march desktop calendar :: nature photography :: desktop wallpaper

well, it took an extra day to get here this year, but welcome march!   i am anxiously awaiting your warmer days...

to download your desktop calendar, please click on one of the links below.   then right click & save.

• 2560 x 1600 (wide screen)
• 1600 x 1200 (full screen)

restored downtown :: city photography

i love a restored downtown area... always great shopping, food, and art. can anyone guess which city the photos above were taken?

scratch off photo :: diy

there is little better than a great homemade birthday card, don't you think?  my husband's cousin once told me one of her favorite parts of her special day was walking out to the mailbox and receiving letters and cards from friends.  even with rising postage, i still think it's worth it to send notes, pictures and drawings in the mail... mostly because it's becoming more and more rare, so it seems extra special.

here's an idea for the next birthday you're celebrating with a close one:  a scratch off photo greeting!

1. supplies needed include, dish soap, black acrylic paint, a photo greeting, paint brush & scotch tape
2. cover edges of photograph with scotch tape
3. mix 2 parts paint with 1 part dish soap and brush onto photo
4. let dry
5. peel away tape
6. give with a coin for scratching off

southern vine :: nature photography

there's a lovely falling vine that hangs off the trees of the south. i'm not sure what's it called... and my husband says it's slowly killing the trees. but i still think it's beautiful.

disney in the details :: photography

as a child, when visiting the disney parks, i was excited and impressed by the attractions & rides.  as an adult returning, my very favorite part has to be the beautiful detail work that is put into absolutely everything!  there is just not one inch that hasn't been artistically thought out.  i am so impressed by this.

daydreaming of the beach :: photography

it's usually about this time (late feb to early march) that i start daydreaming about the beach...

a feather in your hair :: diy

so, i have a guilty pleasure and it's in the fashion of a feather in my hair.   i say 'guilty' because, i'm pretty sure some of the feathers they are selling in hair accessories these days are from rare birds that may need their feathers.   i've polled a few friends and it seems to be a pretty controversial subject.

i even asked one male friend and he responded with...  'gross!  are you going fishing?'


anyway, i don't have enough knowledge about exactly how hobby lobby gets these feathers, but now they are in my hands.  and so, like any stylish crafter, i am sharing a diy on how to make one for your hair.  please don't hate me, but do feel free to comment below.

and now onto the diy instructions:

1. group your feathers in a bunch.
2. loop some fishing or jewelry wire
3. secure both with fabric tape
4. loop some ribbon, string, or [fill in the blank] thru a bobbi pin
5. twist your string and at some point thread the wire loop & feathers onto the string
6. secure with a knot at the end
7. clip into hair close to scalp 

disney's 'up' :: photography

hi friends! we are back from disney and we enjoyed every minute! i loved taking photographs of the beautiful magic kingdom park. above is my version of disney's 'up'. lovely right?

raindrops :: nature photography

a spring rain makes me feel happy.   a summer rain makes me feel annoyed.   a fall rain makes me feel cold.  and a winter rain makes me feel sleepy.

how does rain make you feel? 

wine cork art board :: diy :: wall decor

so, i know i'm not inspiring any new ideas here.   but isn't my new corkboard fun? i started this project with an entirely different plan.  it wasn't really going to be a corkboard... i was going to make something abstract, and paint some of the ends of the cork.   but, once i started gluing, i started loving the wine-stained red tips and didn't want to paint anything.  i like how they are all different shades of merlot.  can you tell i favor red wine?

o, and a little secret.  each cork has a special writing on the side.  i got in the habit years ago of marking the date and sometimes, initials of who i enjoyed the wine with.  as i was putting this together, i was flooded with memories... there's even one from our wedding in the mix!

disney :: etsy finds

in honor of our time here at disney, i thought i would share some of my favorite disney art on etsy. i am amazed at some of the pieces above... and wouldn't those vintage posters make incredible wall decor for a little boys room?  hmmm....

1. the fairest of them all
2. never grow up
3. one upon a time
4. four framed vintage disneyland posters (tomorrowland series)

off to disney :: personal story

we're off to disney for a bit! i think i'm all packed.

and the winner is...

congrats to heather from starving artist designs! my beautiful friend has won the self-portrait contest. the panel was especially in love with her artistic approach by including layers of meaning into her photograph.  heather says 'The text in my picture is a quote from one of my favorite books, The Awakening, by Kate Chopin and behind that is an old portrait of my grandmother from about 1930.'

pretty special, right!?  i wonder where she'll have me go for our photo session?  i can't wait!