Life happens in the details! Oh sure ... looking at the large picture is great and needed to even show up but seriously ... the details are where it's at! For Me, at least!
Just a few details of a not so little quilt I created for a dear friend using her fabrics!
A modern twist to a tried and true quilt pattern: Flying Geese!
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Hey Everyone! Photography 101 is coming to Old Town Orange! I'll be teaching at Dragonfy Shops and Gardens on Saturday, July 16th!
If you have ever wanted to come to Old Town Orange for a weekend, now is the time! There is so much going on in this town, aside from my photography class! There are great antique shops, including Country Roads Antiques and Gardens, fab restaurants Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen (Need reservations!) and super close to Disneyland!
So is this class for you? Well ... If you own a DSLR, which is a digital camera that allows you to change out the lenses, and you want to learn how to shoot in Manual mode ... the only creative mode there is, then YES, this class is for you!
Come check it out! Here's a link to the the calendar for all the classes offered at the Dragonfly Shops and Gardens in the month of July ... and you'll see there my class on July 16th ... click on my class and a bunch of info is there for you.
So What are you waiting for? Now is the time to really learn how much your fabulous camera has to offer!
Email me if you have question or if you want to sign up! You can also sign up through the link here!
Happy Shooting!
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Ok ... enough said, I LOVE my macro lens!
So here's the thing about a macro lens ... your lens can be really close to your subject when you shoot. So all lenses have a minimum distance that you have to have between the lens and the subject before it will focus and macro lenses do too it's just that that distance is like super close ... like 8 inches or less!
This lens that I own is a Canon 100mm f/2.8. This lens can be used just like any other lens, it's just that it's a fixed lens so you have to walk your body in to zoom in. It makes a good portrait lens as well although I prefer the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens so that I can have some distance from the person I'm shooting and it also provides a range focal lengths with the zoom factor.
Yes, these are socks that I'm knitting!
Here are a few links to the Canon 100mm Macro lens.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens ... this one has IS or image stabilizing ... which I highly recommend!
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Fixed Lens ... This one does not have IS or image stabilizing which means you can practically see your pulse when you look throught he viewfinder. This lens works great in a studio situation where there isn't a breeze and you can use a tripod!
Art by Jen Osborn @themessynest
I love the shallow depth of field that you can see so clearly here ... This was shot at ISO 400 f/2.8 1/400 sec.
Happy Shooting and Happy Macro LOVE!
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Over in my online photograhy class, Photography 101: Through The Artisit's Eye, there is a lot of talk about the 50mm lens so I thought I would just take a minute to chat a bit about it!
ISO 100, f/1.2 1/800 sec
Lenses are a personal thing ... Some feel really good on your camera and in your hands and others feel disjointed and awkward. Some photographers shoot with only prime or fixed lenses, like the 50mm lens (SO no zooming going on, you have to walk in or out to zoom in or out) and others prefer to shoot with zoom lenses, like the Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens (one of my personal favorite go-to lenses).
ISO 100 f/1.8 1/400 Sec
Many people say that the 50mm lens is sort of what your eye sees when you look through the viewfinder but it really depends on what camera you are using. My Canon 7D has a cropped sensor so the 50mm is really like a 75mm which is pretty close to what your eye sees. On my Canon 5D3, which is a full frame camera, the 50mm is a true 50mm, but then to me it doesn't feel like what my eye sees, the subject looks smaller than what my eye sees.
The other thing about these 50mm lenses is that, as you can see, they have wide open apertures which means you can get that super super shallow depth of field. Lenses that have wide open apertures are also called 'low light' lenses because you can open up the aperture and then use them in situations where is only a little bit of light, hence allowing you to shoot without increasing your ISO, hence avoiding grainy photos!
ISO 100 f/1.4 1/800 Sec
The 50mm lens that I use is the f/1.2 but I have to tell you I rarely ever shoot at f/1.2 ... the depth of field is sooo shallow that sometimes it looks like there isn't anything in focus! As you can see from the above photos ... that shallow deoth of field is amazing.
Check out the photos below ... there is almost no change in the overall look of the photos as I change from f/1.2 to f/1.8 but you may notice that as the aperture gets smaller, or is stopped down, the shutter speed slows down also to allow more light to come in through the lens.
