Treasury Tuesday

I'm working on doing more treasuries on Etsy.  So I have devoted Tuesday to my Etsy Treasuries that I have curated and ones that I have been in.

In case you missed it here are last week's treasuries

'For Her...Sweets, Flowers and Jewelry' by CindiRessler

Some wonderful Valentine Gifts for her.

Rough Magic Gemstone Br... RoughMagicCre... $30.00	Valentine's Day Lov... PAPERFLORISTS $32.00	Watercolor of Colorful ... MarthaKisling... $75.00	Bouchons (French Chocol... CarringtonLan... $21.00
Chocolate Rose Water Cu... BakeMePretty $36.00	Pale Pink Rose VALENTIN... MyMainePainti... $65.00	Caramel Chocolate Truff... NicolesTreats $12.00	SUMMER JOY, Pressed Flo... PressedFlower... $25.00
Freshwater White Pearl ... ThePassionate... $35.00	one dozen assorted brow... letthemeatcak... $33.00	Art Print Flowers Bouqu... andilucasart $25.00	Silver Locket Necklace,... BackstreetCre... $29.00
Dark Chocolate Raspberr... HappyBakery $31.00	VALENTINE PENDANT Rose ... ThePendantGar... $14.25	PURPLE CONEFLOWER, orig... nJoyArt $60.00	Archival print Be My Cu... PatriciaSheaD... $20.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

'What do you have an appetite for..........' by CindiRessler

I have a appetite for some tasty Valentine Cookies. They are all beautifully decorated!!! Lovely work everyone!

VALENTINE'S Day Red... CookiePixie $9.00	Chocolate Amaretto cook... TheGroovyBake... $18.00	Red Hot Cinnamon Shortb... BakeAllTheThi... $20.00	I Heart You / Valentine... parchmentcook... $40.00
Chocolate covered straw... TheFancyLadyG... $32.00	Filigree Swirl Hearts V... HappyLorisBak... $24.99	Hearts and Flowers Suga... MoonLightCook... $25.00	Forever Love Heart Cook... BellaDolces $24.00
Chocolate Loves Chocola... FlourLovesSug... $15.00	Romantic Rosette Sugar ... WackyCookies $30.00	Valentine's Cookies... QueenCityCook... $66.00	24 Assorted Regular Fre... SparklesMacar... $32.40
Classic Shortbread Cook... ButterBlossom... $15.50	Customizable Edible Gif... SugarLaneBake... $2.50	NEW- Valentines Day Gi... QsGoodies $14.00	Penny Rose Cookies DaintyDelight... $42.60

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

This one was created by Twenty Fingers Shop. 

My White Breasted Nuthatch was one of many featured in this wonderful treasury.

You can click on the individual photo and it will take you to their shops.



'in a small forest house' by TheTwentyFingers

Boot-Leg Warmers in Oat... grizzlie $45.00	White-breasted Nuthatch... CindiRessler $22.00	Black peter pan collar ... Minxshop $90.00	Vintage Floral French e... Pomander $34.00
Antique Wood Grocery St... MemoryFurnitu... $43.00	Beautiful antique vinta... LostEmpireVin... $39.99	antique souvenir album ... artyfactz $89.00	Vintage Coin Token Coll... ClearlyRustic $60.00
modern cross stitch, em... PattisAnnex $29.00	Vintage Decorative Boo... DecadesOfVint... $40.00	Wooden birdhouse with a... TheBirdOnTheT... $61.00	Note Cards - Gift Cards... everydaysahol... $6.00
Vintage Charm Bracelet ... BrightgemsTre... $14.50	Leather Bag Purse - Mex... fiiimac $58.00	Squirrel Watercolor Art... twopoots $12.50	SALE: Colored Pencils. ... petekdesign $11.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

See you Friday..........

What Kind of Photographic Paper Do You Use?

Happy Monday!

Chambered Nautilus, Nautilus pompilius

Lately I have been contemplating on what kind of photographic paper I want to use.  There are so many to choose from, but where to start.  I currently use Canon Photo Paper Plus semi-gloss.  I really love this paper.  It gives a nice velvety texture to my traditional photographs, but I really don't like it on my textured work.  I have used Museo Portfolio Rag Extra Smooth Fine Art paper which I really liked, but for some of my photographs it's was too warm.  I've been told that the Moab entrada is a nice paper to try. 

So I have decided to do some research and order some sample packets.  I recently ordered sample packet of photographic paper from Red River Paper.  I'm also going to order sample packets of Moab, Museo (to see what else they have to offer) and Hahnemuhle.  FYI I'm ordering these packets from B&H Photo.  My favorite go to place for anything photographic.  I think these 4 companies are good starting points.  The next part will be selecting a few photos for all the samples.  I will be choosing photos that will have a good range of color.

