Ms. Ruin's Playthings

A Modern Marvel

2012-03-05T10:28:00.000-06:00

A huge congratulations to all of the men and women that were involved in the design and build of this modern marvel. I see a lot of familiar faces in this video. What a tremendous accomplishment with much more to come!

March Madness!

2012-03-04T20:30:00.000-06:00

I am having a HUGE SALE at Through These Eyes! All of my prints are on sale for JUST $5 for 3 DAYS ONLY! Please note that all prints will be formatted in 8x10. You may preorder now but the cut-off date for final orders is March 9 --no exceptions. This is a ridiculously low price but what can I say - I'VE GONE MAD! Stop by THROUGH THESE EYES and look through my gallery. Find what you want and e-mail me at msruintx@gmail.com to place your order.

Thanks for supporting your local artists!

xoxo,

Ms. Ruin

Art Therapy

2012-03-04T20:15:00.000-06:00

I wanted to revisit this layout for a few reasons. 1. I want to pin it to Pinterest from my newer craft blog and 2. I wanted to show the vulnerable and not so pretty side to scrapbooking. When I first completed this page I was so afraid to share it with the craft community, but by far it has been by most popular one to date and so many people shared how they were inspired to scrapbook their own emotions. You see, scrapbooking shouldn't just be for the good times, it can help you repair some of the bad times in your life too. Art has been my saving grace as I have faced many rough patches in my life and I find comfort in knowing that when I hurt again, I can pour it into my art --even the art of scrapbooking.

I want to mention that this layout features a medium that we all have access too for free --CARDBOARD! Yep! And it was so much fun to use. You will see it in a couple of places in my layout. Enjoy. :)

First and foremost is the hand-stamping of lyrics...one.letter.at.a.time. Insane, I know. But it looks pretty awesome, doesn't it? These are lyrics by the band My Ruin --no relation to me, Ms. Ruin. ;)

I stamped these letters on cardboard and then cut them out. I love the multiple layers of texture!

This is probably my favorite embellishment. I stamped a heart on cardboard, cut it out, and then I stapled it down the middle. Very symbolic.

This beautiful scroll is by Maya Road. I misted it with Tattered Angels mist and then stamped over it with a script stamp.

Thanks for looking!

Snapshots of East Texas

2012-03-04T19:51:00.000-06:00

I have sooooo many pictures to share with all of you from my weekend in Nacogdoches. But for now I will post the ones that made the cut to my photography page. Lots more to come but for now enjoy these little gems!

Hangers in a closet at Historical Hotel Fredonia in Nacogdoches, Texas

Window sill at Historical Hotel Fredonia in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Exquisite architecture can be found at the historical Zion Hill Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas.

What's not love about vintage typewriters? This one at Old University Building in Nacogdoches, Texas.

More Vintage Typewriter love!

Spring 2012 is here early! This photo taken in Athens, Texas.

Sign atop the Lone Star Feeds Grain Elevator in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Historical Zion Hill Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Old Water Tower in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Child's Play

2012-03-04T19:29:00.000-06:00

This is a layout I made using another NEW paper from American Crafts. The paper is Bailey's Brush from the Amy Tangerine line. You will find some other goodies in this layout...it's in the deatails. :)

I love all of these different little elements together. Very youthful!

These are Thickers by American Crafts.

One side of the paper has all of these little leafy designs. I cut them out and used them to embellish the paper and also pop-dotted all of the black and white ones. Gotta pop dot something!

My favorite embellishment is the mini hanger and banner flag --both by Maya Road. I used my jewelry making tools to pry the hanger apart and then I ran the banner through and clasped the hanger back together. A must try!

Thanks for looking!

Mark your calendar!

2012-03-01T12:59:00.002-06:00

Message from Carolyn at The Crafty Scrapper: We have been busy planning something special to kick off spring and a new year of creativity. We will be sending out all the details in a couple of weeks. So save the date, this is going to be fun, HINT, a day with all the designers, teachers and your favorite Crafty Scrapper girls.

Message from me: I am so thrilled to be a part of this event and can’t wait for the reveal. It’s going to be a first for DFW and I guarantee you’ll have so much fun –SO SAVE THE DATE (March 31)! I will leave you with a sneak peek of what is to come. ::wink, wink::

Happy Birthday to you!

2012-02-28T23:05:00.000-06:00

Here are some more pictures from my photo shoot on Saturday with the very lovely and adorable Lainey!

This is my absolute favorite --party for two in Wonderland!

Heart for Art

2012-02-28T16:32:00.001-06:00

When I saw this paper by Bo Bunny I absolutely fell in love with it. I cannot wait to get the entire stack! Because I need more paper?? Anyway, for this layout I used Weekend Market Antique as the mat for my self-portrait and the backside of Weekend Market Rulers as the 12x12 base. Both are shown below from left to right...

This Vintage Daisy is by Maya Road in Mauve. Just lovely. And you kind of get the illusion that I'm wearing it in my hair, which is what I was going for.

I mentioned in an earlier post that Maya Road has lots of "little things" that allow me to make clusters of goodness. So here is the cluster I made for this page using one of the Vintage Wood Doilies which I painted gold, kraft tickets, Vintage Wood Bird which I painted black, an Organza Primrose in Cream and the word "heart" is also chipboard. The buttons on the tickets are from the Farmhouse line by October Afternoon.

Here is a closer look at the word heart and my little bird friend. I used Gold Fine Glass Glitter for this. Isn't it beautiful?

My journaling is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson which reads "In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire." Such a true quote, so very true for this artist. ::big smile::

I have about four more layouts to create tonight and tomorrow night so I'll have those for show and tell at some point. Thanks for looking at my work!

Get your scissors ready!

2012-02-28T15:47:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am an intricate cutter and there's lots of cutting involved in this layout. These papers are also by American Crafts from the Amy Tangerine line. The papers I used were Sienna Spirit as the 12x12 base and Paige's Portraits for embellishing...both shown below from left to right.

I created my own frame around this 5x7 by cutting out the half circle/swirly designs from one side of Paige's Portraits.

I then cut several frames out from Paige's Portraits and used them to embellish the page. I put pictures in or behind some of them.

I also added these gorgeous glittery thickers by American Crafts.

And I thought this cute little owl would look good in a frame too.

Thanks for looking!

Birthday Layout

2012-02-28T15:14:00.000-06:00

In this layout I used new paper by American Crafts –this set by Amy Tangerine. I know you’re wondering which ones so for your information, I used Gaby’s Gallery to mat the photo and Indigo Inspiration as the 12x12 base (paper shown below from left to right). Aren’t these super fun colors!

The embellishments in the kits I received were not packaged so I’m not sure who makes this beautiful flower –likely Prima. As for the number two, I took a piece of chipboard, covered it with Gaby’s Gallery and then wrapped this fuzzy string around it. Again, not sure who makes that either.

I have to make at least ONE thing pop on my page so I pop dotted these clouds.

And finally I added this little die cut tag which I believe is part of this new line. These flowers are likely by Prima. Notice I also put lace trim on the edge of Bryn’s dress.

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a very simple scrapbooker. But I really dig the way this page turned out –hope you like it too!

Layout Madness

2012-02-28T11:23:00.002-06:00

One of the perks of being on a design team is that you get to play with the latest lines of paper and embellishments before they arrive in store. In the next few posts you will see some of the new paper lines from BoBunny and American Crafts as well as flowers by Prima, and lots of loveliness from Maya Road. All of the material used in these layouts is/will be available at The Crafty Scrapper.

This first layout features my very handsome five year old nephew, Anthony. He’s a looker, isn’t he? In this layout I used the following papers by Bo Bunny: Weekend Market Dot, Weekend Market Vintage Labels, and Weekend Market Stripe (shown below from left to right).

So here is the layout...

I used the Weekend Market Vintage Labels backside as the base –leaving it at 12x12. I then used Weekend Market Dot as an oversized mat. Since Anthony’s photo is an 8x10, I wanted a large mat, otherwise the picture would swallow the entire layout –a large mat diffuses attention from the size of the picture.

I’m sort of an intricate cutter, you will see in my layouts that I cut a lot of paper in detail and use it to embellish. That’s exactly what I did with the Weekend Market Stripe Paper. I used the backside which had a beautiful edge on it with all sorts of delicate looking flowers and scroll work. I cut that portion out of the paper and used it as an edge on my layout. To give it some dimension, I used pop dots rather than just adhering it down flat.

