Happy Halloween

A couple of weeks ago, we had a wonderful dinner with our friends Elizabeth and John.  Somehow, the conversation turned to neighbors of theirs who were having a Halloween costume party for their neighbors  on the 30th.  As luck would have it, Rick knows them well -- so, we told Elizabeth and John that we might just drop by unannounced!

One problem, Rick and I so don't like wearing costumes because we're dorky enough -- costumes might make us look normal and then we'd have to dress up all the time!  So the wheels in my head started spinning.

What to do, what to do -- I mean, we weren't officially invited, although our friends of the friends invited us.

Eureka!

Our very elaborate (and expensive) Halloween Costumes!

You guessed it (or maybe you didn't), we came as alleged party crashers.

One lady figured it out -- and asked me where my blond wig was.  I explained that the wig would only have been the start.  I would have had to miraculously grow about a foot taller and lose 50 lbs.  Neither was going to happen in less than a month, so I didn't bother with the blond wig.  Another lady at the party called me Michelle, so I'm quite positive she didn't get my costume.  Oh well -- so, maybe it wasn't the brainiest of my ideas -- but we sure had fun explaining our costumes.

I need to wish my bestest friend in the world a very happy 7th dating anniversary!  He's treating me to Game 4 of the World Series in Arlington tonight!  We (and every Texas Ranger's fan) were thrilled when they won Game 3 last night in front of a home crowd!  GO RANGERS!!!!!

Happy Anniversary Rick!!!!  I love you!!!

Everyone else -- be safe, watch for kids out trick-o-treating, and have a wonderful Sunday!


PS -- thank you John and Elizabeth for (allegedly) inviting us and a huge thank you to the LaTour's for not kicking us out and treating us to a fun party (the food was delish!!!!)!

The color green

Woo Hoo (currently jumping up and down doing the woo hoo dance)! After 41 days, I finally received my camera back! I haven't made the time to see if my flash guns still have a little Linda Blair - the Exorcist in them. So keep your fingers crossed that everything is in working order!

I did march my happy pants out back yesterday to play around with my camera. I really wanted to get shots of the four legged beasts (who are barking their heads off right now) but, alas,  they couldn't seem to focus on being still.

So --- I walked over to the chives (one of the few herbs I haven't managed to totally kill) and started clicking away.

While taking pics of the chives I noticed a little, bitty, butterfly (or moth) sitting on one of the flowers. Ugggggghhhhhhh -- I had the 50mm lens on and not my macro lens. Rats, oh well, got to dance with the one that brung you, right?

There was a slight breeze, so I had to wait patiently until the little guy bobbed back into place to try and capture at least one sharp (OK -- it's not razor sharp) picture.

Well, the little bugger had me fooled!  I thought I was taking a picture of his front side, when in fact, the big orange and black dot is on his hind side!

What I like most about this picture is the color green.  It has a calming affect on me.  Hmmmmm,  maybe next go around, I'll paint all my rooms green.  Eeeehhhhhh -- maybe not.  Anyhoo -- check out this link on color psychology.

The dogs are still barking, so I may need to go out back and take in some green to get me back to a peaceful, calm, state.

I hope you all have a safe, wonderful, calm, Laborless Labor Day!

:~P  Frances

PS -- Twicebroken is in Vegas preparing for the finals of the Hard Rock's Battle of the Bands!  I asked Nick to let me know what time they were playing, so that I could mix a cocktail, put their CD on, and pretend I was there cheering them on!

THE DOGS ARE STILL BARKING!!!!!!!!  AAAGGGHHHHHHH!

Wichita Falls Pet Portraits | Sonny D Pinup Pup

Hola and happy Wednesday!

I'm back to shooting again, thanks to Rick's early birthday present. I'm sure he was worn down with all my groaning and moaning of not having my camera back from the shop (can you say it's been 22 business days since XYZ extended warranty company has had my camera?????).

RRRRRRRRRRR -- their service policy for SLR's is 10-15 business days -- but when I called they told me my camera was in the 15-20 business day category (maybe because it's a D-SLR that throws it into another week). So -- at 22 business days, I'm past their "normal service time-line" and still no word. I'm sure at some point in time, I'll write a blog post (when I receive my camera back) with all the blood and guts details.

