Friday, April 3, 2009

The excitement builds around here

In my effort to keep you posted on the happenings over at the lilac bush, I bring to you the pictures I took this afternoon of the wee little blooms.

Remember how tight they were when I posted them here, just ten days ago? They were just beginning to peek out from under their leaf coverings then.

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I used Pioneer Woman’s seventies action on the shot above, and then brushed off the action from the buds. I was just liking the pink sky. Then I used a texture from Joy St. Claire. It’s a pink one that has a pattern on it and I love it.

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This is pretty much a Straight Out of Camera Shot with another texture of Joy’s that I enjoy using.

So you see, my friends, it’s ever so terribly exciting here at the manor house on the big hill in Maryland. I can hardly contain myself, as I am rather prone to overexcitement.

Every day may not be good,

but there's something good in every day.

~Author Unknown

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

32 comments:

Ellen said...

I can't wait to see the blooms. I wish I could smell them - our lilac is the most pathetic thing I've ever seen.

Samantha ~ Holly and Zac ~ said...

Those are both lovely. I really like them.

Char said...

ohhhhh gorgeous - what joy they must bring you

Unknown said...

how wonderful! Lilacs are one of my favorites. I can't wait to see them bloom around my home town.

BB said...

You are soooo talented... I just stand in awe of what you can do with a simple bloom.
:-)
BB

ELK said...

following this with interest `the purple is vivid...

Shawn said...

I want a lilac bush!

abb said...

So true....there's good in just about everything.

Anxiously awaiting the forthcoming bloom process.

Cindy said...

Those photos are beautiful. I especially like the second one. How do you do the background? That's really a neat effect.

Country Girl said...

Wow, thanks everyone. Lilacs are really one of my favorite flowers. And I haven't had a lilac bush since my sons were very young, so this is a treat.
Cindy, the basic instructions for using texture are here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2255078_add-texture-photo-using-photoshop.html
You'll need Photoshop.

~ C.G.

Woman in a Window said...

Are you kidding? If you could see my eyes you'd duck 'cause they're bulging. That happens here in June.

A Scattering said...

Lovely shots Kate. I think I need to check up on my lilac, I think it's well behind yours though.

Mary said...

Kate, these are beautiful! I don't seem to have good luck with the brushing off part. What PS tool do you use, and what settings?

tj said...

...That last photo almost looks as if the bloom is comin' up out of murky water or somethin'... Love what you do with those textures girl! :o)

...Also, thanks for the great quote - I so needed that today...*sigh w/a smile*

...Blessin's... :o)

Anonymous said...

Love the textures you use. I should become brave like you and try some of these too.

Nah.... too lazy.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
(still missing Maryland)

imom said...

I've been playing catch up today and have loved, loved, loved seeing all of your flower and Longwood Garden shots! They have brightened my day.

Beth said...

I loved your quote. We could all do better remembering that. The pictures as always were beautiful.

Mental P Mama said...

{{{{lilacs}}}}}

Pony Girl said...

I can just smell them....love the textures, very fun. Have a great weekend!

Leenie said...

Yeah, like Woman in the Window says...Lilacs are for June, if they don't freeze first. But if they survive they are one of the best things of spring. Thanks for giving us snowbound people hope.

Jill of All Trades said...

I love lilacs, just love them.

Flea said...

How pretty! Can we smell them when they're open?

Daryl said...

Nice shots .. and BTW I wrote that quote ... ;-)

Kathie Truitt said...

You are an amazingly talented photograper!! Seriously, you should pursue it on a professional level.

Lins said...

Oh, how I love lilacs! Keep those gorgeous pictures coming...I love it!

Lins @ http://goodbyemartha.blogspot.com

Kelly Watson | Womenwise Marketing said...

How inspiring! I love seeing other photographers' textural shots but so few mention how they were created. These are beautiful.

It's obvious you live down south from me, because my lilac bush has barely sprung leaves. I'll have to experiment when I get my own little buds ...

Tess Kincaid said...

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

noble pig said...

They look like velvet! Beautiful.

Deb said...

I wish there was a way to send me a bouquet of lilacs...I so miss the lilacs. I'll keep coming back for the photo journal of their progress.

commoncents said...

Great blog! Care for a link exchange?

http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

Brenda Pruitt said...

That quote is so very true.
Brenda

cottage farm villa said...

Absolutely LOVE that first photo!