Photo Editing...

As you may already know, photography is a favorite hobby of mine, and since moving to Michigan, I've been enjoying taking photographs of all the beautiful scenery here.  I've also been playing around with some of my photographs using the fun options in PicMonkey (a free photo editing site that my Mom told me about) and Picasa 3...  

If you haven't tried either of these, you can click on PicMonkey and Picasa 3, above, to check out the sites... And have fun editing and organizing some of your photos.  It's very easy to navigate around within PicMonkey, I love user friendly sites! Once in PicMonkey, click on "Edit a Photo" and download the picture you would like to edit.  There are all kinds of things you can do... Crop it, re-size it, touch it up, and there are a lot of cool 'Effects' and 'Overlays' ~ There are fun fonts too, so you can add wording...  Once you have your picture the way you like it, just SAVE it and you're set to go.  

To learn my way around in PicMonkey, I downloaded a picture and tried all of the options on the photograph, just to get familiar with the site.  Below I have shared some of the photographs that I have edited.  The first picture is of a log and flowers that I took in our yard and then edited in PicMonkey... I darkened the edges, saturated the colors a bit, and added a frame around it.  Next is a photograph that I took of a butterfly and below it are two copies using different effects.  The first effect is called "Daguerreotype" ~ I like the look of it.  For the next one I used "Holga" effect, then I added frost edges, darkened the edges and added a frame.  Scroll down, below the log and butterfly photographs and there is a picture of Emmi, along with the same picture after using "Pencil Sketch" in Picasa 3... I thought it turned out kind of cool.  :)   Which ones do you like?

 My Original Log and Flower Photograph

After adding some effects... made for a more dramatic look.

♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥

My Original Butterfly Photograph

Daguerreotype Effect... Cool look!

Holga Effect with frosted and darkened edges...

♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥

Click on the 'Pencil Sketch' of Emmi, below, to enlarge the image... 

It really does look like a drawing.

 Emmi

 Pencil Sketch Effect

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ I have Picasa 3 downloaded and use it to organize my photographs.  There are some options for cropping and touching up photographs, and I used PicNic (within Picasa) when it was there as an option.  I searched for other photo editing sites when I learned that PicNic was closing down.  I found a couple that were okay, but I was so glad when my mom told me about PicMonkey.  Have fun!  ~Trina

Little Visitors in Our Yard!

We've had a couple of little visitors in our yard over the past few days.  The first was a turtle, and George saved his life!  Thursday, as George was driving home from work, he saw a little turtle walking in the middle of the road, he stopped, picked him up and brought him to safety.  That little guy didn't understand how dangerous being on the road really is, and he turned right around and ventured out into the road again.  George picked him up and brought him to the opposite side, thinking maybe that's where he wanted to be... Nope, he turned around and ventured right back out onto the road once again.  So George picked him up and took him to our house.  We got to visit with him for a while, then he brought him to the wooded area along the creek, at the back of our yard, where it's nice and safe, and quite a distance from the road, and he let him go.

 

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Yesterday, when I got home from work, I was just about to sit down to check my email when our dogs, Izzy and Emmi started going crazy, barking and looking out the front window.  Someone they didn't know had pulled into our driveway and he was walking toward our front door.  I went outside, and he asked if he could take a picture of a baby raccoon in one of our Apple trees near the edge of our front yard.  He said that when he was driving by, the baby raccoon caught his eye when he scampered across the grass.  He slowed down to watch him, and when he pulled into our driveway, the raccoon ran up the tree.  I ran inside and grabbed my camera so that I could take a few pictures too.

You can click on each picture to see them larger...

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  All kinds of fun wildlife to see when you live in the country!  We have lots of visitors... Deer, wild turkeys, opossum, chipmunks, rabbits, black squirrels, red squirrels... They all have homes in our woodpile, and in the woods along the creek.  Izzy does her best to keep them away, but they are out there... And we see them, a lot of times in the early morning, just before the world wakes up... Just before we let Izzy and Emmi outside... It's a great sight!

