Ok, I'm just a little tardy. Too much on my plate but I found some time this afternoon to listen and complete Lesson One of Photo Editing: Good to Great, from Jessica Sprague. Lesson 1 encompassed Exposure, Brightness and Contrast. Now, I have played around with these settings but I now understand what they can do. Here are a couple of photos that needed adjustments, otherwise they were pretty much "trash." What do you think? Thanks Jessica for saving my photos.
Showing posts with label Ryleigh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryleigh. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Back to School - Day 1
Ok, I'm just a little tardy. Too much on my plate but I found some time this afternoon to listen and complete Lesson One of Photo Editing: Good to Great, from Jessica Sprague. Lesson 1 encompassed Exposure, Brightness and Contrast. Now, I have played around with these settings but I now understand what they can do. Here are a couple of photos that needed adjustments, otherwise they were pretty much "trash." What do you think? Thanks Jessica for saving my photos.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Stormy Day
Busy, yesssss! It seems like every year when we approach the end of the school year our schedule is filled to the brim. With school events, soccer, work and family commitments I have to wonder how can I do anything else. Not only was it Saturday but the majority of the day happened to be warm and sunny, just a 
beautiful day. Early this evening thunderstorms were approaching our area. The sky was beginning to get dark blue and looked ominous, of course wouldn't photography be on everyones mind? It was mine and my sister happened to be visiting and also thought it would be a great idea to go out and shoot a couple of quick photos. I am very fortunate that my daughter Ryleigh is usually game to help mom out by modeling for me. We jumped in the car and headed over the a nearby cemetery, we were lucky that there were many old and beautiful headstones full of character. I pointed out a couple of headstones, made a few suggestions on poses and Ryleigh decided on her look. I think she did a fabulous job and I just love the results, of course I have to thank Mother Nature for lending us her stormy sky. Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Did my homework!
As soon as I came home I went to work on my homework. I have to say that at least I have fun doing my homework and yet I still seem to learn things. This evening I did my Kimi Boo Homework #54 - 3D Effect. What this lesson does is take a flat image and give it a 3D effect. You can find this lesson on Photoshop Creative Elements http://www.photoshopcreativeelements.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5575&st=0&sk=t&sd=a.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Gettin' Some Action
Yes, I have been gettin' some action, I really mean some Actions. There is just so much to learn in Photoshop and I guess I just never really devoted much to playing around with the Action function until the other day, now I'm hooked!
My niece Nicole http://www.nicolehaleyblog.com , sent me a link for her favorite Action website http://mcpactions.com/blog, check it out alot of cool actions and information. You can bet that I bookmarked this one and I will be following MCP Actions Blog from now on. I, of course had my own favorite Freebie Action website http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com. Rita the owner of Coffeteaphotography creates all of the Actions and shares them with everyone for Free, of course donations are always welcome. I think Rita does a great job with her actions and the information on her site, be sure download some of her freebies.
This is one of Rita's actions, the Perfect Portrait. I think the name says it all. This photo is now brighter and Ryleigh is glowing. You
know I'll be using this action again. 
Here is another one of Rita's actions. I think is kind of gave this photo an Orton effect, by softening the photo. At the end of the action there were a few different glazes to choose from, I chose the Strawberry Glaze, doesn't it sound yummy!
Thanks Niki for getting me some Action, I'm hooked. Let me know what you think of these photos that I played around with.
My niece Nicole http://www.nicolehaleyblog.com , sent me a link for her favorite Action website http://mcpactions.com/blog, check it out alot of cool actions and information. You can bet that I bookmarked this one and I will be following MCP Actions Blog from now on. I, of course had my own favorite Freebie Action website http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com. Rita the owner of Coffeteaphotography creates all of the Actions and shares them with everyone for Free, of course donations are always welcome. I think Rita does a great job with her actions and the information on her site, be sure download some of her freebies.
This is one of Rita's actions, the Perfect Portrait. I think the name says it all. This photo is now brighter and Ryleigh is glowing. You
know I'll be using this action again. 
Here is another one of Rita's actions. I think is kind of gave this photo an Orton effect, by softening the photo. At the end of the action there were a few different glazes to choose from, I chose the Strawberry Glaze, doesn't it sound yummy!
