Saturday, August 31, 2013

..what could possibly top a bouquet from a friend...


...one gorgeous bouquet...
...plopped in a simple quart jar...
...such a delightful gift...
...from an sweet and dear friend...

...of course...
...they begged to be photographed...

...just inside my front door...
...is an old white bench...
...the perfect spot...
...to snap photos...
...with natural light streaming in...

...these have not been taken into Photoshop...
...but I promise you...
...this one is just asking for some fun textures...
...don't you think...


...but this pink daisy...
...practically jumped out of the bouquet...
...and said "choose me"...
...so this photo became my 'thank you'...
...for my friend...


...the quote is perfect for her...
...she is truthful, gentle and fearless...
...and so much more...


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

...surviving the long summer heat...

...my coffee group met at my home this morning...
...it is always fun to be together with the ladies...
...for the first time in many years...
...no one in our group is going back to school...
...we are all officially retired now...
...happy days ahead...

...I told them I had been contacted by a magazine editor...
...who wants to use some of my photographs...
...in an upcoming issue...
...(I'll keep you updated on that)...
...(when I have more information)...

...I also confessed that I had not posted much on Flickr lately...
...they all encouraged me to get back...
...keep posting...
...keep playing with my camera...
...keep playing with textures...
...so...
...after they left...
...I checked out in my garden...
...and found a couple of dianthus blooms...
...just begging to come inside and be photographed...
...after all, it has been a long hot summer for them...

...this image can be found on Flickr...
...posted just today...
...I've had so much fun...
...thank you dear friends...
...for encouraging me to return to the hobby...
...that makes my heart sing...

"Do what you love.
Do what makes your heart sing.
And NEVER do it for the money,
Go to work to spread joy."

~Marianne Williamson

Sunday, August 18, 2013

...bits and pieces...

...creating photographic collages...
...is such fun for me...
...getting a pleasing arrangement...
...compatible images and colors...
...well, I could spend hours...

...these are all items that sit behind a little white sofa...
...in our living room...
...more often than not...
...a little kitty is lounging comfortably on that sofa...

...on vacation in the east last summer...
...we found a wonderful antique store...
...that had the most adorable little white cupboard...
...it was love at first sight...
...and of course, it had to be shipped home...

...it has quite a medicinal smell inside...
...but it has been fun to decorate nonetheless...
...both inside and out...

...here are bits and pieces...
...of the treasures on the table...
...behind the sofa...

...a fabulous ragged door stands behind the sofa table...
...with a wonderful old door handle...
...so cracked and chippy...
...a perfect place to perch an architectural embellishment...
...and drape a vintage crocheted tablecloth...

...reflected in a mirror...
...you can see my love of whites and creams...
...vintage bits and pieces...
...and my love of layering...

...sigh...
...love...
...contentment...

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

...keeping cool with white...

...the sweetest little white chandelier...
...hangs in the entryway...
...right inside our front door...
...it is hot outside that door...
...but so nice and cool inside...


...there are rolls of vintage music stuck into the top...
...and bows of sheer white tulle...
...tied on each arm...
...it is so festive...
...all ready for a party...

...the other items make me happy...
...white ironstone...
...vintage white buttons...
...candles and old book pages tied with string...
...classic white vases...

...what a fun way to remain cool...
...and have so much fun...
...on a hot summer day...

...the source for the collage is here...
...it is a wonderful site...
...lots of opportunities to be creative...
...and edit each photo...


People don't notice whether it's winter or summer 
when they're happy.
Anton Chekhov





Sunday, August 11, 2013

...from unlovely to gorgeous...


...just look what Chalk Paint® decorative paint...
...by Annie Sloan...
...will do for a really 'unlovely' chair...

...painted with Old White...
...two coats...

...and dry brushed  with Paris Grey...
...for the stripe...

...two light coats of clear wax...
...buffed out when dry...

...it feels and looks like vintage leather...


...it was such a fun project...
...all of the supplies were purchased...
...at my favorite shop in town...
...Bloom...
...they carry a full line of Annie Sloan paint...
...fabulous stuff...

...also...
...credit goes to my daughter in law Troi...
...who sent me the link...
...for the tutorial for making...
...the animated gif slideshow...
...always love learning new things...


Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. 
 Be a student so long as you still have something to learn,
 and this will mean all your life.  
~Henry L. Doherty