could see there was no need to tell him what to do! But what would it cost me?

Well, this is just a hobby for me (said he) but I’d have to charge you $115.00…

… gasp… seriously people, I know of some places that would not charge any less than $250.00… I mean, this thing weighs a ton… and look at the colours of these fabulous lichens!

potting bench

… and it holds a lot of heavy pots, and gardening essentials…

potting bench

potting bench

It was here that I created my little cottage garden/wildflower bouquet. Could there be anything more charming?

So if you are dreaming of a potting bench, or anything else for that matter, I would advise you to get out your journal, or even just a scrap of paper and write it down.

I feel so inspired.

Oh, and yes, I did cut the grass.