Katie Lloyd Photography

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2012-03-14T21:05:00.000-05:00

This afternoon I went outside to get my shot for the day and noticed this ginormous dragonfly hanging on our upstairs window.
I raced inside to get a shot of it { not thinking about the hideous screen in my way } and this dramatic image is what I ended up with.

Busy Bee

2012-03-14T14:47:00.000-05:00

This week I've been focusing a lot on my etsy shop by updating existing features such as Facebook and Twitter, and implementing new features such as a monthly newletter...the first issue of which is due out April 1st! { no foolin'! } You can sign up for that HERE.

I've been reading lots of small business articles and listening to tons of marketing seminars. I highly recommend Etsypreneur and Handmadeology. These two sites have really helped me focus on the business side of my shop without feeling overwhelmed or lost! I recently created a year-long promo plan and now need to decide how I'm going to market it all.

I'm thinking of buying ad space on one of the more premium blogs.
{ you know, the ones that cost beau-coup bucks per month! }

Have any of you done this and if so, what were your results?
I'm looking to advertise on home decor and maternity { read: nursery decor } types of blogs, so if you know any really good ones please shout 'em on out!

I'll likely also sponsor a handful of giveaways throughout the year and will share those via social networks and the newsletter.

Over the past two weeks I've also been adding a lot of new prints to the shop. Ever since starting up with the photo-a-day project I'm finding myself much more motivated to go out and shoot...even with the kids in tow!

...I'm completely and utterly drawn to azaleas, by the way...

Here are a few of the images that haven't made it on the blog yet...in fact only a few have made it to the shop { the rest will be there soon! }:

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2012-03-13T17:12:00.000-05:00

Palm fronds are so totally awesome.
First of all they're tropical and that by itself is cool, but their patterns/textures are just so neat!

I took the kids to the library { where I chicken out from taking some book shots } and then the botanical garden.
Breck told me it was the worst place he's ever been.
LOL
*sigh* oh, I love my little guy! :)

{ ...and now I know where to take him when he's really naughty... }

{ 032 } :: 325

2012-03-12T18:37:00.000-05:00

This is my sink and window.

I. Love. It.

My husband picked out the faucet and sink and my stepdad installed it all.

They did a brilliant job!

Remember those violets from a couple weeks ago?

This is where they normally reside.

I love that this window ledge is big enough for most of my plants to sit on...4 violets, 1 tulip, 1 orchid, and 1 unknown bulb from a variety pack, which is kind of cropped out.

{ 031 } :: 325

2012-03-11T13:58:00.000-05:00

It has been raining buckets this morning!
Once the downpour and lightening stopped I went out to our partially flooded backyard and shot this.

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 77

2012-03-10T20:00:00.000-06:00

slightly adapted from Psalm 144:1 The Message

{ ...I used "rock" instead of "mountain"... }

I really like this version of Psalm 144:1.

Most versions talk about war and battle, which is literally what David was praising God for, but it doesn't apply to most of us in modern day....at least not in the hand to hand bloody combat sense.

It does, however, apply to us in a broader sense.
We, as Christians, are all trying to disarm and kill the enemy: Satan.

He has waged war over us very impressionable, easily coerced and misled humans.

And he wins far too often.

Scripture even refers to him as the "ruler" of this world.

But when we put our faith and trust in God, He will give us the knowledge and tools needed to fight the battles against evil.
And He gives us the reassurance and promise that this epic war has already been won by Him!

"The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out."
John 12:31

Last week our pastor actually spoke about Satan and demons.
This isn't a topic I expected during Lent, but is one I have a thousand questions about.
While no one but God has all the answers about Satan and demons, I found this sermon to be helpful and thought you might too.

Click here to get the blog hop code!

Scavenger Hunt

2012-03-10T14:04:00.000-06:00

{ water. }
...raindrops on a rose in our front yard...

The past two days have been cold and rainy, which have made for great lighting and pretty flowers, as well as great 'stay-inside-and-wear-pajamas-all-day' days!

{ light. }
...sunshine through the leaves of our lime tree..

Now that we're in a Zone 9 region, our lime tree has never looked...or produced...better.
Last year we got two limes from it...this year is looking like twenty!

{ chocolate. }
...the best dessert I've ever eaten...

Good thing all those fruits made it healthy. ;)

{ animal. }
...our new "pet"...

This little Texas Chameleon has commandeered our grill as her new home.

{ crowded. }
...an overflowing bowl of super delicious strawberries...

Strawberries were already on sale here last week. These bad boys were huge and super yummy!

{ 030 } :: 325

2012-03-10T11:38:00.002-06:00

{ 029 } :: 325

2012-03-09T11:37:00.001-06:00

This is a super bright pink rose from our front yard.

{ 028 } :: 325

2012-03-08T16:36:00.000-06:00

{ 027 } :: 325

2012-03-07T14:27:00.000-06:00

Seth had a business dinner last night and brought me home the most decedent dessert I've had for a very long time. I WISH I could somehow share this amazing dessert with all of you...that somehow if you licked your screen you'd taste the yumminess, too.
{Kristal...I'm looking right at you!}

It's a hollow chocolate brick that is literally the size of a brick, filled with thick and fluffy whipped cream, plump blueberries, sweet strawberries, and slightly tart blackberries as well as squares of moist champagne cake. And, as if that wasn't enough, it came with a side of slightly bitter-sweet chocolate mousse.

...as you can see, this is the stuff dreams are made of...

....mmmmmm....

{ 026 } :: 325

2012-03-06T19:07:00.000-06:00

Rowan and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather today and went for a walk.

Our neighborhood has trails, so we went on those.

We didn't have to go very far before seeing some pretty things!

....it's amazing how much more I see when I have my camera with me...

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2012-03-05T14:04:00.000-06:00

...looking up from our back patio this morning...

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2012-03-04T18:47:00.000-06:00

...pinecones from our backyard with Kim Klassen's Crackerjack texture set at multiply...

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2012-03-03T22:57:00.002-06:00

...whenever I do a daily challenge, such as a photo a day, there will undoubtedly be those days when it's 9pm and I haven't taken my shot. At that point in the day I don't have much inspiration and my shot ends up lackluster...

This was one of those days and this is one of those shots.

I took it looking into the living room from our kitchen. The leaf is a copper one that hangs on the wine tree my brother-in-law made.

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 76

2012-03-03T20:00:00.048-06:00

Happy March everyone!
:)

Before we get to the linky this week there are some things that need addressing...

First, I must apologize.

I've been a terrible commenter and host.

I am so sorry for not being an active part of this meme for far too long.

Over the past week I resolved to leave a comment on each of your entries.

And when doing so, I was saddened by the complete lack of comments being left for others.

I wholeheartedly admit that I have dropped the ball on this, too.

As host of this meme, I'm realizing I need to step up and be the example of what I expect from you, the participants.

...namely, interaction with others...

While this meme was created to give glory to God through our photos, it was also created to be a community where we support and encourage one another, where we share and interact.

I'm afraid that, like so many churches, this meme is dying.

I think many of us - myself included - have simply been going through the motions.

...we find a photo, slap a verse on it, throw it in a post, link up and call it done...

This week let's not just go through the motions!

Let's all be engaged and show love for one another through thoughtful and uplifting comments.

After all, behind each post is a real person.

...I don't expect you to comment on every entry...how about starting with the three ahead of yours?...

I'm also open to any suggestions or comments you may have to help improve S&S!

Click here to get the blog hop code.

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2012-03-02T16:45:00.000-06:00

Today is my birthday!
...so I thought a selfie of sorts was appropriate...

...and YES!...
it is warm enough for me to be wearing a tank top...and shorts!

It's been a wonderful 31st birthday!

{ 021 } :: 325

2012-03-01T16:42:00.000-06:00

This morning I hunted down the local arboretum.

{ which involved an act of divine intervention...two wrong turns landed me exactly where I needed to be! }

The gardens were really big and well maintained and I'm very excited to make regular visits since the growing season is so long here.

I can only imagine what kinds of awesome tropical plants they'll have during summer!

{ 020 ) :: 325

2012-02-29T10:05:00.000-06:00

I love that our neighbors' plants peek up over the fence.
Our backyard landscaping is atrocious.
...meaning lots of weeds and no color, but also a blank canvas...
Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to add a little bit of color to it!

