Invisible Woman

fiddling around with photo filters

 The 100+ degree days of summer in Phoenix are at least temporarily upon us. This heat chases me inside for more of the day where I find myself at the computer, tinkering with photos -- instead of being outside, taking more photos.

This morning I've been playing with this image I took yesterday, above with the usual basic crop & edits that most of my photos get -- mainly contrast & sharpening adjustments after first cropping for a balanced image.

 

This version has a filter applied that simulates Polaroid film with highlights blown.

 

This version applies an additional filter that simulates a faded old film and adds a darker vignette.

 

This version adds a final additional filter that further fades colors other than red.

 

And this version replaces the final filter in the previous photo with one that applies a sepia/blue color-toned effect in lieu of the non-red fading.

If you're curious about what the original  image looked like fresh from the camera with no cropping or editing, here it is...

Not even my copyright ID tag added.

Playing with filters and other effects is a good antidote to cabin fever, but be careful -- it can gobble up as much time as Facebook or Pinterest or Words With Friends -- so proceed with caution!

   

DBG: a long-overdue visit

 
Yesterday I finally made it back to the Desert Botanical Garden, after several long months' heat/humidity-induced hiatus. (Translation: I'm a Phoenix summer wimp.)

 

  
Just through the entry gate, I was greeted by this giant praying mantis sculpture. It was the first of many of David Rogers' Big Bugs I encountered throughout the DBG. Pretty amazing!

 

 
There were flocks of goldfinches, quail, and even our local wild-adapted lovebirds enjoying the late summer seed bounty. I've updated my DBG Flickr set with the newest photos -- you can see the slideshow here, or click through the set here.

Now that our weather is moderating, I hope to be back at the DBG often.

  

clouds in my brain

 

That's how I feel now, not having a clear view to my next project.

Could make some more new pillows, though I'd rather do another wall hanging, or maybe even find the courage to take on a nap-size quilt.

 But I can't conjure a design for any of the above. Frustrating. My last two project ideas fell into place pretty quickly, and now -- nada. Hate when this happens. Maybe I'll have to resort to rerun projects until the brain clouds dissipate.

For now, I'll share a few more recently-seen scenes from around the house.

 

Yesterday, a mini-quail in the feed saucer.

 
This morning, a female hummingbird on alert.

 
And this afternoon, a spy at the front window.

When creativity fails, I'm thankful I can grab my trusty camera and take photos.

 

through my window: on the fence

Dad & the quail kids, late this afternoon.

 

seen around the house

 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

details: morning light

 
One of my favorite times of day is when morning light filters through the high window above the front door, and the angled beam gradually creeps across favorite objects atop the entry sideboard.

This morning, the beam of light fell perfectly on this handmade fluted glass bowl, washing the deep blue-aqua color onto the quilted runner and illuminating the metallic glazed pattern on the pitchers behind.

Admittedly, I fiddled with this a bit in a Photoshop program to add some subtle moody character. And the faux border, too.

All the while, the Kaffe and Marcia Derse fabric arrangements on my sewing table continued to percolate through my subconscious. I'm hoping for the elusive wow moment to surface soon, so I can start stitching.

*     *    *     *     *

Late afternoon, progress report:

 
This is my progress on the Kaffe shot cottons & stripes so far -- still not wowing me, but some of the magic doesn't happen until it's stitched together and quilted -- texture adds so much. Thus, I'll likely proceed with this plan in pillow mode and hope my instincts don't fail me too badly, since I'm a bit out of practice.

And here is the Marcia/Kaffe marriage at present:

 
I'm thinking that the solo black fabric needs to be repeated or echoed by another dark element. Quite possibly these fabrics will be remixed and added to for a series of small quilted wall pieces that could hang in our great room.

Maybe.

Time will tell.

Still percolating. 

time traveling via 6-pack

 
But not the kind of 6-pack you might imagine.

This is a 6-pack of Sprinkles cupcakes.

A special treat, indeed.

These taste like cupcakes tasted when I was a kid, back when cupcakes were made from scratch, or at least from a simple mix that didn't include pudding or call for (ick) vegetable oil.

These have buttercream frosting. Lots of it.

Some people say there's too much frosting (in our family, frosting was always icing) -- but I think it's a perfectly perfect amount.

Eating a Sprinkles cupcake makes me feel like a 5 year old at a birthday party, or a family picnic, or a cozy Sunday supper at Grandma's house.

Mmm...

Almost makes me want to dust off my vintage Betty Crocker cookbook to see if I can whip up some good, old-fashioned cupcakes myself.

  

DBG: hawk mates & lens envy

 The biggest *problem* with having a newer, better camera to work with is my frustration that I'm still missing some shots I'd sooo love to be getting.

If only I'd had a longer telephoto, maybe a 400mm (could I even lift such a lens?) I might have done a better job with this beautiful opportunity at the DBG Wednesday morning:

 
After I watched a hawk land on a hillside far in front of me, I looked through my binocs to the rocks where it landed, and saw there were actually two hawks standing there.

Most likely these are Red-tailed mates.

They stood there together for quite awhile, as I hurriedly wound my way farther along the trail to the closest vantage point, above.

 
Taken with a longer lens, the above cropped version of the top photo might actually be sharp and clear.

That would have been a good one.

Ahhh, lens envy...

But at least I caught the moment, grainy though it may be, of two beautiful wild hawks surveying their vast territory while virtually invisible to the naked human eye.

Which I guess is pretty satisfying, after all.

birthday fun

 

We're just back from a quick trip to VA to visit our boys and celebrate son Chris's birthday.

Saturday afternoon, we visited some favorite Loudoun County wineries.

 
These iPhone photos were taken at the pondside area at Doukenie, which was our first stop. It was a beautiful sunny day.

 
The fresh spring air and a picnic lunch of salami, cheddar, freshly baked bread and a bottle of good red had everyone smiling.

 

new toy

 
I got an iPhone.

It really wasn't planned.

Sadly, my trusty old LG obviously-not-smart flip phone took an unexpected *swim* last week, and was rendered mute by the trauma of it all.

So call it an early birthday present, or a several-times-postponed upgrade -- I'm thrilled to call this wondrous new toy phone my own.

Oh, the apps!

The photos here were taken using the iPhone, with the vintage photo Hipstamatic camera app. Nothing too fancy or complicated, but still fun.

And John gave me an iBird Explorer app, so now I'll have an interactive bird ID guide in my pocket wherever I go.

 

Maybe having a smarter phone will help offset my middle-aged forgetfulness? We'll see...

But there's one resident of our household who is less than amused by my fascination with this new iGizmo.

 

She can't play fetch with my new toy.

And she hates posing for these closeups.