Canvas-Backed Texture Sharing from Our Front Porch

Happiest Sunday..... and happy, happy Long Weekend to my Canadian and American friends...

Today I have a sweet texture set for you....But first, I thought I would share a few snaps from our front porch.

Come on in....  have a seat.... would you like some iced tea? :)

Do you like my pink peonies?

Just 2 houses down.... there's a little abandoned house.... with a lovely patch of peonies in the front....I just had to take my scissors and snip a few.... 

Question for all the experienced gardners out there..... why do ants love peonies so much? 

I'm so glad we have our front porch to display these pink beauties.......  I wouldn't dare bring them in the house....they were/are full of ants.....  But they certainly are pretty!

'sigh'

As I was looking at these photos... I realized my front porch looks a little '4th of July' Festive. :)

I've always loved the patriotic american colors..... 

I definitely should have moved the rusty bucket out from under the swing before I snapped this pic... It looks like it's full of garbage...but it's actually storing Ben's brushes, toys, and his towel...

This swing is one of my most favorite places to just 'be'....

I spent an hour sitting here this morning....flipping thru the pages of a few new books.....soaking up the sun.

If you haven't checked out the beautiful book...'Pale and Interesting'.... you must... It's full to the brim with white and light....inspiration........

front porch side notes:

I used an old quilt and shams to cover my unmatched swing and chair cushions....easy-peasy...no-sew fix.....

I really want to paint the front door white or even better, replace it with an old fashioned white screen door. I just need to get John on board........seeing as he would be the one installing it.

The ladder is coming down, so I can give it a coat of white paint ..... I also have some white shutters to hang as accents.....

And doesn't Ben look right at home? He loves the porch as much as we do. :)

I could go on and on.....  but.... it's time for that texture.... actually I should say.... textures.... I have a sweet set for you today!

I used the canvas-back magic at 100% screen blend mode on the image below....

mouse over to see the before

And Canvas back on this image.....one layer on soft light 80% opacity and one layer on screen at 10% opacity. love the old worn effect..... 

(TK members - I just put the instructional video up a few moments ago).

mouse over to see the before

I can't wait to see what you all do with these.....

Texture Lovin' Listers.... the download link is coming your way.... in just a few....

Not on the list? Feel free to sign up HERE, and get started with lots of fab FREEBIES. 

I'm off to make some dinner......  

Here's to a beautifully inspired week my friends!

xxo,

p.s. I'd love to see your outdoor spaces.... be sure to link to them in the comments so I can come take a peek into your world.....   

Comments

[Carolyn]

Thank you for the new textures; I especially like the dark one. AND, your porch is so inviting!

[ELK]

i am sitting there in the swing ..actually just washed some peachs over on my blog ..so i will bring them as well ..love you friend..its a lovely porch!!

[Ruth]

Hi Kim
apparently ants are required for peonies to open - so i've been told

[Susperia-Electrica (Nick)]

Stayed up late just to download your FAB textures Kim....can't wait to give them some beauty. Your cool porch looks so inviting...AND...your photos are FAB too. Cheers! Oh, nearly forgot...A BIG THANK YOU for creating and sharing your wonderful textures!!

[Marilyn]

Oh do I love your front porch. A screen door would be wonderful. I almost missed seeing Ben, thanks for pointing him out.

[rani]

thanks again for these gorgeous textures! Love your porch! Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

[Deanna]

I too have heard that peonys need ants to open. My grandma used to have a bunch and she says they eat off a coating that is on the petals that makes them stick together and without the ants we wouldn't have beautiful peonys. I'm not a big ant fan but isn't it amazing how nature works.

I love your porch Kim, it makes me want to run right out and do something with mine right now!!

[jill]

Thank you for the textures! I wish I was sitting there with you too!

[Barb]

Your front porch is so inviting - so full of character and I love your photos. My peonies have just opened - a cause for celebration but I'm too tired to even take a photo! (long week-end company . . .) Thank you for the textures!

[Ar~Pic]

I would love to sit on the magical front porch of yours and share glass of tea. So beautiful Kim, you create are in your life, don't you? Such an inspiration! {sigh} Thank you for the lovely and creative textures and tons of ideas and instruction. I love your generous heart Kim...hoping you have a wonderful and safe 4th!

[Ar~Pic]

ooops. sorry, of course i meant "art" in your life...
and that is why i get my peonies from Trader Joe's (haha ~ no ants) =)

[Kelly]

*swoon* just took photos of some sunflowers I received....I think these textures are exactly what I need!
1000 thank yous Kim!

[Tavia]

Hi Kim! Love your porch and your sweet boy Ben :) Thanks for the perfect textures!! Appreciate it sooo much.

[Sue]

Kim, thank you so much for the textures. I love seeing the before and afters -- what a nice difference.

[ann divelbiss]

i covet your porch and everything on it!!!!!!!!!!
enjoyed the phhotos so very much!
love the textures..thank you!!!
have a wonderful 4th!!!

[Doreen]

I'm drooling over your porch, Kim. Just so lovely. Thanks so much for the lovely textures.

[erin]

hi kim! i just love your cozy porch....i have an old washtub that i am using on my back porch as a water feature....i have just posted pics of my porch ....come on over for some good ol fashioned 4th of july festivities! i can't wait to try your newest textures!

erin
xxoo

[Gwen]

I wish I had a porch, as I now have swing envy seeing yours ...

love the textures, can't wait to (find time) to play!

[Rose Petal Hollow]

I love the photos of your porch. I would love to sit there with a glass of lemonaide and play with your adorable puppy.
Thanks for the new textures, I can't wait to play~
MaryAnn

[Dale]

I wish I could escape this summer heat and come visit you on that porch and have cold iced tea. Looks so inviting.

