Finding My Way Back

Free Textures, Class Updates & a Give Away

edited in Lightroom and textured in photoshop with today's freebie, Return

Hello lovelies. How are you? I've missed this, I've missed you… It's been too long. It feels like months since I've been here.

'sigh'….

Where does one begin? Hmm, let's see.....

The hustle and bustle of Christmas and family gatherings happened, then a nasty cold knocked me off my feet for several days. Sadly on January 2nd, John's father passed away. What began as a short hiatus moved into weeks of time away….. I'm so ready to be back. I'm longing for normal again….I miss my quiet simple life…photographing treasures.... sharing photos and inspiration...such a huge highlight in my life. I want it back.

'smile'

How was your holiday? the new year? Tell me something new, dear friend….. 

This past week, in between the chaos, I've been taking lots of tea photos...... I suppose it's the season...the comfort of hot tea is so special..... I've also gathered a few new cups over this past month that I've been bursting to photograph.

Okay, It's definitely time for a texture….. or 2. Don't you think?

Check out today's lovelies.... 're-entry & return'.

Texture Lovin' Listers your download link should land in your inbox in just a few.... New to the site? Be sure to sign up for my list and start receiving freebie textures right away. Click HERE to get on the list!

Before I go.... a few updates and reminders.... don't miss the give away surprise at the end.

I wanted to remind you that a new year of Beyond is coming soon….. Class begins on January 23rd. You can find all the details HERE….. In this year long course I will be sharing loads of photography and processing tips & tricks; including lightroom, photoshop, texture and iPhoneography lessons.....
Good news.... early bird registration is still open. I'm not upping the price…. with all that's been happening, I didn't get in to make the change…. so I decided to leave it at $65.00 $52.00. There's also an option to access last years Beyond Layers course. Click HERE for all the details.

Also my Lightroom class, Round Trip, begins on the 15th… that's next week already….. I'm leaving the early bird price on it as well. Lightroom is amazing....I don't know how I lived without it...it's been life changing.... I know that sounds dramatic, but I'm totally serious.... It's truly an incredible program!

As for 2013….. I have some exciting plans brewing... One thing I'm excited about is sharing more Lightroom tips and tutorials here at the Café. Texture Tuesday will be back next week. I will have more details later this week. And I hope to offer a brand new collection of textures in the shop later this month! 

Other dreamy offerings I'm working on…. a photography course, a creative lightroom editing class….and... and.......more soon. :)

: :

So good to be back....  

To celebrate my 're-entry' I'd love to offer up a give away with a twist.....

The twist....The give away is a surprise..... I will reveal the mystery gift and the winner here on Friday.

To enter please leave a comment below.... perhaps a little note about your holidays, something new in your life or maybe a special wish for 2013.... Sound good?

: :

Until Friday.... love & gratitude...always....

xo,

Weekend Texture - Partings

Hello friends, 

I hope this note finds you well...... I'm popping in with a new texture...and just a little teensy bit of rambling....

It's been quite a month...so much going on... Brett moved out, started university...Bryce moved into his own place yesterday.... and I'm sure it will be an ongoing move for about a week... He's only a half hour away. But I've found myself in a bit of an emotional space.... not sure what I'm feeling... You know how it is... mix in that girly hormonal stuff....and let's just say.... from last evening...about 10:00 til I choose the quote for this photo... 10 minutes ago...  I had myself in all kinds of doom and gloom...and man was I grumpy to John. Everything was his fault.....  'sigh'....

But thanks to Marianne Williamson's wise words... I'm seeing the sun.... and it's a GOOD day... We are blessed.... Life is good..... and after I post this up I'm taking Ben to the trail for some fresh air and reflection....

Tell me... how bout you? It seems like days like these seem to just creep up on me... do you find it the same? I'm curious.... what gets you out of your 'blues'? Do tell....

I love hearing your thoughts... You are all so wise.... and I appreciate you so much.

But enough about me and my woes....  it's all good... really it is..... 

Here's today's texture... Partings....

Texture Lovin' Listers...the link is coming your way... Not on the list, want free textures? Click HERE to sign up.

Test Kitchen members I will be posting the video recipe for this little lovely.... later today... be sure to watch for it.