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Thank you for stopping by today!  Wishing you a great day! ~Trina

Etsy Finds Friday - Wood Art by Darlene

It's *♥*Etsy Finds Friday*♥*

Today I am featuring the 

Fantastic Wood Art

  Created by: 

  Darlene Janora

Darlene Janora's artwork is a form of Intarsia which translates to wood mosaic. She starts with a single piece of wood. The picture is drawn directly onto the board. Then each piece is cut, sanded, shaped and painted/stained and glued back together.  Shims are applied to certain areas to give it a 3-D look. 

 

This wonderful Wood Artwork that Darlene has created caught my eye and captured my imagination the minute I saw it!  Her pieces are bright and happy, very special.  Enjoy!

In the Artist's Own Words:

I started the art of scrolling about 13 years ago. I am self taught through books and videos. I have seen many pictures of Intarsia and decided I liked it best however, I prefer bright coloring as opposed to the natural wood tones. So I combined acrylic painting using the wood as my canvas.  Some people make a strong point to mention that their work is all the wood, no painting or stains. I personally think the bright colors are more appealing on some pieces. It also takes an extra step and some paintbrush skills are needed.
 

Another hobby of mine is learning fun facts, that I share with you in some of my listings. I hope you find them interesting and entertaining.

 

 

 

Parrot Love Birds Wall Hanging 

Appx 12H x 13W

True love. The lovebird has one mate for life, and they like to snuggle. 

So cute aren't they?

 

Angel Wall Hanging
Appx 13h x 11w 

I love the fact that she has no face. She passes no judgement.

 

 

Tree Frog Wall Hanging
Appx 11 x12

The tree frog sleeps during the day. It is thought that their eyes are red, so when awoken by predators when their eyes open that it startles them and gives the frog a change to get away.

 

 

 

Hummingbird Wall Hanging

5H x 10L

There are seventeen species of hummingbirds in North America. Hummingbirds flap their wings 50 to 200 times per second. Generally the faster time is in courtship. They can fly up, down, right, left, backwards, upside down and even loop-de-loops! Amazing! 

 

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Click HERE to visit Darlene's Etsy Shop and see more of her wonderful wood mosaic artwork!  

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you for stopping by for my Etsy Finds Friday post!!  Please stay tuned for next Friday's Find... It could be YOU! :)   Happy Friday!!   

~Trina 

A Walk Around Our Yard

The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous, so I ventured away from my studio this past weekend and we spent some time outside in our yard. I thought I'd share some pictures that I took while we were enjoying the beautiful afternoon.  

 .¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  We walked along the creek, the dogs looked for rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and snakes... Happily I did NOT see any snakes!!  The farm next to us has now been planted.  We think it's corn, so soon we won't have the view that we do right now, it'll be rows and rows of tall corn for a while.  I remember the last time they planted corn, it looked so bare when they harvested it, it took a while for me to get used to the open space again.  I'm wondering what our dogs, Izzy and Emmi will think of the corn when it starts getting tall... Izzy is used to being able to see everything across the farmland and keeps a good eye on all of it, making sure nothing scampers into our yard.  She likes to sit at the edge of our property and watch for the longest time.  She wasn't with us yet the last time they grew corn.

 .¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Looking around our yard, one of my favorite trees is our Red Maple, and I also love our Weeping Willows.  I always thought Weeping Willows were such romantic trees, George... Not so much!  He thinks they are a bit messy... He's right, they do shed their leaves a lot!  Among many other kinds of trees in our yard, we have quite a few Black Walnut trees and a few Apple trees... We also have a tree stump in our front yard that has petrified mushrooms on it, so I took a picture of it.   

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ ...Oh, and an update on those baby Robins;  Yes, they really did grow into their very BIG beaks!  Only three of the five are left in their nest now, and one of them ~ anxious to fly ~ tried to get away while we were looking at them.  It seemed like he wasn't quite ready to fly yet, so George put him back in his nest.  They sure grew up fast!

