August, 2011
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Well, I did it. I made it through another August of participating in Susannah Conway’s August Break. Instead of just posting a photo a day, I decided to challenge myself by trying some new post-production techniques using online technology. Sometimes I wrote words, sometimes I did not. But I posted pretty much every day – except when we were on our mini-vacation… but then there was that bonus post I did about Rollip, so it all balances out I guess. I will do a proper “review” tomorrow, but as a thank you to all of you who have visited here or who have commented on Flickr this month, I thought I’d leave you with one last painted words on bodies effort. Or maybe two. 
It’s also a little reminder for myself of what I want to focus on more in the fall.
Colours desaturated in Picnik, ortonish effect applied. Framed with “smoke” in Pixlromatic, then general transparency applied.
And because I can’t do much of anything these days without being interrupted… and instead of getting frustrated like I tend to do, choosing to appreciate the attention… here is this.
Edited in Pixlromatic using the sara and round effects.
Thanks again for all of your kind words!!! I sincerely hope you have a great fall and that I’ll be seeing you around… somewhere. =)
Tags: 2011, August Break, choice, gratitude, online editing, painted, Picnik, Pixl-o-matic, practice, words on bodies
Posted in August Break, Words On Bodies | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Just a couple of more from yesterday that I wanted to play with…
Edited in Picnik, ortonish effect with colours cooled. Tiny frame added in Pixlromatic.
Edited in Pixlromatic, using antonio filter and rustic frame.
Edited in Pixlromatic, using sara filter, rain layer and cornered frame.
Tags: 2011, August Break, fall berries, leaves, online editing, path, Picnik, Pixlr-o-matic
Posted in August Break | 7 Comments »
Monday, August 29th, 2011
I decided I needed some “me time” last night, so I took myself out on a date. I started with some driving around taking photos, stopped for some dinner, chai and journal writing, and then finished off with a trip to the bookstore. It was delightful. Anyhow, whilst out and about, I drove by this flash of red – and discovered a beautiful grove of trees nestled in a nearby neighbourhood. I got out and shot a billion photos of the sun setting behind the trees and managed to get a few I liked in spite of the intermittent cloud cover and silly strong wind.
Edited in Rollip, vintage page, BR effect. Nolaroid frame added in Pixlromatic.
Edited in Picnik, colours neutralized and ortonish effect applied. Sloppy frame added in Pixlromatic.
Edited in Pixlromatic, using the antonio filter and rustic frame.
I love how each of the different effects captures a different mood of the grove. Pretty cool… But I guess that settles it. Fall is pretty much here, huh? *le sigh*
Tags: 2011, August Break, date with myself, fall, grove, online editing, Picnik, Pixlr-o-matic, Rollip, trees
Posted in August Break | 2 Comments »
Sunday, August 28th, 2011
This last weekend, the “fambily” headed to Fairmont Hotsprings Resort for a mini-vacation. I’d *like* to say that it was just what we needed – a high note to end the summer on. But in reality, I could easily post all of the photos of Monkeyboy Junior with his nose stuck in his iTouch… of Monkeyboy Junior Jr. crying again and again and again… of the staff and guests huddling around the entrance to the lodge because of a gas leak… of the maintenance man trying to fix the broken lock on the door to our room… of me being disheartened by my post-two-children-body in a bathing suit… And well, I suppose I’d rather just forget about all that until I can laugh it off.
Instead, I’ve decided to focus on the pretty things – the scenery on the way there and back, and the quaintness of the resort itself. Now, maybe it’s because I have some fond memories of visiting here as a child, or maybe it’s because I’m feeling very ancient myself these days, but I feel like these images really lend themselves to being retro-ized. So, without further ado, here is last weekend – old school.
Driving through the prairies on the way. Picnic edited, boost & 1960s effects.
Driving through the Rockies on the way. Pixlr-o-matic edited, peter & vignette effects.
Mmm, some more Rockies. Picnic edited, boost & 1960s effects.
The view from our balcony. Picnic edited, boost & 1960s effects.
The warm mineral pools were we did a LOT of swimming. Pixlr-o-matic edited, karen & vignette effects.
The retro snack bar by the pool. Picnic edited, boost & 1960s effects.
