Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

Texture Tuesday, and One Thing

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Today is Texture Tuesday and I present my “one thing”.

To explain … the “one thing” is a prompt in The Studio|Online whereby we choose one item and use it in a series of photos.

I’m currently working on a series of plate images and decided to use the burnt old cookie sheet I found at a garage sale as a background.

I’m happy enough with these, but my plan is to set up and shoot 4 different plates at the same time, with the same light, and apply the same processing to each one. This prompt is very inspiring and also grounding … as long as my background stays the same I can play and play and play …

Texture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the Times

Texture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the Times

I’ve used this background many times before …

glbmllwwthn

… with lots of different elements …

Texture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the TimesTexture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the Times

… and I’m feeling more and more inspired! So strange how that is—it’s the same thing over and over—but different each time.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Hyacinth, Willow and Tulip Play

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I was happy to return home last Friday (home sweet home) but there isn’t much colour around so I remedied that with a quick trip to the grocery store for a spring bouquet filled with hyacinth and tulips.

But since I felt overwhelmed by the fullness of it … I plucked out one purple hyacinth, one yellow tulip, added a sprig of pussywillow, and suddenly I could see clearly … ahhh … simplicity …

Hyacinth, Willow and Tulip Play, Texture Tuesday, Keeping With the Tiimes

A little preset play was in order … so on the following image I used kk_within … one of my favourites …

kk_within

km_within

Next … kk_chocolate with a little brightening of the yellow in the tulip:

Hyacinth Willow and Tulip, Texture Tuesday, Keeping With the Tiimes

kk_chocolate

I’m linking up at Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen dot com.

Tulips for Texture Tuesday

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Tulips in their last moments are absolutely stunning. Delicate, transparent petals curl this way and that, clinging to pale twisted stems that can no longer hold them upright.

As I was making dinner on Sunday, I looked up at the bouquet I’d had for over a week. A few petals were dropping silently onto the counter in front of me. A bit of yellow pollen filtered down and sparkled in the sunlight that was streaming in from the west windows. It’s funny, until that moment I hadn’t had any urge to take photos of them. I’d simply enjoyed their frilly orange selves standing straight and tall in a glass container.

But suddenly, I was more than ready to trade a vegetable peeler in exchange for florist scissors. I walked into the pantry, pulled out a rustic piece of black painted metal and set it on the floor. I gently snipped the blooms and ever so carefully laid them down.

Tulips Last Hurrah, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, Dark and Moody

I was amazed at the light coming into the pantry and how it was making the petals glow. Here are two more edits in LR.

Tulips Last Hurrah, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, Dark and Moody

kk_within

Tulips Last Hurrah, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, Dark and Moody

kk_touchadrama

Linking up to Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

I hope you’ll join us tomorrow for “app” happy wednesday! Come and link up an image edited with apps of any kind – there really are no rules!

Vintage Kitchen Blues

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My vintage kitchen blues: my Mom’s cookbooks, a couple of  tea towels, a ladle and a blue Medalta bowl. Processed in LR using kk_within.Vintage Kitchen Blues

I’m loving Kim’s new guidelines for Texture Tuesday! Texture is now texture, whether it’s an overlay, a preset, or texture in an image … woot yay! I’ve become so enthralled with presets it’s almost all I use anymore. BUT today I added one (very light) layer of kk_touch-a just because …

Update: I got my postcards mailed – I’m so stinkin’ proud! and excited to receive six pieces of amazing art in the mail from people all over the world!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Texture Tuesday: On Ice

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About two weeks ago hubby cleared the snow from a large area on the lake to use as a skating rink (check this IG image for the action shot). We’d had a ton of snow and the temperatures were brutal. However, the forecast was for unseasonably warm temperatures to arrive … the perfect recipe for perfect ice!

texture tuesday on ice

kk_oldendays

As the sun shone on the ice, it melted slightly and formed an even and perfect surface for skating.

texture tuesday: on ice

texture tuesday: on ice

Just in time for the holidays …

keeping with the times

Hot chocolate, marshmallows, and truffles …

texture tuesday: on ice

texture tuesday: on ice

keeping with the times

 

keeping with the times

skating and hot chocolate11

kk_gentle

Thanks for dropping by today, and have a wonderful week!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

“app” happy wednesday #26

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Good morning! I’m so excited to have the amazing and talented Roxi Hardegree from Creating Beyond The Layers as a guest poster today. I’ve “known” Roxi for years … it goes way back (5 years) to the days when I was on the Creative Team at E-Scape and Scrap. Roxi is a designer and she was one of the designers whose products I always used – they’re so classy and beautiful.

