Days Ten Through Twelve of the 12 Days of Texture

Well I have been a very busy girl in the last few days, between working my 'day job', trying to get ready for Christmas and celebrating my husband's birthday it has been nutty!

Up First, Day 10...

 I took these pictures of my friend's dog 'Sunshine' this summer.  Sunshine is the sweetest soul I have ever met, especially in one who has had a hard life.  Wen got Sunshine from the SPCA.  She had been rescued.  Found starving and alone, only about one year old.  Well now she has a fantastic home and you'd never guess that she had it rough.  She is so happy and loveable.  And her name was very appropriate, because she does tend to bring sunshine into our lives!!

Day 11....

I used my girls' Christmas pictures with Kim's day eleven texture 'Rejoice'(2).  I love this texture... Silent Night is my favorite Christmas carol.  I remember singing it when I was a little girl.  We had this old angel ornament that played the tune and I would listen to it over and over...

And last but not least, Day 12....

I layered a picture of one of my favorite old ornaments with today's texture 'Friday'.  

I have enjoyed this Twelve Days of Texture so much!! Thank you Kim Klassen for all of your inspiration!  If any of readers are looking for some Photoshop How-to's, Kim has some excellent classes online.  And if you love textures like I do, join her Texture Lovin' List.

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas (or Happy Holiday, whichever Holiday you choose to celebrate...) and the Happiest of New Years!  See you in 2012.

~Michelle

Linneah is Four! (and Day 9 of 12 Days of Textures)

So today I was trying to think of a musical quote, to go with our musical texture from Kim, called 'Lola'.  The only thing that ended up happening, is me singing "You are so beautiful to meeeeeee" in the tune of Alfalfa in my head all morning....  So I didn't get too far.  And its still playing!!  I settled on a brush (also one of Kim's creations!) because it fit what I wanted to say so perfectly.

In November my 'Baby' Linneah turned 4!! I can hardly believe it... She is getting so big, and everyday amazes me.  She makes me laugh, smile, and maybe even cry sometimes... She is smart, sweet, has a temper like her Daddy, and loves to dance and sing.  And her Grandpa is her 'best friend'.  She makes our lives much more fun (and interesting) than they used to be and I can't imagine life without her.

Mommy loves you Linneah!

~Michelle

Day Eight of the Twelve Days of Texture!

For today's texture 'Storm,' and the awesome brush that Kim made us to go along with it, I had to go back to my favorites pile.  I have dubbed this series of pictures (and others that go along with it) 'The Halkirk House'.  In the spring of this year, I spent a weekend with my family in the small town (its so small its not even a town!) where my great grandparents on my dad's side all settled when they came to Canada a century ago.  Just outside of town, there is this wonderful old place that has been empty for probably 45 years.  It is so beautiful there.  I went on the Sunday, all alone and relished in the property.  It was one of those rare moments that I was in Utopia...Thanks again Kim, for another wonderful texture and brush.  You are amazing!Too see the rest of the participants in the linky party, click HERE.

Day Seven of the Twelve Days of Texture

Thank you Kim, for sharing your story with us.  For sharing your art, your gift, and your heart.

Today's images come from the summer again.  On a trip to Banff with a good friend and fellow photographer, we stumbled upon a random field of daisies on the side of the road.  We stopped and each took our fair share of shots.  These are processed using one of today's magic textures "Wonderful Magic" at 30% in screen mode, one of my old favorites of Kim's called "Water Stained Frame" at 70% in soft light blend mode, and the Heroes brush is another one of Kim's great creations.

If you missed my brush from yesterday, you can download it HERE.

Thanks for dropping by, I hope you are enjoying my work!  To see the rest of the participants' in the Twelve Days of Texture click HERE.

~Michelle

Day Six of the Twelve Days of Texture!

Happy Saturday!  I must say I am pretty impressed with myself for sticking with this.  I know its only twelve days, but for me it seems like a pretty big deal.  And it feels great :)  Today I even took some of the awesome motivation Kim has given me, and created my first brush (that was not a logo!).  I even uploaded it to a sharing site, in case any of you are interested you can upload it for yourselves HERE.  For today's share, I went back to the summer, again, and used a couple of shots from when I first purchased my macro.  All I have done to these is add a background layer set at soft light (50%) and the magic textures to overlay at 85% opacity.  I hope you like!Take a look at the rest of the submissions for the 12 Days of Texture with Kim Klassen HERE.

