Showing posts with label Focus on Life: 52 Photos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Focus on Life: 52 Photos. Show all posts

Focus on Life: Week 40 - Give Us A Smile!

So this week's prompt from Sally over at
The Studio Sublime was, "Give Us A SMILE!"
 
 
 
It really does help to lift the spirits of people when you give them a smile, or you get one in return.
 
These two are always smiling. 
 
The "Masked Rider"(Unmasked!) and his sweet and beautiful girlfriend.
 
Their future's are bright, they are both respectful of each other and those around them, they're funny, smart and all around good 'kids'.  
 
Seeing them happy, makes me smile
 
Scroll on down the page here or head over to the Studio Sublime to see who else is smiling and what they're smiling about this week won't you?
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and All Smiles!
Cheers,
~Shel~
 
 

Focusing on Life: Week 39 - Your Best Shot!

Okay - so has anyone else been singing Pat Benatar's
"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"
this entire week or is it just me? 
 
I will not put you though the You Tube version of this 1980's classic just in case you're in the free and clear!
 
(You're Welcome!)
 
Sally's prompt this week for the
 
Week 39:  Your BEST Shot
"This week get snap happy!  Give us YOUR best shot!"

 
 
I snapped lots of photos of jewelry this week in hopes of getting them edited in time for Stringing Magazine's Spring 2014 issue deadline of the 26th and was going to use one of those (a sneak peak anyway) for this week's prompt.
 
But that didn't happen because my pics turned out pretty bad (crappy is a much better word to describe them actually!).  So needless to say, you won't be seeing those and I didn't send them via email to Stringing either (yes, they were that awful!!).  I was pretty upset with myself to say the least! 
 
And let's see, I failed to capture the pretty sunrise the other day, I spaced out trying to get a pic of a friend who popped into town from Georgia to have dinner with us Thursday night and the pics I took of my son before he left for Homecoming to pick up his girlfriend turned our poorly too because I tried to take them with my iPhone,...and we all know how many times I've successfully used THAT as a camera!
 
Oh, and of course the pic that I had the waitress take of my friend Michael from St. Croix (whom I hadn't seen in years, and yes, it was his father's funeral I attended this week) and Jackie and I at breakfast last Saturday came out blurry, too (I guess I'm not the only one who can't use my iPhone camera properly!). 
 
So, despite all the friends I reconnected with this week and the positive things that did happen recently, I was in an ugly 'funk' late Thursday night. Just one of those weeks, I guess.
 
But, I got up today (Friday) and decided to shrug off the icky-ness and adopt a positive mind-set and get on with things! 
 
I didn't touch my camera because I didn't want to jinx anything, so I'm giving you a photo that I consider one of my "Best" shots ever.



I know, you were expecting a picture of Italy, weren't you!   Or pearls, or flowers,...or Door Porn!!  Yep, I love this one. He's just hanging out,....unaware of everything else around him.
And yes, he was orange - not red, like most. I like that about him. Showin' his true colors! :-)
 
 
It reminds me of happy times up in the mountains, taking nice walks (snapping pics that actually turn out) enjoying nature, relaxing, being present and living in the moment and not stressing myself out over stupid things that really aren't going to matter or even be running through my head when I'm laying on my death bed!
 
Hopefully everyone else had a productive and happy week and was able to capture some great photos!
 
I'm going to hop on over now to The Studio Sublime and enjoy all the other BEST shots!  Join me? 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Letting Things Go, Taking Stuff In, and Getting Back To 'ME' At My BEST!
Cheers,
~Shel~
 
 
 

Focus on Life: Week 37 - In Motion

*If you're looking for the Ears To You Reveal - Click Here!*

It's week 37 for the Focusing On Life Photography Challenge hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime and this week's prompt was:
 
 
 
In Motion
 
This week I was 'In Motion' pretty much constantly, trying to play 'catch up' and get things ready for my Pearls Blog Hop tomorrow but I failed miserably at getting a photo of any of my motions, or anyone else's motions for that matter.
 