Roxi tells me that she’s going to be featuring her favorite shots from 2014 throughout the month on her blog, so be sure to check that out.

So, without further ado – here’s Roxi!

"app" happy wednesday

Taking pictures has always been a part of my life. And I’m not such a purist that my iPhone photos now are exceeding the number I take with my Canon. You see, first, I’m an artist, then I’m a memory keeper.

I have a hard time ‘leaving a photo alone’, in its unedited form. Already having a Photoshop background, it was easy to go down the rabbit hole when mobile editing was made possible with apps. My first introduction to altered mobile photos was with Instagram. I shot and loaded my first photo in November 2011. I was sitting on the sofa and took a photo of the fireplace using the Instagram app, applied a filter and uploaded it. I turned to the left, snapped a picture of hubby and filtered him too. (They are the two best subjects for my experiments. My Hipstamatic roll is full of them. lol)

Soon after that I took a course on Snapseed and continue to use it on almost every photo. Besides knowing it like the back of my hand, it’s a great basic editing app with tons of extras.

My favorite style is textural edits. I’ve used DistressedFx a lot but my current favorite is Stackables. I usually play around adding layers but lately I’ve tried some of their formulas and then put my own twist on them.

A lot of my edits are ‘happy accidents’. I have very few ‘formulas’ I follow, except my watercolor/ink edits for example. But for the most part it’s play, play, play.

The best advice I can give is to pick one app, use it a lot, say for a week or two and get to know it real well. Even though I have well over 200 apps on my phone there are just a few that I seem to gravitate to, the ones I ‘know’.

  • Hydrangea made with Stackables and Snapseed, self-portrait with Snapseed and Image Blender, Fall Watercolor made with Artomaton, iColorama and Image Blender.
  • My current favourites: Snapseed, Stackables, PixlrExpress’ Picfx’ Mextures, DistressedFx, Hipstamatic, Superimpose, iColorama, VCSOcam.

"app" happy wednesday

Roxi_Hydrangea

OK, I literally gasped when I saw the images that Roxi sent me … stunning work isn’t it? Today I’m linking to an image I made after being inspired by these masterpieces (ahem, not in the same league here, but that’s quite alright).

If you are new to the party, this is a link-up to share your photos edited with “apps” of any kind! Let me stress there are no rules!! Just join the fun and share any kind of artsy creation.

Let’s see what you’ve been up to!

Use any “app” you like and perhaps explain how you used it.

  • Did you use just one? Did you combine apps?
  • Simply create some art. Post it on your blog or Flickr or wherever you are uploading your work, and then come back here and link it up!
  • Visit a few friends to see what they are up to and perhaps learn some fabulous new tips and techniques.
  • Spread the word about the link-up, the more the merrier!

Sorry … this series is closed.

Winter Vegetables

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Winter vegetables … what would I do without you? You last forever, you don’t cost much, and you’re delicious!

I had an image in my head when I was photographing these, but it just didn’t happen … However, I decided to post anyway because the real story here is that I was able to get this posted from my new computer. When I jump into something, I do it with both feet. I spent almost the whole day yesterday setting up a new catalog in Lightroom. I’ve figured out a new file structure and import system using what I’ve learned in Kim’s classes, from Round Trip, LR Begin, 31 Days, and Start to Finish. A veritable gold mine of information!

I’ve set up top level, and sub-keywords, which keeps my list so neat and tidy … my other attempts in keywording have ended in a disastrous mess, but truthfully, that’s not hard to do because it is tricky, and it’s confusing if you’re not paying attention.
winter vegetables

Anyway, I guess I just described a geek’s happy and productive day (I say that with complete respect for geeks.)

I must say these veggies were delish but I ended up with a stomach ache … not sure why but I think I ate too many … it was all I had for dinner and I’m still not hungry 12 hours later.

One last thing, I’ve been working without a mouse since I’m still setting up my computer and haven’t got all the accessories. I’m courting disaster because I’m a fumble fingers with track pads and could drag things out of sight and out of mind in a second … Kim suggested I get a tablet … hmmm… going to have to look into that.