Thanks Niki for getting me some Action, I'm hooked. Let me know what you think of these photos that I played around with.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Catching up on Homework
I have to admit that I haven't been keeping up with my homework from Kimi Boo over at Photoshop Creative Elements http://www.photoshopcreativeelements.com/, hopefully Kimi doesn't see that I have been playing Webkinz with my daughter on and off for the last few weeks. Yes, I do have my own Webkinz account, but I just love buying gifts for Ryleigh's Webkinz and sending them to her, goofy I know but she seems to love it. Anyway, back to catching up on my homework I found this lesson to alter a photo using a filter and a blend mode. Here is mine, I used Bas Relief and then Luminosity. I love how edgy my thistle flower looks, I could frame this one.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
New Designer . . . Valentine Day Cards
Ryleigh and I are heading to Walt Disney World for mid-winter break and will be gone for Valentine’s Day. Since Ryleigh will be missing her class Valentine party her teacher said she could bring her cards a few days before we leave. After searching the local store for just the right cards to give out Ryleigh was disappointed at what she was finding, nothing was striking her fancy or mine.
Always my little Miss Hallmark, Ryleigh asked me this evening if we could make her Valentine’s Day cards. Of course I jumped on this task immediately. I started with a 5 x 3 layer and I let Ryleigh guide me the rest of the way. Ryleigh chose red and pink as her paper colors. I showed Ryleigh how to use the color picker and we made a layer of each. Ryleigh knew exactly what she wanted; she asked me to grunge the layers so the red just peaked thru. I picked a brush, enlarged it and hit the layer twice, we immediately liked the results, but I wanted to tame it down so I decided to stroke the red layer with white and you can see the results, it was just what Ryleigh wanted. Then I suggested the Valentine Brush which I picked a lighter pink color to stamp with. Then we searched thru my fonts and Ryleigh chose the akaFrivolity, Miss Hallmark decided on white. Then at my suggestion I had Ryleigh write her message to her friends, so I took a photo and then extracted it from the photo and also turned her signature to white, matching the Happy Valentine’s Day.
I’m just put it together, but Ryleigh designed her Valentine card. I think she did a great job! When we were finally happy with our finished product, I showed Ryleigh how to use my photo printer and she printed out the 28 copies that she needed. Tomorrow we plan to run up to Target and pick up a package or two of cellophane candy bags. We will slide a picture and the candy that we purchased in the bag so that she can distribute her treats to her classmates. I think I better watch out, I might have to start sharing my digital stuff with my almost 10 year old daughter!
Always my little Miss Hallmark, Ryleigh asked me this evening if we could make her Valentine’s Day cards. Of course I jumped on this task immediately. I started with a 5 x 3 layer and I let Ryleigh guide me the rest of the way. Ryleigh chose red and pink as her paper colors. I showed Ryleigh how to use the color picker and we made a layer of each. Ryleigh knew exactly what she wanted; she asked me to grunge the layers so the red just peaked thru. I picked a brush, enlarged it and hit the layer twice, we immediately liked the results, but I wanted to tame it down so I decided to stroke the red layer with white and you can see the results, it was just what Ryleigh wanted. Then I suggested the Valentine Brush which I picked a lighter pink color to stamp with. Then we searched thru my fonts and Ryleigh chose the akaFrivolity, Miss Hallmark decided on white. Then at my suggestion I had Ryleigh write her message to her friends, so I took a photo and then extracted it from the photo and also turned her signature to white, matching the Happy Valentine’s Day.
