Photographs are taking an ever-more important place in my life; perhaps they are in yours as well. I'm talking about photographs that I've taken of events, people, and scenes in my life--for better or worse, they are the "proof of life" for me.
Four things have led to this increased documentation: 1) my husband bought me a great camera for Christmas in 2009; 2) my son, Jesse, has a similar camera and shares tips with me; 3) I began attending a workshop once a month where several women get together to work on scrapbooks and talk photos and family; 4) there is so much to see in the world and I want to remember the scenes, events, and people who are so important to me.
I now take photos on my Canon
Rebel, iPhone, a small Cannon
Powershot that I keep in my purse, and a
Diana+ camera. When we go on vacation, I want to take them all! The room I save by bringing my books on an e-reader is now lost to cameras… hmmmm….
Anyway, this morning I went through and picked out a few of my favorite photos thus far this year. They aren't necessarily the best photos, but they are the ones that have meaning for me. Here they are with short descriptions…
In February, Jesse visited and, when out for a drive, we stopped at a small cemetery that held the remains of soldiers of the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War. It was very meaningful to me to take photos there with my son. Later in the year, I joined ancestry.com and began researching our family history. This has been a wonderful project, full of interesting surprises.
In 2010, Mark and I ate at L'Albatross in University Circle area of Cleveland, Ohio. I had squash soup and it was the best soup I'd ever had in my whole life. So delicious that at the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra later that night, I kept thinking about the soup. I longed to have more! So, this past February I found a recipe and made squash soup and, yes, it was every bit as good. This was also during Jesse's visit and he advised me to take photos of food from the side, a little above the side, rather than straight down. It was a very helpful tip!
If you are like me, you like to make things but aren’t very good at it. I remember trying to teach myself how to draw. I gave it a good shot, I bought a sketch pad and filled it up with really bad sketches and then gave up in disgust.
Then I figured I’d try photography because I figured why draw when you can just point and click, right? This ended up being too expensive (back in the stone ages when we still used film).
That’s why I make stuff with words which are really cheap: unless you like to use “five dollar words” like “parsimonious” and I don’t.
Luckily, I discovered a super special awesome tool that allows me to be creative and make interesting and polished pictures without have to have talent, it’s called PHOTOSHOP!
Photoshop helps me turn this:
Actual Picture: already funny
Into this:
Even Better
It’s kind of like collage or scrapbooking, and if you’re into those things, it can increase your creative choices exponentially (drat, there goes five bucks).
If you’ve been following this blog, you’ve seen it used when I can’t find a suitable image on Google Images. My favorite creation is most definitely Peach with a Katana about to square off with a Dinosaur. We also use it “for realsies” to edit our book images and all the customizable layers.
If you have Photoshop and don’t know how to take advantage of it, I would recommend the video series, “You Suck at Photoshop”. The troubled narrator will firmly insist: “Don’t… don’t ever do that again. We’re going to click on this tool here that you’ve never clicked on because you’ve only been using about 75 dollars worth of Photoshop…” It’s actually a good video even if you don’t have Photoshop, I promise.
Enjoy.
…
I'm trying to stay upbeat here in Smalltown. The local news just informed me that we've had over 40 inches of snow this season (12 of them last night, I think) and it isn't over yet. Internet was out most of the day as well, and the kids? Well, I think they'll be in school until mid-June at this point.
Anyway, I thought I'd check in with a round up of interesting links I've found in my inbox:
Looking to teach your kids about money? Then check out this list of Nine Money Books from SavingAdvice.com.
Give this fascinating article (by Laura T. Ryan) on children's writing during the McCarthy era a read at The Syracuse Post Standard. The article is in response to a new book called Tales for Little Rebels: A Radical Children's Literature Anthology, by Philip Nel and Julia Mickenberg.
Our friend Robin Brande and her cool organization (with Nathan Fillion [actor], PJ Haarsma, and Frank Beddor)--Kids Need to Read--make the Shakesville blog today.
Now I'm off to enjoy my favorite television show of all time--Project Runway. It was not on last week, so I'm especially anxious not to miss it today. I'm just hoping Sweet P--my favorite contestant based on personality alone--won't be out today. Go, Sweet P! (If we're talking about design, I think I'd have to vote for Jillian.)