One of the older cabins behind our room. Pixlr-o-matic edited, anne, burn & round effects.
Some swallows nesting in the rafters of our building – swooping parents very nearby. Picnic edited, boost & 1960s effects.
One last view from my bed. Picnic edited, boost & 1960s effects.
Driving through Radium on the way home. Pixlr-o-matic edited, hagrid, morning & round effects.
Stopping at a viewpoint. Picnic edited, boost & 1960s effects.
I’m sure once I get some sleep and a little distance from the weekend, I’ll be able to remember with fondness the fun we had in between all the minor disasters. And in the grand scheme of things, at least it wasn’t hurricane Irene, huh?
Tags: 2011, August Break, Fairmont, hot springs, online editing, Picnik, Pixlr-o-matic, resort, retro
Posted in August Break | 4 Comments »
Friday, August 26th, 2011
I was out in the yard this morning, emptying the water from the kiddie pool into the garden, when I happened to notice a little something floating around. Sadly, s/he was beyond rescue… but this gorgeous little damselfly made for some sweet pics.
Edited in Pixlromatic using the “antonio” filter and “smoke” frame, plus a little transparency.
Edited in Pixlromatic using the “rachel” filter, “twinkle” layer, and “grunge” frame. And finally, the most painterly of the three.
Edited in Pixlromatic using the “rachel” filter, “metal” layer, and “dirt” frame.
Hope you all have yourselves a swell weekend! =)
Tags: 2011, August Break, damselflies, online editing, Pixlromatic
Posted in August Break | No Comments »
Thursday, August 25th, 2011
As planned, my sweet friend Jennifer (you remember, from Inspired Spa…) came back today so that I could share some of what *I* love with *her*. Sadly, as is my life right now, Monkeyboy Junior Jr. was up on and off with his reflux belly for about three hours last night, so I wasn’t exactly at my best. Ah, well. Not much I could do about that. Jennifer’s heading home soon, so I just did my best – and took an afternoon nap afterward.
Now, let me take this opportunity to give myself a giant note about this whole painted words on bodies business. That being – I think I should start suggesting that people who sit for me wear nice loose clothing for a couple of hours before they come here. This isn’t the first time that the whole “bra strap impressions” have been an issue, but because we chose to use her back, it was definitely the most noticeable. Luckily, it occurred to me to take advantage of the time we were waiting for them to go away to take some photos of her gorgeous face.
Isn’t she just the most warm and inviting lovely lady? =)
Picnik boost and soften, Pixlr-o-matic “flowery” frame.
Okay. Back to the painted words pics.
So, initially we were toying around with the idea of using the word “inspire/d” for her portrait, so we could maybe tie it into her website/blog… but when she showed up this morning, she had decided that she wanted her word(s) to be more personal and meaningful to her. She had chosen the word “courage”, as not only has she needed courage to get where she is today, but it’s something she wants to remind herself of in the future. I can’t think of a stronger lady to embody that word.
Initially I had her try on some red velvet pants – to join the colourfulness of her hot pink bra and the orange painting – and took a test shot. I think it’s still one of my favourites. Especially when I make it all retro…
She totally needs a VW bus, doesn’t she? Edited in Picnik using the 1960s filter.
Then we tried an orange skirt and different hand/arm poses…
Using the “sara” filter in Pixlr-o-matic, with the “film” frame.
And finally, we ended up with an iridescent pink number…
Pixlromatic, “antonio” filter, “smoke” frame.
We played around with more poses, and I tried to get some with her face in them… and this is what we ended up with.
Edited in Picnik using the “ortonish” filter. Then framed in Pixlr-o-matic with the “grunge” frame. Slight transparency added at the end.
What a wonderful morning we had. Thanks for playing with me, Jennifer!!! But it’s late now. And I’m tired and in need of some sleep. Hope you’ve enjoyed today’s courageous post. Sweet dreams, y’all.
Tags: 2011, August Break, Inspired Spa, Jennifer Pierre, online editing, painted, Picnik, Pixlr-o-matic, portrait, words on bodies
Posted in August Break, Words On Bodies | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
I just love it when we grill veggies for dinner. It means an extra delicious breakfast the next day – when coupled with some toasted grainy bread, cream cheese and dill. Yum!