I’m just put it together, but Ryleigh designed her Valentine card. I think she did a great job! When we were finally happy with our finished product, I showed Ryleigh how to use my photo printer and she printed out the 28 copies that she needed. Tomorrow we plan to run up to Target and pick up a package or two of cellophane candy bags. We will slide a picture and the candy that we purchased in the bag so that she can distribute her treats to her classmates. I think I better watch out, I might have to start sharing my digital stuff with my almost 10 year old daughter!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Seek Love
I couldn't resist digi scrapping this photo of Ryleigh and Jack on Christmas morning. I was on http://www.designerdigitals.com/ and saw that Katie Pertiet was hosting a Journaling Challenge and had a freebie (Seek Love) to inspire everyone. When I returned to work on Monday I was showing a friend some photos from Christmas and she commented on how she really liked this photo. By the end of the day I knew what I had to do, I had the right Word Art and photo. I also had just downloaded another freebie kit from Nicole Young (After Midnight) found at Digital Scrapbooking Place. I think this was the quickest layout I ever did, I completed it within an hour . . . record time. I just love the results and Ryleigh is thrilled with it also, she wants a copy for herself, the highest compliment I could ask for, my 9 year olds approval! Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sofie & Blankie
2001 - Current
It must have been Mac's birthday and I went to Toy-r-us and found this cute 14" stuffed Yellow Labrador, with Ryleigh in the shopping cart I told her I thought this would make a great gift for Mac. Since Ryleigh was only a year and a half year old of course she agreed with me. Mac loved his babies so what would be better, a Yellow Lab for a big Yellow Lab. After attempting to give Mac "his" birthday gift Ryleigh quickly claimed the puppy as her own. The message was clear to Mac, it is no longer yours and keep your paws off. So much for sharing siblings. Mac accepted this fate and every once in awhile he would snitch the puppy from Ryleigh and just carry Sofie (that is what we named the puppy) around to tease Ryleigh.
Thru the years Ryleigh has come to love Sofie and her blankie (the baby Mickey and Minnie print). Blankie was a gift from Grandma Stub, Ryleigh started wanting both her blankie and Sofie when it was time for bed. Needless to say both of these have traveled and been lugged around wherever Ryleigh has spent the night. I have been fortunate that on occasion when Ryleigh has been separated from either one or both of them and a quick substitute is made she is able to go to sleep.
Probably one of the funniest stories surrounding Sofie and blankie happened when Ryleigh, Suzy and I went to Walt Disney World. Before we left for Florida, I had assured Ryleigh (now that she was old enough to understand) that Sofie and blankie would be safe with us and not in a suitcase that could be lost. We always traveled with a backpack for Ryleigh and put her prized possessions in it, it was her job to carry it. We arrive in Florida with no issues, but on our return trip home things didn't go as planned.
Of course, we were sad to be going home after spending a week at Walt Disney World, we arrived at the Orlando airport and turned over our baggage. It was off to the security clearance area. Being the organized person I am we had a plan in place, or so we thought. Suzy whet thru first, followed by Ryleigh and then myself. We put all our carry-ons in the bins to be scanned, removed our shoes and stepped thru. Suzy picked up her bag, shoes and had Ryleigh do the same, then I came thru. We sat down fastened and tied our shoes and we were off to the tram over to the gates. When we arrived at our gate we made one last stop at the bathroom and waited as Northwest Airlines began to board our flight. Lucky us we boarded early since we were at the back of the plane.
Ryleigh took the window seat, then I was in the middle and Suzy on the aisle seat. As I helped Ryleigh fasten her seat belt and checked to make sure that we were organized and had everything I asked Ryleigh were was her backpack? She didn't know, what? Suzy do you have it, no. I didn't have it. So I flagged down the airline attendant who said, "you got 15 minutes before we depart." I was in total panic mode, Sofie and Blankie were missing, I had made my promise. I grabbed my purse, ticket and cell phone and attempted to make my way to the front of the plane, with many people cursing this crazy chick, I just ignored them, I was on a mission.
I ran thru the terminal, first back to the bathroom, no backpack, then a dash to the tram which took me back to the security area. I ran up to the FAA representative "securing" the area (which I had violated) and asked him if there was a lost and found, "over there," he pointed. I approached the desk and pleaded my case, the gentleman checked the drawer, "no backpack, sorry." As I turned around crushed I realized that I was across for the security point that we had used. A FAA representative at that station had just realized that he had an unattended bag (major security issue), he cautiously opened it and pulled out Sofie. I screamed "Sofie, my daughter's baby." The FAA worker looked at me and pushed Sofie back inside and handed the bag to me, I am sure I wasn't the first Mom he had encountered in this situation. I had 5 minutes and my flight was departing, luckily I can run and ran I did back to the tram, hurry! My phone began ringing, no time for the phone (it was Suzy trying to tell me that they were leaving without me, or so she thought). As the tram pulled into the terminal I ran like a mad woman back to our gate. I approached the person boarding people and handed her my ticket, "oops," she said there must be a mistake, this ticket had already been scanned and I couldn't re-board. What! I quickly explained the problem, pulled out Sofie, almost in tears and totally exhausted for my stressful situation. The Northwest agent handed me my ticket and said, "get on the plane." As I walked down the isle to my seat I could feel hundreds of eyes staring at me, I was that lady who was causing chaos when they were trying to get in their seats. I plopped down in my seat, to find Ryleigh crying. Ryleigh thought that not only was Sofie and Blankie gone, but now her Mom was being left in Florida. Suzy had tried to console her and told her not to worry, Mom would have to take a different flight, that Mom would come back to her. Now, as we travel on a regular basis to Florida, Sofie and Blankie are the first thing I ask about, before we leave security.
