Sun Flare Photography and a Reminder

Last week I mentioned that this month’s photo party will be about sun flare, sunrises or sunsets.

  I know everyone knows what a sunrise and a sunset is, but you might not know about sun flare. 

It is the reflections and flares you get when you take a photo in direct sunlight.  I found 2 great posts that give you tips for achieving sun flare in your photos. 

The first one is Sun Flare for Beginners by The Pioneer Woman.  You can read that post here.

The other one is How to Capture Sun Flare in Photos by I Heart Faces.  You can read that one here.

I think sunsets and sunrises are beautiful and I hope that you all will link up some gorgeous photos of both or either, but I also encourage you to read the posts and challenge yourself to learn something new and also try to capture sun flare.

I have been practicing.

Last week I attempted it with some success.

Yesterday we went to an amusement park and I got some sun flare through the roller coaster while waiting in line.

I tried to capture sun flare while riding this.

I did get a cool sun photo.  I am not sure if it is considered flare or a sunset though.

Maybe it’s both?!?

Pretty cool huh?

This has nothing to do with the sun, but I love ferris wheel photos so I am throwing one in.

I woke up this morning and saw the sun peeking through some trees and ran out to my backyard and took this shot.

I really hope you all take time to try this and come join the photo party.  I can’t wait to see you there. 

Galvanized Containers

Sometimes a really cool grouping is right under your nose. I already had a vintage galvanized fire bucket, a watering can and a cute box made by my father in law long ago. I added a 3 on to the box.

Recently I found another galvanized item, but I don't know what it is called. I put them all together and I am really liking it!

Do you like it too? 

Here’s a closer look at the mystery item.

It is similar to an upside down bucket.  It’s kind of like a galvanized cloche.  I found it in an antique store for $5. 

I filled up the fire bucket with some snowball blooms form a bush in my backyard.

I liked my grouping so much that I moved it into the house and put faux hydrangeas in the fire bucket. 

Do you ever find a new love for your old stuff?  I would love to hear about it.

Linking to

Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Tea Party

My mom passed away over 11 years ago and I have several of her things that are special to me including some copper teapots.  One of the teapots has cups that can stack under the lid  and the other one is very ornate.  I played with a few groupings so I could join the texture party using a tea or coffee cup at Kim Klassen Café.  I couldn’t pick just one so I did 3 of them.  The doilies I used in the photos were also my moms. 

I used 2 textures in this photo. 

madlove using soft light at 100%

luminous using multiply at 53%

 

This next photo also had 2 textures.

chamomile using soft light at 100%

cinnamon using multiply @ 53%

 

My last photo I used 2 textures as well, but I can’t remember how I applied them.

luminous

artjoy

I love a good challenge and a chance to show off some of my mom’s treasures.

Toothbrush Bracelet

How often is it that two things you do in life merge into one???  I am a dental hygienist and I love craft projects.  And now I have a toothbrush bracelet. 

I can’t take credit for this cute project though.  We have 2 patients at our dental practice that are sisters and might I say gorgeous.

The oldest sister is quite the crafter and her little sister loves to help her.  They have been making toothbrush bracelets and they made me one. 

They told me they pull out the bristles with pliers and then boil the toothbrush until it softens.  The toothbrush is removed with tongs and then bent into a bracelet shape.  They have learned not all toothbrushes work.  Some break.  I think they found the ones that work the best at Walmart.

I truly love my son, but I can only imagine how much fun I could have with a crafty daughter. 

Linking to

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Succulents in a Rock and Some Prom Pics

What a busy weekend it’s been.  Today I have been really lazy and watched Lifetime for women all day.  I spent most of my weekend taking photos.  I wrote about my once in a lifetime photo opportunity I had on Friday here and yesterday I took prom pictures for a friend of a friend. 

Here’s a couple of fun shots.

Dresses and girls sure have changed since I was in high school over 20 years ago.

Now about my rock.  I have had this rock for along time.  I found it at a lake.

I bought some potted succulents because they were less expensive than buying them separately.

I added dirt to the hole inside the rock and then transplanted the succulents.

I think it looks fun.  I hope they like their new home. 

I have a few blooms in the back yard. 

It was cold today and will be for the next few days, but I am glad I got out and did a little something in the yard today. 

I hope you had a great day.

Linking to

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Maps on the Porch

Front Porch and Photo Party Changes

Hi everyone. I  hope you are having a great weekend.  The wind finally calmed down a bit here and the temperature is rising after our cool front passed.  However, I will take the wind over the deadly tornadoes any day. My heart goes out to those that were affected by the storms. 

Last week I got my flower bed cleaned, trimmed and mulched.

When the the trimmed plants and the newly planted flowers grow I will post an updated pic. 

I put a few flowers in some pots.  I didn’t go overboard this year.

This pot with the purple salvia is my favorite.

I bought the grapevine ball last year at a thrift store and I keep a solar light in the middle of it. 

I was going to paint some stripes on my pots this year, but there are only so many hours in the day and I always feel like it’s not enough. 

Which brings me to my next topic, photo linky parties.  It looks like we will be having the parties once a month. I think most of you are too busy to participate twice a month and it takes me a lot of time as well.  I am going to have them the 2nd Tuesday of every month.  I might add a special one in here and there.  I am trying to decide what the challenges will be.  I do know they will be simple and hopefully not confusing. 

Don’t forget we have a party coming up May 10th.