Brave the shave...

...chronicles 

 no.1

 Sarah over at 

Paisley Rain Boots

has a delicious segment, "The Coffee Shop Chronicles" over on her blog and I hope she doesn't mind if I borrow her idea of a "chronicle" format...but just temporarily. If you read THIS POST then you'll know I've been thinking about braving the shave for the St. Baldrick's foundation. I had a few responsible details to clear with my principal, Victoria first before I share the news. Can I just tell you...not ONLY is she completely onboard and supports me 100%, but the idea of getting dialog started about pediatric cancer among our 700+ families was also met with enthusiasm. If you haven't figured it out yet...

YES! I WILL BRAVE THE SHAVE!

The first thing that will be done is an article in the school paper will be written up about St. Baldricks and what I'm doing. It's very important to let the kids know I am not sick. So often, it is automatically assumed that if you don't have hair, you're sick. I've been at this school for 12+ years...I know a lot of kids and their families. 

Next, I had to tell Frankie! I was actually really nervous about telling him. True to himself, this is not something he would do but is happy that I'm excited about doing this. I asked him if would please stand with me and I'd even let him take a swipe with the razor!

Last, I'm registered!

St. Baldricks

 I'm participant #754780

It all happens March 21st!

This video make me cry...every time.

Until next time...

Happy (head shaving) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Friday Finds...

...& bravery

I discovered a French flea market through a gal's booth I visit monthly at a Vintage Faire.

I fell in love & bought several items at the flea market (wanted to take the hydrangea home!) but saving them for another FF. Today though, I wanted to share my beautiful new/old music book and a pair of scissors I found.

I have a bit of a scissor fetish right now!

The photos are the perfect lead into something I'm weighing...a lot.

When was the last time you did something really brave? I don't consider myself a brave person and  I've never done anything that I would consider brave. Every year there is an event called
BRAVE THE SHAVE
with St Baldrick's Foundation,
 a volunteer organization that raises money for children cancer research. 175,000 kids are diagnosed with each year. That number is just too high. Austin braves the shave and actually looks forward to it each year.

That's Austin on the right.
(2014)

Austin is already collecting money for this years event. I had the itch to brave the shave last year. It was just an itch because of the whole bravery thing. This year is different. I keep thinking, how and when did hair get so much power? When I cut my hair pixie short, I'm always telling people, "it's only hair, it grows back." Kids with cancer don't get a choice wether or not to shave their heads.  It's not that I'm not brave, vanity is not an issue. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. Right now it's more of a courtesy situation-I work in an elementary school. It would be a total disruption of instruction time if one day Ms Kelly had hair and the next day...oops...bald Ms Kelly walks into class. 

So today I'm having a meeting with the principal. I'm going to ask her thoughts. Then my really big idea is to get the school involved somehow! 

Shaving my head and raising money for children's cancer research would be the bravest thing I've ever done. 

What's the bravest thing you've ever done?

Please share.

Happy (brave the shave) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Texture...

...Tuesday

with Kim Klassen

It's only taken me all day to get here...between work, not feeling great, grocery shopping, laundry and dinner. Frankie surprised me by heating up the jacuzzi for an after dinner dip to help rid me of the cold that's working me. You can add jacuzzi soak to the list of why this post is up late. 

I received a beautiful vase of purple tulips for my birthday a few weeks ago. They'll be the gift that keeps giving once I plant the bulbs in the ground. The petals are slowly falling off but are still so velvety, feathery, and feminine looking. Jamie snagged a gorgeous tea cup for me from her husband's grandmother. She was asking the girls in the family to claim some items left from another relative that had recently passed away. I've done a whole series of pearls, petals and that pretty bokeh tea cup that sits in the back.

For texture Tuesday, I really tweaked the 2nd image and used Kim's FRENCH MARKET texture on overlay at 35%. I added some Florabella's Vintage and Add Drama to the photo. I also played way too long because everything I was doing to the photo, wasn't quite how I envisioned. Too anal? Probably...but some things I just won't settle on. 

In other news...

...there are so many sick kids at school that I know that's where I pick up crud...quite literally once a week. I live on Emergen-C. (love that stuff) I still feel yucky, but haven't gotten full blown sick...yet...

 I just finished a terrific read...The Witches Daughter by Paula Brackston...you can find it on my side bar. Loved it from beginning to end. I've have never had good luck reading back to back author's books. I've usually loved the first read but not so much the second. At the moment, I'm thinking of giving it another go though. The two other titles are The Midnight Witch and The Winter Witch. The jacket photos alone suck me in! If you have read either of the latter-please chime in.

Ok, I think I'm going to go park myself on the couch and veg out until bedtime. I will be making my rounds to your blogs in the coming week. I love to see all your beautiful photos.

 Happy (tulip lovin') snapping!

xo

Kelly

January in a...

