Kitty Kitty Meow Meow

"You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats." ~Proverb

My First Photoshoot

Sooooo....I did it! I completed my first photoshoot, that was actually scheduled as a photoshoot. I was asked by Seattle's adorable fashion designer, ArtStar to participate in his upcoming calendar for 2011. We (including my adorable son, who was a 'Mini ArtStar') took to the streets of Capital Hill to get some "paparazzi" style shots. I was nervous but soooo happy with how the shoot went and how the final picutres are going to come out...but...you are going to have to wait for those. I will though, give you a sneak peek....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

Morning Craziness

This morning while sitting on the computer, my attention was grabbed by a beautiful bluejay on our back fence. Of course, I ran for my camera and quietly opened the backdoor. He (or she) proceeded to do circles from our yard to the neighbors fir tree and back around to our shed. I was unable to photograph the birds beauty as I had hope. But I did catch him feasting on his morning snack....

As I was watching this gorgeous bird, I heard a russeling coming from behind the fence...when up popped these 2 crazy squirrels. Jacob said he thinks they are trying to mate...maybe he is right?!? All I know is that you could come up with some great comments for these pictures:

PURPLE

Week 30 PURPLE photo challenge!

This weeks challenge was all about purple. I love the color contrasts of this photo.

Fix-It Friday #63 & IHEARTFACES

Original Photo:

My "Fix-It"

Software used: Corel Paint Shop Pro X2
1. I changed the Films & Filters to the following:
Added 'Vibrant Folage' film with 'Night Effect' creative filter.
R: 44, G: 86, B: 132
Density: 30

2. Soften the Focus to the following:
Softness: 40%
Edge Importance: 35%
Took off scatter light

The Birthday Girl

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip. ~Author Unknown

For Kendall's birthday we spent the afternoon at Pomona Grange Park in Skagit County. It was a great background for this spontaneous photoshoot.

Taste of Summer

"The smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls, ready to remind us...."
~Marcel Proust

Smile

'A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks'.....Charles Gordy

Howdy! So these last few days I thought I would change up my nature photography and start working on portrait style images. Its not my strong point and that being said, well time to practice, practice. Luckily I have a couple people who don't mind me clicking away at the shutter. I love being outside and shooting, using the natural light just feels so much more comfortable to me. Well I will leave you with these, gotta go get ready to go out today and take more photos! ENJOY!

I Heart Faces "Fix-It Fridays"

Today I found this great website "I Heart Faces". This site gives great tutorials and photo contests or challenges (I like this part). Every Friday they have a feature called "Fix-It Fridays" where they give you a photo to upload and edit it however you would like, giving everyone a chance to play with their photo editing software. They also have a weekly challenge with a different theme every week (not sure I will make this one, but next week I'm on it)! Overall "I Heart Faces" gives a community to the amatuer and professional photographer. I look forward to checking in with this site frequently and doing the challenges to work on my creativity.


While I didn't get a chance to do the weekly challenge, I did work on the "Fix-It" piece with this adorable little girl. I used Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 to do the editing and here is what I came up with:

This is the original photo:

...and this is my new version of it.

I used a platinum process with salt and pepper filter.

Fun with my Son!

While we try to teach our children all about life,

Our children teach us what life is all

about.

~Angela Schwindt

Jacob loves to get behind and in front of the camera! These shots were taken in the trees at a Twin Lakes in Smokey Point.

First Harvest

Not only does Jennings Park have beautiful floral gardens, they also have an amazing vegetable garden. The harvests once picked are donated to the local Marysville Food Bank. This garden has a variety of container techniques, this wall of lettuce was one of the most fascinating to me. It had heads growing from both sides of the structure. Also in the garden are varieties of squash, cabbage, peas, artichokes, and potatoes (grown in garbage cans).

Stop and Smell the Roses

I found these "Rose Partners" fascinating, as they were not only growing from the same bush, but the same branch.

Nothing is sweeter than a peach colored rosebud...screams feminity.


This crossbreed is called "Rock and Roll" but to me should be called Peppermint Patty.


The "Lemon & Orange" almost looks delicious enough to eat.

Treasury Time!

