Etsy - It's all the rage.

If you've never found yourself lost in the world of Etsy, you're really missing out.  I'm a huge fan of handmade, homespun, bohemian kitsch which is why Etsy is like an amazing art gallery.  The talent is so inspiring.  Check out the following Etsy sites and creations:

Since Nat's birth, I rarely wear jewelry to avoid scratching her.  I recently replaced my diamond wedding ring with a simple silver band that I've grown quite fond of.  I think if I had to do it over, I would have opted for a simple band as a wedding ring and I'm in love with the following jeweler's work.  It's so beautiful and unpretentious.

Artisan Look


I've also dabbled in jewelry design and I'm a big fan of turquoise.
You & Me & Bead

We're slowly, but surely redecorating Ethan's room and going with a Spiderman theme.  This artist does have a Spiderman print that is just precious, but it features a blonde little boy.  So...I'll be watching for the brunette version.  Regardless, his work is so endearing.

Mikiep


For lack of a better term, I consider myself a 'conservative feminist.'  My favorite artist is Frida Kahlo and I was so excited to find this child's tee with the Frida applique. 

Liliputians


That's it for now!  Have fun exploring etsy.

Four Generations

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.  ~Jane Howard

Most of you local blog readers are familiar in some way with the Davenports.  They've certainly made quite a mark in our hometown.  It was truly an honor to have been asked to photograph the oldest Davenport generation with the up and coming generation. 



There were babies galore and I promised I wouldn't post a  picture, but I had quite the entertainment committee behind me working hard to keep the babies stationary if only for a few seconds at at time. 


Audrey in the middle was a big help as you can see.  And just so you can appreciate their individual cuteness I wanted to be sure to post an individual shot of each of them:










and the proud great grandparents:






I think it's so special that the babies will always have these pictures of their great grandparents to reflect on.  We all have an innate desire to know our roots and I for one do not have much in the way of physical documentation.  The very few pictures that exist of my great grandparents have been destroyed, tattered, or lost.  All I have are faded memories of what they looked like.  My children may never know what they looked like.   So, thanks for letting me document this moment in time for your family.  It was my pleasure.

#9 and #10

Sorry these are a bit late, but I wanted to be sure little Owen had a few days to headline the blog.  Here are the final 2 cards:

Card #9: "Polkadot Cutie"

Card # 10: "Wishes"

Owen from Alabama

This handsome fellow is in town visiting family and mom wanted some pictures in his Christening gown.  He was a trooper despite the fact that he was about 30 minutes away from his morning nap.

Some shots just scream vintage so I processed a few this way and i was pleased with the creative effect.  This first one is the same picture as the one above.

Owen looked like porcelain in his beautiful gown with his milky skin and crisp blue eyes. 




It's been a long time since I've featured a silhouette shot and the stained glass window provided perfect, colorful backlighting.

I'll be shooting the big family get-together this Saturday so I'll be seeing him again soon and have some pictures  up early next week.

#7 and #8

Sorry for the post delay. 

Card #7  "Simple"


Card #8  "Retro Snowflakes"

#7 and #8

Sorry for the post delay. 

Card #7  "Simple"


Card #8  "Retro Snowflakes"

#7 and #8

Sorry for the post delay. 

Card #7  "Simple"


Card #8  "Retro Snowflakes"

5 and 6

Card # 5: "Grunged up"

Card #6: "entwined"

#3 and #4

Card # 3:  "Rococo"

Card #4:  "Holiday Spice"

#3 and #4

Card # 3:  "Rococo"

Card #4:  "Holiday Spice"

Summer Christmas Collection

Over the next few days I will be posting the designs for Christmas cards that my summer clients have to choose from.  I  wanted something different yet classic and sophisticated.  Here are the first two.  Check back tomorrow for the next two.

Card number 1 : "Classy"  Looks rectangular, but it's actually a 5x7 with white space above and below the center design.  I love the clean look of this one.

Card number 2: "Gumdrops" This is a fun, non-traditional card.  The colors are bright and different from the standard red and green Christmas card.  This one may be my family card.

I've been tagged

Don't remember the last time I did one of these.  I'm not very interesting, but since I was 'called out' on another blog I figured I should oblige just this once =)

The rules: 
Each player answers the questions
about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people
and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a
comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read
your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your
answer.

