Photography

Turning 10, Blossoming & Things In The Works

16 May posted by Fawn

Theresa Huse 2011 -00703 cherry blossoms

Dear Creatives, Yesterday was Sammie’s 10th birthday, turning double digits is a big thing. As a girl you are starting your journey to your own. Who you are, what you love to do, thoughts of where you want to go, the seeds seem to be getting planted.

This is a super busy week for us, with her performances at the end of it. Yesterday & today big, full run through s….At the end of the day Sammie had sadness about no big celebration on her actual birthday. Ah, ten is full of emotion. But a favorite meal & a trip to Cold Stone made things better, along with a little love.

One thing for sure turning double digits is a time of blossoming & although I wish I could stop time on some years it is a blessing to be able to see someone grow.

birthday wishes by msartist on polyvore.com

Not much crafting here this week, maybe a recipe & some creative inspirations I’ll be sharing. Here is a birthday card I made her on Polyvore. Tomorrow I hope to be linking to some fun projects that I found that I liked & you might enjoy too!

Things I am doing:

Preparing goodies for the bake sale at her performance
Getting ready for company through the weekend
Re-doing & creating some pages for my site
Working on tomorrows post (so I can be ready, unlike today!)
Planning a new link up
Finishing a book review

What things are you doing this week?

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Filed Under: Blogging, Photography

Flower Photography & Best Garden Sites -Tips

30 Apr posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, Happy Monday to you! I hope your weekend was enjoyable. The weather was stunning here this weekend & almost summer like by mid day. But, that kind of weather I am far from ready for! We spent some time weeding, cleaning in the yard & replanting plants ready for continued growth, along with some transplants from seeds birds must have planted or dropped in the yard. Today I thought I would share with you a few flowers from the garden & let you know I am editing some photographs along with prepping some craft posts.

{cactus flower}

I wanted to post today, but wasn’t ready. I had to spend the afternoon & into the evening helping Sammie with a project. She has to write a report on something about California History & the project she picked to create was a game, so I helped her making her game. I’ll have to share it because I think it came out pretty good with our collaboration.

{rabbits ear lavender}

She still has work to do on it & the summary to do, but headway is made! Thank goodness! Over spring break I had taken her to the Petrified Forest, when those photos are done I will share a few. We enjoyed it very much & the gift shop was filled with so many rocks, fossils, nature items & books.

Before you go venture off to these other sites check out these gardening tips -video tutorial s right here!

Here is a round up of some great sites for tips for your spring garden or getting started on one:

National Wildlife Federation-Garden for Wildlife – Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat {much easier than you think!}
Sierra Foundation Garden Tips
National Garden Association {lots of information from theme gardens to kid garden & more}
Native Gardens Las Palitas Nursery {California Native Gardens, to lots of information about butterfly gardens}
Better Homes & Gardens – Gardening

What did you do over this past weekend?

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Filed Under: gardening, Photography

Blogging & Blogging Introduction to Just Jenni Style

22 Mar posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, A little honesty here….Do you ever have times when everything you have almost ready to post just isn’t quite right for the day? Where you had a week you just wanted to sweep under the rug? I gave myself a time out yesterday having had a migraine. I took some medicine, helped the kiddo with some homework & laid on the sofa. Little did I know that I would fall asleep, be fixing her dinner at 7pm then tucking her in & cleaning up just to jump into bed again. (the Mr. at band practice after work) A whole afternoon ca-putz! No finishing blog posts, editing photographs no being prepared for today. I have used up my pre-written posts from having the flu zip through my house. Enough said!

I wanted to share pretty with you! I also wanted to share crafty with you! I wanted to create something new this week other than my digital scrapbook pages for my giveaway. (which by the way is easy to enter & in the previous post) But, alas it is what it is! Its nice to pretend that we are invincible at times when it comes to life & blogging. Then there are times when we aren’t & we can’t push ourselves any further. Our bodies along with mind says slow down or I am stopping you dead in your tracks! You should of listened! I think as women, mom’s & bloggers that is just what we do push ourselves! Have you ever encountered any blogging hiccups?

So today although late with my blogging post, I will just share a few things I had been working on that are coming up along with an introduction!

A movie post
An easy diy post
A recipe post ( & some news along with it)
An award post
& of course Feature Friday tomorrow (there is still time to submit if you like to! Link -up)

Of course I am not leaving you without some inspiration to breath in! & the introduction…..