Before I sign off... I must announce Friday's give away winner... a space in The Self-paced Essentials class goes to...... Connie Beck...Congrats Connie.... please drop me a note...so I can hook you up. :)

I'm off....  for those who have been asking... Registration for the next session of Round Trip will open on Thursday.... 

xo,

Two New Textures and a Few Updates

mouse over to see the original

Hello friends...happy Sunday.... It's a long weekend here in Canada... not sure about the rest of the beautiful world? yes? no?... My boys are all enjoying the fact that they have an extra long weekend.....Me, personally.... well, I find long weekends cut my 'work' week up....  which rarely ever feels like work... So I'm not nearly as excited about the holiday.... 'smile'.... But it's all good!!

So, I have several tidbits for you today.......  

First, your new textures! I used both on my image up top..... Check out the magazine (Somerset Life)... I've booked an hour with myself on the front porch to soak it up after I take Ben out... woo hoo!

Anyhow, here's today's lovelies...  they have great chalky qualities... which I really like in a texture.

Texture Lovin' Listers... the download link is coming your way. Not on the list, click HERE to sign up and start receiving freebies right away.

Here's my recipe for the photo above.

Opened the image in Lightroom.... tweaked the exposure, and reduced the saturation a little. Added a little tone curve bump...then headed right into photoshop to work with texture and type..... I added a layer of today's 'printed' at soft light 75% opacity and then a layer of 'way' at soft light 100%. Finally I added the quote.... The font is Afta Serif.

As promised I must announce the give away winner of, The Natural Home.....

Drum roll please....  Congrats to Sarah. Please send me a note so I can get you all hooked up with the book.

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eCourse Updates

The Skinny-Mini eCourse begins tomorrow. You can sign up here.

Behind the Scenes - a creative guide to blogging your passion is open for registration. All the details here.

Round Trip - from lightroom to photoshop and back again is coming soon. Registration will open this week. Bursting about it..... For a little teaser on this class, click here.

::

Fun Stuff: Shutter Sisters has an entire month of awesomeness planned...... Elevate the Everyday with new prompts each day in August.....This is inspired by Tracey's beautiful new book, Elevate the Everyday. Pop over for more details.... fun stuff!! Today we are sharing 'curves'. My post curve photo...probably won't surprise you. (textured with today's 'word' as well.) Come share your curves with us. We'd love to see!

::

Test Kitchen Members, I posted a new recipe (image below) and a lovely new watercolour texture set. Be sure to pop in and grab 'em up.

mouse over to see the original ~ textured with the lovely yellow texture below.

 

Okie doke, that's quite enough for today... 'smile'.....

Off to the trail I go!! Have a beautifully inspired day!

Until next time....xo, 

a Trio of Textures

mouse over to see the original

Hello friends,

First, thank you so much for the sweet comments you left on my very first ~ Film Friday post, 'Let's Make it Pretty'.... I really apprecaite it!! 

I have a texture trio for you today. Texture Lovin' Listers the download link is coming your way.

If you are not on the list, and wanna start receiving freebies, simply sign up HERE...and let it begin!

Check out today's trio.....  

I used Red and Just-Be on my image above.... I really like the effect.....

In case you missed the TT details for this week.... here is Tuesday July 24th's theme.

Let's take TT outdoors... Your image must be shot outdoors....and textured with at least one layer of any of my textures.... that's it..that's all....easy peasy...

Thanks again for sending me your TT Host submissions. If you missed the details, click HERE. I will be in touch with next week's TT host soon.... Please watch for a possible email in your inbox if you already zapped me your submission!

Okie doke... that's it for this evening.

Until Texture Tuesday.... xo,

{Texture Tuesday} The Posie eDition

Yay, TT is back!! Woo hoo!

This week let's link up are favorite textured flower photos. 

Here are this week's TT details.

Your image must include a flower and be layered with atleast one of my textures.... that's it..that's all.

I'm hoping you read about the TT changes...If not, click HERE to check them out. More details on the Guest Hosting feature soon.... Not to worry.... 

I have a sweet little texture for you today. I call this one 'reverie'.....  'sigh'

Click HERE to download Reverie.