So, I remembered my butterfly pics I took a couple of weekends ago while at my sister's cabin for "Girlfriends Weekend" and there was my shot! 
 
 
 
He's so pretty!  And he even stayed put right there after I walked away and continued up the path back to the cabin.
 
Then, my friend Ginny comes rushing in just gushing about the gorgeous butterfly that stayed on the path over by the creek and how still he sat while she captured tons of pics. We both turned on our cameras and saw we had taken photos of the same butterfly.  We started laughing because it had to have been at least 10 minutes between when I returned up that path and when she returned.
 
Guess, he wasn't really that 'into motion' after all. But he sure was exercising his beautiful wings for us!
 
Hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what every one else has captured "In Motion" this week!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Moving Right Along,....
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 36 - In Two

This week's prompt from Sally over at
The Studio Sublime for Week 36 of the
 
In Two
 
 
 
"This week, let's focus on things in twos!"
 
And this is exactly what I've been doing ALL WEEK LONG! 
 
Yep,  over 160+ pairs of 'twos' to be exact.
 
 
Ear Wires Galore!

 
But I thought these 'Two' were much more fun (and cute!) so I decided to get a pic of them as well.
 
Say hello to Coco and Kiki, our Peach Faced Lovebirds. 
 
 
Coco and Kiki
 
Coco's 7 years old and Kiki is just 1 year old.  Kiki's a bit more camera shy than Coco.  And, she's got 4, (possibly 5 now, I haven't checked this morning) little eggs she's sitting on.
 
Not sure if they'll develop - her last few batches (or what ever you call them) didn't.  But she's a really good Mama and sits on them almost all day for a few of weeks until she realizes they're not going to amount to anything. 
 
Not sure if I'm ready for 'Grand-Birdies' or not,....
 
I'm down in Tucson this weekend for the Fall Gem, Jewelry and Bead Shows they're having (insert happy squeal here!) and I think I'll find at least "Two" perfect pearls to put on a pair of those ear wires but I may not make it around to every one's posts until Monday when I return.
 
In the meantime, why don't you hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what other 'twos' popped up in every one's lives this week!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and 'Two' Much  Fun!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 34 - Add Somthing

It's Week 34 of the
hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime
and this week's prompt was:
 
Add Something

 
Sally suggested that this week we "Get creative with your photos. Dive into those editing programs and check out all the wonderful effects, actions, overlays and textures!"

 
 
So, I took a favorite photo and did just that.
 
Since I'm still very challenged with Photoshop Elements 10, the program I have, I used the free online editing program Pixlr and came up with these results:
 
*(click on any photo to enlarge them)
 
Normal - just clean edits (crop, size, sharpen)
 
 
When editing my jewelry photos, I just do clean edits and just crop, size, sharpen and at times stick a frame around them and that's it (I do the frames in Pixlr, too - or PicMonkey or ipiccy).
 
  
Overlay, Light Effects and Frame
 
 
This week's challenge was fun and allowed me to spend some time experimenting with some various overlays and textures that I hadn't used before.
 
 
Antique look, Overlay and Frame
 
Pretty cool effects if you ask me.
 
Hog Wild!  Overlays, Textures, Frames - you name it.
I love this one for some reason - Looks like a Hallmark Card.
 
This was a fun one, Sally - Thank you!
 
Go on over to The Studio Sublime today and check out Sally's new web design and see what all the other participants are snapped and how they've chosen to "Add Something"!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Adding Some Fun!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life - Week 23: From Where I Stand

 
 
For week 32 of the
Focus on Life: 52 Photos Challenge,
Sally over at The Studio Sublime
prompted us with,

"From Where I Stand"
 
 
 
 
 
I regularly like to walk barefoot in our grass. 
 
Feeling the earth beneath my feet is both energizing and grounding at the same time for me.
 