Here’s a close up of the embellishments. The great thing about Maya Road is that they have so much “tiny” stuff that you can cluster together and make beautiful little islands of loveliness on your projects. That’s what I did here. The piece of chipboard on the edge of the envelope was distressed using Broken China distress ink and then I stamped over it with a script stamp by Tim Holtz.

Thanks for looking –lots more to come!

Happy 2nd Birthday

2012-02-27T22:05:00.001-06:00

My sweet girl Bryn is turning 2 years old this weekend. Gosh, I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was standing in Nicole's hospital room holding her for the first time. This sweet girl may not be related to me by blood, but she is a big huge part of my life and one the many blessings that I have received. Happy Birthday, baby. Tia loves you!

New Items have arrived!

2012-02-27T21:34:00.001-06:00

I have a bunch of new playthings in my Etsy Shop that I know so many of you will like too. Click on the pictures to view full details plus additional pictures of each item. Thanks

for looking!

Hey Mister DJ, put a record on

2012-02-27T14:20:00.001-06:00

...I wanna dance with my baby. Bought tickets today to see Madonna on October 20th. Why does that date ring a bell? Anyway, I will be able to take this off of my bucketlist on 10/21. I cannot wait to dance my ass off on this night. It's going to be electric!

Little Lainey

2012-02-26T23:52:00.000-06:00

I had such a fun shoot today with Ms. Lainey for her very first birthday. She is always such a fun and easy baby to work with, I can appreciate that! I wish I could stay up all night to edit these, but I got three hours of sleep overnight and I really can't think anymore, much less command my mouse to keep clicking around in photoshop. For now I will leave you with this sneak peek from today's whimsy party. :)

She can have her cake and eat it too --it's allowed.

Totally precious.

Armed & Dangerous

2012-02-26T00:55:00.000-06:00

Paper beware! Well, it's 12:50am on what is now Sunday and I am WIDE awake. I've been drinking energy waters all day and I just switched over to the hard core stuff --a shot of five hour energy. It's finally here, crunch time has arrived and my time to accomplish so much is running short. Tick, tick, tick...I can hear the clock pounding in my skull. Arg! Just needed a break from cutting paper, yanno!

<-----THIS WOMAN IS NUMB TO SLEEP AND TIREDNESS. I don't feel anything? Or maybe I've exhausted myself and don't know that I'm tired? Oh my, now I'm delusional. HAHAHAHA. Ehhh, like my mom says "I'll sleep when I'm dead!" So long as I get a few hours of rest before my 2pm photo shoot then it's all good. I think.

Well, back to it!

Posted via iPad.

Week 7

2012-02-22T11:01:00.001-06:00

Day 43 (02.12.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: What do you spy with your little eye?
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 44 (02.13.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: Shut up and drive!
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 45 (02.14.12)
Prompt: My Valentine
Commentary: 24 White & Red Roses from my Valentine. ♥
Camera: Motorolla Droid X

Day 46 (02.15.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: The Historic Villa de Cortez in my hometown of Weslaco, Texas.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 47 (02.16.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: A face you don't see often...my baby sister and one of my best friends, Sel. This picture was taken over Christmas.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 48 (02.17.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: It's true, all Catholic-Hispanic homes have a shrine to La Virgen de Guadalupe. This one is at my parent's home. :)
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 49 (02.18.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: A doggie treat from Sprinkles for Yeller. Thanks, Deb!
Camera: Nikon P500

Week 6

2012-02-22T10:54:00.000-06:00

I am so behind with Project 366 but I don't want to quit. So I decided that even if I can't snap a photo every single day, I will have a photo for every single day. I have been looking back through the archives and I have a lot of pics I haven't yet shared so if I have to supplement then I can look back in time. So Week 6 and 7 will definitely have some archived photos until I can dig myself out of this hole of projects. :) Here we go...

Day 36 (02.05.12)
Prompt: In a bowl
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 37 (02.06.12)
Prompt: With a heart on it
Commentary: A heart with a heart on it!
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 38 (02.07.12)
Prompt: --deviated from prompt--
Commentary: The doctor will see you now! Vintage examination chair at Dallas Heritage Village.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 39 (02.08.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: Constructed in 1909, this building was first occupied in 1910 by the Hobson Electric company. The warehouse was next leased to the Maroney Hardware Company, which was bought in 1926 by Rufus W. Higginbotham and Hyman Pearlstone, owners of the Higginbotham - Pearlstone Wholesale Hardware Company, which was located here until 1977. The four-story brick industrial building, featuring corbelled cornices, remains as a focal point of the city's historic west end.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 40 (02.09.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: Don't hate me because I'm mootiful!
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 41 (02.10.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: Thermal tree and sky with faint script. Makes a nice background.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 42 (02.11.12)
Prompt: Deviated from Prompt
Commentary: The Laughing Cow --she does exist!
Camera: Nikon D90

LOVE!!!!

2012-02-20T23:17:00.000-06:00

My new bracelet arrived. It's a quote by Frida Kahlo: "Pies, para que los quiero si tengo alas para volar." What does it mean in English? Well, it translates to "Feet, what do I want them for when I have wings to fly." Yes, it's perfect for me. ::huge smile::

Photo Love

2012-02-19T22:22:00.001-06:00

I love this shot...might even frame it! Living in a big city is amazing --the way the buildings tower over you even when you are 12 stories in the air. Just amazing!

Industrial Necklaces

2012-02-19T20:53:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago I bought A TON of new charms and other jewelry pieces and so far I have only had the opportunity to make just a handful of new necklaces. But hey, I made them --and they can be yours by visiting my Etsy Shop! This is what you'll find (click on the images for additional views of each item and for item specs).

I'm going to have to make myself one of these!

Miniature Canvases

2012-02-19T20:41:00.001-06:00

I honestly cannot remember if I posted these canvases or not. My life is a complete whirlwind right now --I don't know if I'm coming or going and it's not even Monday yet! ::exhale:: I've been taking a lot of deep breaths lately. ::sigh:: Such is life, right? A total adventure!

ANYWAY --here are some 2.5" x 2.5" miniature canvases that I made a few weekends ago. I dig and hope you do too! By the way, these are all available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.

Timeless --for a classy someone. Canvas wrapped in tissue that is printed with inspirational free text and then painted with gold acrylic paint. Silhouette of lady with pearls is chipboard by Maya Road and the word "Timeless" is a stamp.

Spark your creativity/imagination/ideas/etc! Covered in tissue by 7gypsies, gears by 7g and Tim Holtz, alpha by October Afternoon and light bulb by Tim as well. Tissue was also painted gold. Oh, and the 7 is by The Girls Paperie.

Ideas in Motion --Also covered in 7gypsies tissue and painted gold. Hardware by Tim Holtz and 7g.

Thanks for looking!

Valentine's Day Tags

2012-02-19T20:05:00.001-06:00

I decided this year that I was not going to make the usual foofoo red and pink Valentine's Day cards that everyone else makes. I decided instead to make tags using regal colors. So this is what I did. Oh, and before I start, let me add that I DID NOT give these away to anyone because, well, because I make things and then hoard them? I have issues. Clearly. Anyway, back to the tag.

I actually, yes, ACTUALLY, found a notepad at Michael's that looked like a tag so I simply ripped a page from the pad and then matted it on baby blue cardstock. So how many of those images are actually a part of the preprinted material? The peacock on the couch, the script on the left side of the tag and the lines. Everything else is stamped! I stamped the scroll in egglplant and everything else in black including the "Love Wish Dream" text, the "XO" and the numbers. All stamps by Stampers Anonymous.

And now for the special part of the tag --THE HEARTS! It's not Valentine's Day without a heart or heck, three hearts! I stamped a heart on eggplant cardstock and adhered it to the center of the tag. I went in and outlined the stamped lines with a permaball pen as they were difficult to see. I then cut a heart out of a piece of canvas and a heart out of a piece of burlap and adhered those with pop dots. Texture, texture, texture --Ms. Ruin LOVES texture! I finished this off with a piece of baby blue tulle. Muy regal, and muy beautiful!

::EXHALE::

2012-02-19T18:30:00.000-06:00

This song will rip your heart out, stomp on it, pick it up and then revive it.

