Love is Louder

This Kid President…he speaks truth. So touched by this video I had to share it.

“You’re awake…you’re awesome! Live like it.”

And if you’re needing a bit of a pep talk today, he’s got you covered there too.

My 5 favorite blogs

Back a few months ago…and even a few years ago I used to read blogs like crazy. Its true that I had a lot more time on my hands, and I have different priorities now, but my love of blogs never went away. There are a few I find myself going back to over and over again, and reading when I have the time. They inspire me and encourage me in my own writing and life and blogging.

1. Elise of EnJoy It

I found Elise’s blog through our mutual love of paper crafting, and have continued to be inspired by her through the years. She works magic with paper and tells stories in the most simple and moving ways. I love to read about her life, and the beauty she finds in her everyday. She is a big part of why I wanted to start Project Life. Her designs are killer! Elise also did a guest post here last year as part of my Celebrate the Everyday series. You can read it here.

Posts I love: Project Life posts, “Around Here”, and her thoughts on running a small business.

2. Meg of The Wild and Wily Ways of a Brunette Bombshell

I honestly have no idea how I stumbled across Meg’s blog…probably one of those “blog love” posts from someone else with a link to a quote from her they loved. Her blog is one that I love to read. Even in her description of her blog you can tell:

a guide on how to drink lattes (full-fat and without restraint), on how to love graciously, and how to ever-so-slowly suss out a life.

this is a blog about becoming.

Yup this is my kind of blog. I love her photography and how each image feels specially selected for me. I love her handwritten notes all over her pictures and on her blog. She is real, and I wish I could write like her. Total favorite.

Posts I love: Her Letter to her future Husband series were what I first read and they continue to touch my heart.

3. Savannah of Maiedae

Savannah is the writer and inspiration behind Maiedae, a blog and design company that is growing and creating inspiring things. I love her aesthetic in clothing and in design and find so much inspiration every time I visit her blog. Her business partner Jenny and her are currently writing a series called “Make it Happen” where they share the things they’ve learning in developing their company and making it their full time job. I know I’ll continue to learn from them.

Posts I love: “Make it Happen”, Living Well posts with tips on getting enough sleep and how to handle a sick day, Threads (her awesome outfit posts).

4. Susannah of SusannahConway

Susannah is the author of one of my favorite books “This I know: notes on unraveling the heart.” (My review of her book is here). Her blog is full of powerfully good writing and images of her life in London. She is an artist with her Polaroid cameras. She is honest and raw and real and I love to read her words. I adore the video she created for her about page too. Just her, her cute accent and her explanation of what her blog is all about. Her “why” just touches my heart…

Posts I love: Something for the weekend, her journaling love story.

5. Brooke of Brooke Shaden Productions

Brooke is an incredible concept portrait artist that I discovered via Flickr and have been following ever since. She keeps her blog current with her work, the courses that she teaches, behind the scenes images and helpful posts for other photographers. Her work just blows my mind. You have to check her out. Her photography and essays keep me coming back to her blog again and again.

Posts I love: 6 steps to staying motivated, behind the scenes.

So there are 5 of my favorite blogs that keep me coming back. What are some of your favorite blogs to read? Leave a link in the comments for me and I’ll go check them out!

“Blog Every Day in May” challenge. Day 19: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them.

Song on repeat

My favorite singing competition show, The Voice, has started back up again and I couldn’t be happier. I just love the concept for the show and listening to all the amazing voices these singers have.

Last week’s episode had one of my very favorite auditions ever. Sarah Simmons sang “One of Us” a song by Joan Osborn. I remember the very first time I heard that song and have loved it ever since…but I’ve never heard it like this girl sang it. Chills and goose bumps and inspiration. Killer! I just had to share it and save it here.

This girl makes me wanna sing! I am looking forward to watching her on the show this season and hopefully taking it to the end. Favorite for sure.

Do you watch The Voice?
Who is your favorite so far?
Do you like how they switched up the coaches?

Scrapbooking Inspiration

Back when I first started this blog I was a serious scrapbooker, and a lot of what I blogged about was the pages I created for various challenge sites, design teams, etc. I also worked a two different scrapbooking stores since I started this blog. Loved that!! And I had a blast serving on the Scrapbooking from the Inside Out design team for the second half of 2010. I made some of my favorite pages those months. Inside Out’s concept is still dear to my heart: scrapbooking about yourself with a kit created around a theme or emotion each month. If you like to scrapbook, you should check them out. This month is all about communication. Cool, right?

So today, while reminiscing about my scrapbooking days cuz its been so long since I created a page, I thought I might put together a couple of my favorite techniques to use on my pages, just as inspiration… for me to pull out some pictures and paper and start creating again, and for you too.  

Here are 3 of my go-to things I like to use on my scrapbook pages and I’ve used 3 layouts from my Inside Out days as demonstration. First up is a page I created from the “Acceptance” kit.