~Michelle

Day Five of the Twelve Days of Textures

"In childhood, we press our nose to the pane, looking out.  In memories of childhood, we press our nose to the pane, looking in."  ~Robert Brault

Just outside of the city I live in, there is a small Trailer Park with a bad reputation.  There is a playground there that I'm sure was built in the late 70's or early 80's, and every time I had driven by for a long time I had the urge to take photos there.  It reminds me of my childhood, which is what I'm sure has drawn me to it.  One day last summer I got the opportunity to take a family there for a session.  Afterwards, I had to sneak back so I could focus on this little horse.  Its one of those times that I have captured something purely for myself,  and for no reason in particular, I love the results.  I've used Kim Klassen's texture from today called 'Zuzu' on all three images, which were all processed using only duplicated layers on soft light blending mode, and the texture.  Simple, yet beautiful, I think.  To see the other participants in the Link Party click HERE.
Thanks for popping by!
~Michelle

Day Four of the Twelve Days of Textures!

I think today's texture is going to be one of my all time favorites that Kim has put out... Maybe its because its called 'Edward' and I love me some Twilight, or maybe because the brush she included today is beautiful, but maybe because I just love it.  I had to play with more than one image today because I loved it so much.  And I think it suits this little 'almost forgotten' session with my youngest.  It didn't go so well, but now that its been awhile and I am looking back on them, it is not a total loss.  Not even really a loss at all.  To see other participants in the link up click HERE.  Until tomorrow...

~Michelle

Day Three of the Twelve Days of Texture

 "Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."
Edith Sitwell

I'm off to an early start for Day 3!  This image is one of my favorites from a frosty day last winter.  One of those days that you can't help but see winter's beauty everywhere you look.  We haven't had too many frosty days yet this year, but I am sure they are coming!  I used Kim Klassen's Day 3 Texture called 'Cosmo' on this image, in two different ways, and incorporated one of my all time favorite's called 'Cracker Jack'.  You can visit the Cafe HERE.  Enjoy!


~Michelle

Day Two of The Twelve Days of Textures

Today's fabulous little texture goes by the name 'Annabelle'.  I decided to use it on this sweet image of my cousin's baby Abigail a couple of weeks ago.  We had a long haul that day, as Abigail wasn't in the mood for a session {although who would know looking at this sweet shot}.  And a little note for Kim, the creator of this texture, I will stick with music when you do, it puts me in the mood for Christmas... I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for tomorrow!
To join in on the fun and go see the other participants images click HERE.
~Michelle

12 Days of Textures!!

 

So its been a really long time since I did anything for myself... My pictures sit, unedited, my scrapbooks remain untouched.  I didn't even make Christmas cards this year!  Its a bittersweet feeling for me.  My wee little photography business is starting to go places, and I've reduced my hours at the hospital.  One step closer to the dream!!

I'm linking up to Kim Klassen Cafe's 12 Days of Textures, and I am hoping to be able to post each day.  My track record for this stuff isn't great, but I will do my best!  Today's photo is processed with the first of our little goodies, a texture called 'Lilly'.

Visit the cafe HERE.

Until Next Time...
~ Michelle

My Cousin Connor

Let me start by telling you that yes, Connor is my cousin.  My first cousin.  And I think its pretty safe to say he's the last first cousin I will ever have...  In my family, we tend to have kids early, and late, and some of us both... My Aunt (Connor's Mom) is only 10 years older than me.  I had kids early, she had kids a little later, and WA-la, we have kids the same ages.  But not only is Connor my cousin, I also tend to think he is one of the cutest kids around.  Seriously.  He is adorable with his fluffy blonde hair and big blue eyes.  And he is so funny.  He makes me laugh.  Looking through these shots I took of him 'showing off' for me when pictures were finished and we were going inside made me giggle a few times.  Maybe its because he reminds me of someone??

And just so you all know, he fully cooperated with the rest of the photo session!

I Heart Faces: People's Choice

So here is my official entry for the I Heart Faces Challenge this week!  But I had to share more of sweet little Casey.  He has the best eyes and dimples I have ever had the pleasure of photographing!

To see other entries into this week's People's Choice Challenge click here.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Michelle