Sofie and blankie have provided Ryleigh comfort and love thru the years, they are cherished possessions and are priceless. I will do anything (including breaking FAA rules) to keep Ryleigh, Sofie and blankie together. It's my job!
It must have been Mac's birthday and I went to Toy-r-us and found this cute 14" stuffed Yellow Labrador, with Ryleigh in the shopping cart I told her I thought this would make a great gift for Mac. Since Ryleigh was only a year and a half year old of course she agreed with me. Mac loved his babies so what would be better, a Yellow Lab for a big Yellow Lab. After attempting to give Mac "his" birthday gift Ryleigh quickly claimed the puppy as her own. The message was clear to Mac, it is no longer yours and keep your paws off. So much for sharing siblings. Mac accepted this fate and every once in awhile he would snitch the puppy from Ryleigh and just carry Sofie (that is what we named the puppy) around to tease Ryleigh.
Thru the years Ryleigh has come to love Sofie and her blankie (the baby Mickey and Minnie print). Blankie was a gift from Grandma Stub, Ryleigh started wanting both her blankie and Sofie when it was time for bed. Needless to say both of these have traveled and been lugged around wherever Ryleigh has spent the night. I have been fortunate that on occasion when Ryleigh has been separated from either one or both of them and a quick substitute is made she is able to go to sleep.
Probably one of the funniest stories surrounding Sofie and blankie happened when Ryleigh, Suzy and I went to Walt Disney World. Before we left for Florida, I had assured Ryleigh (now that she was old enough to understand) that Sofie and blankie would be safe with us and not in a suitcase that could be lost. We always traveled with a backpack for Ryleigh and put her prized possessions in it, it was her job to carry it. We arrive in Florida with no issues, but on our return trip home things didn't go as planned.
Of course, we were sad to be going home after spending a week at Walt Disney World, we arrived at the Orlando airport and turned over our baggage. It was off to the security clearance area. Being the organized person I am we had a plan in place, or so we thought. Suzy whet thru first, followed by Ryleigh and then myself. We put all our carry-ons in the bins to be scanned, removed our shoes and stepped thru. Suzy picked up her bag, shoes and had Ryleigh do the same, then I came thru. We sat down fastened and tied our shoes and we were off to the tram over to the gates. When we arrived at our gate we made one last stop at the bathroom and waited as Northwest Airlines began to board our flight. Lucky us we boarded early since we were at the back of the plane.
Ryleigh took the window seat, then I was in the middle and Suzy on the aisle seat. As I helped Ryleigh fasten her seat belt and checked to make sure that we were organized and had everything I asked Ryleigh were was her backpack? She didn't know, what? Suzy do you have it, no. I didn't have it. So I flagged down the airline attendant who said, "you got 15 minutes before we depart." I was in total panic mode, Sofie and Blankie were missing, I had made my promise. I grabbed my purse, ticket and cell phone and attempted to make my way to the front of the plane, with many people cursing this crazy chick, I just ignored them, I was on a mission.
