Finding Clarity......

Hello friends,

How are you this beautiful day? I hope well.

Oh my gosh.... guess what! Spring is really here. Shorts & T-Shirt weather has arrived! Woo hoo!

I thought I'd share a few photos from this past weekend..... looks pretty peaceful, doesn't it? Trust me, this was only a small part of the weekend... there was plenty of crazy mixed in.

Anyhow, I took some time this weekend to just BE .... and wow.... I'm so excited.... The class I've been dreaming up became really clear.

It's different than my other courses.... It's exciting and scary all at the same time.

I imagine....

…..a class that let's me share my art (completely)…..from conception to the finished piece...with all the details in between.... a class that allows me to connect with the students in a virtual meeting space....a feed the creative soul kind of class.

This class is called Start to Finish.

The Breakdown

from Conception (about the idea/inspiration for the shoot)... to my creative thought process... to shoot setup and composition... to all the camera setting details... to culling the shoot (why i pick the photos I pick)... and finally a complete step by step edit inside Lightroom (shared from a no-rules, non-scripted, inside my head point of view.)

Can you tell I'm bursting.....??

About Start to Finish...

First, the pace will be a little slower… more detailed… a marathon, not a sprint…..

The content will be spread out over 8 weeks.

Start to Finish lessons will post twice a week, every other week….over the course of 8 weeks, leaving a lighter;not empty ..... week in between.

The editing will take place in Lightroom.

There will be to 2 Start to Finish Lessons Every Other week. I'm talking TOTAL start to finish.....

Each lesson will include a FULL breakdown of the concept, shoot details, composition and editing pro-cess. Lessons will be posted in a private classroom on Tuesday and Friday every other week.

The in between week will include a thorough Lightroom develop module lesson..... a real roll up your sleeve breakdown. I will also critique 2 student photos via screencast each week. (no submissions=no critique)

These in between weeks will allow time to work through the material, soak up the inspiration and take the content presented for a little ride with your own ideas.

Summary.....

I will....

• Share my thought process, concept/inspiration for the image/shoot in written or podcast format. 
• Show several wide angle photos and/or video of the space…drops, props, linens, reflectors used....all the details.
• Show how I set up the shoot… direction of light, camera settings, time of day etc.
• I will open the shoot in Lightroom…giving you a chance to see them all; the good, the bad, the so so's….. all of them. :)
• I will talk through the culling process. I will choose a few favs and explain my choices.
• I will walk you through a complete edit of one of the shoot photos in Lightroom, sharing lots of detailed information.....tips and tricks etc.
• Bonus: if I decide to go into Photoshop with the image to add text or texture I will include that info in a separate video for Photoshop users.
• The in between week will include an opportunity to submit your photos for critique. Note: When I say critique (which reminds me way too much of the word critic) trust I will be kind and gentle….. I'm all about encouragement. But I will share my honest thoughts.
• I will set up a virtual meeting space.... (through adobe connect) allowing you to chat with me and your fellow classmates, ask questions etc…in a chat format. This will be offered a few times throughout the course. You can also send in questions and I will answer as many as possible during the meeting time.
• Summer is busy and beautiful…. we must enjoy the sunshine and warm air. However, I find summer to be a highly energized and creative season... which is why I think it's the perfect time for this class. I decided to spread the content out over 8 weeks. The material will be accessible for an additional 4 months after the 8 weeks is over. Yep, that's 6 months access.

I think that's covers most of it. Registration will open on Monday (unless otherwise posted)... if anything changes I will let you know.

Class will begin mid-June.....  I will have a registration cap on this class....I want to really connect with the students.

Okay, that's a lot......I'm so excited.... 

Oh I am going to be in touch with some of the lovely readers that expressed interest in connecting.... :) Watch your email for more soon.....

Before I sign off.....a little inspiration....

xo, 

{Texture Tuesday} The Pop eDition

textured with several layers from the cloth and paper collection......

Hello friends,

Welcome to TT.... The POP eDition.

This week's TT challenge details are...

Your photo must POP... and contain at least one layer of any of my textures..... that's it, that's all....

