The Cottage on the Corner

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:44:00 +0000

Strange what is found among the leavings of generations that came before. My daughter's Aunt J gave her an interesting green bottle indented about a quarter of the way up from the bottom. A wine bottle?

No....it seems M's ancestors were absinthe drinkers. Absinthe, distilled from wormwood (artemisia absinthium), anise, fennel, and a few other medicinal herbs, contained a high level of alcohol. Popular in the 19th and early 20th century the elixir also known as la fee verte, the green fairy, was enjoyed by writers and artists such as Hemingway, Baudelaire, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec, as well as the Peugeots of Ohio.

I wonder if absinthe calmed in the same way a lovely glass of wine or a cocktail can.

BTW...absinthe drinkers can once again enjoy the spirit.

Have I told you lately? I love pink flowers!

May you find calm in the winter day whether it's in a drink, a food, or a pink Gerbera daisy!

PS...
I forgot to mention that I used a cool texture on the absinthe bottle photo. I found it on the Great Texture group in Flickr. Now the bad part is that somehow I lost the name of the artist who provided this freebie. I think it was from Playing with Brushes. There are loads of textures on Flickr, if you're searching for ways to add artistic touches to your photos.

The bottom photo has a gaussian blur and I used soft light with 55% opacity. I toyed with levels and hue/saturation until I got the look I wanted.

Texture Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:29:00 +0000

What a morning! While snow fell like dancers in upturned tutus

the daffodils huddled against the house in a catatonic state.

This year winter's mild manners have flora and fauna confused. Outdoor daffodils with buds this early are taking a chance. So I decided to do an experiment. I cut three buds and brought them indoors.

Will they bloom? Only time will tell.

I titled this last photo, Daffodil Hope because I hope these three buds do burst into trumpets of bright yellow.

Daffodil Hope is part of Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday. The photo was edited in Elements 10 with various basic editing techniques and then layered with Kim's texture Felicity and a final layer of Rosy French, a texture from French Kiss. View more texture love by clicking on the button below. Have fun!

Happy Valentines Day

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:06:00 +0000

Just a quick note. Hope you're finding a little romance on this Valentines Day.

Texture Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Do you ever wonder what in the world to photograph? At times I find myself thinking that there's nothing left to photograph...at least not close by. I dream of walking the streets of great cities and snapping photos with wild abandon. I long to visit the elegant, yet haunting cemeteries of Europe filled with exquisite statues in poignant poses capturing their essence as this very talented photographer has. Instead, I searched the house for inspiration.

A sweet bracelet my mother wore as a girl rests in my jewelry box. Books and a bracelet...how romantic

I found four slim volumes in French with a 1925 copyright. There's something about the French language that invites romance, even when I have no idea what the actual words say.

Dreamy fabrics always catch my eye and once upon a time I had a small shop where I concocted delicious potpourris from the leftover petals and leaves of herbs and flowers. Sweet bags were sewn from the brocades and I recently found the box holding the leftover fabrics. The soft floral background is one of those brocades.

I added layers of detail via Elements. A gaussian blur and levels adjustments captured the soft feel I was looking for. Then it was time to layer with textures. I used Solitude by Kristy at Live and Love Out Loud. Kim Klassen's Sweet Treat texture was added twice using soft light mode.

The other two photos also have textures and I used a brush from the French Kiss sampler on the top photo.

I'm linking up with other photographers who are sharing their texture creations at ....

Poetic Winter Photography Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:39:00 +0000

Bouncing about the Web gives ample opportunity to find inspiration. I stumbled upon a photo challenge that piqued my interest, Poetic Winter Challenge. A team of creative photographers: Rebecca of Bumbles and Light, Faith of Sweet Violet, Kristi of Love and Live Out Loud, and Project Alicia have laid down the gauntlet asking photographers to join them in pursuit of winter beauty. Each Friday in February a word for the week provides inspiration. This week solitude fueled the creative juices.

Winter hasn't spread her glistening white gown over nw Ohio much this year, but winter is still about. I took a walk outside this morning hoping to capture the sun rising in the east reaching pink, orange, or gold fingers out toward furrowed fields, instead fog swirled about a tree firmly entrenched in a hedgerow and I thought...this is solitude.