Anyhoo, back to Rick's early BD present. I am now the proud owner of a Nikon D300S!!!!! What really tickles me pink - is that I don't have to relearn buttons and features -- because it's almost like my D700. There are several major differences 1) it has a cropped sensor, 2) it shoots video and 3) it has two memory card slots (one for a compact flash card and the other for a SDHC card).  Coming around the bend is my blank (just pick a number -- but be kind) birthday which totally gives me the right to say "I'm wayyyyy to old to learn a new camera!!!".

I was in the process of setting up this camera to my liking -- when I looked over and saw Sonny D in his normal sleeping position. Now -- normally, I don't have my camera right by my side -- with a flash mounted on top. Luckily -- I did. So now I can surprise Rick with a portrait of our little pinup pup -- Sonny D.

Hmmmmm, I wonder if I make this into a poster -- will it do as well as Farrah's red swimsuit poster?????  I'm thinkin -- HOLA TO RETIREMENT!!!  Oh, slap, slap, slap -- wake up -- just doin a little day-dreamin!

Well, I am smiling a lot more -- now that I have a terrific backup camera (guess that means back to work)!

Have a great day!

[:~? Frances

Up in the air and on my derriere

I'm still on cloud nine from yesterday's heli ride! I buzzed through the pictures I took and worked on a couple that I found interesting.

These two shots were taken up in the air.

Plowing

 

 

And these two shots were taken from about my derriere level.

This is my neighbor's new puppy.  I call her Minnie Pearl.  I know I should probably ask my neighbor what here real name is, but to me, Minnie Pearl fits her.  She's a calico colored, cow dog that is just busting with personality. 

Well, it's Saturday and it's going to be another day of 100+ temps.  I'm getting ready to do my woo hoo weather dance, because we should dip back into the nineties next week!

Have a great weekend -- Ya'll!

|' ;^)  Frances

Diary of One Hot Mama - Riding Bikes Day One

Ooopps -- did I mislead you????? Hot as in OMG it's going to be a week of 104 degree (+) temps this week! I really thought we d dodged a bullet this year and missed out on the really hot stuff. Well, I guess that's what I get for thinking!

I took some time off (not intentionally) from blogging. The sad truth is -- I have no idea why!

Since my last post, we've been to Houston (got to see my little Sis Pam and my nephew Keegan while we were there!!!!!!) and Boston. I have zero -- pictures to post from these trips. My poor little companion (camera) went to the shop to repair a problem I've been having with my flashes and camera working together (when the flash is mounted on the camera). Evidently -- this is probably a design flaw -- because I've found numerous posts regrading this issue. If you shoot with a D700 -- be aware that at some point in time, you may start experiencing weird problems because the flash mount on the camera is weak. The problem starts with wacky flashing -- until finally, the flash unit stops working when it is mounted on the camera body. I'm hoping my camera and I are reunited this week -- but who knows. Sob!

I digress -- back to Riding Bikes Day One. Is it a sign of senility when you and your boyfriend decide to start riding bikes when the temperature hits 100 + degrees???? Yep, 10-4 good buddy -- Rick and I picked up some bike helmets yesterday with every intention of riding the trails on our bikes.

This is how it went. Airing up tires -- ummmmmmmmmm took about 30 minutes and a lot of sweat and effort on Rick's part. I have an air pump, but it's been 7 years since I've ridden and about that long since I've used it. Who can remember how to operate a bike pump after that amount of time. Surely not me!!!!!

So, here's the Cliff Notes version of Riding Bikes Day One:

Notice -- the tags are still on the helmet!

This is as  far as we got.  Helmet - check, tires inflated - check, water bottles filled - check, weather conditions -----------.  Uhhhhh, never mind.  Let's do this when it's a little cooler!

It's a good thing we called it off.  Rick called this morning on his way to work -- and I told him that I had a bad cramp in my right calf muscle.  No telling what kindof condition I'd have been in if we actually got on our bikes!!!

That's all for now.  Stay safe and cool!

; ~} Frances

P.S  a huge thank you to my friend Elizabeth and my daughter-in-law Emily for loaning me their cameras (I was about to go into withdrawals).

Really, I don't sit around eating bon-bons all day (I've got proof)!