Claire & Sam Photography / Hair & Make-up Jenni Huse

{Photography by Cheryl Hugger Mazak}

{Jenni is on the far right these are the ladies from the Powder Room}

One of my older daughters is a Stylist / Cosmetologist & just started a blog where she will be sharing beauty, hair along with wedding hair & make-up tips. I am sure she would love a visit & comment since being a new to the blogging world you can find her at Just Jenni Style. She recently shared some great red lip makeup tips! She will also be sharing images from photo shoots where she is hired for styling for hair & make-up which will include magazine, fashion photography & weddings.

I can’t wait to see her portfolio set up so I – you can see it! And of course if you love photography & would also like to see more of Jenni’s work you can visit Claire & Sam Photographers & Claire & Sam blog where Jenni has done anywhere from Senior styling s to Boudoir, Fashion to Wedding & more…(please note it should say who did the hair & make-up on their site, as they use other stylists too)

I am anxious for her to start her portfolio page along with a Professional Facebook page so I & if you like can stay tuned to the amazing work she does along with the photographers. If you would like to look at some of *Jenni’s professional Boudoir hair & make-up styling s {*link to page with her work} you can also see of the work here at Delicious Boudoir, stunning photography & work. She even did a little hair & make-up on herself & modeled. (nothing to worry mom over, lol) All tastefully done.

Photography by Claire & Sam Make-up & hair Jenni Huse

Senior Photo Shoot

Welcome to the blogging world Jenni! Everyone sure to enter the giveaway before you go & link up your posts then head over to Just Jenni Style for some tips! & stay tuned for more of her posts. PS. she is new to twitter @justjenni See you tomorrow! & hopefully not late! I guess you can say it’s official that I am a proud mom & not just of Jenni but, all my kids! I needed to toss in that little disclaimer, although it is true!

Have you ever had professional hair & make-up done? Professional photographs taken? & for what occasion?

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Filed Under: Beauty, Blogging Tips, Photography

Spring Fever

15 Mar posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, I am counting down the days to the official start of spring! Pops of yellow & green, sun that melts my heart. Gardens that grab me & pull me outdoors. Porch swings that call for sitting & reading that long awaited book! Mild days where I enjoy walking outdoors & spotting blooming trees, along with flowers. Spring seasonal foods that reappear!

via Pinterest

Lets walk into spring swiftly & savor some of spring that I have to share. I love this photograph of Kel’s among others. To see all of Kel’s images that say spring perfectly you can visit her at A Muse About. This post of hers just says, “hello spring.” Come along & see some more spring with me.

Cherry Blossoms

I know it is here sooner than if I lived back East so I thought I would warm your day with some things that just screamed spring like this flowering cherry blossom. I took this photo back in 2010. The trees are just starting to bloom out here & I can’t wait to take more photos to share with you. I hope to improve with each shot! If you borrow image be sure to credit & link back! (I am sharing a licensed image with copyright) {more images here}

A Beautiful Mess via Pinterest

Now if you can’t have spring outdoors just quite yet, you can make a spot in your home & bring spring indoors!

Iowa Girl Eats

And soon you can bring spring to your table! I just love finding food blogs filled with spring eats! & Iowa Girl Eats won’t disappoint. This recipe is on my list to make this spring.

Averie Cooks via Pinterest

Another spring treat I love are smoothies & when I spotted this on Pinterest I had to share! Averie Cooks Orange Pop Smoothie Recipe.

Now that I have wrapped up spring & tied it with a bow…..

Do you have spring fever?

Freebie Printable St.Patrick’s Day Card

Feature Friday Link-Up {There is still time to enter for this week or come back & enter next week! } I’d love to see some of your spring inspiration!

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Filed Under: Inspired Living, Photography

Spring Fever

23 Feb posted by Fawn

Pin It

Dear Creatives, I am feeling spring in the air. I a bit of cabin fever yesterday along with the need to spread my wings & fly. Do you ever feel cooped up? Like you’ve been in the nest too long. Winters seem long & summers longer since they are so hot where we live. So spring & fall are my favorite times of year. Yesterday was so beautiful outside!

I had to break free, unplug, decompress what ever you want to call it. It was time.

Camille Riley

A trip to the park, walking, finding feathers,

Theresa Huse

collecting stones &

Theresa Huse

listening to birds sing, catching some feeding on plants.

Just reconnecting with nature & fresh air.

When is the last time you just flew out of the nest for no reason at all?

