Thursday, October 31, 2013

Halloween

Hoping your day is filled with more treats than tricks. 
Have a Happy Halloween from Gypsy Gnome.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Documenting

For a while now I have been watching other bloggers and creative folk on the interweb create Project Life scrapbooks. And I have been thinking a lot about documenting life as of late.
I never loooooved photography when I was younger, it always seemed somehow serious to me. It was fine to snap a few photos at birthdays or the holidays (when everyone was "dressed up"). But the idea of taking pictures of the little things seemed like a lot of work; as if taking a picture of just my hands, or something I ate for dinner would be wasting film. And I think it used to be hard to argue with that; film cost money, and you only got 24 pictures on a roll, and you would have to wait to have the film sent off to be developed....it all just seemed like a lot for what could turn out to be a blurred mess...
But now...
Now the whole concept of how and what the average person can document is almost limitless. Between the clarity we can achieve from just our cellphone pics, to all the free photo editing software out there, photography is now a daily part of so many lives. Most of us find ourselves snapping away and accumulating 100's (let's be real 1,000's) of  photos, stored on our computer. And it's cool right?! 
So now what do you do with all your collected moments?
It is a good question. Blogging is a good tool, instagram, flickr....all sorts of social media.....but there seems to be a missing element. For me the best part of taking pictures with film was getting them back after being developed, scrolling through them reliving the moments and holding the pics trying not to smuge them. 
That being said I am determined to print more of the photos I take and put them into some sort of organization. Because I really do like taking pictures now. And  because it tuns out that the super embarrassing photo taken of you with food on your face, is the best moment of that vacation. Or that the selfie you took that you thought cut off your face, turns out to be the perfect artsy crop. Photography has a way of capturing more than just our visual memory of an event, but the feeling that the moment conjures up. And these memories are the good old days we are going to miss in the years to come.



Monday, October 28, 2013

Mehndi Monday

 So this week's henna installment is very cool for me because I did this design on myself!
 I am right handed and all of my henna practice has been with my right hand, but recently I began wondering if I could do it with my left hand....
So here it is. The closer image was applied with my non-dominate hand. 
Pretty cool right?! I don't really know what I can do with my new found talent, but it is definitely a reminder that we all can do amazing things if we don't limit ourselves.
I wonder what else I can do with my left hand...
Happy Hennaing Everyone.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Thrifty DIY

I think going to the local thrift shops has become one of my favorite activities. We have some gooood ones in town, and I have been able to grab some awesome finds. With a little TLC so many discarded items can be reinvented.
Yay! I am super happy with how they turned out. And they have helped making morning lattes for Hubs a breeze. Happy Thirfting!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Captured Moments

A Friday ritual. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor, and remember.
If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
It is finally my favorite time of year (anywhere) but especially in the Pacific Northwest. Every morning lately has been filled with fog and cool air, colored by the changing leaves.
Have a happy Friday Everyone.

(This segment is inspired by soulemama.com)

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

West Coast Love

Hubby and I have driven across the country twice now, but until we moved here neither of us had ever been to Oregon. So although my camera was packed away, on a few occasions over the days of our trip I picked up my cellphone and grabbed a few shots from my passengers seat. *This would be a good time to point out that I am the consummate passenger on our distance trips. Hubby has done all, and I stress ALL the driving from the west coast to the east, and back again. Thus giving me the opportunity to grab some memories along the way. He is pretty awesome that man of mine.
So here is my first impression of the beautiful pacific northwest, as we cross over the mountains in Oregon.