Be sure to check out my Quick TT-Tip Tutorial below.

 ::

To share your photo, simply add your link below using the inlinkz gadget down at the bottom of today's post.   

It's time we had an official IG hashtag. If you are interested in sharing your TT photos via IG feel free to use the hashtag, #kktexturetuesday.

Before we start linking up, let's talk next weeks TT Theme.

Tuesday, May 14th theme is ???

What does this mean?

I'd love to hear your TT theme ideas... in the comments. I will announce the theme this weekend...via the texture list and as a follow-up at the bottom of to this post. 

So please, please share your ideas in the comments (note the comment link is up top now)....  I will mix them all up and pick one to use for next week.... plus I can visit this post for TT Theme inspiration down the road.... woo hoo....

Thanks so much.... 

::

Okie doke, let's get this week's TT started.

New to Texture Tuesday? 

To share your photo in the link up you must first post the image on your blog, flickr or a photo sharing site. Once you upload your image you can then add the direct url of the photo to the link up below.

To access the direct url, click on the photo in your flickr stream or the title of your blog post that you uploaded your photo to, then copy the url from the top of your browser address bar by highlighting it, then using the keyboard shortcut command c (mac) control c (pc). Pop back to the link up and click on the blue inlinkz icon at the bottom of the posting. Place your cursor in the image address box and add the copied url using the keyboard shortcut command v (mac) or control v (pc). Complete the rest of the form, then hit next step. Next choose the thumbnail photo you wish to appear in the link up, hit select. You will then have the option to tweet or facebook your link up. Feel free to skip this step if you like. And that's it. Scroll to the link up and your link should be there in just a few moments.

Please note, the TT link up will remain open until Saturday, May 11th...  plenty of time to link up.

xo,

  

p.s. exciting stuff to share (hopefully tomorrow).... including more on the 'let's connect' post you all so sweetly replied to... I have thoughts, I have ideas... really excited .....

p.s.s. and oh my gosh.. a completely new and unique class has been born... can not wait to tell you all the details..... burst.......seriously BURST.

Selection/Masking Tutorial 

Cick HERE to download the Abstract texture I used on today's photo.

One more pop before I close.

Creative Chaos

Hello friends,

I'm back....2 days in a row... woo hoo. Things are looking up!!

How are you?

Today I thought I'd share some photos of my studio... I must warn you.... if clutter and chaos make you squeamish... you should probably just walk away..... now....

I'm told my photos are quiet and calm....  Today... not so much. Busy, busy..... busy....

My studio is pretty much my mother's worst nightmare.... Have I told you .... we are polar opposites? She wouldn't argue that statement either.... 'smile'....

Anyhow, way too many 'things'.. I know.... But I love all the bits, bobs...and treasures.... so much.... Each and every little thing...every book, notecard, postcard.... bottle, bobble, button, stamp, stencil, saucer, cup....all pieces I adore.

Anyhow, I love peaking into people's spaces...each so unique.... So I thought what the heck... It's been awhile since I've posted some photos of my space.

Finding it hard to breathe? feeling panicked? so much clutter..... grab a paper bag, breathe deep ....and walk away from the screen....
Don't say I didn't warn you. 'smile'

my new kelly bag - 2 Sues.... it's amazing... i use it as a purse/camera bag....

 and finally a peek at my 'newish' cup shelf in the north room... 

And so... This is where I spend my days. :)

Thanks so much for all the replies to yesterday's post.... I am going to have a difficult time picking just a few to chat with.... I think I am going to have to call in help to figure this out. I'm honored so many of you would like to connect with me.... thank you so much.

Also, I'm super excited to hear your response abo9ut the Lightroom class!! It's a GO... details to come very soon..... I think it's exactly what I'm needing to create next.... 

Happy weekend.... xo, 

p.s. 

thank you dear Cheryl for the beautiful birthday gift... it just arrived...and it's PERFECT.... seriously perfect. xo

Desperately Seeking Creative Connection

Hello, how are you?

