birthday bedroom makeover!

My sister and I re-did my niece's room for her 13th (yikes, I feel old!) Birthday.

We let Em pick the wall color.  Everything else was kept a secret until the big reveal!

Such a HUGE difference between the old and the new!!!

Here are a few before and afters... including one of the happy Birthday Girl herself!

I shot video when she came in the room... a few stills:

25% of my etsy sales will benefit Toys For Tots!

Hello and Happy Holidays!!!

So, I've already blogged here about the book my photos are in, and I'm happy to announce that Play! Toy Camera Photographers for Tots is finally available and can be previewed and/or purchased through blurb.  (All proceeds from the book will benefit Toys For Tots)  Based on the preview, it looks great!  And would make a great holiday gift!!!

I'm so excited to be part of the book and decided I wanted to do something more, so for the month of December, I will be donating 25% of all sales in my etsy shop to the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation!

I'm excited to be able to use both my fine art and portrait photography in a way that will benefit children at this time of year! :)

a book to benefit Toys For Tots...

Back in August, I submitted 3 images to a Composing With Images Press call for entry. The requirement was toy camera images that convey the theme of "play". 

I waited until literally the LAST minute... I finally submitted 3 of my favorite holga kid images... A few weeks ago, I got the email- they chose ALL THREE!

My images are going to be published in a book! The title and theme of the book is PLAY!  All proceeds from the sales of the book (as well as all the submission fees for the call) will be going to the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation to benefit children affected by areas in the United States ravaged by tornadoes in 2011...

The cover of the book was just announced, and they're expecting to have the book available for purchase by next weekend (my birthday weekend!)  I'm very excited and can't wait to see it!

(follow me on twitter, facebook and/or google+ for updates!)

Here are the 3 images that will be included in the book:

free shipping in my etsy shop this weekend!!!

Decided this a bit last minute-
I'm offering free shipping in my etsy shop from Black Friday, 11/25, through Cyber Monday, 11/28!
I'll be adding a few new prints to the shop over the course of the weekend so check back often! :)
OR, follow me on facebook and/or twitter for updates!
And feel free to spread the word!

hand-picked. handmade.

Hello!
Just wanted to share that I am included in the current exhibition on papernstitch.com!

About papernstitch:
"papernstitch is an online exhibition space that was created to promote talented artists, designers, and makers selling handmade goods. the exhibition space is curated monthly and showcases the best of the best on an international level. hence our tagline: hand-picked. handmade."

I'm honored to be a part of it!

This image will link you to my shop:

some mums

pink mums

from September 17, 2011

apple picking

and now for a break from all the summery flowers!

went apple picking with the sister and the nieces today.

I absolutely do NOT recommend going apple picking on a holiday.

The place was loaded with lots of rude people and kids with no manners.

BUT it was pretty and the apples were fantastic!

Whoville 2

red cypress vine flowers

from September 3, 2011

Whoville...

I think of all photos I've taken of morning glories, these are my favorites.  Especially the purple ones.  I don't think I need or want to photograph any more morning glories.  (Or, any more flowers for that matter!)
Of these, my favorites are the last two.  I can't decide which one I like best.

From September 3, 2011

rainbow sherbert

abstract dahlias

from August 25, 2011

mum's dahlia

Not much to say...

From August 31, 2011

spiral-y macro morning glories

I'm digging these about-to-open morning glories... I love the shallow depth-of-field... Although I think the pink ones may need a square crop... maybe...

From August 19, 2011

macro morning glories part one + a dahlia

So I keep shooting morning glories, and I'm ending up with more that I hate than that I like... I kinda like these.  I think I might have a few from yesterday that I like better, but I'm still editing those... I have to say, I do LOVE the colors in these...

From August 19, 2011

Exhibit at EPOCH Assisted Living

Yesterday my uncle and I hung my work at EPOCH Assisted Living in Norton, MA.  They have a gallery wall designated for artists and photographers.  They show a new artist every month.  I think this is such a fantastic idea!  It's a nice space.  (It's a HUGE wall!)  One of the dining areas also gets a nice view of the gallery wall... And the hallway gets lots of foot traffic; at the end of the hallway they have a room used for meetings by various outside companies and groups.  The woman who told me about the space has even sold a few pieces in the past!  Wish me luck!  

I over-documented it... enjoy!