One Quarter of the Way!

I am happy to announce that as of this day, March 31st, 2011, I am 1/4 of the way through my 365 project. Holy Moly! I can't believe it, but then I can because I have really been there running this photoathon day by day. I'm not complaining, not in the least. I am super pumped actually. Maybe I have that "runner's high" where I feel those endorphins finally kicking in, I don't know, but whatever it is, I am excited about continuing with and completing this project. So in celebration of this little milestone, I have a new pretty that I would like to share with you.   Introducing my new Kelly Moore Hobo bag in grassy green. Y'all this is not just an ordinary "purse." It's actually a camera bag, and I am lovin' it! My friend Sarah Harper told me about this bag, {THANK YOU SARAH!} and I knew I had to have it once I visited Kelly's site. I take my camera EVERYWHERE and have just been slinging it in my purse for lack of a better place to put it. With multiple lenses, this was not a great idea. So when Sarah told me about this camera bag/ purse I was intrigued.
It is plenty big and very stylish and best of all it really protects my camera! Score! Now all of you super serious photographer people out there, go on out and get yourself a Kelly Moore bag. It will be worth it to protect your valuable camera investment and to look stylish to boot.

I might be checking in later again tomorrow, but I'll be here for sure!

Here Comes the Sun!

Last week, Patty of Finding Serendipity challenged her Photo a la {M}ode participants to practice getting images of sun flares. She told us step by step how to set your camera up to capture the sun's beautiful rays of light. I immediately set off to practice on Thursday and Friday since I knew we were going to have a stretch of rainy weather. I really like how these images turned out. It was actually pretty easy to do, so don't be intimidated. You can do it too. Just click here to go to Patty's post from last week and she will tell you exactly how to set your camera up. And while you are there, go ahead and post a photo for Photo a la {M}ode. Just try it, I promise you will LOVE it!  Now, without further adieu, here comes the sun!

 f 40, 1/80, ISO 200

 f 40, 1/80, ISO 200

 The one above and the one below were shot from inside my garage. I had no idea the first one was going to come out like this. I was pleasantly surprised. Above shot stats: f 40, 1/20, ISO 200

 f  40, 1/20, ISO 200

 f 29, 1/8, ISO 200

 f  29, 1/30, ISO 200

f 29, 1/80, ISO 200

Rain Drops

It seems that in practicing my photography skills, I have been drawn to all things nature. The Spring weather, may it be sunshine and blue skies, or clouds with rain showers, is inspiring. I will be sharing again today with Darcy for Sweet Shot Tuesday. Tomorrow I will be over at Finding Serendipity for Photo a la {M}ode. Speaking of Finding Serendipity, remember I told you of the contest Patty was having, well I won! I am so excited to be getting my very own camera strap from Eclectic Whatnot. And I am grateful to Patty, not only for my camera strap, but for hosting Photo a la {M}ode each week on her site. It takes a lot of effort to put out a quality post each week. Patty not only is generous with her photography pointers, but also is a darn awesome photographer that you will learn a lot from now matter what skill level you are at. Check out this fun, safe place to explore and grow your photography skills tomorrow, Wednesday, at Finding Serendipity. You will be glad you did! OK, now for the sharing:

 You know I have a love of my coral bark maple. I just love how the raindrops look like little glass beads adorning this beauty's delicate branches.

 The underbrush of our himlock sparkle with the tiniest adornments of raindrops.

 The ever beautiful dogwood in our back yard looks even more radient with these beautiful beads of water.

 And, I am sorry to say, I am ignorant to what this plant is in my yard. I do find it beautiful especially in the rain.

{All of these shots were taken with my Tamron for Nikon 18-270mm lens. I am really enjoying switching back and forth between this lens and my new 1.8 35mm. With these, I wanted to be able to really manipulate the lens for the exact photo I wanted, so I chose the Tamron lens which gives me more fine tune focusing control. All shots are done in full manual mode for settings and focusing.}

Wii Play

OK,  I am admitting it. We have a Wii. Do I know how to turn it on, no. But my 3 and 6 year olds do and let me tell you, they have some mad Wii skills. Last night these two girls schooled me in some Mario Kart. And as stated by Emma-Caroline, "Mommy doesn't know how to drive,"  so I get the steering wheel controller so that I can actually somewhat compete in the game. Isn't that generous of my little Wii sharks! Good thing we're not playing for money because I would be broke! We're about to have a family competition. Don't bet on me being in the Winner's Circle. I am more comfortable behind the camera lens in activities such as these!The game I was schooled on. Nice!
Yep, that's a winner's face!
Mad Wii skills in action! Look at these little pros!
Look at that determination. She even has some "trash talk" although very tame. (Imagine Nanny nanny boo-boo tune to the following "Oh yeah, I'm gonna get more coins!")
I mean, my 3 year old is even better than me.
The celebratory dance. Yes friends, they are beating their chests like Donkey Kong. Winning always feels good! Glad I could oblige!

New Specs!

Y'all I am sporting a new set of specs as of Wednesday. 

 What do you think?

 I am amazed at the clarity of the world around me with my new set of eyes.