Hola and TGIF!!!!!! Yep, still sleep deprived! We received over 3.45 inches of rain last night. Along with the rain -- thunder and lightening and one hysterical Blue. Actually after the power went out the 3rd time, he wasn't quite so crazy by the 4th and 5th power outage. I shouldn't say outage -- just a temporary loss of power -- long enough to turn everything off (haven't even thought about resetting the alarm clocks)!

So - I'm once again walking around in a fog (aren't you glad I'm not out driving)!

Ok -- back on topic. Seriously, I don't sit around on my tush eating bon-bons all day. I know -- if you knew me when I played golf everyday, jogged, lifted weights, etc.... you might be thinking "maybe not bon-bons, but you sure are consuming something)!

Lately, I've been doing some work for the fabulous Wellington Banquet & Conference Center, located in Wichita Falls, Texas.  I've enjoyed photographing the Wellington and getting to capture the rooms after they've been transformed from a blank slate into something unique and lovely!  It is, by far, the best venue for receptions, parties, etc.....

If you  live in the North Texas area, and are looking for a party venue,  give Lindsey Scholl a hollah at (940)696-1800.  I've come to believe that Lindsey works 24/7 and resides at the Wellington!  She is truly an asset to the Wellington -- and I'm so thankful that I've gotten to know her!

The Two Clever Chicks were the event planners for a number of the functions I've photographed for the Wellington.  Lolly and Cynthia are terrific ladies with an unbelievable sense of style.  Check out this link -- for some photographs I took for the Wellington at a recent Two Clever Chicks wedding reception.  I was totally blown away when I walked into the ultra devine-transformed rooms.  These ladies do an amazing job!

So, if you're wondering what I've been up to, check out these links to the Wellington and the Two Clever Chicks.

Now -- back off topic!  My lovely, soon to be daughter-in-law Emily has earned her Master of Education degree and will be receiving her diploma tomorrow morning!  I am so proud of her -- and wish her drive and ambition would rub off on me.  Would you believe I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up?  Seriously, I love the women in my son's lives -- and thank God for the blessings!  Way to go Emily!!!!!!  Woo hoooooooooo!

I hope everyone has a safe and totally relaxing (or fun if you need it) weekend!

 Rick just walked in -- and told me to check out this video. It is awesome! Please take time to watch "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries".



Please also check out Nick Vujicik's website and read his amazing story and testimony!

Thank you Lord for the beautiful people who inspire us!

|: ~ > Frances

Random Thursday (really random)

Sleep, must have sleep!!!!! I haven't had a good night's sleep since we got back from Missouri. Don't know why -- wish I did -- but maybe tonight will be the night!

Last night -- was almost a great night of sleep until 3:30 ish -- when a thunder storm rolled through and knocked out the power (for a few seconds). Of course, all the clocks in the house now need to be reset. Blue, my weather alert dog started his panic attack -- the other three dogs could care less. Sleep was not going to happen until the storm blew past -- and Blue calmed down.

So -- since I'm now wide awake, I grabbed my camera, set it on a tripod, and started taking 4 sec exposures out my back door (the camera and I were inside the house looking out the glass door). Chicken you say!!!! Why yes! This girl has no desire to star in "Being Ben Franklin"!

With the camera securely on the tripod, I just kept pressing the shutter release -- hoping to catch a lightning bolt. As luck would have it, out of 190, I caught 5 bolts!!! Woo hoo!

I so wished I didn't have a telephone pole smack dab in the middle of my fence line. It kind of screws up the lovely view I have of the golf course. Hey, did I mention, the hike an bike trail is now right outside my back gate? Number of times I've gotten on it???? ONE!!!!!! Am I sounding sleep deprived yet? Why do some words look weird when you put them down on paper -- and sometimes they don't? Do you think Tony Shalhoub misses doing Monk?

Now -- on to much more exciting things!  Last Saturday, I had an unbelievable opportunity to see Wichita Falls from the sky!!!!  My friend Elizabeth arranged for me to go up in her husband John's helicopter.  Oh my gosh was I excited.

