Going to my happy place...

Today was a day full of fun! I was able to take my kiddos swimming today along with a very dear, sweet friend of mine and her kids/grandkids. It was fun heading out to the lake. Seems like it has been forever since the last time I was there. But now we are back home and after hours in the hot sun and then home for baths I was feeling really tired and it was only 4pm. Knowing I was not going to be able to take a nap I was needing my quick fix! To the coffee pot I go! I don't know how you feel about coffee, but I am in LOVE with COFFEE

As you can see we have a VERY good relationship! Also look at my new cute as a button coffee mug/ spoon holder! The same dear, sweet friend who we went to the lake with gave this to me! How kind was that and talk about perfect! I am Happy with my coffee in my hand :) Thank you Tammy for a wonderful day and cup! You are a great friend!

Also I know another great lady who will have a fit for this.... Mrs. Sarah from Bee Sweet Creations!
I know your liking this girly! :)

Dixie Lee Sebree

I had the opportunity to take pictures of this lovely little angel. Thanks to mommy and daddy for letting me have her for a couple of hours to do so! Little miss Dixie was born early monday morning weighing in at 7lbs 5oz and 19 inches long. Along with some great pictures of a princess I got to hold, love and snuggle with her. I am telling you there is NOTHING better than holding a baby! Here are some shots from our session.

I would also like to take the time to thank Sarah from Bee Sweet Creations

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bee-Sweet-Creations-and-Photography/159009007461449?sk=app_168151469879028#!/pages/Bee-Sweet-Creations-and-Photography/159009007461449

For all the lovely hats/props. If you are looking for something to spice up a photo for your kiddos look her up and try one of her many bows/hats/slings etc.

Also a big thanks to Nikki from Eleminopea (L-M-N-O-P) Boutique! She also has lots of bows, shirts, bowties etc! Look both of these lovely ladies up on FaceBook today! It is so nice to be friends with these two outstanding women.

New Watermark

So flipping excited I managed to make my own NEW photography watermark for all my pictures. I was having such a hard time using the one I had in PSE6 so I decided to make my own and turn it into a brush! Here it is

I have to say I am quite proud and after lots of googling I remembered that the CoffeeShopBlogger...Rita had a post on making your own! So a big THANK-YOU and SHOUT-OUT to her!!
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and it isn't super fancy, but I LOVE it!!
Here it is on a photo..

If you would like more information on how to make your own. Look on Rita's blog site and check it out. I'm serious it's not that hard!! http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/

Flowers and Fruit!

I love it when I get a chance to go out to my sister's house and take pictures of her lovely flowers and landscape. While I was there a few weeks ago I just took some random pictures of nature in it's finest form. After looking threw my pictures I decided to edit 2 different pictures the same way and see how they turn out. The first one was of her lovely new blooming apple trees!
BEFORE

AFTER

Then I chose the picture of a flower beginning to bloom.
BEFORE

AFTER

Here is the workflow that follows for both pictures. Edited in PSE6

Reduce noise @ 10%

Despeckle

Everyday Elements Quick Clean @ 100%

Everyday Elements Jackson @ 100%

NV Action @ 100%

Coffee Shop action Story Book Vintage @ 100%

My Four Hens action Honey Tree @ 60%

Add my texture it was a free one from flicker it had no name

Overlay@ 45%

Soft Light @ 48%

Pioneer Woman Action Dim The Lights @ 50%

Texas Chicks Luminosity Sharpen @ 50%

So I think they both turned out fantastic! It is trully neat to see how using the same workflow on 2 different pictures look. Give it a try and tell me what you come up with? What are some of your favorite actions you like to use?

Benefit for Jarrod Wilson

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to take some pictures on a wet and rainy saturday for a benefit for Jarrod Wilson. I didn't know him or his family, but I just had the feeling this was something I needed to do. The only thing I knew is he was a very young man in his thirties that had stage 3 lung cancer and never smoked a day in his life. He was also married with small children he would be leaving behind. So with my trusty Canon Rebel I went off not sure if I was gonna be able to get any images at all due to the fact that it was pooring rain. I was also worried for my cousin who felt lead by the Lord to organize this function to help raise money for the family, cause we all know how expensive being in the hospital can be! So when I arrived everything was soaked! Lots of people were wet and running around trying to get things covered up. You would of thought the devil had his way. But that rain brought people together and we still had a great time. There was great food, fun games and praise in song to God! I was still able to get some good shots and lots of money was raised to help a family in need. Here are a few images of that day!

 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you”. – Isaiah 43:2 (New King James Version)

BY: Anita Proctor Crisp
Ok so now I am wet from tears. I was blessed with the chance to serve this family. I love each of them . God did decide that Jarrod had to come home to heaven to be with him where cancer is never heard of. No pain or death can enter in. I will go on telling people about Jesus so we can all meet in heaven again . For till his dyeing breath that is what Jarrod said tell everyone I love them and please tell them not to be angry at God just to serve him and make sure to accept him as there savior so we can be together in heaven.