Scarecrow time!!

straw bales $50
costumes: $40
3 adorable children: priceless

photos coming soon!

so in the meantime.. here is a card with a scarecrow- I love this stamp!!!
some of the materials are from The Shaker Box Oct Kit

EEK!

I've almost missed my new niece's first Halloween!
Things have been crazy around here!!!
Yes, Sandra.. I have been a bit busy! ha! miss you man- think the donkey can get the postman to zip back and forth between Texas and Ct again? hahahahaha

anyway, I have lost part of my scrappy room to my dh. Yes... he needs the space so he will take it over.. I had to move my desk.. or rather he moved it back across a room and got a corner desk.. I love that desk. We got the other pieces from a friend of ours and just now found the corner piece on sale. I hope he doesn't live in the land of piles like he does everywhere else.. it stifles my creativity to have piles around me..
clutter around me clutters my brain. Is it like that for you?? I take his piles and move them.. .I know a dangerous thing for some but at least I don't throw things away like I used to.. well.. not that he notices! ha!
it's late and I have to get to bed!
I already have my LOs ready for the kid's photos on Wednesday!!! I am so excited about Halloween! I miss the cool weather but I must admit it will make it easier at night!!!
Happy Halloween a bit early!! EEK!

Paintable Papers!!

I am in love with the paintable papers that Michele placed in the Shaker Box kit this month!!!
yep, I colored, cut, xactoed.. is that a word?.. and shimmered this paper to death.. I love it and would love to get some more!!!
I took this photo of my Queen V last spring... everything was so pretty!!

My photography is taking off more.. yep, I have entered the portfolio building stage where I learn and the people I am photographing know I am learning... so it all works out for the better :) gotta love that! A win-win situation..


*seems I will have to wait till later to add the photo of the LO... blogger is having hotflashes..**

A little birdie told me..

a little birdie told me I was going to have a class at The Shaker Box on how to make this cute birdhouse.. wouldn't it be cute on a tree in December???

anticipation of cake

I love when the birthday song is sung by my little ones.
I love it when they take such pride in their creativity.
I love when my dh awaits the love they want to share.

but this picture says it all!!

been scrappin!

yep, found my desk and got busy!!
The Shaker Box has a kit club and Michele asked me to be one of her Kit Club girls!!! How exciting is that!!
Her kits are only $23 and some change!!! Usually, kits are way more than that because the people running the kits don't know how to run a website so she passes that onto her customers :)
anyway, here are some of the creations I have made lately in the wee hours of the night..
the photo of the baby is a new cousin!!! I got to photograph his mommy when she was pregnant and now him as a newborn!!! I love to use my skills in photography like this..
shhhhhhhhhhh
don't tell the mommy.. this is a gift for her!

need I say more?

Inspiration comes in so many ways...
I was reading Sheye's blog and shared with her this link of inspiration I love the book Tuesday's with Morrie and read it over my first dd's shoulder after each nursing... I tried to cherish each little momentof that special time.
As a former teacher I could see how much time I spent with other's children as they worked.... I knew I would be a stay at home mom. I wanted to be the first teacher.... to not have the latest and greatest is ok.. it will all come in time.

Queen V Wisdom

I can't wait to be 6..
why?
because 7 is right after.
uh huh
and besides, 4 is a boy number
and 6 would be what, Queen V?
a girl number, silly!

so.. 4 is a boy number.. 6 is a girl number.. got it...
and 7 is cool because you can blow bubble gum, go to friend's homes and have an underwater camera...

totally understand her logic!

Thinking Blogger.. is someone who

shares his or her talents because it is within them to share... it is part of them to give back....

my Thinking Blogger Awards go to:
Brenda Acuncius She is a fantastic photographer.. one I look forward to seeing more of in our area!! She does outstanding natural light portraiture and gives up and coming photographers a step in the right direction with her knowledge. Thanks, Brenda!

Shey Rosemeyer I found Shey's blog last Christmas or fall... She has a heartfelt blog and I think of her often. In February her beautiful Ava passed away in a tragic accidental locking of the car.. She had gone in to retrieve something and couldn't get out. Through her blog she talks about being a mom, a photographer, a wife... a woman. Please be sure to let your kids know how to get out of a car... honk the horn, try every door possible... teach them young!

