Pion Design - Christmas Tree Farm

Hello Everyone!

I am super excited to share with you today, my first Christmas card using the upcoming new Christmas collection from Pion Design called THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS! I was practically wiggling in my chair as I sifted through all the beautiful patterns and images, I just know you will love them as much as I do!!

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

  

The Night Before Christmas - Christmas in the Air PD7808
The Night Before Christmas - Just a Peek PD7801
The Night Before Christmas - Tree Farm PD7803
The Night Before Christmas - Memory Notes PD7811
The Night Before Christmas - Borders PD7810
Images From the Past - PD1619

The snowflakes are Cheery Lynn, the white flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts and everything else is from my stash.

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I have started an exciting new journey with my photography, the goal being to photograph squirrels and birds in their own environment. There are a few stages that I will have to go through in order to be able to get those 'up close and personal' shots that I love so much. Today I would like to share with you...

STAGE ONE - location, location, location!

First thing's first, and that's that's to find the perfect location. I spent a week walking for a mile in every direction to find the perfect spot. What was I looking for? - fabulous trees with low hanging branches...

- lots of foliage, but still good lighting...

- stumps, logs and rocks for squirrels to perch on...

- and interesting backdrops.

I had to move a few things around, a log here, a rock there... I need good angles and predictable paths for the squirrels to follow, so I know where to aim the camera.

Now, I just set out some treats on the logs and take my position. All I can do is wait.

I used mostly my zoom lens for Stage One so I could get shots of their faces as they checked me out from the safety of the tall trees, and oh boy, did they ever check me out!!

Some games of Peek-a-Boo from the really unsure ones...

Some curious glances from the ones who were on the fence...

And a couple of downright cut-eye looks! I think I even saw a bat signal go up at one point!

I spent three days in Stage One, and most of that time was spent sitting perfectly still and just watching. Throwing out the occasional treat and allowing them to grab and run. The best part of my location is that I have to walk past Squirrel Alley, so I get to have a quick visit with MISS CHRISSY on the way there!

Back on the home front, we have MR SCRUFF grabbing a quick snack.

KAREN is so gentle with me. I love how she puts her paws right in my hand when she eats.

And JUNIOR is having a little nibble before he heads out for the night. Isn't he handsome!

That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. If you have any questions or interesting tidbits about today's wildlife, please let me know.

Shabby Blue Birthday with Video

Hello Everyone!

I have a special card today that was made for a very dear bloggy friend. Even though her birthday was quite some time ago and her card was so so late getting to her, it still carried with it birthday wishes for all the best health and happiness for the coming year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE!!!!

Please visit Anne - Redanne and give her some belated birthday bloggy love!

For this card I have featured some wonderful products from the Michaels Craft Store: K & Company 8x8 Designer paper pad / Recollections wood frame flourish / Mulberry Butterflies / Burlap-Linen sheets

This one's for you Anne, Happy Happy Birthday!!

Card Series 121 - Shabby Blue Birthday

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There are some things in life that I will jump at the chance to do, and other things in life that I avoid whenever possible. Today I'm sharing a few photos from our trip into the deep, dark, smelly swamp!!

On one of our trips to the river, as we were walking down the path, we started to hear a noise. It got louder and louder and we were both curious as to what it might be. Then we happened across this cow-trail path through the tallest weeds and reeds I've ever seen!! It seemed to lead into nowhere!

So what do I jump at the chance to do? Veer off the safe path and take the serial killer route, of course!! And what do I avoid whenever possible? Portrait style photographs! HAHA!! Bet you thought it would be the other way around!

You can find beauty anywhere!

So this was as close as we could get. I had on sandals and the ground was starting to get really wet and quick-sandy. The noise we heard was the sound of about a ga-zillion frogs all croaking at the same time, and boy did it stink!! What an adventure!

And back on the home front, I have been getting quite a few Woodpeckers lately. I really love these birds, they are so curious and fun to watch!

Getting up close and personal with a male Sparrow. 

Caught this beautiful shot of a Mourning Dove landing on a branch.

PATRICIA says hello from the tree. She sometimes sits on a branch and watches me for hours while I'm outside. I wonder what she's thinking about?

My beautiful CRAZY KAREN was very curious about my new lens. She actually stuck her face right up to it, so hilarious!  I snapped quite a few cool shots in this moment, so I will share one here and there. I gave her a treat for making me laugh!

Out at Squirrel Alley, MISS CHRISSY is having some lunch.

And let's not forget about my dear JUNIOR. What has him on edge here? Well that would be the big construction machine beeping and making a lot of noise. JUNIOR likes his peace and quiet and the construction has him all stressed out. Me too little dude, me too!

And one of my favourite squirrel pics of all time.

I can almost hear her little voice as she sizes up this children's toy ball...

"SOOOOOO, DO YOU EAT IT... OR WHAT???"

I finally got a picture of some storm clouds! I waited all summer long for this one! Doesn't that one part look like it's gonna fall any minute. So cool!

That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. If you have any questions or interesting tidbits about today's wildlife, please let me know.