ISO 100 f/1.2 1/800
ISO 100 f/1.4 1/640
ISO 100 f/1.8 1/400
Here are some links to the 50mm lenses that I recommend. Since I shoot canon cameras I can really only suggest canon lenses but I'm pretty sure that all the other camera companies make really good 50mm lens as well. Make sure that these lenses will fit your particular camera model ... they might have different fittings and all.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens
Probably the most popluar is the f/1.4 ... I think you really get a better lens for just a little bit more money!
Fabulous bracelets are by Brooke Bock @ Artistic Endeavors 101!
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I'm often asked about equipment and gear that I like and use. Here are just a few things that I think you might be interested in as well!
Cameras:
Camera's are a personal choice. Some people are Nikon types, others are only canon and wouldn't consider anything else. I have actually shot with both those brands and it is really just a personal preference. Of course the other thing to consider is just how much money you want to spend. Most camera makes come in a both a consumer body and then a professional body. I recommend purchasing the camera body and the lens separately. Our camera's have a limited life and plus with all the new features coming out yearly, you might just want to upgrade your camera more often than your lenses. I suggest putting money into your lens, hence the suggestion to purchase the camera body and lens separately. Crisp, tack sharp photos are captured through your lens, not your camera ... Purchase a good lens and you will be set for a long, long time!
Canon EOS Rebel T6s Digital SLR (Body Only) - Wi-Fi Enabled
Or ... better yet ... here is a package deal!
Canon EOS Rebel T6i Digital SLR with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens - Wi-Fi Enabled
Or
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3 MP Full Frame Digital SLR Camera (Body)
Lenses:
When it comes to lenes it really depends on what you find yourself photographing all the time. Or maybe it's a range of things, or maybe you are just starting to learn photography and you really don't even know. I suggest a zoom lens like a 24-105mm (or the 18-135mm lens). This lens has a nice range, being a little wide at the 24mm end and then has the capacity of zooming in at the 105mm end.
There are other lenses, of course that are super amazing ... like the 70-200mm, but now you are getting up into the pretty expensive range.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
And then there are the prime or fixed lenses that do just one thing, like the 85mm!
Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Gear:
Tripods are a personal thing. It's almost like an extension of your body, or at least after time that's how it feels. This is the tripod that I use. I have different heads that I can put on this stand, depending on what I am shooting.
SLIK PRO 700DX Professional Tripod
Reflectors and diffusion panels:
Gear that I use ALLLL the time are diffusion or reflector panels. What they do is ... they either filter out that harsh strong sunlight or they reflect light back onto my subject. I personally own 3 different sizes. Here are the ones I own and use almost daily!
Small reflector and diffusion panel:
Medium reflector and diffusion panel:
Large reflector and diffusion panel:
Museum wax:
Quakehold! 66111 2-Ounce Museum Wax
I use this stuff all the time. It's surprising how strong it is! This is the stuff that fine jewelry photographers use to make that diamond ring stand up on a shiny surface! I mostly use it to curl book pages back or to lift something off of a surface by just a bit or even to keep, say an apron tie perfectly curled up and in place.
Studio lighting:
This is a great start up lighting kit! The bulbs are daylight temperature, which is what you want and the fact that it's continuous allows you to use them to shoot video as well!
Ok ... hope this helps you to navigate this photography gear world ... these are just starting points ... as you get more and more into photography you will find your favorite equipment also!
Want to take a class? Check out the list below!
Launch Your Creativity (Pre-Conference)
Photography 101: Through the Artist's Eye (Jeanne Oliver)
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Happy Dance ... more info to come ... but for now, my online Photography 101, Through the Artists Eyes, is up and selling with a great Early Bird Special! Come check out Jeanne Oliver's site right here for details! Photography 101, Through the Artists Eyes!
I am often asked about how I edit my photos and what editing program I use. The HANDS DOWN best software out there is availble here ... Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6!
Heres a little tutorial on how I use Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6! This is just a quick overview of what Lightroom can do and how fast adjustments and edits can be made.
1. When you first click on the Lightroom icon, this is what pops up. (Ok ... you'll see here that I have not upgraded to Lightroom 6 just yet, be will be doing so soon!)
2. So now you want to import my photos or maybe you just want to edit existing photos. A panel will show up the allows you to pick an existing catalog or create a new catalog. I tend to create a new catalog for new large projects. I do however have catalogs for my blog posts, family and so, where I then divide the content into different folders.
3. Once the photos have been loaded up you can then start to edit them. There are a few quick things that I do to almost all my photos. Here's an example:
The left side shows the photo as it was shot, right out of my camera. Because I almost always shoot in RAW, every photo needs some adjusting. The right side shows the photo after a few quick adjustments have been made.
