Great Grannie Blog

Poverty

2008-10-15T13:15:00.005-05:00

Have you ever been really hungry and not known where your next meal was coming from? I haven't either, but there are people who are hungry. You can help by blogging about poverty because it is blog action day 2008 :poverty. And I believe that one person can make a difference. I am going to make a difference and take Debi's lead by donating to my local food bank the East Texas Food Bank . For $1 they can provide 8 meals. What a bargain! I'm writing my check now.

Win A Painting, Help Darfur!

2008-08-05T21:05:00.004-05:00

Here is your chance to own one of Enzie Shahmiri's paintings and help a Darfur refugee at the same time. Put Oct. 8th on your calendar and bid to win.

"This painting is a concrete way to provide humanitarian relief to the hundreds of thousands of people--mainly women and children--who have been forced to flee the unspeakable violence in Darfur. The proceeds from the sale of this work on ebay will go directly to support the UN Refugee Agency's operations in Darfur, providing protection, shelter, water, medical care and education. Please support this work!

Caitlin Van Orden
USA for UNHCR
The UN Refugee Agency"

Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces Chp 5-10

2008-07-05T13:18:00.011-05:00

Finished! Hooray!

Source Picture

Before
After

What do you think????

I enjoyed following along with "Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces" by Carrie Stewart Park s.

Chapter 5 - Shade
Carrie teaches us to use values to shade our self-portraits which really gives dimension to our drawing.

Chapter 6 - Drawing Eyes
This chapter and the remaining chapters refine what we already know adding additional tips and measurements. This chapter gave my eyes life and you should be able to see the difference. I did.

Chapter 7 - Drawing Noses
Again, some refinements to my nose created a more realistic nose,,,pug that it is :)

Chapter 8 - Drawing Lips and Teeth
More expounding on lips and teeth to make a more realistic portrait.

Chapter 9 - Drawing The Head
Explains the difference between adult and child heads and between male and female heads. Much good info here.

Chapter 10 - Drawing Hair
Good chapter, discusses hair types, shades and highlights.

All in all this is the best book I have read on portraits. I learned a lot and I think the difference between my before picture and my after picture is astounding. I will be looking for more books by this author. Thank you Carrie!

My apologies to anyone who picked up my post with Babylon information embedded in the text. I think I inadvertently caused this and have since removed the offending code.

Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces Chp. 4

2008-07-01T13:46:00.004-05:00

Continuing with my self-portrait I've completed Chapter 4 in "Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces" by Carrie Stewart Park s.

Chapter 4 - Shape
Carrie teaches us the elements of "Shape" by training our minds. There are quite a few very useful items in this chapter and here is where my drawing starting coming alive.

I apologize for not posting sooner but throughout this entire month my internet provider has been down more than it has been up as they have been replacing cable and repairing as they go.....

Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces Ch. 1-3

2008-06-21T13:42:00.007-05:00

Here is my self-portrait line drawing after finishing chapters 1-3 in "Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces" by Carrie Stewart Park s.

Chapter 1 - Materials and Supplies
Carrie discusses various materials and supplies, but basically all you really need is pencil, paper and a BIG eraser!

Chapter 2 - The Problem
This chapter is most interesting as the author discusses perceptions and memorized facial patterns. These memorized patterns get in the way of really seeing what you are drawing. Additionally there are before and after student portraits. One of the students is 7 years old and her work is amazing!

Chapter 3 - Site
Here we start getting into the meat of the book. Carrie shows us several methods to use to help get the right proportions. Very useful chapter.

I am enjoying this book and really believe that it will help me become a better artist.

2008-06-13T07:54:00.002-05:00

Finally! It was a struggle but I have completed my "before" picture so I can follow along with the art lessons in the book "Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces" . It was a struggle and doesn't even look like the photo, I guess I fudged a little and took some weight off. hehe. As you can see I need a LOT of help.

Thank you dear DebiCates for taking the photo of me :)

Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces

2008-06-05T13:21:00.004-05:00

OK, OK...I get the message. Here is my post finally :)

Right now I'm reading Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces. I would recommend this book to anyone learning to draw. It is written by professional forensic artist Carrie Stuart Parks and so comes with a more technical approach to drawing. It is very easy to understand and I think I can actually do this. I will be drawing my "before" self portrait and posting it soon so you can help me compare the "before" and "after" pictures and see if her method has helped. Stay tuned!

Recycling

2008-05-01T08:15:00.004-05:00

Recycling is a worthy activity for young and old these days. But reusing is always the real challenge. I am on the lookout for new ideas for reusing old materials and when I found Jan Pinney's Art See Blog I just had to share. The clock is made from cardboard and the flowers from pop bottles. Be sure to check out January's archive where a mannequin leg is all decked out. Check it out.

P.S. Hello to all and I am back!

In The Middle of Things

2008-02-21T08:18:00.003-06:00

Here I am in the middle of things. Notice that the inset picture is of my "feather" duster, that may give you a hint of where I am. But the feather duster is only the tip of the iceberg, there is a lot of mop, broom, bucket, and plain old elbow grease below the water line. I am getting into the Zen of it now and actually enjoying it. I'll be working outside after this and so will probably have this hiatus from my blog for awhile. But don't give up on me, please, because I will continue commenting and occasionally posting. Be back soon.

Book Meme Let's Play

2008-02-12T21:39:00.008-06:00

Oh fun, it is called The Book Meme and it goes as follows:
Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. (No cheating!)
Find Page 123.
Find the first 5 sentences.
Post the next 3 sentences.
Tag 5 people.

The Mapmaker's Opera By Bea Gonzalez

'And because he is no good at small talk, has never bothered to learn the rules that govern high society, does not know how to engage this man on his own turf, Nelson jumps in now and begins to laud the area's birds - the motmots, the ibises, the hummingbirds, the owls and the terns. "So many precious birds," Nelson says. "Do your people know how truly lucky they are to live under this extraordinary piece of the sky?"
Don Victor nods in reply. Though he has only a passing interest in the area's birds himself, he is most pleased at a foreigner traveling from so far to admire the beauty of his region of the earth.'

I tag Debi Cates Photo A Day, Sue of Sacred Circle Mandalas, Barb of Life In The Sunshine, Enzie of World Market Portraits, and D.C. Confidential. Let's play!

Sign / Post 2 Things Challenge

2008-02-02T22:48:00.000-06:00

I pray that a SIGN will be sent from God for all people to see and that He will POST a message of peace on the heart of man. Just imagine no more war, no more terror, no more maiming, no more killing, no more torture. No more. Imagine.

This is my 2 things challenge entry for this week.

Deconstruction:
Software was Photoshop CS3. Images were purchased from dreamstime.com ($4).

