{memories} of our dog keno

Sadly my little sister and brother's dog Keno passed away last week. He was the same age as my dog Gatsby, and they'd known each other and played together most of their lives.

In my family we are all animal lovers, so a few weeks ago during Christmas, we did a mini photoshoot with Keno. He'd been having health problems and we wanted to capture some of his sweet spirit on camera before it was too late. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

He was such a happy dog.

 

My little sister had also known him most of her life, and they were besties.

 

He was such a handsome black beauty.

 

He loved being a part of whatever you were doing and would follow you anywhere.

 

He didn't have a mean bone in his body. He was the sweetest. Period.
 

He always loved to play.
 

He exuded this happy, yet patient spirit that made him a joy to be around. He is missed. XO
 

our {little} pumpkin 2012

Each autumn since Ryan and I have been blessed with this little teddy bear I've looked forward to hunting for my three favorite pumpkins and then using them as props for Ponyo's annual *our little pumpkin* photo.  This year Ponyo and I walked down the street from our house so I could get a variety of photos since there are so many different colors of leaves here in Seattle.....and I can't decide which is my favorite.  Green is my favorite color, but I love the rich reds that symbolize fall.  Which do you like best?

 

You can see Year 1 HERE

And Year 2 HERE
Oh, and this year's pumpkin hunt HERE

{these days} may

These days there are flowers in my yard that finally decided to bloom.....


There are more curtains to be hemmed.....


There are new flavors of tea to drink (for this one I mixed vanilla cherry with vanilla almond!).....


There are frames to be hung on the wall.....


There are chipmunks to watch in the yard and balls to be thrown.....


There are raindrops to be enjoyed.....


There are polkadots to be worn with floral.....


These days are good. <3 Carrie

{out for a walk} meadowdale

This weekend was my first spent in Seattle instead of Sequim since Ryan and I moved here.  All in all it was a pretty mellow and enjoyable time with the highlights for me being a lovely walk in the woods and the start of my Week In The Life Minibook.....my first craft time in weeks : )

Saturday was our walk with Ryan's cousin and his girlfriend to a beautiful place called Meadowdale Beach Park. The 1 and a 1/4 mile hike (each way) is entirely shaded with a canopy giant green trees until you arrive at the beach. Here's a peak at what we saw.....

Lots of wildflowers in different colors.....

We took the doggies (Ryan's cousin has two Miniature Schnauzers pictured in the collage above.....one is swimming in the ocean with a stick in his mouth and a giant crane in the background.....he loves to fetch!).....

Found on our path.....

And lots of looking up.....

However, our day actually started out together at Ryan and my place for a homemade breakfast! I made hash brown casserole and sweet sausages.....it was yummy!!!  We have a limited number of cable channels at the moment, one being The Food Network.  Being use to only broadcast TV, I am thoroughly enjoying all the cooking shows right now.  That plus having lots of counter space and a dishwasher (which we didn't have in our last place) has given me the desire to cook!  I can see some food/recipe posts in my future ; )  <3 Carrie

{thoughts on} week in the life

(Photo by Ryan of me and my snuggle bear.)

After finishing the process of documenting my *week in the life* I wanted to make a few notes for next time and thought that it might be nice to share them here as well.

I noticed after looking through all my photos that I pretty much rotated between using my DSLR and android camera for each day.  So if I took photos with Clem on Tuesday then Wednesday I would primarily take them with my camera phone.  It took the pressure off of solely using my DSLR and seemed to make the process a bit easier and more fun for me.  I also like the idea of the mixture of these formats together once printed out.

Most of the days I did end up using the 5 photo prompts I came up with for helping with the documentation, and like the comparison between days as well as having a shot to search for instead of only documenting things as they were happening.  It ended up helping me capture things I would normally not think of that I am really happy to have on film.  For example, the twinkle lights I sleep with while at my sister's.  The negative space photo of them is a great memory.....so happy to have it documented.

I'm also okay with how I didn't stick with any of these ideas above as an absolute formula.  There are some days where I took photos with both cameras, and on Saturday didn't use any of the photo prompts, not to mention I don't have any photos for Monday because I didn't decide to join in on this project till Tuesday, but just went with the flow instead.  Happy I decided to just make it easy and fun.

I haven't decided yet how I am going to put it all together.  I will either do a minibook or add it to Project Life (once I've started).  Hopefully, my scrapbook supplies will be unpacked and have a home before the week is out so I can think about getting started while I'm still excited about the process.  But again, I'm learning to go with the flow when necesary instead of trying to control and plan everything out.

