PrairieGirl

2011-10-05T15:02:00.002-05:00

hi.

well, i guess the summer has slipped by ...

time to think about turning over a new leaf

and take on a new direction.

for now, i really just wanted to say

hi ...

forever grateful

2011-06-30T19:55:00.000-05:00

One of the strange things about living in the world,

is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live for ever and ever and ever.

One knows it sometimes when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time

and goes out and stands alone and throws one's head far back

and looks up and up

and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing

and marvelous unknown things happening until the east almost makes one cry out

and one's heart stands still at the strange unchanging majesty of the rising of the sun

~ which has been happening every morning for thousands and thousands of years.

One knows it when for a moment or so.

And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset

and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches

seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear,

however much one tries.

Then sometimes the immense quiet of the dark-blue at night

with millions of stars waiting and watching makes one sure;

and sometimes a sound of far-off music makes it true;

and sometimes a look in someone's eyes.

~ excerpt from THE SECRET GARDEN

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

my dear friend kim klassen came visiting this prairiegirl's gardens (and yes, my secret garden ; )

and has captured my world, as only she can, in the most beautiful way.

see how kim sees my little corner ~ come peek into my gardens

by popping by her {thoughtful thursday} feature

: )

kim is beyond thoughtful to share a bit of me

with you and all of her, my, our lovely friends!

her gift, kindness and friendship are truly blessings ...

thank you, kim ~ love you! *squeeze*

can't wait for you and john to visit again

sooner than soon ...

off i go to where i need to be these days ...

tending my gardens

and family.

wishing each of you a magical summer

and may you feel like living for ever and ever and ever ...

xxo

2011-05-22T12:45:00.001-05:00

how i love

a walk in the woods

the morning after

a rain ...

it's raining, it's pouring

it's glorious.

.

anyone else feel like dipping in a rain drop?

.

2011-05-03T13:41:00.001-05:00

join me for a cuppa?

... and a little ah.artography

in celebration of kim klassen's texture tuesday cuppa cuppa challenge!

i was pretty excited about this, as you know how i love cups ...

this one's for you, anna ; )

{originals photos and textures}

kim's texture tuesday challenge this week is to apply any of her textures to a photo of a cuppa ... or two!

i began with setting the two sweet little cuppas

on the high ledge of the window

to play in the sparkly sun

: )

here is what i did to add texture and soften the image, but keep the sparkle!

INGREDIENTS

:: join me for a cuppa original background image

:: kim klassen cool grunge texture

STEPS

:: apply pure photoshop actions pure pop action to background image

:: apply gaussian blur to background image - 16%

- add layer mask and soft brush 40% the cup area

- watercolour pattern overlay - soft light 100%

:: add kim klassen cool grunge texture layer - color blending - 100%

:: add another kim klassen cool grunge texture layer - lighten blending mode - 100%

- add layer mask and soft brush 100% the cup area

this is where i normally would add my signature layer and call it a day, but ...

while i loved the clean softness, i wanted more to this ...

more 'pretty'!

enter a fresh breath of air ~ a little something i was fiddling with to possibly put as my button on facebook for the summer

a completely separate textured image!

do you see where this is going? here is the recipe ~

INGREDIENTS

:: original fresh breath of air background image

:: kim klassen sweettreat texture

STEPS

:: i cropped out a square area of background image to focus on flowers

:: adjust levels on background area - input 15 | 1.00 | 241

:: apply gaussian blur to background image - 16%

- add layer mask and soft brush 40% focal flower area

:: add kim klassen's sweettreat texture - soft light blending - 100%

voila!

then, i simply slid the textured fresh breath of air image

over the textured join me for a cuppa image

applying soft light blending 100%

i took two textured images

to make my one, final ah.artography image

what d'ya say ~ join me for a cuppa?

: )

thanks kim for the fun challenge!

2011-04-24T09:27:00.001-05:00

the sleepy colors of winter

fade fast in the dawn of spring

the joy of easter's promise,

delivers sweet reason to sing

2011-04-23T19:10:00.000-05:00

embrace earth day every day

2011-04-13T17:25:00.025-05:00

daffo

dil

o, the bright light of hope you shine

tell me ...

how is your own little light today?

the everyday gift of light

is my sharing this week

at the i.studio

2011-04-07T17:40:00.002-05:00

mmm, yup ...

mind if i share another cup study?

this one ...

a saucer'less'

handpainted

made in japan

noritake

cup

i found it a couple of weeks ago while treasure hunting

with anna, our son's girlfriend ...

i suppose i have always been drawn to these artful pieces

but was particularly so, this day

since the recent devastation in japan

have you ever held one of these frangible beauties?

and looked closely at the brisk brush strokes?

i love the little painting ...

how the light shines through and lights up the colours ...

how delicate the ceramic work is ...

it feels so fine to the touch ...

i haven't sipped tea from it's thin lip yet

but i will ...

i decided to do a bit of research

and found many fascinating facts

about this world renown chinaware

and what the various stamps signify ...

this mark, i believe, was registered in 1918

and would be used between the 1920's and 1940's.

i just can't stop thinking about the people in japan ...

little did i know when i began this post that just today, almost one month to the day,

they would experience a huge aftershock ~ another earthquake ...

it makes one really and truly grateful for the many

gifts we are bestowed with every day ...

the best gifts give again ...

which i write about this week at the i.studio

where we are sharing everyday gifts for the month of april

artists around the world have come together

to lend aid and support to the people of japan

through various auctions and sales of their wares ...

i have been following the handmade for japan page on facebook

where i learned of a pottery village that suffered immense damage in the quake ...

Mashiko is a pottery village about 62 miles north of Tokyo

and was seriously damaged in the earthquake.

The 90 pottery businesses suffered an estimated $9 million of damage,

with scores of kilns destroyed and much of the output turned into rubble.

the human loss and suffering ... the material ruin ... it is all so incomprehensible

makes me appreciate my artful little cup, all the more

2011-03-18T12:47:00.000-05:00

hoping . helping . here

2011-03-17T12:58:00.001-05:00

are ye irish enough to be trying a pickle back today?

1 shot irish whiskey . 1 shot pickle brine . shoot

oh, for guinness sake!

LOVELY DUBLIN - a sheperd and sheep, 1964 slate

may you have warm words on a cold evening,

a full moon on a dark night,

and a smooth road all the way to your door.

on this st. patrick's day, i celebrate the love of ireland ...

cheers!

