Dodge? Burn?

Hey everyone!

I was surfing the web one night and came across some great tutorials. I'm always up to learning more about my Photoshop. I learned how to play with these great tools, Dodge and Burn. What fun are these! I played and played with them until I got a photo that I loved. I was so excited about this that I wanted to show you all my results. I highly recommend trying these tools out if you have Ps. What fun!

A Little Recognition

I logged into Etsy today and had a convo. So I opened it and found that a memeber of Etsy put me in her blog! I followed the link and found a great blog. Her treasuries are great and i'm honored to be among one of them. I know that I haven't been very attive on Etsy lately...maybe i'm just looking for inspiration? I hope I find some soon. I have been busy with taking photos of familys and kids. I recently took family pics of a co-worker of my husbands. We went to the part, found some leaves and snapped away. I was a bit nervous cause they have twin 18 month olds. I was expecting a little crying. But the girls were angels, even if I couldn't get them to smile. They sat still and watched me make a fool of myself. I tried several tatics to get them to smile. They seemed to just watch me. I just know they were thinking.."wow, she's really a dork" hehe. Oh well. It was a great experience and I found the whole family to be great to work with. One of these days I will take those girls' pictures again, and I will get them to smile! :P The parents were thrilled with their photos and said that I might become there family photographer. Its one small step towards doing this for a living. One of these days I will have a studio in my backyard. A dream that I wont give up on. I have lots to learn. I hope to intern one day when my kids are in school. I think they will be the big stepping stone. This is something that i've wanted for some time now. And I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't give up on your dreams. Even though there are times that I have. I have had stones set in my path, people telling me I can't do it and those that think i'm crazy. I guess they're not that great of friends if they try to tear my dreams down. So wish me luck! One of these days..........

Starfish

My hubby and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary a couple weekends ago. It was wonderful. He surprised me and took me to the ocean. I didn't know that being lazy was such hard work! I recommend that everyone spend a weekend on the beach. It is so relaxing.

While on our little getaway we spent some time in Cannon Beach. Looking through all the shops, I came upon one with a million seashells! The selection was huge. I zeroed in on the starfish and had to get me some. I wasn't sure what I would do with them. When I got home I grabbed my cameras and went to work. I am really happy with the results. I listed them in my shop. I think these three would make any wall look amazing. It really makes me wish that my bathroom was in nautical.

Lucky Bullets

Howdy! I finally opened up a new shop just for my Bullet Key chains! I use to sell them from my Luminescence shop but it is now closed. I really hope these key chains hit the mark and make me a killin'. I sold quite a few last year for the holidays. I hope to do the same this year. I plan on finding some ways of putting bullets on necklaces.

It all started when my hubby bought a key chain with a bullet on it. I kept thinking that I could make those. I finally got my hubby to show me how his reloading stuff works. I had a blast. He secretly enjoyed helping me :) I hope to offer more then just the .44 and .45 caliber. I have bigger plans :) I may be aiming to high but I hope that it will hit the mark.

I was trying to decide what kind of slogan to put on my shop. A friend offered one and I laughed. It was "Save a rabbit, buy a bullet." I got a real kick out of that. And let me tell you, I think I will be full of puns with this shop. So direct your aim on this target and come in. You will be sure to find your aim true and the caliber a sure shot :)

Canvas!!

I have gotten my canvas!!! Through some trial and error and some printer issues.....I now offer a beautiful photo!! (not that is wasn't great before the canvas.....) :) After some photoshop work and adjusting the printer settings, I have a finished product. And I couldn't be more happy with it!! I think customers will be happy with it also. I hope to offer all my photography on this wonderful Canvas paper! Be sure to check out my listing in my Etsy shop.

Man Made Market

Eseering from Etsy contacted me a few days ago with a request. She wanted some info on me and my shop for a possible blog spot. I got the note today that she had spotlighted me! YAY! I am very excited. It's so nice when people take notice of your hard work. I thank her for adding me to her blog. Please go and take a look!!

Canvas at Last!

I am so excited to be getting canvas paper for my photos! I just ordered it today. I can't wait to see how my photos print on it. If they turn out as fantastic as I am hoping, I will be listing them in my shop. I searched forever for paper. I finally asked my sweet cuz, Vol.25, what she uses for her artwork. She directed me to a company that has the canvas paper. I took the plunge and bought it.


With the textures I am already using on my photos, I think the canvas paper will give it the final touch. So within the month, I should have some posted in shop! So be sure to stop by Artistic Image!

Little bit of this and a Little bit of that

Thats how I work with photoshop :) I take a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I like to play with curves and temperatures. Maybe a filter or two. Add some texture and you never know what your gonna get. It's my little Photoshop mixer. The problem is, is that I get to mixing so much that I can't remember how I got it! Good thing there is this little thing on the side to document all your layers :) My little cheat sheet. Well.....i've been playing some with a photo I took while up at my mom and dads. I came out with this variation. I'm not sure if i'm totally happy with it, so any comments would be great! Don't be shy. I don't think anyone can be a worse critique then me :)

Closing Luminescence

Well, I have decided to close up shop. My Luminescence shop that is. I want to concentrate more on my photography. I feel like i'm spreading myself to thin. It makes it hard to enjoy myself. I feel that my photography would grow if I put everything into. I am doing lots of research on styles and such. Trying to find my own niche. I hope you enjoy the transformation. And while your at it, stop into Luminescence and get you a hat or scarf at that great discount price :)