10-on-10: February

We are now on month two of our 2018 project of 10-on-10. On the 10th of each month we will post 10 images taken in that month.  The specific parameters are up to the individual photographer, but the pictures should form a cohesive group in some way.  The purpose behind the project is to pick up the camera with intention.

I’ll post again after the images, but make sure you hop over to Sharleen Stuart Photography to see Sharleen’s wonderful images for February!

This month, my middle kiddo turned 10, so it seemed only natural (and just a little perfect) to use him as my 10-on-10 subject.  These were all shot in the days around his birthday on the 5th.  While not in this specific order, they came together as a sort of day-in-the-life.  Enjoy!

breakfast of cheerios, Calvin, & comics

just a cool dude

grandpa does this soft touch thing on his arms that he loves

drinking apple juice & watching the screen while waiting for lunch

ice cream cake

this boy loves art

laughing over the stuffy sister gave him that matches his birth date

lego master

from above

to bed with MOOly: his favorite stuffy

I hope you enjoyed the set.  I’m really looking forward (seeking out with determination) some sunshine and light for March.

Again, head over to Sharleen Stuart Photography to see Sharleen’s wonderful images for this month! And check out my Instagram (Instagram: javablue) for even more from our group.

10-on-10: January

For 2018, I am joining a group of very talented photographers for a 10-on-10 project.  On the 10th of each month we will post 10 images taken in that month.  The specific parameters are up to the individual photographer, but the pictures should form a cohesive group in some way.  The purpose behind the project is to pick up the camera with intention.

I have to admit that I jumped into this project with enthusiasm, and then as the 10th got closer and closer, I started to panic.  How was I going to put together something that was cohesive??

I realized that my oldest and youngest kids had soccer games over the weekend, and I could use them as an opportunity to create a collection.

Confession…

Normally, when I pick up my camera for my family, I don’t put a lot of thought into what I’m going to capture.  Sure, I have some ideas, but I’ve never created a set list of images I’m looking for.  I think of myself as more of a capturing versus creating moments photographer.  I was worried that I wouldn’t end up with enough unique images.

For this project, I sat down before their games and wrote lists of moments I would look for in order to create this group.  I had well over 30 ideas.  I also took some time to think about why my kids play soccer.  For both of them, it’s more the social aspect over the love of the game, so I came up with the theme: We’re here for the fun!

Armed with my ideas, I tackled (wrong sport? my oldest did get laid out by a player from the other team… no foul) the games.

Here is a little collage of the 10 images.  Keep scrolling for larger views and a little more insight on my process.

A couple more notes before I share the larger images.

I used three different lenses on this project – my 105mm f2.8, my 70-300mm kit lens from my original Nikon D50 DSLR, and the Lensbaby Spark.  For indoor sports photography, this isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a dream team of lenses, but it’s what I have, and I worked with them to get what I wanted.  In the end, my favorite images were mostly from the 105mm lens.

I don’t photograph my kids playing soccer that much indoors (see lens notes above), but if you’ve ever photographed sports, you know that it feels like you put the camera down at just the moment you’d been waiting for.  (It could be that’s just me.)  This day wasn’t any exception, but I felt much better equipped with my list of shots.

Now that I’ve made it through the first month, I’m even more excited to see how I can stretch myself throughout this year.

For even more inspiration, continue on our blog loop with Monika at M Colichio Photography for her 10-on-10!  And check out my Instagram (Instagram: javablue) for even more from our group.

 

Bead Soup Blog Party 8: Reveal

It is time again for Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup Blog Party. I’ve been so very privileged to be involved in 5 out of 8 of these parties. They are always fun, and it is so inspiring to hop around the globe and see what everyone created with their “soup” ingredients.

My partner for this 8th party was the lovely Jami Shipp of Celebrating Life! She has been so gracious through this entire process. I was late to send beads because I just couldn’t make any of my ingredients work together, and she was very understanding. She doesn’t know that it’s only through sheer, stubborn determination that I managed to make the deadline this year. There have been many things going on and demanding my time.

Since I didn’t manage to blog about my ingredients ahead of time, here is what Jami sent me.

The wooden beads and focal are vegetable dyed. The floral print and mind behind the beads are Marie-Noel Van Camp. I wasn’t able to find a website for Marie-Noel Van Camp, but when I do, I’ll update with a link. Jami created the clasp herself.

And now for the reveal. This is what I put together with the ingredients that Jami provided.

I can take very little credit for this design. It was inspired by the work of Rejetta Sellers in the Spring 2014 issue of Stringing Magazine. Her piece was called Juicy.

Here is another view of the piece.

Closer view of the clasp.

