Blog Give Away - Bird Calendar

This calendar is on it's way to Angie who left me a comment on my Blog Give Away post.

Enjoy the calendar.  I understand that traditional paper calendars are not very popular with most folks using their phones these days.

I hope it is enjoyed for the rest of the year.

Recent Photos

I went for a walk with my aunt on the weekend and finally got a good photo of the Bohemian Waxwing.  I did not recognize their song but she did as she gets great shot regularly in her neighbourhood.

They were in very tall trees and and the coloring was so close to their feather they were very hard to spot.

I just love their vibrant coloring especially their bring yellow tail.  I can see the light in its eye which was great to capture!


Macro Monday on Flickr this week was Sweet or Savory.

Here I have photographed white sugar with my antique silver sugar spoon.

You can check out my photostream and my final selection.

A visit from my sister and brother in law recently saw the return of my TV tables.  He created a small stand for the tables from the wood of the larger table that used to hold them.  I did not need the table and needed the room it was taking so he offered to re engineer the set.

I am so happy with this smaller foot print!  I will have to declutter some more to make the perfect place for them but it is coming along.

Gaining on the keeping the place tidy!

My small quilt box was overflowing!   I delivered these quilts to the rep for Project Linus yesterday!  Now I have room for more quilting.  I also delivered 3 made by my sister. Red and Blue, Animal Baby Quilt, Baby Boy Quilt

She has been quilting a lot this winter as well.

I will likely not be quilting this summer and focus on photography!  I soon will have to trim down my volunteering so I can feel I have a little more free time.

I made a Memory Book for my Mom from the photos I took at our Reunion this summer.  This was a Christmas gift.

I delivered it to her on the Family Day weekend.

Sharing on Mosaic Monday #68 hosted by Angie at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf.

Through my Lens #229 hosted by Mersad.

Blog Give Away

I am working on a photography show in 2021. 

There are several options regarding subject matter.  Nature Minimalist, Golden Hour, Black and White, Abstract, Reflections.

I am interested in what my followers' opinions would be. Follow the link above and leave a comment with your choice and what you think about the style.


Thanks so much.

Blog Give Away - Photo Show Fodder

I am wanting to do a solo show of my photography in 2021. That means I have to start thinking about it now.  I have reviewed my Flickr photo stream to see what I have been shooting and gain some inspiration there.

I have come up with some styles which I could pursue.  I have included one of my photos which represents the style. 

There should be a narrative which works with the photos selected for the show.  That is proving to be a lot harder for me.   Should I start with the story?

Nature Minimalist

There is lots of nature of which to take photos.  Water drops, blades of grass, isolated flowers, rocks, birds, leaves, butterflies and a bunch of other subjects.

The photos would likely be macros for me but not necessarily.  Maybe I could mix macros and distant shots.  A distance shot may be a single flower in a meadow or single tree in flat landscape.

The story will be the challenge.







 

Golden Hour

The sun sets every day so that provides lots of opportunities.  There will be days which are cloudy or rainy that will not let the sunshine preventing this kind of shot.

This point of view allows for a wide variety of subject matter from nature, buildings, structures, forest, water,  and stack of other subjects.

The light is very appealing.










Black & White

I may have to narrow the subject matter on this one because mixing nature and architecture may not work.

The image needs high contrast to work well in black & white.  Do I shoot in black and white? 

Subject Matter

• Flowers
• Landscapes
• Buildings
• Structures

Abstract

This style would include a variety of subject matter.  

Reflections, oil on water, macros that are so close as to disguise the original object, shadows, and many others.

I think to story is harder with this style as the subject is not obvious.  

Maybe the story is the mystery.

Reflections

Another wide array of subject matter. 

Reflective surfaces could be water, metal, glass, and mirrors.



Now to the give away!

I have several of my 2020 calendars which I am giving away before the year gets too much longer.

Please leave me a comment below regarding which style you would enjoy in an exhibition of photography.  You can also make a suggestion of our own.


I will choose 5 comments at random on February 29 since it is a leap year!

Looking forward to reading your comments. Anonymous comments will not be considered.

Blog Give Away Winners - Updated

Today I am announcing the winners of my Blog Giveaway.

A couple of my give away winners did not respond so today I have selected 2 replacements.

Carol from Art & Sand

Jeanie from The Marmelade Gypsy

Margie, Jann, Carol and Jeanie, I hope to post the photo calendars into the mail tomorrow.  Keep an eye for them.  

Enjoy them all year long.