In thinking about next year, I might want to incorporate photos taken by Ryan (probably just using photos he took from his camera phone), and maybe my little sister (she takes a lot of photos with her phone on a regular basis).  I also want to be more organized and keep packets (maybe envelopes) for saving the tidbits of paper and goodies from each day.  Right now they are a big jumbled mess, and it's going to be crazy going through it all ; )

Have a lovely weekend and happy Mother's Day if you're a mama!  Lots of love <3 Carrie

{liebster} award

Last weekend the lovely Madalynne gave me the Liebster Award. She has become a dear friend who I admire and adore.  Her blog is filled with inspiring interviews from other artistic bloggers, lessons on pattern making, and the funnest way to learn about everything fashion!!! Thank you kindly my sweet Madalynne!

Here are five blogs and lovely ladies that I am granting the Liebster award. If you haven't stopped by their blog before today will be s specail treat.....

Stephanie at My Creative Brightside.  She is the prettiest of girls inside and out.  On her blog you'll find crafty DIYs, adventures, fashion, food and much more!

Kara at I Just Might Explode.  This talented lady teaches the best online workshops, is a beautiful photographer, graphic designer and has her own quirky cute unique style!

Liz at Paislee Press.  I am in LOVE with her new Mini Masterpieces design at Shutterfly.  She uses clean simple design to make the special things pop.  Her digital art and photobooks are are must have!

Kelly at It's Me, KP.  She is an amazing scrapbook designer and also a world traveler.  Her blog is filled with only the best of things to make, eat and see!

Elise at Elise Joy.  Elise makes and sells lovely craft goodies.  Her blog is filled with lots of scrapbooking, everyday life, and comforting thoughts.

Each and everyone of these blogs are a must in my daily Bloglovin' routine and a joy to read.  Enjoy!  <3 Carrie

{a winter} walk

While visiting my family up in Washington over Christmas, on the afternoon of December 29th this pretty girl and I decided to take the doggies out for a stroll at the Railroad Bridge Park.....

Gatsby sported his rain jacket, while Ponyo's soft teddy bear fur kept him snugly warm.....

The winter color was breathtakingly beautiful, and everything sparkled from an early morning shower.....

The last few month's I've been enjoying a little ribbon or yarn woven into my braids.....

And here we are enjoying the river covered in an afternoon haze.....

This little doggie kept peeking through the side of the bridge to admire the view and eventually the tips of his ears turned bright green from the pretty moss covered railing.....

(You can click on any of the images to see them larger in Flickr.  All photos by me except for the two of me were taken by Blondie Paws.  Photoshop actions by yours truly :)  Also, click HERE to see another afternoon in photos spent at the Railroad Bridge Park during the summer of 2010!  I am so excited to go back to this wonderful place and do it all over again! Have a lovely, lovely week!!! <3 Carrie

{brothers} you & me

My digital layout for week 3.  It's from the view of my doggies with journaling from Gatsby:

Today Ponyo and I went for a walk at the Railroad Bridge Park with our Mamma and Aunt Lilli.  Ponyo got green moss stuck to the tips of his ears from peeking through the railing.  It was fun.

I used the Jessica Sprague Photoshop Friday template from 1.20.12, added in the LiveE Designs Floral Dream paper for the background, and used some paint splatter brushes to make the journaling pop.  The font is Capture It.  <3 Carrie

Your Appointment with Friday

Happy almost Halloween to you! For this week's photo prompt I decided that it was finally time for.....

 

It's Tradition

Gloria and I enjoyed this photo prompt around the same time last year, and I thought it would be nice excuse to share another Fall tradition this October too!  In general I am not a traditional kind of girl, but there's something about Autumn that draws me towards loving some of the same activities.  Last year I shared my chrysanthemum planting tradition.  This year I am sharing the annual *Ponyo with pumpkins photo*!!!  You can see last year's photo HERE (and little Ponyo was only 13 weeks in that pic.....so sweet!).  Do you have any traditions during the Fall?

Love, Carrie

{day 30} in motion

(You can click on the above images to view them larger in Flickr.)