 Now I don't wear contacts and my prescription is very low according to Miss Eye Doctor, but , wow, these make a difference!

 I don't have to wear them all the time, but for now I am so that I get use to them.

 I had a little fun playing with taking pics of myself wearing these new little pretties.

 I rather like these Kate Spade frames. I guess I should though since I picked them out!

So there you go!

Mr. Bunny Applique

This past week, I have spent some time getting my Etsy shop, Josie-Bea Originals restocked with some new spring items.  I decided while working on these little things that I would kind of give you a step-by-step on how the shirt comes to be. I say kind of because I am leaving out the essential pre-sew steps which include stabilizing the applique fabric, centering the applique on the shirt, hooping, etc. It's important to do every step precisely and to not skip any step. But this is not really a tutorial on machine embroidery. Just a {Thought-You'd-Like-To-Know} kind of thing. So here's where I start on the machine.

I program in two appliques, the circle applique and then Mr. Bunny applique.

Next I sew the first applique with a running stitch, then cut out the shape, and finally follow with a finishing satin stitch on the applique.

I use these AWESOME scissors to cut out the appliques. They allow me to get right up to the edge of the running stitch so there is no excess fabric. My appliques would not look as clean without these scissors.

On top of the first applique, I repeat the steps above for Mr. Bunny applique.

After cutting out Mr. Bunny, he is ready for the finishing satin stitch.

 Almost complete, Mr. Bunny now has whiskers.

 And, the finished product with Josie-Bea Originals label and hang tag. All ready for my Etsy store.

Please come by my Josie-Bea Originals Etsy store, if you get a chance. I had scaled back my offerings after my hand injury, but now I am up and running again and adding new things weekly. I am also excited that Josie-Bea Originals shirts and gift items are going to be available at two local Knoxville stores, Jack and Jill and The Social Butterfly of Echelon. Hope y'all are having a great weekend. Now I am off to do some more sewing!

Portrait Photography

I recently practiced my hand at true portrait photography with my friend Leslie's little baby boy, Blake. It's easier to practice on an infant since they really can't go anywhere and since they generally are in a good mood. Blake was the perfect model! Isn't he just adorable!

The Remembering

With delicate petals you gently fold open

Turning your face to the warmth of the sun.
Your beauty beholds a story unforgotten
On that fateful day when your legacy first begun.

Upon you, the nails driven into hands and feet

A crown of thorns placed upon the head

To force the One given, His Maker to meet

And then be stripped down to lay among the dead.

But on the third morn after that woeful day

The Saviour rose again in God's full glory

And all those who witnessed were left to say

That this was only the beginning of this miraculous story.

Now as each Spring beckons, the miracle is understood

As your red stained petals serve to remind,

That we have been washed clean by the Saviour's blood

And in the remembering, we are never left behind.

Sharing  today with Imperfect Prose

One Thousand Gifts

Have you read this book?
 You may have. If not, go buy it today or download it to your Nook or Kindle. I first caught a glimpse of this book when I met Edie and Patty at a  East Tennessee bloggers luncheon. Edie had a copy of the book that maybe Patty or another one of the ladies gave her. I was instantly drawn to the cover. Yes, I know, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but who couldn't be drawn to this book by those beautiful blue eggs tucked into a perfect nest. I forgot the book's title and racked my brain trying to remember it so that I could go and purchase the book for myself.

 Life conveniently continued on and the quest for the book's title was pushed to the back burner. Then Darby and Paige mentioned the book, and BAM, there it was again, and I knew I had to get it. At the bookstore, I picked up the copy of "One Thousand Gifts," that was soon to become my very own, and read the back cover. I felt chills, the good kind. I knew I had to read this book. I won't tell you that when you start reading this book that you will instantly feel, "WOW, now that's inspirational!" The author begins with a recounting of a heart wrenching story, but you somehow look past that. Although the story the author is retelling is not your story, somehow, you feel it is, because at some point in your life, you have felt the same way. Each of us has something that has caused us pain, that may keep us from letting God shower us with the gifts He has in store for us. But if we let go of that pain and desire to protect ourself from hurt, we will be ready to receive God's gifts. Three ladies who have moved past their own pain and have opened their hearts to God are my own mother who lost her husband tragically, Edie who lost her home in a fire and Paige, who also lost her husband to cancer. Each of these ladies has chosen to live life and to celebrate God's love for them despite tragedy. They have in turn been blessed with God's gifts and share them graciously with others.

Now, go and get your copy of "One Thousand Gifts" and "dare to live fully right where you are."


 
Sharing with Patty at "Finding Serendipity" for Photo A la {M}ode. Patty is another lady who inspires me daily and shares the gifts and talents she has been given to help make the lives of others better. Thanks Patty!
 
{Above Photo Stats for Photo A la {M}ode: Frame 1: f1.8, 1/ 25  ISO 1000
                                                                    Frame 2: f 1.8, 1/250, ISO1000,
                                                                    Frame 3: f 1.8, 1/40, ISO1000.
All shot were taken with my 35mm 1.8 prime lens.}