This kit came with this amazing hexagon die cut paper that had a really cool pattern on the other side. But to me it screamed out “turn me over and cut me into flowers!” So I did!  I always tray to do something a little unexpected if I have a neat or different paper. I like to play with mixing patterns too…usually ones that others would be scared to pair together. I like to think that’s something I’m really good at.

The next page was created using the “Purpose” kit. I pulled this one out of the box and just fell in love with the colors. They were very Shaina!

The kit came with these neat corrugated cardboard arrows to really emphasize the theme that month. Purpose = directionality. So I used them to add visual interest while leading the viewers’ eye through the page from the journaling to the pictures to the quote. It’s a photography trick of leading lines that I find myself using quite often in my scrapbooking too.

This next page was also from the “Purpose” kit, but using lots of layers of vintage ephemera and my last favorite technique (which is actually something I used on all 3 of the pages I shared!).

I do this sooo often, and its probably my favorite way to add journaling to my layouts. Sometimes I computer generate and print off my words, but other times I’ll cut the paper strips and add my own handwriting. You know how much I’m a sucker for handwriting!!

Now that I have my office all set up and organized I hope to start scrapbooking regularly again. I’ve missed it a lot. But going through my archives to find layouts to share for the blog post has really inspired and motivated me again. Perhaps I’ll have some new pages to share soon.

Are you a scrapbooker?
Have you used any of these techniques on your pages?
What is one of your go-to techniques?

something I miss

Today I saw this video on Ali Edward's blog that made me miss scrapbooking soooo bad!  Most of my supplies are still all packed in boxes in our garage because I want to paint my office before I unpack.  So I literally haven't created a page since November 2010!

The thought behind this video moved me:  Make Everyday a Scrapbooking Adventure.  The lovely Shimelle Laine is the voice behind and the creator of it.  She inspires me.  I want to get back to living my life this way.  I miss sitting down to "glue bits of paper to other bits of paper, hoping to do so in an aesthetically pleasing way."  I want to scrapbook again!

Here is the video.  Watch and enjoy.


There are two things that she said that really struck me... so much that I wrote them down and want to add them here.

"Make a conscious decision to look at everything, even the most mundane events as something that has meaning...to give whimsy to things that can be plain and to mix this up just enough so that the day never becomes entirely routine." 

"Scrapbooking with intent can make you creatively free while helping you strive for your best personal experience in life." 

Yes!  And Yes!!!

So, with hopes of getting back to this part of who I am, I am going to paint and unpack my office and then create.  And then share on my blog.  My blog has been missing pretty paper, don't you think?  ;)

PASS Premier Tour

Its Monday afternoon and my phone rings.  Its my dear friend, and fellow photographer Marta (of VonGrey Photography) on the line. She has been dealing with a lot of personal trauma lately within her family, so I immediately thought the reason she was calling was bad news.  But instead she says:

Marta: Hey have you heard about this new PASS thing at all?
Me: Yeah.  I saw a bit about it on Gray Photography's Facebook page.
Marta: So they're doing this tour thing for it...
Me: The one that's in Seattle tomorrow?  The one Promise is gonna be at?!!!
Marta: Yup!  And guess what?  I kind of have tickets for half-price.  Would you go with me?  

ARE YOU KIDDING?!!  Um, yeah... I totally went with her!  ;)

There is just something magical that happens in a room full of photographers, and this time in Seattle was no exception.  You feel a connection, an understanding and this excitement pulsing through the room.  We were all so eager to hear from the chosen speakers for the tour and learn about PASS.

At this point you might be wondering, ok sounds great, but what is PASS anyway?  Great question!  And to be honest, before going to the PASS Premier Tour I didn't really have an idea either...but let me tell you.  If you can go (future tour stops and dates HERE) GO!!  In its most basic form, PASS = NO MORE DVD's.  This revolutionary software product is changing how photographers and their clients interact with the final images.  Its about super easy user-friendly storage 'in-the-cloud', sharing between photographers and their clients and then between clients and all their friends and family.  Where before we would spend time creating and shipping a DVD of final images to a client, who would then spend their time trying just to look at, never mind share the images on the DVD, now everything is digital: storing, viewing and sharing.

Super cool, eh?  And super easy.

Just learning about and viewing this new program at work would of been enough.  But no!  The tour is about way more than that.  Its about growing, developing and learning to be even better photographers.

An important part of that is what Promise Tangeman was there to share.  She pretty much has my dream job. She is a graphic designer who specializes in logo/branding creation and SHOWIT website designs.  I have been a fan of hers for awhile and a follower of her blog.  She shared so much wisdom on the subject of branding YOU.  Its so true (especially for people like me just starting out) that sometimes we try to develop our brand or logo even without first truly knowing who we are.  She said that its like creating a cover for a book before we've even written the book.  Her presentation detailed 3 steps: focus (know yourself and your target market), style (embrace your personal style as the "visual" for your business) and confidence (go out there and share what makes you different).