"You did not think when you sent me to the brink. You desired my attention, but denied my affections. So tell me now where was my fault, in loving you with my whole heart?"

Glam Queen

2012-02-15T15:15:00.000-06:00

I took the bottom photo over the weekend after my work out because my nickname around the office is Glam Queen. Well, I'm not glam all the time and I showed that picture to my coworkers. They don't believe that it's me. LOL. Crazy what make-up can do...it completely transforms my face and my attitude. Eeeeeeeek...here we go!

FROM THIS:

TO THIS:

A day of Love!

2012-02-14T10:58:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know so many of you are saying "Whatever." and maybe even showing me your state bird. I've gotta tell you, I love Valentine's Day! I love all of the mushy stuff...overpriced roses, stuffed animals, wining and dining, and don't forget the box of chocolates! I will get some of those, not all. But the best part is that my Valentine won't care if I sit on the couch tonight in my pj's with a glass of champagne and sort through my box of chocolates. :D Now that's my kinda Valentine's Day. Whatever you do today, DO IT WITH LOVE!

The Voice

2012-02-13T22:36:00.000-06:00

I'm a huge fan of The Voice but ugh...there's a few instances where Carson Daly shows up to people's jobs and surprises them with an invitation for the open auditions and the reactions are so staged and subdued. If Carson Daly showed up at my office my reaction would be something like "what in the helllll...you're Oh my God...whattttt!!!! Carson Daly...SHUT.THE.FRONT.DOOR!!!!!!!". Just sayin'! :p. Clearly I still don't have a laptop.

Posted via iPad

Knock his socks off!

2012-02-13T09:22:00.000-06:00

I wanted to spice things up this Valentine's Day so I bought my first stick of Russian Red lip color by MAC. I tried it on yesterday and it is so delicious --I wanted to kiss myself! :p Okay, that's a bit much. But anyway...this is a great matte color for the fierce pin up girl that lurks within. This product is approved by Ms. Ruin. ;)

Stressssssss!

2012-02-12T18:04:00.000-06:00

What a stressful weekend!!!!! My laptop crashed yesterday morning causing an entire weekend of immense stress and MDH had to cancel his camping trip because I was a mess and a half. That machine is the backside to so much of what I do. I think we are in the home stretch now as he is reinstalling Windows and Lord knows what else. I am beyond thankful for his expertise and for the very sweet gesture of buying me an iPad! I first bought it for myself and then he insisted that he reimburse me for it because I didn't know this but he had already picked one out for me to surprise me! How incredibly sweet is he????

I did manage to get some things done --I have a ton of design team assignments to complete and I made some jewelry pieces too. I hope to be up and running soon otherwise I don't know what I am going todo with myself and I might be committed by MDH and my friends! WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!

Posted via iPad

Short note

2012-02-10T21:21:00.002-06:00

I have such an amazing life filled with amazing people. I look forward to all of the adventures ahead with my friends, family, creative community, and MDH who totally made my day! Thank you, God...at times I feel undeserving of the blessings you have bestowed upon my life.
Posted via iPad

Simply Vintage

2012-02-09T22:01:00.000-06:00

What a night! I tried Thai food for the first time tonight. It was really good. Although I was super safe and had chicken with flat noodles and vegetables. My girlfriends were patting me on the back for trying something new. Goooo me! To celebrate I edited a few pictures from my weekend trip to Dallas Heritage Village...once again, Renner School House. If these pictures don't take you back to a simpler place and time, you should probably check your pulse. ;)

Book signing

2012-02-09T11:22:00.003-06:00

Join us Friday, February 24^th at The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie, Texas to celebrate the second book release of our friend Lisa Pace. Congratulations, Lisa! Both of Lisa’s books will be available at the store. The book signing will begin at 6pm plus there will be make-n-take’s using her new line of vintage stamps –“The Antiquated Collection by Lisa Pace”. See you there!

W.W.K.C.D?

2012-02-09T11:03:00.000-06:00

My friends and I have an inside joke --"What would Kelly Clarkson do?" Write an angry chick song, durrr. ::big smile:: This one cracks me up and makes me dance.

If you don't have the answer
Just walk away

Madge baby!

2012-02-07T21:46:00.000-06:00

October 20, 2012

American Airlines Center

Dallas, Texas

IT'S.ON.BITCHES.

The Doctor Will See You Now

2012-02-07T21:43:00.000-06:00

More photos from my trip to Dallas Heritage Village. For those of you that repin my photography on Pinterest, THANK YOU. I am very much humbled.

Photo Therapy

2012-02-07T20:36:00.000-06:00

My photo --someone else's profound words.

Week 5

2012-02-06T22:47:00.002-06:00

Day 29
Prompt: In a mirror
Commentary: Clouds in my pocket mirror.
Cameara: Nikon P500

Day 30
Prompt: On a bench
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 31
Prompt: Tiles
Commentary: The bar at Gloria's in Lower Greenville --good times. ♥
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 32
Prompt: --deviated from prompt--
Commentary: Thermal view of my feathered friends. ♥

Camera: Nikon D90

Day 33
Prompt: Makes my heart sing
Commentary: I'm a music lover --what better thing to make my heart sing but my iPod.
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 34
Prompt: Go Red!
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 35

Prompt: --deviated from prompt--
Commentary: Let me ring your up!
Camera: Nikon D90

Oh brother!

2012-02-06T12:44:00.001-06:00

I had the opportunity to talk to my brother John yesterday and I actually understood most of what he was trying to communicate to me. You see, John was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about 18 years ago. Over the span of the last five years he has quickly deteriorated. At the age of 41 he is unable to drive, write, walk, and now talk. His speech is minimal as he is suffering from vocal cord paralysis/weakness –one of the more drastic effects of MS. He tries to communicate the best that he can but it’s frustrating not being able to understand him –I can only imagine how incarcerating it is for him to function at full capacity in the brain and not be able to convey the majority of his thoughts. Needless to say, we rarely get on the phone to chit chat but yesterday was a great day for John. His cords were strong and we managed to exchange a few words. He first wished me a happy belated birthday. He asked me how old I was and when I replied 35 he gasped and said I was old. The best part was when I told him that I was sorry that his Dallas Cowboys weren’t playing in the big game. He sighed and said “I’m sad”. I replied with, “well, they could have played in the Super Bowl but they suck!” He let out a huge laugh. That alone made my day. Love you John Boy! The picture was sent to me yesterday evening by my other brother. He and John watched the Super Bowl together. ::huge smile::

A'shooting we shall go

2012-02-05T20:23:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned earlier, I spent most of the day on Saturday shooting. So.much.fun. Plus I need to take advantage of the downtime and shoot for myself as things are going to pick up in late February, March, April, and May. Yeah, it's going to be busy around here with weddings and senior pictures and blah, blah, blah!

Anyway...here's some eye candy, served up with a side of vintage --the way Ms. Ruin does it. :D

Apothecary at the Doctor's Office at Dallas Heritage Village.

Renner School House at Dallas Heritage Village

Alphabet blocks at Blum Bros. General Store at Dallas Heritage Village

No caption needed. ::proud::

With pictures like this...I REALLY need to start marketing my own rubber/acrylic stamps and craft paper!

Tennessee Pusher

2012-02-05T20:15:00.001-06:00

This song gives me chills...the good kind of chills. Although I would have loved some more banjo. Just sayin'. MORE ~~COWBELL~~ BANJO!

That's a wrap!

2012-02-05T20:08:00.000-06:00

I wrapped up editing Andy & Sarah's engagement pictures. Yay! I can put them in the mail tomorrow and everyone will be happy. I am so pleased that they love what they have seen so far. I wish I could post ALL of them. But I won't...however, here is a final sample from this shoot.

Let me just say that buying a plain ol' white foam board was one of the most genius things I have done in my photography career. I photograph it and then I add graphics to it. The possibilities are truly endless! Samples below...

Glam Cam

2012-02-05T20:01:00.001-06:00

My friends keep insisting that I start a beauty blog because everyone is interested in my make-up, accessories, clothes, etc. But I'm not THAT committed to blogging about that stuff to start a new blog so I will just keep doing it here. These were all taken the same day...both indoor and out. Noteables: I'm wearing the new high definition makeup by NYX and I'm really digging it. All eyeshadow by Too Faced, blush is "Dallas" by Benefit and lips are "Gash" by Urban Decay.

