This and That (Summer Creative Plan and Happy Mail GlT Collage)

I've been engaging in some retail therapy lately, which has resulted in the receipt of Happy mail. First, I ordered some very happy washi tape from Artsyville, as well as this very happy print.   I also ordered the Marathon paper collection from Club Scrap, which was on HUGE SALE.  They both arrived on the same day, along with some photographs I had ordered.  This inspired me to make a "Happy Mail" collage with the washi tape, goodies from Sian's big swap of very small things, and a zebra cut from a paper pad I bought at Michael's. I'm posting this (a day late) to Glue it Tuesday.
I also wanted to check in with folks and ask what their creative plans were for this summer (besides the Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt, of course). I've got a few things on my plate:
I signed up for Jennifer's Projects that Wow class, which begins soon.
I plan to participate in the Summer of Color Challenge, sponsored by the Twinkle, Twinkle blog. I've seen others do this and decided this was the summer to join the fun. I know I want to work with acrylic paint for the weekly challenge, but I'm still deciding whether to work on canvases or plaster wrap. It begins on Monday.
I might also participate in "Find Your Voice," a free 8 week storytelling class sponsored by Kristin at Rukristin.  It begins June 24, and I found it through my blog friend Jo of Curly Scrapbooker.
In July, I will play along with Bernice in her Passport to Art altered book challenge blog. It's free, and I always find her prompts inspiring.
I think that should keep me plenty busy! Especially since I hope to finish some other projects  that have been accumulating on my desk.
What about you? Do you have any creative plans for the summer?
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p.s. The 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt is on! Check out the details at this post. 

Look Up//Look Down #22: In the Garden

The vegetable garden is doing very well so far this year. Looking up at little green tomatoes and yellow flowers and down at the zucchini plant, complete with blossoms and baby squash. Yellow seems very summery to me. Look Up//Look Down is a weekly photo meme sponsored by Helena of Helena's Creative Maven.
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p.s. The 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt is on! Check out the details at this post. 

The Scavenger Hunt Begins!

I had a wonderful trip last week to Southern California to visit family, vacation with Clara and run the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon. I'll post more about my adventures later, but the short version is: Clara and I finished the race successfully, and we had a terrific time together.
While I was away, the 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt went live, and I am thrilled by the number of people who have said they plan to participate! I also began collecting items from the list.  #4 An Airplane was easy, since we traveled by air on our trip.  While at the airport, I was also able to find #14 An stained glass item or a mosaic:

I put this item on the list with my cousin Irene in mind because she is a wonderful stained glass artist. But I found some wonderful glass mosaic murals at the San Diego airport and grabbed my camera to document them.  I think this is often the way the Scavenger Hunt works for me - I know where some items definitely are (like the airplane), and I stumble across others.  The lesson I take from this is don't be discouraged if you don't know where you'll ever find a fisherman or a windmill. They might turn up when you least expect it!
Since the list has been up for a few days, I wanted to check in and see if anyone had any questions or concerns.  If so, let me know. 
I'm also curious about whether people have started to post their finds yet. I'm very behind in my blog reading (hope to fix that tomorrow), so if you have a post up, let me know in the comments, and I'll come visit.  I did manage to read Mary's post which has seven finds, including a wonderful picture of clouds in the shape of a little Westie dog running and playings (yes, seriously).  
Finally, thanks to everyone who's posted about the Hunt. As I have always said, the more the merrier!

PHC May: Satisfaction

This is a happy boy.
This is a boy whose life is good.
He just got a hit and is standing on first base.
He is about to graduate from high school and head off to college.
He just turned 18, and he has his whole life in front of him.
He is the picture of satisfaction, and he is my photo-heart connection for May.  
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To learn more about the photo-heart connection practice, check out Kat's post here.

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p.s. The 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt is on! Check out the details at this post. 