2011-03-10T14:38:00.001-06:00

i see the moon

and the moon sees me

and the moon sees someone

that i want to see

in thinking about essential songs

for jamie's life soundtrack at i.studio today

i was pulled ...

pulled to the moon

in some strange, magical way ...

it wasn't intentional ...

just happens that music about the moon

is enthralling and spellbinding to me

i chose others for jamie's list ...
but these ~ these two selections are especially essential

to my love of music

sweetly gentle, quiet and soothing ... yet supremely clear and powerful

as the very light of the moon itself

. . .

what pulls you musically?

i see the moon and the moon sees me

and the moon sees someone i want to see

* you *

2011-03-08T12:18:00.004-06:00

talking good for your soul, tasty colours

at the i.studio today

: )

something else good for your soul?

equality

today and every day

.

thank you loveliest bee for sharing

.

thank you all so SO much for all your kind words
regarding my tea cup study ...
truly, my kettle is always whistling!

: )

.

2011-03-06T16:37:00.001-06:00

my cup of tea

a sooc study

in shape . colour . light . reflection

prompted by jillsy girl

who wasn't necessarily looking for tea cups

but rather whatever is your 'cup of tea'

i discovered studying every angle

of something as pleasing as this sunny tea cup in the morning light

is most certainly 'my cup of tea'

i sought out this cheery yellow cup

after reading kelly's inspiring words

about making march a month of seeking colour ...

mmm ... such a nice way to approach

these last weeks and days of winter ...

seeking and finding colourful bits and spots

that bring you smiles

: )

sunshine and colours and smiles

to you and you and you ...

.

post script
these vintage cups 'n saucers were made in holland
{i have two ~ coming for tea soon?}

.

2011-02-22T17:20:00.001-06:00

ah.artography

the 30 in 30 test edition

bear with me on this post ...

it is a bit lengthy

but i think you may find it pretty interesting!

in previous ah.artography posts

i have shared before and after images

along with the steps or recipes i took to achieve the after look.

this time, i have taken three different images ~

tulipes dans la théière

a colour photo with lots of light and soft colours

pears in a row

also colour, but much darker in general

gentle petals

black and white

i have used the same three 30 in 30 textures ~
A . B . C
with my three images
and have included my original image
at the end of each group.

30 in 30?

kim klassen is in the midst of creating 30 art textures in 30 days ...

makes me dizzy just thinking about it ~ she has been painting like a mad woman!

anyways, i am testing a few for her ...

giving her feedback as to how they work ...

and i would like to share them with you!

this time, there won't be any recipes ~ just images

i am thinking you will be amazed at the different outcomes ...

here we go!

tulipes dans la théière

texture A

texture B

texture C

original

pears in a row

texture A

texture B

texture C

original

gentle petals

texture A

texture B

texture C

original

the overview

adding art textures to photography

is a process that is full of surprises ...

the results are infinite ...

need a nap now?

i am playing a little harp

at the i.studio today ...

encouraging rest

and more

2011-02-14T14:46:00.004-06:00

you do ...........

you fill my heart ...........

.....

.........................

light

and love

to you this day

a last moment addition ...

just thought you might enjoy

this sweet clip ...

2011-02-08T14:44:00.000-06:00

shake the dust

today at i.studio

2011-02-04T18:17:00.000-06:00

ah.artography

please move your mouse back and forth over the above image for the before and after!

there are lots of cooks in the kitchen this week
at kim klassen's photoshop test kitchen
whipping up all sorts of
artography!

it is a challenge.

each member offers a sooc (straight out of camera) image
to the test kitchen flickr pool.

each member then choses one image, other than their own, to 'play' with
... to enchance, alter, make artful using texture and sometimes text!

.

as soon as i saw these happy little pansy faces,
submitted by jillsy girl, i knew this was the image for me ...
but, it isn't all that easy to 'cook in someone else's kitchen'
pretty hard to improve on a dish like this!
i mean, look at how wonderfully vivid jill's image is!
remember to mouse over above image to see her original

i knew i wasn't going to be enhancing it in any way,
so i decided to soften and go with a watercolour feel ...
and a touch of music
because these pretties love to dance
in the slightest of breeze ... : )

let me share the recipe with you:

INGREDIENTS

:: jillsy girl's pretty pansy photo
:: kim klassen texture
this is one of kim's very first textures, before she was naming them!
:: an image i took of our son's piano sheet music
:: kim klassen's uncle clarence texture

STEPS

:: background image - perfect as is - no adjustments

:: add kim klassen texture - color blending - 100%
add layer mask - soft brush three focal point pansy faces
and very softly brush background pansy faces and greenery

:: add a portion of sheet music image - soft light - 100%
add layer mask - soft brush the same areas as with texture layer

:: add kim klassen uncle clarence texture - soft light - 100%
i chose to use only the top left corner of this texture, leaving it quite large
add layer mask - very lightly soft brush same areas as in previous layer masks
taking away a bit more in lower right hand of image
add watercolour pattern overlay - soft light - 100%
to add a gentle light

:: create new layer
take eyedropper and select a pleasing pink from center pansy face
select a round bristle brush and apply colour to edges
- soft light blending - 40%

.

too much fun!
thanks for the challenge, kim ...
thanks for sharing your image, jill!

oh! i almost forgot dessert ... the icing on the cake ...
please visit jillsygirl card studio
winter life collection ~ sweet.

xo

.

keeping my pencil sharpened
and continuing to thoroughly enjoy
gigi thibodeau's freewrite fridays ...
will share soon ...

.

2011-01-25T14:03:00.002-06:00

argh. what a week.

i have had these images sitting here for days now ...

was it the -41 temps that froze our internet for too many days?

sent my hb to bed for four days with a cold?

froze the water pump?

darkened the depths of dementia for my mom?

hmmm ...

could be ... or not.

just life being life full of challenges ...

a life way more full of blessings for which to be grateful for

: )

here we are ~ a new day full of possibilities ...

the temps are going up to a sublime -2 today

hb is very much on the mend

we can bathe again

after a day together, my mom's spirits have lifted

and here i am with a hot cuppa and a bandwidth

that will allow me to visit you ... and to upload

i am grateful.

so, please gather 'round ...

warm yourself by these sunny, dancing flame-like petals

and when you are ready

i will take you

to ...

the cold, stark reality of last week.

sorry 'bout that

you can scroll back up if you want!

this was our minus 41 celsius morning (wind chill)

doesn't matter how you say it ...

damn cold.

it grips me how such barren beauty can be bone chilling beautiful ...

marvelous how the winds whipped up a sea of waves

on the frozen fields ...

one week earlier in more moderate winter temps,

in the protection of the trees in our yard

laid a completely different scene

the gentler side of this season

full of hush ...