Indoor:

Outdoor:

Antiquing

2012-02-05T19:53:00.001-06:00

I enjoy antiquing --my interests include old medicine bottles, dolls, vintage family photos/postmortem photos and miniature tokens that I can use in my art. Well, I had the day to myself yesterday so I went out shooting and when I was done I stopped in at Lulu B's in Deep Ellum. They have some of the coolest retro stuff ever. I made several purchases but the most notable is this baby right here.

This is an old Kodak which was in production between 1915 and 1926 so it is AT LEAST 86 years old. That's so awesome! I have it on display in my studio. ::geeky smile::

I also found these wooden checker pieces in a mason jar. I paid $16 for them and was told by my friend Karen that they sell for as much as $40 on ebay. Nice! I love the way they look just sitting there in the jar but I will likely use them in my altered art. ::more geekiness::

Aren't they beautiful!!! ::rhetorical::

Ooooh Aaaah

2012-02-05T19:36:00.001-06:00

New promotional look...

I was going to add Pin Up Girl Wannabe but I'm not sure anyone really cares about that when they purchase my work.

Shut your dirty mouth!

2012-02-05T19:30:00.001-06:00

::EXHALE::

I had to step away from Facebook before I ended a bunch of friendships due to the Madonna bashing. What is wrong with you people?!?!? She is an icon!

BEST.HALFTIME.SHOW.EVERRRRRR.

Great tune...

2012-02-05T13:39:00.000-06:00

Is loving two people possible? Yes. Is being in love with two people possible? Probably not.

So give me a try at describing just how difficult it is.
When you kinda love two girls to figure out which one you miss.
Stumble away from your stairway with your perfume on my clothes.
Well I kinda loved two girls but now I've kinda lost 'em both.

2012-02-04T02:44:00.000-06:00

I don't mind you keeping me on pins and needles. If I could stick to you, and you stick me too. Don't break, don't break my heart, and I won't break your heart shaped glasses...

Birds of a feather

2012-02-01T21:13:00.003-06:00

I shot these today on my way home...my feathered friends in thermal.

And here is some music for you to enjoy with my black birds. :)

Enero 31

2012-01-31T22:05:00.000-06:00

Y quisiera llorar. Y quisiera gritar. Que me siento tan sola...

More Love!

2012-01-30T22:47:00.000-06:00

I'm going to throw so much love at you until you gag! Hee hee hee hee. Here are some more shots from yesterday's engagement photo shoot. So cute you might not be able to stand it!

My boys...

2012-01-29T23:25:00.000-06:00

I wanna have friends that I can trust,
that love me for the man I've become not the man I was.
I wanna have friends that will let me be
all alone when being alone is all that I need.

Love is in the air...

2012-01-29T22:59:00.001-06:00

We had gorgeous weather in Dallas today...the kind of weather that makes you get out and photograph. Lucky me, I had a lovely couple booked today! This is Andy and Sarah, two kids in love. I met the happy bride and groom to be this afternoon for their engagement photos. I took a bunch of super cute pictures...it was easy to capture their love for one another. Plus they allowed me to share some of my visions with them...like a field filled with flower-hearts! Here are just a few of the pictures that I've edited thus far...more to come! ::happy::

Canvas love!

2012-01-29T22:39:00.000-06:00

This is a six by six canvas that I made for MYSELF. I rarey keep any of the things that I make. This one is close to my heart because it's my daddy. I used tissue paper by 7gypsies to cover the canvas and then mod podged to seal it. Hardware and scroll by Tim Holtz, flowers by Prima.

This is 2.5 x 2.5 miniature canvas. I covered it with 7gypsies tissue paper and then painted over the tissue with gold acrylic paint. Hardware by Tim Holtz and letters by Making Memories.

This is also a miniature canvas --covered with 7gypsies tissue and painted with gold acrylic paint. Chipboard by Maya Road.

I will have the miniature canvases for sale on my Etsy shop in the next day or two. :)

Week 4

2012-01-29T22:23:00.001-06:00

Day 22
Prompt: --Deviated from Prompt--
Commentary: I don't normally have breakfast so didn't partake in today's prompt. However, we drove to Lillian, Texas --a little over an hour from where I live to have bbq at this GAS STATION which is one of the top 50 bbq places in Texas according to Texas Monthly. I had the chopped beef sandwich with pickles and onions and it was soooooo good. :)
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 23
Prompt: Up Too Late
Commentary: This isn't EXACTLY following today's photo prompt however I was the last one at the office tonight so here's a shot of my office before I locked the door behind me.
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 24
Prompt: Duplicate
Commentary: It's raining in North Texas so please excuse the rain drops/slightly out of focusness.
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 25
Prompt: Your Focus
Commentary: My focus is simply to pour love into all that I do. There were so many pictures that I coud have used to show this, but this is a different approach --a Coca Cola display at the grocery store. Now that's bold love!
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 26
Prompt: --deviated from prompt--
Commentary: This photo was taken a couple of days before my 35th birthday --which is today! "Every day a new deception, pick your scene and take direction. And all in all I search to connect, but I don't wear a mask and I have no regrets. I am focused on what I am after, the key to the next open chapter..."
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 27
Prompt: Touched with light
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 28
Prompt: The Written Word
Commentary: Timeless is my written word. It is one of my favorite words too! This is a miniature canvas that I made today.
Camera: Nikon P500

January 26, 2012

2012-01-26T22:47:00.003-06:00

I love her!

2012-01-24T22:16:00.002-06:00

Listening to the new Kelly Ckarkson tonight...she is one of my favorite artists. So of course I had to pull out the classics. Ughhhh. This song makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear it and especially when watching the actual video. JESUS! But you know what...it pisses me off too and makes me want to fight for something. I'm a woman with so much passion and I have the capacity to love with immense fire so why in the hell am I being so guarded? I just need to let it out and love like never before because this is it, right? We only live THIS life once...make it count. ::exhale:: Thank you for empowering me, Kelly. And now back to fighting for something...

Check back with me in a few days to see if there is any momentum left. LOL.

Show and Tell

2012-01-24T22:10:00.001-06:00

I snapped this picture this morning on 635 while on my way to work. It reminded me of a friend who has 101 nicknames for me. One of them is --well crud-- I don't remember but I know that it sounds like a cat name and I don't like it. When I hear the name Sparkles it reminds me of THAT name that he calls me --yes, the one that eludes me. Anyway, I saw this truck and thought he'd get a smile out of it because I did. :)

Shot this on my drive home...time stands still for the birds!

Sometimes I just want to fly...

All Done!

2012-01-24T22:05:00.003-06:00

I am finally done with this set of wedding photos. Phew --my second wedding set in the bag. I'm through editing pics with wedding dresses in them until late March when I shoot my third wedding...and this will be a BIG wedding in Oklahoma. In the meantime I have engagement photos and senior pictures to keep me busy. Congrats once again to Charlie and Melissa --love you guys!

I'm Gonna Find Another You

2012-01-23T22:23:00.003-06:00

I got amazing seats today to see John Mayer in concert - woo hoo! I will have to find my John Mayer scrapbook pages and post them to this blog. Hee hee hee hee hee hee. Anywho, yes, amazing seats --section A, Row 10. They're not VIP but they're premium. Happy Birthday to me! Okay, I REALLY need to quit spending money and justifying it by saying "Happy Birthday to Me!" LMAO! I will leave you with one of my very favorite Mayer songs called "I'm Gonna Find Another You". This song makes me want to pour a glass of wine and then drink right out of the bottle. Such an awesome bluesy and stick it to ya song. I spent many days listening to this tune and had quite a few glasses of wine in the process. LOL. Life fuels art, right? Sing it, Johnny!

You might have your reaons, but you will NEVER have my rhymes...

Goodies

2012-01-23T21:40:00.000-06:00

I found some goodies in my mailbox tonight! The swap items from the embellishment swap at Artsy Fartsy arrived today. Tee hee hee hee hee. ::geeky laugh:: A big thank you to the ladies that participated in the swap for all of their beautiful creations that I can now add to my embellishment stash for future use. Thanks Genie, Kimmy, Corie, and Dee Dee!

