quotes Archives - Keeping With The Times

Gratitude

September 17, 2017 by Barb 1 Comment

The other day after a difficult dentist appointment, I stopped in a parking lot to gather my thoughts, and before I knew it my eye was drawn to a few tansy peeking through a fence.

There are not many left out there in late September, and I was delighted! I snapped them off (I didn’t have my clippers) and rushed home to play ;)

September does that to me… everything becomes a little more precious, a little more intense.

And so I thought I’d write a “Gratitude” post.

I’m grateful for:

finding tansy in a parking lot in late September
an abundance of apples from my friends’ orchard
autumn leaves
hot coffee and/or tea
being able to make a quick run to a grocery store and buying whatever I want
baking apple crisp
the smell of dinner in the oven
the furnace kicking in on a frosty autumn morning
travelling with my hubby
arriving home safely
sleeping and recuperating after travelling
my family

What are you grateful for today? I hope you have a good one!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Melodie Beatty

Lilac Love

May 30, 2017 by Barb 6 Comments

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

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?

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy these:

: Trader Joe’s Flowers Deconstructed

: DIY Flower Press

: 30 Ideas to Make June Magical

Be Fabulous, People!

May 5, 2017 by Barb 11 Comments

The other morning when I saw this quote, I felt it was really speaking to me:

Stay low, stay quiet, keep it simple, don’t expect too much, enjoy what you have
Dean Koontz

It was exactly how I was feeling as I set up my little tea-in-sunshine shoot …When we’re feeling hurt or vulnerable, staying low, quiet, and keeping it simple does have its merits. But … we mustn’t let it take hold. We mustn’t let it linger on too long.

Almost immediately my thoughts turned to Marianne Williamson and her “Course in Miracles” and I searched around for an anti-quote :)

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
Marianne Williamson

Today, my friends, go out and be fabulous!

If you liked this post, you might enjoy these inspirational posts:

♥

: Dealing With Distraction

: Plant Your Own Garden

: If I Waited

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2017 by Barb 4 Comments

She made broken look beautiful
and strong look invincible.
She walked with the Universe
on her shoulders and made it
look like a pair of wings.
Ariana Dancu

Here’s to all the beautiful, brave women in my life xo

After a While … The Poem

February 5, 2017 by Barb 4 Comments

Recently I was reminded of this poem and thought I’d share it here again … I hope you don’t mind.

After a While

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning

And company doesn’t mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

And presents aren’t promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,

And you learn to build all your roads on today,

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn

That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure…

That you really are strong,

And you really do have worth.

And you learn and learn…

With every goodbye you learn.

Veronica A Shoffstall

Have a peace-filled Sunday my friends.
xo

Banish Those Winter Blues!

January 17, 2017 by Barb 24 Comments

I’ve finally come to the conclusion I’ve got a case of the winter blues, or blahs. Whatever you call it, I’ve got it. And the strange thing is I started writing this post on Blue Monday without even realizing it was Blue Monday. In case you haven’t heard of it:

Blue Monday is a name given to a day in January (typically the third Monday of the month) reported to be the most depressing day of the year. The concept was first publicised as part of a 2005 press release from holiday company Sky Travel, which claimed to have calculated the date using an equation (Wikipedia)

**The idea is considered pseudoscience, with its formula derided by scientists as nonsensical

No matter. I feel lethargic and irritable, and I’ve totally lost my mojo (which I find extremely distressing.)

And as usual I have that guilt trip going on in my head about how could someone with my life and privileges ever be depressed, and what could I possibly have to complain about? and on and on and blah blah blah. Well, what can I say, I don’t understand it either. But there you have it.

And it won’t just go away. Nope, not over night at any rate. And so, I must take action.

So what to do about these winter blues? Well, the first thing I do is admit it.

There was a day I thought if anyone knew I was feeling (blue, anxious, sad, or depressed) it would cause the earth to come off its axis and fly off into outer space. So I suffered in silence, and let me tell you that’s the worst thing you can do. NOTE: I’m talking about a blue funk here (if you think you’re suffering from something much more serious, please, get up off your chair, and go see your doctor.)

