The addicting iphone and it's apps...

I was out with the kids on Monday, playing at the park and watching the ducks... when my camera malfunctioned "error 99." Ugh! Turns out it needs a new shutter. So.... I had the "opportunity" to use the camera on my iphone all week. And I have to say, the "Plastic Bullet" app is very cool and well, very addicting. The post processing is a REAL time saver too.

And since my camera is still in the repair shop, this week I'm using my 7 year old's point and shoot camera. Should be interesting...

Without further adoo, I present the iphone and the Plastic Bullet app!

Great ideas for wall displays...

I'm always looking for new ways to display photos - I can't take credit for any of these, since I just downloaded them. I especially love the gallery looking walls. Great inspiration - just to get those photos up on display instead on your desktop or in a box!

Photo courtesy Apartment Therapy / Southern Accents

Photo courtesy Pewter and Sage

Photo courtesy Martha Stewart

Photo courtesy Pottery Barn

Photo courtesy Pottery Barn

Photo courtesy Apartment Therapy

Photo courtesy Domino Magazine

A black & white week...

I decided to make things a little more interesting for myself this past week... all black and white. Let me just say, it was harder than I thought it would be. Since I shoot in color, I had a hard time envisioning black and white. Some of the shots I liked the color version better, but since I gave myself the theme of "black and white" I decided to stick with it.

I did slack off a bit this past week for various reasons that I won't bore you with... here's just a few of my favorite shots I took. Of course most of them are of my kids... maybe I should work that for next week!

Day 13 - The haircut

For weeks now, Van has been asking to get his hair cut. I have tried my best to prolong "the haircut." For some reason, I like his hair long. I guess I think it's such a waste to have short hair when your hair is so nice when it is long. Finally we made a deal. "Mom, I promise I'll grow my hair long again someday." Of course he wanted it left long enough to have spikes and a mohawk. And now he's asking if he can dye his hair blue, or red, or green. Baby steps my boy, baby steps!

So here are some "Before" and "After" shots of Van's new haircut. I have to say, he does look quite different - more grown up. Hmmm, could this have anything to do with why I don't want him to have short hair?

Small, random objects make for great photos!

A few of the things that inspired me this week... grapefruit and lemons, a pink lantern, flowers in my daughter's hair, and a very random, very cool VW with a ? on top of it. Hey, when it rains almost every day, you have to get creative indoors. I can see this project becoming very challenging towards the end of the year (if not much sooner!).

Day 2: Project 365 - Funky Bokeh

I recently read a post on how to make "holiday bokeh," so I though I'd give it a try. I love how the photos turned out! (instructions to follow).

First you make a homemade lens cover. Cut out a piece of paper in a circle the size of your lens, the shape you want the bokeh to appear (I did a star). Next, cut out a strip of paper to wrap around your lens and tape the circle to it. Gently slide it over your lens. I used white paper to get a softer look. (Christmas lights work great for your light source). And that's it!

New Year's Resolutions

Every year I think about making a New Year's Resolution, but that's about as far as I get. I think maybe I just need to take it slow and start with ONE resolution instead of many. I don't want it to be just any resolution ("exercise more, eat better, be nicer to my kids, etc.") - so I've decided to make it more of an every day goal.

PROJECT 365. For the next year I'm going to commit to taking a photo a day (or more!). Of my kids, of life, of my surroundings, of the beautiful outdoors, objects that inspire me. I will post my photos once a week so you can help me stay on top of it.

Feel free to join in on the fun - I'd love to see your photos!

Here's my first photo to kick of the New Year and My Project 365! (and of course I had to throw in a collage of our winter holiday).