Sylvia 

 

I had 7 individuals leave comments on my Blog Giveaway - 2018 Goals post.  Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your 2018 goals with me. 

I used a random generator to pick 4 from the 7.

That means that the winners are:

Margie from Tea in the Valley

Jann from Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson

Debbie from Debbie-Dabble Christmas

Pam from Everyday Living

I have sent emails of congrats! Looking forward to sending those calendars off soon.

Blog Giveaway - 2018 Goals

I have not made New Year`s Resolutions for many years.  Last year, I set some Self Development Plans.  I am happy with my progress.
Learn - I bought a new camera which allows me to take different photos than I am used to.  Continue to my Flickr challenges and learning new techniques.
Read - I read 20 books in 2017. This included novels, true stories, picture books, and books to learn a skill or find a project.
Teach - I taught my monthly card club and a couple of bible studies.
Relax - Most of my relaxing time was reading time.  Not too many coloring pages were completed.  I did watch TV but with over air antenna reception is sometimes a challenge.  I totally enjoyed `This is Us` show.
Move - I did do exercises at home and walked at least an hour each morning for spring, summer and fall.  I am only up 2 pounds over the holidays but that is due to this deep freeze weather we have been experiencing.  I have been hibernating.

Check the end of the post for the giveaway details.

I managed an update to the kitchen which was not had not been firmed up in my mind last January.

Here are my goals for 2018!

CREATE - I will continue to create cards for card club and decorative paper for my cards at the gallery.

I want to create a website to showcase my photography.

I am working on the development of a workshop for my show at the gallery in October.

I am preparing a Fruit of the Spirit bible study which will start in February.

I very soon will be making decisions about the subject matter of my 2019 photo calendars and setting up photography time to get those done by the middle of the year. 

READ - I have decided to keep a Book Journal this year.  I will record the title and author at a minimum.  Characters where appropriate and a general rating on whether I would recommend the book.

I will capture insights I have gained, things I have learned, and concepts I can share from my reading of each book

This book has a sturdy translucent cover with a coil binding which needed to be tightened. Fortunately, I had the machine to do the job.  Once, that was sorted out I cut some black letters with the Stampin Up Little Letters thinlit set and glued them onto the first page.

I have already recorded my first book for 2018!

MOVE - I will continue to move each day.

I can run the stairs, use the treadmill downstairs, walk outdoors, and use my exercise video.

I have been using the stairs more because as the elevators are being overhauled so we will be down to one for the next 6 months.  I don`t NEED to take the elevator unless I am hauling groceries so there is more stair climbing in 2018.

CONNECT - I have been totally enjoying our monthly `Welcome to my Kitchen` fellowship group.
My blog lets me connect with fellow bloggers and my Flickr challenges with other photographers.
Card Club and card challenges let me connect with fellow card makers.
I am wanting to add another monthly social activity to my calendar and am looking to join a `Scrabble`game time once a month.  There are a couple of options available in my area.
I would like to host a few more friends over for tea this year as well.

DE-CLUTTER & ORGANIZE -  If you have followed my blog you may remember I worked on my craft space in 2013.  Craft supply storage in 2015.  The storage room in 2016.

In 2018 I am going to work on my wardrobe.  It`s been 3 years since I have had to go to a regular day job so I need to clear out some clothes I have not worn in that long.  Mom pointed out when I was home for Christmas that my favorite denim shirt was ready for the rag pile. The photo above shows the worn out one and it`s replacement.  I need a new pair of indoor runners.  There is some `Big`clothes that I have been saving in case that now just need to go. 

My renewed interest in sewing has attracted some supplies to my home which need a home.  So, I will have get rid of some stuff to make room for this.  Some hard decision will have to be made and paper may be sacrificed for fabric.

HIT THE ROAD - I want to make a few longer road trips this year.  Some will end with visiting family.  Some will be photography destinations.  Some will be just to get out of the city and see some country.

It`s been a year since I retired and I want to get out more.


I have four 2018 photo calendar as give aways for those who leave me a comment on this post.  Please share your 2018 goals, plans, objectives and upcoming events.  I will pick 4 winners on February 7th.  Have a super day!

Share Your Cup #279 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson

Anything Goes Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

Blog Give Away Winners

I have received contact information from all the winners and the calendars are on their way.

Some of the plans shared include work a little less, play a little more, on going exercise, time away from the regular routine, and time for hobbies like card making, gardening, and sewing. 

Thanks so much to those who shared with me.  