 

What was I doing ten years ago?   
1. Graduating High School
2. Leaving home for the first time to go to college
3. Hanging out with friends as though we would never see each other again
4. Oh- almost got arrested for wrapping the school !
5. Feeling pretty on top of the world except for incident described in number 4

 

What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today?   
1. Father's Day shopping
2. Cuddling my babies
3. Cleaning out the garage with hubby
4. watching Sat. morning Food Network
5. a nap???? right (insert sarcastic tone here)

 

Five snacks I enjoy:   
1. pickles
2. luuuuurrrrv watermelon
3. pistachios
4. oreos & milk
5. most fruit

 

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:   
1. pay off mortgage 
2. college funds for the kids 
3. vacation to foreign places
4. give to family
5. college fund for nieces/nephews

 

Places I’ve lived:   
1. Crosby ,TX
2. College Station, TX
3. San Marcos, TX
4. back to Crosby, TX
5.

 

Jobs I’ve had:   
1. Sonic Carhop
2. receptionist
3. Teaching Assistant at Southwest
4. High School Spanish Teacher
5. Kindergarten Teacher

  Thanks, Crystal!

I've been tagged

Don't remember the last time I did one of these.  I'm not very interesting, but since I was 'called out' on another blog I figured I should oblige just this once =)

The rules: 
Each player answers the questions
about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people
and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a
comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read
your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your
answer.

 

What was I doing ten years ago?   
1. Graduating High School
2. Leaving home for the first time to go to college
3. Hanging out with friends as though we would never see each other again
4. Oh- almost got arrested for wrapping the school !
5. Feeling pretty on top of the world except for incident described in number 4

 

What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today?   
1. Father's Day shopping
2. Cuddling my babies
3. Cleaning out the garage with hubby
4. watching Sat. morning Food Network
5. a nap???? right (insert sarcastic tone here)

 

Five snacks I enjoy:   
1. pickles
2. luuuuurrrrv watermelon
3. pistachios
4. oreos & milk
5. most fruit

 

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:   
1. pay off mortgage 
2. college funds for the kids 
3. vacation to foreign places
4. give to family
5. college fund for nieces/nephews

 

Places I’ve lived:   
1. Crosby ,TX
2. College Station, TX
3. San Marcos, TX
4. back to Crosby, TX
5.

 

Jobs I’ve had:   
1. Sonic Carhop
2. receptionist
3. Teaching Assistant at Southwest
4. High School Spanish Teacher
5. Kindergarten Teacher

  Thanks, Crystal!

I've been tagged

Don't remember the last time I did one of these.  I'm not very interesting, but since I was 'called out' on another blog I figured I should oblige just this once =)

The rules: 
Each player answers the questions
about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people
and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a
comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read
your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your
answer.

 

What was I doing ten years ago?   
1. Graduating High School
2. Leaving home for the first time to go to college
3. Hanging out with friends as though we would never see each other again
4. Oh- almost got arrested for wrapping the school !
5. Feeling pretty on top of the world except for incident described in number 4

 

What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today?   
1. Father's Day shopping
2. Cuddling my babies
3. Cleaning out the garage with hubby
4. watching Sat. morning Food Network
5. a nap???? right (insert sarcastic tone here)

 

Five snacks I enjoy:   
1. pickles
2. luuuuurrrrv watermelon
3. pistachios
4. oreos & milk
5. most fruit

 

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:   
1. pay off mortgage 
2. college funds for the kids 
3. vacation to foreign places
4. give to family
5. college fund for nieces/nephews

 

Places I’ve lived:   
1. Crosby ,TX
2. College Station, TX
3. San Marcos, TX
4. back to Crosby, TX
5.

 

Jobs I’ve had:   
1. Sonic Carhop
2. receptionist
3. Teaching Assistant at Southwest
4. High School Spanish Teacher
5. Kindergarten Teacher

  Thanks, Crystal!

Fabulous Find

First, Happy Father's Day weekend!  I've been so blessed with 3 wonderful men in my life - my dad, my husband, and my father in law.  All 3 live by example and I appreciate them so much.

Next, my fab internet find...