One thing you have to know -- is that I have a fear of heights when it comes to standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon or walking to a window on the 20th floor of a building.  But planes, hot air balloons and helicopters don't frighten me.  John and Elizabeth's explanations as to why I have this fear is that in a plane or helicopter -- if you are strapped in, you feel as though you are a part of the aircraft.  With buildings or other high structures you don't feel as though you are one with the structure. I think this is a great explanation for my "situational" fear of heights!

John Hawley in front of his helicopter

The reason for the helicopter outing was to capture some shots -- that I hoped would work into a cover design for the next Wichita Falls Literature and Art Review magazine.    The new cover is ready to go -- but you're going to have to wait until Fall to see the final product.

photo shot just before taking off

downtown Wichita Falls, Texas

It was an amazing and totally thrilling morning!  Thank you John for the tour and thank you Elizabeth for the invite and letting me use your fantastic fish eye lens (add that to my when (not if) I win the lottery, this is what I'm buying list)!!!!

Did I mention random (oh, it is today's blog title)????  Yep, I'm all over the place!

Photoshop CS5 is out -- and my, oh my!  I've got to have it!  I downloaded the trial version
about 10 days ago -- and am loving it!  I keep thinking that there is no way possible that the program can get any better.  I've been wrong every single time!  If you haven't checked out any of the CS5 videos, head over to Adobe TV and get ready to be amazed!  Another great training video site is Mark S. Johnson Photography.  Mark is doing a ten part video series of  "What's New in Photoshop CS5".  I learn (and retain) tons  more watching training videos and then immediately applying what I've learned.  I'm  thankful that there are so many wonderful people who give of their time and talents to complete strangers!

Next random item -- I ran across this blog yesterday that I thought contained a lot of useful information.  Check it out -- it's Go{4}Pro Photography by Leah Remillet.

Well, it's time to shut down  (with a random shot of my dog Lola)-- as my brain is getting a little tired from jumping from one random thought to another!

TTFN as the Pooh would say!  Have a great weekend!

;~\  Frances

Meet Me In St. Louis Part Deux

I may have enough pictures to post for a month! Even though it was mainly misty, rainy and cloudy during our stay in St. Louis -- I managed to snap off about a thousand pictures (most of them at the Cardinals/Braves ballgame).

Firstly, I need to give a belated shout out to my birthday man -- Rick. We celebrated his birthday in St. Louis! Thank you  to his buddies who called and wished him a happy birthday (wish Rick would have put Mike on speaker phone so I could hear him sing)! He had a great time -- I think I had the better time!

I've strayed a tad from doing what I love most, taking photos and digitally altering them in Photoshop.  So -- I found a number of pictures from our trip to St. Louis that I thought would make great mirrored images.

 This is a photo of the ceiling and windows inside the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, Ok.

Mirrored images of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mo.

View of the engine and tail section of our Southwest Airlines plane

Enough playing for one day -- back to work!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

;~" Frances

Meet Me In St. Louis Part I

Wow!  Is St. Louis one gorgeous town!  Unfortunately, this is what the weather was like during our stay:

Day 1 (Fri)  rain
Day 2 (Sat:)  rain (with some clearing near late afternoon).  Tornado warning (sirens and all)
Day 3 (Sun)  mist, rain, cloudy skies
Day 4 (Mon)  mist, rain, cloudy skies
Day 5 (Tues)  mist, rain, cloudy skies

Our first full day started out kindof rocky.  We were on the 8th floor of the Hyatt St. Louis Hotel at the Arch.  We got to the elevator, and two gentlemen were already waiting to go down.  Oh about 10 minutes passed and finally an elevator going up came along.  The two smart guys got on (even though it was going up).  Rick and I decided we'd wait for the elevator to come back down so we didn't hop in.  About five minutes later we gave up on that set of elevators, and lugging my camera gear downstairs (8 floors) was not an option (because I'm lazy) -- so Rick found the service elevator and down we headed.

Then, a very nice valet told us that our rental car had a flat and that he would gladly change it for us (thanks Alessandro).  Poor guy had his workout for the week trying to get the lug nuts (whatever those things are called) off.  After about 20 minutes, we were on our way back to the rental car place at the airport, exchanging cars.

The rest of the morning was uneventful.   But not the afternoon.  By then, we were in Des Peres, Mo.  I was taking pictures inside an assisted living center that Rick was the architect on, when the tornado sirens sounded.  Eeeeeekkkk -- I thought I left that kindof stuff behind in Texas.  They huddled all the residents into interior hallways until the all clear signal was given.  Whew no tornado -- what a day!