{sooc}

if you find yourself worn down and weary with winter

slip on over to the i.studio where i have

something simple for you

if you find yourself chilled wherever you are today

perhaps a wee dram or two of fine scotch will warm the cockles of your heart

take pleasure in it's golden warmth as we raise our glasses

to robbie burn's 250th birthday

clink

may the best ye hae ivver seen be the warst ye'll ivver see.

may the moose ne'er lea' yer girnal wi a tear-drap in its ee.

may ye aye keep hail an hertie till ye'r auld eneuch tae dee.

may ye aye juist be sae happie as a wuss ye aye tae be.

2011-01-15T16:44:00.000-06:00

pencil poised

gratitude journal,

writing notebook

in place ...

a fresh page

a fresh beginning

ready to put pencil to paper

with the guidance of

wordsmith gigi thibodeau

and her generous inspiration sessions

freewrite fridays

exercises to mine our minds

to creatively unleash words

to flick away doubt

to express

to write

: )

if you have any notion of letting your words flow

if you have always wanted to do it

if you need a gentle nudge

gigi's classroom door is open

please come in.

this is also the time

on my simple abundance journey

where i once again begin a daily gratitude journal

above is a little inscription on the inside cover of the special journal

i have selected for my gratitude writings ...

a gift given to me

that is giving yet again ...

mary youngblood ~ and we can love

2011-01-10T22:09:00.001-06:00

lovely kathleen at purple flowers

has posed the question

'do you have a special one?'

she is asking if we have a special mug or cup

that we sip our hot beverages from ...

right now, her faves are an adorable heart shaped cup with saucer

or her fanciful mary englebreit cup ...

slip over and see ~ sweet as can be!

...

i think kathleen may have inspired a few of us to share our 'special one' ...

here is mine : )

a thick walled, vintage, crackled with age, round mug is my fancy these days

...

it even makes my keyboard smile! ; )

...

in scanning through iphoto quickly

to find my white cup

many white images kept catching my eye ...

bottom's up!

...

here's to wrapping your hands

about your 'special one'

while merrily

sipping

your morning happy molecules*!

...

thanks kathleen for inspiring this post

xo

...

*this one is for you, ollee and bee
thanks for tell me how you begin your day
with your 'happy molecules' coffee!

xo

.

2011-01-08T17:54:00.000-06:00

we've definitely got the scoop on winter here ...

how about you?

sweep

shovel

scoop

just me and the birds and sometimes ollie cat

sweep

shovel

scoop

some more

: )

2011-01-01T22:41:00.004-06:00

1.1.11

my one little word of the year

for this fresh clean canvas

that lays in front of me

gotta, gonna, time to

for years now

i have collected

i have dreamed

i have travelled the perimeter

i have gathered

i have read

i have been inspired

i keep peeking in

it's been a long long time

now

i need to change

change the thinking

into doing

do more for others

do more for myself

do the dream

do the tomorrow's today

this is a tidy little word

uncomplicated

easy to retrieve

when least retrievable

i wasn't ready to choose a word last year

until the end of the year

when i realized

i needed

breathe

my way

through all

the challenges

so long 2010

hello 2011

i am so ready

to do

thank you one little word for your original work with this

thank you kim klassen for taking us by the hand
and giving us gentle steps to finding
our one little word!

.

love to all ~ may this new year be abundant in the way you need it to be

xo

2010-12-24T12:21:00.000-06:00

peace

2010-11-05T14:36:00.001-05:00

first, you take an ice kissed leaf ...

then you add a layer of bokeh light ...

and a touch of uncle clarence love ...

ah.artography

INGREDIENTS

:: original background image

:: bokeh light image

:: kim klassen uncle clarence texture

from kim klassen's café

STEPS

this is quite a different process

as we are starting with the texture as the base image!

:: uncle clarence texture - soft light blending - 23% opacity

:: add bokeh light image layer - overlay blending - 100% opacity

add watercolor pattern overlay - soft light blending - 41% opacity

:: adjust levels - input 30 | 1.00 | 245

:: add the image of the ice kissed leaf

note: i slid the leaf to the left to allow the bokeh to shine more on the right

- overlay blending - 100% opacity

- add layer mask and soft brush away the hard edge of the leaf image

:: add text layer - letter gothic std - white

:: add signature layer

sunshine to you
happy texture playing wherever you are!

2010-11-02T14:05:00.003-05:00

every moment of every day

there are children, women, men and the elderly

dealing with unimaginable adversity ...

alice's beautiful light inspires us to believe

there is a way to shine through it all ...

wilhelm kempff's brilliant performance
of beethoven's moonlight sonata, first movement
is in honour of alice's love of life ...
for her 107th birthday this month ...
and for all those seeking solace in troubling times

alice dancing under the gallows

is my inspiration offering today

at the i.studio

.

xo

2010-10-28T14:37:00.005-05:00

looking for a little sun spot today?

there is sunshine G A L O R E

s t r e a m i n g in

at life's soundtrack by jamie

today over at kim's i.studio!

if you've got

dishes to do ...

potties to scrub ...

work to do ...

art to create ...

kids to dance with ...

a walk to walk ...

a drive to drive ...

or you just need a little time for you
to curl up in a sun spot ...

trust me

you are gonna wanna press play!

keep on the sunny side

: )

thank you SO much for all your legacy love at gigi's

2010-10-27T11:52:00.000-05:00

the wall is silence, the grass is sleep

tall tree of peace their vigil keep

and the fairy of dreams with moth-wings furled

plays soft on her flute to the drowsy world

~ ida rentoul outhwaite

legacy

dear gigi's LEGACY series continues at the magpie's fancy

where i am beyond delighted to be sharing

my legacy story today!

legacy and fairies

two of gigi's favourite topics!

serendipity

the moment i sent gigi my legacy piece yesterday

my phone rang ...

it was a woman who so graciously shared a bit of history

about a most magical garden in an old farmstead

that my friend carol and i

had just discovered the day before ...

as she spoke of her uncle j frank's beloved garden ...

how he tended it ...

how the land meant so much to him ...

i had goosebumps on goosebumps ...

in telling me, you see, i felt she was passing along

a bit of uncle j frank's legacy

of his most enchanted garden ...

a garden

carol and i both believe

is alive with fairies!

i know somehow that this discovery ...

gigi's legacy series ...

and her love of fairies are all connected ...

serendipity, don't you think?

come, let me show you what we saw ...

set back from the roadside

this old farm yard has intrigued me

for years and years ...

it must be fortuitous that my friend carol ought to mention

that she, too was fascinated with this particular spot

while we were out on an excursion this past monday.

we both love and respect and yearn to know stories

of abandoned farmsteads ...

to imagine and envision what they were like

when they were alive.

it was a very rainy day ...

although the skies grey above us

the colours in the foliage were brilliant with wet ...