Storytelling Sunday: Earning My Keepsake

{The first Sunday of each month, Sian of From High in the Sky hosts Storytelling Sunday, an opportunity for bloggers to gather and share a few stories. For 2013, she has suggested that we share stories about our precious keepsakes. Here's my story for today.}

On Friday, I bought this necklace at the registration expo for the 2013 San Diego Rock'n'Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon.
By the time you read this, I will have arisen at 3:15 a.m. to put on my running shirt and race bib, my running tights and race socks.  I will have laced up my shoes and packed a bag with my supply belt and visor.
I will have met my race team in the hotel lobby at 4:00 a.m. to catch the shuttle bus to the starting line of the race.
By the time you read this, I will have waded through 20,000 people and will have found my corral for the 6:45 a.m. start.
I will have looked at my daughter, Clara, and thanked God for giving us the opportunity to take this incredible journey together and for all that it has done for her and for us.
By the time you read this, I will have run 13.1 miles to honor Mick, Judy, Phil, Trish and Thelma, as well as Jeff, Peter, Marti, Megan and Sandi.
I will have paid homage to our Santa Cruz team honorees Gini, Doug, Kathy and Greg.
I will have thought about Paul every step of the way.
By the time you read this, I will have completed the San Diego Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon, and by the time you read this, I will have earned a new precious keepsake.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement.  I could not have done it without you.
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p.s. The 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt is on! Check out the details at this post. 

2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt!!!

Hello everyone and welcome to the 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt!
I am really looking forward to hosting this event.  Everyone is welcome to join - the more, the merrier! So, tell your friends.  Bookmark this page, and let's get started!
Rules and guidelines are at the end of this post, but it's really very simple.  The goal is to get you out exploring with your camera this summer.  You have until the last day of summer (September 21) to find and photograph the following items:
1.   Open air market
2.   Theater for performing arts (not a movie theater)
3.   City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building
4.   Airplane
5.   A sunset
6.   Someone or something taking a nap
7.   A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
8.   A tower
9.   A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong
10.  A bench that is outside
11.  An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc.
12.  A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)
13.  A fence
14.  A stained glass object or a mosaic
15.  A fire truck or police car
16.  A windmill 
17.  Candle(s)
18.  Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop
19.  A fisherman
20. A dinosaur
21.  A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply (you cannot substitute for this item)
Bonus/substitute items.  If you find any of the above items too difficult, feel free to substitute either (or both) of these items.  You can substitute up to two items, but you cannot substitute Item #21:
A person wearing an outfit (or item of clothing) that symbolizes your country
A sundial
And here are the guidelines/rules:
1.  Participants are encouraged to periodically post their finds on their blog. Try to add a "tag" or a"label" to each post, so that it is easy for readers to find all your scavenger hunt posts.  
2. If you plan to participate in the hunt, please leave me a comment with your blog address. I'll add you to my reader, so I can be sure to stop by and see any scavenger hunt posts you have.
3. Once a month, I will host a link-up party where people can check in and show off their finds!
4. You don't need a blog to participate!  Just find a photo hosting site, like flickr or shutter fly and put all your scavenger hunt photos in one album.  When we have the monthly check-ins, you can comment with a link to your photo album. 
5. On September 22, I will survey the participants and choose a winner, based on the number of items found.  If more than one person finds all the items, a random draw will determine the winner.  I will also draw a random winner from all the participants.  So, don't be discouraged if you don't find all of the items. Winners will receive a photography-related prize (either a photography book or entrance into an online photography class).  
6.  Remember the idea is not to search your photo files and find these items, but rather to take the photos between now and the end of summer. Also, let me know if there's something that's impossible for you (especially for my friends in the the southern hemisphere, where it is winter not summer), and I'll see what I can do to accommodate you. It's all about having fun and enjoying the hunt.
7.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Deb's Umbrella: Two Ways

My friend Deb of Paper Turtle has offered up a photograph and asked people to edit it anyway they would like.  You can see her original photo and read about her challenge here.  Since it's a sun umbrella where she and her husband sit to enjoy the end of the day, I chose a quote about the joys of the great outdoors. I did all my editing in picmonkey, a free site which offers all kinds of overlays and effects (it's kindof like photoshop elements for dummies). I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out . . . it feels like me.
But, I wanted to do another variation.  One for Deb, one which I thought she would like and which would fit her and her life.  So, here's version #2:

This was such a great challenge. It really helped me learn to use more of the features in picmonkey.  And it helped me think about how different creations might appeal to different people. I wonder which of these variations you prefer?
Other bloggers are playing along with this challenge, too. To check them out, click here to go to Deb's blog and see the linky.
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p.s. The 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt is on! Check out the details at this post. **************************************************************************