Tips on how to beat the winter blues

Recognize it. Talk about it. Admit it.
Exercise. Preferably outdoors. I was reading about SAD on WebMD, and one thing that really stuck out was how important exercise is (which I know) but also how important it is to go outside, preferably in the morning, and for at least 15 minutes. I did not realize time of day made a difference, but apparently it helps to reset your circadian rhythm.
Watch your nutrition. I’m still cleaning up snacks and sweets from Christmas! Time to purge the freezer and fill up the fruit bowl instead.
Drink lots of water. I know I’m dehydrated because my skin has become so itchy, my lips are cracked and my nose is dry.
Take care of yourself. Get a haircut, a massage, or a manicure. Or try a home Spa Day.
Keep in touch with family and friends. Now is not the time to hibernate.

One of the things that has really thrown me this month is that I don’t feel like creating.

Some days it’s simply too much effort to set up a scene to photograph, and the thought “I’m done” keeps rolling around in my head. But I don’t want to be “done” and so I show up.

Showing Up is how the photo for this post came into being. I showed up and did the work. I was happy with the results, but please be aware that I have a hundred photos I’m not thrilled with; quite the opposite actually. But I did manage to get this one image and it will find its way into my portfolio. That alone has lifted a bit of my creative funk.

So to finish, I want to share this quote by Ann Tyler. Such simple sentences, but so so powerful!

*for personal use only

Please help yourself … just click on the image to download :)

A Cup of Calm and a Free Printable

October 12, 2016 by Barb 5 Comments

“An open home, an open heart; here grows a bountiful harvest”
Judy Hand

Yesterday I was reading Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach and enjoying a cup of calm after our busy and beautiful Thanksgiving weekend.

I had planned on getting a lot of photos, but I didn’t.

What I did get was memories, and a massive feeling of gratefulness …

“Come, my thankful sisters, come. Offer grace for the bounty of goodness. Raise the song of harvest home, the glass of good cheer, the heart overflowing with joy. We have so much for which to be thankful. So much about which to smile, so much to share. So much, that in this season of plenty, we can embrace the season of relinquishment. All we have is all we need.”

Sarah Ban Breathnach

I’ll be sending out a free printable of the quote by Judy Hand with my next newsletter.
xo

What Sets Your Soul on Fire?

August 22, 2016 by Barb 6 Comments

What sets your soul on fire?

When presented with that question, I think we all assume we must come up with the most amazing and astonishing answer. But the truth is, we don’t. Maybe what sets your soul on fire is reading a good book (and having the time to do it.)Lots of things set my soul on fire … like a drive around the countryside listening to oven birds as they flit along a fence line, or the grasses as they sway in a gentle breeze.

One of the biggest things that sets my soul on fire is autumn and that “new beginning” feeling.

I know, it’s still mid to late summer and I don’t want to to rush it, but … I’m seeing slight changes in the landscape and feeling those old excited stirrings in my heart.

For me, autumn feels like a new beginning, and I suppose it harkens back to childhood; returning to school and the new clothes, shoes, books, and pencils it brought. Our family didn’t have a lot of money and any time we got new stuff it was a big deal.

I grew up on a farm and harvest was the biggest event of the year. I’m quite sure I picked up on the energy of my parents as they brought in the crops and put the grain safely away in bins. My mom would start baking bread, and hearty soups and stews. It was a satisfying time and I felt safe and secure.

So I’ve decided it’s time to craft an autumn bucket list of sorts … something like my 30 Ideas to Make June Magical post. I’d love it if you could join me (if only in your mind and on your private journal pages.) I’ll be posting mine in bits and pieces as we get closer to September.

And because I love quotes and word art, I’d love it if you could share some of your favourite quotes … and maybe, just maybe one or two will appear here as a freebie ;)

*****

I think this quote is by Jennifer Lee

Wants Versus Needs

February 24, 2016 by Barb 14 Comments

I woke up Monday morning struggling to balance my wants versus my needs.

What I wanted was to drive into town to buy fresh spring flowers. I was dreaming of tulips, hyacinths, crocus, daffodils. I’d become spoiled whilst in Arizona where flowers are plentiful and affordable (and close by.)

It doesn’t cost a lot to indulge in a small bouquet here at home either.

What I didn’t need was to spend my time and energy. A trip to town translates into almost a whole day used up. I combine it with a few errands and a lot of browsing around.

What I needed was to stay home and be happy with what I had, which was a box full of dried treasures from the summer. Who knew peonies would dry so beautifully …So instead of running into town, I spent a couple blissful hours arranging and appreciating these beauties, which led me to create some word art …
… which led to a new idea for a greeting card …

It also led to a walk with friends. A clean house. And laundry done.

Have you Hugged Your Blog Today?

February 18, 2016 by Barb 26 Comments

So, what in the world do I mean by “have you hugged your blog today?”