You'll discover how others view solitude at....

Texture Tuesday: Sweet Simplicity

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:12:00 +0000

There's a sweetness about simplicity,whether it's a photo, a cookie recipe, the song of a robin, or a project.

It's been a couple weeks since I participated in any photo challenges and my but it feels good to join Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday. The one criteria for this weeks photo challenge: use at least one layer of Kim's texture, simplicity. So here's my one layer-textured photo.

Yesterday I tried a new cookie recipe, Chewy Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies. Oh man...they're a bit healthier, simple to make, but full of flavor. Check them out on the Delish website.

One morning last week I thought I heard a robin singing. I looked out the window to find robins perched in trees, hopping on the ground, and singing to their heart's content as if it was a spring day in May. I opened the door and listened to the sweet, simple melodies that I adore. Surely, I thought, these red-breasted fliers must be on their way to a warmer place. Yesterday, I glanced out the window and the berries still clinging to the shrubs across the street were being devoured by robins.

No, no it's too soon...fly to the south and be warm.

The little cookie bags make sweet, inexpensive party favors or gifts.

I cut out wax paper and folded it over leaving extra at the top. A quick sew up on each side created the bag. Hearts were cut from copies of my mother's handwritten recipes or red paper and then glued to the flap. I added a baker's twine bow. Use double sided tape to hold the flap down and there you have it...a simple bag for a cookie treat.

There's more layers of texture and beauty at....

Have a wonderful day!

In the Pink

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:43:00 +0000

Can you believe it? January is winding down. It's been a tough month for me; one full of frustration. I had such plans for the newly turned page in the book of life. Instead of moving forward and acting upon my word for 2012, imagine, I've mostly been nursing a painful back. My plans to have a go at 365 just couldn't get off the ground, so I'm filing that one away for another year. As we head into the final days of January, things are looking up and I'm in the pink!

Frustration and yes, pain, are part of life, but that doesn't mean we must accept it lying down. Oh no...when life seems too dull and too cloudy there are pink roses...

With soft swirls and a deep center that invites us to imagine...

And bouquets in jars filled with conversation hearts because it's always time for a little romance.

Hey...just so you know

Thanks for the comments and well-wishes through this mean, nasty, no-good, awful, horrible start to 2012!

Red Tulips

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:18:00 +0000

I've been nursing my back after a bit of a relapse. In between ice and heat I did my best to photograph the bouquet of tulips I purchased. This is short, but definitely sweet.

Soon, I hope to be back in the Cottage on the Corner fit as a fiddle and ready to go.

Take Care All!

I should have mentioned those Texture gods and goddesses that add layers of fun to my photos.
Kim Klassen
Shadowhouse Creations
French Kiss

Open

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:30:00 +0000

I've been pondering the word open ever since Kim Klassen challenged photographers to shoot their vision of the word. I thought about open doors, gates, and windows and the old saying, When a door closes, a window opens. I truly believe in that adage, with the realization that when that window cracks open we darn well better crawl through quickly before it slams shut.

My thoughts turned to an open heart embracing love, the creative spirit, gratitude, and each inspiration that beckons us with promise. How to photograph a heart... the inspiration just didn't knock on the closed door.

Next came visions of open jars, bottles, cans, drawers, cupboards, and finally boxes. I can seriously say I adore boxes. I like them pretty, rustic, or plain. An unopened box whispers mystery. What could be inside? Like Pandora's box, is it filled with bad things and one shining speck of hope buried beneath the rubble? Or...as the lid is lifted,do possibilities burst into the world?

This is my take on open and I'm sharing along with many talented photographers for Texture Tuesday.

The photo was layered with two of Kim Klassen's Ben's Collection Textures simply titled #6 and #7.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:37:00 +0000

;

A back problem threw me under the bus and I needed some inspiration to get me going after two weeks of doing very little, so I joined Scavenger Hunt Sunday. Ashley Sisk lists five topics for inspiration and challenges participants to share their views. So here's what I saw through the lens...

1. Stacked Up

I love simple, everyday things that can be turned into a lovely sort of thing like pink and brown ribbons stacked up on top of each other with trailing tails. Textured with Kim Klassen's Sweet Tart and Foamy Chocolate Milk from the Coffee Shop.

