Summer Vacation 2014

This year we went to visit family in Morro Bay, CA.

If you're not familiar with Morro Bay, it's kind of famous for the big "rock" which is at the entrance of Morro Bay Harbor.  I captured the fog rolling in so you can't really see how tall it is.

I miss the ocean, growing up not to far from Galveston, TX.  I love just sitting on the beach watching the waves crash up on the sand, seagulls running around and kids building sand castles.

I like to play in the sand too...lol.  Personally, the water is a bit chilly for me, but I did eventually put my feet in it.

Ok, maybe just my toes.

There were these really weird, but kind of cool looking jelly fish that washed up on the beach.  Here's Charlie writing a message out of them to his cousin (that's who we're visiting).  They don't sting, so no worries there.  Here's a better photo of what they look like (top and bottom)

We had a great time just relaxing and hanging out with family.

I love the beach!

Capture Life!

Texture Tuesday with...

Kim Klassen

This week TT challenge is Another Free and Easy Edition!  All we have to do is use any of Kim's fabulous texture, that's it!

First I opened my photo in GIMP and used "Dawn Clouds" script.  Then I used Kim's texture Minus 43, sorry I'm not sure which blending mode I used more than likely it was Multiply at approx. 87%.  I took the saturation down a bit and increased the contrast in curves.

This picture was taken on my last visit back home (Texas) this is down in Kemah on the boardwalk.  

For more information on Kim's Texture Tuesday, click here.

Capture Life!

Portrait

Photo Art Friday!

Our theme this week is "Portrait"...

This is a photo of my son.  We were on vacation in Lake Tahoe and walking around the town.  We were at a cross walk waiting for the light to change and I took advantage of the opportunity to take the "shot".

I took the saturation down added a soft brown filter and added Skeletal Mess grunge texture.

If you're interested in Photo Art Friday...click on the picture below.

Lines - Photo Art Friday

This weeks challenge is "lines" and of course any photo art of your choice.  I didn't have enough time to take a new shot for this challenge (as much as I wish I could have), so I had to look at some of my photos I've already taken.  

The photo I chose, I took while I was visiting my sister in Texas. 

I first added a soft blend script to the photo then went into my instant effects and added the "tone map high".  I used one of Bonnie's fabulous free textures, "Other Worlds" Overlay mode, blend at 100% and lastly I added a little vignette.

After all the processing, not sure if you can see or even notice the seagull flying by the Ferris Wheel.

If you're interested in Photo Art Friday click here.   Please be sure to stop by Bonnie's blog, Pixel Dust Photo Art, to see not only her work, but today's photos of this challenge.

Capture Life!

Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen

The Outside eDition

Our challenge is to use a photo that we took outside and at least one of Kim Klassen's texture.

I took this on my trip to Lake Tahoe, CA.  We were walking around town and came across a little shop that rented bicycles.  They looked really cool all lined up and thought I should take a shot.

I used Kim's texture "Wonderful Magic" on blending mode Screen at 100%.  I also used a Cross Process on this photo.

Please be sure stop by and check out all the other photos or if you're interested in Texture Tuesday click here.

Capture Life!

A few vacation pics...

Here are some random photos from our family vacation.

Topaz Lake, NV

Far end of Topaz Lake, NV

Lake Tahoe, CA from Harrah's Hotel

Lake Tahoe, CA

Old paddle boat on Lake Tahoe...(was closed for repairs).

Capture Life!

My son

My son hates for me to take his picture.  So....I have to sneak shots in when I can or really beg.  

Here's one of the two of us on our vacation.  On our way up to Lake Tahoe, there was some roadwork, we had to wait, so we decided to jump out of the truck and take some photos.

That's Topaz Lake behind us...beautiful day.  You can see how thrilled he is...lol.

Playing in PicMonkey.

I'll be adding more pictures from our trip to Lake Tahoe and Morro Bay.

Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Wow...I can't believe how fast the week goes by.  Here it is time for another Texture Tuesday.  I didn't really head out to take any new photo for this week, since all we had to do was use one of Kim Klassen's fabulous texture to any photo.  So here is mine from a family vacation to San Diego.  We were hanging out on the beach and this seagull was getting in to everyone's bag when they'd leave...it was pretty funny.  Anyway, he looked straight at me and I took the shot.

I used Kim's newest free texture "Mayzee".  I first adjusted the photo using the bright/contrast curves.  Then I added the texture blend mode Overlay 100%, taking any texture off the bird.  I then added another layer using the same texture with Soft Light 100%.  I went to my paint brushes and used one that said distress and changed the color to match the background and added it to add some well "distress" look to it.  I also used a paint brush that was called "marbling" and added a little touch of that around the photo.

I've been Published!