{ 019 } :: 325

2012-02-28T14:32:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had someone in your life who made such a lasting impression on you that decades later they're still at the forefront of your mind?

My Great Grandma is that person for me.
I was very blessed to have her here for the first fifteen years of my life.
And nearly sixteen years later I miss her as if she had just passed away.

There are a lot of things that remind me of her and her cozy, welcoming home.
...bleeding hearts, Edelweiss {the song}, costume jewelry, pocket doors, tin coasters, dried apple head magnets, Cabbage Patch dolls, a scent that I can't put my finger on and have only smelled once or twice in the last decade and a half, etc...

She also had african violets all over her living room.
After she died, my Grandma {her daughter} received her violets.
...there were a lot of them...
And she gave me one.
...that I later killed from over watering...

While these particular ones did not come from my Great Grandma, they still remind me of her.

Do you have anything in your home with strong memories attached to it?

{ 018 } :: 325

2012-02-27T13:46:00.000-06:00

These are my pastels from my first year in college.

...when I had starry eyed dreams about being able to make a living as an artist...

I cleaned them up a few years ago for a commissioned photograph, but I'm thinking they need to be roughed up again with some actual use.

Talking about the shot itself...I'm not entire sure what my opinion is of the rug.

On one hand I love the stark contrast...the light vs dark; texture vs smooth; vertical vs horizontal.

But on the other hand I feel it's almost too much.

What do you think?

{ 017 } :: 325

2012-02-26T19:15:00.000-06:00

...my latest crafting endeavor...

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 75

2012-02-25T20:00:00.001-06:00

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

I hope that you will chose a photo that goes with your chosen scripture, and not just throw these two elements together. The photo can be from your archives or a new shot. Please only use your own photos. You can have the scripture on your photo, below it, make a collage - however you want, as long as the two elements are together!

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code!

Scavenger Hunt - Nature Edition

2012-02-25T15:13:00.001-06:00

This was a great week for getting out and/or inspired to shoot!
I have so many shots that I love...if I had a thousand bucks laying around I could easily decorate our kitchen around the egg shot...mmmm!

{ crossed. }
...where water crossed the nature trail...

{ a glimpse. }
...a glimpse at said water...

{ handwritten. }

...asparagus with a handwritten texture...that counts, right?...

{ bliss. }
...ahhhhh, love that aqua blue...

{ gray. }
...the gray background was naturally occurring and a happy accident since I had no clue what I was going to do for my gray prompt...

{ 016 } :: 325

2012-02-25T14:25:00.000-06:00

My daughter is our resident flower picker.
Be it weed, landscaping, etc...if she sees it and can get to it, she will try her best to pick it.

She found these teeny-tiny beauties last week.
She brought home a bouquet and I immediately put them in a shot glass full of water.
They have been sitting on our kitchen window sill showing off their beautiful little flowers and seven days later seem to still be going strong!

{ 015 } :: 325

2012-02-24T13:04:00.001-06:00

{ 014 } :: 325

2012-02-23T13:49:00.000-06:00

Today is laundry day.

...technically the past two days have been laundry days with another one in sight...

If they sorted women by our aptitudes for housekeeping, I undoubtedly would be placed in the hoarder/slum dog category.

Cleaning and maintaining a spotless home is not my specialty.

Getting half done with a craft, then abandoning it for another craft...that's my specialty! ;)

Anywho, this shot is of our new washer, which I love.

{not the HE kind...no bells, no whistles, no locking lid, just simple and perfect}

To get this look I ran the Rumors action by Paint the Moon {not a freebie} and then added a running water kind of overlay set at 50% soft light.

{ 013 } :: 325

2012-02-22T16:11:00.000-06:00

...we're on day two of a sick kid at home...
this yuckiness seems to be going around everywhere.

Extra, Extra

2012-02-22T08:34:00.000-06:00

...see all about it...
{ hehehe }

These are some extra shots I had from Monday's trip to the nature trail and Town Center, courtesy of my in-laws...

I am completely in love with those blue tiles.
...I have these exact blue tiles on the fireplace surround in my home...
{ you know, my dream home that currently exists only in my mind. }

These beauties should not be classified as weeds...they can take over the crab grass in my yard any time they wish.

...getting back to my dream home...
This is what the outside looks like, minus the cascading water.
That's in the garden.

Does this remind anyone else of a 1920s mob movie?

{ 012 } :: 325

2012-02-21T18:21:00.001-06:00

These are our neighbor's flowers...tree...pretty pink things that peek up over the fence.

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2012-02-20T14:48:00.019-06:00

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2012-02-19T17:17:00.000-06:00

How awesome is this beetle?!

My five year old son loves...and I mean LOVES...bugs.

We have checked out The Beetle Alphabet Bookfrom the library more times than I can count.

Which, surprisingly, has come in useful on a number of occasions.
The most recent occasion being today.

We found this gigantic beetle on our back patio and Grandma found his buddy in the landscape.
Both were alive and had super sticky legs.
It was totally cool!
...they turned out to be Ox Beetles...

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 74

2012-02-18T20:00:00.001-06:00

...anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Amen and Amen!

I definitely consider myself a 'born again' Christian.

I grew up knowing Christ as my savior and God as my creator.

But, like many, I strayed from that knowledge.

I put it on a back shelf for a more convenient time.

During that time I still certainly belonged to Jesus.

He claimed me.

I didn't really claim Him.

Once I had my first child that all started to change.

I started to realize the importance of claiming Christ.

Not just for myself, but for my child and the well-being of my marriage.

Once I claimed Christ I changed.

My old life was gone.

My new { and much more spiritually fabulous } life had begun!

I really encourage you to read 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5.

I personally find it to be a motivational chapter, but it also offers comfort and promise.

...and when it comes to reading the Bible, you never can tell what you'll get out of it!

***

I also want to ask those of you who took on the "challenge" from last week how it went for you.

{for those who don't know, the challenge was to thank God for something each and every time you saw, smelled or ate bread}

Did you notice a change in your mood or attitude?

Did it help you in some way?

I'd love to hear about your experience with this challenge!!

I personally found myself in a much better mood...I was happier, calmer, and generally more focused.

I also felt much closer to God and more cognizant of all the things - be it big or small - that He really has blessed me with.

I admit, there were times when I glanced at those rolls on my counter and somehow forgot all about this challenge, not thanking Him for a single thing.

There were also times when I'd see bread and had to really stretch to find something, anything, at that moment that I was thankful for. These times usually happened when my kids were fighting or throwing tantrums!

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code!

Scavenger Hunt

2012-02-18T18:00:00.016-06:00

While there are many wonderful photo challenges out there my favorite by far is Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sundays!
It's so much fun/challenging to have multiple prompts and to see how everyone interpreted them.
...here are mine for this week...

{ love. }
...in chevron...

{ duplicated. }
...keys...
Click here to read the story behind this shot.

{ trending. }
...spring...

{ paper. }
...handmade rosette topiary...
Available here.

{ plastic. }
...hotel coffee...

{ 009 } :: 325

2012-02-18T15:27:00.000-06:00

{ 008 } :: 325

2012-02-17T20:03:00.000-06:00

Whew!

Day Eight was a close one.

I took some shots earlier in the day of my daughter's new-found rock collection { which has gorgeous colors and textures and will be photographed soon! }, but I wasn't totally happy with them so I decided to wait until my date with my husband to get the day's shot.

When we got back I didn't feel like editing, but it was truly taken on the seventeenth.
{ and I am back-dating this post....because I'm mildly OCD like that }

See that weird taillight in the bottom left corner?
It was some kind of sports car...a Corvette, if my { total lack of } car knowledge serves me well.

{ 007 } :: 325

2012-02-16T14:18:00.000-06:00

When we were preparing to move { read: throwing out or donating anything we could }

I found this little tea set in my mementos box.

I have no. idea. who gave it to me.
{ pretty awesome memento, huh?! }

I wish I could remember as I simply love it and would love it all the more knowing who gave it to me.

I knew once we got settled in our new home I'd want to photograph it.

And that time finally came this week.

...except I was having one heck of a time getting the background just how I wanted it.

{ grrrr!!! }

After several attempts I gave up.

And instead decided to browse my favorite photography sites....AshleySisk.com being one of them.

Wouldn't you know it...that exact same day she had a post with a tutorial on how to add in a faux background.

