17/52 and Favorite Photo Friday - looking out my front door

{Beauty}

Early Tuesday morning after coming back from walking

our pup Zoe, I grabbed my camera and went out
the door again...to take some photos.

It didn't take long for me to find beauty in the ordinary, the mundane, and the things

I sometimes take for granted that I see and look at every day.

These photos remind me to appreciate and celebrate what is around me
each and every day.

(I imagine I looked kind of funny laying on my belly in the grass, 
capturing the dandelions gone to seed. Ah...what we'll do for a photo).


Happy Friday!

Be Mine - Sunday Snapshot and Beyond Layers

{Vintage Valentine}

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching I thought I'd
capture a little love.

The vintage Valentine was found in my late Mother-in-laws things.

I thought it made a pretty still life
with the antique cake plate and flowers.

Textures used are Kim Klassen's 'Simplicity' and 'Lookup,'

both at soft light. I also added Kim's custom gradient...
 was very happy with the effect it gave the image.

6/52 and Texture Tuesday - Free and easy

{Daisies in vintage vase}

We've had what the weather people call a 'mild' Winter

in Wisconsin.

Mild in being in the 30's opposed to 5.

I still define the 30's as cold but know that Spring can't be too far away.

Daisies are one of my favorite flowers and these surely make me smile.

I used two of Kim Klassen's textures,

one layer of Revolution and one

of Providence, both on 'Soft Light.'

1/52 - journey

It's a new year and pretty natural
for self reflection and looking ahead.
I was recently thinking about how it was just about 3 years ago
that I received my first DSLR camera.

My journey with photography has been interesting to say the least
and I couldn't have possibly ever seen what was ahead.
I've had a fun year, and my photography continues to change and grow.
I'm very much looking forward to learning more
 and seeing what 2012 brings.


Probably the best part for me personally has been that I've been able to give back.
A few months ago I was asked by An Orphan's Wish to be
one of their photo editors.
I have the great pleasure of choosing and editing photos each month
for their web site home page.

An Orphan's Wish provides a loving, caring environment for orphaned children in China.
It specializes in helping children with medical conditions, special needs and cerebral palsy.
I hope you'll click on the link and meet these special children.
The huge bonus is that I get to fall in love with these precious ones
as I edit away.


Hoping the New Year is all that you hope for and then some!

Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera (circa 1950-1961).