Recently I wrote a post “Hello February” wherein I announced to the world that I was going to blog every day, just like I did in November for #nablopomo.

But now I’m here, hat in hand, to announce that I have not blogged every day this month. Not.even.close. In fact, one night I purposely decided I would NOT post, and told my hubby I was done. He was so distressed (bless him xo).

So here’s the deal. Despite having been on a bit of a holiday (a lovely sunny holiday) and then coming home to nice weather, I went into a slump … I lost my mojo big time. Nothing seemed worth blogging about. I felt indecisive about what photos to post, and what to say about them. It hasn’t been fun. I kept posting to Instagram but I’m ashamed to admit it became a source of great stress and frustration … nobody likes my work she cried (no – actually you didn’t like your work Barb). So strange … I wasn’t doing anything different, I just wasn’t loving it.

So what was I doing with my time?

After spending a whole day putting one foot in front of the other, alternately napping and sitting on the sofa eating nuts and bolts (actually I only ate the cheerios) and watching episodes of “The Young and Restless) I went to bed (very early).

I’d like to say I’m completely recovered, but I’m not. It must be the mid-winter blahs. I’ve talked to several people who are having the same issues, so that does help to know I’m not alone. I feel so guilty because my life is good people!

Which brings me to this; maybe I should be asking if you’ve hugged your blogger today, your own blogger self?

Take her out for a walk. Go get a good haircut. Rummage through an old book store. Don’t spend too much money. Try to eat something healthy. But above all, just let your blogger self be.

But the good news is, I’m working on a Blogging Bits and Bytes newsletter to give you some ideas on how to hug your blog and I’ll be including the word art … yay! at least I made some word art :)

I think I’m going to make it … thank you for listening!

Hello February!

February 1, 2016 by Barb 7 Comments

Hello February! ♥

For some reason I love February … perhaps because it’s my birthday month!? and 2016 is a leap year, how fun!

For me, it’s also the beginning of another month of blogging every day like I did in November for NaBloPoMo. I must be nuts … but then again, maybe not.

I’m loosely following along with BlogHer and their monthly prompts. The first prompt is passion. Find a passion and pursue it. Maybe make it into a hobby.

I’m already pursuing photography and blogging, both of which take up a large chunk of my time, but lately I’ve been remembering how much I love word art.

I love to use it, and I love to make it. So this month I’m going to concentrate on the joy of making word art (and sharing it).

but I won’t be forgetting the joy of photography …

I’m also going to live this month as artfully as possible. Living an artful life is my intention for 2016, but what exactly does that mean?

Well to help figure it out, I ordered “Living Artfully: Create the Life You Imagine” by Sandra Magsamen. Many thanks to Michelle of Knee Deep in Dandelions for encouraging me to try this book. I’ll let you know how it goes. I ordered a used, hard cover copy from Amazon and am expecting it to arrive on my doorstep any day … can’t wait!

I hope you have a love-filled month! If you would like to download this word art as a printable, please click the heart ♥ and use it as a sheet to write out your February blogging goals!

Day 1 of blogging every day in February.

My Art is not Frivolous

November 25, 2015 by Barb 22 Comments

I often wonder why I do what I do, and is it frivolous?

frivolous \

of little weight or importance
lacking in seriousness
irresponsibly self-indulgent

I puzzle over why I get up in the morning so eager to set up a still life and take photos …

But it seems I’ve been staging “still life” images my entire life. To me “still life is real life is still life.” To have a chippy chair sitting in the dining room, an apron draped over the top, and treasured linens stacked on the seat is calming. And those poppy seed heads … I grew them, I picked them, and I dried them. What is more real than that?

Right from our first apartment I’ve decorated my home; from the kitchen, to the living room, to the bedroom. I’ve always liked to surround myself with pretty things and while the objects have changed over the years, the passion has not … in fact it has grown to such proportions I can hardly contain myself. And it’s because I now love photography.

I can no longer dismiss this (photography) passion as “frivolous“. It’s become as much a part of my life as creating a comfortable home for my self, my husband, and my children and grandchildren. It’s as important as a home-made meal … as important as freshly baked cookies coming straight out of the oven … and as important as a bouquet of wildflowers sitting on the windowsill for no other reason than to delight the senses.

It’s as important as anything I do because it fills me up, and then spills over into my life.