Sweet Miss Daisy has a way with photography, stamping... life.. she takes it all in stride and will often comment back to you :)

Twisted Soda is the best.. a carefree artist... I love her muse... she makes me smile!

last but not least.. my IRL friend.... Dancing Queen Jeanine You know you mean the world to me, Jeanine!! I hope you are having a marvelous time in Hawaii... surf one for me, dude!

before I go.. I have to tell you.. I used up alllll my space on my external hard drive... I have to go through and cull!! ugh! lol! wish me well in this endeavor!!

A Thinking Blogger

I got an award!!!
I was awarded the
by Monkey Giggles
What a treat!!! I write what I think and as in life try not to offend. This is an open diary so even at times I keep more things to myself. I think I have to do this- for my own sanity. As my sister says, "some things must remain private." It's what holds us together.. our glue.. our secrets.
It has taken me a while to post this- sorry, Monkey Giggles, but I have had so much going on and didn't want to miss a beat with my kids.. it's what it's all about. My education of them- of our faith, of becoming a good person, a giving person all while knowing limitations, boundaries and yet striving for higher expectations...

so ... now I have to come up with 5 blogs that I think are "Thinking Blogs"
hmmmmm
it might take me a while so I will put this up and come back with an addition to this post.

Mr. T is TWO

and all of 2!
he has had a ball playing with his sisters today. Dh blew up 25 balloons and they have been twisting them into hats, belts and whatever they can imagine...
streamers every where
sweet boy....

he saw a photo on the computer from 2Peas and said, "baby" so clearly!! It was the first time he could put that word with what he was seeing!!! I am so lucky to be a SAHM to hear the first words... what a treasure!

gifts? what gifts did he get??

jelly bellies from Queen V (she bought it with her own money)
an original painting of himself by Lady G
a monkey that I picked up a the Door County Confectionery
Click Clack Moo!! I love this book and he sits so still when we read it at the library!
Fisher Price People to stick in his pocket...
new T shirt and swim trunks from dear friends in California
puzzle from his Godfather and wife

he loved it all but kept looking at the mantel asking for more to open... lol! He likes the boxes...
Dh made the monkey "talk" and it was hilarious!! I got photos - of course- those were the classic ones of his birthday. He actually gave the monkey "race cars" (for those of you who don't know it's the knocking of knuckles from one person to another... dh needed a son bad! lol!

edited to add.. I have found my limitations... I cannot make a cow cake.. the darn thing's head keeps falling off.... ugh! so when the rooster crows I will be purchasing a cake at the store and putting farm animals on it.. lol! Thank God for Fisher Price! lol!

Priceless Summer Night

hot evening
cool Lake Michigan
restless child
red moon
smooth sand
+gently lapping waves
======================
priceless summer night in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

gone digi..

well, the baby's fingers can't get cut by scissors..
I get to work on the photos even more!!
I have learned how to make a template.. something I knew how to do before but had diapers on my brain..

the template to the LO "Read" can be found here: Read

what is going on in our world..

Mr. T is swimming with a noodle- alllll over the pool!
Queen V is not afraid to practice her swimming- she thought everyone was going to laugh at her.
Lady G is learning to dive...

I lost my wallet today.. again.. I know, I know.. can't keep up.. ugh. I do know where my keys and shoes are though :)

The last photo shoot I did - maternity - had her baby today :) all are healthy and probably awake right now! lol! I can't wait to do the newborn shoot for them.
I went to Office Depot to gather a ledger, a file folder holder (too late to remember what that is called.. no, not a filing cabinet! lol!) and some other things for my photography. I have a feeling it is going to pick up some speed this fall.. so I want to be ready. I am coming up with templates for my cards to be given out at Christmas time. I have some great ideas and can't wait to get going on them!!! I also got business cards.. time to think up a color scheme and logo....