So this is what I got from my crafty friends:

Photographic Theory

2012-01-23T14:33:00.002-06:00

I was looking at a couple of old pictures that I snatched from my mom’s house and it led me down a rabbit hole concerning my own passion for photographing everything under the sun. You see, we, The Hernandez Family, don’t have a lot of pictures from our childhood. My parents didn’t take a lot of photos of us and the few that they did take have weathered tropical storms and hurricanes as my parents live along the Gulf Coast. Flooding and moisture is “no bueno” on so many things, especially not photographs! I can’t say that my parents really made an effort to preserve those photographs. After all they were busy raising five kids and those five kids played baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, sang in choirs, played in bands, sold Girl Scout cookies, and were contestants in pageants. I am grateful for all of the time they gave to our extracurricular activities. So what --maybe I don’t have as many pictures as the next person but I do have a lot of wonderful memories. My job now is to preserve the memories I make in my adult life…whether I’m filling a void or just sharing my life through portraits, I don’t think that I’ll ever put my camera down. Y

Show and Tell

2012-01-23T13:08:00.001-06:00

God Bless Texas --cops on horseback. How awesome is that...riding around on a horse all day while carrying a gun? Modern day cowboys.

Artsy Fartsy Swap

2012-01-22T18:47:00.000-06:00

We are gearing up for our next swap at Artsy Fartsy. If you want to join us, just click here and join our page. Our last swap was a big one, we had several categories to participate in and of course I had to take part in all of them. Here are my projects.

This is a banner. It is very UNLIKE me, but I thought my swap partner might enjoy it. I drew the birds by hand on a cardboard box, cut them out, painted them, and decorated with rub-ons.

I LOVE THESE! I stamped actual canvas with a flower rubber stamp using versa mark and then I embossed the flowe rin black. I cut the flowers out in circles and then added a button and thread to the center. TOO CUTE!

Bottlecap love! I love all of the different elements in one bottlecap. I used a lot of Maya Road flowers and ribbon, vintage dictionary pages, and a stamps by October Afternoon and Stampin' Up!

This is a chipboard dress form that I covered with buttons. So much fun! I added a couple of embellishments including the handmade bird and a spool of thread from that I bought in an antique store.

Hey Mr. DJ, put a record on...

2012-01-22T18:45:00.000-06:00

A lot of people don’t know this about me, but I love Americana. And this band has a lot of the essential Bluegrass/Americana elements that make this girl wanna get down with some moonshine. 1. There is a banjo in the band. 2. They sing about southbound trains. 3. They’re from Nashville, Tennessee.

When I play Old Crow Medicine Show for my friends they cringe and laugh at me. But I love it…it fuels my creativity. I typically keep these types of bands under wraps as someone very close to me has expressed that he is worried about me because I’m listening to hippie music. LOL!!! ::sigh:: Well, you can call me a hippie if you want, but don’t touch my O.C.M.S.

Another artist I have been listening to a lot lately is the late great Jeff Buckley. I love love love his version of Hallelujah. It will seriously give you chills. I love his original work too, but this song does things to me that can’t be expressed with words. Thank you, Jeff Buckley, for this beautiful rendition of Hallelujah...a bright light that left this Earth too soon.

And last but not least –I have been listening to Glen Hansard. I am currently in love with Falling Slowly which features Marketa Irglova. This song is so sweet but so powerful. If there is one thing I have learned the past few years it’s that we’re never too old to have setbacks. And unless we’re dead, we have the power to turn things around for the better. I think this song is a true testament of breaking through when all you have done is faltered…once in a while, life cuts you a break; you just have to be brave and take it!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2012-01-22T18:27:00.000-06:00

I told myself I wasn't going to buy any presents for myself until AFTER my birthday...but I couldn't pass up these beautiful Frida earrings. They will go great with my Frida bag. :)

Week 3

2012-01-22T18:19:00.001-06:00

Day 15
Prompt: In Detail
Commentary: Base of an iron lamp post at the abandoned Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 16
Prompt: Remember
Commentary: I'm in love with this abandoned hotel. I doubt that her doors will ever reopen for business, but she is a diamond in the rough…one which I will always remember, no matter what her future holds.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 17
Prompt: Folded
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 18
Prompt: --Deviated from Prompt--
Commentary: I'm not following the photo prompt today because I wanted to share a picture of the birthday girl with all of her new presents. Happy 6 month birthday, Yeller. You bring so much joy to our lives. ♥
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 19
Prompt: Tattered and Torn
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 20
Prompt: Black and White
Commentary: I think every picture has a story to tell, but when you snap a picture in black and white, that story is magnified.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 21
Prompt: Living Your Word
Commentary: INSPIRE --This is the word that I live. I find inspiration in the works of other artists like Kelly Rae Roberts and in things such as vintage bird cages and even rubber stamps. All of these different mediums inspire me to create things that in turn inspire others. ♥
Camera: Nikon D90

Show and Tell

2012-01-22T16:27:00.001-06:00

I don't know why, but I love photographing people when they're smoking. I think there is an allure to holding a cigarette...with every puff, your worries kind of float away. I was never good at it and I know it's bad for you and tobacco kills and blah blah blah so please don't harp at me about it. I'm just sharing my thoughts. Anyway, we drove out to Lilian, Texas today which is a little over an hour away to have bbq at a gas station. I kid you not. According to Texas Monthly, Casstevens Cash & Carry, has some of the best bbq in Texas. We had been there before and just had to make the drive back for lunch today. A nice little red bow on the weekend. After lunch I sat and played with my camera while my bestie enjoyed her cig.

The Baker

2012-01-19T23:10:00.000-06:00

Here are some newly edited pictures from my trip to The Baker. Can't get enough!

Practice

2012-01-19T23:06:00.001-06:00

Being a girl is so much fun especially when you feel good about yourself. I felt good about myself today so I captured some of that confidence this evening plus I got to set up my tripod (which broke --I need a new one), I practiced my lighting (need to get better at that) and used a couple of new feminine filters. I can be a girly girl but I'm not really a "pink" kinda girly girl...but today, well, I was rockin' the pink. ;)

Bring Out the Eyes and Coffee with Cream Filters.

I looooove this picture with the powder room filter. I cropped it down because it's a little on the provactive side. I will save the full version for my private blog. ;}

Happy Birthday!

2012-01-18T10:51:00.001-06:00

Happy 6 Month Birthday to Ms. Yeller Trouser

--aka Ms. Yellow Pants.

Thanks for that name, Kimmy. ;)

Through These Eyes: The Book

2012-01-17T17:24:00.007-06:00

THEY'RE HERE!!!!

Those of you that follow my blog often know that I recently put together a variety of hard cover and soft cover books with an array of original photographs for the holidays. I received such an overwhelming response that I ordered 5x7 soft cover books for retail. If you have arrived at this link it’s because you purchased a book and you are curious about the story behind the photographs. Or maybe you are considering purchasing the book and would like to see just what you’re in for.

The 5x7 soft cover books are only $20 and are filled with 21 pages of full color, black and white and rich mocha prints. These books are great for friends and family or for your very own collection. If you would like to purchase a book or several books, please visit my etsy shop. If I am sold out of the books, you may message me at soniadoneghue@gmail.com and we will work something out.

Let me say that the pictures below are a bit pixilated because the website I downloaded from does not allow me to download large images therefore we have a little bit of pixel madness going on. I can tell you that the images in the actual book ARE NOT pixilated. Now on to the fun part…the photographs! You can click on them to view them larger.

This is the cover of the book. The cover features The Skyliner Motel which is located in Stroud, Oklahoma. This particular sign inspired some of the animation in the Disney movie, Cars. On the right of the screen we have what many think is a barber’s chair. In fact, this chair is that of a doctor. Looks kinda like an electric chair if you ask me. This chair was photographed at The Dallas Heritage Village.

No caption needed for this page. :)

The Baker Hotel

Mineral Wells, Texas

This Spanish Revival beauty lays in ruin in the middle of Mineral Wells, Texas. It first opened its doors in 1929 and closed in 1963. The 14 story high rise has remained vacant for nearly half a century. Various groups have discussed restoring “The Grand Old Lady” of Mineral Wells, but roof damage has caused other parts of the hotel to deteriorate and restoration would cost an estimated 30 million dollars. Is it haunted? Well, I can’t say for sure. But lore unravels a tale of an affair between the hotel manager and a beautiful young lady. It’s said that the mistress grew tired of being hidden away nightly at the hotel as he went off to be with his wife every evening. She jumped from the very top story of the building to her death…a whole 14 stories.

