Sunday Morning Gallery - Wildflowers of the Rockies

It is not easy to define a wildflower; what one person considers a wildflower may be a weed to another. All we may safely say is that they are wild plants with flowers and that they may be found almost anywhere. Here are a few from my neck of the woods.

Stemless Daisy

Rocky Mountain Columbine

Scotch Thistle

Narrowleaf Penstemon

Datura

Western Wallflower

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Friday Favorites - Desert Color

I have always loved vibrant desert color. The color of a Sedona sunset, coral and turquoise jewelry, and the giant red mesas in the old John Wayne movies of my childhood send a warm happy feeling right through me and down to my toes. Enjoy these gorgeous pieces from some very talented artisans. Please visit their shops by clicking on the piece's title. Enjoy!

CEREMONIAL HEADRESS
by Original Art Studio

Robin's Egg Blue Semi-precious Stone and Copper Earrings
by TK Designs

Enlightened
by Kenna Foster

Desert Oasis Necklace
by Kelley Livingston

The Horseman
by Uncle Lee

Pussy Willows in Rocky Mountain National Park

Pussy willow is a name given to the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. Before the male catkins come into full flower they are covered in fine, greyish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats, also known as "pussies". The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring.

These cute little fuzzy buds remind me of my childhood. My Mom was very good at seasonal decorating with whatever grew beside the road and pussy willows were always in a spring bouquet. I used to love to stroke the furry little "paws" and imagine that someday I would have a real kitty.

Do you have a memory connected to pussy willows? Which shot do you like the best? I'd love to hear from you.

If you are interested in purchasing information for Pussy Willows just click the link. Thanks!

Sunday Morning Gallery - Black and White Photography Part 1

I do not work with black and white photography often although I admire the work of other photographers immensely. Because of being inspired by the wonderful black and white photography that I have seen I have been playing with some of my own photos recently. I hope you will tell me what you think. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Friday Favorites - Sunflowers of Etsy

This week I would like to shine the spot light on the fantastic photographers of the Photographers of Etsy.

Here are a few of my favorite discoveries from POE. Be sure to visit each shop by clicking on the item name or shop name. Enjoy!

Sunflower Morning
by
JMcGuinness

As Far as the Eye Can see
by
The Eye

Bee and Sunflower
by
Cat Ludwig Studio

After The Storm Sunflower
by
Celtic Cat Photos

Visit me here.

Tattoo Me by Love

As some of you know I recently got a tattoo and as I promised I am sharing my experience. After talking over my idea and giving Mez Love some photos she worked up a sketch of my idea. We talked about it and fine tuned it until it was just right.

The day of my appointment I was a little giddy and a little nervous. Getting a tattoo has been on my "bucket list" for a long time and I was ready. But since this was my first I wondered how much was this really going to hurt! People had been telling me quite frequently all the stories they had heard about how much it hurts. Well, I can tell you from experience that the anticipation was much worse than the reality. I clenched my teeth waiting for the first sting of the needles and was surprised that it was mostly just irritating.

The first thing Mez does is put on the ink template from her sketch.



Mez Love really does love her work. She starts by doing all the outlines in black ink.



The black ink is done and it really is starting to look like a tattoo.




Time for a break and a peek at the progress.



It's done! I absolutely love it! The pinkness will fade and heal in a couple weeks and I have my specially designed by Mez Love tattoo. Thanks Mez!