Today I am sad that it's the last day of the 30 day photo challenge.  Taking these daily photos has definitely made my September more fun then I thought it was going to be.  One of the reason's is that I am creating a minibook with all 30 of my photos!  I only have 9 pages done so far, but there is one for each day, so at least I'm a 1/3 of the way done : )  Will share a few of the pages as soon as I figure out how I am going to photograph them.  This project has also done a great job of documenting my life, my likes and what I have been up to this month.  My taste for things is constantly changing, so it will be kind of cool to see how different things are in October.  Anyways, for today's final  *in motion* photo, the easiest thing that came to mind was the above photo(s).....Ponyo chasing a ball in the backyard.  He loves to run, and jumps around like a kangaroo when he's excited!  It's really cute.  Thanks for stopping by today!  Happy October 1st tomorrow!!! <3 Carrie

{day 12} close-up

Here is our sweet puppy Ponyo.  I have been waiting for a prompt that was right for capturing this cutie, and thought today's *close-up* photo prompt might be perfect.  He has the cutest little whiskers and makes the silliest lovey faces.  Ryan and I sure love this little guy.  <3 Carrie

SOMEONE TURNED 1 TODAY

Happy birthday to my sweet little puppy Ponyo....xoxo  <3 Carrie

Your appointment with Friday

Hello Friday!  With you we welcome another fun photo prompt!!!  Gloria is taking a couple weeks off, but before her break she helped me come up with this cool prompt.....

Natural Framing

My understanding of natural framing in a photo is when the subject of your picture is framed by other elements in your photograph.  Like a photo of a person framed from sitting at a windowsill, or something at the end of a tunnel.  The idea is to give your photo depth, draw your attention to that subject, and give your subject's surroundings context.  Here is what I came up with.....

Ever since I took these photos, I have been daydreaming about all the fun shots I could do.....and looking for them everywhere I go.  For me this photo prompt was very addictive and fun!!!  And I absolutely LOVE the first photo of my sweet boys together!  They look like they are in a really peaceful place.....standing at the exit to outside.  What adventure is out there waiting for them?  It's been a while since I took any photos of Ponyo and he has grown soooo much.  The three of us had a lovely stroll that afternoon looking for places to take our photos.  It was a good day : )

And we are lucky enough to have Nely from the Pink Ninja Addicts and her personal blog Sweet Escape, play along with us this week (I love that she used the instagram app on her phone for this photo).....

I've been looking for the perfect opportunity to take a photograph like this!!  When I think of natural framing, a million ideas run through my brain!!  I loved the idea of placing a heart in front of something you love.  That guy you see behind the heart is my husband.  He owns a pretty big chunk of my heart!!  He was perfect for this shot!!!,,,

We hope you decide to play along this week.....this prompt really helps you see photography in a different way.  Have the best weekend!

Love, Carrie & Nely

Sleepless Nights

In the evenings our puppy loves to run!  He just goes and goes.....tonight I caught a few photos of him in action.  They're blurry, but today I like the effect.  It kind of reminds me of how I have been feeling the last few days.  A little lethargic, kinda seeing everything blurry.  My mind is clear and happy but very slow.  This past week I have not been sleeping.  My body wants it, but won't let it.  It's silly.  But, being silly is me to a tee!  Oh, and daydreams are pleasantly a current past time.....



I wonder what he was thinking when I took this photo?



I love our little fella <3

Have a great night, and see ya tomorrow.....I have my first digital layout to share!
: ) Carrie

Your appointment with Friday

Hi lovely friends.  How have you been?  We hope you are enjoying the holidays : )

OK.  Originally Gloria and I had this awesome photo prompt picked out for today, but as December and the holiday fun started we began to think that there might be something a little more special about this time of year.  So, we chatted and talked about all the cool photography ideas going on in our heads and decided to go with a sweet and endearing prompt thought up by Gloria (with a title inspired by Starbucks).  The prompt is.....

Stories are gifts.  Share.