we ventured in for a visit ...

we set out to the house first

and were absolutely amazed at the carefully stacked

stone fence that graced the hedges surrounding the house yard proper ...

something quite unusual for the prairies ...

something that someone had put a lot of time, effort and pride in doing ...

the house, sadly is falling inward to the earth ...

a home to many a creature ...

as with so many abandoned yards with heavy overgrown grass

we knew to keep our distance for fear

of falling into an old well or coal shoot!

we meandered about the barnyard ...

mesmerized and musing at what it must have been like ...

sheds thoughtfully situated ...

a great amount of detail ...

built by a person of craftsmanship ...

a couple of old wagons sit silent ...

well weathered ... well worn ... yet sturdy still ...

a simple ring door pull ...

the door held true by forever-strong, hand-forged hinges ...

we were just circling the yard, making our way back to the vehicle

when i spotted something like a birdhouse on a pole ...

carol ~ what is this?

stepping closer, we could see ...

indeed, a log birdhouse on a very large pole ...

but look ...

attached to the pole is fencing ...

and it is lined with stone!

and in the far corner, yet another interesting birdhouse!

this entire, sizable rectangular space is completely enclosed

by a pole, wire and stone fence ...

a garden!

fascinating ...

and completely entangled and covered with gorgeous grapevine ...

at this point we were literally tip toeing through the enmeshment

of grasses and vines, passing by small trees

in the enclosure ...

spellbound ... giddy ... delighted

and oh so careful not to disturb the little fairies we were sure called this home!

never ever had we seen such a place ...

we knew it must have been so glorious in it's day ...

we knew how special it felt on this damp day ...

just look at the view the spritely pixies have of the house ...

they would surely know when to hide

should uncle j frank come along to tend to his strawberries!

this sturdy, resilient windmill withstands the test of time

keeping watch over the entire yard ...

majestic in it's own right ...

back to the garden's entrance

we marvel yet again at the buildings

and what must have been ...

cement markings where the grass is golden

indicates the place where the 'big' barn would have stood ...

oh, the wonders ...

imagine when the snow is laden upon the garden fence ...

when it comes alive in green in spring ...

we were entranced.

we have a date to learn more about uncle j frank's homestead ...

to talk and share the stories of the love this man and his wife

had for their home, animals, yard, land ... and garden.

if we opened our minds to enjoyment,

we might find tranquil pleasures

spread about us on every side.

we might live with the angels

that visit us on every sunbeam,

and sit with fairies

who wait on every flower.

~ samuel smiles

2010-10-19T13:57:00.002-05:00

an ah.artography day!

but before we begin ...

these late blooming, heavenly scented sweets are for you ... : )

as well as some thoughts about

what or who has inspired you most to live life as you do

in my post today at kim's i.studio ~

: : :

please move your mouse back and forth over the above image for the before and after!

i love white vintage ceramic ware

but, i also liked the idea of warming it up a bit

and what would do that better than texture, of course!

let's get down to the steps of how i achieved the 'after' look : )

INGREDIENTS

:: original background image

:: dewy leaf image (above left)

:: kim klassen 10.10.10 texture (above right)

from kim's test kitchen collection

STEPS

:: background image - adjust levels input 24 | 1.00 | 242

:: add kim klassen 10.10.10 texture - color blending - 100% opacity

i did this to even out the color and take on the color of the texture

:: add another kim klassen 10.10.10 texture - multiply blending - 51% opacity

- add layer mask - soft brush 40% the areas on the handles where the light dances

:: add the image of the dewy leaf

note: i flipped the image horizontally to utilize the most bokeh light

- luminosity blending - 72% opacity

- add layer mask - soft brush 100% the jugs and handles

:: add signature layer

one could play and play and play

to alter the look ...

what do you think?

after seeing this, would have liked to see a different step?

perhaps see the leaf image a little less prominent?

allow the texture to come through more?

what could be more exciting than 'cooking' up artography recipes?

cooking up MORE artography recipes

AND being a guest chef in kim klassen's photoshop test kitchen!

which is where i am today as well ...

preparing a three course feast!

i hope you will pop by ...

: )

remember! everything and anything you would like to learn about textures

and photo imagery and photoshop and photoshop elements

are all at kim's café

where she has some sweet giveaways just for you!

2010-10-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

imagine

happy birthday, john lennon

imagine if you were still with us today ...

2010-10-05T15:47:00.001-05:00

smile

: )

2010-10-03T10:02:00.001-05:00

sometimes sometimes

we just seek

solitude and serenity

.

2010-10-01T15:16:00.000-05:00

exclamation, used to express a range of emotions

including surprise, pleasure, sympathy and realization

artography

combining

traditional art

{drawing . painting . textures}

with

photography

{traditional recording of images with a camera}

...

have you ever taken a photo where

the composition is perfect ...

or not

the image ended up being grainy ...

or the colour is off

or the lighting isn't lending to it as you would have liked ...

{or }

you would just like to boost it somehow ...

with something ...

like, make it more interesting ...

make it ...

artful

give it some

you know ...

texture.

i have to say, in the beginning, i was a bit shy of this 'new' art medium ...

i always thought the art of photography was to have super sharp, clear, concise imagery ...

using a full understanding of depth of field, shutter speeds and such to achieve said imagery!

{ i still very much love and appreciate the magic of 'straight up' photographic art }

but, i realize now there is a lovely marriage between the two arts ...

traditional and photography

artography

layering textures and other photos can make your image burst in ways unimagined ...

making them artful : )

so,

from time to time

i would to like share with you

before and afters of images that i have given texture treatments to

as well as the steps taken to achieve various looks ...

to give you ideas ...

perhaps maybe inspire you to play!

an ah, artography series, if you will : )

[ warning: can be completely addicting ]

let's go through some steps to give you a more clear idea of what i am talking about ...

let's start with this raw image ...

:: the hood of a rusty old, abandoned auto ::

while i love the blues of the chrome, i wanted to warm up the rust

and give the whole image a rich feel ...

:: i adjusted the curves a bit to deepen it ::

...

:: then, i added kim klassen's mustard seed texture, color blending, opacity 41% ::

which softened the blue hues and bumped the rusts

...

:: then, i added kim klassen's grunged texture, color blending, opacity 100% ::

as well as a layer with my signature ... and that's it ...

ta da!

a person could play and play and play and make changes

but i think this is the warm, rich look i had envisioned ...

what do you think?

open for critiques ... : )

while i will sometimes use my own photos to create textures

such as in my leading ah, artography image,

i am especially fond of using kim's textures as her textures are created

in the traditional art sense using brushes, paints, collages, etc, etc ...

her works do amazing things to an image ...

i love that her art is part of the creative process in creating my art!