I used it on my gerbera image... 2 layers...one at soft light 60% opacity and another layer at hard light 16% opacity. 

Test Kitchen Members watch for the complete recipe tutorial later today. 

Before we start linking up.... let's talk next week's TT theme..... 

Tuesday, July 3rd Texture Tuesday Guidelines are:

Next Tuesday is the first Tuesday of the month which means it's 'Not Necessarily Texture Tuesday'! Basically this allows you to link up any fav photo you like... textured or not, processed or not... anything goes.... Share your most recent fav photo with the TT community. 

 New to Texture Tuesdays? Here's the short and sweet TT rules.

• please link directly to your TT post, not to your main blog url or flickr stream. Please do not link to your online shop. 
• please link back to the Café. You can grab the TT button HERE, if you wish.
• please visit the other TT participants and leave them some comment love. Remember it's a party.... and what's a linky party without lots of comment love? Right! 

Want more details? Click HERE for the full scoop!

.....

Okie doke... time to get started..... Have fun....and as always .... BIG GRATITUDE to each of you that play along. 

xo,

P.S. As promised.... I must announce the Behind the Scenes eCourse winner..... Drum Roll please..... Congrats, Monica de Moss it's you! Please zap me an email and we will get you 'hooked-up'.

P.S.S in honor of the TT changes...here's another TT button option. Please feel free to grab the code below it if you like.

<a href="http://kimklassen.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="kimklassendotcom" src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/graphics/kk_ttbuton.jpg" /></a>

 

Monday - I Just Gotta Tell Ya

mouse over to see the original - textured with enlightened.

Hello Lovelies,

How are you? You may have noticed I didn't land in your inbox this weekend......

I'm shaking things up a little around here..... One of my must-dos.... reduce my work load on the weekends. I'm not sure how it happened, but I have progressively filled my weekends with way too much work and very little down time. As much as I LOVE my work... I need a little more time to live and do and BE in my life.

So I'm changing things up. I'm still working on the ins and outs of a few new ideas.... but I'm super excited to tell you about it all. Stay tuned for more info very soon.

....

In the meantime, we must have a texture to try... right?

I do believe this is a lovely little one..... I call her enlightened..... I was struggling for a name, so I called John and said...  give me an inspirational word.... please.... and the first word he came up with.... enlightened. (he's used to random calls and questions like that... he doesn't even ask why anymore.... 'smile')

Click HERE to download enlightened.

.....

Miscellaneous Updates

Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen Members, watch for a video later today.... I'm going to walk you through the processing of my up-top image. Lotsa great ideas to share. 

Texture Tuesday Update

I have some new ideas for Texture Tuesday. I think you will like them. But I'm not quite ready to spill the beans. So let's take a week off and meet back here on June 19th. I will have more details before then. Watch for a little letter in your inbox later this week.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes starts in 15 days. There's a few spots still open....We are seriously bursting with anticipation to share this new class.

Okie doke... that's it for today. 

Until next time... loads of love....

xo,

Just Cause - June Texture

mouse over to see the original

Hello my sweet friends.....

It's June!  OH my... can you believe it?  

'sigh'....  I'm hoping this new month brings some warm air and sunshine to all! :)

In honor of June... I have a little surprise texture gift for all you fabulous Texture Lovin' Listers...... 

I call it 'just cause'......

I used it on the archive image above..... last year's spring blossoms.....  on my favorite scale.... 

I'm thinking I need to do another shoot....  with this year's blossoms....  just hoping yesterday's crazy wind didn't blow them all away..... 'sigh'

Anyhow, lovelies....I hope you feel inspired to give this 'little lovely' a go. I am off to zap the download link your way.....

Not on the list?  Easy-Peesy........  Sign up HERE and start getting Freebies in your inbox right away.....

Happy Happy First Day of June!

xxo,

p.s.

seriously loving all your Texture Tuesday gardening photos!! It was especially wonderful to see them popping up yesterday, as the rain poured down and the wind blew..... Thank you!!  

p.s.s.

hello from Me. Cutie Patootie.... Benigan...Benny...Ben..... looking a little soggy after a dip in the pond.....