Since the floral print was a rose, I wanted another element to bring in the idea of roses. I remembered another magazine project that I had to dig around for in my very organized piles of magazines. In the Summer 2010 edition of Easy Wire, Cindy Wimmer created a piece called Spiral Roses, and I thought those little roses would be really nice with this piece.

I was only able to put together one piece for this hop. There were some pearls that I thought would make a very nice romantic bracelet, but I couldn’t settle on a design.

Please visit my partner, Jami Shipp and see what she created with these fun beads from me.

When you are done visiting Jami, please check out Lori’s blog for the complete list of participants in the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party.

Thank you for stopping by!!

Week 15: A Different View

This week the theme was Reflection.  I have an image I loved from one of my 365s of a girl peering into the water.  I wanted to try to do something along those lines.  What you might not realize from the image is she’s looking into an ashtray/garbage can combination that had filled with rainwater.

I like the idea of beauty being reflected out of something “less beautiful”.  I also love reflections in puddles and how you can catch something really unique if you position yourself in just the right place.

I love how this turned out.  I love the beauty of the sunny sky and trees reflected out of the muddy waters.  I also really liked that one, lone leaf sitting on the surface of the mud.

Week 14: Signs of Spring

Spring is one of my favorite times of year because of the new growth, crazy weather, and blooming flowers.  I was very excited that the theme for the week was Bloom.  Our family took a little train ride to Portland for a long weekend.  While we were there we saw many local sights.

On the first day we went to the zoo, and I had all sorts of fun taking pictures of the flowers. When I saw these blossoms, I knew I wanted a good image for this week.  I have no idea what this flower is, but I loved the long, wavy petals.

I especially loved this one because I managed to nail the focus (as they say), and that’s something I really struggle with.  I’ll have to go back and process more of the flower images from our trip.

Week 13: Feeling Blue

Blue was the theme of the week, and I was so excited because blue is one of my favorite colors. But I had a really hard time coming up with something I liked that fit within the theme.  Sometimes being given a theme actually makes my mind a complete creative blank.

Eventually I came up with two different images.  The first was because it was sunny this week and the blue sky was gorgeous.  I also really wanted to try my hand at getting that sun flare.

For my second image, I had this idea for Easter.  I wanted to do an Easter basket filled with eggs, but only one blue egg.  I really struggled with composition.  The idea in my head didn’t quite make it out of the camera with this one.

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

 

Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal!

There has been lots of cooking all over the world for Lori Anderson’s 7th Bead Soup Blog Party.  Today is the first of three reveals.

As a refresher, here is what my partner, Susan Sheehan, sent me.

{also a link for the goodies}

And without further ado {because I know you have lots and lots of visiting to do}, here is what I created.

If you look closely, there are four pieces there.  I will start with the necklaces.

I really wanted to create a long necklace.  I just have one in my waredrobe, and I find that I’d like to wear more.  The main necklace {on the left} is about 21-inches long.  I found some perfectly coordinated Czech Glass rectangles that I wire wrapped together.  I added the beautiful glass beads Susan created and the yellow rectangle stones.

I wanted the focal to shine in the center.  I didn’t like the feel of adding dangles to the bottom, so I created a spiral that wraps slightly up over the bottom of this lovely pendant.

If you haven’t taken a moment to examine this focal, then scroll back up to the top and see the closer view in my main image.  The detail work on this pendant is gorgeous!  And you can’t see it from my pictures, but the flowers are repeated on the back in the same design.

As I was wrapping this first necklace, I had the idea of creating a second one that would be complementary.  The second necklace {on the right} is about 18-inches long.  I made it so the two necklaces can link together via lobster clasps and create a single necklace that’s nearly 40-inches long.  I think I’m too short for such a long necklace, but they also layer beautifully and are fun as separates too.  I am all about versatility in my pieces.

Since I decided to link the necklaces together, I did not use the lovely clasp Susan sent me.  I wanted a piece that would feature the clasp, so I created this simple bracelet.

I had a few remaining rectangle yellow stones that were just begging to be used, so I created a second bracelet.  I loved the yellow and pink of the Blood Quartz together.

I think four pieces is the most I’ve ever created for a Bead Soup Blog Party.  I had so much fun with the ingredients Susan so generously sent me.  I could go on and on, but I’ll let you travel on to the other participants.

First, don’t miss what Susan made with the ingredients I sent her at Strands of Thought.

