Showing posts with label Photo Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photo Challenge. Show all posts

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~

Running in Circles!

I seem to be running in circles for some reason this week, hence these:
 
Desert Dweller
 
 
And These, too!
 
 
Mod Squad
 
Do you find your daily life influencing what you do and what or how you create?
 
Me, too.
 
Hippie Chick
 
 
I've got my post ready to go live tomorrow for Week 23 of the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos Challenge hosted weekly by Sally or at The Studio Sublime, but I may or may not be able to comment on people's blogs or actually post to the live feed she has until I return, but I'm going to try.
 
You all have a great weekend.
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Pretty Circles!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus On Life: Week 22 - Foodie!

*If you're looking for the Reveal for the Anklet Blog Hop
 
 
 
 
Sally's prompt for week 22 of the
 
FOODIE
 
"Did you know that the photos most taken and uploaded to Instagram are food? I'm not kidding!  Everyone looks at food differently, but we must admit that we all have some type of connection to food. What seems little a simple plate of food can turn out to be so much more. Food can brings us together, affect are well being and bring us comfort when sad.
So this week I ask you to capture a photo of:
"What ya eatin'?"
 
 
Well, one of my favorites is a pretty simple little salad.
 
Sauteed spinach with sliced tomatoes and Gorgonzola cheese.
 
 
 
Yummy!!
 
Don't tell anyone, cause it's kinda weird, but I have this for breakfast a lot.
 
A LOT!
 
What are you eatin'?
 
Hop on over to The Studio Sublime and catch a glimpse of all the yummy food that everyone else is munchin' on, won't you?
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Yummy Tastes!!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 13 - Have Faith

*If you're looking for my
Birthday Post / Give-A-Way - It's HERE

And Now,...

It's Week 13 for the Focus on Life series over at
 
 

This week's prompt: Have Faith

And here's what Sally told us:

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. ~Augustine~

"There are many of us who are religious and there are many of us who are not, but most of us, religious or not, have faith in someone or something.  A faith that gets us through our day, a sickness or even a death. Faith is held by each of us; it is what keeps us believing that there will always be a positive outcome even if we can't see it at the time."
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
November 27th, 2007
 
 

He was only 10 years old when he walked down the hallway of the hospital with his mother. As they rounded the corner she bent down and spoke quietly into his ear , "I'm not sure you're old enough to be in this section so if anyone asks, you're 12. Okay?"
 
"Okay, Mom."
 
Standing on the other side of the door was an orderly,
looking out as if waiting just for them.
He opened the door and pointed to the second door on the right. The woman looked at the nurse behind the ICU desk. The nurse, nodding the 'okay', gave them an almost apologetic smile as the young boy and his mother entered the room.

With tubes sticking out everywhere and his skin a light ash color, this wasn't the man the boy had seen that morning as he left for school.
 
"Dad?"
"Hi, son," the man whispered; his eyes barely opening.
"How ya doing, Dad?"
"I'm doing okay, son."
"Are you hurting?"
"Not really anymore. They've got me on some pretty heavy stuff."
"You gonna be okay?"
"Oh yes, I'm going to be fine son. It might be a while, but I'm going to be just fine, don't you worry."

When visiting hours were over and it was time to leave, the boy kissed his dad, told him he loved him and that he'd see him tomorrow.

As the mother and son said goodbye and walked out of the room, the nurse behind the desk looked at them with tears in her eyes and with another, even more apologetic smile, told them, "Good night."

The next day, the young boy went sadly to school and the woman returned to the hospital.
 
As she walked into the ICU ward she noticed the mood of the people behind the desk was different than the night before. There were smiles on their faces that morning. 
 
"Oh, you're still here?", the woman asked the nurse.
"Yes. I'm here for about 30 more minutes," replied the nurse. 
 
Entering her husband's room, the woman saw him sitting instead of laying. His color was returning and there was a 
slight smile on his face.
 
