Lake Swim

I get hooked on solarizing my pictures sometimes. It reminds me of vintage postcards, when they first began to switch from black and white. Yeah, I think it's a nostalgia thing, that or the surreal other worldly quality it can give. We went with friends to New Hampshire this weekend and these photos were taken at dusk as the kids swam.

Before and After Blog Hop

I am linking with http://www.pixelperfectblog.com/ today for my favorite blog hop of before and afters! Blog hop, sounds like a dance, and just as fun.:)

Macro Monday

I took these photos last month on my beloved cone flowers that just did not look healthy this year. We had such a warm summer they seemed to bloom early and then the petals would shrivel and die. Regardless the bees still enjoyed them. I am connecting with http://lisaschaos.com/. It's Macro Monday after all.

Mosaic Monday

I have been working on this literal mosaic literally all Summer. I took an old framed Monet print that was mounted on foam core board and was beginning to fade. The only time consuming part of this project was trying to decide what photos to use in my collage and then having them printed in black and white. We seem to be perpetually out of ink here, but sending them to Walmart or CVS for one hour developing was easy enough. I tried to choose a mix of portraits, candids and macro shots. Working on the layout was lots of fun and any passersby enjoyed looking for photos of themselves.:)(And then counting the photos of themselves to make sure their were as many pictures of them as their brothers).

I adhered the pictures with Mod Podge, not nearly as messy as it sounds, and then put the frame back on. I la la love it.

You can check out all kinds of mosaics at Mary's at http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/.

Sky Watch, East Beach, Rhode Island

http://skyley.blogspot.com.

Enjoying What's Left of Summer

And trying to remain wordless.

http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com.

Have a good one.

Sunflower Fields

It's Mellow Yellow Monday. Today is a transition day for us, back from a busy action packed weekend, and now home to a house of clutter and dirty laundry. School supplies are on every one's mind as letters from schools arrive daily with lists of what is needed. It's is exciting, but not my favorite time of year. School has always given me anxiety, but I try not to pass this on to my kids. I love Summer when you are "free as you'll ever be".:)

http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

Sky Watch Friday

The kids swam, and the sun set and all was well. These photos were taken last weekend in Rhode Island. Despite fulfilling a life long dream and getting a tattoo, Gabriel could not summon the courage to swim in the big waves. ( Ironically his tattoo means courage.) He hung out on the beach with his Daddy.

Be sure to check out skies around the globe at: http://skyley.blogspot.com.

Wordless Wednesday

We got away for a few days just us and them. It's nice to do once in awhile. At some point they even seem to enjoy each others company. :)
Happy Wednesday!http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/.

Sandcastles

I love this photo of my two younger boys so focused on the art of sand castle making. One thing led to another and soon Gabe was getting a spa treatment. I'm not sure who convinced who, but Gabriel sure seems to be enjoying himself.

Sky Watch Friday

It is hot and sunny and we are just back from wondering through a maze of sunflowers. Wow, what hot fun that was! Amazing too.

Hooking up with skywatch at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Before and After

I am loving these Before and After Thursdays. Thanks Pixel Perfect!

I took these photos a few moments ago and quickly threw them on and edited them. Van is in the garage today so we are stranded at home. For this edit I played around with contrast, temp and saturation a little, and then I isolated just his face and posterized the rest of the photo. I love how he looks like he is enveloped in a painting! I think you need to enlarge(just click on) to really see the effects.

You can check out many wonderful edits this week at:www.pixelperfect.blog.com/. Enjoy!:)

The Artful Summer

We are having a very artful Summer. Yesterday I picked up a few drawing books at the library to share with Gabriel, an artist with real passion. He immediately cajoled/guilted me into dropping everything and sitting right down and drawing. It is not easy to do when there is chaos all around, but if you can, it's bliss. Thank you Gabe.

Last week we discovered Sharpie Art. I refurbished an old mirror frame with paint and a sharpie pen. How fun! Who knew. Gabe found an old canvas and had his brother spray paint that so he could do sharpie art too. Soon nearly everyone got involved with his "work of art", friends and family alike.

We are also enjoying the show Work of Art on Bravo this Summer, check it out if you can, although not all episodes are suitable for nine year olds. :)

Have a good one, it's Wordless Wednesday and I've said too much.

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/

Mellow Yellow Macro

1974. The teenage girls go barefoot and their jean legs are shaped like bells, long straight hair parted in the middle. They are lovely. Black-eyed Susans and brown-eyed girls abound and we are free as we'll ever be.

Checking in with Macro Monday at http://lisaschaos.com/, and http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/.

Mosaic Monday: Savoring Summer

Just a few photos taken over the last few weeks. I am so happy that we still have a full month left of Summer vacation. Today I will make a list with the kids of things they still want to do this Summer. Yesterday they discovered our old ice cream maker and have patiently been waiting for the inner chamber to freeze solid. Right now it's slushies for breakfast. What fun.

I am joining Mary at: http://dearlittleredhouse.com. See you there.