The Gift of Art

With Christmas just around the corner I wanted to post this 'gift' treasury that I put together, filled with a selection of unique, fun and creative pieces found on Etsy.

For anyone that comes across this posting I hope you like what you see, will share the love, and will support these wonderfully talented Artists by sharing with your friends!

'A Gift for You, A Gift for Me...' by RnicholasPhotography

I love these Artists! So creative, so inspirational and offering such affordable gifts. You can't beat it!! Happy Browsing... :-)

Legs in the book. Purple boo... MyBookmark $25.00	Purple wool gloves women mit... RainbowMittens $40.00
Handmade Soap - Choose Any 5... prunellasoap $29.00	Tribal braided medium book n... TheBlackSpotBo... $48.00
MADE TO ORDER-Denim Blues Ya... MorninGloriPot... $32.00	Blue, Yellow, Blue/Green and... PainterlyPots $46.00
Ash Cranberry II holzfurhaus $42.00	Organic Strawberry Face Scru... herbolution $11.00
Flamed box elder wood clock SilverfoxWoodS... $55.00	Ivory Gray Felt Flower Cloch... mojospastyle $45.00
Bird Tile Coasters, Hand Sta... paizleypolkado... $16.00	Red Rose Kitty mini coin pur... BagatellesAndC... $35.00
Wooden Acorns Memory Game Ea... DreamingTreeFa... $32.00	Hobbit Ceramic Tea Bowls - h... GlazedOver $34.00
Knitted Kiss Elf Hat for New... GMolly $20.00	Made with Love Circle Hang T... SweetlyScrappe... $4.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Winners of my GIVEAWAY!!!

Drum roll please... 

1st Prize: entry #55... Rosemarie Ernst

2nd Prize: entry #31... Jeannette Fender - her Blog

3rd Prize: entry #23... Dawn Hitchcock - her Etsy Shop

The official number picking can be viewed on my my Facebook Page, if anyone would like to take a peek! 

I'd also like to say a big thank you to my lovely host over at the Ruby Clover Art & Photography Blog. She did an amazing job this past week and I couldn't be happier! You can also visit her on Facebook or at either of her two Etsy Shops: rubyclover and Bohemienne.

Thank you to everyone who entered my big Birthday Bash Giveaway!!! Wish I could've given out prizes to all of you!

Don't forget to sign up for my Blog - I will be announcing more giveaways soon! And for all sorts of other goodies, why don't you just come join me on Facebook!!

First Prize - Rosemarie's 11x14 print choice...

Romancing the Soul

2nd Prize - Jeannette's 5x7 print choice...

Paradise

3rd Prize - Dawn's special treat - I switched this for one of the cards she won, since this was her favorite image from my shop...

Faded Childhood (5x5 card)

Birthday Bash GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm excited to announce that the lovely Ruby Clover Art & Photography Blog is hosting my Birthday Week GIVEAWAY!

1st PLACE - One 11x14 (any image from my Shop!)

2nd PLACE -  Nature Series Set of 5 Bookmarks
                     -  One 5x7 (any image from my Shop!)

3rd PLACE - Two large 4x8 Cards (Paradise and Greener Pastures)

Rules of entry can be found over at the Ruby Clover Blog! Don't miss out on a chance to win... ends Sunday, May 8th!

And just to tease you... here's a tiny taste of the Fine Art Photos you'll be able to choose from in my Shop (should you win!).

Beach Haven

Afternoon Sunset

Pretty in Pink

Take the Dirt Road Home

Once Upon a Time

Pursuing our Dreams!

Apart from photography, another passion of mine is film and the entertainment arts. The dreamer in me loves the escape! Cozing up on the couch with my hubby and a good movie is my idea of the perfect Sunday afternoon :)

I did try my hand at acting once... but as the years have slipped by my mindset has developed and changed, and with it so has my dreams. But I still have such admiration for those that pursue a career in acting - you gotta be thick skinned and persistent, and never give up! One of my friends is such a person, and she's not waiting around to be discovered. She's decided to invest in her future, put herself in the power-seat, and create her own work by producing and staring in her very first short film for festival submission.

Cold - The truth of a vampire 

Recently she created a Kickstarter page to help raise funds for the final scenes and finishing touches of her film - and I'm excited to say she has almost reached her goal... *update*... she surpassed her goal by 37%! I love her motivation and determination to pursue her dreams. In the below video clip she talks about her progress to date and her film's storyline... I hope you will watch, enjoy, and be inspired by her endeavors :)

Purest vs Digital Art

I have been inspired to write this post today because of a debate I had with a good friend about the direction photography has taken since the digital revolution. And for anyone who loves taking photos - whether for work or pleasure - I'd love to hear your opinions!

I am curious to know the general consensus on the below statements:

1/ A 'Photographer' is defined as someone who takes pure photos, straight from the camera, with zero enhancements (other than color correction and exposure adjustments).

2/ A 'Digital Artist' is defined as someone who takes photos but digitally enhances them using computer software, therefore relinquishing their right to call themselves a Photographer.

My 2-cents? Well, I'm someone who loves to digitally enhance my photos and give my images that little extra kick, for emotional impact :) While my friend is a purest who takes beautiful photos that speak for themselves, without any added effects. But no matter what, the way I see it is the process begins with a photo being taken. So, my opinion? We are both photographers! Each style has merit, just with a different approach to the craft of photography.

But that's just my opinion. Anyone agree? Disagree? Couldn't care?!

Urban Graffiti

More comments addressing this posting can also be found on Etsy at the following link: POE Team Forum

Memories we cherish...

I want to devote this week's blog post to friendships. I have just re-connected with my long lost, high school best friend... and whether I like to admit it or not, have Facebook to thank for it! It's been a good week :-)

I hope you enjoy these few photos, filled with love, inspiration, and meaningful moments in life...

 'Tiny Tots'

'Little Red Tree'

'Ocean Delights'

'In Your Footsteps'

'Golden Moments'

'Faded Childhood'

Happy Hearts!

It's Valentine's day, and I've decided to honor this day by creating my very first Treasury! I found some gorgeous items to display by these talented Etsy artists, and am so excited to share them with you. Please take a minute to browse through them, and spread the love... :) 

'Hearts Galore!' by RnicholasPhotography

In celebration of my 13th wedding anniversary yesterday... and Valentine's Day today, I figured I'd find me some hearts! I hope you enjoy :)

Love Rocks - a natural heart... MedBeachStones $5.80	TENDER LOVE... Light Pink F... Rumina $25.00
love token necklace silver f... peacesofindigo $69.00	You've Gotta Have Heart ... ellemoss $15.00
Love Birds Luminary in Orang... OneClayBead $45.00	Paris Romantique. Eiffel tow... japonicas $35.00
Wedding cake topper - a pair... orlydesign $75.00	Newborn Beanie Cap Girl, Rea... soniamccutcheo... $22.00
DESIGNER Hand Knit Baby Vale... FiddlestyxStud... $60.00	The Devotion Necklace - Vint... tippystockton $38.00
Love burlap banner with red ... victorianstati... $24.00	Hearts Happen -' Hearts ... heartshappen $16.00
Journey, Fabric Panel FannieNarte $3.00	KEY TO MY HEART - Floral Emb... PreciousPastim... $34.50
Pretty in Pink love paperie ... PaperPolaroid $18.00	RUSTIC LOVE Copper and Turqu... HeartofaCowgir... $65.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.