I used a quickmask and eraser on the background of the doves to isolate them, then pasted them into my work image and added the clouds layer. I added a layer mask [layer, add layer mask] and brought the doves forth from the previous layer. I used [image,apply image] to get the eye blended into the previous layers. I felt finished so I stopped here :)

Name The Painting and Win a Prize

2008-01-29T19:18:00.000-06:00

I've been following Enzie Shahmiri's blog for awhile now as she posts paintings by Orientalists and I like them. I've learned quite a lot from the daily posts and have enjoyed seeing the works by various artists of days gone by. She is an accomplished artist herself and has been working on a painting of the above photograph she staged and took of world renowned belly dancer, Tiffany Bisconer, and is looking for a name for it. All you have to do is name her painting and you will win. Here is what Enzie says:

ATTENTION!
This will be an interactive project and I will give a drawing of one of the objects in the painting to the person who can come up with a cool title for this painting. So as you visit and see the developments, start thinking of some titles. All you have to do is leave me a comment on any post that says "Tiffany". When the painting is completed the person whose name suggestion I will choose, will receive the drawing. If several people should suggest the same name, I will have my son draw a name and announce the winner. Good luck!

Come on friends, lets get this painting named!

The Good Earth - Books II #1 or #2?

2008-01-27T09:13:00.000-06:00

I've republished the old image and added a new image based on your expert advice. So now, I'm asking you, please, compare the two and tell me which you like best and why. Your feedback is so valuable to me and I appreciate every word.

I want to thank Sue of Sacred Circle Mandalas for giving the "you make my day" award to me. She makes my day too, every time I see one of her beautiful mandalas. Plus, she is just a very kind and giving person who is fun to know and is the best teacher via her photoshop tutorials. The latest is about patterns in CS3 so check it out here. I'll be passing this award on soon.

The Good Earth - Books II

2008-01-18T08:58:00.000-06:00

The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck is one of my favorite books and I hope part of a new "series" of collages about books. I read this book when my granddaughter, Antigone sent it to me in the mail a couple of years ago. My mother had a copy of this book on her bookshelf, but I did not read it back then. So it was nice circle completed when Antigone sent it to me. Since I love this book so much it is strange to me that I struggled so much representing it. I've had it in my folder for quite awhile debating whether to publish or not. Please leave your comments and critiques especially because I really want you to let me have it. lol!

Wang Lung decides to marry and although poor he is able to buy a good wife, O-Lan. He is a hard working farmer who spends his days in the field with O-Lan by his side. Together they work the land and bring forth three children. Wang Lung is eventually able to rent some land from a rich landowner and improve his condition. Dought occurs and he looses all he has gained. With his family starving he sells all that he owns except the land and flees to the south where he finds work pulling a rickshaw but it does not provide enough for them to live so the children must be put to begging.

It is a very strained and turbulent political time in the city and Wang is afraid he will be conscripted into the Army. He works only at night to avoid induction. A riot occurs and the peasants break into a wealthy family's palace. Wang Lung is drawn into the crush and finds himself face to face with the rich man who unable to flee and is begging for his life. He offers gold in lieu of his life. Wang Lung uses this gold to return his family back north to the land.

Wang Lung is able to improve his farm, build a new home and live comfortably. His wealth is now tied to the harvests from the good earth. He becomes respected and prosperous and decides to purchase the house of Hwang where the wealthy owners have succumbed to vice and addiction. He takes from O-Lan the jewels she looted from the palace in the south and with them he purchases the house of Hwang and all their lands.
If you want to know more you will just have to read this wonderful classic by Pearl S. Buck. he he

Deconstruction: All using Adobe Photoshop
Photo, letter, man plowing and bookcover were all vintage. Desk, typewriter, landscape from dreamstime.com ($4). There were many layers, but it finished out with 12. I think I used every feature I know on Adobe Photoshop to attain this result!

Flying Over The Great Wall of China Dream

2008-01-16T13:04:00.000-06:00

When I fell asleep a couple of weeks ago I wished I would dream of visiting the Great Wall of China. And I did! I dreamed of walking along the great wall and becoming very weary. As I looked over the landscape I saw that the wall was changing into a painting. Suddenly it occurred to me to lift my heels and fly. As I flew up there were billows of silks, all colors and all patterns, almost like clouds themselves. I could look down and see the Great Wall and view it as a landscape painting. As I flew along I could feel the silk brushing my skin and I could hear it flapping against the wind. It was a wonderful dream and the best part was that my deliberate attempts to lucid dream worked, and wow how it worked! I have never dreamed of flying in my life and now I can't wait to fly again. Now, I'll be really, really interested to hear what you make of my dream.

While I am posting I want to share a blog I recently discovered that I absolutely love: The Orientalist Gallery where Enzie Shamiri features an Oriental painting every day. She is an accomplished artist and Orientalist herself, so be sure to check out her paintings too.

Deconstruction:
All using Adobe Photoshop. The woman, the "silk" all came from dreamstime.com ($2), the Great Wall of China came from wikimedia.com via mayflower search. There were 3 layers counting the background and a layer mask between the great wall image and the silk image. I used [filter,artistic,dry brush] on all layers. I also tuned the color via [image,adjust,curves] thank you Diane and Sue!

The Mambo Kings Play Songs Of Love - Books I

2008-01-13T21:43:00.001-06:00

This week's subject for the 2 things challenge was foot/loose and I chose to represent "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" as my entry since there are plenty of loose foots in it. When I was a girl my sister and I learned the tango, samba, and mambo from friends of my mothers. We danced and danced around our living room and really put out hearts into learning it. I can never hear Latin music without thinking of these times. I enjoyed this book a few years ago and thought that it captured the essence of early '50s love of Cuban music. Here's the lyrics to a song that I liked.

Papa Loves Mambo

Unh!

Papa loves mambo!

Mamma loves mambo!

Look at ‘em sway with it,

Gettin’ so gay with it,

Shoutin’ Olé with it, Wow!

Unh!

Papa loves mambo! ( Papa loves mambo! )

Mamma loves mambo! ( Mamma loves mambo! )

Papa does great with it,

Swings like a gate with it,

He loses weight with it, Now!

He goes to, she goes fro,

He goes fast, she goes slow,

He goes left, an’ she goes right!

Papa’s lookin’ for Mamma,

But Mamma is nowhere in sight!

Unh!

Papa loves mambo!

Mamma loves mambo!

Havin’ their fling again,

Younger than spring again,

Feelin’ that zing again, Wow!

Unh!

Papa loves mambo! ( Papa loves mambo! )

Mamma loves mambo! ( Mamma loves mambo! )

Don’t play the rumba an’ don’t play the samba,

‘Cause Papa loves mambo, tonight!

Unh!

Papa loves mambo!

Mamma loves mambo!

Papa loves mambo!

Mamma loves mambo!

He goes to, she goes fro',

He goes fast, she goes slow,

He goes left, an’ she goes right!

Papa’s lookin’ for Mamma,

But Mamma is nowhere in sight!