2. Winter Wonderland

Winter wonderland was a tough one. Like most of the US we've had very little snow here in nw Ohio. We did wake up to a skiff of white powder on Friday morning that's hung around for a couple days. Not quite ready for long walks down icy/snow covered roads, I grabbed the shadowy shot in the back yard.

3. Sweet

Marachino cherries, left over from Christmas baking winked at me from the 'friidge saying, "Oh come on...make us pretty before we spoil." So I did.

4. Hole

I have a hole in my sock, darn it! Nah...I don't darn socks. I added The Coffee Shop texture, Old Whisk.

5. Frozen

I cheated on frozen. I took this photo a year ago before we moved into a house that's tight and doesn't create beautiful frost flowers on windows when the world outside is frozen solid. I am fascinated with the feathery patterns that frost makes.

Take a jaunt to Ramblings and Photos: Scavenger Hunt Sunday and enjoy the views of other amazing photographers.

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Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:15:00 +0000

Electric Sex and More in Cleveland

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:17:00 +0000

Hey! I"ve seen that house before! Hmmmm...but where? Any guesses? If you guessed you saw it in a movie, you're right! This is THE house that Ralphie and Randy lived in. Yep, this is where part of the cult-classic holiday movie, A Christmas Story, was filmed.

The house sits on 11th Street in Cleveland, Ohio, of all places. MJ and I stopped to take a few photos and then returned the next day so my daughter and grandson could see the major award aka "soft gleam of electric sex", standing ooo-la-la in the window.

Ohhhhhhh, fuuuuuuuddge.....

It's the car the that had the flat tire that had to be fixed that got Ralphie in a soapy situation for saying "THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words. The F-dash-dash-dash word!" "

Across the street there's a museum and.....

a gift shop where you can buy your very own pink bunny suit, mugs, ornaments, hats, sweatshirts, lights, games and yes...even the leg lamp in four different sizes.

The Christmas Story House has a great website that gives all the details of how, where, who, and what. So if you're ever in Cleveland I triple dog dare ya to check it out.

Now onto YOLO.

Not hungry enough to down a full dinner, MJ and I stopped at a new wine bar in Battery Park. Called YOLO, for You Only Live Once, we found the place perfect for sipping and nibbling. We had a cheese board with fig jam that was out of this world spread on a baguette slice and cheeses that ranged from pungent to creamy light. I do enjoy a good glass of wine, good bread, and good conversation...it just doesn't get much better.

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All quotes are from the movie, A Christmas Story, screenplay by Bob Clark

MJ photographed the car and the YOLO interior shot.

Rewinding to Cleveland

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:36:00 +0000

Through the miracle of amazing technology I'm rewinding the days, setting the time for December 2011 and voila! Here we are just after Christmas, spending two wonderful days in Cleveland. The little man visiting relatives in Youngstown, my daughter off with a college friend too seldom seen, and MJ and I roaming the city.

I love Cleveland with its gritty, city dirt that whispers of past prosperous times while maintaining hope that a renaissance is just around the next metro block. While Columbus may be the Ohio urban trend, give me Cleveland with fireworks lighting up the cityscape after an Indians games and the Dog Pound with painted, rabid fans. I'll take the Westside Market...

Little Italy...

where one of my favorite vintage shops dresses up a historic church with joyful celebration. It's Heartstings, a shop owned by the talented Wendy Swindell who displays here myriad of finds with flair and eccentric exuberance.

The magic of vintage and retro doll furnitue on a shelf at Heartstrings. Photo taken by MJ

And the hard edges softened by the holiday lights...

Oh yeah, I'll take Cleveland any ole time.

There's more to Cleveland, so stay tuned this week for more Cleveland love. You just might be surprised!

A Quickie

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:40:00 +0000

Just a quick note...I wrenched my back hauling the Christmas tree outside. Yes, I still believe I'm 25 and can do anything. The last five days forced me to live my chosen word for 2012, i m a g i n e.
As I downed Tylenol and laid with ice on my lower back I imagined what it would be like to not experience a new adventure in pain each time I had to pee. (Sorry, but that is the most painful position to be in) Because I wish the healing process to continue, I won't subject my back to long bouts of strain.

