Focus on Life: My Best Shot!

...or, are you kidding?

So, this week's photo prompt from Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is "Your Best Shot." No pressure, right? 

Thinking about this, I got past the idea of choosing the best photo I have ever taken. Who can do that! I decided to take my camera with me as I did some errands, and choose the best shot I took while out. 

Driving down country roads, I found it hard to find a good place to pull over and explore. I mean, I even saw some peacocks sitting on someone's porch railing. But you can't just pull out your camera and start shooting someone's peacock. So to speak. 

But I did stumble on a park that is relatively new, and thought I would explore. Um, Can you say boring park? Parking lot for the picnic shelter area, parking lot for the Pop Warner football field, mowed grassy areas, and a small playground area. And NO people. 

I walked around the perimeter, and got some shots of berries and foliage. But nothing I could call my best shot. 

Until I decided to try taking some pictures of the deserted playground. 

MY BEST SHOT!

What's your best shot? Mine got a little help from PicMonkey. 

Check out what others have done by following these links: 

They're Here!

Beads and jewelry for two Blog Hops have arrived. 

This week I received the beads and jewelry I have been waiting for. 

Necklace, bracelet and earrings. 

From Jeannie Dukic I received this set of jewelry for reworking as part of her Do-over Challenge. . 

Against skin, you can see the lovley pale green of the freshwater pearls.


 

And from Sharyl, I got this set of beaded beads, made out of seed beads by Shirley, plus metal pieces made by Sharyl, and a few surprises. Sharyl and Shirley are co-sponsoring a hop featuring their components.  

Seeds and metal.

Ribbon and glass bead surprise. 

Stay tuned for the results. 

Focus on: Quiet Moments

The best of the quiet moments.

This week's prompt from Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime invites us to present a quiet moment or two. One of my favorite times of the day is when I walk out with my dog, Bebop, and my trusty camera. A time both quiet and invigorating. Here are a few images, from one of those days when the sun was at just the right angle. 

Mist caught on the hill side. 

Last days of the Queen's Lace.

Sweet little flowers.

And another quiet moment, moon gazing....

Shine on Harvest Moon. 

Take a look what the others have done! I didn't receive links for this week's hop, but you can link up from Sally's blog, The Studio Sublime.

Bog Hop Season!

Doing it again, yes I am!

Recently, I signed up for two blog hops. One is a new to me Hop, sponsored by Sharyl McMillan-Nelson of Sharyl's Jewelry and Reflections, and Shirley Moore of Beads and Bread.

We will be receiving a beaded piece from Shirley's collection, and some metal work by Sharyl. 

Should be fabulous!

And if this was not enough, I am again signed up for the 6th Do-Over Challenge with the uber talented Jeannie Ducik - from a time when she was doing a whole different kind of work that she is not interested in selling now. 

Can't wait!

Focus on: Motion!

Motion and the suggestion of motion.

This week's Focus on Life assignment sent by Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is "In Motion." Now - we are dealing with still photography here. Do you see the challenge? Yeah, thought you would!

In trying to meet this challenge, I was torn between taking it literally - using my camera to stop motion, or to try and suggest motion....somehow. Unhelpfully, my camera battery died in the middle of a walk where I thought I might capture something cool. 

So, back to the archives, where I remembered that I had some cool series shots of a Great Blue Heron that are from last year. And some more recent shots of Canada Geese at the local small airport. And a Squirrel, just cuz they're cute. And PicMonkey's collage feature was just made for this..... 

Now let's see how the others handled this challenge.....

Focus on life update: My have we Grown (and Changed)

Last week I blogged about my little red pepper. 

Here is how it looked just before we ate it!

(It was delicious.)

Focus on Life - They come Two by Two!

A Gemini Chooses Things in Pairs. 

Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime sends us a weekly prompt, and we post pictures to address that prompt. This week's prompt dealt with things that come in twos. 

Of all the photos I have chosen for this project, I have rarely focused on the jewelry that I make. So here are a few favorites from the vaults!

Dyed howlite and a couple of  Czech beads.
 Simple but effective

I love finding new ways to use bead caps. 

Lapis Lazuli and copper.
 Even if the wire work leaves something to be desired,
 a great combination.

One of my most recent sales. I almost kept them....

A desire for fabulous earrings got me started in jewelry making. As far as I am concerned, they are some of the finest pairs there are!

Take a look at some more pairs!