...

it is timely that today i begin my ah, artography series

as today, i received my early subscriber copy of ...

{drum roll please}

hot out of the oven!!

THE PHOTOSHOP RECIPE BOOK by KIM KLASSEN

a must see, must have e.book

if you have the eensy weensiest desire to play with photos!

kim offers her textures, tutorials, photoshop e.courses

and even the kitchen sink (well, her test kitchen sink perhaps!)

at her CAFé

where she continuously serves
a most generous helping of creativity!

thanks, kim for inspiring me and so, so many ~ *hugs*

...

and to take you out, another sample of crazy texture work ...

please roll your mouse back and forth over the image

to see the before and after

this will be the format i will use in future ah.artography posts

: )

looking forward to sharing more ah.artography with you soon ~

cheers to creativity

...

may your 'ah'tumn weekend be lovely ~

2010-09-29T10:42:00.003-05:00

and as the seasons come and go

here's something you might like to know

there are fairies everywhere

under bushes

in the air

playing games just like you play

singing through their busy day

so listen

touch

and look around

in the air and on the ground

and if you watch all nature's things

you might just see a fairy's wing

~ author unknown

...

or perhaps you will see a fairy's tiara

of dew jewels

to go with yesterday's dew pearls

oh, to frolic like a fairy!

...

every time i think of fairies

i think of dear gigi at the magpie's fancy

and how she loves fairies so : )

...

have you been by to visit gigi lately?

she also loves legacies

and how they shape us

and how our legacy

will shape others ...

"and so, i decided to start a series of posts

about the objects and ideas,

the people and memories that we treasure.

from now until mid-november,

some of my blogging friends

will be joining me on

wednesdays

to talk about their own legacies"

i know gigi would love to have you visit

and join in the conversation

the magpie's fancy LEGACY

...

love to all as you dance and sing today

wearing your dew jewels

2010-09-28T10:40:00.001-05:00

imagine

adorning

string

dew

pearls

...

glorious

2010-09-27T16:26:00.000-05:00

it's ok to be imperfect

make it a habit to be who you are

~ maclean patrick

. . .

2010-09-22T15:14:00.001-05:00

sunshine

to you

and you

wherever you might be

: )

oh wow ~ we seem to be stuck under a cloud

of rain

rain

rain

so, i decided to play with these sunny flowers

hoping to spread

a little 'sun'iness

to you

xo

2010-09-21T09:38:00.001-05:00

let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me

...

peace to you and the planet

today and every day

PEACE DAY

2010-09-17T15:03:00.001-05:00

he's of the colour of the nutmeg

and of the heat of the ginger

he is pure air and fire

and the dull elements of the earth

and water

never appear in him

but only in patient stillness

while his rider mounts him

he is indeed a horse

and all other jades

you may call beasts

william shakespeare, henry v

...

pears and horses?

...

the common thread here is nutmeg

the nutmeg texture i used to add richness, warmth and spice to this photo of pears

like the richness of nutmeg that william shakespeare

uses to describe the beautiful horse

...

the art form of adding textures

to photographs

has really gripped me

so much so

that kim klassen

has asked me to take position

of master chef in her texture test kitchen!

while i hardly deserve that kind of title

i do so love to play with her amazing textures

today, she will be taking my original pear image

and creating a number of variations of her own ...

she will have them up later today

do slip over to see!

...

next thursday

i will begin a weekly series

of posting before . after . and recipes

creating art from photos ...

artography, if you will ...

from the test kitchen!

...

today's spicy pear study

uses kim's nutmeg and wet tile textures

and a couple of other little twists ...

...

2010-09-10T13:42:00.001-05:00

in september

when the leaves

come falling down

van morrison

...

2010-09-07T08:31:00.010-05:00

when she was just sixteen,

inspired by georgia o'keefe ...

raeanna began exploring georgia's technique ...

and created her version of georgia's red canna

a couple of weeks ago

she texted to say she had a surprise to show me ...

now nineteen, she had completed her painting!

her little light shines brightly.

please visit kim's inspiration.studio

to see how this young woman

inspires me so ...

2010-08-23T22:01:00.055-05:00

may i introduce to you

a frog eye's view

of a place

in our yard

i have deemed

as frogbee island!

. . .

with excess moisture this summer

we have had an abundance of frogs ~ delightful!

with excess moisture, the grass and clover

have been growing and growing and growing!

...

in mowing one section in our yard

where the clover is quite heavy, i noticed

even more frogs underneath the cool wet greenery

and plenty of buzzy bees at the flower tops

...

well, i just couldn't do it ...

i couldn't mow over this wonderfully alive place on earth!

so, around i went, leaving a large oval

i now call

frogbee island : )

...

all of you who know me

know how much i love and respect nature ...

and today, i share how nature inspires me so

over at kim klassen's i.studio aka the inspiration studio!

this wonderful spot featuring many inspiring contributors

grew out of kim's recent sensational inspiration stay.cation event ...

i hope you will pop by : )

...

sending you frogbee love ~

xo

2010-07-29T15:26:00.000-05:00

so grateful for percy

putting together these most lovely words

way back in 1820

so we might

smile and delight in them today ...

it is thoughtful thursday at 2bbb

cheers!

join me in clinking glasses

to debra

who first introduced me to mojitos last summer ...

*clink*

and to kathleen

{hope you are relaxing!}

who gave me the idea to include

a frosty refreshment

as a way to

stay cool!

*clink*

2010-07-28T13:08:00.002-05:00

i am a fan

of old fashioned fans

blowing curtains

tickling my skin

staying cool

on a sultry summer's day

i am a fan

tammy lee

and

the mortal muses

way cool chicks

who click

and

inspire

do stay

stay cool

.

the more the merrier ~ mosey over to the mortal muses to join in!

2010-07-16T12:49:00.004-05:00

simple things

on a summery day

morning song birds ...

dew on toes ...

berries on oatmeal ...

curtains wafting in breezes ...

picking posies for christina on her special day ~

happy birthday to yooo hooo!

sipping something cool ~ striped, perhaps : ) ...

breathing in freshly dug dirt ...

hand in hand walks to the mailbox ...

looking up to the stars ...

a cool bath ...

slipping between fresh sheets ...

giving thanks.

woot! awesome party, thanks to chris and se'lah

; )

oh wait!

i almost forgot the berries!

freshly picked berries for christina's cake at 2bbb!

