Haunted Halloween Cards 2010

This year I decided to make a couple of different Halloween cards because it was more fun that way. The funny thing is that I finished making these last weekend but I didn't get them in the mail until.....yesterday - I know, totally embarrassing. I hope the kids that receive them forgive me. Here's how they turned out.

Hopefully you can see the texture from the embossed pumpkin and witches feet. Thanks to my photography class I know that you need side-lighting for texture but right now the sun is pretty harsh and isn't helping me with these shots. I think you get the picture though.....ha, ha.

Supplies Used:

• Stamps: Wicked Cool, House of Haunts
• Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, black patterned paper (unknown source)
• Ink: Basic Black, Versamark
• Other: spider embossing folder, big shot, pumpkin pie corduroy buttons, polka dot embossing folder, black waffle paper, round punch, round scallop punch, buttons, twine, black embossing powder

Note: All products used are Stampin Up unless otherwise noted.

Happy Halloween!

Photography Assignment #2

I recently shared with you that I began a photography class on composition a couple of weeks ago. I'm a bit behind on blogging these days because it seems that I never have a spare minute. I may have over-committed myself but that's OK, it's all fun stuff. I shared with you my assignment from week 1's photography class here, and I thought I would also share some of my shots from week 2.

The focus of week 2 was shape, texture, and perspective. I was very excited about the texture assignment but the others I struggled with. I was off from work on Friday and I was able to get out for a few hours to go exploring and find some inspiring subjects to shoot.

Just me on assignment - please ignore the no makeup.

Shape - being my silhouette

Texture - capturing the old rubber tires and peeling paint.

Texture - peeling paint from the floorboard of a really old truck

Perspective - merry go round at the park at our beach.

This weekend I will need to work on my assignment when I'm not indulging in Halloween festivities. The focus is landscape and bringing all of the building blocks together. Huh....I think I may need to go back and figure out the second piece of the assignment. Sometimes it's a mystery but I'll come up with something.

P.S. I'm always looking for other bloggers that have an interest in photography....inspiration is a very good thing.

Photography Assignment #1

A few weeks ago I began a photography class on composition. Not really knowing whether or not it was going to be what I was looking for was questionable but it was worth a try. I am taking the class with my friend Brooke from My [Boys]terous Life and so far we are learning a lot. We have a very inspiring teacher which makes all of the difference and he gives us assignments each week to practice the concepts we are learning. It's 3 hours on a Monday night but so far it is revving up my photography engine.

The first week we focused on light and lines. We were given our assignment to shoot the same subject using front, back, and side lighting as well as taking shots illustrating the use of lines. Here's some shots that I took for that assignment.

Lines from my blinds onto the kitchen cabinet

Lines from a bridge at a local forest preserve showing the beautiful fall colors

Side Light - not the best composition but it was only week 1, I still have time to get better right?

Back Light - I like how this one turned out and it really makes the leaves so different.

Front light - pretty pictures but it makes the photo look so flat

Week 2 was about shapes, texture, and perspective and I'll post those photos shortly. I had a lot of fun shooting those shots and am always open to feedback or critic. It's the only way we'll get better.

P.S. If you have any good photography blogs that you would recommend please let me know, I'm always looking for inspiration and a good place to go for reference too.

St. Lucia - part 2

We have been back from our week long vacation for 2 weeks now and Blogger is not cooperating and letting me properly upload photos. My apologies in advance for these not being in any sort of order but I wanted to share some photos from our trip. It was truly the most relaxing vacation we have ever been on and was truly a time together we will never forget! Here's a few (ok alot) of photos from our trip.

Us being silly

One of the many beautiful waterfalls at the Botanical Gardens

How low can you go? Let's say I didn't last that long during this contest.

Our favorite bartender! He would bring me my favorite drink even before I asked for it. I think it was making my "passion" drink on this sunny afternoon.

David relaxing at the pool on our last day.

Me relaxing at the pool. The blue tile at this pool was truly beautiful.

My last drink before heading home the next morning.

Zip lining!

Us on our 8th anniversary after zip lining through the rain forest in the pouring rain.

This little bird would sit on my chair on our veranda everyday. They are so friendly and I loved feeding them and watching them. They were beautiful.

Another one my friends that would come and visit.

They had a "lazy river" that was hidden away on the property. There were lots of cool places to relax and this was our favorite place to hide-away. It was surrounded by water and was directly in front of a waterfall. I couldn't resist taking this picture of David reading and totally relaxed. He doesn't read that often so it was a memory I had to catch.

This was a Salmon Tree at our resort that looked like it was straight from the movie Avatar. This picture doesn't do it justice - it was breathtaking!!!

This crab loved playing hide and seek while I tried capturing a picture. I got one at least!

This was one of the very friendly locals that we met while going for a walk on the beach. He made a grasshopper for us out of 2 banana leaves. It was something his grandmother taught him to do. He could make all sorts of animals and I loved seeing them use resources that are easily available thanks to nature and use it to make a living. I also bought a birdhouse from him carved out of a coconut.

US - loving life.

David posing on a beautiful piece of driftwood. It was a rainy day but we tried to make the most of it.

Paradise in St. Lucia - part 1

We went to St. Lucia for a week to celebrate our 8th anniversary recently. We had been looking forward to this trip for months and when we finally arrived it was everything we were hoping for and more. The morning after we arrived we ate breakfast and headed straight to the beach....this was the first photo taken from my lounger.

P.S. blogger is not cooperating and won't let me post more than 1 photo, more to come soon.