Fort Williams Park

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

This is a road at Fort Williams Park, the first military fortification named after Brevet Major General Seth Williams. Fort Williams grew to be a tremendous military asset during World War II. Besides protecting the shoreline of Cape Elizabeth, the infantry and artillery units provided the Harbor Defense for Portland. After the war, many of the forts in Casco Bay were closed, including Fort Williams, which traded in its defense of the coast for caretaker status and Army Reserve accommodations. Fort Williams was officially closed and deactivated on June 30, 1963. History courtesy of capeelizabeth.com.

Renner School House

Dallas, Texas

Built in 1888, this structure served the community of Renner, Texas (now part of North Dallas) as a school until 1919. The exterior displays elements of Greek Revival architecture typical of schools, meeting houses, and Masonic Lodges constructed across the South in the 19th century. Inside are a foyer, a large restored schoolroom downstairs, and one large schoolroom upstairs. History courtesy of Dallas Heritage Village.

“Awaken”

This butterfly landed on my office window one day. It’s almost like it wanted me to photograph it. So I did. The quote was used courtesy of New Jersey poet and artist Deborah Chaskin. Thanks, Deborah!

"Delicate Strength"

There is a business down the street from where I work with beautiful landscaping. Over the summer they had some really tall and absolutely gorgeous sunflowers. I don’t think I had ever seen sunflowers that big in person. I finally stopped one day and snapped a few pictures. This one was my favorites and reminds me of a quote by Irish poet, Thomas Moore (I have a thing for Irish poets) –“As the sunflower turns on her God when he sets, the same look which she turn’d when he rose.”

"Echinacea Splendor"

I don’t really have a story behind this beautiful Purple Cone Flower. I don’t photograph flowers too often but I do enjoy doing it. After all, they are the epitome of beauty.

Cape Elizabeth Lights – West Tower

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

This beautiful lighthouse dates back to 1828 and is located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine along with another lighthouse (East Tower). The area is known as Two Lights due to the history of both light towers which stand 300 yards apart. This tower is no longer in operation and is privately owned. However, the East Tower still shines bright along the Atlantic Coast.

Coast of the Atlantic Ocean at Two Lights

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

I was ecstatic to see the rocky coast of Maine. These are scenes I had only seen in movies. I wish I could explain how mesmerizing it was just to sit there and watch the water crash on the rocks below. It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to get back there later this year.

"Runaway Train"

Addison, Texas

I find trains quite fascinating…especially when they come roaring through small towns in the middle of the night –their whistle a haunting reverberation that pierces the air of sleepy towns from one coast to another.

Ferris Wheel at Oktoberfest

Addison, Texas

This is a shot of some of the midway at Addison’s Oktoberfest. I love the way the Ferris Wheel towers over everything else. What a timeless piece of Americana!

“This Old Tractor”

Shamrock, Oklahoma

I'm not sure that there's a whole lot of luck to be found in Shamrock, OK but I did manage to find a few gems like this old tractor that sits among overgrown weeds next to an abandoned school gym. Hey, it's Oklahoma...but the same can be said for Texas. Most everything in that town looks like this –old, worn, tattered and forgotten. My friend and fellow photographer, Chera Thompson Myers, told me I had to go see this tractor and I’m so glad I did. I love this picture.

White Rock Lake at Sunset

Dallas, Texas

“I Grieve for You”

Richardson, Texas

I got my start in photography by photographing graveside monuments. This was one of the very first ones that I photographed and I love all of the little details, especially the way the hands are crossed over the heart. I think this image speaks volumes about remembrance for someone who has passed on.

“In Mother’s Arms”

Portland, Maine

I visited a cemetery in Portland, Maine, unfortunately I don’t remember what it’s called. However, they had gorgeous monuments all over the cemetery. In fact, this one is not a graveside monument belonging to a particular deceased individual. It was just one of the many monuments erected by the City of Portland or whomever maintains that particular cemetery.

Norfolk School

Cushing, Oklahoma

This picture was taken at an abandoned school in Cushing, Oklahoma. It was built in the 20’s and closed in the 50’s. In fact, the school has been closed for so long that this picture was taken from the OUTSIDE of the school with trees growing on the inside.

Boston Harbor

Boston, Massachusetts

This picture almost looks like a fake. But it’s the real deal! I snapped this in 2010 on my Fall Trip to the Northeast. That seagull was just asking for me to take his picture.

"The Parking Spot"

Shreveport, Louisiana

Most people would walk past this sign and not care about it. I however wanted to take it down and haul it home. Unfortunately that wasn’t going to happen, so I did the next best thing…photographed it! This sign can be found in front of the parking garage next to the Strand Theater in downtown Shreveport.

Bluebonnets in full Bloom

Waxahachie, Texas

You can’t depict Texas without 10 gallon hats, yellow roses, and bluebonnets! Well, maybe that’s a bit exaggerated. But swing by The Lone Star State during Spring and take in fields filled with these beauties!

“Ave Maria”

San Juan, Texas

These are the gates at the original Our Lady of San Juan Shrine. In the 70’s a crazed airplane pilot purposely crashed his plane into the Shrine. In fact, my parents were on their way to mass at the Shrine when this occurred. Over the years the Shrine was rebuilt/remodeled and is still a part of the Catholic Diocese. However, a new and much larger Shrine –now known as the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle was built in the 70’s. It is truly immaculate and a place I love to visit when I go home to see my folks in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

"The Show Must Go On!"

Premont, Texas

I don’t know a whole lot about this abandoned auditorium. I have read that it was a high school auditorium but who knows for sure –it could have been a municipal auditorium. All I know is that it is abandoned and still has all of the seats in place. These are the kinds of places that drive me to keep photographing urban decay. I just can’t get enough of it!

This is the back cover of the book which features my facebook address and another one of my pictures of a bird a flight. If you made it this far, thank you for being a part of my photographic journey!

::wink, wink::

2012-01-16T22:36:00.000-06:00

She's electric...she's Ms. Ruin. And sometimes she's Consuela...depends on who you ask.

It's all perspective

2012-01-16T21:33:00.000-06:00

This is a different vantage point of The Baker Hotel. She's beautiful from every angle. :)

My little love --Yeller Trouser

2012-01-15T23:03:00.000-06:00

She loves me regardless of my temper and my sometimes selfish behavior. Her love for me is not to be compromised --I know that she is one of the few that would die for me. I loved her before I met her...even though she completely chewed up one of my favorite tennis shoes a couple of days ago. ::raises brow:: I'm almost over it. :)

What can I say --she's just like her mommy, a total and complete Stella!

Baker Revisited

2012-01-15T22:48:00.002-06:00

I have been itching to get back to The Baker Hotel and once I have my mind made up about something...well, yanno. So 163 miles later...I got some new/updated pics of The Grand Lady of Mineral Wells. I wish I had a whole other day just to sit around and edit pictures but the weekend has come to an end so I will have to take care of my editing during the week. For now I will share a handful of images from today's trip. There's much more to come...

There was no way for me to get IN the hotel without truly breaking and entering however a few broken windows and some climbing on my part allowed me to get a glimpse into some of the rooms in the hotel. My heart was racing each time I peered into the rooms...the air so cold and thick. I wasn't able to photograph all of the rooms I saw because that would mean letting go of the wall and I needed both hands to hold on tight. I know, I shouldn't be doing that when I'm solo --but come on...IT'S THE BAKER!

This is one of my favorite pics from the entire set. :)

Tattered Beauty

2012-01-15T22:31:00.000-06:00

Courtesty of my new lens --the depth of field is phenomenal!

"I wanna run through your wicked garden, heard that's the place to find you. 'Cause I'm alive, so alive now, I know the darkness binds you."

-Stone Temple Pilots

Show and Tell

2012-01-15T22:25:00.000-06:00

In case you haven't figured this out...I love love love love love to take pictures. And face it...I'm better at photographing "things" than I am at photographing people. I have been looking, staring, glaring, eyeing my photos and wow, I have a long way to go when it comes to posing people. I don't like posing! But I know, clients want to be told what to do, how to stand, etc. So I need to work on that. So anyway, back to what I was saying...I love to take random photos but they are not always quality photos or things that I would normally post on my photography pager. So I started "Show and Tell" so that I can show you random photos and tell you about them. ;) Clever, I know. So here are some photos I shot on Saturday...enjoy!

I love this iron door frame...interestingly enough, it's the front door at an iron works business.

