Freebie for the Fourth

 I've been playing around in Photoshop lately and decided to do up a print that I could share for the holiday. I love Americana and I love decorating for the Fourth of July. (although this year, I haven't had time to get out much). This print will add a little holiday color to my buffet.

To print your own copy, just right click on the image below, and save it to your computer.

The image is an 8x10 size. I printed it on 8.5x11" sheet of matte photo paper, and trimmed it to size.

Then just pop it into a frame.

When I was a kid, the Fourth of July always meant the carnival was in town,

and watching  fireworks the night of the fourth.

When I first got my DSLR camera I spent some time attempting to learn how to use all the bells and whistles. I could hardly wait until the carnival came to town to try this shot. It reminds me of being a kid and care free summer nights.

Hope you have a fun holiday celebration! Thanks for stopping by.

February 7 on 7

A new year. New projects. New goals. Hopeful. Open. Inspired. This is what 2018 looks like for me.
 A goal of mine for 2018 is to be more creative. Just for the sake of exercising that muscle. No particular end product. Even if it's only to get my fingers messy and enjoy the process.
I'm so happy to be participating in a photography project again this year. It's just a little one, no rules, just seven (or so) images on the seventh of the month. Easy Peasy. I needed a push to get the camera out and exercise that creative part of me again. I need a reminder to slow down and see the details. As my approach is more about content that I want documented, and not necessarily upping my post processing skills, I've only adjusted a bit for white balance and a little cropping. It's about the moment and the memories for me.

 This month I've spent time with the grands, and have thoroughly enjoyed watching them explore and try new things. 

Miss E came over for the afternoon and made cookies. Mixed the dough, rolled it out, cut the cookies, decorated and baked them. She has become quite independent and accomplished and it makes my heart happy to see how much confidence she has. 

The other thing that made my heart happy was watching her use the same wooden rolling pin I have used since I was her age. It's one my Grandfather made just for my small hands.

Mr. M loves to have snack with me and his favorite snack is a big bowl of fresh fruit.

Cutting fruit up for his own snack is a natural for him now.

Miss L is so busy, little hands learning and doing.

Miss L loves music and singing and dancing. Especially when Daddy plays for her.

Santa brought her some of her own instruments, now she gets to play along with Daddy.

February brought a new little sweetheart to the family.

Puppy breath and tiny paws and oh so much fun.

I joined Wanderlust 2018 as another push to get my hands messy and explore new creative projects. This was from my favorite lesson so far, creating my own dynamic journaling pages. Pieces that can be used in my art journal projects. Each one mine, each one unique.

It's been a busy month.

The other cool part of this photography 'project' is participating with so many other lovely, talented ladies. I hope you can take the time to click HERE to see Sandra's post for this month. Then  click the link at the end of her post and the next, and the next for a round-robin of photos from our 7 on 7 community.
Thanks for stopping by!
Maureen

March 5 on 5

Aaaand another month flies by. 

I'm getting better at remembering to keep my camera handy. But I'm still feeling a little rusty. 

This year February is the month of love and . . .

Mardi Gras. (Bead bokeh, heh)

It's difficult to pass up a pretty fence without pointing my lens in that direction. Once upon a time I participated weekly in the  Happy Fence Friday flickr group, I still love me an interesting HFF shot. 

After months of planning, I finally found an artist I am excited about working with, and began the process of having permanent art work added to my arm. 

What an odd winter we have had. Relatively mild, temps all over the place, and very little snow. (not that I'm complaining, mind you) This photo is simply to remind me we did have a little of the white stuff.

And one more for good measure. I loved the colors, the graphics and the lovely patina of this collection of gauges.(And while I'm quite rusty at it, I couldn't resist adding a little texture to the image.)  In February my spring market schedule began. I participated in two markets, and as usual, they were full of interesting, lovely vintage items. I have quite a few other photos from the markets, that I'll share in another post in a few days.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, please take the time to visit the other photographers participating this month. You can begin with Lianne.