One of my post starved readers prompted me today to add to my blog after a rather lengthy absence. So my subject today is balance. I have already made my new years resolution and that is for more balance in my life. How is this active minded woman going to achieve that? I guess it boils down to prioritising goals and priorities only achieved by actively sitting down and planning. This is my
Tonight I finsihed this 12x12 inch scrapbook paper design keeing to Illustration friday's theme this week: Hats
Via, Fuse #8, I am a daffodil. Apparently, I have a "sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party." Funny, I never attend parties. But I do like daffodils, so I'll go with it.
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Okay, dear friends in the U.K. Can you please explain this Boys Bookshelf thing? Sarah Crown (and agencies) reports for the Guardian that your education secretary, Alan Johnson, "announced this morning that every state secondary school in England will be able to choose 20...titles in order to set up a dedicated 'boys' bookshelf' in the library." The list itself is quite good, but if I were a girl in the U.K., I'd be annoyed. What would be on a girl list, if such a thing will appear? I shudder to think.
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Friends of celebrity books will be glad to know that Elisabeth Hasselbeck will be "writing" her children's books as soon as her children's clothing line for Target is complete. Here's what she has to say: " I am working on a children's clothing line. There might be some onesies available at Target soon. And hopefully, we'll get some children's books out within the next year. I may be talking politics and celebrities on The View, but I am a designer and artist by nature."
You know, I may have to rethink my Target obsession...
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In 2010, Mark and I ate at L'Albatross in University Circle area of Cleveland, Ohio. I had squash soup and it was the best soup I'd ever had in my whole life. So delicious that at the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra later that night, I kept thinking about the soup. I longed to have more! So, this past February I found a recipe and made squash soup and, yes, it was every bit as good. This was also during Jesse's visit and he advised me to take photos of food from the side, a little above the side, rather than straight down. It was a very helpful tip! 
I'd buy this book just from the interview!! Kiki Lowenstein (Joanna Campbell Slan) rocks!!!
Mary
http://www.cynthiasattic.blogspot.com
http://www.woofersclub.blogspot.com
I metJoanna at Magna cum Murder mystery conf. at Muncie, In, in October. I love her book and am keeping my fingers crossed that she wins the Agatha at Malice Domestic. She has graciously accepted the offer to speak to my bookclub on July 2 - we can hardly wait!!
I want Kiki on my side! This sounds great!
http://nickvalentino.blogspot.com/
Where do I sign up?!?!?
Kiki sounds like my kind of gurl.
Diana
http://www.woofersclub.blogspot.com
http://www.booklandheights.blogspot.com
http://www.basicblackblog.blogspot.com
Whew, you step away from your computer for an appointment, and then come back to this great reception! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Mary, yeh, Kiki rocks. She puts on those big girl panties and off she goes.
Marlis, I'm looking forward to coming back home to Indiana.
Nick, I'd want Kiki on my side, too. She's a never-fail friend who'd do anything for those she loves.
Diana, go to my website www.joannaslan.com and sign up for my free ezine. I'll keep people posted about the inaugural launch of the Kiki Lowenstein fan club. Earlier today I heard from a big scrapbooking manufacturer---do I smell sponsorships in the wind, you betcha!
Well, the first thing on your list definitely makes me a Kiki girl. Actually, I'd secretly rather laugh at other people than myself, but I seem to be the only one doing idiotic things.
Kiki sounds delightful. I'll have to get to know her.
Gayle
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
I am a Kiki kind of girl and darn proud of it!!! And am the proud owner of a signed copy of the said brilliant book which was part of my best of british scrapbooking prize recently. If you've not read it what are you waiting for!
Good luck with the sponsorshp too Joanna, go girl!
love
Michelle x
I think I flunked your test.
Norm
http://fangplace.blogspot.com
Gayle, of course we all might secretly snicker, but we'd never feel comfortable about it, would we?
As for you, Ms. Jackson-Mogford, it's just a shame I can't post some of your scrapbook layouts right here on Karen's blog so these people can fall over on the floor in awe of your huge talent. (Folks, this girl is somethin' else. Zowie. She makes stuff that is major fun to look at.) And as for your page on the back of ScrapBook inspirations Magazine this month--I'm drooling over that black and white paper. Can I beg you to scan it and share? Hmmm?
Norm, it's okay. Go bite someone, FangFace. You'll feel better, and maybe in your next life you can be a Kiki-girl, too.
Karen, thanks a zillion for having me. This was fun--and thanks for encouraging me to spotlight Kiki. You're one of the smartest cookies around, but you already know I think that, don't you?
Only just made it back here! Now I'm blushing!
I may just see my way clear to scan some handmade paper for you! Best go and find you on your own blog now!