layering and annual trips

Finishing the Visual Poetry Online Workshop with Susan Tuttle is like getting to the end of an ice cream cone, and wanting more.

The final week covered texture, including TtV, which stands for "Through the Viewfinder". I had much fun with it. Adding texture. Layering images. This class has indeed peeled back another part of the PSE world for me to see.

"on holiday"
In May of 1996 my daughter and I began taking what we call our annual trip. It has given us the opportunity to travel, and to go on several really fun trips~together. Some have been near. Some far. This one also included my mother, who came along with us to visit her sister and brother-in-law who live in Tampa, Florida.
My cousin was a gracious host at the beginning of the trip, taking us down to one of the many beaches in the Tampa Bay area. As she and I looked for shells, my daughter relaxed and read.
Later that week we went to Disney, and I must testify that Walt Disney really does know how to make all your dreams come true.
I don't care how old you are!

Textures credit: Susan Tuttle and les brumes.

"my man"
This layered project began with a picture I snapped earlier this year as he stood outside of my booth on this cold blustery day in March, at Art in the Park in Orange, Texas. In the background stands the W.H. Stark House, found in Stark Park where we set up.
I applied a layer using one of the many sunset pictures I've taken in South Texas on our wild game lease. I did a slight adjustment, but not much more. These two pictures worked perfectly together.
You can see more completed projects from Week 4 below.

"red buds in Ft. Davis"

"remembering granny"

"behind the settee"

This old settee stands behind The Brenham House B&B where my daughter and I stayed on this year's annual trip together. I live close enough to the antique festival to not stay in a nearby hotel or B&B like many people do who attend the festival. But, this was our trip for the year, and I am so glad we did. We loved it. The home was beautiful, the food delicious (served on fine china & crystal), and Susan and James Lopez were wonderful gracious hosts. I highly recommend it.
I promise I will share some of my festival pictures real soon.....

may your road rise up

Two things I have learned.
1. Wonderful old suitcases make for a good show.

2. Special pieces make their way home with special people.
My fourth year at the St. John Vianney Bazaar was a huge success!
Thanks to you my faithful family and friends.
I leave you with my favorite Irish blessing.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Remember the Give Away?

Another picture I took in Warrenton under an open air pavilion. Dolls seemed to be the subject of many of my photos this year. Oh, so sweet....yet somewhat haunting.
I will have more to share with you as I continue to work in Photoshop with Susan Tuttle.
See our class photos in the VisualPoetry Online Workshop flickr group here.
Texture used above from one of my favorites: les brumes.

Thanks for sharing Susan!

(Meg....please contact me with your address).

EX-CESS Field

The festival was more than fun this year, as I had two extra days of it. In a row.
And, with my daughter beside me!
I don't remember the first year I went to Round Top-probably about 16 years ago. I was naive about it all. I didn't even know about the booths in Warrenton. But, many years of experience has taught me what to do, where to go, what to wear (& definitely what not to wear), the best time to go and way more than I can tell you here. But, with all that said, I still have much to learn and know about what is called Antique Week(s) that occurs in/around Round Top & Warrenton, Texas twice a year.
Yes, it is like everything else in Texas. Huge!CLUTTER

What a cool store. Very chic. Very nicely done. I took many pictures there. I have been using several in my now second week of Susan Tuttle's online Visual Poetry class.

I must say, it is without a doubt, one of the best investments I've made this year! I am thoroughly enjoying the projects. Susan has done an exceptional job in designing this class, beginning with the very usable instructions for each project, to step-out pictures, great examples, videos, an art bar where we can meet online, comments galore, AND the Visual Poetry Online Workshops flickr group. If you are thinking about taking her next class, don't hesitate. It will fill up quickly, and rightly so.

I just love this stack of vintage blankets. I took this picture at Clutter.
I used the Diffused Light Technique Susan taught us Week 2 Project 2.

I used the technique again on this picture I took of a huge vintage card catalogue that was sitting in an open air building just the other side of the area they call EX-CESS Field. Another must stop. In this field, of course, is a large store call EX-CESS. It is an area full of various dealers in stalls, loaded down with all kinds of goodies.

One stall had a group of vintage crowns. Breathtakingly beautiful. This one was priced at $$$. I took a picture instead!

I used the Diffused Light Technique for this Week 2 Project 1. However, it was done differently than Project 2. And, after I finished, I decided to add texture~thus the second photo. Love it!

With all these great pictures and techniques I'm learning in Susan's class, I also found out via my friend Catherine Witherell, that LK Ludwig was beginning an online Point & Shoot Journaling class. Now I have a way to keep my technique pictures from Susan's class, by using them in a journal class taught by LK. All online. GREAT!

I met so many wonderful people at the festival this year. I have so much more to tell you. But that will have to be another day!

I Am Thine

*Vintage sheet music I tucked and glued inside the top of my daughter's memory box*
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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
Quote taken from a fellow artist, Nina's inspiring blog.
What a beautiful quote ~ really! What a "freeing" quote ~ really!
I have been living life. Busy with my jewelry. Busy with my full-time job in downtown Houston. Busy designing/re-working my studio/office.
(Thank you my dh for such a wonderful birthday present!)
I have a full life. It is a good life. And, for that, I am thankful.
This past Monday I began the online workshop, Visual Poetry, with the talented Susan Tuttle.
I have had Photoshop Elements 6 on our home computer for 2 years come Christmas. I knew it was time. Time to learn more, and from who else but Susan?
Each week we have 3 projects, and will so for 4 more weeks. I am basking in the possibilities of what will come of this. Jewelry pictures ~ yes. I have many. Life pictures ~ many more! Of course, I will be sharing. Your comments mean so much to me. More than you know.
So, if you are out there, lurking, not commenting OR commenting....well, here is your opportunity to let yourself be known (to me). I am having a small give-away. The gift will be a surprise. Yes, you won't find out what you win until you do......
(Drawing will be October 7th at 7 pm CST).
Note: I am on my way to Warrenton tomorrow. I have posted about it here many times. I will be there for 3 days~straight! And, with my dd.
Heaven for sure.
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More photos from the Visual Poetry group are here. I am thrilled to share!

And, oh yes, I have been designing some new pieces.
"Tulip Treasurers"
"Rhinestones & Crystals"