4. Here's a close up of a few of the sliders and adjustments that I use to make really quick adjustments to every photo. I usually check the white balance right away and then go from there. I could spend an entire day talking about on just white balance, but I'll save that so another post!
Often the exposure needs to be opened up or increased a bit, as well as the contrast and sometimes the highlights can be taken down a hair and shadows are opened up or increased. I usually only add a little saturation, vibrance and clarity.
I can save the adjustments that I have made here as a "User Preset" and then give it a name and then batch all the photos and apply these adjustments to all the photos at one time!
5. Lightroom also comes with some presets that are super fun to play with! On the left panel, there are a bunch of different combinations that have been put together and with just a click of the button your photo can have a slight vintage blue look to it ... as seen below!
6. Here you can see the photo before the preset application on the left and the after photo on the right!
7. Of course there are many, many presets out on the market to purchase! I have bought a bunch in the past and use them on occasion. For this camper photos the "Urban Collection" seemed to be a good fit.
8. Ok, so ... I have only scratched the very surface of what Lightroom can do for your photos! Of course you can crop, make black and white images, smooth skin, sharpen and create eyelashes, upload to social media, make slide shows, add text, make books and on and on! It's a big photo editing program and so much more ... but here's the thing! It's doable ... it's not a monster program like Photoshop! Yes, I use photoshop when I have to, but the majority of time I can edit my photos right here in Lightroom.
If your considering purchasing Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, then you'll want to purcahse Scott Kelby's book on Lightroom available here!
The way Scott explains how to use the program is simple and to the point! It's my go to manual when I want to learn and try something new or just need a refreasher course on something I don't do very often! This is a must have book!
Ok ... hope this helped a little and don't hesitate to contact me if you have further questions!
Happy Shooting!
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When I teaching my photography 101 classes, Shooting in Manual Mode, I'm often asked which lens I use the most; which lens would I recommend? I have a few that I really like, but as far as a good all around lens, I grab my Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens! If I could only carry one lens with me on a shoot, this bad boy would be my pick and it's available here!
So I have to tell you something ... for about the past 6 months I was having a few issues with the sharpness and clarity with this lens. I was getting frustrated and yet all the photographers I talked to about the issues, just sort of brushed me off.
So last week I jumped in my car and headed to the New Canon Service Center here in Costa Mesa. After chatting with one of the helpers and explaining my issues, off my lens went to be 'repaired'.
I just returned from picking up my lens and I could cry happy tears! My lens is back to it's beautiful self! Apparently a few things needed to be tightened and a few pieces of glasses needed to be realigned! Yay ... I am so happy! Immediately I went out and snapped a few photos of the last of the maroon roses that are blooming ... with a shallow depth of field and zoomed in pretty close!
While the quality of the photos doesn't really show here in this blog post, you'll have to just trust me on this one ... these photos are crisp and clear and I couldn't be happier!
I'm so excited to get out there and shoot again ... I LOVE THIS LENS AGAIN!
Be warned ... the lens is a little pricey, like $999.00 but I promise you will not be buying another lens for a long time! This will be your go to lens for Portraits, Landscapes, Kids, Pups, Crafts, Food and on and on!
Really interested now? Find it here!
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Does anyone even read blog posts any more? I know this has been the question of the day for a few years now, but to be honest with you, I sort of miss my blogging days ... days of working on tutorials to share and snippets of life around my hood and all. I'm seriouly thinking to start blogging again on a more consistent basis!
For starters I've been splitting my time between photographying craft books for Sterling Publishing and Lark Crafts, (just finished shooting a super cute book for Ms. Aimee Ray ... embroidery queen extraordinaire) and writing my own craft books AND ... photographing models!
Check out this beauty ... Maddy ... we we're tired, it was getting late last Sunday night, Maddy still had homework to finish and guess what, the photo shoot happened anyways and we nailed it on a bunch of photos!
At the very end of the night I let my pups into the room and of course the end result was lot's of kisses and lots of laughter!
Okay ... Cheers to blogging a little more consistantly!
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Yay ... it seems like forever ago that I was working on Simply Stitched Gifts, a free motion stitching book ... It's finally out in book stores and being sold on Amazon!
Here are a few of my very favorite projects in the book and actually as I was thumbing through it I was reminded that there really is something for everyone here ... and if you don't know how to free motion stitch, guess what ... instructions are included in the front basics section! Oh and thanks to Jen Osborn for contributing a couple of projects to my book. Jen's honey and wheat market tote is the best!
