Thanks to the gorgeous Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesotans can enjoy the tropics almost 365 days a year. Such a fun day trip to chase away the winter blahs, as the Como Park Zoo offers fun for kids, too! Here are some images of a few orchids they have scattered about the grounds.

These were given a photo transfer feel using my Photo Art Blends (used set 1, #12 on Overlay blend mode), and some Simply Love quotes. An on-line tutorial is included with the Photo Art Blends sharing techniques and recipes for how to achieve differing results with the many blends included. See our Cottage Arts blog for a Before/After of an additional orchid piece.

All were shot in AV mode, ISO 160, with my 70-300mm at about 180mm.

fyi…With the recent discovery that Mom’s breast cancer has metastasized to her liver, my focus has been on her and Dad, my clients, and Cottage Arts…posting on this blog as time allows. I’m creating and shooting more than ever, and hope to be able to share more with you soon!

Michelle

I sat down tonight to edit a few fall lovelies after attending a rousing St. Cloud State Huskies hockey game with the family.

Much to my surprise, when playing with this image I noticed a sweet heart cut of the leaf. Too fitting for this week of Thanksgiving.

supplies and technique here

So thankful for my right hand man…husband for 22 years…best friend for 24…i love you. ..simple as that.

Oh, how I love little girls in tutus…and with butterfly wings even more!

Two little girls wearing the same tutu 13 years apart…our oldest, Alyssa, back in 1996 for her first dance recital…and a dear little person last week for a costume. I’m embracing these precious memories this week.

Had some fun adding texture and a few embellishments to both images.

supplies and techniques here

supplies and techniques here

Scanning tip…I scanned Alyssa’s 1996 4×6 film image at 600 dpi so I could create an 8×8 piece at 300 dpi. I cropped in a square format as shown.

Happy weekend!

Michelle