Anyway, that’s it for today. I have a special guest poster tomorrow for “app” happy wednesday and I’m so excited! She does incredibly beautiful work with apps and I’ve never seen an image of hers that I haven’t loved. I bet you can guess who it is …

See you then!

 

Texture Tuesday: Echinops on Potting Bench

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Yesterday I spent a pleasant, but chilly couple of hours outside playing at my potting bench. The temperature was hovering around 3C but I found it rather invigorating.

I had some tidying up to do; washing clay pots, putting tools away, and gathering items to bring indoors for props during the winter. I just wish there was some way I could bring my potting bench in …

Echinops on Potting Bench

I shot and edited this image with my phone, then sent it to Photoshop to add one layer of kk_way on soft light at about 50%.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Texture Tuesday and “On a Chair”

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I’m combining Texture Tuesday with some of my Start to Finish lessons. I used a white vintage chippy chair, baby pumpkins, an old bowl, and some burlap.

We’ve been enjoying the most wonderful Indian Summer … which is hard to believe after the dump of snow we had six weeks ago!

I want to take advantage of every second, so yesterday, I took my chippy chair outside and sat on the lawn and stared at it. I found this chair several weeks ago at “One Man’s Treasure” and nearly fainted when I saw it! Then I nearly fainted again when the dear owner said she only wanted $20.00 for it! How could I leave without it? I’d been watching for it for months and months.
Texture Tuesday, and "On a Chair"

Once I set it on the lawn, and saw the tall crispy grasses and semi-bare trees behind it, I instantly “felt” it, and I spent a couple of hours playing with different setups!

On a Chair, Start to Finish, Texture Tuesday

DSC_2491-copy

On a Chair, Start to Finish, Texture Tuesday

DSC_2479-copy

I wasn’t entirely happy with all of the results (simply because I couldn’t express what was in my “minds eye”), but they are certainly OK.

I processed them in LR with the Start to Finish – Day 8 lessons in mind. So much to learn there … I could go over them 10 times and still find some new tip or trick! The biggest thing I learned had to do with cropping … nothing earth-shattering, just something for me to think about.

I used the texture kk_simple on all of the images, except the last one.

Happy Tuesday! and thanks so much for dropping by!

Texture Tuesday at kimklassen.com

Wabi Sabi: Setting Up a Still Life

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Today I want to share my process in setting up this still life, and how a simple change of angle gave my wabi sabi image much more impact.

I’d been watching a gazania wither and dry for over a week. As the days went by, I knew it was going to be my post for Texture Tuesday. It could qualify for Be Still 52 as well because it took some thought (but not effort), for me to visualize what I wanted to do with it.

I knew I was going to set it on an old wooden door I’d salvaged quite some time ago. I also knew the photo was going to be taken “from above”, and that I’d be using my little garden snips, and twine.

I really wanted to show you a “before” image as a mouseover, but I cannot get it to work in WordPress… grrrrrr … if WordPress doesn’t like a certain html code, it takes the liberty of stripping it from a post … major grrrrr. If anyone knows a workaround for this annoyance could you please share it with me?

Anyway, following is the image I was working on to start with, and I just did not like it … can you see what’s wrong?

This is the back of the door, and the support board was going straight across from left to right and it was really bothering me. It didn’t look crooked, but it did not look straight either.

wabi sabi gazania

So, I ended up tipping the whole image, and instantly, everything felt right! ahhh … don’t you agree?

I think this is a much better version… wonderful and very wabi sabi!

I processed it in LR with kk_whisper, then added a layer of kk_quiet on soft light at 50%.

wabi sabi gazania

The following close-up image was processed in LR with kk_gentle.

I’m loving these presets from Kim I tell ya! They add instant charm and a beautiful feel to every still life, and you just know it’s going to be perfect.

wabi sabi gazania

lr preset: kk_gentle

I hope you’ve enjoyed the explanation of my process!

I’ve registered for the new round of  Start to Finish that begins later this month, and I’m so looking forward to it! Who else out there is taking it?

Oh, and please don’t forget to join me here tomorrow for “app” happy wednesday!

Texture Tuesday: Silverware and Serviettes

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Wrap vintage silverware with twine and a spring of rosemary for a great addition to any autumn tablescape!

Good morning! I’ll try not to whine too much about our overnight dump of snow … but I did have to mention it, so as to get it out of my system … ugh …

Many of my flowers are mush now … but not my herbs, they’re  fine, so I decided to bring a few in and play around with them.

