Surprise iVillage Feature

I just received the best surprise in my inbox. The Etsy Marketing team selected my halloween cards to be included in their feature on ivillage entitled "Handmade Halloween: Scary Good Etsy Finds!" You can currently view them here at: http://www.ivillage.com/silhouette-place-cards-handmade-halloween/7-b-286439#286495. Happy Halloween - just a little early!

Acorn

Strolling around the neighborhood today I came upon this lovely acorn. I set up an acorn photo shoot but little did I know that the camera was set to night vision. The original shot, straight out of the camera, was very green. With some Photoshop work adjusting the levels, I was able to create what you see below. I really like the way it looks like an old / vintage photograph.

Golden Yellow and Blue

I was so thrilled to find my from the bride and groom notes featured in this divine treasury below. Don't you just love the name of the treasury - cute as a button - and everything in it!

Rachel of Paper Path not only created the treasury above but also this stunner of a treasury below called the smell after the rain featuring miss you. A huge thank you to Rachel for including my cards with such lovely items!

Are You Ready for Halloween?

Halloween is such a festive time of the year - don't you think? Pumpkin carving, planning costumes and don't forget decorating! There are so many wonderful items available on etsy to help plan for this time of year. I have really enjoyed browsing for fun and unique Halloween finds. Here's a peek at some of what I found - aren't they delightful?

Amazing photo by Raceytay entitled "Chat Noir"

Ghost Plantable Gift Tags from Green Post which are 100% reused, recycled and plantable

Stunning cake bunting by Kiki La Ru

Fun Halloween card by Fiona Designs

Flowers!

A fun capture and before / after.

Before

After

What's New?

So excited that my "What's New?" card was accepted and made it to the front page of craftgawker! Such a nice surprise for a Tuesday morning!

Natural Wonders

A delightful selection of etsy finds for this Monday morning!

Dainty Earrings

I was so ecstatic to be the lucky winner of Sunset & Vine Jewelry's August Giveaway.  Exquisitely dainty these sterling silver and gray rectangular glass earrings are a joy to wear. Beautiful for everyday and yet pretty enough for any fancy occasion. I enjoyed taking pictures of these earrings and practicing the macro feature on my camera! Thank you so much Brooke of  Sunset & Vine!

Spotted

I was so thrilled to win a top sponsor spot on Evelyn's lovely blog called Sumiko-Shop Lovely Finds. It was such a nice surprise this morning to find a great feature of Fiona Designs on her gorgeous blog. I adore the cards that she put together for her post. I think they look great together - don't you? Here is an excerpt of what she wrote: 

"These paper cards are produced on premium, smooth card stock and are paired with shimmering envelopes that complement each design. She uses every color and combination, are truly beautiful! Visit Fiona Designs online at: www.fionadesigns.com."

Which is your favorite?

Camouflage

Alabama has a special place in my heart. I adore the beauty there and the opportunity to explore endless fields and forests. Abandoned buildings beckon to be examined. This one happened to have a visitor on the old rusty tin and wood. Can you see the visitor?

Congratulate the New Mom!

Looking for a lovely way to welcome that new little boy into the world and congratulate the new mom too? This adorable card is a perfect fit!

Thank You Sumiko-Shop!

I am so thrilled to be the winner of Sumiko-Shop's treasury contest! I had such a great time finding all the beautiful items below on etsy and curating this treasury as a farewell to summer.

Sculpture Fest Snippets

Woodstock, Vermont has a Sculpture exhibit that I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit this week. Here are some snapshots from Sculpture Fest 2010.

What an Honor!

I had such a lovely surprise yesterday in my inbox from Rachel of Paper Path. It was the link to the lovely treasury featured below which she dedicated to her four favorite shops on etsy. I am so happy and feel very honored to be one of them. Rachel makes delightful paper creations and is also a fine artist. Take some time to not only check out her etsy shop but also her fab blog. Thank you Rachel!

Beach Sign

Before

After

Thistle

Before

After

Beautiful Day

It's a beautiful day here in the Northeast!

Partially Complete

A beautiful red apple

Beach rock

I wasn't able to quite finish the last two items for Scavenger Hunt Sunday but I hope you enjoy the three I found and photographed!

Define sharp

As Summer Fades

As a farewell to summer I have created several treasuries on etsy. I was happy to find this treasury accepted to one of my favorite sites, Lovely Clusters. This collection of amazing etsy finds that I curated is currently featured on the front page of Lovely Clusters.

My First Attempt for Before/After

This amazing art installation completely intrigued me when I saw it at the Cleveland Clinic. Created by Jaume Plensa in 2007-8 out of stainless steel it is entitled "Whispering." It features over 40 quotes from the likes of Helen Keller, Plato, Einstein, Martin Luther King, Jr., just to name a few. I believe that the quote in the middle of my shot is by Balzac, "All humanity is passion; without passion, religion, history, novels, art would be ineffectual." I was disappointed with the way my photos came out so I thought it would be fun to try "fixing" one shot in photoshop. I was going for a dramatic duotone effect.


Before (SOOC)

After

Are You Ready for Fall?

I'm not sure that I am ready for fall, but I really did enjoy making this tribute to late summer / early autumn from amazing finds on etsy!

Good Mornings

A good morning for me starts off with some yummy coffee! Here is a shot of the coffee pot after all the coffee has been consumed. What's a good morning start for you?