Memories, Dreams and Reflections

2011 was a year of growth.  I didn't realize just how much growth until I went back through my photos to participate in Ashley Sisk's Memories, Dreams and Reflections challenge over at Ramblings and Photos.  (I love her blog!) I didn't think I'd have pictures for all of her prompts, but I had more than I expected, considering that I was using a point & shoot sporadically and took my new DSRL camera out of the box in, like, September!  I have some new goals for 2012 - take more pictures to help me cherish the year, organize them better and get more acquainted with Photoshop to improve them.
Here is what I came up with :

         Me

A little self-portrait for an art journal page.  I hope to spend more time creating at this table in 2012.

I Love You

even though you were not happy about taking this pic!

Still Laughing (more like smiling...)

Playfulness...I want to have more of that in my life in 2012.  This horse was certainly enjoying the moment!  He brought a smile to my face.

Winter Wonderland

Birthday

My baby turned 18 this year.

Summer Days

Fun in the sun with my girls :)

All Smiles

Playing with my pop's old camera.  Sweet memories.

Autumn Harvest

Home

Philly at night

Celebrate

Santa came!
(Kim Klassen and her textures are awesome)

Let's Do It Again

Pizza and champagne night-in

I Miss You

We lost my Grandmom this past year.  This was one of her Christmas ornaments that my family added to our tree.  Miss you, Gran!

Beautiful

I hope that someday she discovers just how beautiful she is.
 It was a beautiful day and a beautiful gift to watch her with her camera.

Don't Ever Change

Although you're a man now, you will always be my sweet boy. You have such a warm way about you - and a great way with kids.  Hope that never changes.

Hopes & Dreams

My hope is for everyone to have peace and happiness in 2012!

Christmas baking.  My girls and my mom.  What could be sweeter?  (Thanks to Kim Klassen for her beautiful texture:)

How can you lose a whole day? It started out innocently enough - just looking at some blogs and uploading a few photos. Next thing you know I'm knee deep in a Photoshop book, trying to figure out how to organize my photos and use the program more effectively. I think I added to my knowledge base, but never got around to cooking dinner. Luckily I have an understanding family who will make themselves PB&J in a pinch! (I did throw in a few loads of wash, so the guilt isn't toooo bad)

Worked on overcoming my fear of shooting in public. Spent a lovely fall afternoon walking around Head House Square in Philly, snapping some pics. Ran into my teacher from a photo class I took - what are the chances? And me trying to be inconspicuous pretending I knew what I was doing! Nabbed.

Maybe there will be dinner tomorrow, but I'm not promising anything ;)

AEDM Day 5

Switched gears and did a little doodling for AEDM.

I learned about this cool tree called the Pohutukawa - New Zealand's Christmas tree. It can thrive in difficult conditions, clinging to the earth on rock faces reaching out over the water. After a rough day, I used this tree as inspiration for a sketchbook page. There are lots of things I would change about the collage, but the process was very soul-soothing.

On Day 4, I did a little zentangle inspired doodling.

My camera battery is recharged, so it's back to photos, I think!

AEDM Day 2

Day 1 Photo

Day 2 Photo

Okay.  I think I may have gotten myself in over my head.  I signed up for the Art Every Day Month (AEDM) challenge hosted by Leah Kolindas over at
http://creativeeveryday.com/.  The art part is challenging enough, but the real problem lies in learning how to do the technology end of it.  Now I'm a BLOGGER???  I have no idea what I'm doing! haha!  It's an adventure!