A few weeks ago, I received an email asking my permission to "possibly" use one of my photos in the 8th Annual Schmap San Diego Guide (an online publication which is down loadable) from a trip that we went on to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. They have a panel that chooses which pictures will be used. I was absolutely shocked and thrilled and of course said "Yes"!

So the other day I received another email announcing they did choose my photo, along with others, for their publication. Yea! Wooo....hooo....Yippeeee! O.k., so I'm a little excited, but mostly very honored to have one of my photos chosen.

Here is the photo they are using and the link too. The Wild Animal Park is so worth going to as well.

There are a lot of talented photographers whose pictures were chosen. To see them just click on my picture and it will take you to the guide.

Happy Summer!

EtsyBloggers Team Blog Carnival......

Plans for the Summertime!

My son is officially out of school now and he's already complaining about being bored....LOL. I told him there's a big list of chores coming his way, so there is no way he'll be bored. He didn't seem to like that much...LOL. But he has a few things he needs to pay off!

On a better note...we have a few trips planned this summer. First we will be heading over to Morro Bay, CA. for our cousin's son's High school graduation party! Congrats Garrett! I can't wait for this trip...I love going to the ocean. I miss the ocean. It's also a lot cooler this time of year around there.

A beach close to Morro Bay!

Then we'll be heading to Bass Lake, CA. which has always been a tradition for us. We try to make it there every year if not every other year. The boys went last year, but this year it will just be us up there! It's so relaxing and the lake is very refreshing too. Our dog Leggs loves to swim in the lake. He tries to chase the ducks...it's pretty funny to watch.

Our final trip will be to Santa Cruz, CA. We'll be meeting up with some friends and hanging out at a beach house...well technically it's not exactly on the beach, but within walking distance to the beach (private at that). This will be nice too! I love to shop in new places...LOl!

In between all the vacations I will be creating new apothecary bottles and "monster" boxes for our etsy store and hopefully doing a few shows here and there.

I wish all a happy, fun and safe Summer!

San Diego - Wild Animal Park Vacation

Our family went down to San Diego (officially Escondido), California to visit the Wild Animal Park for Spring Break. Let me just say one word about the park..."Awesome". It's 14,000 acres of just beautiful foliage, animals, and lots of artistic ironworks, murals, and shops.

Initially, I wanted to do the "Savanna Safari Africa", it's a 50 minute ride aboard a 10 person safari cart for an up close personal look at the animals. You get to feed the giraffes! But the tickets were a little steep for our budget at the time. So we did the most economy version (which was still great), you got to ride a tram around part of the park and hear about all the animals (photo stops) and see most of their habitats. It was very beautiful and educational. Also you were able to just walk around the whole park and take in all its beauty.

We were there from 11:00am til closing at 7:00pm. It takes all day to see it all.

We were fortunate enough to have visited right after the births of a "cheetah" and an "elephant". They were so cute! Can you believe that baby elephant wasn't even a month old! Amazing!

The gorillas were a riot what fun it was watching them.

All the animals are in their own natural habitat. Each one keeps their instincts by way of smelling the other animals throughout the park. Like I said it's really cool and very informative.

I would highly recommend taking your family to this gorgeous vacation spot.

Our hotel we stayed in was awesome as well...Harrah's Rincon. The pool was just gorgeous and heated which was great. The people and staff were nice too. We were only about 20 miles from the Wild Animal Park as well.

We wanted to spend one day at the beach, but it rained on that day....shucks...I miss the ocean.

I hope you enjoy just some of the pictures I took while we were there. If anyone else has been there I'd love to hear what you thought of the place too!

Spring Break...Ahhhh!

I love this time of the year...the flowers are starting to bloom, the air is just right (especially here in the desert), and well my son is out for a whole week!

To me it's a time to totally relax, not having to get up at a scheduled time, fixing his lunch and no HOMEWORK! Wooo....Hooo...I think I'm more excited than my son is...lol.

It's also my son's birthday. He'll be 12! Yes starting the "pre-teen" years...not sure I'm ready for that, but hey we all have to go through them don't we.

We're heading off to San Diego for part of his birthday week extravaganza to the "Wild Animal Park", I'm so looking forward to getting away and seeing all the cool animals. I'm even more excited because now I'll get to use my really awesome camera to take some really cool pictures...I will share them when I get back.

So "Happy Easter" to all....don't forget how many eggs you hid, especially the real ones!

Ciao Bellas!

Good Day to ya!

Hello, I'm hoping that all are having a wonderful day. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to having a long weekend! Happy 4th of July!!!!! Be safe....We just returned from our vacation to California. We went to San Fran! I love that city. We didn't get a chance to go to Alcatraz, so all I got to do is take a picture from a distance. (I've been there before..no just visiting!). It was nice getting out of the desert, but it was a tad bit chilly on the coast of CA. We also went to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, that was lots of fun.

Take care,

KJ