This old fountain sits on a huge empty lot on Forest Lane between Hillcrest and Preston. There used to be a huge mansion on this property. It was for sale for several years and then one day they knocked it down. There is NO TRACE of a home on the property and the only thing left is this old fountain. Kind of sad if you ask me. There was a "Private Property" sign...but it never said "No Trespassing"...however it did say "No Dogs Allowed." LOL! I can't make that stuff up. :)

There were lots of dandelions on the property...I had to lay on the damp ground to get these shots. So worth it!

There were some awesome trees on the property as well. This one had some nice little hints of Spring. Yippy!

And finally...a little tiny hint of spring. This flower was probably about 2 inches in diameter.

Week 2

2012-01-14T20:18:00.001-06:00

Day 8
Prompt: Flakes
Description: I wonder just how many flakes in this one bottle? Over a million, I'm sure of it.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 9
Prompt: Brisk
Desciption: It was cold, rainy and brisk today in Dallas, Texas. You can see evidence of this coming out of exhaust pipes all over town. Brrrrr!
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 10
Prompt: Inspired by
Description: I did not take this picture today but I just had to share due to today’s prompt. I find inspiration in abandoned buildings and LOVE to photograph them. I love to share what I consider to be beautiful and maybe give someone else a perspective that they likely would have overlooked had I not captured it for them to see. You may find a dilapidated building, but I will find the beautiful mystery waiting to be unraveled and when I discover it, I will photograph it for the world to see. That’s what I am inspired by.

Camera: Nikon D90

Day 11
Prompt: Narrow Aperture
Description: Shadow of cemetery gates at sunset...f/22.
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 12
Prompt: x12
Description: I'm home sick today so I'm using a picture from the archives. This is just part of a massive five-level freeway interchange in Dallas, Texas called the High Five. At it's highest point it is 12 stories high. So that's my x12. :)
Camera: Nikon D90

Day 13
Prompt: Unlucky?
Description: The sky was on fire at sunrise. Unlucky on this Friday the 13th? Probably not.
Camera: Nikon P500

Day 14
Prompt: Define
Camera: Nikon D90

Good morning from Dallas, Texas

2012-01-13T07:46:00.000-06:00

"Skies on fire. Flames burn higher. Skies on fire. I know you and you know me. Tell me what it is you want it to be..."

No Tie Dinner

2012-01-11T14:53:00.002-06:00

I have been asked again this year to donate some of my original photography to the No Tie Dinner event at The Frontiers of Flight Museum here in Dallas. I am still on the fence about what prints I will choose but I wanted to share the event info with all of you now. I am so excited to be a part of this yet again. Last year the print in the picture above raised a significant amount of money. I am excited that someone loved my work enough to pay said amount but I am even more thrilled that a contribution was made to the beneficiary, AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD). ASD provides housing and supportive services to low-income and formerly homeless men, women, children and families living with HIV/AIDS. What a great cause! Here's how you can get involved...

[click image to view larger]

Revisiting Premont

2012-01-10T22:34:00.003-06:00

I edited a couple of more pics from the abandoned auditorium in Premont, Texas. I absolutely love this set, probably my favorite thus far. I have decided that a couple from this set will be the ones that will go up for auction at the No Tie Dinner in March. :) More on that later...enjoy these!

It will be magic!

2012-01-10T12:46:00.000-06:00

Don't miss this...I'll be there with bells on! Click here to purchase your VIP tickets today. :)

Yessssss!

2012-01-10T12:41:00.000-06:00

I tweeted about this yesterday and now here it is...straight from the horse's mouth!

Back to Editing

2012-01-08T22:04:00.001-06:00

I admit, I took a few days off from editing pictures but it's back to the grind. My plans were foiled on Saturday when unexpected company came to town but I did have a little time tonight to work on a boudoir set (wish I could show you!!!) and more wedding pictures. These are candid moments...in my opinion they make the best pictures! Plus a shot of the chapel.

Well, I'm off to bed. I have a 7:30am appointment at the dealership. :| Why did I schedule it so early...ON A MONDAY?

Lean on Me

2012-01-08T17:40:00.001-06:00

A dear friend and coworker recently lost her husband and we wanted to give her a little something to remind her that she is not alone. So I was commissioned to make a card for her but I wanted to go big because she really does mean a lot to me and she is so nurturning to me and to so many. This will serve as a reminder that she has so many people to lean on during this difficult time.

I am sooooooo proud of my tree branch. Isn't it cool? I can't draw to save my own life but I managed to draw this tree branch. I drew all of the clouds too. ::big cheesy smile::

These gorgeous birds are both chipboard by Maya Road. I covered them with tissue paper by 7 Gypsies and then mod podged them to seal them.

These chipboard letters are also by Maya Road...they are the Caroline font. I painted them white and then adhered them to the canvas and then I mod podged over them.

What we have here is CLOOOOOOOOUD LOVE!! In fact, four different types of clouds. These were so much fun to make and hey, I drew them all myself! Yes, I'm proud of that.

Thanks for looking!

Week 1

2012-01-08T17:09:00.001-06:00

This will be my third year participating in Project 365 (plus one). I usually get pretty burnt out halfway through the year and call it quits. But hopefully things will be a little different this year. Hopefully. The first few days I did random pics but beginning with Day 7 I started using prompts and I play along with a group of photographers on Facebook. If you would like to join our group, just shoot me a message and I'll send you invite. It's really neat to see everyone's own interpretation of the prompt for the day. So here we go!

Day 1: Working on edits from the Fly Me to the Moon book release party and decided to take some new shots of the book itself and the cute leather bookmark from the celebration to give to the author.

Camera: Nikon D90

Day 2: Two words..."Camera Hog".

Camera: Nikon D90

Day 3: Went to the mailbox and found the buttons waiting for me. Aren't they super cute! I can't wait to put them on my camera bag pack. <3

Camera: Motorola Droid X
Order your buttons from: http://scrappergirl.typepad.com/aflairforbuttons/

Day 4: These are tiny little gel balls that are scented. They were a gift from my friend Catherine. I love to open the container and play with them. :)

Camera: Motrola Droid X

Day 5: And I don't know what I'm diving into...just hanging by a moment here with you.

Camera: Nikon Coolpix P500

Day 6: Last car payment. I really wanted to add the word "suckas" to the Memo...but instead I just put a happy face. :D

Camera: Nikon Coolpix P500

Day 7 - One Little Word: MAC. Every artist needs a brush or two or three or five. These are the brushes of all eye make-up brushes and they're mine all mine. :p An early birthday gift. <3

Camera: Nikon D90

Where'd you get those peepers?

2012-01-08T00:13:00.003-06:00

I’m guilty of rewarding myself with cosmetics at least once a month and sometimes twice a month. I did not make any MAJOR purchases in the month of December for myself so of course I’m totally itching for new stuff. I’ve got the Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay sitting in my virtual cart at Sephora.com and in another window I’ve got MAC pulled up because I am itching to buy the 15 pod palette. Eeeeeeek. Maybe I need a part-time job. Oh wait; I do bust my behind with my photography so yeah…maybe I do deserve the palette. If only they didn't cost an arm and a leg. Wah wah wah. Okay, back to reality. No 15 pod palette. Okay, reality again…maybe a 9 pod palette???? Throw me a bone!

/end stream of consciousness

[you can see the bourbon liner in this picture --click images for large view]

Anywho –I decided to do a little throwback to the Naked palette by Urban Decay. It’s Saturday, I was recovering from Friday shenanigans but I still wanted to look semi-glam. What can I say, it’s soooooo much fun being a girl!!!! So here is how you can get the look…the whole look!

Face: Tea Party Foundation Play Stick by Benefit (I didn’t use too much, I just applied a little to my sponge applicator and swept it all over the face. I don’t normally wear powder.

Lips: MAC lip glass in hmmm –will have to get back to you because I’m not allowed in the bedroom until tomorrow morning. LOL. I’m not kidding.

Brows: Benefit Brows A Go Go in Dark

Blush: Bronzer by TokiDoki (I didn’t stutter, yep, I used bronzer on the cheeks!)

