Comfort Cottage

In The Bleak Midwinter

Hello there!  I have the Day 7 offering for Kim Klassen's Twelve Days of Texture.

 

 

I combined two of my photos in Photoshop CS5 and used several of Kim's textures.  Here's the layer by layer:

Layer 1:  kkEdward; blend mode: normal; opacity:  47%;  with a gradient overlay

Layer 2: Fence photograph; Blend Mode: color burn; opacity: 100%

Layer 3:  Lily photograph; Blend Mode:  Lighten; Opacity: 94%; added an Underpainting filter; added a layer mask to paint out unwanted parts of photo

Layer 4:  kkCosmos; Blend Mode: Screen; Opacity: 100%

Layer 5:  copy of kkCosmos; Blend Mode: Screen; Opacity 100%

Layer 6:  kkScratched Magic; Blend Mode: Screen; Opacity 100%

Layer 7:  Font: Enid; Opacity 85%; drop shadow; Stroke: color, black; size 3pts

 

In The Bleak Midwinter is a beautiful hymn, written by Gustov Holst in 1905.  The lyrics were penned by  poetess, Christina Rosetti.   The hymn was masterfully reworked by the late singer/songwriter, Dan Fogelberg, and recorded for his 1999 Christmas CD, The First Christmas Morning.  The song expresses the poignant desire of a soul wishing to give something to his Lord in gratitude for the gift of His Son.  The only gift worthy of his Lord is his heart.

I created this work in honor of Dan, who passed away on December 16, 2007.  His was a beautiful soul, and he is joyfully remembered and sadly missed.

 

Until next time,

 

Christmas Past

Another offering for Kim Klassen's Twelve Days of Texture!

 

 

I captured this image of a vintage bicycle last year.  The building it is leaning against dates back to the early 1700's.  My Photoshop CS5 recipe:

 

Bottom Layer:  Kim's Zuzu texture; blending mode:  normal; hue adjusted toward the magenta side; opacity: 77%

Photo Layer: In color; Blending mode set to Normal

Copy of Photo Layer:  photo converted to black and white; bumped up the curves settings; added a noise filter;  added a sepia toned photo filter; added a layer mask to loosely paint the poinsettias back in (I set the brush to 20% flow); blending mode:  Darken

I then merged the Photo layer and the Copy of Photo layer.

Top Layer:  Kim's Annabelle texture, inverted; blending mode: Color Dodge; opacity 100%

 To learn more about Kim, the Twelve Days of Texture, and for free textures, class offerings, and links to all of the "Twelve Days" participants, click here.

Have a fabulous day!

 

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

Love Came Down At Christmas

This was supposed to be Day 4 of Twelve Days of Texture at Kim Klassen Cafe, but it's after midnight.  It's now Day 5!

 

 

I used two of my photos for this one.  Both photo layers have a drybrush filter and a colored pencil filter applied to them.  I tweaked the settings until I got the look I was after.  I also used Kim's Cosmos texture above the photo layer, inverted, set to screen with a reduced opacity.  The font is Aquiline and the quote is by Christina G. Rosetti.  To see more texture art, click here to find all the links.

 

Until next time,

 

A Haddonfield Christmas

Today, since I don't have my latest journal entries done yet, I wanted to share a few photos from my day in New Jersey.  My sister and I had originally thought of going to Pitman, but we ended up in Haddonfield.  We were blessed with a beautiful day. 

 

 

We wandered into a shop called Patricia of Mullica Hill.  It was a cross between an antique store and a home decor shop. 

 

 

I love the wool-applique pillow on the sofa.

 

 

Isn't the quilt wonderful?

 

 

Don't they look cozy?

 

 

A splash of berries and greens.

 

 

I just love their cute little faces and bright red sweaters!

 

 

A country Christmas tree.

 

 

This cute kitty is the perfect way to salvage what's left of an old, threadbare quilt.  Isn't that a gorgeous piece of furniture?

 

 

 

The lovely painting makes me want to run for the paint brushes!

 

 

 

A colorful choir.

 

 

I love the way the left side of this cabinet angles back. 

 

 

We eventually made it to the tea shop, where I finally found this year's new ornament for our tree.   Lorrie and I had lunch at a new sandwich shop.  While we were there, the middle school let out.  This particular shop seemed to be their destination.  I really love middle-school age kids.  They always make me smile.  They were actually all quite polite, and their cheerful, noisy presence added to the holiday mood...and I'd forgotten just how much they can eat!

 

Until next time,

 

 

 

A Weekend of Journaling

This was a quiet weekend, so I got some of my Christmas Journal done.

 

 

 

 

 

The rest of today and tomorrow will be a blur.  My husband's annual office Christmas party is Wednesday.  That means lot's of work for Terri.  I'll be making chocolate covered pretzels today and trying to figure out a gift for the gift exchange.  I won't be able to do any of this tomorrow.  I'll be traveling to New Jersey to spend a day with my sister Lorrie.  We're planning a day of shop-hopping and lunch in Pitman.  It is a wonderful little town that has plenty of Christmas cheer to offer. 

I hope you are not stressing too much over holiday preparations.  This is a beautiful time of the year, if we just remember the true reason for celebration.  I'm thinking of all of you.  You have a special place in my heart, my friends.

 

Until next time,

 

Signs Of The Season

Since I started a few days late on my journal, I've been running behind.  I decided to do today's topic today, and catch up on the rest as I'm able.  So, no, you didn't lose five days, I just gained them!