 

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Thank you so much for sharing our walk today!  Wishing you a great week!  ~Trina

Etsy Finds Friday - Aleksandar Alexov

It's *♥*Etsy Finds Friday*♥*

Today I am featuring the 

Incredible Animal Drawings

and Paintings Created by: 

Aleksandar Alexov

I am in awe of Aleksandar's amazing Animal Drawings and Paintings!  He is from Bulgaria, and his artistic talent is incredible. I am happy to feature his work here today.  Please visit his Etsy Shop to see more of his work.  Enjoy!!

In the Artist's Own Words:

Animal drawings are my artistic passion and I do my best to inspire them live and emotion.  I am professional artist over 30 years. Graduated from Art Academy in Sofia in 1978, having specialized in book illustration, master degree. I have illustrated over 50 books, takes part in General Art exhibitions, many one–man shows with drawings, graphics, paintings and illustrations worldwide.  I had many international awards from world famous biennials and competitions for illustration. My works - paintings, graphics, drawings and illustrations are property of museums, galleries and connoisseurs over the world.

The Duchshund Dog Puppy and the Parrot

Print from my original painting

Hand signed and titled on the reverse, by me the artist, Aleksandar Alexov.  Measures 3.5 “ x 4.5 “ inches (9 cm x 11.5 cm)  (please note that the copyright text is NOT on the actual print!)  Printed on 100% cotton, high quality archival artist paper, free of acid and optical brightener, neutral Ph. Printed with superior inks, vivid colors, brilliant finish.

 Ocelot Cat Mom Sweet Cub Bird Print

 Print from my original painting

Hand signed and titled on the reverse, by me the artist, measures 3.5 “ x 4.5 “ inches (9 cm x 11.5 cm)  (please note that the copyright text is NOT on the actual print!)  Printed on 100% cotton, high quality archival artist paper, free of acid and optical brightener, neutral Ph. Printed with superior inks, vivid colors, brilliant finish.

Albino Gorilla and Yellow Parrot

ACEO Print

Hand numbered and signed on the reverse by me, the artist, measures 2.5" x 3.5" - standard ACEO size!  Printed on heavy premium photo quality glossy paper "Hewlett Packard" 200 g/m2 with superior inks, vivid colors. The print is covered with gloss varnish for brilliant finish and protection.

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Click HERE to visit Aleksandar's Etsy Shop and see more of his Incredible Drawings and Paintings!  You can also visit him on Flickr at:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleksandar_alexov

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you for stopping by for my Etsy Finds Friday post!!  Please stay tuned for next Friday's Find... It could be YOU! :)   Happy Friday!!   

~Trina

Koala and Panda Wedding Cake Toppers

Introducing two of my newest Wedding Cake Toppers... 

Koalas and Pandas

Koala Wedding Cake Topper

Sitting upon a tree branch made entirely of polymer clay, these darling Koalas are ready to celebrate a very special wedding! He's wearing a tiny black top hat with a navy blue hat band and a navy blue tie. She is holding a navy blue rose and also has a flower tucked near her ear. They sit approximately 2 1/2" high on a 3" branch.  You can see the listing for them HERE, in my Etsy Shop, and I can customize this topper just for you!  

♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥

 Panda Wedding Cake Topper

These sweet and happy Panda Bears are all ready to adorn the top of a very special wedding cake! He's in a black top hat with a red band and has a red boutonniere. She's holding a single red rose and has a flower in her hair. They are standing on a white base that has a leaf design stamped in, which is highlighted in a shimmery green mica powder. Red rose buds, leaves and vines surround them. A little red heart was placed just to the side, perfect for a wedding date to be written in. They stand approximately 3" tall on a 2 1/2" round base.  You can see the listing for them HERE, in my Etsy Shop, and I can customize this topper just for you!

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Thank you for visiting today, I hope you enjoyed seeing my newest Wedding Cake Toppers!  Wishing you a great day!  ~Trina

Five Little Baby Robins

Here's a new picture of the five little baby Robins that are in a nest in our yard.  I shared their 'newly hatched' picture in my 'Signs of Spring' post ~ You can click HERE to see it.  I will share more pictures as they grow.  They sure do have to grow into those big yellow beaks, don't they! :)

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  They are beginning to get their feathers, and are definitely taking up more room in their nest.  Baby birds look so fragile, but they sure do grow fast.