It gives me purpose at a time when I could be feeling lost. I could be stressing over the fact that I’m aging and my face and body are definitely not what they used to be. But I don’t have time. Where would I find the time to stand in front of the mirror agonizing over sags and wrinkles when there’s a still life waiting to be brought into the world? Oh, and before I bring that still life into the world, I may have to bake something, or paint a background, or find the perfect new semi-opaque curtains for the dining room … the list is endless.

And I mustn’t trivialize the fact that I’ve spent over six years learning how to use a dslr so that I may bring these images to life in as creative a way as possible. I can’t count the hours I’ve spent learning this craft … and I cannot think of one other thing in which I’ve invested so much of my time and effort (unless it’s my blog.)

That’s why the quote by Henry Miller spoke to me … it sums up how I want to live my life. I want to live as artfully as possible … and that’s not frivolous.

#stilllifeisreallife @stilllifeisreallife

Day 25 #nablopomo

Artful Blogging Magazine Winner

November 10, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

Hello! I’m excited to announce the winner of the Artful Blogging Magazine—it’s Libby Wilke! Congratulations Libby, I’ll have it in the mail tomorrow (thank you so much for getting back to me so promptly!)

A million thanks to all who entered the draw, and for your kind and supportive comments. Wow, I so appreciate each and every one of you!

I wanted to thank you with a gift of the word art I made and used on one of the photos published in the magazine … enjoy!

Click on the image and you will be taken to Box.com where you can download it:

**for personal use only**

Day 10 #nablopomo

Sunday Sundries and a Free Download

June 27, 2015 by Barb 22 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life. I started this practice as a result of “My Word for 2015” and it has had such a positive influence on the way I’ve lived my life this year. One word.

Earlier this week I published a newsletter which included the link to download a Photoshop template. If you received it, and tried the template, I’d love to see your creation (link up below). Also, today I’ve included a link to some word art (which you’ll find at the end of this post.)

If you post on Instagram, use the hashtag #sunday_sundries, tag me at @keepingwiththetimes, and list one or more things you’re celebrating – I’d love to see!

OK, onward! How about celebrating a beautiful herb garden!?

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template Download

kk_QuietDreams

… and peonies … oh my … I have a bumper crop this year …
From the moment they started to pop …
to the first blossom …I’ve practically been wallowing in them …a little Bella Grace love …
and summer love …
So what else am I celebrating this week?

Summer days.
Hot hot hot summer days.
Huge thunderstorms that roll through at midnight, causing no damage (just a lot of blinding light and house-shaking noise.)
Seeing a bright moon at the edge of said thunderstorm … it was a wild night … .
The rain that followed … watering my garden and once again filling my rain barrels.
Reaching over 2,000 followers on Instagram! I’m so in love with that community, and all the inspiration it provides.
Becoming an affiliate with Digital Scrapper – truly, I’d promote their products and services – affiliate or not.

If you like the word art I created, you can download it here (for personal use only).

Thank you so much for dropping by!

My Word for 2015

December 27, 2014 by Barb 11 Comments

My word for 2015 is “celebrate” and I’m already celebrating the fact that a word even came to me this year. Most of the time I struggle for a few weeks trying to think of something, and then give up because I’m simply not feeling it. Strangely, this year, I was out and about and it just popped into my head. Life has been good and I feel excited and hopeful about 2015. I feel like I should celebrate!

However, almost immediately the doubts crept in … my inner cynic … quite frankly there are some things about this world that just do not deserve to be celebrated. So how could I make this work?

I thought maybe a quote would help, so I started searching for something that I could relate to, something that would give me “permission” to celebrate, and I found this by Tom Peters:

celebrate what you want to see more of

Oh yes … that works for me! I can do that! I grabbed a pen and started writing: my life, good health, family, friends, a safe home, good food, peace … I’m going to celebrate my accomplishments (big and small), my passions (blogging, photography, scrapping), everyday moments … I do this anyway, so why not make it my word?

My Word for 2015 I’ll be reaching a pretty big milestone birthday this year, and rather than bemoan the fact that I’m getting older, I’m going to celebrate. I’m still here … I have interests and goals that wake me up in the morning … eager to start the day, and I have the time and the means to indulge in them. I’m looking forward to 2015, it promises to be an exciting and fulfilling year and I’m going to meet it with open arms!

Do you like the word art in the above image? I love to work with words and I’m in the process of creating a Photoshop brush for my fabulous newsletter subscribers. The download link will be in the next newsletter in January. Not on the subscriber list? Check out the form on the sidebar if you’d like to sign up! I’d love to have you!

