Thanks to Peggy...

I've now found a program that lets me CREATE a collage from scratch. It's fun and easy. I've already figured out how to manipulate the grid background, so I'm not as limited there as I thought, but for just a few minutes investment, I can print this out, frame it up and deliver to the grandparents in fine style. No hassle whatsoever. What is this program, you may ask? Well, my sister-in-law's mother (how about I just call her my friend, Peggy?!) introduced me to it. It's conveniently located at and sponsored through Google, and it's FREE! OK, OK - if you haven't already guessed, it's Picasa 3.

Now, I'm a DEVOTED PhotoShop CS2 user (I'd like to upgrade, but the costs... oy vei!), so I have to admit I was a little pretentious and thought this would be a bunch a fluff. WELL, it's NOT! OMG! If you would like to do photo editing and you don't have the bucks for PhotoShop, never fear! This program has so many great tools (that are WAY BEYOND user friendly and into the "a second grader can do this" category) and they really do mimic the results I get out of PhotoShop. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some things in PS that I'll never be able to do w/o as far as editing my photos, but this free program does a HECKUVA LOT for the price.

So, thanks, Peggy, for the recommendation. I love the Collage Feature in Picasa and will probably use it often. Oh, and it even has a feature that connects to my blog and lets me do all this (blogging) with no extra hassle. How cool is THAT?!?


Now, before I close, I do have to mention (so I can enter this post in the contest) that Skye Hardwick and MCP actions have teamed up for an AWESOME giveaway. You've got to check out Skye's Workshop Workbook (an INCREDIBLE RESOURCE - which I'm hoping beyond hope to win!) and MCP's Actions (which I use OFTEN). Some of the best tools in the business, so you don't want to miss the reduced prices and the awesome giveaways!

Happy shooting, blogger buds!

It's Giveaway Time again!

Hey fellow photogs! There's another great giveaway in progress and you don't want to miss it. Sky Hardwick is GIVING AWAY her Workshop Workbook. This alone is incredible, but she's hooking up with MCP Actions, and they are including two $50 gift certificates to their site. If you've never been, you MUST check it out. The actions there are insane! I have a few of them and use them ALL THE TIME. OK - be sure to check it all out here: Skye Hardwick's Workshop Workbook / Giveaway.

A Collage of Cormac

I found a template and decided to give it a try. It was surprisingly easy and I intend to play around more and try to vary the template a bit. That said, here's the first one I've ever made:

More to come, I'm sure, but now - I. MUST. SLEEP. Later, blogger buds!

A Day for GIVEAWAYS!

Check out this amazing givewaway from Life. Camera. Actions. at www.moms-with-cameras.com!

There are some amazing actions here. Even if I don't win, I'm thinking of getting the Life.Camera.Workflow actions. Absolutely stunning!

Check out this great GIVEAWAY!

This fabulous bag is a giveaway for today from Reisenthel and Simple... find it here:

SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!

Also, I can be found on FaceBook and Twitter. Feel free to friend me or follow me!

A FABULOUS Resource for Photographers!

If you are a photographer - especially if you are new to this craft, like I am - you must check out the Workshop Workbook, by Skye Hardwick. The reviews are fabulous and it's a resource I DEFINITELY WANT to get my hands on!

Also, for photographers and PhotoShoppers alike, be sure to check out these actions by Florabella. They have a very vintage feel about them and I adore the way they make my pictures look.

Just a few resources for my Photographer/PhotoShop friends!

And So it Begins...

This was my first adventure in macro photography. At the time, I was using a Canon point-and-shoot camera (which I still carry everywhere I go).

This praying mantis was a guest on my window sill for a few weeks. He molted a couple of times and, within the two weeks, he was all grown up and ready to venture out on his own.

I kinda missed him when he left!