As you can probably see ... free motion stitching or free motion quilting is one of my most favorite things to do ... it's like sketching with you sewing machine ... it's freeing and really, there are no rules!
In Simply Stitched Gifts I've combined a love of fabric, stitching, sketching and painting to create super fun mixed media gifts to give or to just make and keep!
Here's the thing ... I love to teach ... be it free motion stitching, sewing, quilting, or photography, I just love to teach and I feel like with all my books, that's exactly what I'm doing! I hope you enjoy this book and I hope that you enjoy learning this fun technique ... free motion stitching!
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Look what just arrived from Amazon! Coastal Crafts!
I'm so excited to share this book with you!
I feel like I gave birth to this book years ago ... seriously, it feels like a lifetime ago that I was stitching fish garland and painting seashells!
Here's a few fun facts about this book ... First, it's a multi craft book ... so it's not just sewing, or gluing or painting ... it's all crafty things in one book! And second, I intentionally created every project from supplies and materials that can be purchased at your local craft store like Michael's or Joann's! How fun it that?
Yup, I painted shells all nice and white to make this heart shaped hearth wreath ...
These candlesticks were one of the first projects I created for the book and I think they may be my favorite too!
And I covered these chuncky letters with glue to adorn my front porch!
Here are just a handful of other projects offered in the book to really get you into that beachy, coastal mood ... you know, cause summer is here, right, and who doesn't like a little coastal craftiness in there home during the warmer summer months?
LOVE this lampshade covered with the antique nautical map! LOVE!
And ... Nautical flag garland anyone? Yes, PLEASE!
And of course ... Linen pillows with huge stenciled shells are the perfect coastal touch for any window seat with a garden or beach view!
Oh, and a little embroidery on a few dishtowels make just the perfect hostess gift!
Or how about a little plaster and sand memorabilia!
Ok, so ... what are you waiting for ... seriously ... grab your copy of Coastal Crafts here on Amazon or anywhere craft books are sold, and get your craftiness on! Also, check out this nice post that Lark Crafts has up on their site today!
Enjoy!
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This little (8 x 8 inch) book, Fat Quarters; Small Fabrics, More Than 50 Big Ideas, is just packed with wonderful, creative and inspirational stitched projects! Amanda Caretsio and the entire Lark Crafts team did an amzaing job pulling this book together ... Bravo Team! It's a must have and a go to kind of book for those of us that collect Fat Quarters! Yup ... I love the size of a Fat Quarter!
Also, not going to lie, I had the amazing opportunity to contribute a handful of projects to this book! Oh and ... I actually lived with and handled every projects while photographing this book! You guessed it ... I fell in love with so many of the projects ... All of them were so well constructed ... made my job as photographer, way easy! Thanks to all the designers!
Of course I had favorites projects ... these cone hats are timeless! Too bad my kids are all adults now!
But I think this is one of my favorite photos in the book!
So, something you might not know about me ... I love to create patterns for 3-d things! It's a challenge but I totally love to think in 3-d terms! And I love little birds!
Perched on a mantel or sitting on top of a pile of books on a bookshelf!
And is it just me or do we all LOVE flying geese? Check this out ... Geese flying up the side of a denim skirt! I say YES!
Um ... ok, well ... I have about 15 pounds to loose until this skirt can zip up but stay tuned ... I'm getting there! Seriously I am!
How cute is this? And how easy is this? Pretty darn cute and super duper easy!
So, I love this photo for a few reasons ... Ok, as the photographer you get to pick the models you use to show off the pieces and yup ... that's my baby, Cameron! Oh and ... he loved this tie and said he would definitely wear this tie!
And this Boho bag is a favorite project in the book ... well, the project and the model ... Thanks Monica Mouet!
So as you can see from this very small sampling ... this book is just packed with fun! If you are a beginner or an experienced sewer, there are tons of things you can make with the FAt Quarter stash ... for sure!
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I'm thinking this is the 5th or maybe 6th time I have attended Glitterfest ... and I have to say it never disappoints! The artists that work for months, days, and hour upon hours to bring to the show the best of the best!
I am always blown away by the jewelry that Kerri Smith creates for the show ... She has a tyle that is so recognizable ... I almost always come away with a new favorite piece! I'm thinking these are this years new favs!
Oh, I don't know, maybe this one is my new favorite?
