MK Challenge ~ Dreams....

So many aspirations for just one blog, it was hard to choose what exactly I wanted to "dream" for the year 2011. I chose "peace". That seems so general, peace between countries, peace between families, peace in the neighborhood, peace at work. However, I am choosing to focus on my own inner peace. I want to be at peace with myself and who I am or have become. As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, women tend to lose themselves while focusing on others. It is fine, for there is a time for every season of our lives. It is my season to find that inner calm where I don't feel guilty for directing my free time and energy on things I enjoy doing. For today, I am dreaming of inner serenity.

MK Challenge - Decorate...

I look forward to bringing the Christmas decorations out of storage. Although, I must admit it takes longer to put them up than it used to. Each box brings memories of past Christmas'. I have always believed that Christmas is best enjoyed through the eyes of children. Which is why I chose to post a pic of one of my favorite decorations. It is a music box, made up of toys that come to life and move with Christmas carols. It is fashioned to look like a toy box. The inside lid is a mirror. Lights flash with the music and reflect in the mirror. I love seeing the kids and now the grandkiddies open up the toy box to find this holiday band. Their eyes light up and they know this is special. Something about toys, toy boxes, Christmas songs, and a band of familiar friends.

Reindeer...

Well, I'm pretty sure they are just mule deer, but so fun to think that Santa is just letting them graze!! Wait, isn't that Donner and Cupid???

Christmas Lights...

I love venturing out to see the Christmas Lights in our small town. Just looking at the unique displays lifts your spirit from bah humbug to bright and cheerful. These shots were taken at a few houses decorated for the holidays, the city park and the fire station.  It is nice to see that even in a struggling economy, the ritual of adorning our homes and public sites with these illuminations has not totally been discarded. Another glimpse into the small town life.

It's Here... Bubble Tutorial

OK, I have never posted a tutorial, but I will do my best not to confuse anyone... I have received several requests to post the directions for these fun bubble pics.

First ... gather your supplies:

Set up your shoot by balancing the glass dish, 9x11 size, between your two chairs, of equal height. Put your bright fabric piece on the floor in the middle, under the dish. Shine your light source on the fabric - I used a halogen work light. Pour the water into the dish, about an inch or so deep.

Pour about 1/2 cup oil into the water (we all know that water and oil do not mix). I found olive oil works best. I tried vegetable oil, and it works, but the bubbles are smaller.

Stir together with a straw. The straw is important for many bubbles.

Basically, you will need to shoot on manual focus. On auto-focus, the camera tries to focus on the fabric and the effect of bubbles just doesn't happen. I have shot with "A" mode - aperture only and get pretty good pics. Use telephoto - I used anywhere from 50mm to 200mm, try different focal lengths to see what you like.
Shoot your pictures in the corners or top or bottom, around the logo on the dish (i.e. Pyrex or Anchor Hocking). Shoot a bunch, then change your fabric. Shoot with several different fabrics for different looks and dimensions. (Why waste your set-up.)

Download your pictures and use your favorite editing program to crop to your favorite bubble configuration. You will also need to crop out any logo that might have made it into your photo. Experiment with different editing effects to find your own style. Try sepia, black and white, chrome, color boost, etc. You may find your best bubble pics are those you just edit to crop and enlarge.

Below are some of my favs. I love the reflections, the bright colors and some of the editing effects. This is a fun to way to experiment with your camera and find a use for that bag of scrap fabric.

Have fun making your very own bubble pics. If you have any questions on the process, please leave a comment and I will try to help you.

I would love to see some of your bubble pics. Leave a link in the comment section.

Happy Bubbles (who doesn't love bubbles??)!

MK Challenge ... Tradition

One of our favorite traditions is our bears. This tradition started quite accidentally, when my husband bought our first born son a teddy bear. We put it under the tree and it looked quite cute. Well, it "accidentally" got packed up with all of the Christmas decorations, and the next Christmas it founds its place beneath the tree again. Before I knew it, there were teddy bears galore. Hanging on the tree, sitting on branches, resting under the tree. It all seemed so innocent at first; a cute bear ornament, a fluffy, stuffed bear. It became a tradition to get a new bear or two every year. I have inherited bears, so rudely discarded by my children. Now the bears have taken over... run for cover!!! Approximately 300 bears now live at our house. I've considered changing my Christmas theme, but I haven't the heart to tell my bears they cannot come out to enjoy the holiday, their noses pressed against giant, clear plastic bags. Just makes me melt... Everyone looks forward to the bears, and now even the grandkiddies look for them at Christmas time. The bears will stay... for it isn't really Christmas without them!

Little Sweet Feet...

This is the most perfect way to start the holiday season. Enjoying these sweet kiddies that are attached to these little legs and feet. If only everyday we could see life through the eyes of children. I cannot think of a better way to spend a weekend.