I edited these images in LR, first adjusting exposure, cropping, and then I applied the preset kk_lightly.

For the first two, I added the texture kk_leslie, at soft light (65%) which warmed  them up …

Silverware-and-Herbs

Silverware-and-Herbs1

The following set has just the preset with no added texture, which left them cooler …

I can’t decide which I like best! Usually I prefer the cooler tones but this time … it may be a tie! What do you think?

Silverware-and-Herbs

Silverware-and-Herbs2

kk_lightly only:

Serviette-and-Silverware2014

Many thanks to all who have signed up for my newsletter! I’m thrilled and honoured that you did! I’m looking forward to communicating in a more personal way.

So … exciting changes for me! The automatic RSS driven e-mail subscription will not be available after today …

“app” happy wednesday #19

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Welcome to “app” happy wednesday #19!

If you’re new to the party, this is a weekly link-up to share your photos edited with “apps” of any kind! Let me stress there are no rules!! Just join the fun and share any kind of artsy creation.

Do you use PS Touch? I’ve been using it more and more and the reason for that is the new Creative Cloud feature. It’s so convenient to access photos and textures!

  • I have Creative Cloud since it comes with the Photoshop Photography Program.
  • You can see I have a folder called iPhone 2014.
  • I offload my Camera Roll to my computer with LR and then upload them to the Creative Cloud. Of course your phone and iPad will share photos if you have the Photo Stream turned on, but I had turned mine off for a while since it was driving me crazy … .
  • I’ve also uploaded some photos to “DSLR Photos” taken with my BGC (which I do not post on IG – ever) but I can use them when posting to my blog from my iPad.
  • The best part is I uploaded tons of textures so now when I use PS Touch they are conveniently available to use on my images:
PS Touch Screen Shot, "app" happy wednesday, keeping with the times

iPad Screenshot

So what can you do in PS Touch? Well, for one thing you can work with layers.

Here I added two textures, both different opacities and blend modes. I also added a filter to the actual photo layer.

image

Here’s my final image after I added the frame in Camera+

… this creation is not one of my favourites and I will admit working in PS Touch feels awkward. But the whole point of this exercise for me is to push myself to learn the ins and outs of using different apps. Sometimes it just takes a while to warm up to something new and unfamiliar.

And just because I felt like torturing myself further, I used PS Touch to resize the images and then I created this post on my iPad. Arghhhh!! Why?!?! Why I ask myself?! I’m major fumble fingers when I don’t have a mouse … it’s a miracle I didn’t hit Publish halfway through.

One last thing to note – notice that I have a bouquet of peonies in August? How did I manage that? Well, way back on July 3rd I snipped 5 unopened buds, put them in a bag and left them in the fridge until yesterday. After I cut the ends and put them in water they burst open almost immediately! Way cool!!

So that’s it for me today. Now let’s see what you’ve been up to!

Use any “app” you like and perhaps explain how you used it.

  • Did you use just one? Did you combine apps?
  • Simply create some art. Post it on your blog or Flickr or wherever you are uploading your work, and then come back here and link it up!
  • Visit a few friends to see what they are up to and perhaps learn some fabulous new tips and techniques.
  • Spread the word about the link-up, the more the merrier!
  • Each party will start at 5:00 am on Wednesdays and will stay open until the following Sunday night at midnight.
  • You can now use Instagram to link your images! Way cool! Check the article here. I also added some tips on this post here.

*sorry … this series is closed

Friday Finds: Oregano

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I seem to be drawn to tiny, understated flowers, so when I saw that my oregano was blooming I had to snip a few sprigs to play with.
oregano-copy-2

I think it would make a great bridal bouquet … for an elf …

Friday Finds: Oregano, keeping with the times

The cute font is free and is DJB Jacked Up Kinda Love from our own fontographer, Darcy Baldwin (from Digital Scrapper). You can find her fonts in the shop here, and Darcy can also turn your very own handwriting into a font! Check that out here.

LR Preset: kk_lightandairy

Texture: kk_poetic

Time to Start Thinking About It

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Autumn Whites

 

Our summer this year was amazing. We had above average temperatures and no violent storms. We had lots of time with our family which we spent out on the lake, having campfires, and just generally hanging out.

Now the sun is rising later and setting earlier … there’s just no getting around it. That’s one of the first signs that things are changing. The leaves are looking tired and so are my flower pots.