I hope well. I'm still fighting the blahs.... pulling inward.... the weather isn't helping... Snow on April 30th...for my birthday? Seriously.....?? I know...I know... it's only a little bad weather...I have much to be thankful for... Yes indeed....

Sigh.....

Two things I know for sure....

I'm desperate for sunshine....and creative connection...... A little face to face chat....  There's nothing like connection to get a person back on track. Quite honestly my real-life creative friends are few and far between around here. I had no idea how important connection was ... until I attended Camp Shutter Sisters in 2011. It was like a whole new world opened up ..so many women... just like me..... I had no idea!! And since then, I've longed for more. A few trips a year is no longer cutting it.

I've been working on my Birthday list (45 wishes)... one of the things on my list is build creative friendships right here at home. I'm positive there's gotta be other creatives feeling the need to connect as well.

But in the meantime.....I thought there may be someone else out there feeling the same way. We are so lucky these days to be able to connect through our screens.

Would you be interested in a little skype chat with yours truly? If so, please leave a comment below. I'm not sure how many may be interested...but I would love to talk with a few of you..... one on one.... via skype.

Let me know if you are interested by leaving a comment below......

Also I have a new course in mind.... a Lightroom creative pro-cessing class.... start to finish edits.....sharing ideas behind the image set-up and my editing choices.... a no-rules approach.... just following the creative heart/eye....What do you think? a possibility? Interested? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Oh dear, before I go... I almost forgot... the winner of the Cloth & Paper Collection is the lovely Kim Stevens. Drop me a note my friend and I will hook you up.

Okay friends.... looking forward to finding my way back here....

If you are interested in a creative connect skype conversation... leave me a comment below.

I'd also love to hear your thoughts on my LR editing class ideas as well.... Do tell!

Always.... a truly grateful heart.

xo,

 

{Texture Tuesday} Wise Words eDition & a Give Away

textured with several layers from the cloth and paper collection......

Hello friends,

Welcome to TT.... The Wise-Words eDition.

This week's TT challenge details are...

Your photo must contain words... either in the photo or added in post..... and as always one layer of any of my textures..... that's it, that's all....

To share, simply add your link below using the inlinkz gadget down at the bottom of today's post.   

It's time we had an official IG hashtag. If you are interested in sharing your TT photos via IG feel free to use the hashtag, #kktexturetuesday.

Before we start linking up, let's talk next weeks TT Theme.

Tuesday, May 7th theme is POP....

What does this mean?

Your photo must POP and contain at least one layer of any of my textures....

I will leave the pop details up to you....whatever comes to mind..... :)

Sound good? 

::

Give Away

How 'bout a little give away?.....  a chance to win the Cloth & Paper Texture Collection.

To enter, simply leave a comment (note: the comment link is now uptop) below with a wish...any wish for your day, your week, your month or your year? :)

Your thoughts always inspire me.....I will announce the winner.... here in a few day...

xo

::
 

Okie doke, let's get this week's TT started.

New to Texture Tuesday? 

To share your photo in the link up you must first post the image on your blog, flickr or a photo sharing site. Once you upload your image you can then add the direct url of the photo to the link up below.

To access the direct url, click on the photo in your flickr stream or the title of your blog post that you uploaded your photo to, then copy the url from the top of your browser address bar by highlighting it, then using the keyboard shortcut command c (mac) control c (pc). Pop back to the link up and click on the blue inlinkz icon at the bottom of the posting. Place your cursor in the image address box and add the copied url using the keyboard shortcut command v (mac) or control v (pc). Complete the rest of the form, then hit next step. Next choose the thumbnail photo you wish to appear in the link up, hit select. You will then have the option to tweet or facebook your link up. Feel free to skip this step if you like. And that's it. Scroll to the link up and your link should be there in just a few moments.

Please note, the TT link up will remain open until Saturday, May 4th...  plenty of time to link up.

xo,

  

{Wise Words} One More - for Hope......

Often....... it's the tiniest gifts....at just the right time...... that keep us hoping, dreaming, trusting...and believing....

BLESSED....

xo.... 

Reflecting on this..... xo