Yesterday I participated in the Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk. All over the world groups of photographers gathered to walk around their city and shoot photos for a few hours. It is amazing to be able to see and share all this with one another. Our walk was a late afternoon stroll around the part of our town near Union Station called The Pearl. Taking the time to actually walk the blocks in a part of town I rarely visit was eye opening. There is so much to see and experience. It was a rainy day for most of the day but the time we spent out on the walk wasn't too bad. Some sprinkles but I never did have to use the umbrella. These are just a few of the shots that I took.

Condos by the park. This park in more of a natural area in the city, it has a pond with goldfish, reeds and water lilies. There is a small deck walk along the very unusual fence made of metal pieces with some colored glass art interspersed. Very pretty.

The photo on the left is of what is left of an old old building. There was no history on it but it has been preserved and left in place as a reminder of what once was. Lots of character in these old bricks and metal shutters.

This of course is self explanatory. It is Union Station. A glorious old train station. The outside is being renovated so I did not do any photos other than the tower. Next time I will take more time and go in and also go around on the grounds. There were some great shots posted from our group of outside shots.

Gratitude: The quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.

 Texture Tuesday's challenge is to show something that gives us gratitude and to use two of Kim Klassen's textures. I thought for some time on this to pick a subject for this week. There are many many things to be grateful for in my life so I thought of doing a collage of several different things. I love the sea, I love watching the birds at the feeder I love the quietness of the forest on a hike, but most of all I LOVE my family. They are what make me grateful and thankful for each and every day. Life is a very short journey and the people we share it with are what give us the reasons to get up and move everyday. When you lose someone from that circle you instantly learn how short life really is. I have learned to live each day as if it were my last because we just never know. I love that I can do for my family and bring them small gifts of joy, a trip to the beach or a day spent together. Cooking a special meal and sharing time laughing and being in the company of one another. This is what brings GRATITUDE into my life. 

I used three of Kim's textures on this one and several other layers and masking and brushes to get the effect I was after. Be sure and check out the Cafe` for all the talented people and see what we are all grateful for in our lives. 

Texture Tuesday

Love

This weeks challenge for Texture Tuesday is "LOVE". Ahhh, that is an easy one, there are so many things in this world to love, but seeing two young people in love and newly married is special. This is my niece Shelby and her husband Dillon. They were married in April but waited to have a reception in August at home with family and friends. Dillon is in the Army and was stationed in El Paso TX so they waited for a break in basic training to plan and come home on leave for the reception.
I told them that as a gift I would do photos for them for that day. Harry, my boyfriend, and Jacqui my good friend came with me to help out. We did lots of candid shots through out the day, since it was a very hot and sunny day, we waited till the evening light to get them back in their wedding finery for more formal photos of them and family members. I think they were pleased with the outcome and have lots of fun memories of the day. I know we all had fun doing this for them. God bless you both and prayers for Dillon who is now on active duty in the war zone.
The kiss was the last photo of the day. I processed it with three of Kim Klassen's textures, thank you Kim for your generosity.
Love at multiply @ 100%
Dreams at Divide @63%
Scripted Edges at Screen@53%

Check out the Cafe` for all the wonderful things related to "LOVE"

Texture Tuesday

Around Town.

A few weeks ago we spent a wonderful Sunday afternoon exploring not only around town but taking in the "Art in The Park" art show downtown. I am always impressed by the many different forms art takes and the ideas people come up with that are so interesting and different. I have found that by participating in Texture Tuesday too, so many talented and creative people. Just mind boggling.
After we spent several hrs. at the art show, we decided to visit one of our favorite streets in Portland, Alberta St. At one time this street was rundown and not a place that you would choose to go for any reason. But the last several yrs. have seen a boom in revitalizing these kinds of areas in the core areas of the city. Along with Alberta there is Mississippi Ave, Belmont St. and several others that have developed into meccas for artist of all kind, lots of neat restaurants and food carts. There are areas set aside for the food carts and they are nestled in one area together. Quite fun to explore.
We parked the car to begin our treasure hunt at the ReStore, a place that recycles all the parts of a house or building that can be reused, instead of having it go to the landfill. This old tree with the tire swing was in the empty lot by where we parked, In my mind I could see this as a perfect subject for Texture Tuesday. I think it proved me right. So after a few photos off to explore we went ........................
I have an affinity for old windows and doors and I was looking for a particular kind of window frame and a small cabinet door to make into a chalk board. Well, I didn't find the window but I did find the little cupboard. It is now turned into a shabby chic chalk board, if there is such a thing. I have plans for it to be used in photos of course.  It was a really warm day and we had started out early to avoid the heat, here we were in the middle of the day and the sun is beating down but we walked on to explore the rest of the street. My good friend Jacqui was with us and she had never been to Alberta so we had to give her a tour and check out some of the little quirky shops. One other place I wanted to visit was the Pistils Garden shop. They have some neat and different plants. I have been wanting a Palm tree for my yard and priced the taller ones but they were a bit out of my range for right now. Low and behold,they had a small one that would work perfectly and grow into the space. I grabbed it up and brought it home to it's new garden. A very enjoyable and lovely day.
I processed this with one of Kim's new textures Ugglove. I have to tell you I'm LOVIN IT. Check out all the others at the Cafe` this week.

Texture Tuesday

Wings

A few weeks ago my friends and I took a trip out into the country to an exhibit we had read about in the paper called "Wings of Wonder". The people have set up a walk thru exhibit with hundreds of butterflies. Many different varieties. It was so much fun to photograph but it was very warm and humid inside to simulate the environment of the butterflies. We did spend quite a bit of time in there and really enjoyed the day. This one is edited with textures from Kim Klassen.
http://www.kimklassencafe.com/