I talk to God/The Universe and meditate a bit.

Taking in the earth, the smells, the feelings, the sounds.

Focusing on gratitude and life at that moment.
 
I'm so grateful to have what I do and be where I am (despite the 100+ temps in the summer).
 
 Earlier this week after a bit of rain, I stepped out and took some deep breaths and looked down.


 
 
This is where I stand!
 
 
Sally's  having a bit of a problem with her blog this week so her post might not be up for a bit, but here's where everyone else stands - go check 'em out!
 
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Standing Grounded!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus On Life - Week 30: Catch The Sun!

This week, Sally's prompt for the
was to
 
"Catch The Sun!"
 
 
This week, we were to capture the beauty of the sun as it glistened off the skin, sparkled and danced on the water or as it was shining on the beauty of the day.
 
I'm in the White Mountains of Arizona this week,...during the rainy season. 
 
Not much sun here,....
 
Not much sun here,...
 
But, when we had a little birthday gathering at the local park during our family reunion and it was sunny for a few hours, I captured my oldest nephew as he was playing basketball.
 
 
 
Half in the sun, half in the shade,....the only shot I could get that really captured the sun as it touched some one.
 
Now, we're just waiting for the sun to come back out. 
 
During the Annual Nutrioso BBQ (which is this weekend) it always rains with out fail, so the chance of sun is about 1%,.....not a very 'bright' forecast if you ask me!
 
Hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see how every one else has captured the sun this week!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Waiting for the Sun!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~


**I'm still up in the mountains (as you can tell!) on vacation for my family reunion and so again this week, I do apologize for not hopping around to many blogs or commenting as much as I normally do, but I want to spend quality time with my family and will get back to my normal routine next weekend! I will try to look at everyone's posts though - I just love seeing what everyone has captured each weekend!!***

Focus On Life: 52 Photos - Week 29

This week, Sally over at The Studio Sublime, prompted us with:
 
 
 
Routine!
 
She asked us if we had a daily routine that we looked forward to each day and this week we were to focus on the beauty and comfort of our every day routine.
 
Well, it's summer. So there's not at much routine early in the morning as there is during the school year (yeah!) but there is one thing, no matter what time of year, that I do consistently each morning.
 
As the hubs is asleep in my office (yep, my studio/office got moved into the bedroom a few years back when we moved into this house) I bring my laptop out, fix a cup of coffee, fill my pink water cup, read over and add to my 'to-do' list for the day, enjoy a magazine or book of some sorts (usually a beading magazine or book) and catch up on emails and blog posts/comments.
 
I broke down and used my phone for my photo this week because, yes, my camera was in my office (aka-the bedroom) and as I sat here today I realized that this was the one thing I do, religiously, every single day, so I had to capture it or the day would go by and I wouldn't get the chance until tomorrow morning. And, tomorrow morning, I'd be in the same boat with my camera in the bedroom, still on my desk, and my phone out here,....waiting to be used for picture taking.
 
 
To-do list, bead mag, water, coffee and my trusty computer with it's
'old' Windows 7 technology and no 'touch-screen'!!
 
 
Some of you know that I don't have a very good relationship with my iphone camera like some people do. I can never seem to snap a good pic. And, since everyone else takes amazing pics with their iPhones, it has to me me,...the user,...not the phone or app or any thing else.
 
I played around with the camera, the apps, etc. and decided it wasn't too bad. So there you have it.

I've officially gone off the deep end and actually used my phone as it was intended - as a camera!

:-)
 
 
Now, hop on over and check out what everyone over at the Studio Sublime has posted for their "Routine" today, won't you!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Clinging to my Routine!
Cheers,
~Shel~

**I'm enjoying 'Family Time' from now until the last week of July as my brother's have flown in and we're having our Brothers/Sisters Family Reunion with everyone.