...nutshell

I feel a sense of urgency to write this post today or the end of February will rolling around and I'll be left scratching my head wondering where the time has gone.
 I had birthday #51 on the 14th. I happen to be the nerd that likes my birthday but something rather profound has happened on this birthday. I've been cleansed and feel I've done my time to arrive at this place where a feeling of confidence and security in my life has empowered me. I no longer feel like I need to validate or need validation on anything I say or do. So much so that when the subject came up on date night, Frankie said he noticed the shift. There is a learning curve to put feelings and words into their rightful compartment, but my 2015 word, BALANCE, seems to be coming into play in an unexpected way. I like the change.
 Have any of you had similar experiences? I'd love to hear about it.

Friends who give me wine for presents...are MY kinda friends!

I flew up to the Oakland area to visit Jamie and help celebrate Erik's first birthday.

 Erik is a great eater. He might not like everything you put in front of him, but he tries everything.

He really, REALLY likes cake !

I brought back some amazing treasures gifted to me from Jamie. I haven't even had time to photograph everything. She nabbed, grabbed, claimed this scale as hers...to give to me. She had a recent visit to my SIL's grandmother's house. Antique items were being given away and the grand-daughters were allowed to come and take what they wanted before everything else was given away. Lucky for me, Jamie is like Quick-draw Mcgraw! I love that she knows my taste.

My oldest son, Justin, turned 30...yikes and Frankie turned 60 this month. We got Ms. Kitty to sleep in the garage at night. That's huge. It's nice that we don't have to wonder and worry about her when we hear the coyotes having a party on the golf course at 2 a.m.-Come to think of it, I've been sleeping better knowing she's safe in my garage. Today, I managed to slip a thin collar on her so she'll get use to having one on because Frankie ordered a kitty door, he'll install, that opens electronically by a chip in a special kitty collar. She was NOT happy but hopefully by tomorrow, she won't be giving us the cold shoulder. This weekend I'll be going to a French Flea Market. I'm so excited to see what's for sale.
If you follow Kim Klassen on IG, you know she has a weekly competition-Sat-Tues @ #mystillsundaycompetition
On Wednesday she posts her favorites.

I'm excited to be featured this week as one of 6 artists.
That's my photo up on the top (R) with my new/old scissors. (photos to come)
 Kim is like a blog guru and it's an honor to be included among these great photos. There are some amazing artists and photography going on over there. I'm blown away by what is being posted.
I'll be by your blog this weekend to say hi...
Until then,
Happy (come on February) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Je suis...

...Charlie

I am not a political person~and I promise you my blog will never be a platform on worldy affairs. In all honesty, I barely scan the newspaper headings somedays for fear that my urban bubble might pop. I am usually listening with one ear open while busing myself in other activities as Frankie watches CNN, so I am full aware of what's going on in the world. But sometimes, certain events stick in my craw, and I  just feel compelled to say what I'm thinking.

Except...

kk blackcanvas

I don't always agree with what people put in print, and there are plenty of times I'm bothered over articles or cartoons-but I get to decide whether something deserves my time or to even give something a second thought...that is after all, the beauty of freedom of speech and loss of life over that right saddens me. I am feeling especially blessed today, to freely write my thoughts in this entry. 

As a blogger, photographer & dabbler of the arts,
I've put my say out into the universe...for whatever it is worth. 

kkorganic

"The pen is mightier than the sword"

Sharing over at Kim's

xo

Kelly

Postcards from...

...the edge

LIBERATE YOUR ART
is in full swing & I wanted to get the word out early in case any of you are interested in participating in this incredible postcard swap.
 Kat has all the details HERE  and while you're there, take a look at the number of artists and countries & how this event has grown. It's not just about photography-digital art, mixed media, acrylics, pen & ink, it's all amazing and really fun way to connect with other like minded artists. There are a few videos to watch and just wait...you'll see what I'm talking about. There is so much eye candy that flashes before your eyes... to witness everyones work...well, it's just inspiring to see.

This is the 5th year of the swap and my 3rd year to float my art into the universe. The above shot is a sampling of the fun cards I've received. I'm starting now so I'm not late and miss the March deadline. (not that it ever happened to me(snort)).
 In case you are thinking about sharing in this experience, I use MOO for printing my postcards. They come out beautiful, very professional on hard card stock and the website is pretty easy & straight forward. If you are interested in seeing the quality, leave me your full name & snail mail addy-and I'll be happy to send you a piece of happy mail.
I've connected with several photographers & now we're "friends" over on IG. I say go take a peek & if you have any questions you can always ask Kat,  and there are LOTS of resources to help you get started. If you pop over-tell her I sent you!
Happy (snail-mail) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Good news...

...other news

The good news is, Frankie got my little girl to work. The other news is that at some point as the camera was being worked on, the film had been exposed. I shot off the last 4 photos fully accepting the fact that most likely none would turn out. (but secretly hoping one would) Polaroid film has changed over the years. Frankie remembers when a photo came out to keep it in light to develop. Now-a-days the first 10 seconds are critical to not expose the picture to light. It must immediately be turned over or put in a dark place to full develop....30-40 minutes later. Film isn't cheap either...8 photos in a cartridge sells for $24-There is no wiggle room to experiment-especically with the camera's exposure disc. Despite all of that, I promptly ordered another pack and I'll try it again...and again! But there's just something about that frame that is reminiscent of a simpler life and time that makes me swoon. 

This story isn't over yet!

Happy (polaroid) shooting!

xo

Kelly