My story starts out back in September when Ryan bought me this little fella for my birthday, on my birthday no less.  I remember bringing him home and even though he was tiny, he was fearless.  He looked like a little wolf and made the cutest little squeaky noises.  And that's when we decided to name him Ponyo.  Ponyo is an onomatopoeia, based on Miyazaki's (an amazing Japanese director) idea of what a "soft, squishy softness" sounds like when touched.  It seemed like fate.  A Japanese breed (he is a shiba inu), with a cute Japanese name.  See, we have this tradition on my side of the family to name our pets after names of character's we like in movies.  My sister just got an adorable minature poodle and named her Elora Danan, from the movie Willow (1988).  Perfect.  Ponyo (2008), just so happens to be one of Ryan and my favorite animated films.  Lovely.  Skipping past all the baby puppy stuff, our little fella is now in his teenage phase which means three things to me this Christmas.  One, he is curious about everything.....and I mean EVERYTHING.  Look out Christmas decorations!!!  Two, he is old enough for puppy class and to be around other dogs.  Yay, us!  And three, we have been able to take him out the last two weekends to enjoy fun Christmas stuff.  Last weekend he went with us to the La Jolla Christmas Celebration, and the day before picked out a present for one of my sibling's dogs.  I know that when I go to wrap it he will have his wet little nose everywhere.  But, on his behalf I do have to say he was such an angel letting me take this photo.  He does not like wearing his Santa hat, but he wore it, let me place him exactly into the center of the wreath AND didn't budge until I got my shot.  Not bad for a little fella who has enough energy for three dogs.  LOL!  So far this Christmas he has been enjoying the following.  Popcorn with Gatsby (his big brother, a basenji), Ryan and I.  Cuddling up with Ryan on the couch.  Lots of playing with Gatsby.  His first trip to the dog park.  Being a good student at home and in puppy class.  Already outgrowing his current collar.  His very own stocking.  And is soon to enjoy.  His very first road trip, when we drive to be with my brother and nephew in Salt Lake City for Christmas.  And hopefully his first adventure in the snow!  It seems to me that Ponyo's first Christmas is already filled with fun and a lot of firsts.  Now if only I could find the perfect present for him.....

What story do you have to tell this holiday season?  I am dying to read it!  When you go to take your photo this week, look for something that either brings back a holiday memory.....like every time I see baked ornaments it makes me think of sitting at the table when I was a kid and making them with my family.....or something that symbolizes a story that is happening.....like my doggie's first Christmas.  Take your photo of that thing, and then write your story about it.  Your story can be long or short.  But I bet that there's something out there that means something special to you right now.  Give us a gift this Christmas.  Share your story : )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stories are gifts shared.

This prompt was one that I think came to us.....We were collaborating and had ideas floating between Carrie and I and then you know how it is...your friend says something that brings you to another thought and then it come to you.  A holiday picture that in your mind bring you to a cool place were in that lies a story.

Paola is my daughter.  She is 16 and I am 38.  That means little sweet P has been with me most of my life.  We have had our share of Christmas stories but this dear ornament brings me to my favorite one.  In this picture she is 8 and I am 30.   We took this little picture after her first Chorus performance.   We lived in Boulder Colorado and if my memory serves me it was about 30 degrees outside and it was snowing.  She was wearing this nice white satin shirt and I was wearing a pink one.  ( At this point in my life I matched our clothes.)  She was so afraid of it getting wrinkled that she refused to wear a jacket and I said OK that's fine but its gonna be cold.  She was obviously nervous.  Lots happened getting ready for this performance...not all good behavior stuff, but we got through it.  She froze on the way to her performance and I quietly watched.  Then she got on stage and sang her little heart out and she was perfect.  What was so special about this holiday performance was that as soon as she was done she ran up to me and hugged me (that's when this picture was taken), and said thanks for not getting mad at me when I was acting up mom.  So, I framed this picture in a little ornament frame so that every year when I put it up I can remember that story.....

Hope you enjoy this prompt, and happy holidays!!!

Love, Gloria and Carrie

Wednesday ~ Heart Flutter

Heart Flutter #1 ~ Took little Ponyo out to get his 13 week photos.  We decided that these mini pumpkins would be fun props, but once he and I got out there he really wasn't that interested anymore.  He gets distracted so easily.  However I did kinda manage to get him a little lined up with the orange beauties.  He's all character these days.....makes me smile a lot!  And I think his photo turned out so cute!!!  I've been contemplating making a Fall layout to put in a shadowbox on my living room wall, and I think I might use it : )

Heart Flutter #2 ~ Tonight I am watching this movie.....



I just LOVE it......The Uninvited (1944) is one of my all time favorites, and kinda perfect for Halloween month.  You can't really tell from the preview, but to me it is very quirky and has a romantically artistic feel to it.  For example two of the main characters are brother and sister.  They decided to buy a house together (which I think is adorable), and while the sister is worried about what's going on in the house, the brother is just plain scared.  Their relationship is very quirky cute to me.  Oh, and their house is on a cliff.....it's so beautiful, and a little spooky at night!  Anyways, if you decide to watch it, I hope you enjoy.  I'm turning it on right after I finish this post ; )

Heart Flutter #3 ~ Liz Kartchner, aka Dear Lizzy, has a beautiful video on her blog today.  Her husband, Collin, made it for her.....I think you are really going to like it.  It's simple and sweet, and for me a really great time to just be peaceful and enjoy all the Fall colored trees, lovely family time and happy bird chirps (at the end).

Well, I'm off to bed.  Tomorrow I have a new Fall inspired project to share.....

See ya then!
<3 Carrie