Unh!

Papa loves mambo! ( Papa loves mambo! )

Mamma loves mambo! ( Mamma loves mambo! )

Havin’ their fling again,

Younger than spring again,

Feelin’ that zing again, Wow!

Unh!

( Papa loves mambo! ) Mambo Papa!

( Mamma loves mambo! ) Mambo Mamma!

Don’t play the rumba an’ don’t play the samba,

‘Cause Papa! Papa mambo, tonight!

Unh!

Deconstruction:
Dancers and footprints (from Seattle Broadway street photo) from wikimedia.com using mayflower search
Used [image,apply image] to merge the dancers and footprints together, then pasted the book image into a layer. I liked what I saw and so I stopped.

Do you think more layers would make a better result?

Love Tokens

2008-01-12T21:05:00.001-06:00

We think of these peanuts as plain, while Scarlet Macaws think of them as love tokens. This is my entry for the 2 things challenge this week and I had great fun doing it since I love animals and who wouldn't love these gorgeous birds?

Deconstruction:
Photo of Macaws and peanut from wikimedia.org. Three layers only this time, counting the background layer. I used [filter, artistic, watercolor] on the birds, then [filter,texture,load texture] for the peanut image in the background of the birds and [filter,render,lighting effects] to give the texture some dimension. Lastly I used [filer,texture,stained glass] to create the netting design on the border so it was all photoshop magic this time.

Fragmented Apple

2008-01-11T08:53:00.000-06:00

Here is my entry for the photoshop challenge that Rima at Marazine blog devised. It was a fun and absorbing time. Her sister Neda at Papiers Collés set the standard with her "Paris Crunch/Merci Mr. Gruau" and so I was really challenged.

Deconstruction:
I cut the apple in half, then pasted 3 copies which I rotated randomly. I used [filter,stylize,emboss] to create the blocks, then used [image,apply image] to the new image and applied the same image to itself. I felt the slices needed something to define them and so after a few experiments I used [filter,distort,pinch] and got some dimension at last. I fiddled with the [image,adust,brightness/contrast] trying to get a satisfactory (to me) contrast between the layers. It still looked a little bland so I used the paint bucket tool to fill in the background with black, then used equalize on the fragmented slices.

Home and Health

2008-01-02T14:32:00.000-06:00

When I saw the latest 2 things challenge I knew I had to participate because above all I love my humble home. It is the place where my spirit is renewed and the place where I can be me and even jump for joy whenever I see a butterfly.

I'd love to hear your comments and critiques, so please take the time to write as it will be so appreciated.

Deconstruction: The house is one of my photos, as are a couple of the butterflies. The woman and the peacock came from dreamstime.com ($2). The remaining butterflies came from Wikimedia Commons using mayflower search. There are were an incredible number of layers (29); most for butterflies but some to correct some distracting areas. It finished out at 18 layers. One filter, dry brush, was used on the house layer to soften it. Lighting effects were used on most of the objects to brighten them.

Memory of The Good Shepherd Home IV

2007-12-31T09:32:00.000-06:00

This post is about Lupe. I did not know Lupe, but was assigned her bed the day I arrived at Good Shepherd. She had died and was resting outside my window in the cemetery. She had spent most of her life at this home and sadly knew no other life. When I went back there some years later, the nuns had sold the home and some developer turned them into condos. When I asked about the cemetery the manager told us that it had been moved elsewhere. Strange, but true.

Deconstruction: The cemetery, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and window are all vintage images. There are six layers, with one layer mask for the window/cemetery. It is Grayscale. There was one filter, accented edges.

I've been tagged by Sue O'Kieffe
Here are THE RULES:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

I was raised in the beautiful Pecos Valley of New Mexico
I am recently retired (again) after a few lifetimes of writing computer programs
I love animals, all kinds of animals!
My best friend, Linda, had a liver transplant about 10 years ago and is doing great.
Spring is my favorite season and I am eagerly awaiting the first violets.

I tag Lisa Sarsfield, Belinda (Bell's Nook), Rima (Marazine), Neda (Papiers Colles) and Nita
(Red Tin Heart)

Memory of The Good Shepherd Home III

2007-12-28T20:16:00.000-06:00

This 3rd memory of the Good Shepherd Home represents the celebration of Feliz Navidad, the Mexican Christmas season. I wanted to post this on Christmas Day but my memory of Christmas took awhile to recall the details, after all it was over 50 years ago :)

I will be very happy to read your comments so please share! I'd also like to thank Sweet Irene for the Courageous Blogger Award which is posted in my siderbar. I really don't feel very courageous but do feel a sense of healing when I make art from these old memories.

Deconstruction:
The digital collage was made using photoshop 5.5. There were 17 layers and one "apply image, difference" was used to give the building a bluish cast. It finished out with 5 layers. The image of the building comes from dreamstime.com ($2). The little girl and the pinata came from the Library of Congress, the other girl and the nun were vintage images as is the blessed virgin who came from an old holy card.

If you want to know more about Feliz Navidad there is a good article at mexconnect.com
while you can find out about the pinata at wikipedia.com.

Abstract Apply Image I

2007-12-27T09:06:00.000-06:00

I can't take credit for this wonderful abstract. I have to thank Debi, for pointing this out and describing how to do it in photoshop, and John for sharing your technique step-by-step. If you haven't seen John's works click here for a delight. John would call this image hand.keet.fox.tree.

Memory Of The Good Shepherd Home II

2007-12-20T21:21:00.000-06:00

This memory is from the days I spent at Good Shepherd Home in Mesilla Park, NM in 1955-56.
One of my jobs was to fetch the meals every day. This was a job I liked very much as my friend, Maryjane, and I got to go to the kitchen and bring the food back to our dormitory's dining room where other girls would have jobs setting the table and dishing up the food. The kitchen nuns were Little People and very fun and we loved to talk to them and watch them work. They would fill our pot with pinto beans mostly, but sometimes with carne de cabeza with vegetables. For breakfast it was always oatmeal.

I'd love to hear your comments about this digital collage, or about this memory or one of yours if you would care to share.

Young Woman Memory (Hold/Value)

2007-12-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

I can't think of a better subject for hold/value than a mother holding her darling child in her arms. There is no love which can compare to the love a mother feels for her children, it is a love that transcends all. I'd love to hear your expressions of love for your mother, or for your child.

If you haven't done an art project for for 2 things challenge, you still have until Dec. 19th to do one and get a free bonus charity donation through the generosity of two bloggers. Click here to find out more and see what it is all about!

Spring Wind Memories

2007-12-13T06:01:00.001-06:00

When I was a child I used to love to put my pillow on the window sill and listen to the wind howl over the prairie through out the night. I still love the wind. I love the way it lifts and blows my hair, the way it feels so fresh on my skin. The sound it makes as it whistles around the house and the way the trees bow down to it. I'll be thrilled if you'd leave a comment and tell me about your memories of wind.