Luckily, as we headed back to St. Louis,  the blue skies and sun broke out.  Rick thought that this would be a great time to head to the arch.   I'm so glad we did -- because there was almost no blue skies or sun for the remainder of our stay.

The Arch is one amazing structure.  It is so beautiful, especially when the sun is shining on it.  I was thrilled when a limo pulled up with a group of prom-goers.  What a cool place to take pictures!

A few minutes after the prom-goers arrived, another limo pulled up with a wedding party!  Wow -- did I hit photo opportunity pay dirt or what?

Anyhoo -- we had a nice time (which I'll  blog about later when time permits) in St. Louis.  I can't wait to go back.  Next time, I'm calling my blogging buddy Kym and will  meet her for some coffee.  I didn't realize that O'Fallon was real, real close to St. Louis.

Well, adios for the moment -- and have a great evening!

; ^\ Frances

Hiatus - over!

Ok -- I've got to come clean.   The photo-a-day venture I undertook just plain sucked the fun out of photography.  Maybe because I was limiting myself to using only one lens, maybe the gray yucky weather we had, or maybe it was just my poor little mind just couldn't take the pressure. 

So, the next time I come up with the urge to undertake a project like that, Rick has my permission to slap me on the back of my head and snap me back to reality!

Well, what did I do with my time??????   Can you say veggggggeedddd?????

Last month was a fun month of basketball! Rick and I went down to College Station to watch Texas A&M play (and beat!!!) the University of Texas.  Unfortunately, TAMU got knocked out of the championships yesterday by Purdue in OT.

Our friends Mike and Marcia invited us to fly with them to Bartlesville, Ok to watch the Midwestern State University men's basketball team win yet another game.  The Mustangs are in Massachusetts getting ready to play in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on Wednesday.   We'd love to be there cheering the team on -- but alas, it's a tad bit far.  Luckily, KAUZ  TV will be airing the game -- so I'm sure there will be alot of folks glued to their TV sets this Wednesday!

Does anyone still have a horse in the NCAA finals???? I had Kansas winning the whole enchilada -- and it ain't happenin now!!!! I am somewhat comforted by the fact that I'm not the only one who had Kansas winning the tournament! Yep, misery loves company!

Looks like I'm back to rambling about uhhhhh - nothing!  Oh, it's good to be back!

Anyhoo, I took a total break from photography, and surfing the net for almost a month.  But -- I'm baaaccccckkkk! I hope to catch up on my blogger buddies and check out what they've been up to this past month!

This is a picture I took about a week ago of the birdhouse on the Country Club property right before a storm. I of course added layer upon layer of textures, plus used the ShadowHouse Creations bird brush.

Last thing! It's a freebie (if you use Photoshop CS or Elements). Check out OnOne's site for their free version download of PhotoFrame. It's a plug in that contains 20 edge and border effects. Hey, if it's free, it's me.

I think that's quite enough of my ramblings for one day! I hope you all have a great day!

;~D Frances

F3 Day 24 -- man do I feel stupid

Yup, uhhhhhhhhh, how long have I had these earphones???? Oh at least 4-5 years! When did I finally figure out the correct placement of the phones on my head. Uhhhhhhh Wednesday.

I'm not sure why I never thought about how weird they felt on my head until I sat in on a web seminar -- and got tired of the headphones slipping. Well, duhhhhhh -- after I figured out which way was correct -- the slipping stopped.

I hate when that happens (me being stupid). Oh well, at least I can now use them in comfort!!!

I'm sure that most of you, would have used them correctly.  I'm not sure why I didn't.  But, just so I have a reminder of the correct placement of headphones to head -- I added some ears and a mouth via Photoshop.  Now I've got a visual reminder just in case I have a memory lapse!

 

Well, one more day and I'm half way to the end of the "what ever possessed me" photo project!!!!!  Think I'm going to do a "woo hoo" dance tomorrow!

There's a little bit of sun out today (but, really mostly cloudy) and I noticed how pretty the dogs looked sitting on their trampoline (really -- I bought it for me, but they claimed squatter's rights).

