Rose Notes

Ringing in the New Year

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. ~Seneca

I love this little fairy ring– it circled a white rose bouquet I made last December. I'm not up to my blogging best yet-- so I'm letting my archives do the visuals. This came from my first blog-- the one that got me ready for this one.

Hello Snow

Weather people said there would be no snow in La Grande, Oregon for Christmas.

As we began our ascent of Mt. Emily, wet snow hit the car window and soon became white and flaky. When we reached the top, Judy (my sister) and Roger (her husband) wondered if there would be snow on the ground at their home.

Indeed there was snow, and this is what I awoke to on Monday morning. I grabbed the camera before I even got out of bed for a little lacy window fun and

a footnote to prove, I guess to myself, that I was there. What fun we had!

More to come . . .

I'm a little creaky getting back to the blog.

Bokeh Bye Bye

I'm off to La Grande, Oregon to visit my family for the holidays.

I'll miss you all, but I'll be back soon, hopefully with lots to share.

Wishing you, dear friends, the Happiest of Holidays with your family and friends!

About the Shots

I have a silver Honda CRV, and its frosty roof was my premier photo op, after our recent frost. I'm pretending here that I live in winter wonderland. I hope the snow lasts in Oregon, so I can shoot the real thing. Funny how this looks like the ocean. (I need a quote about the unity of all things.) Later!

Check out the blog on the 28th- I'll be back.

The Other Christmas Tree

It started with the beaded snowflake, and a few silver balls. I wanted the tree to be simple for our new aqua room. Who am I kidding? Once the silver balls were in place along came . . .I don't love the tree's final look and thought that rather than show it to you, I'd get lost in a bokeh boogie. Not fair you say? O.K. Here are before and after shots (minus the finishing touch of ornaments in the pot). And here's what the same little topiary fir looked like last year. We've had this tree for four years now–– I think it's time for planting.

And this obsessed Chrsitmas tree decorator/photographer needs to chill.

The Game Changer (roses)

When it comes, the landscape listens ––
Shadows –– hold their breath ––
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death ––

from 258– Emily Dickinson

Bonus Bouquet (Roses)

Christmas was just around the corner, so the wishful rose arranger, thought she'd make a centerpiece bouquet with a dash of glitz. Who wouldn't want this on their holiday table? 

The lone sweet pea in the garden got top billing, but the bouquet looked pretty hot from all sides. Why you wonder? Well, the flower arranger had gorgeous components, and didn't have to harvest a single stem.

Leftovers

Some of you might remember that big bouquet I did for the choral event. The next morning I got the whole thing back kerplunked into a five-gallon bucket. Loads of good stuff for a "Christmas in November" rose bouquet.

The fake mercury glass pot needed a liner– thank you yogurt container.

For You Photogs

Rose kisses !

Christmas Paint Box

Christmas . . . is not an eternal event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart.~  Freya Stark

Commenters, you were so cute yesterday. Everyone seemed to want the metal Christmas tree I posted. You must know I would have told you where it was from, if I could have. I got it at Smith and Hawken, and I'm sorry to say, they are no longer in business. I searched for Heirloom Ornament Tree, and could only find it on EBAY. It's a good buy though, as originally, it was about twice as much.

What's with the Picture?

I guess it was about four years ago that I treated myself to the Container Store's ornament storage boxes. Of course, they are different now, so I can't supply a link. I was ecstatic to group the baubles by color, and take pictures. I took a zillion– I promise this is the only one I'll show you. By now, in years past, I'd have made the rounds to my favorite ornament suppliers, but this year, since I spend umpteen hours creating these posts, I haven't purchased a single ornament!

PS Our trees are never decorated the same, so I need lots of ornaments. I forgot that I was originally going to title this post Cheap Thrills. In the best sense of the words though. For me, the color and sparkle of glass ornaments are almost as good as real jewels.

Ornament Hanger

A few years ago, all excited, my sister, Judy, told me she bought a small metal Christmas tree. My response, "Oh . . . ummmmm . . . oh nice."

Then last year at a Christmas party, fickle me saw the very tree, and immediately wanted one. When I saw it for half price at the end of the season, I snapped it up and put it in the garage, until yesterday.

My glitzy renditions of nature's bounty had a perfect new home.

It usually takes me forever to decorate a tree. This one was so fun and I love seeing light and space around the little sparkly beauties.

A few quick snaps found me entranced with the photo ops– it was more fun than dodging branches and lights.

Not a great shot, but if I was you, I'd want to see the whole thing.

My friend, Jean (who gave the party last year), calls this tree an ornament hanger. I didn't get it, but that was before I decorated it.

Thanks Jean and Judy !

