Carolina Pixel

La Mas Seria

2012-01-02T21:57:00.001-05:00

Post processed with Photoshop Elements 6

Enlarge to 16 by 24 resolution 300

Levels adjusted

Boost brightness by 25%

Dupe background layer

Unsharp mask - Amount 450 Radius 2.9 Threshold 0

Hue/Sat layer to change background layer

Smudge brush - skin at 20 strength dress at 70

Dodge/burn and add highlights

Quejandose

2012-01-02T17:10:00.000-05:00

A certain little somebody was awfully cranky during this photo shoot.

Parade of Homes 2011

2011-10-02T20:51:00.002-04:00

Wake County Parade of Homes 2011 is finally here!!! Sadly summer is over but on the plus side the Parade of Homes is here! The light blues and dark browns are still going strong! I saw lots of Sherwin Williams - Tradewind, Rain, Sea Salt, and Quietude for the blues and Down Home Brown - LUSCIOUS!!!

Coffered ceiling, cool looking chandeliers and two tone cabinets, what's not to love!

Even the garage gets attention. ;-)

The duvet cover looked to be made from sheets with embellishments made from pillow case.... maybe?

Can't wait for next weekend!

Forget Ironman we got Gman!

2011-08-28T01:23:00.000-04:00

These would make great posters.

Summer Fun

2011-08-28T01:09:00.001-04:00

If only I had his energy!

Soooo serious! What could she be thinking at two months?

Beauty Times Three

2011-02-06T17:11:00.002-05:00

You are blessed if you can look into each others heart and see your love reflected back.

Pam and Bobby

2011-01-14T14:20:00.001-05:00

Pam and Bobby are such a sweet couple, forever in love. Hard to believe this was a warm day IN OCTOBER! I miss summer..... :-(

I keep working on the fun stuff like this digital painting and procrastinating on the boring stuff like website housekeeping. The blog is such a mess but there just aren't enough hours in the day. How do other women do it? I see bloggers out there who have large families, beautiful homes, a productive business and stunning websites. Well here is my new year's resolution - PROLIFIC! I am adopting this word. It is MY goal! I WANT to be P-R-O-L-I-F-I-C. I know what happens when I ask for patience. I find myself crying uncle and saying Lord I'm good now, thank you, as I cringe at the thought of anymore patience coming my way. But I'm curious to see what happens when I pray to be prolific.

Peter

2010-12-15T15:06:00.000-05:00

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

Alexis

2010-11-16T12:12:00.000-05:00

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

Donna & Bubba

2010-11-06T01:16:00.000-04:00

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...

2010-10-29T13:45:00.001-04:00

This is my beloved and this is my friend.

-- Song of Solomon 5:16

A Truck Full of Weeds

2010-09-07T01:17:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-05T22:02:00.002-04:00

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.....

2010-08-31T12:24:00.000-04:00

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

Beach - York, Maine

2010-08-26T15:12:00.002-04:00

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

2010-08-25T00:45:00.000-04:00

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

2010-08-23T01:19:00.000-04:00

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.....

2010-08-21T23:45:00.001-04:00

We love you Mom.

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

Sneak Peek Maine Trip

2010-08-19T13:15:00.001-04:00

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

2010-07-18T22:23:00.003-04:00

Sharing Secrets

2010-07-18T13:19:00.001-04:00

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....

2010-07-15T18:25:00.000-04:00

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

2010-05-25T15:15:00.001-04:00

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

2010-04-06T21:10:00.001-04:00

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

2010-03-20T20:53:00.002-04:00

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

2010-03-11T11:16:00.000-05:00

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!

What's so funny?

2010-01-27T20:27:00.000-05:00

Can you come up with a caption for this picture?
Tweet your caption with the hashtag #bohumor
Or just leave your comments here :-)
Let's have fun but please keep it clean.

Eliza

2009-12-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know what I said to her but I got her to laugh = ] I don't get many chances to snap her photo nowadays. If I reach for the camera she bolts.

My friend Rossi

2009-11-17T10:09:00.000-05:00

Isn't it amazing how true friends stay with us even when we lose touch. I found one of those friends recently on facebook. I worked with Rossi for years but more than worked together we were friends. We shared the ups and downs of our lives tons of laughter and not just a few tears. As usually happens when one moves on from that place of work we go our separate ways. But it doesn't matter how much time passes, in our hearts we hold on to that friend.:-)

The day we spoke again I was out with Jim and our friends Niki and John at Yates Mill. I was shooting these photos as we caught up on fifteen years of each others lives. As the cliche says, it felt as if not a day had gone by. It's so true! The sound of her voice filled my heart with joy. She hasn't changed a bit and that's a good thing. I love you Ross!

Announcing "Carolina Patriot" for all my conservative friends!

2009-10-30T17:13:00.000-04:00

As you may know, I have been considering separating all my political designs from the main "Carolina Pixel" page, wondering if my political leanings were affecting my business. I had a blind mini-poll on my blog asking my friends to participate.

The final tally was as follows:
8 who were all for keeping it together,
1 not really bothered by it,
1 a little offended would rather not see it,
6 who are terribly offended cuz they lack a funny bone.

I've decided to break it off and set my creativity free. Thank you to all of you who participated in the poll, and a special thank you to a very business savvy lady I greatly respect: Heather O. She is a social media expert, and she recommended I separate it only because it's a very different product. People looking to buy digitally hand-painted portraits might be confused to find bumper stickers and the like on the same site, and vice versa. It makes sense, but above all she recommended I stay true to myself. LOL, I don't think I could hide who I am if I tried. :-)

I hope you, I mean YOU as in the ones with a sense of humor, will join my new page and visit my zazzle store too. If you like what you see, please feel free to recommend me to like-minded friends and spread the conservative luv! ;-)

www.zazzle.com/carolinapatriot

Mom-Jeans are cool by CarolinaPatriot
More Obama T-Shirts

Beautiful Chrisie

2009-10-07T11:06:00.000-04:00

This photo of a beautiful lady had water damage...