I love all things domestic.  I am especially a fan of decorating.  I love creating, replicating, assembling, sewing, painting etc. etc.  I recently came across this awesome blog that is a great source of inspiration for all of you domestic divas that also have a little piece of Martha Stewart inside:

This Young House

Christmas in June, July, and August!

HUH???

This was our Christmas card last year that we sent out to family and friends!  This year I decided to offer cards to my clients (this particular card is not for sale).  For clients that book a session for June, July, or August you will have your choice of card design customized with your name and a picture from our session.  You can choose to buy sets of 25 (envelopes included) for $30.  That is just over a $1 for each 5x7 card.  They will be press-printed on textured paper and will certainly stand out from the kiosk, rectangular-type card that have become popular in recent years.  I will share the design set that I will be offering next week.

"What if I'm not ready for Christmas pictures this summer?"

I will still offer the cards to Fall clients, but the price will go up and you will not be able to choose from the same design set as my summer clients.  So....don't worry :) 

Later, folks!

Fluff Pie

Wanted to share a good summer recipe that satisfies my taste for cheesecake....sort of. We made the lime version yesterday and Ethan loved it.  Plus, it's considerably lower in calories/fat than cheesecake.

Fluff Pie
1/4 cup of boiling water
1 sm package of Sugar Free Jello (whatever flavor you want)
2 yogurt containers of the same flavor as Jello (make sure it's Light/Fat Free)
1 regular carton of FF Cool Whip
1 graham cracker crust.

Dissolve the jello in the water.  Fold in the yogurt and Cool Whip.  Pour into the crust and refrigerate for 3 hours.  Voila!

And do take note of my clean kitchen!  Woohooo.  Two for Two!

The road paved with good intentions

Now that summer is in full swing at the Killion homestead, I decided it would be a good time to get all of us on a good routine.  After getting some good advice from my friend, Kris P., I decided it would be best to write out a schedule.  I always start off the summer with pep in my step.  I'm up early, doing my daily chores, getting dressed etc. etc.  However, as the summer wears on I find myself easing into a 'funk'.  You know what I'm talking about - going to bed late, getting up late, staying in my pj's way too long and not really accomplishing much of anything.  With me not going back to work, I want to be especially mindful of how I spend my day.  I DON'T want to spend my day looking like schlump (???) and feeling like the house work is neverending.  I DO want to be productive and efficient while taking plenty of time to do wonderful activities with my kids.  So.... step ONE.... cleaning schedule:

 

I would love any advice from you.  If you have any tips or sites for organization and day-planning, let me know.   Am I being too ambitious??? LOL!

ETA:  I'd forgotten about Fly Lady.  I'll be shining my sink tonight!  Thanks, Roberta.

Chicken Noodle and Chicken Nugget

We have some crazy nicknames for members of our family.  Now that summer is officially here for our family I decided to celebrate by taking pictures of my kiddos.  This morning we had some quality cuddle time in bed.  One or the other always winds up in our bed in the middle of the night so this seemed like a fitting place to photograph them.

It's funny that our kids don't strongly favor one parent or the other, but they very much look like each other.




And this last one just proves that photographers' children are not usually the most cooperative in front of the camera.

Be patient with me

Hey Folks!  If you've sent me an email in the last week and I haven't responded, I promise I will do so Monday/Tuesday of next week.  This is my last week of work and I have had a lot of packing to do, but tomorrow it will be done!  Hang with me for a few more days.

Be patient with me

Hey Folks!  If you've sent me an email in the last week and I haven't responded, I promise I will do so Monday/Tuesday of next week.  This is my last week of work and I have had a lot of packing to do, but tomorrow it will be done!  Hang with me for a few more days.

They brought it.

Brought what?  Their crazy that's what!  Mom,  I forced myself to post the tamer shots, but I had to sneak in some crazy. 
The Lee bunch:

The Lees were probably my 2nd/3rd paying clients when I started the business.  They've grown and changed right along with my favorite hobby.  Thanks for coming back and sticking with me!  Every minute of our shoot was full of laughter and despite the fact that Dad had just gotten home from a night shift, he was all smiles - love it.

 

I also had the privilege of meeting Jill (big bro's girlfriend) who is super photogenic.


She fit right on in with the Lee brood.


Here are a few other favorites from our shoot:




  This was too much fun!