And every year this vendor is here at Glitterfest! I have yet to shop at this booth because I know I would probably drop a few too many bills, or be so inspired and then take up a new craft! (BTW ... Do u see something funny going on in this photo?)
And then there's Lisa Loria's fabulous work! I have been stalking her art all week long, leading up to today ... seeing her pieces in person ... wonderful!
Unfortunately I didn't get the contact information for this booth ... but I do so love the tied button necklaces!
So, stay tuned for the next Glitterfest ... the October show will not disappoint ... It never does!
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It's been almost a full year now, maybe longer, since I was out and about photographing Coastal crafts. I remember on some days it was all cold and windy and on other days the sun was just perfectly warm and soothing. I was reminded that I loved it all!
You see, creating a book full of projects that are inspired by the beach and the coast seemed like a natural fit for me. While I did enjoy making the projects and being creative with sand, shells and jute, what I enjoyed the most was thinking of all the childhood memories that were made at the beach.
My parents once rented a beach house that was right on the boardwalk in Newport Beach CA. It was a slice of heaven ... the warm sand, salty air and ocean waves were all right there outside the front door; a huge inviting playground for me and my sisters to explore.
We took take the ferry across to Balboa Island and walk around eating our frozen bananas, strolling really, visiting with others who were strolling and walking their dogs. We would peer into the small houses that lined the narrow streets and imagined someday living that type of life.
And then there was the time when I mom decided she was going to learn how to sail. She did well from what I can remember ... she learned all the terms and mastered a few things nessesary to be let loose in the bay on her own. And the end of the story ... well, let's just say that she arrived back home soaking wet and wrapped up in a beach towel!
Ah, and then there was the time when just my dad and I took a weekend long vacation to San Diego to visit the area and to chat about whether I should go to college after high school or join the Navy.
I went to college, (Cal State University Long Beach) studied textiles (surprised?) and guess what ... I lived right on the boardwalk in Seal Beach and loved every single day of it ... Probably not surprised!
BTW ... Coastal crafts will hit the book store and crafts stores in your area on May 26th! If you want to pre-order a copy, Amazon is selling it right now!
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Turns out that last year at this exact time I was very, very busy ... photographing like 4 books at the same time! This book, Felt-o-ween, was just one of the favorites ... or at least one of the first book that I received this season ... yup it takes about 1 full year for a book to hit the stands after I finish photography!
I hope that from the cover shot alone you can see how fun this was to shoot and, how wonderful it was to create a few projects for the fabulous Kathy Sheldon and Amanda Carestio ... 2 authors that I am fortunate enough to call friends!
Here's a few of my favorite projects. How fun are these cupcake toppers by Laura Howard?
Here's one of my contributions to the book ... oh, along with the black birds on the cover!
This fab bracelet and necklace combo is one of Kathy's projects ... just how fun is this? Seriously!
And these ... Yup, I made them ... and now looking at them again after a year has gone by, I really don't even know where they are! Darn they are cute with these old Doc Martins but will be even cuter with my new Doc's I just bought in London!
Okay so ... as you can see, this is sort of a must have book wouldn't you say!
I promise, it will not disappoint!
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I'm so very excited to share with you my latest book that I co-authored with Jenny Doh ... SERGE IT!
Inside these pages you'll find some new and fun projects to make with that serger you bought, that you just knew you had to have! Right? Well, you were right! You need a serger to make these adorable trivets!
Ok, so this is not a book about how to use that serger. Oh sure we do have a pretty hefty basics sections that walks you through the parts of the serger and talks about the stitches that a basic serger will make, but also ... I give you a little tip on how to change the thread on that darn machine that's makes it easy peasy!
So check it out here on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and everywhere else books are sold. I don't think you'll be disappointed. The projects I designed and made are resfreshing, fun and of course, some are made from recycled garments, like a skirt that's make from a discarded man's sweater!
And then a cute, not so little, ruffled purse can happen also! So dust off your serger, or take it in for a tune up and start serging!
Happy Sewing ...
HAPPY SERGING!
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It's that time of year isn't it ... you know, gifts are exchanged, sometimes with people that have everything. You know who I'm talking about ... anyways, I had the opportunity to photograph Aimee Ray's Sweet & Simple Jewelry book (Lark Crafts) a while ago and I remember thinking how fun and doable so many of the jewelry pieces were. Well, when I received my copy of the book in the mail, I decided to try and make the beaded bracelet that's on the cover!
Ok, so easy, so fun and so beautiful.