Enter the giveaway before you go! Link-Upyour creativity! See you tomorrow for some crafty goodness! xo

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Filed Under: Inspired Living, Nature, Photography

Love Comes In Many Forms

14 Feb posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, Love comes in many forms. Just a few things I am loving today! See previous posts for the things I made for Valentines Day! Wishing you all things sweet!

Love

A life lived in love will never be dull.

To feel the passion & put it to pen.

Knit & Company

Learning to love a new craft.

Sarah London

Sweet Crochet Patterns I just love.

Felt Valentine Envelopes

I love this felt envelope for sending love notes.

My morning coffee <2

via Pinterest

Natures unexpected moments that are so sweet!

Tammy Swanson

I love the feel of wet sand & will always love fairy tales.

Love

I will always love the moments I share with my family.

What are you loving today?

Felt Envelope Mini Valentine Tutorial by Gail from Probably Actually

Sarah London Crochet Patterns

Tammy Swanson {photography, opal petite clothier, blog}

To see my Valentines Cards & Valentines Mailboxes see previous posts, along with my other Valentine loves.

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Filed Under: Inspired Living, Photography

Sweet Valentines Spottings & Lovely Ideas

8 Feb posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, Mid week spotting s I am smitten with! That is what I am sharing with you today. Its all about the love! Sweet images, sweet inspiration, sweet craft & wedding ideas! Need I say more?

Ruffled

Of course Valentine’s Day is centered around love, romance & all things pretty. Well, toss in a bit of Mod & you have this post & photo shoot via Ruffled that will make you want to get married on Valentine’s Day. {Mod Valentine’s Day Wedding Inspiration} You don’t have to be getting married or planning a wedding to enjoy these styling s!

Design Sponge

Now I think it would be essential to make some of these arrows if you did plan a wedding for Valentine’s Day! { Design Sponge Arrow Tutorial }

The Sweetest Occasion

Love, sweet love. Elegant, rustic, romantic all wrapped up into one! Sweet Valentines Wedding Ideas via TheSweetestOccasion.

The Sweetest Occasion

& whether for an event or pared down to two for a romantic dinner. Don’t you love this table setting?

Valentine Mug Rug

Another thing I am loving today is this mug rug which is the perfect solution to a napkin under your coffee mug or tea mug. You can grab the pdf tutorial & read about Jodi from Pleasant Home doing this guest spot right here at Whipup.net How sweet would this be to sew & have all ready for your Valentine! or for yourself using pretty scraps!

Free Pretty Things For You

I also spotted this cute covered Altoids tin. I just happened to save mine so think I am going to try to cover it with Valentine’s Day papers. So off I go… See you tomorrow!

What creativity is up your sleeve today? Got something to share? Don’t forget to Link Up right here on DearCreatives!

Dreamy Valentines Day Inspiration

Printable Freebies for Crafting Valentines

Valentines Shopping & Sweetness

PS. I just added Networked Blogs, HelloCotton & Bloglovin along with subscribing to Rss feed {see side bar} if you’d like to follow along I’d love to see you here! & don’t forget to comment so I can visit you too~

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Filed Under: Crafts, Photography, Wedding

Pixlr Free Photo Editing

6 Feb posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, One of my favorite editing tools has been Picnik. From the ease of the tools they have, the large selection of overlays or textures to easy basics. Now they are being closed in as of April 1st & I am looking into sites that are similar. I have recently tried Pixlr.com with a tutorial I found along with some free fabric tape strips that I am sure you will love. I thought I would share a few things Pixlr editing can do for an image. It is a free site, with no registration {of course you should read their terms of privacy} They have several different options to choose from with their editor(s). {link to free strips & tutorial at end of post} PS. the winner of the Sibu Beauty Contest was @jiniyaPark on twitter! Ya! Be sure & send her congrats! Stay tuned for more giveaways in the future.

Before Editing

{before}

This is a portrait I took of Sammie at the beach over the holidays. (the Mr. said, why don’t you take the sunlight off her forehead. I had to let him know I took it that way. I just love how the sun was hitting her at the time & how the wind blew the hair across her face, my preference I have plenty of photos of her without sunlight…) I took this unedited photograph & added the tape strips along with changing the opacity level so they were transparent.

edited

Normally I wouldn’t edit a photo like this, (kind of sloppy) but I wanted a quick example of what you can do at their site. I added a vignette first. Then I was able to take the tapes, add them on decrease the opacity, re-size & place them where I wanted.

glamour glow filter

On this one I used their glamour glow filter. The editor is much like Photo Shop, but more simple. Then you can save photos to various places like Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, Pixlr library & including your own computer.