Doe Mandala

2007-12-10T21:15:00.000-06:00

I had a very stress filled day. I managed to get into a small conflict at work which always upsets me when I let myself do this. Next as I left work I noticed a trash pickup truck spewing trash all over the road, so I followed him to his next stop and let him know what he was doing. He said "sorry 'bout that", but somehow I didn't feel that he was sincere. Then I went to Best-Buy to pick up a new router for my home network and they were playing the music that just thumps and hurts your ears. I complained to the manger, who justified it by saying we only do it when a customer requests it...(saying this as other customers were vacating the store, go figure!). Then I came home and installed the new router, but could not get one of the computers to recognize the wireless connection. Consequently it was late when I laid down late for my nap, then later I got up grumpy. So there...that was my day and I feel better now having complained and whined. I think I brought most of this stuff on myself.

So...I made a mandala and know what? The stress is all gone now and I feel great! Hope your day was better than mine :)

Memory Of The Good Shepherd Home

2007-12-06T21:59:00.001-06:00

In the courtyard stood
The lonely cottonwood
Bare branches chattering in the wind

Except
For one small twig
Nestled beneath the eaves
Giving forth the first yellow green
leaves of spring

~Bobbie Wideman 1955-56
Good Shepherd Home, Mesilla Park New Mexico

Breathing Underwater Dream

2007-12-02T21:59:00.000-06:00

This is my favorite recurring dream. I have dreamed this over the years. I am swimming and having a wonderful time. I get tired of having to stop for air and I suddenly discover that I can breathe underwater. I love to swim, I always have and so this is the best of the best :)

I dedicate this image to Hala, Rima's niece who is in London being treated for cancer. She has issued another challenge, so go to her blog and see what it is. Let's participate and have a gay old time.

As always I'll be looking forward to your comments. And please notice that I put a comment of my own on the last post (believe it or not!)

Mountain Keeps Moving Dream

2007-11-29T21:57:00.000-06:00

This is a recurring dream since childhood whenever I am very ill. I am in the desert and it is very hot and dry. I am trying to find a way out. I walk towards the sun and a mountain appears. I try to walk around it, but it moves into my path again, I try to go over it but it is too steep. In frustration I give up and go back in the opposite direction where the mountain appears again. I wish to understand it better and so I'd love to read your comments.

Jesus Saves Me Dream

2007-11-27T07:34:00.000-06:00

I had this dream when I was a child during the time I was making my First Holy Communion and learned of the "End of the World" which frightened me out of my wits. I dreamed that Jesus came down from the firey sky to our house and offered me a cherry saying "Eat this and you will be saved".

Fish Swimming In The Forest Dream

2007-11-21T05:22:00.001-06:00

This is one of my favorite dreams. Imagine my delight when I dreamed this right after we purchased our land and moved out here. The fish just swam in an out between the trees as if they had always been doing that :)

Music Dream

2007-11-19T19:27:00.001-06:00

I had this dream many years ago but still remember it clearly. I am alone in a hospital room and from far away I can hear a piano being played one note at a time. It seems very lonely and sad. Of course, I'm dying to know what you think my dream means!

Here are the answers to Neda's tag:

1. If you owned a bookstore, what would you name it?
I am retired now, I don't want to own anything. Just a begging bowl will do.
2. Which literary hero (male or female) would you like to be?
Pearl S. Buck. I'd love to have lived her life.
3. If you were given the chance to be born in a different decade, which one would you choose?
I'd go back to the 1700-1800's when this country was new.
4. Who would play you in a movie?
Sally Field, she has the right amount of spunk.
5. What was your favorite toy of all time
My paper dolls.
6. What do you like to collect?
Beauty. A beautiful leaf, pink in the sky, a moonlit night.
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
A bowl of popcorn in bed with my two doggies begging for bites.
8. If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would that be? No more war.
9. What is the worst book/movie you have ever seen?
Ahhh...there are so many, so little time, so little space here.
10. What is the worst kind of music, in your opinion?
I like most anything if it is not ear shattering.
11. What's the only food you will not eat?
I know there must be something, somewhere that I wouldn't at least try.
12. Tell us 3 things about yourself (2 of them are true, and 1 untrue) and let's see if we can figure out which of these is fantasy.
I climbed the pyramids, age 30
I climbed the Sacramento Mountains at Three Rivers, age 40
I climbed Machu Pichu, age 60

I tag Audrey, Antigone, Barb, Debi, Rima, Irene, Bev, and anyone else who wants to be tagged.

Rattlesnake Dreams Collage

2007-11-16T19:46:00.000-06:00

I hope this dream doesn't shock you too much. At least not anymore than it did me when when I dreamed it. I've dreamed of snakes for most of my adult years and dislike these dreams intensely. I usually wake up sweaty with my heart pounding in fear. But this recent dream was different because I actually captured the beast and flung it into the woods. I'll be most interested to hear your interpretation of my dream.

For those who wonder: I used digital clip art to make this collage in Adobe Photoshop. The collage is my own idea using pasted and embellished clip art, except for the moon and background swirl which I "drew".

Chinaberry

2007-11-10T20:47:00.000-06:00

My sister Audrey and I used to play under the Chinabery tree when we were little and used the berries for all sorts of play things. I still love this tree, even though I am finding out it is on the invasive species list.

Dreams and Visions II

2007-11-06T21:46:00.000-06:00

This image represents the second dream/vision I had soon after the first. After this one there were no more, but I do hope that someday I will have another. I hope you will take the time to tell me what you think that this dream/vision means as I would be very interested in what you have to say.

Dreams and Visions

2007-11-04T22:03:00.000-06:00

A few years ago I had a couple of "visions". I may have been dreaming, but I don't think I was. I was in a very drowsy state having woken up just before dawn and this is my attempt to show you what I saw in the first vision. The image rotated clockwise, but the animals were running counter-clockwise. I would be most interested in what you make of this dream/vision.

Experiment In Gray

2007-11-02T07:22:00.000-05:00

This is an experiment making a lotus mandala. It was pretty difficult but I am hoping that it has promise as a template for making a colored mandala. There are a few rough edges, but it has a lot of hand drawing on it. What do you think?

Green Feathery Weed

2007-10-29T07:02:00.001-05:00

I love this green feathery weed and have actually let it grow in my flower garden once. It looks great all summer, sort of ferny, then in fall it gets these whitish flowers that look so lacy. I have camera in hand waiting for autumn color but I don't think we will have much year as there has been very little so far.

We got out dogs houses and chicken/guinea coops ready for winter this past weekend, we still have more to do but are closing in on it. I have special heating pads that fit inside the dog houses and thermostat cubes that cause them to come on when the temperature gets down to 45 deg. so they stay nice and toasty. The chickens/guineas have heat lamps on cubes but I'd like to find something that safely gives off good heat but does not disturb their sleep. dh is hatching some late guinea eggs from a nest and so we will have winter babies to keep warm too.