Of course I couldn't make just one bracelet, oh no ... Off to my local craft store I went to buy even more beads and waxed thread to make a few variations!
And I loved digging in my button tin, searching for the perfect button of the closure.
While I can't give you all the steps to making this bracelet, I'll share a few photos I took of the process so that you can see just how doable this project is ... perfect for that person on your Christmas gift list who has everything.
This bracelet is just one of so many fun and easy jewelry pieces offered in this book. Truly ... there is soooo much information packed into these 132 pages ... It's a great resource for crafter and jewelry designers of all skill levels. I even learned a ton just taking the photos of the projects ... and while shooting the basics section!
Cheers to holiday crafting!
And stay tuned for yet another Amiee Ray book coming in 2016
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Lovely don't you think?
Note: Crochet is not really my expertise ... sewing, yes, crocheting no ... so having said that, if you see flaws in my crocheting directions cut me a little slack ... I offer these crochet tutorials mostly to inspire you to try something that maybe you never thought of!
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So I'm headed out to the Old Towne Orange area to photograph a sweet family for their Christmas cards.
So of course I have to get out my cameras, check the batteries and make sure they all have empty cards ready to be filled up.
Then the question is which lens do I use on and on which camera?
So I change them out and play around a bit .... Get myself familiar with my Canon 7D that has been on the shelf for a while now. Since investing in the Canon 5D, I have hardly had a chance to play with my good old trusty 7D.
And then I head out in my backyard for some quick photo warm-ups!
It's sort of like a singer warming up before a concert or like stretching your muscles before going to a boxing class.
Ok, so ... wish me luck ... It's a family of 6 ... adorable, all of them ... but still there are 6!
I'll post a few of my favorite shots I get today so stay tuned!
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As you have probably noticed I'm not the type to blog too much about my life, my kids or what's going on around here but thought I would give you a little glimspe of what my fall has looked like.
Dropped my oldest son Corry off at college, TCU in Fort Worth Texas ... and yes, that's all he packed!
Still have one kid at home and yes, I love to watch Cameron play baseball for Villa Park High School.
Taught a couple of photography classes and made some new friends along the way ... I'll be teaching Photo 101 again on February 23rd!
Did some photography of a few models for a modeling agency. Beautiful girls if I say so myself!
Photographed lots and lots of books here in my studio and out and about with my assistant ... Thanks Becky!
Became completely addictied to boxing!
Joined in on the annual block party.
Aiden enjoyed the bike parade as well as cousin Tiffany!
Oh, and then Danita came to town and taught an amazing class at Studio Crescendoh and I got to be the class helper!
Then a relaxing day at the beach with Danita, Saul, Marielena and Leo ...
Then back to TCU for parent weekend where Corry showed us some of his recent art projects.
And of course my favorite ... we went to the football game!
Somewhere during this time, the moon was huge and my husband and I had fun snapping photos.
Cut and sanded some birch panels for paintings and for grounds for some books I was shooting.
Photographed the lovely Tracy Verdugo at a workshop put on by Christy Nimeh.
And put a little paint on a canvas while I was there!
Sold 3 paintings at a gallery show at Studio Crescendoh.
Took lots and lots of photos of my pups Harper and Berklee.
Bought some fun parts and pieces at Glitterfest yesterday ...
And today ... in like 3 hours ... I'm off for a much needed week long vacation to Hawaii with a couple of friends, lots of yarn, a new book and of course my camera bag stuffed to the brim!
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An idea popped into my head just a few minutes ago and so I had to act on it ... of course I have nothing else to do ... Ha!
I grabbed my wide angle lens and set out for some photo fun.
I was out a few days ago shooting a model for an upcoming book, and I had her lay with her belly flat on the ground and I did the same, and then snapped away. I remember how nice and warm the grass felt and how connected I felt to the earth ... such a great thing to try.
Here I am flat on my stomach with my camera resting on the grass. This is the back of my house and to the right you can see my favorite tree ... Yummy bacon avocado!
Berklee loved the fact that I was right down on the ground at her eye level. She came and gave me lots of slurpy kisses.
Then I gradually turn in place and snapped photos along the way.
This is the very back of my yard ... and just yesterday, sitting on the back wall was a beautiful momma opossum and 3 babies ... here's the shot! The baby was yawning.
And this is the side yard and the "Man Cave" aka ... "My Studio" ... as soon as all the kids are off to college!
And that's it ... a full 360 degree view on my backyard!
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