Mom's Nest (set of 2 stones in a nest) by sjengraving at Etsy
…literally!
Today’s treasury is a gift guide for the ornithologically minded. Is that a word?? OK how about, it’s a gift guide for those who love birds?
How cute is the messenger bag by craftierobot? And I love those linen napkins by handmadebysima… such a great addition to a brunch table don’t you think?
Check out each of the shops in the treasury… they have a lot of great finds, bird related or otherwise!
Enjoy!
*tracey*
Ever since I posted this picture on my site, I’ve had people asking me how I got the duck to hold the photograph in his mouth. My answer? Magic. OK well only if you consider Photoshop magic… which I do. Using a good mix of some PS hocus pocus and some imagination I got the dog, I mean duck to “eat my homework.”
This tutorial will provide you with the step by step details as to how you too can get a farm animal to “eat” something it shouldn’t. (a note, no animals were harmed in the making of this tutorial)
While you may not have a need for a duck to eat a Polaroid, the basic principles of the tutorial will teach you how to use simple masking to create something similar. (Please note, this tutorial is assuming a basic understanding of Photoshop) There may be many other ways to get this duck to hold the Polaroid in his mouth but, for me, this was the best and easiest way for me to approach it. This fun and easy tutorial starts after the jump…
Beige Brown Pearl Flower Bib Necklace by mojospastyle at Etsy
I love Autumn for all the rich, beautiful earth tones it serves up. Autumn also starts to make me think about cold weather, starting a fire and curling up on the couch with a good book and a warm, soft afghan. The colors in my latest treasury remind me of that.
Neutral, but not cold, tones, pale and soft with an understated warmth. There are so many favorites in this treasury it’s impossible to name just one… check out their shops and you’re sure to be delighted.
Enjoy! *tracey*
"I Love You" by michelemaule on Etsy
You can always tell I haven’t eaten breakfast when I pull together a treasury whose theme has anything to do with food. And, while today is no exception, I also pulled these lovely finds together because I love the color combination of butter yellow and teal. So fun and lively yet so elegant at the same time.
Can you guess how much I want those nesting bowls by whitneysmith? Gorgeous!
Be sure to check out each Etsians shop because they have a number of great finds…
Enjoy!
*tracey*
"Four Barrel" by lilacpopphotography at Etsy
I love art… any art, in any form. I need more walls, well and a bigger bank account, just to keep up with the amount of art I have and want to purchase. So, as I live in a city apartment and don’t have unlimited funds, I’ve decided to feed my addiction to art by interviewing other artists.
Ladies and Gents, drum roll please… introducing “Meet the Artist.”
Each month, I’ll be introducing you to a new artist. Get to know them, check out their galleries and fall in love with their work as much as I have.
To christen this new feature, please allow me to introduce you to Janna Bissett of lilacpopphotography on Etsy. Not only is she just the sweetest person around, I absolutely love her work. The pops of color, the gritty, urban feel; love, love, love.
So, without further adieu, meet Janna…
I’m a dichotomy… sometimes a tomboy, sometimes girlie girl. I think I’ve found a pretty good balance though. Women aren’t actually as hard to understand as men like to think 
They just need to understand that we’re the sum of all of our parts… some good, some bad, but in the end, it’s what makes us who we are.
Enjoy!
*tracey*
It’s getting cooler here in the Land of Wind, how about where you’re at? I’ll admit, I’m one of those crazy people who love the cold weather and, having lived in Tennessee for the last three years, I am so very happy to be back to the crisp, cool Autumns and pending winter. (bring on the snow!) That said though, I am quite certain that some time come February or March, I’ll be feverishly wishing for some warmer weather.
“Crimson,” from the coast of Maine, one of the newest in my gallery, is a photo that reminds me of just such a day. Enjoy!
*tracey*
Crimson
"Tomatoes" an original oil painting by Nik Shogren on Etsy
Well, Autumn is here and with it brings the end of tomato season… BUT it also brings cooler weather and…drum roll please! Tomato SOUP!
Today’s treasury is a nod to a fruit (yes, that’s right, it’s a fruit) that, honestly, I actually hated as a kid. Now? Can’t get enough of them. Caprese salads, sun-dried, roasted, smoked… sooo many good uses for a tomato, so little time.
I hope you enjoy this bright and cheery treasury filled with fantastic finds from great Etsy artisans. Be sure to check out their shops and see what other fantastic gems they have!
Enjoy!
*tracey* the tomaaaaaahhhto queen
"From the Loop" Tracey Capone Photography 2010
So, technically, tilt-shift photography is usually from the vantage point above the subject so, hence the “sorta kinda, well maybe” part of the title but I just had to try this and see what happened.
A few weekends back, on a whim, I decided to take the full Chicago architectural tour… yet again… because I love boating along the Chicago River, seeing all the amazing buildings that make up this wonderful city. The history behind Chicago’s architecture is fascinating and some of the stories you’ll hear on the tour are sure to make you chuckle.
One of the things I missed in my three years away, believe it or not, was the CTA. Yes, it smells funny and some of the people are weird but the El (elevated track line) is one of the best ways to see the city. Jump from the Red Line to the Brown and the Brown to the Orange and just keep riding around the loop taking in the mix of modern and retro buildings that Chicago has to offer.
But I digress… “From the Loop” is my “take” on tilt-shift photography. By using selective focus (hey remember that from yesterday?) and blurring out the buildings in the immediate background, the train and that beautiful red, brick building are pulled out of what was once a pretty dull picture that was basically overpowered by the Sears Tower (yes, yes, it’s the “Willis Tower” fine… it’s the big, black building in the back)
I still plan on doing some true tilt-shift photography and will definitely post it here. In the mean time, here’s a great tutorial on how you can fake tilt-shift using Photoshop.
Enjoy!
*tracey*
Backstage at the Follies- by Matou en Peluche on Etsy
I said I was addicted to creating treasuries right?? I can’t help it! There are such fabulous finds on Etsy and it’s just so darn easy to click “Create a Treasury” that I just can’t help myself…really, truly. So, all that said, here’s the latest, “Color Grade…Retro Style”
One of the things I love most about retro style is the color palette. I love the bright, fun colors, mixed with the more subtle ones. My treasury is an homage to one of my favorite combinations: orange, gray and teal.
Now, I might not decorate my entire living room in this color scheme but you better believe I’ll pull in bits of it here and there. (See the fun flapper girls in the top left? Guess who just bought that for her living room? Check out the other fun offerings from Matou en Pelouche here)
What other retro color combinations do you like?
So, without further adieu, here it is… “Color Grade… Retro Style.” Be sure to check out each of the shops included in the treasuries… you’re sure to be delighted!
Enjoy!
*tracey*