Charmaine, British Columbia, Canada 

Diane, Ontario, Canada 

     

Lorrie, British Columbia, Canada

Susan, New Brunswick, Canada

Maggie, Normandy, France

Mosaic Monday - Recent Projects

I have been doing a lot of photography in the last few days.  I created several bouquets in various color schemes. 

I used this wonderful wool blanket as a background and I found this bouquet worked with it very well. 

I placed it on a rectangular Battenburg Lace doily.








This little Teddy Bear is a recent acquisition. He measures 6 inches sitting down which he can do on his own. 

He was photographed in front of the tea cup box from the Inside Out Heart cups. He has a lovely navy vest and a silver bow.  He is a great size at about

I`ve spent some time at the sewing machine in recent time as well.  I created a companion piece to the Thread Catcher Bag which is a Litter Bag with a plastic container lined with a disposable bag.  This works well where you may have wet or messy litter.  The car comes to mind. 



Being in the first few weeks of the New Year check out the areas of my life I want to work on in this coming year.  I layered a digital smooth texture file on the bouquet above just to provide a smoothness to the original file.  Check out my Blog Give Away.


Sharing with Maggie at Normandy Life who hosts Mosaic Monday 22.

Blog Give Away - Self Development Plans

I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions but I try to set goals for the year to move myself forward in areas which will improve my well being.

Be be a well rounded person I have to work on my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well being.

Check the end of the post for a give away.

 LEARN

I enjoy photography.  I currently join challenges on Flickr each week.  The challenges are exciting and help me to see things from a new perspective.  It allows me to encourage others who share my passion for photography.
My comfort level is macro photos so I want to branch out into other perspectives in my photography.  I did a Cityscape calendar last year which was of out of my comfort zone.

I also will learn more skills in photo editing by reading books and taking on exercises.

READ

I started reading more over the last year and I have enjoyed it so I will to continue that practice into 2017.  I read for pleasure and to learn new things.

TEACH

I teach a card making class and in the last couple of years I have taught "Be Present for Christmas" an Advent Preparation class in the fall.  I would like to create a new Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study with an Art component.  I taught this scrapbooking the Fruit of the Spirit class several years ago.

RELAX

I have decided to use coloring as a way to relax and practice meditation this year.  I bought a small coloring book and will buy another when this one is full.
My advent class encourages us to slow down and enjoy the time with family and focus less on the pressure which comes from the commercialism of Christmas.  I'm bringing that to the full year.

MOVE

I have decided to move every day.  It may be my exercise DVD, it may be doing the stairs for 5 minutes, or taking a walk outside.  My Mom has done this all her life and it has stood her in good stead with her health challenge this past year.

GIVE AWAY

I have 5 photo calendars to give away so leave me a comment on this post about your plans for self development in 2017.
On January 31st I will choose with a random generator 5 lucky winners to receive these calendars.  Blessings and be well.

Blog Give Away Winners

I had a few comments left on my feature post leaving their favorite tea.

Margie - Earl Grey Tea - Ontario

Linda L - Green Tea from China - Alberta

Jyl B - Christmas Cookies Roobois - Ontario

The calendars in magnetic pocket frames are on their way to the above ladies.  Enjoy it throughout the year.  Keep an eye out for the tea photo calendar for 2017.

I included this note card in with the calendars.

2016 Hot Tea Month - Blog Give Away

Did you know that January is the Hot Tea Month? Yes, according to the Tea Association of Canada it is confirmed.
Enjoy a cup today!

I am working on a collection of tea related photos. (Keep an eye out here for those later this year.) This prompted me get started right away. I set up a navy blue place mat on white table cloth with a bone china teacup and saucer set which repeats the blue.  I set up a clear glass plate topped with goodies.  I made Roobois with Tulis - Lemon Tree tea in my clear tea pot.  This was part of a herbal tea gift set from Tea Desire.  It smells and tastes great!!!

Here's a few excerpts from a Times article.
Real tea is derived from a particular plant (Camellia sinensis) and includes only four varieties: green, black, white, and oolong. Anything else (like herbal “tea”) is an infusion of a different plant and isn’t technically tea.
But what real tea lacks in variety, it makes up for with some serious health benefits. Researchers attribute tea’s health properties to polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) and phytochemicals. Though most studies have focused on the better-known green and black teas, white and oolong also bring benefits to the table.  You can view the full text here.

My favorite loose tea is Roobois Chai.  I've purchased some from nearly every tea company around. The Tazo Joy tea is my favorite Christmas tea.

What is your favorite tea?  Leave me a comment.

At the end of the month I will choose 2 people to receive one of my 4x6 Up Close photo calendars.