2010-07-10T11:12:00.002-05:00

tuning up ...

to play at three weddings ...

the next three weekends!

i play quiet, simple selections ...

mostly celtic ... pretty and romantic ...

my fingers aren't trained for anything too complicated ; )

the most beautiful part about music and performing

is how there is always one person who is truly touched by your playing ...

the feeling they convey is heartwarming and inspiring ...

i love music so ...

every genre ... doesn't matter ... as long as there is a beat!

and i so love when someone shares new music with me ...

: : :

so, now we are going to change the pace a bit here!

i was inspired to post this today by my niece who also loves music so ...

she posted the following on facebook this morning

and i so want to share with you!

{insert} LOVE following charlie winston!

here is what she wrote to accompany the video:

Love the groove of this song. Love the video. Love the lyrics.
Love that it speaks to so many things that immigrants go through
(and that those who work in the field see)...

i hope it puts a spring in your step today ...

some thoughts in your mind ...

the beat goes on ...

xo

thanks bee dee!

i'll be thinking of you while kicking up our heels at the folk fest tomorrow ... *hug*

2010-07-06T22:54:00.046-05:00

the dalai lama ...

his smile brings smiles ...

his funny little laugh brings laughs ...

his kindness simply spills over invoking kindness ...

and today is his birthday ...

seventy-five years of life!

: : :

in celebration of this joyous occasion

se'lah of necessary room

is gathering the blogging community

on a bridge of love ...

encouraging random acts of kindness

anywhere and everywhere you roam ..

: : :

my neighbour and i delivered a community gift

to a longtime resident who recently moved 'off the farm' and 'to town' ...

we were so delighted to bring such joy to this lovely man ...

and equally, saying hello to the many residents in his building

as we passed them in the halls ....

gosh, it felt so good ...

: : :

and just now, i have returned from boosting my son's car

as his alternator belt fell off ...

(sorry for the posting delay)

he seemed so grateful for my help ...

: : :

i think the dalai lama would smile his smile at this ...

the best gift of all for his special day!

: : :

thanks so much to chris at an inch of time for bringing this to light for me today ...

thank you, dalai lama ...

my religion is simple. my religion is kindness.

dalai lama

xo

2010-07-04T21:27:00.003-05:00

red . white . blue

the winds that blow through the wide sky in these mounts,

the winds that sweep from canada to mexico,

from the pacific to the atlantic

- have always blown on free men.

franklin d. roosevelt

happy july 4th!

2010-06-28T22:30:00.004-05:00

hello ... happy monday!

just a little peony passion for you today ...

sorry to be 'absent' the last few days ...

still trying to pick myself up after seeing our two youngest ...

'twin a' and 'twin b' graduate this past friday ...

wow ... i think it is now hitting home ...

i patted an extra bit of peony dew on my face this morning ...

and got lost a bit in the beauty of these blooms ...

i know it helped : )

more peony passion at 2bbb and at my stream ...

ps. when the first of our twins was born, they put a little band on his tiny wrist that said 'twin a' ...
and when the second little guy was born, they put a band on his wrist that said 'twin b' ...
as a way to identify the babies until we got to know them better and give them their names!
just this year ~ their final year in high school, 'twin a' really embraced this
and had it embroidered on the sleeve of his hoodie ...
and is having 'twin b' put on his brothers ...
oh, this warms my heart ...
*smile*

2010-06-21T14:56:00.003-05:00

whatever is dreamed on this night

will come to pass

william shakespeare

oh, how i love the light!

sunny summer solstice to you ~

2010-06-20T15:35:00.003-05:00

this is my dad and his children ...

my mom took this photo on my fourth birthday ...

which is often close to father's day and often we shared the celebration!

: : :

my dad was a country elevator grain buyer.

country elevators at 'sidings' dotted the prairies between towns ...

these sidings, on spur rail lines, allowed the country farmers closer access for hauling their grain ...

as time went on and companies got larger, the spur lines and small elevators were faded out ...

in 1981, 'floors' siding ~ where my dad worked and next to where i grew up, was torn down ...

but there was a very special part that my dad salvaged ...

it was the inside of the 'leg' ...

the leg moved the grain up the elevator to be distributed to the various bins ...

over the years, the grain traveling along this square wooden 'tunnel' carved away the soft wood,

leaving these incredibly beautiful waves of hard wood ...

i am so very grateful that my dad had the foresight to keep these, as the prairie elevator is almost extinct ...

and of course, it just reminds me so much of my dad ...

how he worked so hard for us ...

how fair he was with the farmers.

some day the remainder of the worn boards will be displayed

in a museum section of the local train station that is undergoing restoration.

our family wants people to be able to touch these boards ...

to feel where the grain wore away the wood over time ...

to feel a sense of history ...

to appreciate a time gone by.

one year, for fathers day, i gave my dad this card that i found in a shop ...

although it isn't quite like my dad's elevator weigh station, it surely has many pieces in it that are reminiscent ...

{ artist brenda campbell burrows }

i tacked the card onto a small section of the worn wood, as a reminder for him of this part of his life ...

and this is the verse that i wrote inside ...

some may own castles

on the banks of the rhine

and hire an orchestra

each evening at nine

but richer than i they will never be

i have a dad who spends time with me

d. morgan

and he did ... and i will forever remember all those times ...

happy father's day, dad!

you know i am eternally grateful for everything you shared in your life.

the potatoes and crops are looking a little rough this year ...

but the golf greens are lush ...

hope your golf swing in heaven is 'par on'!

2010-06-18T14:11:00.005-05:00

another drippy drip drip day ...

an umbrella day ...

because one just has to find a fence and take a picture

for happy fence friday ~ rain or shine!

ollie wasn't impressed one bit ...

but he is such a faithful friend (yes, i think he thinks he is a dog some days ;) ...

he wouldn't miss it ~ mud on nose ~ rain on fur et al ...

he was kinda glad i was finally sharing ...

i believe he may have suffered a slight case of 'disbelief'

to return to the porch ...

high and dry.

: : :

a little water study at 2bbb, if you would like ...

: : :

mmmm ... and if you would like to escape for a few

then, i believe christina's perfect day

might be for you ... :)

: : :

sunshine on your shoulder

2010-06-16T10:05:00.000-05:00

people from a planet without flowers

would think we must be mad with joy the whole time

to have such things about us

~ iris murdoch

2010-06-11T17:55:00.005-05:00

i was inspired to create this today

by the posting of this quote

on the mend wall on facebook ...

and by the discussions we've been having at gigi's.

there are so many struggles in the world ...

so many issues fill our minds ...

and tear at our hearts ...

and yes, mother teresa

i believe you are right ...

we need to start

right where we are

person to person.

thank you to my niece bee

who's gauze plaster mask also inspired me for this image ...

