Flay Day 2012

To celebrate Flag Day (and just for fun), Sarah and I worked together to create some truly fun, vintage-inspired images.

I had borrowed my dad's Army uniform from my sister who has legal, full-time custody.  I had this idea about having my son, David, wear the uniform for a kind of rite-of-passage kind of photo shoot.  David simply wasn't "feelin' it", so I mentioned the idea to Sarah. 

Sweet Expressions

The feelings your baby creates in you is something you have to experience before you can fully appreciate it.  I will always remember my husband, Tim, after the birth of our first child, Sarah.  It was magical to watch him as he held her and looked at her little face.

And this little guy.....oh my, I saw the same look in his parents' eyes as I saw in Tim's all those years ago.

A Little Light Please

Yes, it's been forever since I've posted. Tomorrow I'll begin sharing pictures that illustrate the reason for the long silence, but today I'll reveal the cause:  There was mold in them there Hills' (house).  

Fortunately, it wasn't the dreaded black mold. Nevertheless, anything and everything it touched had to go.  And that has meant a rather intensive and unplanned remodel of  my office and our master bathroom and bedroom.

Every now and then,  however, there was a fun by-product of the remodel.  Since the office was affected (more information on this later) and as an upcycled bookcase began to take shape, I realized I needed a new lamp.

Fabulously, Personally Vintage

 I love vintage styled photo shoots.  However, I see so many these days in which the subject is dressed totally in the photographer's props.  In some cases, the props become the focal part of the photo.  While I still love the look,  I prefer that each element in my photographs have personal meaning to my subject.

It's About Time

It's about time I got a handle on off camera lighting.  And this vintage clock was a very patient subject for today's practice shots.  The first goal was to create an image that shows the detail in the clock face.   Second, I wanted  to have a dramatic sky  in the background.   The third goal was to utilize minimal adjustments in Photoshop.

Mission accomplished....

Once Upon a Time in Canada

Once Upon a Time, in the faraway land of Canada, this baby boy and his family went camping.  His father comes from a long line of hearty camping folk.  His mother - not so much - as in "not ever before".

In Canada, they said, even in July, there would be cool temperatures, clear water in the lake, and great fishing.....

Just in Time

These pictures were truly taken just in time.  On a recent afternoon, we met for a quick session of "capture the belly" - nearly 2 weeks before her due date. Within 5 minutes of leaving Town Square, the heavens opened with thunder, lightning and a drenching rain.  Exactly 7 days later, this tummy was replaced by an amazingly beautiful baby girl. (who happens to look just exactly like her big sister!).

Glimpse of Glory

There is a wonderful park close to my house.  It includes a wetland filled with cypress trees which causes my imagination to run wild, expecting at any time to see Hobbits trekking through the woods.

A dear friend of mine asked if I could help her with an image for her blog for Habitat for Hope.  She's planning to name the blog "Glimpse of Glory". 

Hinged Book {Tutorial}

If you have never tried book binding, I would encourage you to do so. Handmade books give you the opportunity to choose the perfect size, colors, papers.  You can make a notebook, a photo album, a sketch book all using variations of the same techniques.

As promised, here are some photographs that illustrate how to make a simple book with a hinged cover.   I used 4 sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper, grosgrain ribbon, acid free book board (from Hobby Lobby), glue, a bone folder, my favorite craft knife and a metal ruler.

Love Is...

It was 1933 and he was 24 when they got married.  That is young by today's standards when marriages are delayed until we graduate from college, begin our careers, and check a variety of things off our to-do-before-we-have-children lists.