So I have been bored at work today...and when that happens, Etsy happens! Creating treasury's is such a fun way to see all the great items being created out there. Let me tell you, there are a lot of talented people walking this earth. Curation Nation's weekly challenge involved the use of this beautiful pink rose hat (which I need to buy I think) and from that I decided to go all ROSES and all PINK. Then the inner-geek in me created TECH.NOL.O.GY all the while singing Daft Punk in my head! I also showed some support to my newest team Tree of Treasury's! I felt it was time for a little tea after feeling a lil blue.

Tonight I will be in the studio and will have some more photos for your viewing pleasure, until then...XOXO!

Me and My Love of Lilies

You are probably sick of seeing all these lily shots, but I have to admit...they are my FAVORITE flowers EVER. Jennings Park in Marysville had such an amazing collection that it was like I was in heaven. Please enjoy! Also take a peek at this treasury I created with other fellow etsy sellers and their amazing lily photographs.

Given Another Chance

While cruising Etsy I find a lot of items that have been UPCYCLED, RECLAIMED, RECYLCED, REUSED...and all of these items, well they are AWESOME! Yesterday I created a treasury of all items that have been given another shot at life and not just finding their way into the dumpster. I guess I was on to something because today in the Etsy Finds email/blog appropriately "Play It Again, Sam" they too, took the time to blog about how great these redone items are. Of course they found even more way cool items that had me drooling and wishing they were in my possession. I totally am obessed with the cast iron bathtub couch (who knew?)! These reclaimed items may have a bit higher price tag, but totally worth it when you consider all the talent, time and creativity that has been put forth.

Please enjoy these items as much as I did and hey, you might get some gift giving ideas for that person who has everything!

New Obsession

So when I am not taking photos or adding more items to my Etsy Store, I am busy creating Treasury Lists! It is so much fun to see all the work that is out there..be it jewelry, art, clothing etc! Here is the link to all the Treasury's I have created so far on Etsy: Ginger Girl Treasury's.

I was lucky enough to have my 'Mon Cherie Amour' Treasury's make the FRONT PAGE of Etsy over the weekend! Total shock and such and honor. This gave those sellers an amazing opportunity to have their items seen by EVERYONE right off the bat.

So click away and enjoy!

Playing in the "Studio"

Enameled Lily

Sweet Bird

Every once in a while I like to "tweak" my photos a little bit. I love how just a little "editing" can create a whole new image and another piece of art.

Best Date Night Ever

Kendall and I went and had an early dinner from Cristiano's at Jennings Park last night. My hidden agenda was to lose myself in the Master Garden which resides there. I think the fact I brought my camera to dinner gave it away though :)

But...we were both in for the most amazing treat. The garden was in full bloom with every kind of bloom imaginable. When I walked into the garded, there was a lily garden like I have never scene. Lily being my favorite flower...I was obsessed with all the different varieties. Next there was vegetables of all sorts, planted in all different kinds of containers. The rose gardens smelled delicious. After an hour of delight, I peeled myself away...but not before taking 175 pictures!!

Please enjoy these little bits...

XOXO

Amy

Summery Orange

Tuesday while at my momma's house, I was blessed with her beautiful gardens.

Happenings...

Yesterday I received this mention in Melissa's 'Adored Before' blog! I was very shocked for her kind words. Please make sure to take a peak of her blog by clicking on the following link: http://www.adoredbefore.blogspot.com/2010/07/200th-post-and-treasury.html. You can also visit her Etsy store at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AdoredBefore . Again, thank you Melissa for the kind mention! Your stuff is great.

Also in Ginger Girl news....I am now a member of the Queet Etsy Street Team http://www.queeretsystreetteam.etsy.com/ . They donate their proceeds to charity...and we have to love that. They too also have a blog which can be found by clicking here: http://www.etsyqueers.blogspot.com/!

Thank you everyone for your continued support in my work....now off to take some more pics!!

XOXO
Amy

Remember to take time...

to stop and smell the roses. I had a fabulous time the other day in my momma's gardens. Her variety of flora and fauna kept me and my camera busy. The advantage to this long spring we have had is that the folage is all still really beautiful and green and the flowers are still blooming.

Something to ponder...

If you don't have the time to do it right the first time, when will you have the time to do it over?

Happy Birthday America

This was my first year photographing the celebration of our independence. I was quite happy with my work the next morning while reviewing my takes.