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Wishing you a great day! ~Trina

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the Mom's out there,

Wishing you a Very Happy Mother's Day, filled with love and laughter!!

A day to celebrate our blessings!

To my mom, I thank you for your love and support, for just being YOU!

To my children, I thank you for all the joy you bring to my life EVERY DAY!

Panda Bear Love 

Etsy Finds Friday - Handmade Wire Wrapped Gemstone Jewelry

It's *♥*Etsy Finds Friday*♥*

Today I am featuring the 

Beautifully Designed 

Handmade Wire Wrapped

Gemstone Jewelry

Created by: 

  Carolyn Moran

of Care More Creations

In the Artist's Own Words:

ABOUT MY JEWELRY
Each piece is handcrafted swirling and shaping wire by hand, while each individual gemstone inspires my design. The color of the wire, the curves and swirls of the wire setting and the little baubles I add enhance each stone's personality. The stone speaks to me through its own unique characteristics of shape, color and striations. I shape, swirl, loop and tuck the wire with no use of heat, glue or solder, allowing me to artistically express myself. Mother Nature has been my best teacher and always my inspiration. My one-of-a-kind wire wrapped jewelry is as unique and dramatic as the person who wears it.

ABOUT ME:
I was born in a small town in Northwest Pennsylvania where I was raised on a farm by two wonderful loving parents. It is there where I learned to love and appreciate nature in all its glory. I currently live with my husband on the Kenai River in Alaska where I am surrounded by beautiful mountains, soaring eagles, splashing salmon and of course the occasional wandering moose and bear. I draw my inspiration from my surroundings, family and friends. All my life I have loved to create...since childhood when I discovered that my hands and my heart were my best tools! You name it, I probably attempted to create it. But my love of nature together with my love of fashion has inspired me to create this dramatic line of jewelry. I have finally found my niche. I LOVE making these unique treasures. Every morning I can't wait to get up, put on a pot of coffee and make another one!

 

Wire Wrapped Pendant

Ammonite Fossil Necklace in Antique Bronze Wire 

This is a brown ammonite fossil wire wrapped pendant necklace that I created swirling and shaping antique bronze toned copper wire by hand, adding tiger eye chips and a shell bead to create a beautiful wire wrapped setting to enhance the natural beauty, color and shape of the genuine gemstone. This fascinating brown agatized fossil displays natural intricate lacey beige markings. It is an incredible jewel of nature. The elegant swirl wire-wrapped setting, together with the earthy ammonite agate create a beautiful and dramatic pendant that can be worn with formal attire or casual with your favorite jeans. Stylish Care More wire wrapped pendants are sure to add a touch of natural drama to your fashion wardrobe.

 

 

Lapis Lazuli Wire Wrapped Pendant Necklace

in Gunmetal - Healing Stone

"Star Attraction" is a Lapis Lazuli wire wrapped pendant necklace that I handcrafted swirling and shaping gunmetal toned copper wire by hand, creating a unique and dramatic setting that enhances the natural beauty, color and shape of the stone. This indigo blue oval stone has beautiful shiny specs of pyrite throughout. The elegant swirly wire-wrapped setting, together with the earthy and dramatic gemstone create a beautiful pendant that would look fantastic with blue jeans or dressed up with you favorite party dress. 

 

 

Wire Wrapped Dangle Earrings

Pink Rhodochrosite in Antique Bronze

These rhodochrosite wire wrapped dangle earrings were handcrafted swirling and shaping antique bronze toned copper wire by hand, creating unique elegant settings to enhance the natural beauty of the gemstones. These teardrop gemstones have a beautiful mauve pink snowflake pattern, with earthy markings of brown and and beige, making these earrings dramatic and feminine. Stylish Care More Jewelry is sure to add a touch of natural drama to your fashion wardrobe.  Each earring measures 2" long including the earwire and are 1/2" wide.