[ happy birthday for yesterday, sweet pea! ]

go gently, speak kindly

2010-06-04T15:51:00.001-05:00

mmm ... wild blue phlox or wild sweet williams ...

the images i have shared this week are but a drop in the sea

of the glory mother nature delivers to us

every moment of the day ...

lupins love rain droplets!

each and every one a miracle in itself ...

spirea shrub

some give forth buds that are as sweet as their flower ...

rhubarb

some are stunning ~ even when they are bolting!

and when the rains subsided this week for an evening ...

even the clouds got playful!

:::

i am so genuinely grateful for the existence of all that graces us ...

but i am getting fairly fearful of humankind taking it all away.

do the destructive actions towards our planet make you sad? mad? overwhelmed?

my dear friend gigi is seeking balance

and looking for your thoughts ...

:::

go gently, speak kindly ~

2010-06-03T14:54:00.001-05:00

something simple today on this thoughtful thursday ...

if you are 'letting go' ...

may you find a new beginning ...

in some way ~

2010-06-02T17:08:00.002-05:00

celebrating up close today with our little insect friends ...

like the ant ~ did you know that it takes an ant to eat off the sticky sweetness to allow the peony to bloom?

some say fact ~ some say fiction ...

the itsy bitsy spider definitely has it's place and purpose ...

think of charlotte :)

i wonder how many species there are of teeny tiny flies?

this one likes the tip of the leaves of the painted daisy ...

and of course, where would we bee (i know i've said this before) ...

without the lazy buzz and bumbling flight of the bumble bee pollinating our fruits and veggies ...

did you know that some species of male bumblers don't sting?

um, i'm still not in any hurry to pet his fuzzy butt!

happiness to you ~

2010-06-01T13:27:00.000-05:00

sweet saskatoon blossoms

somehow i was wide awake at 4 am this morning ...

musing on a few things ~ thinking i ought to really try hard to get back to sleep ...

the light was growing outside our window ...

and then it began ...

one robin ~ i suppose you might say, the 'conductor' ...

he let out a little chirp at first, like he was 'tuning' ...

liked what he heard and broke into full song, soon leading a symphony of song ...

greeting the day so sensationally!

i was so grateful for being awake ~ to have front row seats ...

and it made me think of kelly's writing yesterday at the blue muse ~ 'making do' ...

i am sure mrs. finch (look at those legs) was in the choir ...

to be a yummy honeysuckle ...

did you ever nibble the ends of these flowers as a child? ~ sweet as sweet as can be ... :)

and the grand unfurling of the fern ... what a finale ...

calling for encores!

hoping your day is filled with sweet sounds ~

2010-05-31T16:01:00.002-05:00

i am excited to get all my nursery plants into pots ...

you know ~ for the full bloom effect ...

(and boy, do they ever need to be potted after this weekend's storms!)

but you know what?

while we have been waiting for the clouds to part ~ mother nature keeps on growing ...

and i've been wandering about the yard taking in the new life ...

looking up close and being quite astounded

at what we sometimes miss because of focussing on the 'full mounty' ... ;)

like these 'pussy toes' ...

tiny low growing flowers that are freely growing in our lawn

and over the years we have avoided mowing them allowing them to spread and spread ...

can you imagine a full carpet of these softies?

i was totally wow'd to discover this new growth on our new ponderosa pine tree ...

a gift from our son's girlfriend's mom ~ i wasn't sure if it had survived the winter ...

i guess it did!

love how the cones form a flower ... :)

and these little darlings will bloom and turn into tasty little bits of fruit ...

dark, delicious and tart ~ chokecherries!

and what would the garden be without the continuous growth of chives ...

bursting into bloom already!

more bits of new life tomorrow ...

***

now i do have to get out to the garden bench

and get potting ~

hoping you'll do a little up close admiring in your yard or park ~

wonders are everywhere!

wishing you well ...

ps. in taking images and learning more about processing,

i have found textures to really enhance and add an artful appeal ...

if you would like to learn about this

and be inspired, please do visit kim's café where she offers

free textures, tutorials as well as online e.courses :)

2010-05-28T17:55:00.004-05:00

~ chinese proverb

i have been strolling about the yard

seeking out everything anew

and will begin a series of sharing

on monday ...

come along, if you'd like!

please accept the above image as a gift for your desktop from me to you ~

simply click here ...

xo

happy memorial day weekend to everyone celebrating!

2010-05-20T14:18:00.000-05:00

will you ...

bee celebrating the honey bee ...

bee-fore they take flight for good?

celebrate 'day of the honey bee' may 29th

some thoughtfulness for this at 2bbb today ...

passing the 'buzzzz' on

thanks to marghanita

2010-05-19T12:57:00.001-05:00

some see a weed ...

i see dots of sunshine ...

and nature's way of mending the earth ...

lovely friends of ours who are exemplary stewards of the earth

explained to me one day that the dandelion serves as a protector

of the earth ~ growing where nothing else does, offering roots

for worms to live about ~ building the soil to it's natural state ...

the most part that stuck in my mind is ...

'soil isn't meant to be bare'

i think god put a dandy flower to lie right there ... :)

thanks, kim for the 'distress' texture (1.)
and the 'earthy vignette' texture (3.) from your collection!

2010-05-18T16:57:00.001-05:00

the first snipping of asparagus is exhilarating ...

making it into creamed asparagus on toast ...

and biting in is heavenly!

the only thing left ...

is to lick the plate!

just another glorious rite of spring ...

say! if you would like to follow the day to day happenings on a canadian prairie farm that also just happens to organize and deliver the best farmer's markets around, as well as community supported agriculture ~ visit norah at 'the vine' ~ delightful writings and images about farmer man, their gardens, their animals ... everything about what's growing down at the farm ~ aagaard farms ... :)

2010-05-14T12:33:00.000-05:00

fresh rhubarb is stretching up ...

the peas have been popped into the earth ...

and, the bees are as busy as can be ...

have a most lovely weekend ~

( the pea fence looks much different here ;)

2010-05-13T22:30:00.001-05:00

just thought i would pop this up to share ...

on thursdays, over at 2bbb, we post an image with a quote ...

throughtful thursday, if you will ...

i love osho's thoughts!

ps. thought i would have been back from town earlier to post something new ...

exciting times! tux fitting for two grads ... :)

2010-05-12T16:54:00.000-05:00

it's time for a fresh new start ...

please excuse the mumble jumble here as i fiddle with the format ... sorry ...

flowers for friday ~ the dirt

2010-05-12T16:48:00.000-05:00

here's the dirt ...

to get things growing ...

it begins with taking the overflowing compost bowl ...

tossed onto the mounds and mounds of composting matter ...

underneath are layers of leaves, grass clippings, veggie scraps, last summer's flower pot earth ...

rich in nourishing nutrients ... itty bitty micro-organisms ... and all round goodness ...

wonders of wonders how all this matter sits in a frozen mass throughout the winter ...

just waiting for the sun and warm spring airs to get it cooking ...

bringing it to life ...

teeming with earth worms ...

miraculously turning it into gold ...

black . moist . rich . deep earth smelling . gold dirt ...

to feed the seeds ...

to get them rooting ...

to bring us beauty ...

sigh.

i love mother nature.

for breathtakingly beautiful roses, slip over to rose notes where artist / gardener / photographer carolyn has one magnificent compost cooking ... in fact, i love her post on compost!

thanks to kim, who linked me to bloom, where camilla is interviewing carolyn ...

love abounds as we wait for the earth to stir ~

prairiegirl xo

sing spring!

