Monday, October 24, 2011

I love swirls

We had a lovely visit with old friends this weekend, and my downstairs got a good cleaning, to boot. Cleaning is hard work, man. And some day, I swear, I am going to hire a cleaning person to do all this grunt work. But I digress.

Because this post is about swirls.

One particular swirl, at that.

 

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After working on the house all day Saturday, followed by grocery shopping, I had a nice relaxing cup of tea in the late afternoon out by the garden. I looked to my left and immediately saw this beautiful morning glory swirl.

I had to capture it. And while doing so, I decided to capture it using different angles and backgrounds because when I turned in different ways, the colors would change. In the photo above, for example, the red tint comes from the leaves on the dogwood tree at the edge of the woods.

 

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Tonight, while I waited for the dinner to cook, I played with my pictures in Photoshop, using actions from Red Leaf Studios and textures from Shadowhouse Creations and Les Brumes.

For the two photos above, I used the Velvet Sage action from the soft vintage collection at Red Leaf along with a texture from Shadowhouse Creations called Raised Effect. You can find them here:

Red Leaf Studios

Raised Effect Textures {free}

 

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I like this perspective. I’m also fooling around with another watermark – something I do all the time. Not sure about this one, however.

I used the Cocoa Mais action from the vintage collection at Red Leaf for the photo above and a texture from Les Brumes that I found on Flickr.

Les Brumes texture/005 {free}

 

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I started back to work today, part-time in the afternoons. I’m not sure how it’s going to work out for my husband. It’s only for a few hours a day, though. So we’ll see.

Some of the teachers came down to the office after they heard me make an announcement over the loud speaker. And some called me on the intercom. And guess what?

No tears.

Only smiles.

 

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

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30 comments:

Jamie said...

I like the photo of the tip of the bloom... the star shape of the closed petals is awesome. Glad the return to work went well!

Unknown said...

Oh so gorgeous!!! What a unique way to capture the beauty of the morning glory. I love it!!

Anonymous said...

Your tears have been swirled away. :-) Lovely swirl, Kate!

Gail said...

Once again, your art has left me with only one word...WOW!

Hilary said...

Who doesn't love a swirl, I ask ya?

Jeanne Walker said...

Once upon a time, photographs were just that...a photo of a wedding couple, a photo of a newborn, a photo of the first day of school, a dance recital or baseball game. It has evolved into a real art form over the years! And you, my friend, are an artist! Love the swirls! So glad that you had no tears today. It was a good day for you! And thanks, K, for the prayers!

linda said...

A different perspective....hmmm, maybe I should work on that here.

Hope the smiling segue to work goes well. I'm sure folks were happy to hear your voice over the loudspeaker :)

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Beautiful.

Glad your return to work went smoothly and hope everything continues to improve. I'm definitely thinking about you.

tina said...

Somehow getting back into a routine always make things feel a little bit better.

Reena said...

I do like that watermark. I need to hire you to make me a watermark! I waste hours fooling around making them!
As always your twirls are twirling great!
Keep smiling girl!

Linda said...

You have such a way of capturing the small details. Love the swirls :D

JaneK said...

brilliant photography!! my fave is the one from on top (the third one); seriously.....just brilliant!

Ashley Sisk said...

oooh very cool - I love the swirls too.

mrs mediocrity said...

Love those swirls! And yay for smiles...

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

Good for you for looking closely at the beauty around you! Thanks for sharing the details that I'd probably have missed!
I bet George is nice company for your husband while you're away! :)

michelle said...

Love that watermark.....I have never played with them before - something interesting to take a look at this winter - I am trying to amass some indoor crafts and creative things for when the colder months settle in.

Gayle said...

L O V E the swirls! Someday soon I am going to figure out those textures, until then I stay inspired by looking at your pics. Glad you had smiles today. :)

GailO said...

Your swirls are wonderful! And I do love how a different perspective can change the whole feel of the photo...

Glad you had a good day at work...I'm still thinking of you daily...

wayne15575 said...

Beautiful as always Kate... thanks for sharing.

Charlene N. K. said...

I love them too! And your swirly flower images are so wonderful they sent me swirling up in the air!

Mental P Mama said...

Gorgeous! And a wee bit of back-t0-normal. It's all good;) xoxoxo

Gretchen said...

Lovely photos!! Glad the transition back to work was a happy one and part-time sounds right.

Daryl said...

baby steps .. its wonderful to have such supportive co-workers and friends it makes tears swirl into smiles xox

Mary said...

Good for you, Kate! Little by little, things will get back to normal, or you will achieve a new normal... and with your family and friends and co-workers and readers there to supply the smiles and hugs along the way.

Love the new watermark, and LOVE that "from above" shot!
xoxo

The JR said...

Beautiful pictures of my enemies....

LOL...I'd have to clean before I could hire cleaning people.

Kerri Farley said...

These are super!!
And glad you had a nice weekend with friends!!

Are you creating the watermarks yourself (thru photoshop) or are you using a specific program for them?
I really like this one - but of course, I like all of the ones you have shared :)

PS - I would LOVE to hire someone to clean my house!!

Country Gal said...

A work of art. Glad to hear all is so much better for you and hubby. Have a wonderful eve.

Lili said...

It sounds like a pretty good day for you and your lovely swirls Kate! xo ~Lili

Cloudia said...

spirals!

becky up the hill said...

Dear one, I think any lady who works as hard as you do, deserves to have a house cleaner. If you can, please do.