We have a real tree too– if I get some good shots . . . we'll see.

Portraits of Self Photo Workshop

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Doesn't everyone, who's attached to a camera, point it in the mirror now and then? Bloggers sure have fun doing this. This is the no-make-up, everyday me, through the mirror hanging in artist husband's studio bath. Photography workshop assignment #4. I did this assignment in two posts- part 1 is here.

Now Let's get Serious

18-55 zoom @5.6

Macro @ 3.5

I can't believe it takes a photo workshop for this photographer to finally get a good portrait of herself. Many of you know that I'm an author, and authors are supposed to have author photos on the back flap of their book covers. My author photo for my first book was taken without much thought on a day that I had an eye infection. It was 1994 and I look older in that picture than I do in these! In my second book (2005), the publisher's didn't like the photo I sent, and wanted to use one in which I was about seven younger. Neither picture is as good as these.

Why am I telling you this? Experience, experimentation, and repetition are the best teachers. Get the hang of how to get a good picture of yourself, then you will be prepared for whatever may come next.

Teeth whitening? When I take portraits of adults, teeth often appear yellow or an unattractive beige. I'm not sure why mine look OK, maybe because it was overcast and the light was cool. How do I whiten teeth? In Photoshop- make a selection around the teeth- click on image> adjustments> curves. Be careful, don't make them too white.

Yes, I have on make-up– brown eye shadow on my upper lid, brown eye-liner, and mascara. Blush and red lipstick finish it off. When I look at my eyes, I can't really see the make-up, but if I didn't have it on?  We won't even go there.

Women my age usually need magical Photoshop touch-ups. I was suprised, again, that I look OK without the messing around in PS. However, I wore a high turtleneck to hide . . . ahem. I also looked in the mirror and practiced the angle of my chin. I would naturally raise it higher than this. Lowering it does wonders- I won't tell you why.

I wanted a conservative, straight forward shot, and I'm happy there are a few good ones. Finally I can change my blog and Facebook photos! Which one do you like the best??

The Set-Up

Usually, I would set up a photo of myself outside, but since winter is not too gardeny, I decided to use artist husband (Leroy Parker) rose paintings, that hang in our living room, as backdrops. At left, notice there a is window casting side light on where I was about to stand (in front of the table). The photographer stood in front of the cloth-covered cabinet, at right. The painting is a bit busy, especially with so much of it showing, in the top portrait. However, I do like the fleur-on-top-of-the-head-look, in the top macro image. LOL

The light in this set-up comes from the south and directly faces me. I was surprised that there is more dimension in the portraits taken here. The last shot is my favorite. And as often happens, it was a last minute idea. I thought the macro might not work at such a short distance, but I was wrong.

This is a test shot, for my placement, and for the zoom postition. I told you artist husband doesn't like doing this, but he was definitely game. Thank you Leroy!

Parting Shot

One morning, as I put on my two favorite blue shirts, I thought why not blue pearls too. Then I turned the macro around, and tried to catch the pearl for my bonus 'Body Part' shot.

Thank you, Camilla, and thank all you wonderful participants for making this photography workshop so much fun. It really got the creative juices flowing didn't it?

Camilla and I hope to regroup and start up with more workshops in March 2010. Let's all stay in touch!

Here's the list of all the participants. Let me know if I missed anyone.

Bloom
Florali
Weheartyarn
Earthmama
Farmama
Beehousehives
Hartwoodroses
Potjethee
Ididn'trealeyes
Madebymarie
Underthebigbluesky
Mackvilleroad
Giveagirlafig
Rosenotes
Onceuponaparent
Damnhusband
Mollyunfurled

No Faces Photo Workshop

For enrichment week, at the Meher School (across the street), artist husband, gave mini marbleizing workshops.

This group of fourth graders, first made a line drawing (many traced their hands) on alum-treated paper. Then water is brushed on to mask areas meant to remain white.

Acrylic paint plays on the surface of a carrageenan-water bath, waiting for the prepared drawing.

Artist husband pulls up one of the works of art.

One happy artist.

I did assignment #4 in our photo workshop in two posts, because I didn't want to break up the flow here, and I'm just picky. I cheated showing part of the face in two pics. I suppose I could have cropped out artist husband's head, but I didn't think I could tell the story without the smile on the little guy, in the last one.

Please go here for the me, me & me shots.

Here's the list of all the participants. Let me know if I missed anyone.

Bloom
Florali
Weheartyarn
Earthmama
Farmama
Beehousehives
Hartwoodroses
Potjethee
Ididn'trealeyes
Madebymarie
Underthebigbluesky
Mackvilleroad
Giveagirlafig
Rosenotes
Onceuponaparent
Damnhusband
Mollyunfurled