I can't wait to share with you all about the major award...

I'll be back soon and catch up with the backlog of posts I planned to share and visiting those haunts that inspire me, bring about laughter, teach me, and and make me sigh at the beauty shared.

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:51:00 +0000

Reflecting on the past year and considering the year to come, I wanted to choose one word to give shape to the possibilities that lie in the future. Before one foot steps in front of the other, I must imagine where I'm going and what dreams to chase, for I have many. One must imagine before taking action to move dreams forward. So i m a g i n e it is....

What's your word for 2012? How do you plan to put your word in motion?

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:32:00 +0000

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:20:00 +0000

Bad Photo

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:48:00 +0000

Sooooo....I didn't have a lot of time today to take a photo to use with Kim Klassen's texture, Rejoice. Nope, it was a rushed affair. I've been taking a photo everyday rather than delve into my stash. Anyhow...the photo turned out bad and it didn't fit with the texture at all. No matter which way I tried to spin it I had problems getting the look I wanted.

Bad photo, that's what it is.

So what to do... hide it in the trash, tell everyone a stranger grabbed my camera and shot this hideous photo, or go ahead and stick it on the blog saying to the world.... Hey I'm not perfect! I chose the latter.

So without further adieu let me introduce to you the Charlie Brown Christmas tree of photos...

Eeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww......

Now if you want to see photos that really make Kim's textures pop head to her website blog.

PS You will not find this photo on my flickr photostream.

Christmas Greens

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:09:00 +0000

The fresh smell of pine wafts through the house when the tree is brought in to be decorated. It was an exciting time when we went off to find the Christmas, whether it was cut-fresh from a tree farm or selected from a local Christmas tree vendor it's what I imagine the bringing in of the yule log must have been like from the Christmases of long, long ago. The stories of ancient Christmas traditions fascinates me. I prefer to use fresh greens over artificial. Fresh white pine that reminds of me of spidery fireworks in shades of green creates a base. The legendary holly bearing plump red berries is so lovely to set upon window sills and add to garlands, wreaths, and in arrangements. And then, English ivy, the little evergreen with so much spunk that it will grow up stone and brick walls.

So I gathered a few greens and those bright berries that wink at me outside my window. Placed in an English trug the greens and berries could be from the Christmases of Eleanor of Aquitaine or Anne Boleyn. I love that about Christmas...the tradition, the legends, the lore, the memories.

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The textures used on the photo are Kim Klassen's new one for today, Providence layered twice, and then Edward to add a timeless look. You'll find more tantalizing textured treasures at....

Make a Joyful Noise

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:18:00 +0000

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Around the age of 7 or 8 I taught myself to play the piano. I was gifted with the ability to play the piano by ear. My sister, B, started taking piano lessons. She came home, sat at the old upright and practiced scales and songs. I listened closely and waited with anxious anticipation for her to be finished. Now it was my turn to pick out the notes through trial and error that she'd just played. It wasn't long until side-by-side we sat at the piano, B showing and teaching me how to read music. I never learned correct fingering, but I learned to play the piano well enough without ever taking a lesson from a teacher besides my sister.
I played trumpet and French horn in the band, but it was always the piano that enchanted me. Then one day I had a little girl of my own. She learned to play the piano through the instruction of several area pianists, but she wanted to play the flute.

And boy...could she play the flute. Her sound was rich with lush bravado. To this day I love the sound of the flute, the violin, and the piano, my three favorite instruments.

When I think back music enriched my life from the deep baritone of my dad's voice to the sweet lilting notes of my daughter's flute. My sister went on to get her degree in music and teach. I went on to play the piano in the solitary confines of the parlor, and my daughter...once in a great while she picks up her flute and makes a joyful noise that this mama adores.

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Oh that Kim Klassen! She's done it again with yet another lovely texture titled, Lola. The flute photo is layered with Lola and also Kim's Wonderful Magic Stars. Search for more textured beauties here...

More Texturizing

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:52:00 +0000

I'm collecting each of Kim Klassen's textures, but I've not had time to put them into action so I'm behind. Here's a couple photos I with a couple of her textures.