old photo filter

They have several cool options. After you save it you can go back to their Pixlr-o-matic for other filters, overlays & frames. I don’t like that it doesn’t have the interface to bring you from option to option without saving & going back to pixlr.com to start again. Granted there are plenty of options in the editor but I am talking about taking it to pixlr-o-tic. Maybe there is a way but I haven’t figured it out. With Picnik you could choose all the editing tools in a navigation bar style & when done then just save. I don’t seem to see any options for photo collages, which is something I enjoyed using for tutorials. (I went back later & found out Pixlr express is most like Picnik, see next image)

framing & text with Pixlr.com

I found Pixlr express to be the most like Picnik. Easy interface, not as many options, no collages, but plenty to choose from. I’ll keep you posted if I find any sites better. If you know of any good sites please comment to let me know of them!

What photo editing software do you use? A site, Photo Shop or other? I’d love to know~

{free} { Free tape strips } via The Cottage

{tutorial} Tape Strip tutorial for Pixlr.com via Free Pretty Things

{free photo editing site}Pixler.com

Related Posts:

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Filed Under: freebies, Photography, Tutorials

Dreamy Photography, Props & Lens Selection

11 Jan posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, Today I am sharing some things I love, a few pretty photographs & a great post on selecting the right camera lens, need I say more? Be inspired…..

Julia Usher

This photograph was taken by Julia Usher, who is a author, pastry chef & stylist. I am sure a macro lens came in handy for this shot. Don’t you just love the colors & amazing stencil work on the cookie? It just exudes love! Love of what she does & the craft she has learned. Julia has shared a post all about stenciling cookies which is perfect for Valentines even if your cookies don’t start out looking like this it sure would be fun to try! & of course get better at doing. Just visit her to read her cookie stenciling techniques. or maybe you’ll be interested in viewing her party prop gallery.

Heather Blair Photography & Briar Rose Crafts

When it comes to styling using great props sure makes things easier. Now when I saw this beautiful photograph & styling prop, my heart skipped a beat. How I would love to own something like this hammock for taking photographs of little ones. You can order them on Etsy & Briar Rose Crafts shop has some of the cutest crocheted props & hats for babies.

Pixdaus

Wouldn’t it be amazing to capture those moments in nature just like in this photograph. How stunning & unusual to find an albino deer. A great telephoto lens is needed for nature shots like this. Now you dears may be wondering where I am going with this today.

Kevin & Amanda

It really is about having the right lens for what you are going to be photographing. Whether your photographing up close, action, styling, food, distance or looking to give a scene effects like blur. I happened across an post at Kevin & Amanda that is sure to help you at some point with selecting & purchasing the lens you might need in the future. The post also has a break down of meanings which is quite helpful.

Now if you are looking for a versatile camera this Canon EOS 60D SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens might just do the trick to get you started. Now can you just hint to the Mr. for me this is on my birthday wish list? Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Kit Oh yes, please!

You can just get the camera body until you read up more about what lens you’d like. Canon 3814B004 EOS 7D 18MP Digital SLR Camera -Body Only. & then if you have the camera already a lens like this for outdoor & shooting in the distance would be a good choice Canon EF 75-300mm Telephoto Zoom Camera Lens

This would be perfect for getting those shots of hummingbirds I love & I could of used it to enhance my beach photos like when we went to the nature preserve. If you’d like to see the images & read about it visit my art & photography site here. If you visit take a peek at other nature photography via the search box or my Flickr. If you have some photography to share be sure & link up right here! I’d love to see what you are photographing! & My top 10 photography tips tutorials post.

Do you enjoy photography? or Just admiring it?

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Filed Under: Inspired Living, Photography

Top 10 List – Photography Tips & Tutorials

10 Jan posted by Fawn

Dear Creatives, Since we just past the holidays I thought I would create a post of my favorite tutorials I have found & have listed to help me for when I get my dream dslr camera & then a few inspiring photographs to swoon over. Hope this helps all the new camera owners & inspiring budding photographers.

Takeuchi Kiyoshi via DPS

Grab your new cameras, dust off your old camera & get ready, set, grow!

Morning Light In My Room

Whether your cameras are vintage, point & shoot or dslr there will be something for everyone in this top ten photography tips & tutorials list, dslr or not.

Alicia Vega for Old Fashioned- Way

So don’t be a deer in the headlights! Because I know I want to be able to take images like this one by Alicia Vega! What about you? Do you enjoy photography?