2010-03-04T11:38:00.009-06:00

oh joy of joy ... happiest birthday dear vivaldi ...

thank you for creating this spectacular piece ...

thank you wintermood for the lovely video ...

thank you google greats for always creating the coolest headers ... and for reminding us of this celebration today ...

on my walk out to the studio this morning, i could actually smell spring in the air ...

sing spring!

: : :

loving all the happiness you are exuding, dear friends ...

if i could, i would reach out and hold all your hands ...

warmly and gently ...

prairiegirl xo

ten things that make me happy ...

2010-02-23T16:47:00.008-06:00

one of my fondest childhood memories is playing fox and goose ...

a tag game ...

that began with a great amount of shuffling your heavy boots through knee deep snow ...

making a labyrinth, of sorts ...

of twisty, helter skelter paths ...

then, one person would be the fox ...

and merrily chase and try to tag the gooses ... er, geese ...

it was gleeful!

*

well, yesterday a game of tag in blogland was introduced to me ...

and i've been tagged!

anne at life in yonder tagged camilla at bloom who tagged kim at kim klassen cafe who tagged me ...

*
it all begins with listing ten things that make me happy ...

that's easy ...

but kinda hard ...

i've got a bazillion things that make me happy ...

• holding hands while going to sleep
• hearing my boys call out 'mom'
• mornings ~ especially sunday
• family gatherings ~ friend get togethers
• emails from my niece
• light ~ sunlight, moonlight, starlight ~ let it stream in!
• kindred kreativity with kim
• everything flora and fauna in mother nature ~ birds, creatures, digging in the dirt, the air after a rain, buds, leaves, stones ...
• smiling at a stranger, saying hello in passing by
• breathing. (and art and music and walks and bike rides and xcountry skiing and dancing and pasta and pie and wine and ...)

*

and the idea is that i then tag ten friends ~ oh there are oh so many wonderful wonderful souls to connect to ...

did i mention you in the ten things that make me happy, cuz you do!

i know lots of you know each other all ready ~ such an amazing group ...

• deidra
• joyce
• kathleen
• melissa
• lily
• sande
• debra
• artic mum
• norah
• laura

this is just a neat way to celebrate and link to others ...

if you are up for a zip about the fox and goose blogterrain ~ feel free to continue the game ...

for sure, there is absolutely no pressure to play ... just enjoy visiting these delightful blogs!

ps. the image above are prairie chicken tracks in the snow ... i think they were having their own little game ... xo

flowers for friday ~ one of a kind

2010-02-19T21:17:00.007-06:00

as our faces turn to the light in these days of lengthening sunshine ...

so do our yearnings for everything springy ...

and vibrant ...

and flowery ...

and most certainly ...

new handbags!

a bouquet to my niece for introducing me to ellis designs ...

sure to put a little spring in your step ...

and maybe a bag on your arm ...

prairiegirl xo

ps. oh yes! it is quite natural that ellis designs has been part of the infamous oneofakind sale ... too cool!

traditional anniversary gift songs ~ revisited

2010-02-18T21:26:00.007-06:00

the captivating ella fitzgerald ... breathtakingly beautiful in every way ...

thanks to everyone who was following as i attempted to keep you up to date with the songs chosen for tom allen's traditional anniversary gift songs ...

i am most delighted to say that tom so kindly emailed me a list of all the songs he played on his cbc radio2 shift program so i might share with you ...

i know some of you were really keen ...

so, let's take it from the top ...

1 . paper

ella fitzgerald ~ it's only a paper moon

2 . cotton

gordon lightfoot ~ cotton jenny

3 . leather

nanci griffith ~ boots of spanish leather

4 . linen

joni mitchell ~ carey

5 . wood

beatles ~ norwegian wood
eddie floyd ~ knock on wood
beach boys ~ wouldn't it be nice?

6 . iron

iron and wine ~ belated promise ring

7 . copper

james taylor ~ copperline

8 . bronze

murray mclaughlin ~ down by the henry moore

9 . pottery

from harry potter ~ hedwig's theme

10 . tin

from wizard of oz ~ if i only had a heart
chieftains ~ sisters of mercy
... written by leonard cohen, sung by sting, and music performed by the chieftan complete, of course with a tin whistle ...

11 . steel

gordon lightfoot ~ steel rail blues
ben harper ~ steal my kisses

12 . silk

ella fitzgerald ~ shiny stockings

* * *

i think it is only fitting to begin this post with ella ...

and to leave you with her singing a song that melts my heart ...

after all, she began and finished tom's traditional anniversary gift songs ...

it is all about love ...

too much in love with her ...

i wonder ...

what anniversary might you be celebrating ...

and what song would you choose?

humming along,
prairiegirl xo

bonjour! jour heureux de « Louis Riel » à tous !

2010-02-15T11:49:00.006-06:00

today, in the province of manitoba, in canada, we celebrate louis riel day ...

louis riel, ca 1876, Hall and Lowe photographers

the life and story of the man who's history we celebrate is lengthy and complex ...

i'm not so great on history ...

i couldn't begin to recount the story in any factual manner ...

but i am extremely happy to be honouring and recognizing the métis people of the prairies who are a wonderfully proud people ...

who are a colourful, rich weave in our heritage ...

this week, the norman chief memorial dancers of manitoba will be showcasing to the world their culture through dance ... at the vancouver 2010 olympics ...

*loud cheering*

wow ... apparently they have choreographed something magnificent for this occasion ...

'modern, unique dance steps blended with the traditional métis red river dance style' ...

feel so proud for them ...

goosebumps proud!

: : :

on another musical note ...

i am trying to obtain the complete list of tom allen's anniversary gift songs as i missed hearing them all ...

stay tuned ...

pg xo

2010-02-14T09:24:00.007-06:00

what the world needs now is love sweet love ...

with a dash of romance ...

here and there ...

and

here and there ...

xo