"Hi Honey! Got my computer like I asked you?"
"Yep."
"Good." 
I'm not really sure you're allowed to have it here with you."
"It'll be fine. I gotta get back to work and let my guys know what's going on and that things might be a bit slower coming out to them this week.  Can you tell the nurse that I need some more bottled water?"
 
The woman walked out into the hallway and asked for more bottled water.
 
"Oh my. He's already gone through all those bottles? We don't have anymore on the floor. I'll have to send someone to get more."
"Thank you."
"Last night was rather touchy," the nurse said. "I'm glad he's doing much better today. It's like a total turn around."
"I know, right?!"
"I got rather choked up as you were leaving with your son last night."
"I thought you looked really sad."
"We all thought that was the last time he was going to see his Dad." 
"Really?"
"Yes."
"That thought crossed my mind too, for a minute anyway.  But then I realized that that just wouldn't be Mike," the woman said as she turned to walk back into the room where her husband was typing away on his computer.
 
Two days later the man was released from ICU.
 
 
Mike and Logan goofing around, like normal, at the 'look out' - June 2008
And yes, he hiked up the mountain from just above that valley you see below
 with a defib in his chest only 7 months after his heart attack.
We call him 'Iron Man' - LOL!! :-)
 
A few months after recovering at home the doctors put a defibrilator in my hubby's chest (on Valentine's Day of all days!!) and to look at him now, well,....you'd never know he had a massive heart attack 5 years ago or that the staff at the hospital had little to no FAITH that he'd even make it through the first night. 
 
 
The "Masked Rider" and Mike,...a.k.a. - Iron Man!!
 
 

Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.  ~from the movie, "Miracle On 34th Street"
The Buettner's - December 2012
 


I "Have Faith" and am grateful that there will be many more family photos just like this one!


Focus on Life - Week 12: Observe the Curve

For Week 12 of
Sally's prompt was:
 
 
Observe the Curve
 
"In life, as in art, the beautiful moves in curves."
~Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
 
"We move, live and love in curves. Arms, legs and bodies curve to propel us into the life around us. Branches of trees curve to embrace the breeze. Letters curve and form words. Curves can keep things apart, hold things together or create a path. This week take a moment to focus on all the different kinds of curves that surround you everyday?
 
And there were indeed curves that surround me every day.
 
From the earring wires I create each day,
 
 
 
 
to the pottery dish sitting on my desk that was
skillfully crafted by my friend Kathy,
 
 
 
 
To the shadows of light that are cast,
 
 
Hand Carved Lucet by Gordon Wayne Baldock
 
 
 
On the perfect curves of the hand carved Lucets my brother so lovingly made for me.
 
 
Hand Carved Lucets by Gordon Wayne Baldock
 
 
 
Each week these challenges open up my mind, helping to slow the pace so I can
Observe the Curves of Life!
 
 
Hand carved Lucet by Gordon Wayne Baldock
 
 
 
Please join the other participants over at
and see what Curves they have Observed!
 
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Observing the Curves!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

***Side Note***

Since people were curious as to what a Lucet (Knitting Fork) is and what it's used for, I thought I'd point you in the direction of
Rad Megan who sells them on Etsy.

I have one of her knitting forks.
I got it to use when I travel because I don't want to lose or harm the ones my brother custom made for me.

Rad Megan also has a blog and a you tube video where you can read about them, see the necklace tutorial she has posted using them and watch the video where she shows two different methods of
braiding cord with them.

Here's the Link:

http://radmegan.blogspot.com/2012/06/knitting-fork-summer-necklace.html

The You Tube Video is about 
half way down on her post.

Enjoy!!

Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 9 - Knock, Knock!

 
It's week 9 of Sally Russick's weekly photography challenge

"Focus on Life: 52 Photos".

 
 
Here's what Sally wrote to us for this week's prompt:
 
Knock, Knock!
  