{ haaaaaaa-llelujah! ...and I don't sing that in jest...I really think God helps us out with small things, too. }

Thanks to Tutorial Tuesday and Ashley's guest poster Jill Wellington, I was able to get my image to match what was in my head.

{ sigh & grin...thanks for your help girls! :) }

{ 006 } :: 325

2012-02-15T15:14:00.000-06:00

Today is another rainy day.

But it's warm.

..so I'm not complaining...

I'd originally planned for today's shot to be of rain splashing into puddles.

But right as I crouched down in the swampy grass to get a few macro shots, I heard a very distinct cry from inside the house.

...it was the cry of 'I-just-pooped-in-my-pants!'...but without any words.

{ I've not decided if it's good or bad that I know that cry }

Once my janitorial services were no longer required, I headed back outside to find the rain had completely stopped.

...So you get the side of our house instead...

{ 005 } :: 325

2012-02-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

One of my important 'errands' this week was to figure out a way...be it locksmith or crowbar...to get into our safe.
{ somewhere between Kansas and Texas we lost the key...and in order for me to register our car and get a new license, I need in there! }
But after several phone calls to locksmiths it was abundantly clear that they could only break it open, not make a new key, etc. And I'm not about to pay someone to break something for me.

And when all else fails...try, try again...with a Google search that is.
This time I finally found the answer!
Lo and behold, the manufacturer of our safe had already thought about people loosing their safe keys.
And for less than a service call by the ~~breaksmith~~ locksmith I was able to get a new set of keys overnighted.
They arrived this morning and worked like a charm.

By the way...this picture is of all the various keys I found in our junk drawer...none of which fit anything we currently own.

{ 004 } :: 325

2012-02-13T13:24:00.000-06:00

It's a rainy, gloomy day here...again.

But the lighting on the piano is oh so lovely!

{ ...mmm, diffused light... }

One of these days I'll get around to having it tuned,

but for now I'm content listening to Rowan play.

{ although her 'music' sounds more like a horror movie soundtrack than Beethoven...if I didn't know better I'd swear she played something from The Shining earlier...if my shot for tomorrow is 'redrum' someone please call the police. }

{ 003 } :: 325

2012-02-12T16:06:00.000-06:00

This week is going to be a busy one.
I have at least six big 'errands' that must be done.
{ with drama queen in tow }
Plus, my awesome in-laws are coming for a long weekend visit!
{ no sarcasm there...I'm seriously happy they're coming. }
...and while I know full well that they won't judge or think less of me for having a messy house,
{ in fact, my mil would gladly help me clean...not in a 'you're worthless, so I'll do it' way, but rather a 'you're busy with young kids and cleaning should take a back seat to them...let me help you with this because I love you' way. See? I told you they're awesome! }

I'd like to make their stay with us relaxing and pleasant...which means on top of those important errands I also have a lot of cleaning to do.

And since I'm a wee bit scatter brained lists are essential to accomplishing everything.

...wish me luck this week!...

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 73 { & a Challenge }

2012-02-11T20:00:00.001-06:00

The deeper my relationship gets with Christ, the more it hits me that He came for me...He came for you.
Not as a generalized group, but He died for each of us specifically, by name.
He died so that the broke, the lost, the unknown {read: you and I} could be saved through Him.

And He gave us a very tangible thing by which to always remember Him and His sacrifice.
Bread.

That's pretty genius!
Everyone eats bread in some form or another be it unleavened, gluten free, whole wheat, rosemary herb, ...I think even donuts and puff pastries could count here!

The point is....this is a daily thing we encounter.

Yet how many of us actually think of Christ when we eat, see or smell bread?
I know I don't.
But we should.

This week I'd like to challenge you with something...
Every time you eat, see or smell bread take a moment and thank God for giving us His only son.
{ imagine giving up your son or daughter for undeserving people }

If you'd like to "up the ante" thank Him for three things each time you encounter bread.
And write them down.
At the end of the day or week look back over how many times you have thanked God.
...I'm willing to bet that day or week was a good one...

{ PS ...if you would like to download the full version of this week's Scripture & a Snapshot image, click on it. }

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code.

{ 002 } :: 325

2012-02-11T13:00:00.000-06:00

Two days in a row.
...I'm on a roll.
;)

This shot really doesn't do the height of this tree in our backyard justice.
I've never seen pine trees so. stinkin'. tall before we moved to Texas.

And the best part about them?
Pinecones.

While most people loath trees that drop ~~stuff~~ nature's craft supplies, I personally love it.
I have two crafts on my to-make list that involve pinecones.
Now I'm just waiting for a massive amount of them to drop from above!
{ is there a season when pinecones drop? }

{ 001 } :: 325

2012-02-10T14:41:00.000-06:00

{ deep breath }

...and here we go...

The beginning of my ~~365~~ 325 Project for 2012.

It's been much too long since I've picked up my camera just for fun.

So, about ten minutes ago I decided today is the day I will start my 325 Project.

{ ...now that I'm thinking about it, perhaps I should have waited another 4 days, then it could be a 321 Project...oh well...onward we go! }

I really want to keep ~~your expectations low~~ things real and honest, so you'll likely see a lot of patterns, maybe some textures, probably a lot of craft and art supplies, and general everydayness. Some days { like today } I may ramble and carry on and other days it may be just a picture.

I also have no plans to link up anywhere.

That may change, but for now I'm enjoying the freedom that comes with less blogging, less link ups, and more focus on 'real life'.

It's quite liberating to let go of that desire to be a famous blogger and well known photographer with a blog following in the thousands.

...ok, enough talk. On with the picture...

It's { obviously } pencils.
But they're character pencils that came with the kids' Valentine cards: Scooby Doo, Cars and Hello Kitty.
I found them at Michael's for 50% off...which made the 16 pack of cards and pencils a whoppin' $1.50 each!

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 72

2012-02-04T20:00:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you, but sometimes my mouth can get me into trouble.
...the things I sometime say about people, the things I sometimes ~~say~~ yell at my kids, and the attitude I can get when I'm tired or frustrated or overwhelmed.

I need this reminder that what I say really does matter.
It affects my family and friends, as well as myself.

And I must remember each and every day to only use words that will bless and not hurt.
I want the things that come out of my mouth to be like this rose in full bloom with its pleasing fragrance...not when it has become decayed and rotted.

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code.

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 71

2012-01-28T20:00:00.001-06:00

Today is Seth and my sixth anniversary!

He's been gone a lot lately for work so we're planning to celebrate with a ~~quiet night at home...a movie, a home cooked dinner and some wine!~~ neighborhood dinner party potluck consisting of real southern gumbo, pheasant, potato salad and a knock-your-socks-off dessert.
{I'm in charge of dessert, so if anyone knows a knock-your-socks-off recipe please share! I do not want to be known in our new neighborhood as the girl who can't cook...even though it's true. ;)}

As it happens, our church is currently in the middle of a 6-week sermon series about Love, Sex & Marriage.
I highly recommend watching one or all of the sermons!

Here's the promo video:

get the InLinkz code

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 70

2012-01-21T20:00:00.002-06:00

Welcome to week seventy of Scripture & a Snapshot!
...week seventy...
7-0
That's 1.25 years.
Wow!

I know God has been busy working through this link-up and it is amazing!
I am so humbled to be a part of this wonderful challenge to give God His due glory through the gifts He has given us!

*****

I think all of you know by now that we recently moved to Texas from Kansas.
And I've been having a tough time adjusting to our new life.
We don't have any friends or family here and with Seth being out of state for work this week, it's been really lonely.
{military wives, I do not know how you do it!!}
I've ~~whined and complained~~ talked with several of you through email about this and I thank you for your friendship, your listening ear, and your prayers!

Wednesday night I could not fall asleep, so I decided to read my Bible.
I asked God to guide me to a verse or chapter that would help me with our move.
And God, in His infinite wisdom and love, directed me to the Parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14:15-24.
But what really resonated with me was what was written in the footnotes:
"He never asks us to give up something good unless He plans to replace it with something even better."
It might not pertain to my situation, but it gave me hope.

Then Thursday afternoon, when we got home from picking Breck up from school, one of our neighbors was out with her child. So the kids and I went out to the circle...they played and us moms talked.
For an hour and a half.
Again, God knew what I needed and He delivered!

And on Friday morning when I checked my email, I had our church's grow.pray.study guide waiting for me.
The verse for that day was Philippians 4:8-9.

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."

