SummerSchool: Make-N-Create Days 5-12 ... Potpourri

No, not that kind of potpourri!

Haven't had much blogging time this past week (notable exception - new View From My Pew entry a couple of days ago), but I have spent part of each day doing creative stuff.  Lots of activity centered around the Ministry Spotlights for St Matthias - other ministries asked me to shoot them in action, or send some of my stash of stock images.

I also FINALLY finished up the Carnival Thank-You cards - The images looked OK, but I'm now finding that the transparency that was present in the images while still in Publisher (specifically, the dissolve area around the sponsor signs on the blue textile mat) translated in the JPEGs as white ground - originally thought this was a Costco issue, but it was clearly me.  Here are the generic card fronts (the 80+ sponsors receive cards with their own signs):

(BTW, the white band down the right side was cut off to fit the card size)

Today brings some different activity - haiku and a sympathy card to mark the passing of Sunshine Capaccione, at the ripe old age of 18 (well, old for a cat), and a birthday card for Richard ...

Feeling peaceful!

SummerSchool: Make-N-Create Day 4 ... Photography

Today, Pentecost, found me filling a full 8GB card at two Masses.

Besides some special stuff going on - two First Communions, three Confirmations, Pastoral Council installation, and farewell to graduating Altar Servers, there were extra pictures taken to capture the Bell Choir in action, Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors in service for the Liturgy Spotlight slide shows, and a father and son before the young man reported for USMC basic training today.

I'm still working on the Carnival thank-you notes, so at best, I'll download the images later today.

So grateful for this gift!

SummerSchool: Make-N-Create Day 3 ... Paper Crafting continues

Instead of embellishing the note cards, I came up with a different option - using paper punches to remove the ares of the cards with the initial.  I'll back the cutout area with a sentiment, and still use a vellum insert for the interior verse.

Not bad!

SummerSchool: Make-N-Create Day 2 ... Paper Crafting

Didn't get quite as far as I would have liked with today's project - spent more time in Fords than was part of the plan.

I did come up with a concept, though, and even some early design work.  I received some notecards a couple of years ago as a gift that have my initial on them - they don't quite fit in with my general needs, so I've not used them.

It occurred to me that I could embellish the front of the card to cover the initial, add a sentiment printed on vellum for the interior, and get almost immediate use.  While the actual style of the embellishment is still fuzzy, I'm on the path.  More tomorrow!

In the meantime, wishing you peace ...

SummerSchool: Make-N-Create Day 1 ... Photo Editing

Just spent about 15 minutes having some fun with an image I shot of a rose at Colonial Park yesterday ...

I started by playing around with the raw image, shifting everything from the white balance to vibrancy.  Such different results!  For these cutouts, I went back to the near-original image, with just some shifts in brightness and black balance.

So many of my photography projects lately have been for others - it was nice to do something just for the sheer joy of it!

PS - I also spent some time updating the look and feel of this blog.  Along the way, I found out that Google has a great source for some fonts (and I absolutely LOVE getting new fonts!) - http://www.google.com/webfonts

SummerSchool: Make-N-Create

Summer arrived in Jersey this year before the calendar was ready, prompting some thoughts these past few days about how I've spent time from June through Labor Day Weekend in times past.

Yes, I spent close to 20% of those summers marching, or doing things related to marching.  Earlier this year, part of me was even thinking about heading down that road (or field) again, but real life got in the way.

Another favorite?  Those summer reading lists in grammar and high school.  Talk about giving a book junkie an excuse!

By far, though, one of the activities I've missed the most in recent times is the Arts and Crafts Day we had at least once a week at Woodland Park in Fords.  From potholders to stained glass, I couldn't get enough!

Time to get back there - my goal is to spend time each day from now through September 9th doing something creative.

Have some fun with me!