Hope all is well with you :)

sweet 7

my sweetie turned 7..
lost her first tooth
swims like a fish
had her first sleep over with her cousin
runs crooked
pretends to whistle while having a shrilling high pitched scream come from her mouth
slapped her sister in the face.. we can't all have good days, huh? lol... such changes 7 brings....

materials:
template, swass by Shandy Vogt
pp: Shabby Princess

going digi!

yep, I am back to scrappin'!! stampin' and yes, more photography!!!
I am in a class with MLK Studios in California and am learning a ton. I wish I wasn't so hesitant to share photos as I learn so much when I do...

anyway, a quick LO using digi elements... by ShandyVogtdesigns.com

one word answer tag

tagged by Taylored Expressions

Yourself: Silly
Your Partner: Giving
Your Hair: Straight
Your Mother: Prayerful
Your Father: Smart
Your Favorite Item: Canon XTi
Your Dream Last Night: photoshop
Your Favorite Drink: sangria
Your Dream Car: convertible
Your Dream Home: beach
The Room You Are In: study
Your Fear: death
Where You Want To Be In Ten Years: Healthy
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: husband
You're Not: Quiet
One of Your Wish List Items: organization
The Last Thing You Did: dishes
You Are Wearing: shorts
Your Favorite Weather: spring
Your Favorite Book: Tuesday's With Morie
Last Thing You Ate: slimfast
Your Life: chaotic
Your Mood: Happy
Your Best Friend: Husband
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Home
Your Car: minivan
What Are You Doing At The Moment: reading
Relationship Status: Married
What Is On Your TV: Nothing
What Is The Weather Like: Sunny
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: this morning

USM.. the big mystery!!

I am just getting the hang of this... my focus fell slightly on some recent photos and I wanted to get them back- the capture was so cute.. but how to make it look right??

well, use your USM in your photoshop. It's called UNSHARP MASK but it does seem to sharpen.. It has to do with how it was done in a real darkroom versus how we do it in a computer digitally. "It gets it's name because it unsharpens (de-focuses) the image and uses the difference with the original image ..." (this quote from Focus Magic)
Anyway..
there are 3 things to understand.
The first being amount which is measured by percentage.
The second being radius which is measured by pixels.
The third being threshold which is measured by levels.

I have some links to some sites and I would really like to get a discussion going on this great filter!!! What do you say?? are you ready to clear up some of your photos that are soft on focus??

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-usm.shtml
luminous landscape

this one is studied by a lot of people. He is right on in his explaining- some times a little technical but you might be into that!
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/unsharp-mask.htm

maybe you want a quick once over??
wikipedia

photos and diagrams here:
scan tips

this guy is really clear and explains it very well!! I love this site!
Earthbound Light

clear and concise with photos to go with the information! He shows you with the filter pulled down
Nature Scapes

explains different ways of how to use USM (from global to detailed to parts of a photo)
Creative Pro

another explanation with great photos for visual learners (tips inside this one!!)
http://docs.gimp.org/en/plug-in-unsharp-mask.html

about dot com always has tons of references!
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshoptutorialssharpen/Photoshop_Unsharp_Mask_and_Other_Sharpening_Methods_and_Tools.htm

another quick description:
http://www.steeldolphin-forums.com/htmltuts/unsharp.html

in podcast form:
http://kabili.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=155509

another great tutorial:
http://www.photocritic.org/articles/usm.php

for those of you using PaintShop Pro
http://www.scenic-route.com/tutorial/psp/tutor/unsharp/Unsharp.htm

tutorial with comments from others so you can learn from their mistakes:
http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000169.html

to show you that you can go TOO FAR with this
http://www.digicamhelp.com/processing-photos/advanced-editing/unsharp-mask.php

and the last tutorial/article came from the great Lone Star State!!
http://www.lonestardigital.com/usm_fade.htm

what's got your attention?

I wonder what he sees.
what exactly is he taking in?
the warmth of the air through the open window.
the sounds of birds chirping
my slow movements around him to capture that wonderment...
the dirt in the window sill?

yea, I am sure that's what it is.. the dirt.

I came in the front room today and found him face to face with the baseboards. What on earth are you doing, little one???
he hops up so quick and mumbles his mumble.. lol!
I look....
it's a dead spider!
such a boy!

look to the future

significance
missions
value
talent
belief in myself...
faith and hope... learning to trust more and believe in God's hand more...

In the absence of value,
price is an issue.

been working through a few things..
praying a lot, for sure, about new endeavors
praying for families being joined
praying for babies on the way
praying for parents to take a moment to breathe
praying that the sun comes out and Lady G has beautiful flowers growing around the house for her birthday..

Lady G had her training wheels taken off today.. after some tears she got back on and tried again.
Queen V hates applesauce and spit it on me.. I gave her an apple and she was happy.
Mr. T is totally terrorizing the house! ugh! lol!
Sweetie is being encouraging me to find my wings and sprout them again..

summer is here and I am extatic!! wonder what it will bring??