I have to admit I’m a bit relieved to have some rain and cooler temps this morning and I plan to do some baking, something I haven’t done for weeks because of the heat.

And as far as blogging goes I feel like I’ve fallen off the grid and must now either step it up or … else …

So I pulled an image out of the archives this morning; something that has become a lot easier since I’ve been working on my LR organization. However, I was watching one of the videos for the 31 Days class and oh.my.heavens … my keywords are a disaster … oh my … but onwards and upwards!

Today I’m posting a creation and that’s what counts! I ran kk_lightandairy_film and then added one layer of kk_quiet on soft light.

Don’t forget “app” happy wednesday tomorrow! I hope to see you there!

 

Texture Tuesday: Daisy-a-Day

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daisy, still life, texture tuesday, keeping with the times

kk_way

Oh my, July is whizzing by … as I spend beautiful day after beautiful day with grandkids on the lake or in the yard as they play, I make sure to say a little thank you every day for all my blessings.

lake fun 2014

Here’s my day yesterday:

6:00 am – greeted my youngest grandson (said a little thank you inside) … gave him breakfast and set him up in front of the TV (yes I did).

6:00 – 8:00 I wrote a tutorial. Yes. I wrote a tutorial! Sometimes you just gotta do what you just gotta do.

8:00 – greeted my two older grandchildren (said a little thank you inside) … and then helped hubby prepare breakfast for all.

Spent some time washing their clothes and towels, then made lunch to take out onto the boat. We were out on the lake from 12:30 – 3:30.

lake-fun1-copy

When we came in hubby and I spent the next couple of hours in the yard while they splashed around in the pool.

Hubby lit a fire and we roasted hot dogs and then s’mores. When I glanced over at the youngest grandson I could see he was staring straight ahead with s’mores all over his face. He was zoned out, but blissful.

I took him in, gave him a bath and put him to bed (he actually asked to go …).

At 8:00 I took some Ibuprofen and laid down on the sofa with my iPad and proceeded to watch a marathon of LR-Begin classes. I’m so behind but I really want to get this one finished – it’s bursting with info.

Took a little break and helped the other two fold their clothes and get ready for bed.

Then I went back to LR-Begin. I remember drifting off a few times … I hope I was at least getting subliminal messages …

lake fun 2014

See you tomorrow at “app” happy wednesday!

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!

Light and Airy Wildflower Bouquet

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It’s full-on summer here and I have wildflower fever.

I’m constantly scouring ditches and fields for pretty wildflowers and this year with all the rain and warm temperatures there is no shortage of material.Light and Airy Wildflower Bouquet

DSC_0375-copy

Light and Airy Wildflower Bouquet

On Sunday I threw on my sunhat, grabbed some shears and a pail of water, and and joyfully hit the road in search of treasures. I’d seen a vision and I was on a mission.

First of all I clipped a whole clump of purple vetch. It’s a must to put it into a pail of water immediately or it’s not going to make it. It wilts extremely fast and has a hard time recovering (if ever does at all). Most wildflowers (weeds) are like that – they need water asap. After I had gathered everything, I let it sit in water overnight (outside and out of sunlight.) The next day in the cool of the morning, I arranged my bouquet.

  • re-trim ends of all flowers
  • fill a vase with fresh cold water (I used a plastic cup inside this old cream can)
  • cut the cow parsley short and into single florets, and cluster them in the centre of the bouquet
  • strip most of the leaves off of the fire weed and place three of them for height
  • let the purple vetch do what it does best—spill out over the edge and fall over
  • add a bit of white yarrow for fill, keeping it close to the cow parsley
  • keep the bouquet out of the sun and change the water daily

So here’s what I used:

  • fire weed
  • purple vetch, white vetch
  • cow parsley
  • white yarrow
  • purple or white clover would have worked beautifully as well

Thanks for stopping by!

Texture Tuesday: Anemone Flashback

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Texture Tuesday, keeping with the times

Just popping in to say hi! and happy TT! Today is Canada Day, so Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians!

We’ve had such a fun holiday visiting with family. Our oldest daughter and her family have been here since Friday. Today they are heading home … so sad … already can’t wait for next time … .

Have a wonderful day and I hope to see you tomorrow at “app” happy wednesday!

kk_awaken
LR Preset Melancholy at 25%

Melancholy Lilacs II

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Today my still life blends lilacs present with lilacs past.