Then she unveiled her brand new e-course all about this topic.  You can read what she wrote about it HERE in her blog post.  Its currently only available to people at the PASS Premier Tour.  And yeah.  I so got one!  I think it will help me for not only my own business, but also for when I'm creating new blog designs for my own customers.  So excited about this!!  And so excited to get to meet her and talk a bit about design and life and necklaces from 31 Bits.  :)

Next up was Zach and Jody, the husband and wife team behind Gray Photography.  Marta introduced me to them a few months ago, and I have learned a ton from them in such a short time.  Their blog is truly a asset for photographers everywhere.  You have to peek at their website just for photographers HERE.  And every Tuesday on their blog they do tips and tricks.  I learn something new every time!

They are all about creating connections and relationships with our clients.  Turing the whole client transaction process into a lasting friendship.  They shared their philosophy which centers around 3 C's: Connect, Court and Continue.  My favorite quote they shared is from Howard Schultz of Starbucks.  He said "We are not in the coffee business serving people, but in the people business serving coffee."  And that's what photography is all about too.  Yeah, pictures might be an integral part of it...but the people are the most important.  So many  words of wisdom from this cute couple.

Thank you so much David Jay!!  You're an inspiration and as asset to the photography community! I enjoyed this experience and know that when I'm ready to take the next step in my business, your company and your services are exactly what I need.

Here is a video that just encapsulates the mood and everything that is the PASS Premier Tour.  Seriously, go if you can!  You won't regret it.

Pass Premier Tour from Showit on Vimeo.

Thank you so much Marta for inviting me to come along with you.  I had a blast!  And I may or may not have eaten a whole plate of olives.  (but that will be our little secret, right?!)

inspired

lately i have found myself completely inspired by videos.  videos of all shapes and colors.  some visually inspiring, some with inspiring words, others with perfect music.

the ever talented jasmine*


the making of the threadsence lookbook. swoon!


so cute and so very true!


this 3 1/2 year old boy doing the bible reading from the book of Esther. this made me tear up. reminded me of my younger brother micah.


ok, so apparently you have to be a friend of mine on facebook so see this, but its too cute to remove. add me to take a peek!! :)

what's inspiring you lately??

quote of the day

 

thank you kal barteski.  you always have just the right words.  

(picture from her blog)

pitter patter of my heart

lately i have been spending time thinking about the types of things i am drawn to... like what captures my imagination visually, am i detail oriented or to i love big picture moments, what do i like to turn my viewfinder on.  i am searching deeper into who that makes me as an artist.  i am discovering my personal visual voice.  this is of course thanks to the lovely Vivian McMaster and her You are Your Own Muse class that i am so honored to be a part of.  i have learned a lot through this year's 52weeks project, but in just this first week of class my perspective has changed.  i know that i am not afraid to step into my pictures, in fact i love knowing that i always have a subject for my photos!  but my focus is shifting... i am yearning to tell more of my story. 

so in response to this yearning, i wanted to share something that has really caught my attention this week.  Nancy shared some artwork over at the SFTIO forum as a source of inspiration for our theme this month.  and one particular image really stood out to me... because i'd seen this artist's work before and i had forgotten how much it touched the artist inside me.

the artist's name is Stina Persson.  and she makes magic with watercolors.

this last one is the one that was familiar to me... i saw it in a magazine and still have the page safe in a folder somewhere. 

i am struggling with the words to explain why i am so drawn to these images.  i think they have hearts and souls of their own.  through line and color they tell a story. 

that is what i am aiming to do in my own art and medium of choice: self-portrait photography.  through line and color and heart tell my story. 

quote of the day

"You might not like where you are...but like where you're headed."  -Jasmine Star

On monday i got to hear Jasmine (along with some other amazing photographers) speak at the WPPI Roadtrip stop in Seattle.  There are really no words to describe that kind of inspiring and motivational day.  I came away with goals, new and fresh ideas, and a free website!  (more on that later.)
i promise to do a full blog post all about it soon with pictures.

you know how you have those moments when life makes sense...some call it an AHA! moment.  well, i want to share my moment with you...

Hi, I'm Shaina and I'm a photographer. 

things i love thursday

july 8th edition

today is about photography inspiration.  it is something that i desperately crave, especially now smack dab in the middle of my 52weeks project.  in truth, there are very few original ideas out there.  because that is the beauty of creativity... we are inspired by each other as artists.  so here is my flickr collage for this week.  i made it based on the concept of shooting a portrait without a face.  a basic idea, but oh so many unique takes...