(MSG)

So this week I am thankful for a God who is real and loving, warm weather, friends I've never met in person, and dishwashers.
:)

UPDATE: this afternoon/evening we spent three hours outside visiting with our awesome neighbors!

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code.

Ok, Here's the Plan...

2012-01-19T08:14:00.000-06:00

Hello lovely and handsome readers!

We are finally getting {mostly} settled in to our new house and neighborhood.

...it has yet to start feeling like home, but I'm hopeful that feeling will come with time.

I just wanted to update you on some changes with the blog {which I think most of you will like} and my plans for it in 2012. {at least as of right now...y'all know I change my mind like the weather!}

*So, first up....

Project Pinterest has moved to my family blog, Bring on the Lloyds... A long time ago I used to post a crafty series titled "Creative Recycling" and have really missed it. I decided the crafting would be better suited over there and this blog can be more devoted to photography.

Here's my project for this week:

*Second, I had very good intentions of doing a 365 project for 2012.

I did one during 2009 and again in 2010, but after keeping up with it for 2 solid years, I very much needed to take 2011 off...and now that I've recovered from 365 burnout, I am excited to pick it up again. Problem is...I only made it to day 3 and then completely forgot about it and decided now is not a good time to start. Perhaps I'll start in February?

Bark & Bokeh

2012-01-17T10:00:00.000-06:00

So far I've only explored our backyard.
But I'm finding plenty of things in it.

The Color of Winter

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

...around here anyway.

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 69

2012-01-14T20:00:00.000-06:00

In Psalm 107, the author talks about God calming life's storms and he illustrates the kind of people for whom storms are calmed. I love that this chapter is repetitive, that the author includes a variety of people, and that the end result is the same. While this chapter is directly referring to the Jews returning from exile in Babylon, it's main point is still applicable to us today: when we put our trust in the Lord, He will quiet the storms.

I think it's also important to point out that He will calm our storms in His time, not ours. This might take a few weeks, it could take a few years or even decades. And for some the storms may not be calmed until death.

But they will be calmed!

Because, as our pastor says, the worst thing is never the last thing.

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code.

Chair Lines

2012-01-10T11:00:00.001-06:00

Hotel Living

2012-01-09T18:10:00.000-06:00

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 68

2012-01-08T09:25:00.001-06:00

So sorry I'm late this week!
It's been a little busy around here to put it mildly.
We are finally in Texas and mostly unpacked...hopefully life will return to normal in the next week or two.

During these weeks of stress and newness and change I can't help but wonder about the path God had laid before us and the things He set in motion months and months ago...not to mention lessons learned

*Good neighbors are more important than a fancy kitchen.
{this single lesson was the driving force behind our choice to buy this house - we have some incredibly awesome neighbors with lots of young kids. Within 24 hours of meeting our new neighbors we were offered the use of a washer and dryer because ours hadn't arrived, another neighbor offered to hook up their generator because we still didn't have electricity, and we were welcomed with open arms to this small group of friends who happen to be neighbors.}

*A wave and a smile from a stranger can make your day awesome.
{there is an older man back in our old neighborhood who goes for regular walks and waves at every. single. car that passes him. His smile and wave made me happier every time I saw him. Now when I pick our son up from school there is another older man who goes for regular walks. He does not wave and he does not smile. So I will.}

*There's a reason the Bible says "wait patiently for the Lord" so many times.
{namely because it can be so difficult to do! We need reminders...constant reminders....that He has an amazing plan for us but we must be patient, brave and courageous enough to wait for it.}

I hope everyone is having a great start to the new year!
And thank you to all of you who have stuck with me through our transition. I hope to be back to a regular schedule soon, but it might be another week or two before that happens.

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 65 thru Week 67

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000-06:00

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20-21

(Scripture & a Snapshot will only have one link up for the next few weeks. Please feel free to link up each week!)

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Project Pinterest

2011-12-29T11:06:00.000-06:00

Head on over to Sarah's to link up with Project Pinterest!

And be sure to follow me on Pinterest to get a sneak peek at my future projects.
{Since we're moving soon I've been finding a lot of awesome projects involving cardboard. I've never been so excited to unpack an entire house! ;)}

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Project Pinterest

2011-12-15T09:41:00.000-06:00

Ok you guys...this is the third week in a row that I am running behind with getting Project Pinterest up on the blog.
I have sooooo many wonderful projects to do, but it's just not a good time to do them.So this week...and likely the next two...I'll have the linky up but no project from me.{you can also link up with Sarah and you'll show up here too!}
Now let's see what y'all have been creating!!!

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Blah Blah Blah...

2011-12-14T14:24:00.000-06:00

In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm one of those people who just can't seem to find the perfect blog layout.

...which is why it changes every few months!

Yesterday I had some free time {read: didn't do things I was supposed to do} and thought I'd get the blog a little more professional looking before our big move.

...please give me your honest opinions...what do you think???
Is the layout easy to read, easy to use and does it fit your screen?
Things will be much more colorful once I get back into my regular photography habits, so please disregard the blandness at this time.

...until things settle back to normal, I'm just going to follow this:

{found via Pinterest at FarewellStranger.com}

***

Does everyone know about Project Pinterest???
Go HERE to learn more about it...whether you're a photographer, crafter, baker, etc it's seriously a lot of fun!
Come back to link up tomorrow morning and be sure to visit my co-host Sarah from It's on the Tip of My Tongue!

***

In other news...
I've decided to open a new Etsy shop!
...because I don't have enough going on!...
{It will officially open sometime in January after we've moved and gotten settled.}

It's called Anthology on Main.

In it you will {eventually} find an eclectic mix of handmade items from jewelry to paintings to home decor.
Many of my Pinterest projects will be added to the shop.

***

As far as moving stuff goes...
We're moving along with the process of buying the house in Houston.
Hopefully by the end of this week we will have the movers scheduled.
{and then all the fun "new resident" stuff begins!}

On the flip side of things, it's been slow going with selling our house here.
...I'm mean, what could people possibly be doing right now?!
;)

And, as always, a big THANK YOU for all your continued prayers!!!

{found via Pinterest at theberry.com}

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 64

2011-12-10T20:00:00.012-06:00

This weekend has been the start of our goodbyes as we prepare for our 700 mile move.

As I'm sure most of you know, there are differing levels of goodbyes which are primarily based on the level of friendship.

And friendships are a lot like buildings...they happen in steps and each step is important to building a strong and lasting foundation.

The first of our goodbyes were the easiest ones.

They were with acquaintances; where the spaces had been cleared for possible friendships, but no foundation had been laid.

We've also said goodbye to long time friends.

These are sad, but also relatively easy.

They're the kind of friendships that transcend time and space; the foundations were built long ago and the buildings have stood through fire, wind, and rain.

A little distance will not change a thing!

And then there are the goodbyes yet to come.

These are the friendships that have just started; the ground has been cleared, a solid foundation has begun being built, but it's not complete.

Fire, wind, and rain could easily destroy these buildings.

It's these goodbyes that bring me to tears.

...the kind of goodbyes that may very well be forever.

But in these times and days of sadness I am reminded that there is one goodbye I will never have to say:
Jesus will never be a goodbye!

He is always there, no matter where we move.

And He knows what it's like to say goodbye to your family and friends.

No matter the outcome of these in-process friendships, I am better for having them and thank God for bringing these wonderful people into our life!

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."

Revelation 3:20

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & A Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code!

Discovering Etsy - Lilac Gifts

2011-12-09T09:00:00.000-06:00

This week's Discovering Etsy is going to be slightly different.

I'm highlighting one shop rather than sixteen.

And I'm pretty sure most of you already know the shop owner, Ewa.

Lilac Gifts is her shop and she has some seriously awesome things in it!!

Ewa's a girl of many talents.

And her shop reflects that fun and eclectic feel!

You can find adorable mug cozies...

{seriously. in. love.}

candle holders...

{so vibrant and fun!}

bookmarks...

{goodbye ugly scraps of paper. hello gorgeous!}

and even a key holder...

{hooray, no more lost keys!}

and her prices are unbeatable!

RUN to her shop and just buy an entire section of stuff for all your 2012 gifting needs!