A fresh bouquet rests on a white tea towel while photos from last spring and a soft mauve scarf draw the eye through the image.

Lilac Still Life, Keeping With the Times

Melancholy-Lilac-with-Scarf1-copyAlthough the end is near, the shrubs still have blooms and even as they droop and fade their scent gets stronger and sweeter. Now there are swarms of swallowtail butterflies and hummingbird moths (hemaris thysbe) and bees and wasps all trying to gather up every single drop of nectar before it’s gone.

The parade of blooms continues in my garden. As the lilacs and anemones near their end, I watch closely as the peony buds double in size on a daily basis and the perennial poppies ready themselves to burst open. New growth and life is everywhere and some days I hardly know where to start. I do know that if I don’t move quickly the moment will pass. But some moments will pass and I’m good with that. Some moments are simply meant to be savoured, not saved.

Be Still 52 Class

Day 4: Make it Happen

kk_melancholy LR Preset

Texture: Cora/Soft Light 50%

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

Scentless Chamomile for Texture Tuesday

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Good Tuesday Morning!

I had to rummage through the archives for something yellow and came up with these lovely wildflowers which some would call weeds (some would call them even worse than weeds).Scentless Chamomile for Texture Tuesday

But really, they are such pretty “worse than weeds” wouldn’t you say? I’m looking forward to seeing them blooming by the wayside again this year.

Chamomile-Chair3-copy

I’ve been going full steam ahead on several projects as well as trying to clean the house, paint the dock, and tidy up the yard after a long winter. I’m running out of steam… so this is going to be a quick post – I just didn’t want to miss another TT …

Don’t forget “app” happy wednesday tomorrow! Please come by and link up your mini masterpieces created with apps – apps of any kind! It’s just so much fun!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com where the theme today is “yellow”

kk_3003

Texture Tuesday: Pressed Flowers

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Texture Tuesday

We finally arrived home yesterday after driving 3,000 km in three days (which is much more civilized than driving it in two days). I’m going to need at least a week to catch up on some work and I can’t even think about posting about our trip until Thursday.

As I sat in my office/sitting room I was leafing through one of my journals and came across this pressed bleeding heart. I was quite intrigued by it.

Last summer I had embarked upon a flower pressing project, even making the press myself. Then I put it on the “back burner” and forgot about it. It’s funny how a project can seem so much more interesting after some time passes.

This is kind of what my garden looks like right now. Dry, brown,  and flat but filled with memories and new hopes. I feel inspired to dig out that press and resume my project. Just doing something for the joy of it would be kind of a nice and I should do more of it. Speaking of that, don’t forget about “app” happy wednesday tomorrow!! I hope to see you there!

PS… you can see I’m quite out of the loop – I forgot today’s theme was “cuppa”… oh well … next week will be better …

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen.com

kk_rene

Texture Tuesday: Heavenly Hydrangea

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Today I have two treasures to share with you. First up is the Ball Jar, found while browsing antique stores in Prescott, AZ with three of my blogging friends: Melinda, Terri, and Barbara.

It was Terri who alerted us to the jars. She collects them and even knows the dates they were manufactured according to the typeface used for the logo. I figure this one was made sometime between 1910 – 1923.

Hydrangea in Ball Jar, Texture Tuesday

Hydrangea in Ball Jar, Texture Tuesday

Second up is the hydrangea. It was so dreamy I couldn’t decide whether I liked it in the Ball jar, or just a plain old white vase, so I went crazy and posted both versions today.

Hydrangea White Vase, Texture Tuesday

Hydrangea, Texture Tuesday

Hydrangea White Vase, Texture Tuesday

Tomorrow I’ll be posting my Waterlogue version and what I did to get the results I wanted.

BTW, don’t forget that “app” happy wednesday is tomorrow and I really hope to see you there! It’s a fun place to share your photos edited with apps and maybe learn a few tips and tricks from fellow bloggers.

Check it out here: “app” happy wednesday.

Have a wonderful day!

 

kk_berrily (LR Preset)

kk_sybil texture on Soft Light

Texture Tuesday: Wabi Sabi

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Texture Tuesday, Perfectly Imperfect, Wabi Sabi, Kim Klassen, Barb Brookbank

Right now my whole world is the colour of a pussy willow; off-white, cream, brown.

