Friday, April 26, 2013

Focus On Life~Week 17~Color

Did you ever notice the way color can affect our mood and perception of the environment around us?
Colors can elevate our mood or change our perception of an object.  Bright vivid colors can make us feel positive where a darker color can evoke a heaviness.  Florescent color not only can grab attention, florescent literally screams at you to pay attention and that can cause a feeling of anxiety.  Whether photographing a full shot of amazing colors or small pops of color against a muted background, this week break out your camera and capture some color.  Think about how the colors of the shot affect your mood, feelings, perception of your surroundings.  Focus on how the colors impact your decision to take a particular shot.

I think I've thought more about color this week than I ever have before!   I love bright cheery colors because they make me happy.  They make me feel alive.  One of my favorite bloggers, Maureen, at Maureen Cracknell Handmade, uses the most colorful fabric in her sewing and quilting projects.  Visiting her blog and looking at the pictures can lift my spirits every time.  My home is mostly decorated in reds, golds and greens.  They're warm and inviting, comfortable and comforting.

My real love is pastel colors.  I'm drawn to pastels like a moth to a flame.  Pink is my favorite but all the other colors are my second favorite!  I had not been to a fabric store since last fall, so I decided to visit JoAnn's, where there is color in every direction you look.  I wasn't looking for anything in particular and didn't have a project in mind.  I was just enjoying the colors, patterns, and textures of the fabrics when I spotted these.  They made my heart sing and I may have audibly gasped!






These colors not only make me happy, they make me feel less stressed and more calm.  They're pretty and feminine and yummy looking!  These are the kinds of colors I plan to use in decorating my sewing room.  I'm definitely inspired by them!

To see more color, visit The Studio Sublime.

What is your favorite color?

xo Annette xo

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.


In light of everything that has happened recently, I'm thankful that my family is safe.  I'm thankful for first responders and people who don't have to think about it before rushing to help someone in need.  And while our country is in turmoil over many issues, I'm thankful for America and the freedoms we still have.  

I'm also thankful for:
     *  the first ice cream cone of the season
     *  my physical mobility even if it isn't what it used to be
     *  my washer and dryer so I don't have to go to the laundromat
     
What are you thankful for today?

I hope you're having a wonderful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Friday, April 19, 2013

Focus On Life~Week 16~Take A Walk

Grab your camera, open the door and step outside into the fresh air.  Take a walk!  Whether you walk to your favorite chair on the porch, walk a few miles down a rural road or a busy city street, take a moment to be aware of the beauty of the world and let it's grandeur energize your soul, inspire your mind and jump start your creativity.  Step back and look at the wide world around you and capture a shot of the landscape in front of you.  

I wish I could have actually taken a walk, but I had to settle for going through my garage onto the driveway.  I'm thankful I could walk at least that much!  These pictures are looking at my back yard and the last one is looking across the street from my driveway.  






I look forward each spring to the blooming cherry tree.  I hope to go out in a couple of days and take some close up shots of the gorgeous pink blossoms.  The yellow forsythia is fading now, but I love seeing the yellow flowers and pink blossoms together.  Nature is always inspiring, but I'm especially inspired in the spring when color starts popping up everywhere.

Visit Sally at The Studio Sublime to see what others saw when they took a walk!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo


Thursday, April 18, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.




Our granddaughter, Shylee, came to spend the weekend with us.  She was so excited to show me her camera t-shirt.   A few weeks ago, Michael took her to pick out some flower seeds so she would have her own flowers to take care of when she comes to visit.  She was eager to help and take care of the seedlings.   I'm so thankful for any amount of time I can spend with her.  She turned five this month and I can't believe the time has gone by so fast.  I'm thankful she enjoys and even asks to come stay with us.

I'm also thankful for:
     *  a husband who leaves work to rescue me from a salamander in the house
     *  the spring breeze through open windows
     *  silly knock knock jokes that make me and Erin laugh til we cry
     *  getting everything I need at one grocery store

What are you thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xo Annette xo




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

I'm missing my sewing time.  I told everyone involved in my sewing room redo that I want it finished for Mother's Day and my birthday.  We'll see what happens!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Focus On Life~Week 14~Up Close

Start exploring the details of the ordinary up close and glimpse a world that you may never have noticed until you observed it magnified!  Get up close and personal with the subject of your choice and snap a macro shot!

I was so excited to see this week's prompt.  I LOVE up close and macro photography.  If I was going to be a photographer, I would specialize in macro!  Anyone who follows my blog has probably noticed I use a lot of up close pictures.  I especially enjoy taking pictures in my sewing room.

I took some regular shots and then up close.







To see other up close photography, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime.

I hope you have a really wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.


I can't imagine what it would be like to be truly color blind.  To only see black and white is hard to comprehend.  One of the reasons I love spring is because color comes back, pushing away the gray gloominess of winter.   Today, I'm thankful for color and how it makes me feel alive and happy.  

I'm also thankful for 
     *  a box of new crayons
     *  my hairdresser
     *  inspiration at unexpected times or from unexpected places
     *  aha moments
     What are you thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xo Annette xo