Project Pinterest - Slide Reflection Photo

2011-12-08T05:00:00.001-06:00

~~My project will be up later today, but go ahead and show us what you've finished!!~~And be sure to visit my lovely co-host Sarah!
OK! Thanks for being patient with me.It's been a busy and productive day.
Here's an image I found on Pinterest via Flickr.{Flickr Source}
I love those lines, the reflection, the dof...
And here's my version from a session back in October:

The slide I had available to me was nowhere near as angled as in the inspiration photo, but the lighting on it was wonderful.

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Blah Blah Blah...

2011-12-06T16:13:00.002-06:00

First thing's first...

I must apologize to all of you.

Amid all the moving hullabaloo and packing and such, I apparently misplaced my manners.

{Pinterest source}

Thank you for all of your prayers, your thoughts, your emails, your comments!!!

Over the past few weeks y'all have absolutely overwhelmed me with how much you care and by the love you've sent our way.

(((hugs)))

...and we're just moving!

Yes, it's mildly stressful, but all in all it's a great thing for us.

***

Secondly, I wanted to let you all know that this photography blog will one day make a return to photography...one day. As it is, I haven't so much as touched my camera since we learned we were moving. In fact, I haven't even wanted to...until this morning when we woke up to snow. I desperately wanted to bundle up and explore our backyard with my camera. Better yet, I wanted to go to the arboretum.

Alas, the kids needed to get to school and I still needed to get ready for my very last Building Better Moms meeting. *sniff* So I sat near the window in our kitchen enjoying the scene a little longer than I normally would have. The falling snow glistened in the sunlight like diamonds. It was truly gorgeous!

As I stared out our window I was reminded of two things.

One: This may be the last time we see snow for several years. I have mixed feelings about that.
Two: Edward Cullen.

***

And because every day should include a good laugh...

{Pinterest source}

LOL

...hope you're having a great week my friends!

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 63

2011-12-03T20:00:00.000-06:00

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & A Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code!

Project Pinterest - Frame Portrait

2011-12-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

Sorry I'm a bit late this morning...we've had a few things to do lately.

;)

Here is my inspiration photo:I have no idea who the original photographer is, but here's the pinned link.

How awesome is that frame in the sand?!Seriously cool.
And here's my take:

What project did you finish recently?!

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Blah Blah Blah...

2011-11-30T08:01:00.000-06:00

Hello from Houston!

Well, for the next few hours anyway...we've not moved here yet.

But we are MUCH closer!

Before I get to that exciting news, let me catch you up on the past week...

Last Wednesday our amazingly awesome friend came over and helped Seth move every single piece of furniture that needed to be moved, which was almost all of it. The stager who came in certainly knew what she was talking about! The house looks gorgeous and I wish I'd have known to arrange it like it is now, 'cause it totally works!

We also did some minor cosmetic things such as touch up paint and go over woodwork with Restore-A-Finish, which is an amazing product that makes your woodwork look refreshed...love it, but it is stinky.

Thursday we still had some things to do, like spread new mulch around our landscaping. After we were done we headed over to amazingly awesome friend from above's house for Thankgiving dinner.

How was your Thanksgiving?!

That evening we headed back to visit Seth's family, stayed until Sunday and then went to his Grandma's in another town for Thanksgiving/Christmas. The combo wasn't actually for us, but it certainly worked perfect!

Then his parents came to our house to watch the kids while we came to Houston.

We got up at 4am, flew into Houston around 8:30am, and I went house hunting for 7 hours. I looked at somewhere around 15 homes that day and narrowed it down to 2. Seth was able to go with me for the last half of homes, so he saw the 2 I liked best. Then yesterday Seth went to work while I relaxed at the hotel and in the afternoon we went back to look at those 2 homes, decided on one, made an offer, and negotiated a price in under 2 hours.

I'm doing my best to remain neutral about this house until the inspection is done, even though an inspection was done 5 months ago and we saw all that paperwork...unless something bizarre and major has happened with the house in the last 5 months I think things will come back good.

God has just absolutely paved the smoothest road He possibly could so far!

I seriously can not think of one thing that could have gone better than it did.

The only thing that needs to happen now is for our house to sell.

But we're trusting that He will provide on that end too.

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 62

2011-11-26T20:00:00.000-06:00

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you."
Psalm 32:8

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & A Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code!

Project Pinterest: Homemade Croutons

2011-11-24T04:00:00.006-06:00

Oh, y'all...
Have you ever had homemade croutons before???
I hadn't until I came across this recipe via this pin.

And I. Am. Hooked!
Not long ago I went on a pretty big bread making spree in an attempt to use up all my yeast packets, so I have many many loaves in the freezer. I used some of my homemade garlic bread to make these and they were delicious!
I probably ate half of them straight off the baking sheet as they were cooling.

{yeah...that's a salad. the lettuce is under there somewhere.}

If you need a quick, easy and absolutely delicious addition to your Thanksgiving meal...this one is it!

What project did you finish recently?!

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Blah Blah Blah...

2011-11-23T08:19:00.000-06:00

Oh boy...

So, late last week I announced that we're moving to Houston!

And then things got CRAZY!

{as in busy, not terrible}

We met with our realtor here, spoke with a realtor down there, packed clutter, did some Christmas shopping, went to two birthday parties, had a stager come in {which I highly recommend everyone put on their Christmas list! Our house is looking amazing!}, are still in the process of implementing all the changes the stager suggested, still packing clutter, booked flights and scheduled times to meet with the realtor in Houston, plus about a million other things and somewhere in there we ate, slept, and spent time with the kids.

As for the blog...

Scripture & a Snapshot and Project Pinterest will both stay going during our move.

{at least that's the plan for now...I'll let you know if it changes.}

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 61

2011-11-19T20:00:00.003-06:00

You may have noticed...I used this verse last week, too.
But it is so incredibly appropriate for where my family is right now that nothing else felt right.

For over a year now my husband has been applying for promotions at work and has been passed over and rejected for more positions than I care to recall. And it's not because he's incompetent...in fact, it's just the opposite as he's one of the top reps in the country for his company. Yet at every opportunity the doors would slam shut.
{It was never very gentle.}

And I questioned God and His plan.
Our conversations went something like this over the last year:
"God, um...we're right here. Did you forget about us?"
"God, why not that one?!"
"God!!! I can not take it anymore! Just show us your plan already!!!!"
{yes, I shouted at God. thankfully He is very forgiving and patient...which is more than I can say for myself.}

"Ok. I give. You know what is best and we will follow where you lead us. But please let it be somewhere good and also if you could give us hints, that would be great."

And finally He opened a door.
...one that is taking us to Houston, Texas...

So y'all down around Houston better give me a shout!
;)

...in hindsight, I think He may have given us hints...
When we joined our small group a few months ago the very first question we were asked was:
"Do you have any plans to apply for a job out of state?"
Which we thought was odd, but it turns out that the last two couples who left the group moved to Texas.
And their homes sold quickly...please pray that we can follow their lead "two-for-two"!

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & A Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code.

Discovering Etsy - From Kansas to Texas...But Always a Wildcat!

2011-11-18T09:32:00.000-06:00

This week I'm sharing these wonderful finds not just because they are beautiful but because together they tell a story...our current story.

1. "Kansas" Photography Print / 2. Cities of Kansas Collage Print / 3. Kansas City Bus Scroll / 4. "Blue House on Purple Landscape" Painting

5. "Whatever Comes Next" Chalkboard / 6. "Moving Day" Photo Print / 7. Travel Photography Print / 8. "Long and Winding Road" Photo Print


9. Winding Road Art Print / 10. Houston Map Necklace / 11. Houston Skyline Poster / 12. Texas Dictionary Art


13. "Howdy, Texas" Print / 14. Home Quote Art / 15. "The Cottage" Oil Painting / 16. KSU Wildcat Dictionary Page Art

...we're moving to Texas...
All my Houston-area girls give me a holler!
{read tomorrow's Scripture & a Snapshot post if you want to know more details}

Project Pinterest - DIY Ruffle Scarf

2011-11-17T04:00:00.038-06:00

I am quickly becoming a huge fan of ruffles.
I found the following DIY video tutorial via this pin and this site.

{The directions for this particular scarf type are at about the 3 minute mark.}

...and here's mine...
{I wore it to church and received zero compliments on it...but I'm sure lots of people were thinking about how awesome it is.}

My costs were as follows...

XL t-shirt from thrift store - $2.00

{for which I waaaay over paid}

Grand Total : $2.00

What project did you finish recently?!

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Blah Blah Blah...

2011-11-14T16:55:00.011-06:00

image source

There have been some {more} changes around here.