Yesterday I observed a rabbit that had this exact colouring! It’s starting to change from the snowy whiteness of winter to the dusty brown of summer.

We have old dirty snow, brown grass, and tangles of branches everywhere.

It’s beautiful. It’s my world, and I feel alive.

Today Kim talks about Wabi Sabi. Oh my! it’s the only reason I got this posted this morning. I won’t say any more… you must pop over to read about it! Thank you Kim!!

Disclaimer:

I’m going into town today with the girls, and I’m making a bee-line to the flower shop …

Have a wonderful Tuesday and thank you for stopping by!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_sophia

Texture Tuesday: For the Love of Simplicity

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Antique Wooden Bowl

I love simplicity in everything whether it’s art, decorating my home, or life in general. And even though I can’t claim that my whole lifestyle is simple, I do try to keep it that way.

Antique Wooden Bowl

I have the luxury of keeping my life simple. I hope I always do.

Happy TT!!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_justatouch2

A Trio of Visual Triangles

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Texture Tuesday

I have this thing about collecting little jars and filling them with dried bits and pieces. Here we have some birch branches, a sprig of yarrow, and some poppy seed heads. I considered this arrangement for quite some time and decided what I like about it is the orderliness of it all.

The image is made up of three visual triangles:

  • The jars themselves; shorter to taller then back down to shorter. The little small one in the middle draws the eye across the bottom.
  • The three dried sprigs.
  • The colours; dark gold yarrow at the top, a brown and beige label on the left, and the dark bottle on the right.

Yes, I am a little bit obsessed with triangles. I believe it goes back to my days at “Get It Scrapped” where Debbie Hodge devotes several classes to just this concept. Then she teaches a class about how to throw out the whole idea of visual triangles … wait a minute … hmmmm … anyway I now look for visual triangles everywhere I go. I think I love them. You can see it at work on some of my decorating when I created “My Quirky Autumn Mantel“.

Couple things to note today. If you are an Instagrammer, there is a fun little challenge going on called #prettywaterlogueapril hosted by @prettyhandygirl. Check it out on my feed “keepingupblog“, it’s nothing but fun!

Focusing on Life  has a new theme for April, which is “Earth Day”, lots of fun there too! You can participate on Instagram, your blog, or flickr – check it out!

And don’t forget to check out all the beauties over at Kim Klassen dot com for Texture Tuesday. I used Kim’s kk_1808 for my image today.

Thanks for stopping by!

Also check out Still Life Photography at Cheryl McCain Photography.

Medalta Pottery Still Life

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Here’s another photo of my lovely Medalta pottery bowls, and while I started the edits in LR, I did allow myself to take it into Photoshop to finish it up.

I’m so much more pleased with the results this time.

Medalta-Still-Life

I used a series of similar images in a collage last week for Friday Finds. I had challenged myself to see if I could create a collage from start to finish in LR, and while the results weren’t great, I posted it anyway. It’s part of my ongoing struggle with LR, which I am proud to say I am slowly conquering. Slowly.

This morning I received an e-mail from Pinterest saying that they had removed one of my pins due to a copyright complaint. Gasp! I almost had a heart attack! But they were quick to explain that the complaint was not directed toward me, it was against another user. Hmmm, in the future, I think I’m going to be more careful, maybe visiting the original site and reading their policies before I re-pin something. Stealing content is the last thing I want to be accused of. This has been my first brush with the dark side of Pinterest.

Today this country bumpkin is heading into “town” with friends for a day of shopping and lunching. The perfect antidote to the March blahs…

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_anne

 

Texture Tuesday: From Above

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Today the theme for TT is “From Above”. This has to be one of my favourite types of photography. Kim first introduced it in one of her classes (I can’t remember which one), but I fell in love with it immediately. It tells a story like no other type of photo can, and she sent me in a whole new direction, full of ideas and possibilities.

For this image I used one pot of the succulents I’ve been wintering, along with some pebbles, garden shears, and a photo that I took last spring (of the potting bench). You see, there is a story here … but this is not the potting bench, it’s simply a small bench I keep indoors for a prop.

Texture-Tuesday-From-Above

So many possibilities … I have a hashtag on Instragram called #fromthepottingbench where most of the photos are from above. I even wrote a tutorial for Digital Scrapper called “Art From Above” where I explain how to set up a photo, and then draw inspiration from it to create a layout.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a Happy Tuesday!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

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