Color Inspiration Daily: 02. 13. 12

Lemons. Venice Beach, CA. 2007 by Kevin Balluff.

Souvenir Foto School: Day 11 - R for Ribbons

Today for my Souvenir Foto School assignment I just wanted to capture the simple beauty of some of my favorite metallic ribbons from my craft stash. The light has been really challenging lately, but I discovered that if I hold two white foam core boards on either side of my subject it bounces in a decent enough light (I used to only use one).

My little "technique" must be pretty comical to observe too. Imagine me (not exactly the most graceful creature alive) trying to focus my camera and hold one board in my left hand, while adjusting levels and depressing the shutter release with my right pointer finger while trying to hold the second board steady in my right hand. Hehe!

If you'd like you can also find all my images in individual and diptych form for this month-long class challenge over in my flickr album. | Souvenir Foto School is offered by Besotted Brand.

Souvenir Foto School: Day 10 - Q for Quince

Today I got to knock a really tough letter off my assignment list for Souvenir Foto School by photographing one of my favorite things: Quince Blossoms! Double win - woohoo!

I was in my early twenties and living in California when I discovered quince for the first time. I remember it so clearly (is that weird). On that providential late-Winter day, I decided that it was just warm enough to head out with my daughter for a walk. I bundled her up in her stroller and we set off. The little circle of a neighborhood that we lived in was called Garden Farms (and aptly so for all the small orchards and beautiful gardens that everyone seemed to have on their property). Anyhow we strolled along, my daughter babbling to herself and me noticing (with disappointment) very little growth or signs of the coming Spring. But then we rounded the final bend on our way back home, and spotted amidst all the grey a row of the most deliciously pink flowering bushes that I had ever seen. Quince!

Of course I didn't know what they were called then, but we must have gone on walks just to view those brilliant blossoms every day until they were gone and replaced by Springtime itself. To this day when I see Quince I am filled with a bright hopefulness for the warming months ahead. Hooray! xo Ez

P.S. I'd also just like to take a quick second to thank you all so much for your lovely and encouraging comments so far about my photos for this month-long challenge. It's been a little bit nerve-wracking for me to post my images up every day for all to see, but you guys always have a way of making me feel better. So thank you so much for that. xo

If you'd like you can also find all my images in individual and diptych form for this month-long class challenge over in my flickr album. | Souvenir Foto School is offered by Besotted Brand.

DIY & Printable Valentine Roundup: Part 2

Hi friends! Sorry this post is kind of late today. I wanted I'd share one last roundup of sweet DIY and Printable Valentines with you before I take off for the weekend...but oh my word, there are so many great ones out there! So it took me longer than I was expecting it would for me to narrow my picks down. Anyhow, I hope that you might feel inspired to make one (or more) of these charming Valentines for the special people in your life. If you missed the first DIY Valentine Roundup you can find it right here. Enjoy your weekend adventures...whatever they may be. See you next week. xo Ez

Super awesome DIY & Printable Valentines:

• Printable Red in the Face Valentine from Mer Mag | Don't you just love Merrilee's saucy red lipstick?! I hope she'll spill her secret and tell us which brand/color it is sometime soon!
• DIY Clay Heart Candy Gift Toppers from Fellow Fellow | So realistic looking...don't you think?! I feel like I might need to go in for an attempted nibble just to make sure they aren't real.
• Printable Valentine's Day Tattoos from Freshly Picked, The Alison Show, and Fifth & Hazel | Um, is it wrong that I want to stick these all over my arms (okay, and maybe my face) too? So cute!
• Printable Pencil-holder Valentines from Sweet Muffin Suite | These are charming even without the addition of a pencil, but with one they are a truly fabulous sugar-free Valentine solution! (via Isadora)
• Printable Pirate Valentines from Mer Mag | These cuties are from a couple years ago, but they arrrr just as adorable as ever!

Color Inspiration Daily: 02. 10. 12

Agave Azul by Geninne Zlatkis. You can also find Geninne on her blog and in her beautiful shop.