 

 .¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Click HERE to visit Care More Creations and see more of Carolyn's beautiful jewelry!  

 

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you for stopping by for my Etsy Finds Friday post!!  Please stay tuned for next Friday's Find... It could be YOU! :)   Happy Friday!!   

~Trina

Kickin' Back Dog

I love it when my customers see something in my Etsy Shop that I've created and they would like their own special and unique version of it.  It is such a good feeling for me when I can make their request 'come to life' and create something for them that is a keepsake to be treasured always!  That's what happened when a customer saw my 'Kickin' Back Frog' listing.  She asked if I could make a Rottweiler in the same pose, with a ball in her mouth.  Here's what I created for her, and she loved it so much that she wants another sculpture to represent her second puppy dog too!  I am so happy when my customers are pleased!  

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Below is my 'Kickin' Back Frog' ~ You can click on the picture to see the listing in my Etsy Shop: Trina's Clay Creations

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Thank you for visiting!  Wishing you a 'Kickin' Back' kind of day! ~Trina

Signs of Spring

Last Spring Robins built their nest in our yard and I took a few pictures of their beautiful blue eggs.  This year the Robins are back and built another nest in the exact same place.  They sure build a great nest!  I thought I would share a picture that I took of the brand new baby Robins.  As far as I can tell, there are five little ones in there... Five little beaks.  They have no feathers yet, and are huddled all together keeping warm on a chilly day.  Mama must be gathering food as they sleep.

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Below is the picture I took, last year, of the Robin's Eggs.  I missed the opportunity to take a picture of her eggs this year, but am so happy to have a shot of the new babies!  Birds grow fast, I am going to try to get pictures of them as they grow...

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Spring in Michigan is a bit chilly... Our Black Walnut trees are just beginning to get their leaves.  The trees along the creek, at the back of our yard, are filling in nicely.  Only a few of our flowers have begun to bloom... Spring is such a time of renewal, and walking around outside is so nice this time of year.  We can hear the birds singing each morning, it's great to have them back.  It's nice to see the flowers blooming.  The flowers in the pictures below came from our yard and they sure smell wonderful!

Two of our Black Walnut Trees

A closer shot of the baby Robins

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Thank you for visiting today, and sharing a little touch of Springtime in Michigan with me!  Wishing you a great day!  ~Trina

My Newest Wedding Cake Toppers

I have completed a number of custom orders for Wedding Cake Toppers recently.  I will be listing them soon in my Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/trinasclaycreations. They are each examples of Wedding Cake Toppers I can create for you.  I enjoy custom orders, and they are each made with a lot of love and attention to detail.  And, of course, no two toppers are ever the same!  Each is designed and handmade by me, they are made to be one of a kind toppers and keepsakes to be enjoyed for years to come.  :)  Here's a sampling of two of the Toppers I've just completed... 

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  At my customer's request, this Bride and Groom are not standing on a traditional base, they are standing on Home Plate.  Their puppy is holding a sign that says 'Just Married' with the wedding date.  The Brides dress is Ivory and her hair is up in a curly bun and she is holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers in Ivory and Eggplant colors.  The Groom is wearing a Navy Tux with an Ivory shirt, vest and tie.  The topper is approximately 5" tall, on a 4" base.

 ♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥

 

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  This Bride has her hair in a similar bun as the one above, her dress is embellished with a pearl color design and she is holding a beautiful pink bouquet of roses.  The Groom is Dressed in a grey tux with a white shirt, silver vest and tie.  Their little dog has a pink heart hanging from her collar and there is a beautiful pink rose decorating the plaque which has the wedding date on it.  The topper is approximately 5" tall on a 3" round base.

 

♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥`•.¸¸.•´♥

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Here are some more of my latest Custom Order Wedding Cake Toppers, variations from pieces already listed in my Etsy Shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/trinasclaycreations  (You can click on each picture below to see the listings for these pieces.)

 

 

.¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Thank you for visiting today, I hope you enjoyed seeing my newest Wedding Cake Toppers!  Wishing you a great day!  ~Trina