Now restored and artified....

...and my personal favorite version...

My How Time Flies....

2009-10-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Original Photo

'Artified" version

Cropped and ready for framing.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

I know it's cliche to say but my how time flies! You weighed a mere 5 pounds 6 ounces when you were born. Just a tiny little thing you left me in awe. I could spend hours on end staring at you. Tens little fingers and ten little toes, a blessing straight from heaven entrusted to ME by the Lord above! I hadn't a clue. I about died the day your belly button fell off. I was burping you on my shoulder when I laid you down it stuck to the burp cloth. I thought I broke you! I warmed your juices cuz I thought everything in a bottle needed to be warm. When it was time for veggies I only fed you orange or yellow ones, carrots being your favorite excluding the green ones. They looked disgusting! The pediatrician noticed the bottom of your tootsies were a tad orange and strongly recommended I add green to your diet. One time I thought you had a fever and rushed you to the doctor only to find out I didn't need to bundle you up to protect you from hot tropical breezes. Who knew? Somehow you lived through my inexperience and we grew up together. And look at you now! I couldn't be more proud of you and the woman you became. You are a far better mom than me. Giuseppe lights up your life just like you lit up mine. Your love for him warms my heart and I love you even more for it. The baby God entrusted to me is all grown up with a baby of her own. My baby no more those days are gone and I think to myself my how time flies.....

Profile Picture Makeover Contest

2009-09-18T18:13:00.000-04:00

Enter to win a profile picture makeover just like the one below.
Before

After

Step 1
Submit your photo by Sept 24th. Send it as an attachment to carolinapixel@nc.rr.com

Step 2

Join my page on Facebook

Step 3
Retweet this message on twitter: Win a profile picture makeover @carolinapixel

Step 4
Come back to my blog and bring your friends between Sept 25th and Oct 1st to vote for your favorite candidate. Leave a comment with your vote.

Winner will be announced on Oct 2nd via twitter.

This is my first contest so wish me luck :-)

Sam's Before and After

2009-09-17T20:19:00.000-04:00

This is a clear example of the type of photo that makes a good candidate for artifying. The pose is perfect but the items in the background are distracting and the overall lighting is too dark.

Here is the "artified" version. Now it's frame worthy! He is sooo cute!

Giuseppe

2009-09-15T00:43:00.000-04:00

Oh what a sweet, SWEET boy. We were blessed this past week to have Aixa, Sal and G visiting. I hope G-man never tires of visiting Yaya and Papa. I love how he walks around the house looking for ways to get into trouble. It's more of a saunter than a walk but clearly he prowls for trouble. Whenever his daddy or mommy go to get him he takes off running and boy is he fast. This was a rare moment where he sat long enough for me to snap the photo.

Acorn

2009-09-11T01:57:00.000-04:00

Today the latest Acorn scandal broke. Last night was the Joe Wilson outburst. How is it possible Joe trended higher than Acorn? The mainstream media as expected - absent! They are just as corrupt as Acorn and Obama: LIAR IN CHIEF, dear Lord watch over us.

Acorn - Anybody can break the law... by CarolinaPixel
Tee shirts from zazzle

2009-09-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

If you're looking for a cute t-shirt to wear for the 9-12 march on Washington scoot on over to my zazzle store. This design looks great on all sorts of items too.

In GOD we trust by CarolinaPixel
Mug from Zazzle

High Key Black and White

2009-09-01T01:56:00.000-04:00

Sweet baby boy and beautiful mommy.

Political Leanings

2009-08-29T20:15:00.000-04:00

No doubt which way I lean. But this piece got me thinking...I posted it on my FB asking for ideas. Then I hesitated thinking so many of my friends and family members might be offended. It's not the first time I've hesitated. Sometimes I'll go ahead and post and other times I scrap the piece altogether. I tell myself those who are my friends will still be my friends regardless. The ones who let politics override their feelings for me aren't really friends in the first place, right? Long time ago I wouldn't have given it a second thought. Tough, was my attitude! Typical secular world view. I no longer feel that way. I do care! And I pray that those I love will love me back despite my political leanings.

Cash for Coiffures

2009-08-27T13:11:00.000-04:00

Cash for Coiffures stamps now available over at my zazzle store. Thank you Shannon for allowing me to use your photo as the base and inspiration for this design.

Cash For Coiffures by CarolinaPixel
Browse other Cash for clunkers Postage

Three very sweet looking ladies poking fun at politics. :-) Original photo taken by Shannon Boyer and shared via CC http://danielandshannonboyer.com/images/shan_and_grandmothers.jpg

Sarah

2009-08-25T23:46:00.000-04:00

Betcha want a do-over. by CarolinaPixel
More Anti T-Shirts

I created the artwork here from a photo I found on Flickr. The original photo was taken by Bruce Tuten from Savannah Georgia and shared through a Creative Commons license.

Uncle

2009-08-25T19:59:00.000-04:00

I start this blog thing reluctantly. I've been told it will help my business. I've tried everything else: my website, tons of forums, facebook, twitter not to mention harassing friends, fam and total strangers to create buzz about my business. My head is spinning just trying to keep up with all this virtual socializing. So here I am staring at a blank page with nothing more than a prayer. Today I pray I don't bore you. :-)