Then, please take a few moments to visit some of the other participants.  I know these talented designers will knock your socks off with their creativity!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Alicia Marinache ~ All Pretty Things
Amber Dawn Goldish ~ Inventive Soul
Barb Solem ~ Vivi Magoo Presents
Bev Breisinger ~ Country Frog Creations
Birgitta Lejonklou ~ Create with Spirit
Breana Fry ~ Vault 31
Brenda Sue Lansdowne ~ B’sue Boutiques
Bridget Torres ~ Shears58
Carol Dee Myers ~ Carol Deezigns
Carolyn Chenault ~ Carolyn Chenault

Cassi Paslick ~ Beads: Rolling Downhill
Cece Cormier ~ The Beading Yogini
Cheryl McCloud ~ One Thing Leads To Another
Cindy Wilson ~ It’s My Sea of Dreams
Crystal Thain ~ Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Riggs ~ Cynth’s Blog
Dana Hickey ~ Wind Dancer Studios
Dana James ~ Dana’s Jewelry Design
Darlene Fortier ~ darliciousrejuvenations
Deana Hager ~ Just Deesarts

Deanna Cox ~ Beaded Dreams
Deb Brooks ~ From the Heart Creations
Debra Behrends ~ Hopeful Journeys
Denielle Hagerman ~ Some Beads and Other Things
Denise McCabe ~ Cabe Woman
Diana Frey ~ Tattered Adornments
Diana Welte ~ Lily Weeds
Dini Bruinsma ~ Angaza by Changes
DiYana Alcalde ~ Agape Creations Jewelry
Dolores Raml ~ CraftyD’s Creations

Donna Millard ~ Fyre Beadz
Dot Lewallwn ~ Speedie Beadie
Duane Clark ~ dc’z bizzy bead adventures
Dyanne Cantrell ~ http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Burian-Mohr ~ http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/
Elisabeth Auld ~ www.beadsforbusygals.com
Elizabeth Owens Dwy ~ www.1996shabbylane.blogspot.com
Emily Greer ~ http://www.gaiacopia.com/blog-2/
Enikö Fabian ~ http://perleni.blogspot.co.at/
Erin Grant ~ http://ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com

Eva Kovacs ~ http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/
Eva Sherman ~ http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett ~ www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Grace Rotenberg ~ http://rivkasmomcom.blogspot.com/
Gretchen Nation ~ www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com
Hannah Rosner ~ http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com
Heather Davis ~ http://www.blissfulgardenbeads.com/
Heather Marston ~ http://www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com/
Heather Powers ~ http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Ingrid McCue ~ www.wrappedinsilver.com

Jacqueline Marchant ~ Fiddledeedee Jewelry
Jan Petek ~ Pepper Tree Designs
Janeen Sorensen ~ Wild Vanilla Designs
Jane-Michael Stallings ~ Craft Vacuum
Jasvanti Patel ~ Jewelry by Jasvanti
Jayashree Paramesh ~ Nchantme
Jayne Capps ~ Mama’s Got To Doodle
Jean Yates ~ Snap out of it Jean
Jennifer Cameron ~ Glass Addictions
Jennifer LaVite ~ Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry

Joan Williams ~ Lilruby Jewelry
Jodie Marshall ~ Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads
Judy Riggs ~ Rigglettes
Julie Anne Leggett ~ The Peaceful Bead
Kat Barron Miller ~ Midnight Kat Productions
Kathy Lindemer ~ Bay Moon Designs
Kim Hora ~ Kimmy Kats
Kim Houston ~ The Pink Martini
Kim Sparks ~ Beadabunch
Krafty Max ~ Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld ~ Cherish Designs
Krista French ~ Express Your Faith Jewelry
Kristen Stevens ~ My Bead Journey
Kristi Harrison ~ It’s a New Day
Kumi Fisher ~ Malie Kai Designs
Laren Dee Barton ~ Laren Dee Designs
Laura Bracken ~ Laura Bracken Designs
Laura Demoya ~ www.Thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com
Laurie Hanna ~ Laurie’s Jewelbox
Laurie Keefe-Cecere ~ Tree of Life ~ rooted in my soul

Lea Avroch ~ lajewelrydesigns
Leanne Loftus ~ First Impression Design
Lee Anne Messerschmidt ~ Adventures in Jewelry
Leslie Schenkel ~ Twisted Chicken
Linda Anderson ~ http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/
Linda Djokic ~ www.lutkaandco.com
Linda Murphy ~ www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Linda Sadler ~ http://idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy ~ http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/
Lisa Suver ~ http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/

Liz DeLuca ~ http://www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com/
Liz Engriser ~ http://www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com/
Lola Surwillo ~ http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen ~ www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Bergmann ~ www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud ~ http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lori Poppe ~ http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider ~ www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Lyn Foley ~ www.lynfoleyblog.com
Maddison Langford ~ http://maddy-moo.blogspot.com