Sweet Autumn Clematis

2007-10-26T06:40:00.000-05:00

This mandala is made from a photo of the seed pod of Sweet Autumn Clematis Clematis terniflora which is a fall blooming clematis. It is a cultivated plant, originally from Japan that which has long since escaped to the wild. But you can't deny it's beauty, both flower and seed.

Wishing Hala Health

2007-10-21T11:58:00.000-05:00

Hala, I just want to wish you Health, Happiness and Love before you embark on your journey to seek treatment in the U.K. God bless and keep you.

Hope Abides

2007-10-19T23:51:00.000-05:00

I took this picture at my work today where we have a patio that is a little micro climate and butterflies seem to love it there. This Gulf Fritillary is feeding on Lantana. I enjoyed taking this photo and doing this mandala. It was a very centering activity for me. Later after reading the post on Frances' blog about John I added this message especially for him and his family.

Banner From Neda

2007-10-17T22:49:00.000-05:00

I received this beautiful banner from Neda of Papiers Colles for my contribution to Maraya Galleries wall dedicated to Blog Action Day when all the bloggers wrote about the environment on Oct. 15th. I love being called an artist even though I am more of a wannbe. Thank you Neda, I treasure this banner.

Silk

2007-10-17T06:56:00.001-05:00

This is something new I tried after reading Mandala, Journey to the Center, Baily Cunningham. I think the results have promise but the points are just a little heavy looking. Tell me what you think, honestly please. When I fell asleep last night I was dreaming mandalas and collages :)

Blog Action Day Oct 15th 2007

2007-10-14T21:09:00.001-05:00

This is my entry for Rima's Wall of works commemorating Blog action Day.

We must change! We cannot continue trashing our planet like we did in 1957 when folks had never heard the word "environment". Back then DDT was sprayed regularly and no one gave it a second thought. Our manufacturing was dirty and polluted the air. Cities were grimy. Nuclear bombs were built and tested in my home state of New Mexico. But this is not 1957, still we have the same environmental issues as back then and more. Here in the Longview, Texas area we have regular ozone alert days, especially in the hot summer. It is always blamed on the gulf winds bringing pollution from Houston and Dallas. We take no responsibility for our bad air and make no noticeable change to improve it.

I've been posting early blog action day posters (here and here ) and you might wonder where I got such great images to use. Sadly I got them within walking distance of my home. Some, such as this photo, taken on my own property. I regularly clean up my road frontage and it is a constant battle between me and the non caring public. I have picked up such a variety of stuff, some I won't mention here, but is mostly beer bottles/cans, cigarette packages, and fast food packaging. When I was younger I picked up trash in a 2 mile radius, but now I only clean my property and adjacent properties about 1500 feet on both sides. Sometimes I ask myself why I continue with this battle and my answer is that I care. I also ask myself how can I help others to care. So far I haven't found an answer but have explored many hair-brained ideas :)

So, I am asking others to care about our world. To cease treating our planet like it is disposable. To stop making war on our neighbors and killing the environment and people at the same time.

We must change, we can change, we will change!

Pioneer

2007-10-13T19:26:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by Frances' digital image "old house by the sea" and thought of doing something which had that same sort of feeling of reminiscence. My inspiration was my old home in New Mexico. The old adobe window frame, the quilt, the pioneer woman, remind me of that time. I felt as if I were making a collage. My scissors are the cut tool and my glue is the paste tool, and my color pallet is accessed by dipping an ink dropper instead of paintbrush. So, here is a question for you: If a collage is made from clips from old magazines and this is made from clips of digital images, what is the difference? Are digital images art? Why or why not? What defines art versus craft? I'll be most interested to read your answers.

I am most like Kitty Which Chimp Are U?

2007-10-13T07:24:00.000-05:00

HSUS MySpace Page | Take the Quiz!

Kitty is the leader of the three chimps at Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch right here in Texas. She's serious and in charge of what happens with the group. She'll quickly quell any behavior she deems inappropriate.

Kitty is also a big fan of trading. If she has something she shouldn't, she's usually willing to trade it for something else. Kitty is deliberate and does not engage in frivolous behavior, nor will she waste energy doing something that won't result in getting what she wants. She seizes opportunities to act, but sometimes hesitates to try new things.

Kitty was rescued from the now-defunct Coulston Foundation in New Mexico, where she was used to breed chimps for medical research. Her laboratory caretaker feared that once Kitty was too old to reproduce, she might be subjected to experimentation herself, so she worked to secure Kitty's transfer to a sanctuary. Now, Kitty's laboratory days are behind her forever -- but not all research chimps are so lucky.

Take the quiz and find out which chimp you are most like :)

Morning Glories

2007-10-12T18:57:00.001-05:00

My mom used to grow these in her backyard and now I grow them. She was a child at heart and would use them to blow bubbles by breaking off the stem. I have to admit that sometimes I blow bubbles too. They are just so pretty floating over the garden.

Backyard Happenings

2007-10-10T13:51:00.001-05:00

The Piney Woods Where I Live

2007-10-09T12:22:00.001-05:00

I live in the Piney Woods of East Texas and so it is appropriate to attempt a mandala using a picture of pines. I was surprised, as almost always, how beautiful the mandala turned out. Not complementing my work you understand, but in complementing the pine's inner beauty which produced this wonderful mandala. When the wind blows through them it makes the most wonderful whooshing sound as they sway back and forth. The squirrels love to eat the pine nuts and sometimes I find huge piles of spent pinecones where they have dined. I hope this pine speaks to you as it did to me while I was making this mandala.

Goldenrod And Why I Love Nature

2007-10-08T09:50:00.000-05:00

The wild goldenrod is blooming now and it is one of my favorites. It is so lacy and free and it's yellowness appeals to me. I've included the source image here to satisfy your curiosity. One can never make a mandala without meditating on the soul of subject. This one has the essence of goldenrod stored in it's turns. I love seeing each season progress and the delights nature has in store. I never tire of nature, it renews me and invigorates me. And so I dedicate this mandala to Hala and wish for her the essence and health of the goldenrod's soul.

Getting a Headstart on Blog Action Day

2007-10-06T20:08:00.001-05:00

This is a photoshopped picture of my woods in East Texas. Looks wonderful and serene doesn't it? Like the hand of man has never touched it. But when we bought this property I single handedly picked up 9 dumpsters of trash out of these woods. Even today it continues to be an uphill battle. Beer bottles, fast food wrappings, and yes even disposable baby diapers (what are mommies thinking?). It is like seeing a pile of litter gives you permission to throw out your own. I care, do you?

p.s. I reworked the text on this image at Sue's suggestion and voila! What do you think?