I ran thru the terminal, first back to the bathroom, no backpack, then a dash to the tram which took me back to the security area. I ran up to the FAA representative "securing" the area (which I had violated) and asked him if there was a lost and found, "over there," he pointed. I approached the desk and pleaded my case, the gentleman checked the drawer, "no backpack, sorry." As I turned around crushed I realized that I was across for the security point that we had used. A FAA representative at that station had just realized that he had an unattended bag (major security issue), he cautiously opened it and pulled out Sofie. I screamed "Sofie, my daughter's baby." The FAA worker looked at me and pushed Sofie back inside and handed the bag to me, I am sure I wasn't the first Mom he had encountered in this situation. I had 5 minutes and my flight was departing, luckily I can run and ran I did back to the tram, hurry! My phone began ringing, no time for the phone (it was Suzy trying to tell me that they were leaving without me, or so she thought). As the tram pulled into the terminal I ran like a mad woman back to our gate. I approached the person boarding people and handed her my ticket, "oops," she said there must be a mistake, this ticket had already been scanned and I couldn't re-board. What! I quickly explained the problem, pulled out Sofie, almost in tears and totally exhausted for my stressful situation. The Northwest agent handed me my ticket and said, "get on the plane." As I walked down the isle to my seat I could feel hundreds of eyes staring at me, I was that lady who was causing chaos when they were trying to get in their seats. I plopped down in my seat, to find Ryleigh crying. Ryleigh thought that not only was Sofie and Blankie gone, but now her Mom was being left in Florida. Suzy had tried to console her and told her not to worry, Mom would have to take a different flight, that Mom would come back to her. Now, as we travel on a regular basis to Florida, Sofie and Blankie are the first thing I ask about, before we leave security.
Sofie and blankie have provided Ryleigh comfort and love thru the years, they are cherished possessions and are priceless. I will do anything (including breaking FAA rules) to keep Ryleigh, Sofie and blankie together. It's my job!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Kreative Homework!
Just goofing around this evening and decided to check out my Spragueland sista . . . Kimi Boo. Kimi always has some fun lesson on her site, I decided to play with a photo that I took a Ryleigh last night. Here you go, Kimi's Kreative Homework #6 (http://kimikreations.blogspot.com/). Now, isn't fun to have this kind of "Homework."
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I had Homework!
Yes, I had home- work and I will be late in turning it in. My daughter's teacher assigned the parents homework on the first day of school. Why am I late, I didn't know the deadline and I just had not gotten the page done. I really wanted to find time to sit down with Ryleigh and work on it, but the days have just slipped by. Yesterday, after school Ryleigh informed me that our "homework" was due today but the teacher was giving us until Monday. So last evening, Ryleigh and I sat down and began our page. Ryleigh helped me go thru our pictures and then when went thru ACDSee looking for some stuff to use. Then I began to play around and eliminate some of the stuff we had downloaded. With Ryleigh's help we decided on the placement of the pictures and what brushes and colors we would add. Now, the real problem I needed to print this as a 12 x 12, Kinkos, no how about trying out Costco. I followed the directions at http://www.costco.com/ and uploaded my layout this morning then I received an email back stating that my order would be ready at 10:30 now that is service at a reasonable price ($2.99) too! I ran up to Costco and picked up my order, it is beautiful. I am very happy with the results from Costco and also the layout that Ryleigh and I have created.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
First Day of School
Oh to be in 4th grade again . . . how time flies. Seems not that long ago that I was in fourth grade, but looks at how our world has changed. Life was much simpler all those years ago, 36 to be exact. I still remember my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Davis at the top of the stairs. Did I worry about the fashion statement that I would make, gees I don't think so. I have to say that Ryleigh's focus this past week or two has been what would she wear for her first 1/2 day of school and getting the right book bag. Now that lepoard print backpack from the last two years seemed to work really well but this year Ryleigh felt she needed a messenger bag from Aeropostale. I guess 4th grade will be a terrific year if you have the right outfit for the first day and a awesome messenger bag.
Monday, August 18, 2008
I'm Being Published!
Imagine my surprise when I opened an email from Chad over at www.Passporters.com letting me know that a photo that I had posted in their gallery was being selected to appear in PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2009 book. In return for letting them us my photo it will be credited to me on the page that my photo appears (my name in print!) as well as on a special photo credit page. They will also be sending me a copy of the new Walt Disney World guidebook after it is released. I am tickled
by this honor, also my daughter Ryleigh is very excited since she is the one in the photo, and how cool is that for a 9 year old? Passporter is an awesome site if you are planning a trip to Disney. Basically, you can get all your questions or concerns answered or find the info in their guide books. I often refer to their site when I am planning a trip to Walt Disney World (even thought I feel that I know a ton of information about Disney) I sometimes have to check or verify my information. I have recommended their books many times to friends and family who are planning their own trips. So be watching for their new 2009 guidebook October 15th.
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