give alittle bit ...

"give a little bit, give a little bit of your love to me..."

~roger hodgson ~



Late last year ... before the holidays, my dear mother~in~law passed away.  Why always around the holidays?  She had been ill for many years, but had always somehow managed to rally and be present for the next family gathering ... Christmas, Easter, graduations, weddings, Thanksgiving, birthdays ... I know that is what kept her going ... her family.

But now the holidays are over and the time has come to start sorting through her belongings.  It is a very slow process as each item is rediscovered and remembered. 

I was so honored to receive her turkey salt and pepper shakers.  They were HER mother's and were always proudly displayed on her Thanksgiving table.  If you look closely you will find the color beginning to wear away after decades of use.  But that is exactly what makes them so special ... so lovingly worn from being passed from hand to hand around the table. 
The older I get ... and wiser ... I know that these are the things that mean the most in my life. The fact that she gave a precious little bit of herself to me ...

So as I set the Thanksgiving table this year, I will lovingly and carefully place them on our table to keep her tradition alive. 

Today I am linking up here with Kathy's fun Song~ography ... a "fun mash~up of photography and song ... a visual song to "Give a little Bit" and Kim's fabulous texture Tuesday here.  If you have a few moments be sure to visit them and  discover amazing inspiration. 

Until next time ...
Nancyjean



all things vintage makes a happy heart...

All things vintage...that's what I love. 

I could spend hours at a flea market or antique store rummaging around

to find just that right treasure to bring home.

I am not sure what the attraction is or when it started.  I think I just love

the story behind each item.  Wondering where it came from and who owned it last. 

I fell in love with this beautiful cruet holder i found at one of my favorite stores, The Past Basket.   I knew that i probably never use it as it was intended, oil and vinegar, but thought that it was a perfect container to show off my summer flowers.

The huge antique flea market in Elkhorn,Wisconsin will start up again for the season on May 20th. There are over 500 dealers! I have my calendar already circled so i do not miss this amazing day of treasure hunting. 

 If you live anywhere in the area it is a show not to be missed!

I am submitting this photo to Kim Klassen's texture tuesday.  Our assignment was to use at least one layer of her beautiful new texture, happy heart.  I first desaturated my image to give it a somewhat softer feel.  I applied happy heart at the soft mode at 40% oppacity.  Then i applied it again at the multiply mode at 30%. Happy Heart gives the glass such a great look!

Be sure to click here to see all the "happy heart" photos. 

I am also taking another wonderful e~course...Susan Tuttle's Toy Camera.  One of our lessons this week was to learn how to make a photo look like a vintage silver gelain look.

This process was created back in 1871, no wonder i love it!

It produced a photo with a very subtle overall colour cast and a rough, grungy, milky texture.  Also it had a rough edge around the image.

 I used the same photo and got another great look!

"i love to find a great vintage secondhand shoppe"

~bridget hall~

until next time...

nancyjean

love notes...

"flowers are love's truest language"

~park benjamin~

It is almost the end of February and we are having the most delightful winter

Chicago has ever seen!  Yesterday the temps rose to a balmy 52 degrees

with abundant sunshine!  The days are getting longer and soon we will be setting our clocks back to Daylight savings time!  Yippee!

Dare i say it?....spring is in the air!

I am sitting here with my laptop watching The Bachelor.  Ben is down to three women, taking them to Switzerland.  I do not know why i still watch this show.  I really do not think that love can work this way...with all the cameras, the competition and in such a short time. I guess that my hopeless romantic side, always hopes that they find true love! 

I do so hope that he does not choose Courtney.  But i have heard many rumors that he does!  Oh, no!  But will she say yes?

My new all time favorite television show is Smash.  If you have not seen it, be sure to tune in.  It is about the making of a Broadway show...Marilyn Monroe.  I am not a big t.v. watcher, but this one has really captured my interest!

Today is Texture Tuesday the White edition.

  Our prompt this week is to photograph something white and use at least one of Kim Klassen's wonderful textures. 

Using the gradient map adjustment layer, i was able to desaturate my photo.  I always think that it gives it a softer look. 

Then i added Grey Slate texture on the soft mode.

I used Beyond the Rain script from DaFont.  It has become one of my favorite fonts!

Be sure to click here to see everyone's White textured photos. 

I hope it inspires you to pick up your camera and shoot!

Until next time...

Nancyjean

love was in the air...

Valentine's day is over but the roses are still blooming!

 My wonderful hubby ordered a delicious meal

from our local caterer, Moveable Feast.

 Oprah discovered them years ago

and made their brownies famous!
If you visit my hometown, a stop at this shoppe is a must!

Delicious pork chops with a cherry glaze, wonderful veggies and a

homemade key lime pie were on the menu for the evening.

 All i had to do is pop it in the oven for 10 minutes to warm. 

It was such a scrumptious treat!

I am submitting this photo to Kim Klassen's Texture tuesday. 

Our assignment was to use any photo using her wonderful Felicity texture.

I used the texture on multiply mode at 40% opacity.  I also applied a french overlay from

French Kiss.

Be sure to click here to see everyone's wonderful Felicity photos.

I am sure to will make you want to pick up

your camera and shoot!

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."
~henry david thoreau~

Until next time...

Nancyjean

a day for love and happiness...

"if you live to be one hundred,

i hope i live to be

one hundred minus one day,

so i never have to live without you"

~winnie the pooh~

today is also texture tuesday...happiness.
How can you not be happy on Valentine's Day? 
It is a day that envokes love and friendship, candy and flowers.
Try to spread alittle happiness around today,
it will come right back to you!

Be sure to click here to see other happiness photos.
I hope this will inspire you to
pick up your camera and shoot!

 Happy Valentine's Day

je t'amiee...

nancyjean