You've likely noticed one of them: the blog width.

99% of the time I'm on the internet is with my laptop, which has a seriously wide screen.

The other day I hopped on our desktop and realized I had not taken into consideration the fact that not everyone has a mammothly wide screen. I searched for a tutorial on how to make my site automatically adjust to perfectly fit everyone's screen...because I know it's out there...but I came up short. So until I can find that magic code I have settled for a narrower format. Please let me know if my site does not fit your page!

{and why hadn't anyone told me before!?!?}

~~~

image source

Another change that has occurred: Scripture & a Snapshot is now open all week long!

Saturday night through Saturday morning.

'Cause giving God the glory should happen all week long!
{not sure why it took me over a year to come to that...}

~~~

If you read my Project Pinterest posts you learned last week of my insatiable love for thrift stores in general and the Salvation Army {SA for short} in particular. Over the weekend my family came for a visit, so I shoveled the kids off on my mom and my sister and I went thrifting...on a Saturday...which happens to be "Sale Saturday" at the SA!! Every item of clothing with a yellow or blue tag was $0.49! I literally went through hundreds of shirts and sweaters scouring for those elusive yellow and blue tags.
I could have easily spent my entire day looking through every. single. item in that store.
My sister? Probably would have liked to have called it quits after the first hour...but being the great sister she is, indulged me for a second hour of thrifting.

Wanna see what I got??

White knit Gap sweater - $0.49
{which I will wear as is....love that neckline!}
{my ruffle scarf is this week's project for Project Pinterest...come back on Thursday for that one!}

Gray cable-knit sweater - $0.49
{This is a L and way too big for me, so I plan to make arm warmers/fingerless gloves and at least one other project from this sweater}

Coralish-Orange Aeropostale cable-knit sweater - $0.49
{this is an XS, which I most definitely can not wear, so it will likely end up as some sort of project}

And I shared this one with you for one of my Scavenger Hunt items.
Isn't it wonderful?!
Vintage printer's drawer - $5.00

Rainy Night Lights

2011-11-14T07:00:00.001-06:00

Last week we got a lot of rain.
It precipitated in one fashion or another for well over 24 solid hours.
Which made our drive at night very beautiful!

I was driving, so whenever we came to a stop light I'd hold up my camera, which was set to manual focus, and blindly click away.

One of my random clicks caught the wipers in action.

...as well as the gorgeous reflection of the street lights.

Which one is your favorite??

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 60

2011-11-12T20:00:00.002-06:00

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & A Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****
Click here to get the blog hop code.

Scavenger Hunt

2011-11-12T08:00:00.003-06:00

Before and After

Glowing bubbles...so much fun!

Opposing Lines

Lots and lots of lines...which I probably wouldn't have noticed if not for this prompt.

Custom Bokeh

I have a wide variety of interests when it comes to crafts, so naturally I also have a wide variety of supplies.

{If you participate with me in Project Pinterest, you'll quickly find this out!}

For this custom bokeh I reused a black envelope and had a flower punch that was the perfect size for this project!

Which pair of shoes should I wear?

In addition to crafting I love...as in L.O.V.E...the Salvation Army thrift stores.

I snagged these sassy silver maryjane heels for $4.00!

Little Features

...can you guess where I may have picked up this printer's drawer??

Oh yeah...thrift store...for $5.00!!!

{and this is only 1/3 of the whole thing. it's seriously huge.}

Discovering Etsy - Coffee Lovers Unite!

2011-11-11T09:35:00.002-06:00

I love coffee!!

...well...

I love coffee the way I make it: strong with lots of sugar and lots of flavored creamer.

Bold and sweet.

{Just like me!}

So this week's treasury is curated with the coffee lover in mind.
{and everything is under $35!}

{click HERE to go to the treasury page}


1. Fingerless Armwarmers / 2. Stamped Spoons / 3. Coffee Break Watercolor Painting / 4. Coffee Soy Candle


5. Coffee House Print / 6. Monogram Coffee Pincushion / 7. Mug Cozy / 8. Coffee Subway Art


9. Coffee Bean Earrings / 10. Coffee Stencil / 11. Coffee Vinyl Art / 12. Coffee Bean Soap


13. Retro Coffee Poster / 14. Metal Coffee Mug Wall Decor / 15. Wheel Thrown Mug / 16. Coffee Bean Necklace

Project Pinterest: DIY Cake Stand

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

Oh. My.
Do I ever love cake stands!
...the designs...the colors...the shapes...
But the price of them...not so much.

My budget for cake stands is about $5.00 per year.
Which means I can either afford one made of cardboard or make my own.

...I hate tough decisions...

We have a brand spakin' new Salvation Army store fairly close to us and, as it happens to be my all time favorite thrift store, I spent part of my free morning there.
It was gianormous! And wonderful!
And everything with a green tag was 50% off!!!
{eeek! Can you feel my excitement!?}

After not very long I found a candlestick and large platter. {costs are below}
When I got home I glued them together with Gorilla Epoxy.
{I have no idea where I originally saw the idea to glue a candlestick and plate together, but HERE is a pretty fab and super easy tutorial if you need one.}

And then I hemmed and hawed over what color to paint it all.
{had the candlestick not been discolored I may have left it as it was}
White? No, too bland.
Blue? No, I just painted that Cheese Grater Earring Holder blue.
Mint Green? Aaahhhh yeah! We have a winner!
{except I couldn't find mint green, so I settled for green apple}

I do want to point out that this paint is not food safe!
{if you know of a spray paint that IS food safe, please leave the brand name in the comments...'cause I haven't been able to find one.}
So my plan is to either use this stand for prepackaged foods {such as in the picture}, a display for birthday goodie bags, or if I'm using it with homemade treats I'll put a piece of parchment down...which also means I won't have to wash it....because I'm pretty sure it's not water resistant, either!

My costs were as follows...

Candlestick - $1.75
Large Platter - $1.00

Rust-Oleum Spray Paint in Green Apple - Smooth Satin Finish - $3.90 {I had a 40% off coupon}

Grand Total: $6.65
{So, ok...I exceeded my $5 budget. But I do have at least half the can of spray paint left}

What project did you finish recently?!

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!

5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Autumnal Colors

2011-11-09T09:00:00.002-06:00

I don't really have too much to say today.

I've just been wanting to do one of these color block things for-ev-er!

And I finally did it.

{color block template available via The CoffeeShop Blog}

Blah Blah Blah...

2011-11-07T21:52:00.000-06:00

Do you ever have those moments...days...weeks of insecurities?

Where things just don't go quite as you want them, when everyone else seems to have better camera gear or better ideas, and the only people you see are succeeding infinitely more than you?

For me, days like these seem to come and go in cycles where inspiration is fleeting, motivation runs and hides, and a voice inside my head tells me I'm a failure for not having X amount of sales, X amount of clients, and X amount of followers.

Tonight I'm watching Julie & Julia, which I think is a perfect movie for these moments...days...weeks of insecurities.

After all, that's kind of what this movie is all about!

There will be people who tell you to give up; to quit; that what you're doing doesn't really matter.

And then there are people who encourage you, who push you to keep doing what you do because they believe in you
...even when you don't believe in yourself.

Thank you
to all of my believers!

Family Portraits - Mom & Son

2011-11-07T13:28:00.000-06:00

About a month ago I had the pleasure of taking pictures for a small family.
They were incredibly sweet and this little guy is absolutely adorable!

I always love it when my clients are so willing to go with the flow and let their kids be kids.

And this mom and son duo were awesome!

She brought "snappers" for him to play with which was an absolutely genius idea!
...aren't those little legs just the cutest things ever?!...

...as well as his mischievous little grin!

But I think this shot sums them up best.

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 59

2011-11-05T20:55:00.000-05:00

"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them..."

Romans 12:9

Friday and Saturday a friend and I attended the Women of Faith conference.

I was very blessed to be given tickets, courtesy of Thomas Nelson Publishing.

The conference exceeded my wildest expectations!!!

I was immediately motivated to be a better woman, wife, and mother.

One of the things that really stuck with me was from Andy Andrews who said something to the effect of:

"Not many people really care about how you feel, but they do care about how you act. No one ever got promoted or recognized based on how they felt about something, but rather by how they acted."

It's really rather common sense, but being an irrational and emotional person the vast majority of the time {ahem} I needed to be reminded of this.

