Peter

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, PETER!!! ;-)

Alexis

El nietecito de me buena amiga Ginnette ;-) Chulisimo!

Donna & Bubba

The year was 1976. Thirty-four years later, they are still every bit as in love! It warms my heart to see a man who gets a twinkle in his eyes every time he mentions his wife. I totally fell in love with this image. She looks like she feels so safe in his arms and he looks proud as could be. This is marriage as God intended.

The original 4*6 photo was in baaad shape. But luckily I managed to restore it and enlarge it. :-)

Hold my hand...

This is my beloved and this is my friend.

-- Song of Solomon 5:16

A Truck Full of Weeds

I found this photog's dream of a backdrop in downtown Apex. Who knew? I was driving when I spotted the truck and just about went off the road last week. I went back on Saturday with my my honey who was kind enough to stand in the hot sun for me. He doesn't really like posing so he only lets me use him as a last resort. Gotta love that man! Thank you, Beb!

Special thanks to: Shadowhouse Creations Textures, MCP Actions, Pioneer Woman Actions and Topaz Labs Simplify & Adjust

Joplyn

Yesterday morning:
Jim: Whatcha wanna do?
Me: Don't know. Whatchu wanna do?
Jim: Now don't stat dat again...
Me: K, how 'bout the church pictures I need?
I got my church pictures and then a few other pics to the tune of 274! Gotta love the digital age. In a nutshell churches, Rolling Thunder, Joplyn, African American Cultural Festival., Jim's office, shrimp & hush puppies, fruits and veggies, a caterpillar named Spike and a truck full of weeds.Stay tuned for the visuals starting with Joplin. You meet the nicest ppl at the end of a leash. Purely anecdotal and solely based on personal experience I think the friendliest ppl have the friendliest dogs. I don't think that's a coincidence ;-) So yesterday we met Joplyn:

I like the full portrait but the other four would make cool wall art. Don't you think?

Could you just.....

I want to squeeze her! She is just so luscious.

Beach - York, Maine

I had more luck capturing a bird mid-flight than I had with Josie.

Can you see why I am in love with textures! Thanks to ShadowhouseCreations

Crystal

This is a perfect example of the type of photo I love to work on. Crystal is a beautiful young lady but this snapshot doesn't do her justice. When I look at this photo I think in terms of what if. What if I changed the background? What if I warm up the skin tones? What if her blouse matched her eye color? Those are the type of things I can change what I don't change are the truly important elements - the smile, the expression, the beauty within. The original photo was taken with a Canon Powershot sd1100 Point and Shoot camera, 640 by 480 pixels 180 resolution.

 

I enlarged it to 6000 by 4800 pixels at 300 resolution (16" by 20")

Just goes to show with the right elements a simple snapshot can turn into a work of art. ;-)

Ooh la la textures

Textures, it's all about the textures and a very talented and generous texture master; shadowhousecreations. He offers all his textures free. How cool is that! Thank you Jerry! The freebies at MCP Actions make it really easy to pick and choose just the right blend combination.
Ho hum before:

I used Scratchbox 3 texture with Multiply, Color Burn,Vivid and Soft Light blend.

Whatcha think?

Saying Goodbye.....

We love you Mom.

*Special thanks for actions & textures: MCP Actions, PioneerWoman Actions, Shadowhouse Creations

Sneak Peek Maine Trip

Josie

What a whirlwind trip to Maine! We went up for Nana's memorial service and had the opportunity to spend a few days with friends and family along the way. I shot over 300 photos and I've selected 180 for post processing so stay tuned....

This precious angel is Josie and she is a trip! I managed a few photos where she was in focus, in numerous others I captured a blur. We are all looking forward to her fb page, and the snippets of Josieisms that make her so special.

*Special thanks to Obsidian Dawn for her brushes;-)

Mary Hirst

Sharing Secrets

Ashley and Eliza. Oh to be that young and giggle at the silly things in life. Of course I'm assuming it's just silly things cuz I wasn't privy to this particular inside joke. I'm just here to capture their youth and their beauty :-) 

Not my usual....

Who knew Photoshop Actions could be such fun :-)

I love color but sometimes it's just a distraction. I used Coffeshop Powder Room and Pioneer Woman's Heartland actions found here: texaschicksblogsandpics and here: coffeeteaphotography 
AWESOME blogs, chock full of goodies and tutorials!!!! Not to mention The Pioneer Woman !!!

Asking for guidance

1st Chronicles 14:10
David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him. “Go, I will hand them over to you.”

Is that the same as when I say. “Lord I want to be more productive, read more successful, with my business. Is this what I should be doing? Is this what YOU need me to be doing? Am I on the right path?” No, it’s not the same. David was working FOR God. Attacking the Philistines was - serving God. In my case I think I’m putting the cart before the horse. I’m trying to get God’s stamp of approval for something I want to do then asking for His guidance on how to achieve it while convincing myself that I’m serving Him. I tell myself this must be what He wants me to be doing otherwise He would not have given me the passion or this particular talent. Sounds nice and all but there is a piece missing in my logic.

1st Chronicles 14:14-15
David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”

There is a constant battle within me as I grapple with the notion of who’s in charge. Ah, the missing piece in my logic is just that, who is in charge? Intellectually and spiritually I know it is the Lord. I know that! As a concept, I get that. In practice, I forget it.  As I go about my business I ask for guidance but in reality it’s guidance for what I want to do. I’m asking Him to serve me!  How unbelievably arrogant of me. I need to follow not lead. If He needs me to succeed with this or anything , it will happen. I need to turn it over to Him. I need to put His needs before mine and I need to do it His way. “Do not go straight up, but circle around….”

Don't Blink

The original snapshot was taken over 50 years ago. My MIL, Mary a strong women now in her eighties is the lady in the scarf. I've always admired her. Like my mom these women come from a different era. They sure had style! Women looked stunning ALL THE TIME! It didn't matter if they were grocery shopping or bathing babies; they looked fabulous, feminine and chic. Jim's mom is a hoot! She is a women of deeply held beliefs and strong convictions. As I worked on this piece, I felt closer to her. I wondered what she might have been thinking as she looked at her little girl. Was Leslie walking away, looking over her shoulder, testing how far she could go on her own? Was she already showing signs of her strong will and independence? Leslie looks to be about a year old here. It's such a sweet time in a mom's life. We love our children at all ages but this time is shockingly short. It's an age where they don't judge us. They love us unconditionally and have yet to rebel. I think back to when my girls were babies. I didn't realize how short that time would be. Blink and our babies are all grown up.......

My Kickstarter Project

Today I launched my project on www.kickstarter The idea is shear genius! It's a website that enables artists to promote projects! Please help me spread the word by sharing the links with your friends and family.

Wish me luck!

My friend Karen

My friend Karen came to visit. Everyone who knows Karen knows she is a hoot. She is one of those people who add excitement to your life just by walking in the room. True to form these past few days were a
whirlwind. Truthfully, times are tough and we're a hurtin' but I promise next time you're in town we will join you on the segway tour. :-) I had not seen her in a few years and she looks amazing. Last time I saw her we were about the same weight. I've packed a few more and she took it off!!! Of course I had to ask how she did it. What she answered was not any different than everybody else I ask. Yup, diet and exercise. I think I keep asking people in hopes that someone will suggest an easier way since I don't qualify for stomach staples - yet. It's what she said next that really hit home. She said at 53 she was tired of hurting and feeling 70. OMGosh, that's me in a nut shell. I live in constant pain. Joint pain, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain and headaches galore. Karen, you've inspired me and I hope this time I can stick to it! Thank you!

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