So, what’s your word for 2015?

the more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate

~oprah~

Herb Art… Word Art…

July 2, 2013 by Barb 17 Comments

Herbalicious

I have a little herb garden sitting on my deck, and all the different textures, and colours, and shapes inspire me every day. Some plants have gone to seed (bolted, as they say) but, no worries… I just sit and watch the pretty little seed pods and flowers as they appear.

I must say that everything is looking a bit wild and messy, but quite charming, I think, which inspired me to create this piece of herb art.

That in turn reminded me of the quote by Danny Kaye “Life is a great big canvas, throw all the paint you can at it” and that inspired me to make a brush with it! Hope you like it! Have a wonderful Tuesday!

kk_lettherebelight LR preset by Kim Klassen

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Friday Finds, and Gratitude

June 28, 2013 by Barb 21 Comments

We had another rainy week which gave me lots of opportunities to get my house in order, but after a while, I simply had to get outside for a bit.

I threw on the old yellow raincoat and hat, slipped on my rubber boots, and grabbed an umbrella. Yes, it was raining that much.

As I was standing at the edge of the garden, I spied the poppy I had been waiting for… it had decided to bloom in the rain. I guess it just couldn’t help itself.

I thought it would be a shame to leave it in the garden where I couldn’t appreciate it, so I snipped it off and popped it into this old blue bottle. I can’t remember where I found this bottle … but it’s a real treasure; old, blue, scratchy and filmy.

A real “find”!

Gratitude Word Art

This crazy poppy is so big I had trouble photographing it. I must have taken 75 shots and deleted 70…

It makes me think of a giant butterfly with its feathery petals and the wild way it opens them.

poppy butterfly

… gorgeous details…

depth of field … amazing details..

… it looks like velvet.

Speaking of rain. The southern part of our beautiful province of Alberta was hit by some of the most torrential rains it’s ever seen. Rivers went wild, spilling their banks and causing serious, widespread, and devastating floods. One whole town (population of over 12,000) is under water. Many more towns and villages are suffering the same fate.

The City of Calgary was hit hard too, and is still under a State of Emergency (as are all the hard-hit areas). The whole downtown core of this city of over a million people was evacuated, as well as thousands of others in various communities. The zoo was flooded. Giraffes were standing in water up to their chests. It’s being called a disaster. It’s going to cost billions of dollars, and at least ten years, to rebuild.

Four lives were lost (so far). There’s no rebuilding that.

One week later, news of more and more devastation continues to surface. As I write this, I feel tears welling up and I am fighting to control them. I hurt for the people of our province.

Our area was not affected (physically), and right now I look outside and see the sun shining, green grass, and pots and pots of cheerful flowers. I feel a lot of things, and one of them is gratitude. Gratitude for my family, my clean home, my beautiful yard, and even my life.

This word art is a brush in .abr format, which can be used in both Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop. Simply click on the graphic above to download.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_3003

Be the Reason

June 25, 2013 by Barb 17 Comments

word art, texture, texture tuesday, clematis, still life

Some days when I sit down to write a blog post, the words just aren’t there. So I’m just going to go with it.

It’s not that I don’t have much going on, because I do (it’s summer, and I live at a lake…)

I also have lots of ideas and projects lined up, and no less than 3 classes starting in July, all of which I’m very excited about.

But for today, a quick “hi, hope you are well” and another little bit of word art.

I hope I made you smile.

If you want to see more, check out the Word Art tab at the top of my blog.

This word art is a brush in .abr format, which can be used in both Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop.

Simply click on the graphic above to download. If you have any questions/problems please ask them in the comment section so others can read them and perhaps find help too.

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_lettherebelight (LR Preset)

kk_cora x 2

What Did You Find This Week?

June 21, 2013 by Barb 30 Comments

clematis

Another week has flown by, and here it is Friday already. And that means it’s time for “Friday Finds” hosted by Kim Klassen at Kim Klassen dot com.

I think about this all week. Kim’s meme has ignited a fire in me (or should I say, fanned the flames). I’m always hunting around for treasures, and now I get to share them with everyone! I swear, if Kim ever abandons this linky party, I’m going to have to host it myself…

So, anyway, last Saturday I went to our town-wide flea market where I scooped up the best bargain, and I wrote about it here. However, I didn’t reveal my little teacup. Isn’t it ever so pretty?! A lovely lady sold me two cups and saucers for $5.00, and they were just what I was looking for. Oh my, I can’t wait to reveal the other one…

After I left the market, I had to stop for a few groceries. Somehow I found myself in the garden center, and what did I see, but this beautiful, healthy clematis. My plant dies of winter kill every year and I wasn’t sure I was going to replace it this time, until I saw this beauty. I was instantly smitten and “Diana” now resides happily in my garden.