Eyes: White cream stick. Benefit Bad Girl Lash Mascara in black. Primer for the lids…Sin, Virgin, Hustle, and Sidecar Eye Shadows, Perversion Eye Liner, Bourbon Eyeliner –all by Urban Decay

The 411 on the Eyes…

Apply cream stick to the Inner lid and then sweep Sin (a) over it
Apply Hustle (b) to the outer lid
Blend Sin and Hustle at the middle lid
Apply Sidecar (c) to the above crease and outer crease
Apply Virgin (d) to the brow/highlight
Perversion Liner on the top and the lower water line
Bourbon Liner on the inner and outer lower lash line

SO.MUCH.FUN!

Through These Eyes: The Book

2012-01-05T21:52:00.003-06:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

So many people were hounding me about getting a copy of my book so here's their/your big opportunity to own a copy. I will have 20 copies available for the outstanding price of just $20! The book is a 5x7 soft cover with 21 pages of full color, black and white, and rich mocha prints by yours truly. The books will be in by mid-January so if you are TRULY interested, let me know and I will alert you as soon as they arrive. As a bonus, THIS BOOK has a print that the previous books did not have...you can see that print on the very last page of this slideshow. ;) Happy New Year!

Disclaimer: This book is approved by coffee tables everywhere.

♥ Ms. Ruin

Vultures

2012-01-02T16:17:00.000-06:00

"How did they find me here? What do they want from me? All of these vultures hiding right outside my door. I hear them whispering, they're trying to ride it out. Cause they've never gone this long without a kill before." -John Mayer

Here comes the bride...

2012-01-02T00:49:00.000-06:00

...and her groom...and their 7 kids! I kid you not. :) Congratulations to one of my best friends, Melissa, for her NYE nuptials to Charlie. Melly has three kiddos of her own and Charlie has quads (two boys/two girls)...so together they make, well, a really beautiful family! Here are a few snap shots of their very special day. Love you guys!

The boys --they were not cooperative but then I told them to pose like they were in a band. Works every time!

All seven kids --including 5 ten year olds!

Will is so talented...he played the wedding march and other tunes on acoustic guitar and on violin.

Melissa being given away by her daddy...

The happy couple...

Senior Pics - Part Deux

2012-01-02T00:36:00.000-06:00

I MADE time today to edit some more pictures from the "Senior Pictures" series. I'm getting inquiries left and right concerning senior portraits and it seems that teens no longer want ordinary poses --which is great because I like the artsier shots. Anyway, back to these pics...I think I just might love these more than the first set from this series. Thanks again to my friend Hope for playing a high school senior. ;)

From the Desk of Ms. Ruin

2011-12-31T20:26:00.002-06:00

Wow, I can’t believe that 2012 is over! Did you make resolutions? I did not. I decided that I did not want to set myself up for failure so early in the year by making new year’s resolutions. I reserve the right to wake up any day of the year and make an effort to find resolve for that which ails me or to change that which is in my power to amend. Yes, there are some feats I would like to accomplish this year, but I refuse to obsess about them and beat myself up over timelines, deadlines, etc.

With that said, I would like to quickly reflect on 2011. Not so much on the personal level because well, that’s a whole other blog. But more so regarding my artistic journey. I have had an influx of clients this year when it comes to my photography. That excites me. I did some work I am proud of on the design team for The Crafty Scrapper and I look forward to working with those gals again. I laid the groundwork for my art program and although it hasn’t taken off like I intended it too, I have all of the supplies necessary to start full throttle. Hopefully we will make our official launch in the first quarter of 2012.

There’s so much more I can say but to sum it all up…THANK YOU. Thank you for all of the kind words and encouragement throughout the year. I am happy to share so much of myself with all of you here on my blog and on Through These Eyes. I’m a little beat down on this New Year’s Eve –I busted my tail at a wedding today, but it was worth it to shoot on a holiday for my dear friend Melissa who tied the knot today! Congrats, Melly Bean. ;) Here’s to 2012 –may God keep my head spinning, my legs running, and my heart beating because sitting on my behind twiddling my thumbs is not really my style.

Peace, love, and the Mayan Calendar…

Ms. Ruin

The Show Must Go On!

2011-12-28T14:06:00.001-06:00

Why am I so captivated by buildings that lay in ruin? I don’t have a concrete answer, I can’t make statements to appease anyone…I can only tell you what I feel about these abandoned places that I have visited and captured through my lens.

I got my start in photography while grieving. I felt like I was carrying a graveside monument on my heart, I felt dead inside and I had shed so many tears and had so many moments of complete and sheer anguish that I couldn’t relate to anything but the dead, the forgotten, the abused and the abandoned.

I turned to my art at that time and decided that I was going to make a canvas –I just needed a picture of an actual graveside monument to help me depict my sadness. With camera in hand, I made my way into a beautiful cemetery on a bitter and cold January day. If I close my eyes I can hear the crunching of the grass below me as my tennis shoes crushed the ice that blanketed the Earth. I was alone in that large cemetery, one that went on and on –as far as the eye could see. I was drawn to one monument and then another and another. Many of them sat there for nearly a hundred years and longer. I imagined how beautiful they must have been 70-80-90-100 plus years ago. But now they were broken, faded, worn, and tattered…and to me they were still beautiful. I put the viewfinder to my right eye and began snapping away. I would pause and put the camera down from time to time to catch my breath and cry, but it was a different kind of crying –it was a healing sob.

I soon started sharing my images with loved ones and they were quite amazed. I had dabbled in photography in the past, but not to this extent. In fact, I don’t think I have a knack for photography but through my despair I harnessed something that not only moved me, but it moved others. And when I step foot in a cemetery or a rundown building, I’m able to “go there” –to that place where I’m still searching for tranquility, not always for myself but sometimes for others. Some have described a lot of my images as “haunting”. I can see why they would portray my art in that manner. But to me they are solace, they are quietude, and they are a glimpse of hope in a place where unyielding objects have sanctioned the darkness against their own will.

Who knew that I could inspire others when all I was trying to accomplish was peace within me? I have not and probably will not share all of the intimate details of why I photograph the things I photograph…the headstones, the monuments, the dilapidated buildings and homes. Rest assured that my photos speak for themselves.

With all that said, here are some images I captured over Christmas of an abandoned high school auditorium in Premont, Texas. Row after row of unoccupied seats and boisterous objects…forgotten by so many, but center stage through these eyes.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2011-12-27T21:37:00.001-06:00

I grew up in what is considered an underprivileged neighborhood. Although my parents were always able to provide for us, many times in excess of what our true needs were, there were and are many families in this neighborhood that do not have that concession. I can remember being a kid and thinking that every little boy and girl woke up to presents under the tree. What a rude awakening it was for me to find out that some of the kids I rode the school bus with were not as fortunate. I was shocked when a best friend confided in me that she entered a drawing to win the classroom Christmas tree because her parents could not afford one. I told my mom that story and her heart broke just as mine had as I sat beside my friend just hours ago. As luck would have it, she won the drawing and her family had the tree delivered to their home just in time for Christmas.

But what’s a tree without presents? Every Christmas Eve, Santa Claus comes to visit my childhood neighborhood. I mean, an actual man dressed in a red suit hauling presents --comes to visit us for as long as I can remember. One year he even arrived in a Cadillac! But most years he arrives in a big loud fire truck.

This year was no different. I heard the fire truck shortly after 1pm on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately we didn’t have any kids to share the experience with as neither of my nephews were around. In fact, the only other person at home was my dad. I quickly ran to put my tennis shoes on and shouted down the hall “SANTA’S COMING!!! DAD, HERE COMES SANTA!!!!!” I had so much anticipation and excitement inside of me that I couldn’t even tie my shoe laces. LOL. I was reminded of being a little girl and dashing down the street to meet the fire truck. I could hear my mom’s voice in my head, hollering at my brothers and telling them to hold my hand as we crossed the street. ::big smile::

My dad and I made our way out the front door and waved at the roaring fire truck as it went by. We caught up with them as they came to a stop down the street. We watched the neighborhood kids meet Santa and receive their gifts. I was filled with so many good memories of Christmas past and I was reminded of just how blessed I truly am. ::choked up with tears:: A big THANK YOU to the City of Weslaco and the Weslaco Fire Department for their annual efforts in spreading Christmas cheer in places where it is truly needed.

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo!

Day 12: In Real Life

2011-12-12T16:00:00.000-06:00

Talking to someone you love on the phone and pretending that everything is okay, but the copper lines allow you to mask the sadness and tears that roll down your face IN REAL LIFE.