Mandala Mania

2007-10-05T10:43:00.001-05:00

This mandala is made from the above (bad) photo of a yellow sulphur butterfly and cypress vine which is threatening to take over the covered wagon filled with caladiums that you see in my blog header. The butterflies and hummingbirds love the vine and so I've let it take over. If anyone wants cypress vine seeds (while supply lasts) just email me your address and I'll send them as soon as they are ready to gather, which should be in the next month or so.

Still Nuts About Mandalas

2007-10-04T22:06:00.001-05:00

This mandala is made from a picture of some chrysanthemums by my door. I'm enjoying making these very much and took some photos today on my way to work of some wildflowers and grasses that I will try to turn into some mandalas. I ordered two mandala prints from Sue O'Kieffe and received them earlier this week and wow, they are absolutly wonderful! I got the lacy one called We are all Connected and another one called Releasing To The Four Directions.

The Game of Tag About Your Man

2007-10-01T09:49:00.000-05:00

I have been tagged by Antigone of a little bit of country and Windy of Everything Hannah
about my man. Well here is a photo so you get an idea of my dh. I think he is very handsome!

So I'll start with Antigone's tag first (I think she makes these questions up)

1. Who is your man? Bill, otherwise known as dh

2. How long have you been together? 24 years

3. How long dated? it was love at first sight, only 3 months!

4. How old is your man? 60 (he is younger than me, tee hee)

5. Who eats more? dh does, after all he is 6ft tall

6. Who said "I love you" first? he did

7. Who is taller? same answer as Antigone: ha ha ha, who isn't taller than me?

8. Who sings better? he does and he has a beautiful baritone voice

9. Who is smarter? we can be equally smart or equally stupid depending on what we are doing

10. Whose temper is worse? mine, mine, mine. It is a curse!

11. Who does the laundry? i mostly do, but sometimes he does

12. Who takes out the garbage? we share

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? me

14. Who pays the bills? me, again

15. Who is better with the computer? me, but he is learning and catching up

16. Who mows the lawn? whoever has time

17. Who cooks dinner? we share depending on who has time, but he is the better cook

18. Who drives when you are together? whoever feels like it

19. Who pays when you go out? dh does, what a gentleman!

20. Who is most stubborn? i am, sorry to say

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? me

22. Whose parents do you see the most? oh how i wish we could see our parents again

23. Who kissed who first? he kissed me, then i kissed him back!

24. Who asked who out? he did but I didn't want to go, more about this later

25. Who proposed? he did and i was overjoyed!

26. Who is more sensitive? we are both too danged sensitive

27. Who has more friends? we both have about the same number of friends

28. Who has more siblings? he does, 3 brothers and 3 sisters

29. Who wears the pants in the family? we share

Now for Windy's tag "How did you get engaged":

We met where we both worked in Odessa, Texas at OPI a manufacturing company that made oilfield equipment. He was the service manager and I was a computer programmer. His office was near the coffee pot and whenever he saw me go by he needed a cup of coffee. It got so I needed coffee more often too. OPI had a big Christmas party and he took another girl there, later on he told me "let me take her home and then we will go dancing". I said, No! What kind of girl do you take me for? But later on a bunch of us decided to go dancing and so he took her home and showed up there. He looked so handsome in his western boots, cowboy hat, and sheepskin jacket and so after he asked me to dance about 15 times I said ohhhhkayyy as I could see he was a really nice and sincere man. We had so many things in common and enjoyed each other's company so when he asked me to marry him, I could only say yes!

Now, the fun part: I tag Irene, Frances, and Rima!

Update on Make a Mandala-Annoying Lines

2007-09-30T10:08:00.000-05:00

How perfect is this? No annoying lines and no extra work airbrushing, thanks to, Sue O'Kieffe who has generously given us the answer to this mystery!

So simple and easy to do. It involves expanding the selection by 1 pixel. Clever woman! I am updating the original instructions to include this, so please use the updated instructions on the Make a Mandala post. Be sure to check out Sue's Photoshop Tutorial today!

Make a Mandala-Updates Are In Blue Text

2007-09-28T20:56:00.001-05:00

I've been so inspired by Sue O'Kieffe's mandalas and have made some humble attempts at creating one of my own. Sue has generously supplied the answer to removing the dividing lines by expanding magic wand by 1 line. These instructions are updated per her valuable input. I've had several people ask me about how I make a mandala so I decided to post it here.

Template:Source:
Et voila! here is my mandala which I dedicate to Sue who says: "I think it's important to develop your own vision with the mandalas, and to follow your heart in what you create. I am learning that that is the essence of *talent*."

Thank you Frances and Debi for testing these instructions. There may be an easier way to do this, but here is what I do:

First save the first two images above, the first as source.jpg and the second as template.jpg.
Open Adobe Photoshop
Select the magic wand
Window, show info,options, tolerance 20-25, check contiguous, use all layers
Open template.jpg and save template as mymandala.psd
Open source.jpg
Select window, tile
Select mymandala window
Use magic wand to select the top center left slice, then select, modify, expand by 1 pixel.
Drag the slice to your source image
Arrange it to pick up the area that you like, edit, copy
Make sure your top center left slice on mymandala.psd is selected with the magic wand, then select, modify, expand by 1 pixel, paste into
Image, rotate canvas, flip horizontal
Repeat step 12 one time, then go to step 15
Image, rotate canvas, flip vertical
Repeat steps 12-15 one time
Image, rotate canvas, 90 degrees cw repeat steps 12-16
Close source.jpg, save changes no
Activate mymandala window, select background, turn off layer (remove the eye), layer,merge visible
Save mymandala.psd

Congratulations, you have made a mandala! To finish use your Photoshop tools and enjoy!

A very important message

2007-09-28T10:43:00.000-05:00

U.S.A. visitors please click here to sign The Humane Society of the United States' pledge to stop animal fighting or Canadian visitors click here. This is such an important cause for the animals and for society as a whole. These faithful friends, our animals, deserve more from us! Let's pledge to never mistreat any animal!

I've been tagged!

2007-09-25T18:29:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged by Frances where she says:
Name four places you have lived.
Four foods you like.
Four places you have been on vacation
Four places you would rather be.

1. I've lived in New Mexico, New Hampshire, Lebanon and Egypt. I was born in Mississippi. I've lived in 9 different states, in 3 different countries, and in over 100 different houses. Amazing huh?
2. I love lobster, crabs, chili rellenos, and right now with the pears ripe on my tree, pear crumble. (I'll be posting the receipe on thebluebirdcafe soon)!
3. Padre Island, Texas USA; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico;New Mexico; Well mostly I just work and stay around home.
4. My garden, Strolling on a beach, Three Rivers NM, Right here in my home sweet home, I like it here.

Debi, You have been tagged!

Wishes For Hala

2007-09-22T18:24:00.000-05:00

Hala, I hope you had a good day today and that God continues to bless you with light, healing, courage and recovery. These flowers are some Mexican Hats from my flower garden.