Magdalena Sikora ~ http://porannagazeta.blogspot.com/
Mallory Hoffman ~ http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Marcella Austenfeld ~ Good to Go Jewelry
Marcy Lamberson ~ http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Maria Clark ~ http://sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com/
Maria Rosa Sharrow ~ www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan ~ www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Marie Covert ~ http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Marti Conrad ~ www.marticsclay.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan ~ http://www.MaryEllenBeads.com

Mary Harding ~ www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Molly Alexander ~ http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett ~ http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Niky Sayers ~ http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Pam Chesbro ~ http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/
Pam Farren ~ http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Pam Sandy ~ http://pamseclecticstuff.blogspot.com/
Pam Traub ~ http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Pamela Gangler ~ http://shealwayslovedpink.blogspot.com/
Patricia Buchanan ~ http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/braceletstoo

Patricia Johnson ~ http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com
Patty Miller ~ http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel ~ http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Peggy Gabrielson ~ http://georgiamountainarts.blogspot.com
Perri Jackson ~ http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/
Rachel Baron ~ http://www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Rachel Stanley ~ http://2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah ~ http://honeyandollie.com
Rana Wilson ~ http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano ~ www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Robin Reed ~ www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson ~ http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Rose Rushbrooke ~ www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/
Ruth Szapa ~ www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com
Sally Russick ~ http://thestudiosublime.com
Sandi Volpe ~ www.sandivolpe.com
Sandra Pendragon ~ http://sandrapendragon.blogspot.com/
Sandy Richardson ~ www.SandyColoringBox.blogspot.com
Sarah Small ~ http://bysalla.blogspot.com
Shannon Hicks ~ http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Shari Replogle ~ Plays With Paper
Sheila Daniels ~ http://www.cheekymagpie.com
Sheila Davis ~ http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/
Shiraz Biggie ~ www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore ~ www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Skylar Bre’z ~ http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/
Staci Smith ~ www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Stacie Florer ~ http://www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Pomerleau ~ www.craftenvilleblog.com
Stephanie Weiss ~ www.uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com

Sumi Rani ~ www.HundredColors.blogspot.com
Susan Sheehan ~ Strands of Thought
Suzette Bentley ~ http://elliesbijoux.blogspot.com
Tamera Norris ~ www.beadsinspireme.com
Tracy Choy ~ www.bumblebeadsdesigns.Blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman ~ www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Valerie Norton ~ www.hot-fused-glass.com
Vicki Holliday ~ http://flopcatdesign.blogspot.com/

Week 12: Diamond in the Weeds

This week’s theme was Signs of Spring.  My original thought was to get some Cherry Blossom buds, but Bloom is the theme in a couple weeks, so I decided to go a different direction.

One morning last week I noticed the frost on the ground and thought it might be a good time to get a picture of something growing out in the yard.  I started with the frost on the leaves, and then I noticed the frozen dew drops around the Dandelions.

It kind of cracks me up that Dandelions are so despised in the yard, but at the same time can make some of the most lovely images.  I had a lot of fun with my macro lens for this one and spent a great deal of time deciding on how I wanted to crop.

I hope you enjoy my weed as much as I did this week.

Week 11: Night Portrait

The theme for this week was Night Portrait.  For the most part, this image turned out like I planned.  I wanted to have my subject under a street light right after the sun had gone down.  I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to pose.

As soon as the street lights came on, I took my little five-year-old out, and I quickly realized that in order to get the light I needed, his face would have to be turned up more than he was comfortable with.

I asked him to look up, and of course, it was starting to rain.  He basically thought mom was a little nuts, but you can tell by the expression on his face that he was having fun.

This one also took quite a bit of processing to get to where I was happy with it.  But for a first time with this type of portrait, I was pretty happy with the results.

Week 10: A Boy in Motion

The theme for this week was Motion.  I spent probably close to an hour in my kitchen trying to get the motion of drip of water from the faucet.  Yeah, that wasn’t working out the way I envisioned.  I am at a place with my photography where I am frustrated with being unable to get the idea in my head out of my camera.  It’s a hurdle, but I’ll get over it.

I actually wasn’t going to share this, but I processed it to the best of my ability, so why not. And to be perfectly honest, my journey in life is all about growth, so why not document what I’m doing so I can look back and see how I’ve improved.

It’s technically motion, but not what I wanted.

So after that frustration, I wasn’t sure what to do.  Then I was at the park with my kids on Saturday morning and it practically hit me.

I was watching my five-year-old climb down a ladder and I suddenly thought, at some point here he’s going to drop.  I already had my shutter slowed down a little so I sat and got myself ready.  And he did it…

I would have liked my focus to be a bit more true, but I caught it, and for today, I’m pretty happy about it.