Here's Blue and Lola taking in as much sun as they can get today.

Have a great day!

Oh, and please feel free to let me know if you have any bonehead revelations that you'd like to get off your chest (you know, to make me feel better)!

;~D Frances

F3 22/50 OMG the sun came out for a minute! Setting your diopter

I woke up today feeling like the flu was setting in. Chills, cough, slight temperature, body ache, etc...... I told Rick that I'm blaming it on the lady at Pioneer Restaurant that was sitting in a booth behind us Sunday morning. She must have coughed for five minutes. Aaahhh, she was probably choking on her food -- and I just sat in my seat while she passed out (oh, that's why she stopped coughing!!!!)!

The Advil has kicked in so I feel much better.

Anyhoooooooooooo - the sun came out this morning for ummmmmmmmmmh a few minutes. I grabbed my camera and took a self portrait so I had something to remember the sun by just in case it stays in hiding. Oh, and yes, I had my 50mm lens on the camera body!

 

It snowed again last night.  As the weatherman stated this morning "we're having one strange winter in Wichita Falls".  I agree!  I can't remember the last me we had so many snowfalls within a 3-month period of time.

 Now, onto setting the diopter on your camera.  I'd done this when I originally got my camera, and hadn't thought about it again.  I ran across this article on Photo Answers and thought maybe it was time to revisit my diopter setting again.  You want to make sure this setting is correct especially if you switch to manual focus.  Me and my camera are still seeing eye to eye (I know -- I should go into comedy) so all is good

I've got my blinds open in my office -- just in case the sun comes back out!  I want to soak in as much of the sun's rays as possible.

Have a great day!

;~D  Frances

f3 21/50 Oh hey, another gray, gloomy day in Wichita Falls, Making a Custom Brush

As you can tell by the post title - it's another gray, gloomy day in Wichita Falls, Texas. Why, we might even get snow later tonight.

Now I know why some people come down with S.A.D.'s. I crave carbs all year long -- do you think I have SADS all year long??????

This is a shot looking towards the golf course behind my house. Can you say "drab" and "dreary"??????

On to more exciting things. I love the bird brushes from ShadowHouse Creations. I decided to get off my duff and learn how to create my own bird brushes. Luckily, some pigeons cooperated yesterday evening -- so I had a nice flock to choose from.

I found a video on YouTube (don't you love YouTube????) explaining how to make a cloud brush. The technique worked just fine on my bird picture.

Here's the image of the birds I took last night, as well as what my new bird brush looks like.

Stay warm and have a great evening!

;~D Frances

F3 20/50 Is it over yet??????

Gosh it's late. It's 9:37 p.m., about 30 minutes past my bedtime -- and I haven't posted a picture from today. Actually, I am having some weird photoshop problems, and I'm way too tired to figure out what's going on.

We went up to the office today -- Rick worked, I surfed the net and watched a couple of movies.

Mucho tired -- signing off for the evening, hoping that if I turn off the computer -- and let it rest -- my photoshop problems will be solved.

Have a great evening!

;~D Frances

**UPDATE**

Wow, it's amazing how much clearer you can think when you are not tired (and I had a nap yesterday -- so I'm not sure why I was so whipped last night)!

Anyhoo, I figured out what my Photoshop problem was -- it was me!!!!!!! I'd done something (changed a picture to LAB color mode) -- and forgot. My action wouldn't do what I wanted because it was in this mode. I know it doesn't make sense -- but once again - I had operator error.

Here's what I intended to post last night -- but couldn't get my watermark border to run correctly -- so I got frustrated and quit.

It's been days and days filled with nothing but gray skies.    I think the sun broke out a time or two last week -- but for the most part -- it's been yuck!!!

As you can see from this picture -- the skies are just lifeless and dull. At least the bike added a little color to the scene.

Waaaaaahhhhhhh -- I want my sun back!

F3 Day 18 -- The Lot

I only half @#* my workout today.  You know, some days your body (maybe it's my mind) doesn't want to put out the effort and workout.  I managed a meager 45 minutes -- and went pllllllllllfffffffffffffff -- get me out of here.

So, I headed over to the lot with my camera -- because by golly it's day 18 and I need a picture.  I was hoping the ducks and geese would be hanging out under the bridge -- but nahhhh, they weren't there.