What Kind Of Flower Are You?

2007-09-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

I am a
Sunflower

What Flower
Are You?

This was a fun quiz and honestly I thought I was a sunflower. Maybe I am!

Nice Matters and An Apple For Teacher

2007-09-19T20:59:00.000-05:00

I am passing on both of these awards to Sue O'Kieffe Of Sacred Circle Mandalas. Sue has given so much of herself through her encouragement and Photoshop tutorials. The screen shots with annotation makes the steps so clear and easy to understand. And when she notices that I have posted a photoshopped image and stops by to make a comment it warms my heart and gives me encouragement to make yet another image. Thank you Sue!

Pale Leather Flower Photoshop Practice

2007-09-18T22:34:00.000-05:00

Just for fun I Photoshopped these two images from my practice using Sue O'kieffe's quick mask tutorial, one using the filter sphere, and the other creating a Mandala. I think I am getting better, step by step, lesson by lesson. I love creating stuff with Photoshop. So much fun!

In answer to the questions about what flower: It is the Pale Leather Flower, or Clematis Versicolor. A very nice vine that grows in the wild on my land. Click here for further description.

Apple For Teacher Award

2007-09-18T22:20:00.001-05:00

I am honored to receive the An Apple For Teacher Blog Award from dear Frances of A Carpet Full Of Holes Blo g. This is my favorite award that Frances has designed. I love the red color and the two images with the dark background. Thank you, Frances and hugs!

Nice Matters Award

2007-09-17T21:45:00.000-05:00

I received this wonderful Nice Matters award from Sweet Irene of Sweet Wood Talking Blog , A blogger I read daily and enjoy very much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Irene.

I would like to pass on this recognition to Beverly of Eleanor's Blog, Antigone of a little bit of country and Wendy of Everything Hannah. You can read about it here as well as download the award. You are very nice young people with very busy lives, but take the time to blog and comment. So, display it proudly on your blog!

Quick Mask Lesson Result

2007-09-16T19:41:00.001-05:00

Here is the before picture:
And here is the after picture:
Following Sue O'Kieffe's tutorial on Photoshop Quick Mask, I produced this beautiful image which is what I "saw" when I took the terrible before picture. I continue to be amazed and in awe of what I can do with Photoshop and a few good lessons. So give the tutorial a try and see what you can do. They are very easy to follow and even I, who tends to scan instead of read, can follow them.

I also completed Sue's Crop Tool tutorial which was most helpful in creating a mat around the photo.
et voila:

I very much appreciate Sue taking her valuable time to create these tutorials for anyone (me) to use. It has helped me with some areas that weren't exactly intuitive in the software. The layers, the masks, etc. I can't wait for next Sunday's post. Thank you, Sue!

For Hala

2007-09-15T00:37:00.001-05:00

Hala, I enjoyed making this card and mandala for you. I haven't met you before but I hope that these images make you smile! Here is a link to Hala's blog if you want to make her a card.

Photo Tinting - Color to Black And White

2007-09-12T20:56:00.001-05:00

I've always loved this photo and thought I'd attempt to change a color photo of Debi into a black and white one with photo tinting using Sue's tutorial on layer masks. I think that starting with a black and white image gives a different effect; see the picture of me and my brother. I did add some grain trying to give the photo and aged look, but wished for a sepia tone option in photoshop 5.5. Afer I uploaded I could see a couple of spots I missed paint brushing out. But after all this is practice and so won't worry too much.

Taking Sue's comments to heart, I changed the color to a sepia and here is the result:
Now, I'd better get to bed or I will be in big trouble at 5:30 am anyway.

Blending Fish and Flower

2007-09-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

I am still following Sue O'kieffe's Photoshop Tutorial on Blending Modes Part I
and enjoying every minute of it. I used two images, one of a flower and one of a fish and blended them together into one image using the tutorial, then I used crosshatch and dry brush to make it my interpretation. And not to brag on my work, but to brag on the capabilities of photoshop, it makes a very nice image don't you think?

Queen Anne's Lace

2007-09-11T07:28:00.000-05:00

Queen Anne's Lace is one of my favorite wildflowers. I love the single red flower in the center where Queen Anne pricked her finger while making the lace. I photoshopped this image quite a lot and had to remove my blue shoes from the bottom where I got in the photo. I left a little blue, but don't think it detracts too much, do you?

Eliza Takes A Sunrise Snorkle

2007-09-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

I followed Sue O'kieffe's Photoshop Layer Mask Tutuorial and am amazed to be able to move Eliza to a different scene. While it is not perfect, it demonstrates that even moi can do this tutorial. Thank you Sue! You are wonderful!

Iceland Stops Commercial Whaling

2007-09-07T06:37:00.000-05:00

Public opinion did not stop Iceland from indulging in commercial whaling, but the Japanese market did. These beautiful animals will live another day, but please join the fight to stop commercial whaling worldwide by following the links on this news announcement from hsus.org.

Abstract

2007-09-06T22:29:00.001-05:00

Did you ever take a picture by accident and later on when you upload you find some strange image that you don't remember taking? This photoshopped image was created starting with a fuzzy photo that had some nice colors. I gave it a twirl, a sphere, and some watercolor et voila!

p.s. If you are interested, the source of the last post Mandala - K was Girl Goes To Mexico :)

Mandala - K

2007-09-04T21:35:00.001-05:00

Here is my first mandala-tile. Well, I think I should just call it a tile as it lacks certain mandala characteristics. It was an experience and a challenge creating it in Photoshop 5.5. I was like Frances and Irene, I just couldn't make heads or tails out of any web instructions. Can you guess what the source picture was?

Photograph Tinting

2007-09-02T21:58:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite picture of me and my baby brother. As you can see it was taken in 1958. I wanted to try my hand at photo tinting via Photoshop as I once worked in a studio where I tinted photos among other things. I am happy with the way this turned out, and wasn't brother cute as a button?

If on this Summer's evening

2007-08-28T21:27:00.000-05:00

If on this Summer's evening

I should step outside

and feel the damp of the night

and hear the rustle of the wind

I would look up and find your star

and see your smiling face

and your bright blue eyes

gazing back at me

If on this Summer's evening

I should step outside

~Bobbie~

This poem was written in response to Fawzan's Poetry Challenge II

Kitty Society II

2007-08-27T10:26:00.000-05:00

After reading what Neda said in her collage tutorial about initially using collages as a shortcut to a finished painting, I decided to take note and use Photoshop to "paint" one of my collages. Here I used filters to create the look I wanted (filter, brush stokes,accent edges/filter,colored pencil,fade colored pencil/filer, dry brush,dry brush (2x). I love the way the shrubbery became more rounded and cartoon-ish. Here is the original kitty society.