I want my actions to bless others. To motivate others. To show people the light of Christ.

And I can not show people His love and grace and mercy by my feelings...I have to show them through my actions.

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & A Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code.

Scavenger Hunt

2011-11-05T09:00:00.001-05:00

Food
How super cute are these mini mustard and ketchup bottles?!

Purple
Being a big Kansas State fan, this one was an exciting prompt to see!

In Disguise
I didn't really get into Halloween this year, so I don't have any pictures of our kids in costumes.
Instead, I decided to alter a shot of a yellow butterfly into this:

Shapes
...is "swag" a shape?

Photographer's Choice
On one of my free mornings I went to the arboretum. I hadn't been there for probably about a month!
This particular morning the sprinklers were going and mist was everywhere.
I love the effect it made...especially when out of focus.

Discovering Etsy - A Photographer Christmas

2011-11-04T09:28:00.002-05:00

Lots of new things are going on here at the blog!!!

Yesterday was the start of Project Pinterest and today is the beginning of Discovering Etsy.

{To read more about Discovering Etsy, go HERE.}

Today the theme is gift ideas for photographers.
Aren't these all so fun and funky and awesome?!
What's your favorite?

Project Pinterest: Cheese Grater Earring Holder

2011-11-03T06:00:00.116-05:00

Hello and welcome to the first installment of Project Pinterest,
hosted by myself along with the super awesome and funny Sarah of It's on the Tip of My Tongue!

We are addicted to Pinterest.
And we know we're not alone!!

But what happens to so many of us?
We get stuck in a rut of pinning thousands of awesome things, and then we never get around to making or recreating them.

That's what Project Pinterest is all about; motivating you to do those crafts, poses, recipes, whatever...and then share it with the world.

For my first project I upcycled an old cheese grater into an earring holder.
It's perfect, really.
And I half suspect this gadget's true purpose was to display funky jewelry.

{This is the original one I saw on Pinterest}

My costs were as follows...

Cheese Grater - $0 {I actually had an old one on hand!}

Krylon Spray Paint in glossy Blue Ocean Breeze - $6 {approximately}

Grand Total: $6.00!

~~~

What did you make recently?!
Link it up below!

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!

5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

Senior Portraits

2011-11-02T06:00:00.014-05:00

Way, way back in early October I drove up to good ol' Iowa to take my youngest sister's senior pictures.

She is so sweet....

and so sassy...

and insanely gorgeous!

I mean, I knew she was pretty, but when did she become a gorgeous young woman?!?!

It was so much fun and worth every minute of the drive up!

~~~~~

PS - Are you ready for Project Pinterest?!
It starts tomorrow!!!
Go HERE to learn all about it, then write your post and prepare to link up with either Sarah or me for an awesome time!

Scavenger Hunt - Back at Last!

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

It has been a looong time since I've participated in Scavenger Hunt Sunday!
...it's nice to be back at it...

Macro/Close-Up
I wanted to get a kind of Casablanca feel with this shot
...but I've never seen the movie, so I'm really just guessing here...
{I also used this image as an example in my Hi, ISO post...just in case you missed it.}

Found Texture

Home
My home consists not of brick and mortar or framing and drywall, but of these two plus my husband.
Wherever they are is my home!

Cover
Perhaps this is a stretch but peels are kind of a cover, right?!

The Tree
This is another image you may have already seen on the blog.
I used it earlier in the week for my Scripture & a Snapshot post but decided to use it for this as well because that bokeh is way too scrumptious to share only once!

Times, They Are a Changin'

2011-10-31T16:41:00.000-05:00

Hey all! I hope you're having a great day!

I'm just popping in to update you on some pretty major changes that either have already happened or will be happening soon!

1. Blog redesign.

I added a sidebar, adjusted the width and altered the tabs section.

Please let me know if you have any problems with the new look!

2. This blog has a {somewhat} new name!

KatieLloydPhotography.COM... goodbye .blogspot!

3. You're invited to join Project Pinterest!

Project Pinterest is all about motivating you to do those crafts, poses, recipes, etc. that you find on Pinterest...and then share it with the world.

Come link up every Thursday, starting Nov. 3rd, with me or with Sarah at It's on the Tip of My Tongue!

Here's a sneak peek at my upcoming project:

4. Discovering Etsy

Every Friday I will share a themed collection with wonderful items from various Etsy sellers. I spend so much of my time on Etsy and see so many cool and unique things that I've decided to share my finds with y'all!

This Friday's collection will be photographer inspired!

5. I now offer ad space in the sidebar.

I want your experience on my site to be "uncluttered" so there will never be more than five sponsors at one time!

Another reason for limiting the number of sponsors is to give those sponsors a real opportunity for exposure. Rest assured that I will screen all potential sponsors and will only promote those shops/blogs that I feel fit with the values and topics of this site.

If you're interested in an ad space, visit HERE for details.

I think that covers the main things!

And now that the Inner Artist series is over, I'll be back to posting more of my photography.

I have lots to share with you!!

Be Inspired, Not a Ripoff Artist - Day 31 & Exercise 5

2011-10-31T05:00:00.013-05:00

Well, here it is...the last day of the Inner Artist series.
I hope you have enjoyed it and maybe even learned a thing or two!

.....

Art is almost always inspired by something. Often that something is someone else's work. And that's ok!
But make it your own, inject your own style and ideas, and let it run.

No One Likes a Copycat
Remember when you were a kid and your sibling, or maybe that annoying kid at school, copied everything you said or did...sometimes literally and verbatim?
I don't know anyone who enjoyed being copied as a kid and I'm quite certain it holds true through adulthood, if not more so. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but I'm going to say it anyway:
You wouldn't plagiarize a novel and pass it off as your own, so don't copy another artist's work and pass it off as your own either.

Inspiration {Not Imitation} is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
First, let's define inspiration versus imitation. Dictionary.com defines these two words as:

noun - a result of inspired activity.

noun - a counterfeit; copy.

Here's an example to help illustrate this point:
Marla of Blue Skies Photography has some beautiful farm shots. I especially love her combine blur shot.

{photo used with permission}

How stunningly wonderful is that?!
As it happened, I was literally in a wheat field with a combine a few days after seeing her lovely images.

With her image as my inspiration, here's what I shot:

This shot was one of my first that day. I knew it was almost identical to Marla's {in composition, anyway} when I was shooting and that was the point. I needed to get her idea through my system so I could tweak and develop it into something of my own.

And here's the image I liked best; that was truly in my own style.

Great Minds Think Alike
I think it's important to also point out that it is possible for someone to simply happen to come up with the same idea as you, independent of your work. Coincidences do happen after all.

For Example:
Karli of The Bonnie 5 and I seem to share a small portion of the same brain. We have taken eerily similar shots just days, sometimes hours, apart without seeing the other's work.
It's seriously weird.
The weirdest was when we both burnt lunch and then photographed the smoke from said meal time disasters.
What are the odds of that?!

***

Exercise #5
This is kind of like a before and after style exercise. I want you to find a work of art, recipe, photograph - anything that inspires you. Then, taking everything we've talked about this month, I want you to make your own thing using the inspiration piece as a jumping off point, much like I have done with Marla's combine shot.

Here are your instructions:
1. Share your inspiration piece - it's best to ask permission prior to using another's image or at the very least give credit and a link back.
2. Then, in the same post, share your finished product and how you have transformed that original idea into your own style.

When linking up, please use YOUR IMAGE as your thumbnail.
If you have any questions about this exercise, please feel free to ask!

The linky will be up for 2 weeks so take your time!

Artistic Editing - How to Know When You're Done - Day 30

2011-10-30T06:00:00.099-05:00

Way back in mid-August I asked the following question on my Facebook page:
"What do you struggle with when it comes to being artistic?"

There were several great responses and today we're going to talk about Shondra's question:
"How do you know when to stop editing an image? When is the image complete?"

My answer?
When you love it, it's complete.

I know.
It's a very vague answer, but the time you spend on an image or the amount of editing you do to it will differ from shot to shot.

Let me give you some examples.

I spent a decent amount of time on this image...

But I did more to this image...

The thing that changed between my two edits was my knowledge of PSE 8, which allowed me to do more with the second image in a shorter amount of time.

Lets look at another example.

This shot is pretty close to SOOC (straight out of camera).
I just boosted contrast and color saturation.

There will be times when you capture an image almost exactly how you want it to look.
And there will be other times when you could work on an image for hours.