What to shoot, what to shoot??????????  I decided since it was another cloudy, gloomy, gray day, that I needed to get some clouds in my shot. 

 

One of these days, we're going to build a house on this lot, so maybe I'll keep this picture to put in my office (once it's built - hint, hint, hint).  

As all my friends know, I love Photoshop -- and I especially love using textures.  Here's another shot taken of the lot with layers of textures added.

Have a great weekend!

;~D Frances

F3 17/50 Ok, so maybe this is cheating -- and using the pen tool in CS4

I guess it's really not cheating, because I did take a picture with my 50mm lens. 

I've been working all day on putting pretty blue skies in some R/E pictures.  We just haven't had many pretty days over the last couple of months.

 

So, I didn't have much time to put my brain in gear and think of something exciting (I know, you haven't seen exciting yet anyway) to shoot.

The dogs get a biscuit every time they come in from the back yard (hmmmmmm is that why Lola is a chunky munky????).  Eureka -- take a picture of the biscuit jar. 

  

The pups dog biscuit jar taken with the 50mm f/1.8 lens

Actually, I took a picture of the biscuit jar so that I could try (like this is my 100th time trying) the pen tool in Photoshop CS4.  I can't count the number of times I've tried this tool, and after a few minutes ran with my tail between my legs.  This puppy is one hard tool to figure out.  UNTIL TODAY!  I found a great tutorial on Vimeo by Aaron Weiss.  I watched the video about three times and the light bulb finally came on.  If you've tried, and tried again to use the pen tool.  Check out Aaron's video.

Well, I can't just leave well enough alone -- so I did my Photoshop thang and came up with this:

 

I know it's not going to win an award, but hey, I used the extracted biscuit jar!!!!!  

Here's to the wonderful people who help keep my light bulb burning!!!

Have a great evening!

;~D Frances

F3 14/50 Fat Tuesday

Gotta come clean. I am a day behind on my F3 project. Really, I didn't think it trough very well, or I might have used a 12mm lens and done a 12/12 project. I've already slapped my hands so you won't have to do it!

Well, it's Fat Tuesday! Even though I'm not Catholic, I'm sure I'll be filling up on rich food, oh wait, I do that every day!

Here's moose all decked out in his beads.

Here's to a great "Fat" Tuesday

;~D Frances

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hola and Happy Valentine's Day!

Believe it or not, it snowed this morning!!!!! It's much to warm for the snow to stick -- but it was such an odd sight, sun, snow and blustery winds!

I found a fun color test on the X-Rite website. This test basically tells you how well you see color. Click on this link and check it out.

Here are my results:

Give it a try -- and let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Hugs and kisses -- Frances

F3 11/50 Mirror Mirror

Today's F3 image -- is a photo I took this morning of the top half of the tree out in my front yard. The reason I only took a picture of the top half of the tree is because I knew that it would make a great mirrored effect picture.

So, in Photoshop, I duplicated it -- doubled the canvas size and then flipped it (the duplicated layer) -- to create this effect.

Next, (only on the bottom half) I blurred it, used the ocean ripple filter, and darkened it.

I then topped it off with a lens flare and blue photo filter.

And voila! I'm hoping that it fooled you into thinking it was a strand of snow topped trees at the edge of a pond.

The snow is still quite lovely -- but alas, it will be above freezing tomorrow -- so all we'll have left is a mushy mess by this time tomorrow(sob).

Here's to a wonderful Valentine's weekend!

:~D Frances

F3 10/50 Really, Snow?????

Woo hoo -- today was a winter wonderland in Wichita Falls, Texas.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Big, fluffy snowflakes fell from about 7:00 a.m. this morning  -- and is finally (at 8:58 p.m.) letting up a little.   I was working at Rick's office today -- so I didn't get to go out and play in the snow.   Rats, double rats.  It will all freeze over tonight making the roads dicey for tomorrow's commuters (I'm going to be one of them).

Here are a few shots from today!

 

Driving to work

 

Rick working hard

 

Headed home

 

Something artsy fartsy in the greyness of the day

Well, it's about bedtime for Franny.  Stay safe, warm, healthy and happy!

Have a great evening!

;~D  Frances