Free Download of a December Vignette

I have been having such fun making these vignettes that I decided to make it a monthly occurrence in companion with the seasons. Every month I will provide a downloadable photograph vignette for you to enjoy. You are welcome to print it, use it on your desktop or just plain enjoy it. I will start with December (I was too excited to wait for the new year). Here we go!

 

 

Perfectly imperfect, this month brings to mind the holidays with glitter, tinsel and ribbon.  The snowy color palette is perfect for this wonderful month.

 

The main photo is available here and in a slightly different colorway here. Hope you enjoy these. If you use them in a special way- please link me to your project!

Thankful For Family

I am blessed to have a wonderful family. We all get along, we would do anything for each other and just truly enjoy each others company. We spent some time taking family photos this Thanksgiving, and since I missed making a Thanksgiving post (we had guests and I was overwhelmed) here is my thankful post. I hope your turkey day was as wonderful as mine.  

 

 

As I am almost always the one taking the photos- I am usually not in them.  I was so pleased that we got some good shots of me too!

This is my beautiful sister. I could not be luckier to have a sis like her. She lives way too far away...

My wonderful husband Brad. He works so hard to give us the life we live and I love him more every day.

My sister's lovely boyfriend Doug. He is smart and funny and he loves my sister so much. We didn't overwhelm him which is also a plus.

 

My father, who would do anything for his family and has given us the world...

 

 

My Mom and her daughters and my personal favorite. My Dad said something funny and we cracked up. Perfection.

 

Shop Update 11-28-12

After the holiday rush around here, I have been a busy bee photographing and editing some new pieces. I hope you like them!

 

 

These can all be picked up in my shop and if you head over to my papernstitch exhibition, you can get a 20% coupon code! Thanks for checking them out!

Wordless Wednesday

More Vintage Lace

Are you tired of my obsession with lace? No? Ok, good! Neither am I. Here is a card of lace I picked up the other day.

 

 

So soft and intricate...

I wish I knew more about lace. How is it made? How old are these beauties? 

 

Maybe if you know something about this you can enlighten me. I would love to hear more...

Black Friday And Cyber Monday Sale

I am having a Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale in my etsy shop this weekend! 40% off all merchandise with the code WINTER12! Have fun shopping!

Playing With Light

While I had Jacob "posed" for his 3 month shots, I decided to play with light. This is a concept I have been working with in my photography that I find really difficult. Good photographers look at how the light hits their subject when composing their photograph. Usually my photographs are made from a quick opportunity and I don't have the chance to think about light too much. But Jake is stuck where I place him, so I got a chance to look at light and where it was hitting his face.

Here is what I ended up with:

 

My personal favorite. Mostly because I can see myself really well in his eyes, which means I got something right in the settings!

 

I only shoot in manual mode, which is a struggle in itself. They say practice makes perfect, so here I am- practicing away. In a few short months this guy will be moving like his sister, so I better get my shots in while I can. Do you have any critiques or useful tips for me? I am a willing student.

The Tinsel Trading Motherload Part 2

Yesterday I showed you my new metallic thread from my favorite shop that I have never visited. Today I will show you all the other goodies she picked out. I literally gasped when I opened the package she sent. Maybe you will too...

 

I spy: 2 packs of metal sequins, appliques, more metallic thread, rhinestones, shoelaces, faceted glass cabs and more! 

Metallic millinery leaves- so beautiful!

 

A box of assorted metallic ribbons, threads, fabric and bullion. Some of the ribbons are so heavy!

 

There were even more items tucked underneath the top layer! Do I have the best sister or what? She is not even into all of this as much as I am, so I just think it was so wonderful for her to do this for me. Hope you enjoyed my love affair with Tinsel Trading, how will ever I bring myself to use this stuff?

The Tinsel Trading Motherload Part 1

I have professed my love for Tinsel Trading in the past here. My sister travels a lot for her job and occasionally goes to NYC. She stopped by TT for me and when I opened the package she sent I gasped! I usually tell her to just pick out some stuff for me and this time the only guidance I gave was that I was craving some pink metallic thread. Here is the first part of what she returned with:

 

Could you handle 4 pictures of metallic thread in all its glory? Oh good...tomorrow we will return with some more pictures of the other things she brought.

Photo Vignette

Here is a shot of the photos on map that hangs in our dining room. These are some of my favorites, and I love to look at them every time I walk by.  

 

 

From top: Jacob, Elise and Brad at an icy spring, my parents holding me, Brad and his sister Brandy. The map is an antique showing the St Johns River and the city of Jacksonville, FL from my favorite antique show called Renningers. It takes place today and I am dying to go. It is amazing and happens only 3 times a year. My father and I always go because he is the only one I know that enjoys that sort of thing as much as me. I will photograph the whole map another day.

Love

Wordless Wednesday

3 Months Old

Well its official, we have exited the 4th trimester. No longer a newborn, Jacob is really gaining a personality! He has started screaming, and I mean screaming, with glee. He is not rolling yet, but he is getting close. He is all smiles almost all the time. He mostly goes to sleep easily and weighs in at a whopping 15lbs 9oz. We are a happy family.

 

 

 

A Day Away and A Bag Of Lace

For my first solo outing (without either kid) I chose to go to St. Petersburg for some antique shopping. One of my favorites is Andrea and Friends because there always seems to be an unexplored nook. There I found a bag of mixed lace for $7. This thing was chock full of beautiful lace and I couldn't believe the price- then she gave me a 20% discount! Here are some of my favorite pieces.

 

I love the way the light looks coming through this...

Soft and dreamy...

I don't know much about how lace is made, but this looks hand done. Pretty amazing if it is...

 

A great day out that was sorely needed. I can't believe it had been three months since I had been without at least one of my munchkins. It is a strange feeling, but once you get into the groove, it is wonderful. My next trip will be Renningers this upcoming weekend. I am excited beyond words to be able to go. This show is amazing. Pics will come!