A door opened and I went through it.  ~Temple Grandin~ 
 
"Let's open some doors to see what awaits us on the other side.
Is it a door that holds opportunity?  A door that holds a story?  Is it a door you have been hesitating to open?  Is it a gate to a new life?  A door to a new adventure?  Is it a door that holds a memory?  Is it the perfect door for a simple picture?
 
You have arrived at the door for a reason,
open it up and step in!"

Oh my,...as if I needed a prompt to photograph a door!

Along with flowers and a few other things, doors are my favorite to photograph!


For me, they all hold a story, a secret, an opportunity,  some mystery, security, a new beginning, a special memory.


I call this  "Doorway to the Sea".  It is in the Cinque Terre Region of Italy.
The Ligurian Sea is on the other side. 
This is by far, my favorite photo I've ever snapped of a door because
being here was a dream come true and this is where I go when I day-dream!


 

Doors stir this fascination in me that I can't quite place
and trigger emotions that elude words.



These are the front and back doors to my sister and brother-in-law's cabin.
Not only do these doors lead to one of my favorite places on earth, inside these doors are some of my best memories and it's as close to "home" as I can get.
Inside these doors I feel safe and secure, comfortable and inspired.
Oh, and of course I use the back door - you read the sign, right?? :-)

 

Doors have all these textures, colors, and styles.

Then there's the materials,...wood, metal, stone, glass.
Each one unique. Beautiful in it's own way.

And, no matter where your travels take you,
you can always find a door.


We were walking in Venice at night and rounded a corner and
look what door if saw!!  It wasn't so much this door that caught my attention. 
It was what was inside this door that I longed to see!
Ah,...a "missed opportunity" as the Swarovski
store was closed, but the photo opp was not to be missed!

 

 
I snapped so many door pics from my trip last fall that I thought my sister and brother-in-law were going to schedule and intervention.  Follow this link to view a blog post on some of my "Door Porn" as I call it.



These doors hold mystery. We all wished we could peek inside. They are my symbol of Tuscany.  This home is located in the small hill top village of Sommocolonia, above Barga. I've photographed these doors (this house) more than any other doors ever!


The doors I have pictured here today for you are just a few of my collection, along with their special meaning to me.

 Do doors hold a special meaning to you?


This is probably my second all-time favorite door photo I've ever taken.
It was taken from inside the church on the highest hill in Barga, Italy.
It represents "the world out there".  The beauty to be seen and appreciated.
The history to be cherished and preserved.  The adventure and opportunity that awaits.
There are days when I go here in my dreams too,...I walk outside this church and
stand in the warmth of the bright sunlight and breathe in the surrounding beauty.
Outside this door I am at peace, and so is the world. 




Please step on through to the doors that the other
photo challenge participants have posted over at The
Studio Sublime today.


Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Meaningful Doors!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life - Week 8 - Monochromatic

 
Sally's prompt was: MONOCHROMATIC
 
 
"This week look deeper through the lens to the story your photo captures and then process it to one color! 
Or be daring and shoot in B&W (monochrome)."
 
I thought this would be a rather easy challenge but I was wrong.



I played around with my camera settings and some photo editing software programs and tried out new things.


 
 I really like other people's black and white photos and even many photos I see with Sepia and other tones, but not so much my own photos. 

Sepia's not too bad I guess,....
 
  I just really don't have the eye for it.

Not the way I want to, anyway.




That said, it really made me start viewing things in an entirely new way and noticing different colors.


The mountains of AZ. I truly love how the mountains
are every shade of blue!


I liked that!
 
  
So I challenged myself to capture Monochromatic (sort of!) pics in the world around me, with out processing to one color or doing major edits.  And it couldn't be shot in black and white (my own silly rules!).


Pretty much everything is this drab, dead color since we've had such a weird winter.

This was tough - the world is so multi-colored!

Thanks for bringing me out of my comfort zone this week Sally! 




It was definitely a fun perspective this week!






  
Make sure you check out all the other participant's photos!


Just for fun!!
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Monochromatic Challenges!
Cheers,
~Shel~