Happy Father's Day!

There is nothing on this earth that would please my son more than hanging out with his Daddy. May today find you happy with someone you love, doing what you love to do!

Happy Father's Day!

Silhouette Photography Fun

I particularly remember the fun I had as a child, making silhouette portraits from cutouts of black paper, and framing them for my mom. Even more fun, I discovered, is being the mom and dressing up your entire family for a silhouette portrait photo shoot. Over the course of the last few weeks, I have enjoyed participating in a 30 Day Photo Challenge. Today's shoot, as you can see, called for silhouettes! Easy peasy mac-n-cheesy!

As dynamic as they appear, it is hard to believe that a silhouette capture is probably one of the easiest photo light tricks. Simply find a location that offers little background obstruction, position your subject between the you and the light, and voila--silhouettes!

I Heart Faces - Vivid - To Infinity and Beyond!

They meet their instructor along the side of the pool, and their lesson begins promptly at 6:45. Moms and Dads watch from afar as they gather together along the water's edge on blankets, towels, and whatever empty chairs they are lucky enough to locate. This is no “mommy and me” class. These boys are in the big league now.

First, the instructor lines her little eels along the edge of the pool wall, securely fastened into what she playfully calls their “space backpacks.” She begins her address on the rules of safety. They listen. Next, she proceeds to demonstrate the goal. They watch. Finally, she pulls each boy into the water, one at a time. They do.

I am intrigued by the instructor’s ability to capture the focus of these boys for the full half hour. Whether she is teaching them one on one, or in a group, these boys offer her their undivided attention. They seem to know that this is important. I am focused too. I am thankful for my camera’s zoom.

Pleasantly exhausted after a good swim, my boy goes to bed early on lesson night. I am able to sit down and browse through my photo captures of the day. In these quiet moments, I can vividly see the future as I imagine he sees the future.

I pretend to hear my little guy talking to his friend. “One day,” he says, “we are going to cross the pool!” Yes, my little one, even without your backpack, I know you will go “to infinity and beyond!”

This week, I Heart Faces wants to see our Bright and Vivid photos. Check them out here!

I Heart Faces - From a Distance

Recently, my family was blessed with the opportunity to take a Disney Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. For several days, we sailed the ocean blue. Each morning, my daughter and I would order room service, and sit on the verandah of our room and watch the water go by. It was magical!
The most fun mornings, however, were those when our ship would arrive in port, and pull up alongside other cruise ships. With only a pier between us, we had the pleasure of spying on neighboring decks and balconies.

"Check out their lounge chairs!"
"Do you see the size of that balcony?! Is that an outside shower?!"
"Look at that cute couple in their matching bath robes."
"Seriously? Does he have to drink his coffee, on his balcony, in his speedo?"

I am sparing us all the Speedo shot. (Of course I had to take it. Don't judge me. You would too.) But, I really love this (distance) capture of several sailors taking a morning break aboard the Holland America cruise ship.

"Look Jenny! Sailors! There's your boyfriend."

Standing there, looking so official in their sailor hats, aren't they just adorable?

Check out what others view from a distance this week at I Heart Faces!

And SEW, I Try Again

I am still attempting to sew a masterpiece. I must admit, I am quite happy with the outcome of this one. But, there is still work to be done.

My original goal--to sew matching newsboy caps for Nicholas and his cousin, Teagan--sent me on a pattern search. As you can imagine, I was delighted when I discovered this magnificent tutorial on You Tube.

My first attempt was quite successful (for Teagan), but Nicholas's hat (exactly the same) would only fit on, well, Teagan. So, I decided to try again.

I had some leftover giraffe material that I used to make Teagan's towel. (BTW, he wasn't a fan.) So, I enlarged the newsboy cap pattern and began again.

For those of us, like me, with large heads, my hat is perfect! For those of you, with puny average sized heads, I will have to give it another go.

See? Not a fan.