Although if any of you have any other suggestions please let me know.  Or if you have any comments on the above grouping of papers I'm going to try. 

I'll let you know in next Monday's post what the out come of these papers are and which one I have chosen.

In the mean time have a wonderful week and see you on Friday for "Flower Power Friday." 

In case you missed last weeks "Flower Power Friday" it was the Black-eyed Susan

 

Flower Power Friday......

This week I'm going to start off with the Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta

These beautiful golden flowers grow to about three feet tall, flowers heads are about 2-3 inches across and are usually in large groups or clusters.  There are readily found in open woods, fields, roadsides and are great splash of color in any garden.  In the garden you can use them as a border, or in a cottage garden.  They simply would look great anywhere.

They bloom from June to September.  They can be grown in sun, part shade or shade.  They have a high tolerance to drought.  If given the perfect growing conditions they can become aggressive.
Generally the Black-eyed Susan is an annual, but is also a biennial or perennial.

Fun Facts......

~The Black-eyed Susan is Maryland's State Flower since 1918.

~The Black-eyed Susan is the official flower of The Preakness Stakes held in May.

~The Black-eyed Susan is a North American native plant.

~The Black-eyed Susans are one of the first plants to start growing after a fire or other natural disasters.

~The Black-eyed Susan is the flower of encouragement, a great flower to send to someone who is having a rough time.

Here is an unique view of the Black-eyed Susan using digital art.

This is my Black-eyed Susan Orb

Quote of the Week

"Too often we underestimate the power
of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear,
an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
                                                                           Leo Buscaglia

See you Monday.......

The Old Railroad Bridge

Working on winter projects and trying to get caught up and ready for the show season.  Trying to keep up with my social networking.  I've been doing some editing and getting ready to add new photos.  In the mean time I would like to post one of my photos from my archives. 

This was taken if I remember correctly near Fort Meyers, Florida. 

The Old Railroad Bridge

This was one of my first photographs that I used my layering techniques on also known as textures.  I have become quite fond of this technique and I'm using it more and more.  One thing I have learned about using textures is to write down everything I do to the photo, because if for whatever reason I lose the photograph it would be near impossible to reproduce it.  I treat each photograph as a recipe.  Once I have completed the photo and I like what I see, I then print it.  If I am happy with how it printed out then I pull out the notebook and note everything I did.  From the name of the textures and the blending method I used, to the brightness or contrast.  In this case every detail is important.  Many times I use many layers and knowing what they are, are important.  I do not depend on my memory.

With this photograph this is the recipe I used:  layer 1-peach blush 80% overlay, layer-2 labyrinth 80 overlay, layer-3 fly 2 70% multiply.  Now I know to some of you these names don't mean a thing, but to me it will allow me to recreate this photo if necessary. 

On another note.  I'm starting up Flower Power Friday again, but there will be Food Friday too.  I'm currently working on some food photography.  I have noticed that folks are looking for photographs to put into there homes either the dining room or kitchen.  Food Friday will also have a tasty recipe with it.

See you Friday...........

Happy New Year!!!!

I hope everyone had a safe a happy start to the New Year!!!!

With a New Year there are new starts.  Most of us take the time to reflect on 2012 to see what changes if any we want to do.  For me there will be alot of changes.  This year I am giving my business a fresh clean look. Time to get rid of the black and go lite and bright.  That includes everything from my online presence to my show booth presence.  I have been editing and creating new photography that will be added to my websites and at my shows.  I have been working on my show schedule for this year and hoping to be adding more shows this year than last.  I also know that I really have to improve my social media skills.  I go through this every year and every year I say I will get better.  I hope this year I can prove to myself that I can get better.  I have created a marketing plan that I hope will get more traffic and sales to my websites. 

So with all that said on a positive note I would have to say that 2012 was my best year for website sales! I'm thrilled with the results and in 2013 I expect it to be better.

 

 

 

The Burrows House Sewing Room

 

When I do the Art Show in Mystic, Connecticut, I always stop at the Mystic Seaport to visit friends and to do some photographing.  Last year I left with some interesting shots.  I will be posting more of them in future blog posts. What I really like about this shot is it has a ghostly effect.

 

At the Mystic Seaport:  The Museum of America and the Sea, this is the sewing room of the Burrows House in the Mystic Seaport Maritime Village, Mystic, Connecticut.  Mr. Burrows was a storekeeper and this is his wife's Jane sewing room.  The museum even has the pattern for this dress. 

 

I would like to point out that the Seaport is a Maritime Village that was brought together in one location to show folks what types of businesses and homes where found in the Mystic area as well as preserving the history of Mystic and other surrounding towns.