The first one, Snow Globe, has been textured with first storm and then more magic scratches.

The second photo has a layer of storm also and then a layer of wonderful magic scripted, another charming texture created by Kim Klassen.

I hope each of you are making merry as the holidays approach on a fast sleigh of time.

Day 3 & 4: Ribbons & Bows

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:06:00 +0000

There's just so much to do: gifts to wrap, cards to finish (yes, I'm late), gingerbread men to create, and more baking. With all this busy, I missed yesterday's 12 Days of Textures, but I'm using the two textures Kim offered on today's photos. I'm all about ribbons and bows. I've said it before: I love ribbons of all colors and kinds. One can never have too many ribbons.

This photo was layered with Look-Up first, followed by Edward, yesterday's texture.

I cross-processed With Love and then added today's texture gift: Zuzu. Kim does an amazing job creating these lovelies that adds to the story of each photo with depth and pattern. I'm so lovin' this 12 days of textures that I've challenged myself to complete. Wanna see more texture love? Click below...

I hope you find time to savor the moments leading up to Christmas with a cup of tea, a hint of serenity, and a heaping helping of love.

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Now a Rant and a Plea

For the last couple weeks I've been having problems viewing the blogs of others. Some of the images come through, but then others do not. I have no idea why I'm having this problem. It's frustrating to no end. I've researched the problem, followed the instructions all for naught...nothing changed. Anyone have any ideas why there are red X's in the corners where images should appear? Any solutions?

Also, I'm having problems commenting on some blogs. For some reason, I keep getting sent back to change my Google ID. After re-typing the information all ready there, I'm sent back again. I can't give different information because there's only the one. Any suggestions or ideas would be so appreciated.

Day 3: Of Inspiration & Red Berries

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Inspiration is all around, often in the most obscure places and things. The red berries that I see outside my window have been a source of inspiration and beauty through fall and still they cling to the branch as winter fast approaches. It's the color red, like a shiny object, that draws me in.

This is day three of Kim Klassen's 12 Days of Textures. I used two of the textures for today's photo. The first, Lily, was multiplied on to the photo and faded a tad. The new texture for today, Cosmos, was overlayed on top and faded to 42%. Do you see that light in the distance? That's the light coming from creative souls you can find at .....

Day 2: Mom's Recipe Box

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:09:00 +0000

One of the happiest holiday memories I hold deep in my soul is baking with my mom and siblings. What fun we had frosting cookies and each other. Oh my the glorious smells that wafted through the house during the holidays...sugar cookies, gingerbread men, peanut butter blossoms, and many more. She was a passionate candy maker, too. Chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, penuche fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, buckeyes, caramels and taffy filled tins.

As we grew up and moved on with our own lives, we still came together to make candy. By the time each of us arrived the recipe box was open with a stack of recipes at the ready. We got busy kneading, mixing, dipping, and creating. Sisters and sister-in-laws came and went as life sent us in various directions, but the tradition continued for those who could make it until my mom became too ill to open her recipe box.

Now when I hold those recipes in my hands and admire the lovely handwriting that was my mom's I can hear the music of her kitchen; the deep, rich sounds of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, the laughter of the ladies in my life, and for a moment she is right here once again.

*Blowing a kiss to the heavens above*

This is day two of Kim Klassen's 12 Days of Textures. Each day she's sharing a texture that can be downloaded for free. Here's your chance to give textures a try on your photography. Follow the cookie crumb trail here.

Celebrate Them Home

noreply@blogger.com (T Opdycke) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:59:00 +0000

I've not done so well capturing 25 days in December, but maybe I can get in Kim Klassen's Twleve Days of Texture. She's giving away a texture each day for the next 12 days. It's amazing how a texture tells a different photographic story.

The ornament hangs on my friend MJ's tree. It's one of those lovely retro ornaments that we hold dear and inspires to recall Christmas past. Each year as I decorate I am reminded how I got this ornament, where that Santa came from, and mostly of those that are no longer near by. Oh how I wish I could celebrate them home.

I fell in love with today's texture, Lily, by Kim Klassen. Find more texture love here.