Girl Goes To Mexico

2007-08-26T22:20:00.001-05:00

This girl is not afraid of anything, I'll tell you. It was a lot of fun making this image of her using Photoshop. This is (filter, dry brush, fade dry brush).

Eliza in her glory

2007-08-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

Like Frances, I kinda got stuck in the oneness of this image. I used several features but think I like (filter, cutout, fade cutout) best.

Old Oak

2007-08-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

This old oak was a ho-hum photo, but Photoshop (filter, pixelate, pointillize, fade pointillize) to turn it into to something wonderful, more like what I "saw". Funny, when I originally used pontillize I was disappointed, but now it seems perfect for this tree.

Dunbar

2007-08-21T22:10:00.000-05:00

I took this picture of Dunbar, my companion and friend, quite awhile ago. I didn't want to use the flash and spoil the mood, but my hand shook and so the photo was not good.

This is the same photo with a little Photoshop improving. The shake is still there but it now has a kinda artsy look to it don't you think?

Bluebird Cafe

2007-08-20T06:54:00.000-05:00

Rima just added a new recipe over at the Bluebird Cafe so mosey on over and have a look around. Matter of fact, the Bluebird is needing recipes so if you have any laying around that you'd like to submit, just use the email function on the blog to send them to me and I will thank you heartily!

My Photo

2007-08-19T12:20:00.000-05:00

Well here I am, warts and all. I gave up makeup about 10 years ago after developing an allergy to mascara. I cut my long hair a couple of years ago after getting tired of washing and drying it. Now it is pretty much wash and wear :) The wrinkles are well earned and come from years and years of laughing and smiling, well also a bit of crying now and then.

Old Pisa Door - Accented Edges

2007-08-11T07:33:00.000-05:00

I should have posted these as one post, but did not think properly! In any case I enjoyed this challenge very much. I love the old building and old door and wanted to keep the old world look. I used the ink dropper and brush to clean up the image just a little, taking out the pipe and electrical wires. Then based these three images off the touched up one.

Old Pisa Door - Poster

2007-08-11T07:14:00.001-05:00

Old Pisa Door -Graphic Pen

2007-08-10T23:57:00.000-05:00

Cats For Scrapteria

2007-08-06T19:21:00.001-05:00

Kitty Society

I was inspired by Scrapiteria's Collage Collaboration Blog to create this little image of Kitty Society. While I am not a real artist, I and enjoy their work and so dedicate this post to them.

Award

2007-07-31T21:57:00.000-05:00

Thank you Neda of papierscolles.blogspot.com who awarded the Thoughtful Blogger Award to my blog. It was very sweet of her and I will display it proudly under "my stuff". Neda's blog has won the Inspirational Blogger Award, and indeed she is a very inspirational person as well as a wonderful artist.

This award is the brain-child of Christy Z who said: "It was my hope to create an award series that would give unique, caring, brave, and positive bloggers the recognition they deserve". We are fortunate to have such selfless people in our world.

This award made my day!

Top 'n Tail For Katlynn

2007-07-29T21:26:00.001-05:00

Here is my mama hen with her guinea babies that she hatched out settling into the very top of the pen. She is such a good mama and takes good care of her babies. She saves the best morsels of food for them and entices them by throwing it on the ground, then picking it up and shaking it. She hatched the eggs I gave her, then moved over to the next hen's nest and finished hatching that hen's too. You might notice that they are two different bunches.

Here is some tails of the baby guineas. They are such cute and interesting little creatures. The one on the far right is part of the second batch.

Inspiration / Aspiration

2007-07-22T19:07:00.000-05:00

My inspiration was these "knockout" roses that I've seen every day at my work. They are heat tolerant, disease tolerant and just a joy to see as they bloom wave after wave.

My aspiration is to be able to grow these wonders in my own garden and enjoy them here too. My favorite digger is laid up with a broken leg and so I am valiantly trying to get them planted. I have 10 to plant, and 5 are planted! But, Lord, it is hot and steamy in East Texas in July!

Now

2007-07-22T18:46:00.001-05:00

Here is the "now" picture as I promised when I lost then found my camera. It is amazing how a little crab apple tree grows in a few short years. I planted this tree because I wanted the fruits for the birds in winter, plus I wanted something that would bloom in spring. All in all I am satisfied with it and hope it grows to a ripe old age.

Cactus Peeps Where Are You?

2007-07-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

The cactus peeps seem to have disappeared somewhat and new faces have appeared. Love Photoshop, it makes me an artist!

Open Image
Dry Brush
Accented Edges
Pinch

Fun! This was definitely fun!

Rima Is Grrrrreat and so am I

2007-07-21T21:18:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful result with a minimum of effort:

Open Image
Rectangle Marquee
Crop
Colored Pencil

I am amazed at myself!

Yay!!

2007-07-21T10:15:00.000-05:00

Found! Right where I put it, but not where it belonged!

Great Idea For Those Pesky Books

2007-07-16T06:10:00.000-05:00

I found this great idea for our oversupply of books.. I've only given you a peek here, so click on the photo for the full sized photo or link for the full article where you will have to page through all the articles until you find it.

(originally from the May 2007 issue of Martha Stewart Living , the magazine loved by homemakers everywhere)

null, nothing, zero, blank, absent, zip, zilch, nada,void

2007-07-15T12:11:00.000-05:00

I'm not able to post my entry today. I lost my camera somewhere...I hope I left it at work. I am getting so dad-gummed forgetful. My doctor says there is nothing I can do about it but you know, I just don't believe him and think I'll try someone else. In any case, I posted a photo of my wagon that was taken a few years ago. Keep an eye on the little sapling in the background and when I find my camera I'll show you what it looks like today!

For Todd

2007-07-11T16:45:00.000-05:00

Todd, this is my 1995 Jeep Cherokee and I am the original owner. So eat your heart out! Wish the interior looked as good as the exterior, but the headliner is starting to go. I love my Jeep. Hubby wants me to "get rid of it" and get something new. Over my dead body :)

For Hannah

2007-07-10T21:13:00.001-05:00

Here it is Hannah, just for you! My mailbox is pretty plain compared to Everything Hannah's recent post, and I can see that it needs a little creative work.

Indoors / Outdoors

2007-07-08T20:55:00.001-05:00

How about some salsa tonight?

And enjoy the view while you are dining!

Buddah

2007-07-03T19:55:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by this clipping of Buddha to create this new collage. I am enjoying cutting and pasting immensely but finding I must spend too much time in Photoshop fixing my carelessness. I must admit that I did not have nearly as many wrinkles this time, having used Debi's suggestion to rub the image with a soft cloth after applying. Next time I want to try some of Neda's hints about altering the image with various textures and colors.

Birthday Bash

2007-07-02T06:03:00.000-05:00

Hanna's Mom is having a big one year blogging birthday celebration. She is giving away a book from her collection! So go there and make a comment to win!

p.s. If you like Colette Peter's books cake (above) check it out here.