 

Today's subject was signs of the season.  I took out my camera and photographed many of my old Christmas friends.

 

 

 

Journaling:  The signs of the season are abundant here.  The quilts, paintings, and ornaments are treasured old friends.  They are cheerful reminders of goodness and blessings.

 

Are there special ornaments or treasures that hold a place in your heart?  I'd love to hear about them.  I wish all of you goodness and blessings. 

 

Until next time,

 

How's The Weather?

This is Day 2 of my Christmas journal. 

 

 

The weather for Day 2 was anything but Christmas-like.  It was downright balmy!  I shot these photographs on a day a few years ago that was much more appropriate for Christmas.

 

 

I had a little story I wanted to tell, so I added an insert.

Journaling:  When my sister and I were small, growing up in New Jersey, we had colossal snowstorms.  One winter, our Dad joined us outside.  He got a bucket and we filled it over and over, turning out piles of snow bricks.  We were fascinated as he worked with us, erecting a huge igloo in our backyard.  We had fun playing in it for a week!

 

 

I finally found a use for the sticky-back felt I found at the dollar store!

 

 

Journaling:  Now this is Winter...snow on the ground and a chill in the air, my breath turning to steam as it meets the frozen atmosphere.  There embedded in the crystaline powder is the evidence of a lonely traveler.  I am grateful for the warm shelter that is home.

 

Do you have a snowstorm story to share?  I'd love for you to share it here. 

 

Until next time,

 

Journal Your Christmas 2011

The Christmas season can be a joyous time as we celebrate our faith.  It can also be stressful, lonely, or downright sad for those of us who have lost loved ones, or are experiencing financial or career difficulties, family troubles or separation due to military service, illness, or loss of any kind.  Some may just be weary of the commercialism and the pressure to create what the media or Hollywood tells us is the perfect Christmas.  Let's face it, we all live in the real world, right?  

At this point in my life (and yes, I'm admitting to having hit the big 5-0 in May of this year),  I can say that I have, or am currently experiencing most of what I've described above.  Despite this reality, I am finding within myself the deep desire to reconnect with the simple joy of the season.  Somewhere within my soul the strength has come to take hold of what is, and to make peace with what isn't.  

For me, the central focus of Christmas will always be the message and the measure of God's love for mankind.  It is because of this that I've decided to find joy in the midst of reality  and to reclaim the magic of the season.  I'm inviting you to join me in this quest, as I share my first ever Christmas journal.  I happened upon Shimella Laine's web site while Googling Christmas journaling.  It seems I'm not the first person to think of this or to have this desire.  Throughout the month of December, and continuing to January 6, I will be participating in her online workshop, Journal Your Christmas.  I'll post my journal pages and I invite you to share your own thoughts and insights.  I didn't discover the workshop until a few days after it started, so I'll be playing catch-up this week.  Are you ready?

The first order of business is a Christmas Manifesto (sounds more ominous than it is!) and a promise to myself of what I will focus on.

 

 

 

 

You probably recognize the photo - I posted it a few days ago!

 

 

One of the participants had used this format for her journaling.  I tailored it to suit my own ideas.

 

 

Can you read that date?  Yes, it's 1964!  I'm the little one on the right and I'm with my big sister, Lorrie.  I was 3 1/2 and she was 5 1/2.  Just look at the expression on my face - I looked so mischievous.  The journal card reads:  We were together in 1964 at Wanamaker's in Philadelphia to see Santa.  Ever one to buck the system, I remember trying to climb over the railing to get to Santa.  In 2011, we were together again for the Christmas display at Longwood Gardens. 

 

 

The journaling:  The places we visit have changed, but we still spend time together.  We made our visit to Longwood Gardens on December 1, 2011.  We both have the same model camera, and we had fun learning from each other how to shoot in the varying light conditions of the Conservatory.  When I look at all of this beauty, my heart is filled with joy.  I treasure this time spent with my sister.  I know that things won't stay the same.  Change is in the nature of life.  That is why it is so important to make the most of the time we have together.

 

 

Do you have a favorite spot that you like to spend time at this time of year?  Are you in a place you would rather not be?  I welcome you to share your thoughts . 

 

Have a wonderful day, and God bless you!

 

Until next time,

 

Comfort and Joy

Comfort and joy:  that is what you give me, my friends, as we enter this special season.

 

 

I love to think about you decorating your homes and preparing for the holidays.  I wish you peace.

 

Until next time,

 

A Holiday Non-Pink Saturday

Hello everyone!  I'm so glad the holiday season has begun.  I've started decorating, so I wanted to share one of my favorite spots to decorate.  It was too warm to have a fire today, but I decided to photograph it anyway. 

 

 

Closer to Christmas, I'll hang our stockings.  I made the tiny stocking ornaments.  I hand-embroidered the muslin, sewed them together and then stuffed polyfil in them to puff them out.  I used picks I found at the dollar store to finish them off.

 

 

 

 

 

It took a few years for me to get around to finishing this, but I finally did last year.  I used an antique cabinet door, and painted in acrylics.  I would like to do a faux finish of some kind on the frame of the door,  It is a Betty Caitness pattern, that is a representation of Williamsburg, VA at Christmas. 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to thank Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for hosting Pink Saturday.  Throughout the month we will have the option of posting holiday themes instead of pink.  Please stop by and see her.  You will find links to all of our wonderful Pink Saturday participants, and maybe a bit of holiday inspiration as well.  God bless you!

 

Until next time,