[sheryl]

Beautiful porch!! thanks for the textures, I love them!!!

[Suzanne Barber]

Thank you for sharing your space today. I used it to take a moment to relax and breathe a bit. Just what I needed. You are always so generous and welcoming, and it shows at your home as well.

[Jacque]

A lovely porch and lovely photographs! I love to photograph peonies. Thank you for the textures...I will try them on some of my flower photos.

[Kelly]

http://kelly-justaclickaway.blogspot.com/2011/07/olde-thyme.html

THANK YOU!!
xo

[gr8plunder]

My peonies were gone by the end of May. Now I will enjoy yours. Thanks!

[glory]

How lovely your porch looks - you're right - it does look like 4th of July - thanks for celebrating with us - and thanks for all of your lovely textures - they are so much fun to use. You are so generous with us - appreciate it.

[Anniejo]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and beautiful textures with your readers. I am new to photography and new to textures. Question: what do I download the textures to? I would expect Photoshop, but I don't have it, yet. If you have already answered this in a tutorial, ignore me. I am going through everything on your blog slowly to absorb it all. Amazing how you can change the feeling of a photo with textures.
Andrea

[Rose]

Kim, first of all thank you for the textures.

I SO need a porch like that....what a pleasure that must be to sit out there...especially in your cooler weather you have up there now. We had over 100 degree's today.

Rose

[sandra]

Hi Kim, your porch looks right out of a magazine and I'm in love with it! I love your Ben laying there he is so pretty.
I'm not sure about the ants and the peonies as well, but they are some of my favorite flowers. My mouth waters when I smell them. I'm not sure if we can grow them this far south.

Thank you for the texture and also for the idea for the book.

p.s. the rustic bucket looks right at home and I love that old white (washtub ?, cooler ?) between the two rocking chairs. It's even on wheels ! How awesome is that ! Just lovely and the door color looks great and really blends right it. I love it that color.

(formerly French Laundry 132)

[Sue]

Thank you for the freebies - SO appreciated!!!

[Nikki]

Your porch looks beautiful Kim. Thanks for the textures. Can't wait to use them.

[NANCY]

Thanks for the new textures. I'm in absolute love with your front porch! Simply grand!

[Potterfly Photography]

Your front porch is just gorgeous!!!!! Peonies are my favorite:) I can not wait to try out this set of textures thank you so much.

[silviaON]

hi kim,
thx for the wonderful textures !!!
your house looks so inviting and warm - thank you for sharing.
have a good new week :)

[angela]

Oh, what a dreamy porch! And sweet Ben couldn't be cuter! Your photos are gorgeous. Peonies are wonderful...love what you've done with them. Yikes about those pesky ants. Have a wonderful week, and thank so much for the beautiful textures. ~ Angela

[kimBinAK]

Our neighbors' peonies have yet to open (still in the tight bud stage). but I'll be snapping away when they do! We had some huge white ones at our former home and I miss not having them anymore... Really love your front porch, too -- we live in a condo now and don't have a porch of our own - and the front stoop, though nicely decked out with other tenant's pots of flowers - isn't big enough to personalize with my own things.

Thanks for letting me live vicariously through your lovely photos! Thanks also for the great new textures - can't wait to use them :)

-- kimB from Alaska

[photos and tea]

So beautiful, Kim! I love how you've decorated your porch. It should be in that book!

[Henrietta]

I would love to sit down and I would love to move there:) Beautiful just beautiful dream.

[realeoni]

Thank you so much for your generosity...for your amazing textures, examples and tutorials....The porch is so lovely and the peonies are my favorites flowers....
Have a nice day!
Rea

[IDania]

Thank you for sharing, Kim!!! And, I have to tell you I'm absolutely in love with your front porche!

[Marty Mason]

So inviting - your front porch! Thanks, Kim, for all your tips and textures.

[sil]

Thanks so much! Great images!

[Sheila R]

Oh, I love your porch! I wish I had one that looked like that. Thanks for the textures.

[Kelly]

seriously LOVIN' this texture Kim...it is SO versatile...you are gonna be sick of me!!!!
xo
http://kelly-justaclickaway.blogspot.com/2011/07/if-only.html

[anne hartman]

Thanks so much Kim for these lovely new textures and for inviting us on to your delightful porch. What a great place to relax and unwind. I think I need to get one of those swings. It looks so inviting and I know my cup of tea would be even sweeter if I sipped it on a porch swing.
I used both of your new textures on my hydrangea image. Hope you like it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fireflyfotos/5901397096/

[June Scott]

Love peonies! If I had a front porch like yours... I'd never go inside my house :) Thanks for the wonderful textures! and sharing the beauty in those amazing photos!

[nancy boothe]

Thanks for showing us your porch. It is magazine/book worthy and wouldn't we all love to come over and sit a spell. I'll bring the cookies, you make the tea.

[Audrey]

Loved the canvasback textures and your porch is absolutely charming. Used the canvas backs on several pics of our outside spaces...loved them. Not sure how to send them to you so you can see. Thank you, so much. Really enjoy your blog.

[Cheryl]

I just love your front porch especially the swing. I could while away a few hours there reading and napping. So glad you enjoy it.

[Valinda]

My Grandmother told me the same thing, ants work the peonies so they open. The ants are after the sweet nectar of the peony petals. If you want to bring them inside, give them a little swoosh in a large bucket of cool water...gently. The ants float up for air...voila! Mine have already bloomed and gone...so nice to see yours.