Edited in Rollip first, using the TL filter on the “glows” page, then framed in Pixlr-o-matic using the “sloppy” frame.
Tags: 2011, August Break, breakfast, grilled veggies, online editing, Pixlr-o-matic, Rollip
Posted in August Break | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
My friend Jen has her very own business called Inspired Spa. She normally operates out of Cranbrook, BC, but this week while her boys are out camping, she packed it up, put the spa on wheels, and drove it to her hometown of Calgary, AB. In addition to visiting her family and friends here, she is offering up treatments – and I just had to sign myself up for one.
She came over this morning and gave me the most wonderful Reflexology-PediCare combination ever – in the comfort of my very own living room! After she’d put on some relaxing music and lit a candle (yes, she comes very prepared…), we started with a fabulous rose-scented foot bath. Oh, soooo good!
Though I was lucky enough to have shipped off the kids for the morning, if they had been home, I could easily have plopped them in front of the television for an hour and still had my treatment. How convenient is that?
There was much talking and laughing, story sharing and many happy sighs as my feet were pampered beyond belief.
I’m a typical Pisces that way – I lovelovelove to have my feet pampered! And her Reflexology massage didn’t disappoint – I got tingles (it was that good) more than once. =)
Look at those feet. That’s what blissed-out feet look like.;)
We finished off the foot session with a little painting of my “mermaid toes”. And then, to top off an already amazing morning, she gave me a taste of her Rayid session and a little makeup makeover. Talk about full-service! Ahhhh…
She has a beautiful personality that both puts you at ease and keeps you smiling. Which is just one of the reasons why I asked her to sit for a “painted words on bodies” session in a couple of days. =)
So. If you’re in Calgary this week and are in need of a little TLC, I *highly* recommend contacting her and making an appointment. You’ll be oh, so glad you did!!!
Happy feet via Pixlr-o-matic. “Sara” filter and ground frame.
Tags: 2011, August Break, feet, Inspired Spa, Jen, online editing, PediCARE, pedicure, Pixlr-o-matic, Rayid, Reflexology, spa
Posted in August Break | 8 Comments »
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Up again with a very upset Monkeyboy Junior Jr. last night. From 1am-3:30am this time. *yawn* Thought I’d take some of the Charm Lady’s advice that I happened to be reading at 2am (via Eckhart Tolle) and surrender to what is. So, I grabbed my camera and snapped a few of the solar lights we have on our back deck.
Using some brightening and softening in Picnik, and the nolaroid frame from Pixlr-o-matic.
I would have rather been sleeping, but hey, a cute photo to remember it all by isn’t so bad either I suppose.
Tags: 2011, August Break, night photos, online editing, Picnik, Pixlr-o-matic, solar lights
Posted in August Break | 2 Comments »
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
(Note: I wrote this yesterday, when I was infinitely more coherent than I am right now… Oh, sleep, how I miss you.)
Okay. As I mentioned, I found a new (to me) online editing site yesterday called Rollip. Although it’s not as easy to navigate as some of the other sites I’ve been using, it still has some great effects – although the filters are more subtle in most cases. It’s also a little different to use. There are 10 pages, each with 4 effects to choose from. First you choose your effect *then* you upload your picture. With no preview, which kind of sucks. Even the names of these effects are subtle, so I’ve just decided to call them TL (top, left), TR (top, right), BL (bottom, left) and BR (bottom, right) on any given page… Make sense? I think you’ll have to head over there and see for yourself.
Anyhow. Here is a photo of myself that I took a little while back. (Dreaming of sleep, dontcha know…)
And here it is with a schwack of filters.
Classics page, BR effect.
Vintage page, BR effect.
Added character page, BR effect.
BW sepia page, BR effect.
Styled lenses page, BR effect.
Glows page, BL effect.
Extreme stylized page, BL effect.
Bold tones page, TR effect.
Wow. And that’s just 8 of the 40 filters you can choose from! Anyhow. Something new to play with. I’m still looking for a site other than Pixlr-o-matic that offers some cool framing to go with these images. If I find it, I’ll let you know.
Tags: 2011, August Break, effects, filters, Kate Ware, online editing, Rollip, self-portrait, subtle
Posted in August Break | 2 Comments »