Please forgive me if I don't make as many comments on everyone's blogs as I normally do. I'll try - but the internet in the mountains can be a pain when everyone's trying to use their smart phones to post pics, etc.

It's not like the big city!!
LOL!
;-)

Focus On Life: Week 28 - Pretty Patterns

For Week 28 of the 
Challenge hosted by Sally over at
The Studio Sublime, our prompt was:
 
Pretty Patterns
 
 
 
Sally told us to "Get the camera out and explore your surroundings! Focus! And find some Pretty Patterns!"
 
 
 
 
I immediately saw patterns all around me.
 
 

The shell that sits on my desk has a really cool pattern
 


Mother Nature LOVES patterns,...and she does them so well.
 
I love the little 5-point star inside this tiny blossom on my bougainvillea.
Not to mention the lovely pattern on the bright pink petals.

 
Don't you think?
 
 
Butterfly Patterns.  Wish I could have gotten a shot w/her wings open!
 
 
Now hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what Pretty Patterns every one else was able to capture this week!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Pretty Patterns!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~
 
 

Focus on Life: Week 27 - Textures

It's week 27 of the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos challenge and Sally from The Studio Sublime gave us the prompt:  Textures.
 
"We touch a lot of stuff through out the day.  Ever notice how many different textures your fingertips feel?  Probably not.  Unless you're purposely feeling something for its texture we really don't pay attention. This week focus on how things feel, and then snap a picture of that texture!"


 
 

Texture from the 'moss' on the rock wall inside the kitchen at the cabin



 
 
I'm up at my sis's cabin hanging with my family for the 4th of July weekend and there's tons of textures around here - really cool textures, too!

 
 

Close-up of the tree that Logan and Mike helped cut down

 
Logan cutting up the tree that was too close to the
cabin and had to be cut down
 
 
Now, hop on over to the Studio Sublime and catch a glimpse of all the wonderful textures every one else has captured this week!



And, then here's some texture from Italy,....you know I couldn't resist!

 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Texture Happy!
Cheers,
~Shel~


**I'm having trouble with the internet up here at my sis's cabin, so I'll be sure to comment and visit everyone's blogs this week after we return!! **Sorry about that**
 

Focus on Life: 52 Photos - Week 26: Your Choice!

"Whoa-oh, we're halfway there,...Whoa-oh,....Livin' on a Prayer!"
 
The words to this Bon Jovi song have been going through my head all week.
 
So appropriate too, considering we're halfway through the year at week 26 with the Focus on Life: 52 Photos weekly photo challenge with Sally over at The Studio Sublime! 
 
Wow,...times flies, eh?!
 
For week 26 of the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos challenge, Sally's prompt was this:
 
Your Choice!  This week you get to choose. Pick your own prompt! 
 
Wow,...the possibilities truly are endless with this one, are they not?
 
I chose to snap a pic of my son next to this metal statue in this little town not too far from my sis's cabin. 
 
Despite the fact that the "Masked Rider" (pictured here with out his helmet) pretty much hates having his picture taken, he thought this statue was really cool - considering the subject matter.
 
 
 
 
He said, "That's how I feel when I'm on my bike, Mom.  Riding fast, hair on fire, having the time of my life!  This is exactly how it is!" 
 
"What?!! You ride 'hair on fire' fast?" 
 
"Yep, I sure do!"
 
"With your helmet on, right?'
 
"Of course. I'm not stupid!"
 
"How do you know your hair's on fire?"
 
"Trust me!"
 
 
(!!!!!!! - insert 'Mom Stress' here - !!!!!!!)
 
 
So, on the eve of my 'Baby's' 16th birthday, I thought this was the appropriate photo to post this week.
 
Here's to you sweet boy!
 
I hope you have a Fantastic, 'Hair on Fire' kind of Birthday!!
 
Now it's time to hop on over to the Studio Sublime and see what every one else captured with their prompt of ????? Your Choice!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Sweet 16!!
Cheers,
~Shel~