If you're struggling with getting a shot just how you want it, here are some things you can do to help you along the way:

1. Save your work in .psd format and come back to it another time. I've often found this helps when I'm stuck. When I've had time away from my image I can come back with a fresh perspective.

2. Ask for opinions! Ask your spouse, kids {who will always tell you how it is! :)}, or blog friends for input on an image.

3. Download some new free textures, actions, or overlays.
(A quick search on flickr or even Google images for any of those things will get you many results! Just be sure to check the copyright terms before using...flickr has small circular copyright icons in the lower right sidebar of all images, which will give you more info.)

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 58

2011-10-29T20:00:00.007-05:00

"The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

Genesis 2:9

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.

4. Come back here and link up your post.

Please link directly to your Scripture & A Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.

*****

Click here to get the blog hop code.

Hi, ISO - Day 29

2011-10-29T05:00:00.027-05:00

We all know that one very important rule of thumb to making great photos is to have a low ISO.
But since this final section of the series is all about breaking the rules, lets talk about high ISO instead!

From an artistic perspective, a high ISO will give you that grainy, old style film texture {aka: noise} that can add age or interest to an image.

Let's take a peek at what that looks like...
These images were all taken with an ISO of 3200
{FYI: I recently upgraded my camera to the Nikon D7000 from the D3000...the D3000 would have significantly more noise at this level.}

Off With Their Heads! - Day 28

2011-10-28T05:00:00.001-05:00

Who says you have to have a face in a portrait?!

Pish posh and nonsense.

Headless portraits can lend incredible interest to the frame.

It creates a sense of curiosity.

And while that may have killed the cat, us humans seem to thrive on it.

Some of my favorite shots of our kids are headless:

I rest my case.

Focus is Overrated - Day 27

2011-10-27T05:00:00.004-05:00

When I was taking photo classes in college, tack sharp focus was preached.

And then when I got back into photography after the birth of my children, tack sharp focus was still a central topic.

I have terrible sight even with contacts. And if that weren't bad enough, the more still I need to be, the shakier my hands seem to become! Not a good combination for that tack sharp focus, eh?
{and I refuse to be tied down to a tripod}

So instead of driving myself crazy trying to always get that perfect in-focus shot, I did a 180 from the masses and started purposely shooting out of focus.
{the out of focus happens in camera, not post processing.}

The result has been some very artistic shots.

Out of focus shots do a great job of evoking memories within the viewer.

What memories or feeling do you get from this shot?

How about this one?

What smells or temperatures do you feel when you look at this?

Over (or Under) Expose with Purpose...or on Accident - Day 26

2011-10-26T05:30:00.000-05:00

You can't be a photographer - amateur or otherwise - without hearing about exposure:
proper exposure, overexposure, underexposure. All the "how-to" books and classes will agree that 'proper' exposure is key to a well formed photograph.

I say bologna...boloney...baloney
...however you'd like to spell it.

Overexposure
Overexposure can give a whimsical and even clean feel to a photo.

This is a sooc shot. I ~~accidentally~~ intentionally overexposed it. And I am soooo happy I did!
I love that stark and clean retro diner feel to it.

Thanks to that overexposed shot, my end result was a series of 50's retro inspired prints:

Underexposure
On the opposite spectrum, underexposure lends itself very well to a mysterious feel and can effectively bring the viewers' focus to a specific area.

The following shot was taken at dusk and was nowhere near this dark, but with underexposure those blacks are deep and help to create that mysterious, almost eerie feel.
This particular shot makes me have that "light at the end of the tunnel" feeling, and not surprisingly, reminds me of Christ's Light in our dark, dark world.

Take Me There - Day 25

2011-10-25T04:00:00.032-05:00

One of the basic lessons I learned in art school was that you want the viewer's eyes to move around the painting/photograph/etc.

A good {and easy} way to do this is with the use of lines.

"The Scream" by Edvard Munch is an excellent example of this!
Can you see how your eyes are carried around the painting?

Do you see it now?

Although more difficult, this same principle can be applied to photography.

Set Up the Scene - Day 24 & Exercise 4

2011-10-24T05:00:00.013-05:00

Some scenes are fabulous as they are and getting a wonderful shot is simply a matter of being in the right place.
Other scenes need to be created. And that is where a lot of us get stumped.

I personally use things from around the house.

Such as my kids and my shoes.

Other scenes require some crafting first.
For this shot I made quick little Valentine's, taped up a length of yarn on the wall, then added the clothespins.

And some scenes are a matter of combining your idea with what is already there.
This one was taken while the kids and I were fishing. The bench and nature was already there, I just had to add the fishing pole and bucket.

EXERCISE #4
For today's exercise I want you to grab some props and set a scene.
This can be all your own creation or you can combine something that's already there with things that have been added for the purpose of a composed shot.

In your post please tell us about your idea, what props you used and where you found them, and of course include the final image which can be sooc or edited.

{The linky for this exercise will remain open through November 7th.}

Involve Your Viewers - Day 23

2011-10-23T18:07:00.001-05:00

Most times we as artists - whether photographer, painter or otherwise - create for ourselves.
There are times, however, when you should think about your viewers.

What emotions do you want them to feel when they look at your work?
{On Day 11 we talked about how something as simple as color, or absence of, can elicit different emotions.}
Do you want the story within your work to be open to interpretation, allowing the viewer to become a part of your work?

Take, for example, the painting "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper.
He leaves much up to the imagination of the viewer: Who are the couple sitting at the counter? Where are they going or where have they been? They seem to be conversing with the man behind the counter: what are they talking about? Who is the man alone? What time is it?

We can learn from Hopper's painting that subjects within a work of art are much more interesting when they bring an air of mystery to the table. When we can view them in action, but their actions are somewhat ambiguous.

What kind of questions do you have when you look at this photo? What story can you make from it?

Scripture & a Snapshot - Week 57

2011-10-22T20:00:00.000-05:00

"O Lord my God, many are the great works You have done, and Your thoughts toward us. No one can compare with You! If I were to speak and tell of them, there would be too many to number."
Psalm 40:5 (NLV)

*****

Want to join in this challenge?

Here's how to participate:

1. Select a scripture.

My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.

Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.

2. Add a photo to it.

3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.

You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)

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What's So Wrong with Ordinary? - Day 22

2011-10-22T11:28:00.000-05:00

Today's post really ties in with Monday's topic and exercise of Shoot What's in Front of You.
Because when something is in front of you every day, it becomes very ordinary!

A lot of us, myself included, take for granted the beauty in the ordinary.

Like the dashboard of your car that you see every. single. day.

Or the whimsy in your child's play.

Or a leaf laying on the street outside of your house.

Beautiful things surround us each day.
Sometimes we just have to open our eyes to see it.

Get Creative with Your Kids - Day 21

2011-10-21T05:00:00.079-05:00

Today is focused on moms/dads and their kids.
I realize that many of you do not have children of your own or little ones at home, but you can still grab a niece/nephew, grandchild, your neighbor's kid...just don't steal one. ;)
{come to think of it....husbands would work great, too}

Before I had kids life as a stay at home mom sounded like a joyride.
I had images of me in my comfy pajamas, sitting on the patio each morning, sipping gourmet coffee and reading my favorite magazine...all while the kid(s) slept in.
{...I can hear the chuckling!}

Then I had a baby.
And then two years later, I had a second.

Exit: Dreams of leisurely mornings and free time.
Enter: Real. Life. Motherhood.

It's a busy thing filled with dirty diapers, homework, laundry, cooking and cleaning.
And if moms are good at anything, it's multitasking!
So why not combine your own creativity time with your child's?

Here are a few idea to get you started:

*Go on a Photo Walk - this is better suited for older children and for those of you who have two cameras. {or a child who is responsible enough to wield your precious dslr!} Go for a walk around the block and see what you both come up with!

*Paint a Still Life - create a still life scene using various items from around the house. {let your kids pick some things, too!} Then grab some paint and a canvas, some drawing paper, or even use cardboard from your recycle bin. Each of you interpret and paint the scene, then compare and contrast your creations!

*Make Thank You Cards - sit down at the table with your kids, some regular copy paper {or cardstock if you have it on hand}, some decorative scissors or punches, ribbon, glue, stickers....whatever you have. Then make a bunch of thank you notes or Christmas cards!

What kinds of crafty/creative things do you already do with your kids?

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