cone flowers :: nature photography :: macro photography

don't you think that cone flowers are a bumble bee's favorite?  they just open right up and expose themselves to the whole world.  so brave & tall!  nothing like those other blooms that hide their goodness inside of petals.

xoxo

wide open spaces :: nature photography

some may complain that the midwest is boring and flat... i myself am in awe of it.

xoxo

found objects :: inspiration

don't these little fobots make you happy?!  making these little guys is my new obsession.  i literally pace around my shop basement, kitchen or work room searching for arms, legs & eyes.  at garage sales, i buy the most obscure thing simply because i believe it might add a little personality to one of my fobots (found object robots).

i think they would be adorable in a children's room (up high on a shelf of course)... or even perched up on a fireplace mantel for conversation starting.

so, what do you think?  do you have a favorite one?  xoxo

a little "r & r" :: family photography

this is "r & r".  i shot their pics at the park the other night and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening.  plus, what a fun location!  we started by the botanical gardens and then took an adventurous walk to the playground.  this gave me the chance to bribe a few smiles out of them...

me: "if you give me big smiles, we can go play on the swings and slides"
them: with pure joy and excitement "OK!!"

i also find that shooting children in a playful setting always results in the best, most natural photographs.  so... next time you want to get that perfect frame of your kiddos it can be a walk in the park (literally).

step ladder makeover :: cleaning/crafting

my first cleaning/crafting project is complete!  what do you think of my step-ladder makeover?  i have had this guy sitting under my desk for over a year now and i never use it.  now that it's been fancied up, i can use it as a bedroom nightstand.  whoot!

the first image above was my inspiration from pinterest.  i didn't do the mosaic method, because i don't really have the patience for grout.  so!  i modified the technique a bit and used corresponding fabrics (also tucked away in my back art room).  although, it's not much, i feel accomplished that i have at least removed one thing from the crowded, messy studio (seriously, it's hard to even walk in there).

xoxo

canopy picnic :: kid projects

here's a fun weekend project!  if you have kids, you might even have all of the supplies lying around already.

"the monster" has been practicing reading quite a bit this summer and sometimes that's difficult to do with a little brother around.  i originally made him this little canopy for a quiet reading spot, but it has actually transformed into their new favorite place to eat lunch.

supplies:

• hula hoop
• shower curtain
• curtain hooks
• ribbon or cord
• pillows or round bench

the diy:

1. tie 4 pieces of ribbon onto the hoop at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 so that it will hang level
2. gather all 4 ribbon ends and tie one big knot.  then hook knot onto tree branch
3. now add the shower curtain using curtain hooks
4. make cozy with a pillow or two

this little oasis literally took me 10 minutes.  it's a simple and easy nook that kiddos can enjoy all summer!  enjoy your weekend friends... xoxo

i started thinking... :: personal story

i've been kind of un-motivated lately concerning this blog.  i'm sorry.  after almost 900 posts, i feel that i sometimes post the same thing over and over.  then... i started thinking...

how can i renew my love here?  well.  i'll tell you.  i have a plan.

you see, my art studio (in the back of the shop where i work) is a complete mess.  aaaallllllways.  i start a project, stop in the middle, leaving all supplies exactly where they are and move on.  i do that maybe 20 times a week.  because of this terrible habit, and my equally terrible memory, i find myself forgetting what supplies i even have back there.  i buy things when i already have them.  i'm the worst.  soooo......

i'm going to clean out my studio.  and because i hate cleaning, i'm going to slowly, take a random supply, do a random search on pinterest and make something with it.  don't you think this will be fun?!  i'm excited about the complete chance of it all.  so!  i'm going to call this little cleaning/crafting project the 'cleaning/crafting' project - did you see that coming?

i will share these posts on here and i think it will bring back some joy here!  i will link to the original pin so you can see the modifications i make vs. the pinterest version.

what do you think?  will you follow along and help me clean up my studio?!  xoxo

drive in :: night photography

don't you think the drive-in is dreamy?  even with two boys arguing and popcorn spilled in every crack of the car, i enjoy it.  maybe it's the butter & salt on the popcorn that makes me delusionally happy.

xoxo

'party' party! :: shop news

happy monday friends!   i hope you had a great weekend... we sure did.  on saturday, we celebrated the collaboration between urban sassafras & avaLuna paper art.  my crazy-talented cousin, beth ley, will now be accepting custom orders for party decor OR you can pop in the shop and just buy what you need.  her new party line consists of cake toppers, invites, party picks, bunting, garlands, confetti poppers, hats & more! i spent the weekend swooning over the balloon kits.  each include a large 36 inch balloon and everything you need to decorate it... this is such a fantastic idea!  perfect for photo shoots, parties, or big events.

be sure to stop in the shop if you are in town and check everything out.  xoxo

summer sale :: photography

i'm running a one week sale (expires july 19) to celebrate summer.  i generally only do this once a year, so check it out here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/cassandrapence

xoxo

train art :: central illinois photography

i can't get away from the train.  it's directly next to the shop (which makes for a very noisy neighbor) and then heads south along the field behind my house.  i can hear it at night when i lie in bed.  in the mornings, i jog along a path that runs parallel to the tracks.

you'd think i would be used to the loud whistle, but i'm not.  i hate it.  i cringe each time.  it doesn't even sound like a whistle... it sounds like this obnoxiously loud, pissed off person honking their horn in traffic.

but (but!), i do seek the trains out.  i love graffiti and they seem to always be an artful canvas.  each car is filled with scribble and hidden meanings, vulgar words, and random declarations of love.  it's a stark contrast against the soft fields that fill the midwest and the bright sky.

do you ever seek beauty in something you hate?  it's hard to do.  once you have found it though...  i promise that life is a bit happier.  shall it be your challenge for the day?

xoxo

breathtaking north woods :: nature photography

a few more shots from the beautiful & breathtaking north woods...

a ride to the lake :: midwest photography

we are back from the lake and life is busy again.  i am slowly easing myself into it all, as i reflect on our evening bike rides to the water.

xoxo