There are just so many “finds” here! A teacup, a flower, and a new location with great light for photos (it’s been there all the time and I just didn’t see it).

Oh, and yes, some more word art! So please help yourself, my friends, and thank you for stopping by!

free word art

If you want to see more word art, check out the Word Art tab at the top of my blog.

This word art is available only in .png format, which can be used in both Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop.

Simply click on the graphic above to download. If you have any questions/problems please ask them in the comment section so others can read them and perhaps find help too.

The Best Find Ever!

June 14, 2013 by Barb 17 Comments

I have never in my life seen peonies for sale, so imagine my surprise when I walked into Superstore and found these beauties! Be still my heart…
White-Peony

There was no way I was going to leave without them.

I do have some plants in my garden, but they won’t be blooming for at least three weeks, maybe four. Oh, no… these babies were coming home with me.

They started to open up almost immediately, and once I re-cut the stems, they exploded. Beauty.

And the scent… oh the scent. I think we can all relate to that.

After about fifty photos, I chose one and began to play around in Lightroom and Photoshop, and yes, I did tweak it a bit with a funky filter. Not my usual style, but I think it’s subtle enough. What do you think?

word art, free

If I could, I would have a bouquet of these in my house at all times, I’d never tire of them.

Tomorrow our town is having it’s annual Community Street Market. As well as a BBQ, there are activities for the kids, plus “over 75+ tables of gently used items”. I can’t wait!

So happy you stopped by! Have a wonderful weekend!

Again, I created some word art to share with you. If you want to see more, check out the Word Art tab at the top of my blog.

All word art is a brush in .abr format, which can be used in both Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop.

Simply click on the graphic above to download. If you have any questions/problems please ask them in the comment section so others can read them and perhaps find help too.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Plant Your Own Garden

June 11, 2013 by Barb 25 Comments

While searching for a quote I ran across this poem by Veronica Shoffstall, and, like many others, I found that it “spoke” to me. Perhaps it speaks to you as well.

After a While

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning

And company doesn’t mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

And presents aren’t promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,

And you learn to build all your roads on today,

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn

That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure…

That you really are strong,

And you really do have worth.

And you learn and learn…

With every goodbye you learn.

Veronica A Shoffstall

Creative Brain Gymnastics

June 10, 2013 by Barb 18 Comments

Creativity, Free Word Art

As I put together this post I became more and more confused.

At first I was having a great time! I took a photo, edited it in LR and exported it to PS. Then I added some word art and made a couple more adjustments. No trouble uploading to WP.

Where it started to get complicated was when I tried to turn the word art into a brush, then a .png file. No matter how many times I do it, I still get it messed up… arghhh (and, incredulously, I’m supposed to be teaching people how to do this…)

Then I had to zip them and upload to BOX. That shouldn’t have been a problem but I kept messing up the descriptions and I had to delete everything and start over. Whew. OK, now to create a couple little thumbnails and link them to the download page. Not so very complicated unless you accidentally hit the PUBLISH button instead of update. OH NO!

Have you ever hit the publish button by mistake? Did you know that you have about 5 seconds to revert a post to draft form before it publishes? I’m guessing it must be so, since that’s about how long it took me.

Lastly, just to make sure that the original post wasn’t floating out in cyberspace with unfinished business, I copied the HTML and created a new post and then deleted the original.

They say that as you (ahem, get older), you should exercise your brain to keep it sharp, but I’m starting to wonder. This little exercise left me feeling a little unnerved… but I finally did get it together and that’s what counts, I guess.

Anyway, this quote (by Erich Fromm) speaks to me, and I wanted to share it. I’m never sure if something I create is “right”. Well, what is right?

The word art is a brush in .abr format, which can be used in Photoshop Elements, or Photoshop.

Simply click on the graphic above to download. If you have any questions/problems please ask them in the comment section so others can read them and perhaps find help too.

“Let There Be Light” LR Preset by Kim Klassen

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Texture Tuesday – The Little Things e-Dition

April 10, 2012 by Barb 25 Comments

Common Redpoll

Texture: Kim Klassen
‘The Little Things’
Soft Light
Gaussian Blur
Brush: Kim Klassen