1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Leap, 4. It's all a blur..., 5. 115/365 You're free, 6. yellow mood.

so perhaps you'll see my own interpretation of "portraits without faces" coming soon to my 52weeks.  i think it adds interest and a hint of mystery... and every woman can always use a bit of mystery.  ;)

eat, pray, love

during our road trip i read this book. well, i more like devoured, savored, indulged in and cherished this book. i am going to start it again... probably this afternoon. it was moving, heartfelt and inspiring. i cannot wait for the movie this summer. i know that there is no way for it to be "as good" as the book, but i have tingles just from the trailer. enjoy. and please, read the book!! 
"Eat, pray, love" by Elizabeth Gilbert 

{things i love} thursday

may 13th edition 

my theme for this thursday is "inspiring words."  this thrusday i feel the need to be inspired. i adore words.  they are powerful while still being simple.  so today i am going to share some inspiring words i have found lately.  and perhaps not in ways you'd expect...

first, some flickr faves!!

1. Untitled, 2. i am, 3. I'm afraid of that. , 4. L E T . L O V E, 5. close your eyes and it will be alright (explored), 6. indeed it is.

next is the winsome and inspiring words of this special lady...

the incredible, sweet and talented kyla roma.  a few days ago she did a blog post all about her thoughts and feelings as she approaches a new chapter of her life... the age of 25.  i would like to share a small excerpt from that post.  her words touched a cord in my heart... they spoke to my soul....they reinvigorated my view on life.  i needed these words.

Twenty Four helped me abandon perfect because it paralyses you. Perfect ignores that working from your beautiful, imperfect strengths leads you to an effortless place. Perfect doesn’t want a journey, it wants a hero’s welcome and control. When I get too hung up on details and plans I can slip into this mentality… and it misses the point of who I am. I’m not neat and tidy, and I’m not interested in refining the personality out of who I am. I’m interested in responding from my heart, with kindness, and with enthusiasm.
This year, I feel like I’m finally starting get it.
The jumps where I didn’t nearly execute the landing aren’t about rehearsing until I get it right, they’re about choosing my time, finding great people to do it with and then leaping out off the edge with style and abandon. The bad things that happen aren’t about what I deserve and the good things aren’t about what I’m owed, they’re dips and twirls in the dance, and the moments when I feel connected and loved? They’re about memory and hope.
There’s a beautiful story about Charlie Chaplin when he was developing his tramp character. He was working with a troupe of actors and in the middle of furious slapstick rehearsals his mentor would should out to them:
“Keep it wistful gentlemen, keep it wistful!”
Reminding them not to forget the sweetness and the wonder, even in the middle of that precise and wild abandon.
In the middle of all this, the good and the bad, and whatever next year brings my way I’m going to work hard to keep it wistful. I want the wonder to come as easily as breathing, I want to be wholly myself, and I want to work incredibly hard to will everything I have in my heart into existence.

click HERE to read the whole blog post.  thank you so much kyla for being you and for sharing.  you are brave.

i have a soft spot for good quotes.  and i collect them.  some that i find online, some that i see, some that i hear and some from my real life.  i thought this might be a perfect time to share some of my favorites with you.

• "some moments we never forget because our lives have been forever changed." 
• "the hard times pass like the good ones do." 
• "energy goes where attention flows." 
• "let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave." 
• "there are some things in life that you just don't choose.  but then you embrace them and they become part of your identity."
• "in the inner place where true artists create there exists a pure child." 

and what about funny words??  recently i was introduced to this blog.  and i could not stop laughing!!!  imagine, someone recording all the funny things you said in your sleep and sharing them with the world?!  you shouldn't miss it!  

and then there are my own words.  i hope that one day when i look back on this 52weeks project that i've been doing, i will be inspired by my own words and images.  it has been such a learning process and a deeply moving journey.  here is my picture and poem from this week.  please enjoy!

loneliness drips off me like beads of sweat
there is a haunting behind these eyes
please do not criticize 
the reasons for my silence. 
if only i could share the depths of my soul
if only i knew them myself
if only that was enough. 
with warm arms i hug myself
desperate for other arms 
for other statements of affection...
i see flickers, but doubt their intent.
in the heat of this day 
i am not enough;
tomorrow perchance.

so there you have it.  a special {things i love} thursday all about the written word.  do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?? or a link to some words you love??  please leave a link in the comments.
have a beautiful and blessed day.

i think things are looking up!

let me tell you, its been a rough week. i've been physically hurting, and emotionally hurting, and just drained. i've started eating different, and i think its gonna take my body a bit to get used to it. but today i am feeling better. :)

"the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Lao Tzu

i have begun my journey to a healthier, happier me.
i decided to sign up for Ashely Wren's class, sponsored by SIS.
its complete motivation, inspiration, and support.
there are 21 days of class assignments that jump-start the process and message boards that will continue through the rest of the year.
i think this is exactly what i need.
:D