Treasury Thursdays

This treasury is dedicated to the Heartland/Midwest Treasury Team.  This is a team comprised of Etsy sellers who live in the Midwest.  If you would like to join, they are always looking for new people to add to their ranks.  For now feel free to check this out and comment away!! Thanks!!

'Rings, Greens and all sorts of Blue Things (Team Heartland)' by RaeoLight

Here's a wonderful grouping of some Team Heartland / Midwest Team Finds. Enjoy the color and fun!

The Hair Care Pair that Roc... GetLathered $16.50	8x10 Seaside Flower 3 - Phot... dreameryphotog... $22.00
Boy's Woodland Growth Ch... rkbrushworks $55.00	Disco Dots Reusable Snack Ba... bellsandunicor... $6.00
Ms. Green Jeans - Clutch w Y... Folk $11.00	Four Pack of Facial Products PIRKart $43.00
Bright Green Vintage Button ... MimiBird $6.00	NEW ITEM--JUSTINE Half Apron... GracieLouDesig... $22.00
Benny and His Peeps Print stubborndog $15.00	Green Asymmetry Signed Vinta... ChosenVintage $99.00
birdy boots 'My First Ca... birdyboots $16.00	Ernest and Eli - knit toy FreshFromTheNe... $50.00
Fine Art Landscape Photograp... Briole $25.00	I am the sharpest tool in th... mimigalorestor... $18.99
Korker Bow - Lime Green Polk... MichaelCreatio... $3.00	Lot of Green Plastic Buttons Modred12 $3.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Pssst..shhh a Photographers Secret just for You.

Before I had the joy of finding my current full-time position with CIY, I worked (and still do on Saturdays) at Hobby Lobby.  I know that some my fellow Estians would kill for this job and the discount that accompanies it, but I myself am not creative enough as to enjoy this store to it's fullest until recently.  I instead worked hard in the frame shop.  I truely enjoyed the various prints and photos that have passed through my hands towards their final framing touches in the past few years.  Along with that fun has come another small perk in the form of wonderful insider info.  One of those tidbits led me to a web site call MPix and let me tell you it has indeed been a find.  It offers some of the best film processing I have ever seen.  If you have been in the industry long you would probably know them better as, Miller Photography. I am by no means getting any kick back from mentioning them accept the satisfaction of sharing a processing treasure.  They make my prints look amazing and offering so many cool deals and inventory.  They are also great at printing copyrights on the back of photos so as to protect them from having multiple copies made.
   The main reason I am mentioning them today is because they just started offering super fun ornaments

They are really cute and I can't wait to take advatage of this great item.  They are also offering their 8x10's at half off til the 29th of this month.  Their customer service is out of this world too.  I had one instance that a couple of my prints didn't make it in my box. I sent an email and had them on my doorstep the next morning.  Here are a couple of the other services they offer.

Trading Cards

Wall Clings Start at $40.00

And one of my favorites

Personalized Puzzles

If you are a photographer and or just have some great family shots you would love to have done for gifts or fun, totally check them out.  I don't think you'll be disappointed. And please feel free to let me know when you do.

What to do on a Friday Afternoon?

It's Friday, as you can see by all the TGIF's that are filling the air. I'm here at work (which I love btw) but the weather outside is calling my name. It's been so hot here in good ole Jo-Mo so to finally have a fall day is so great! This also signals the time when God takes out his paintbrush and begins to splatter red, orange, and golds all over the U.S. of A. Last Autumn I was able to capture a few shots worthy of the season. Such as the one below, a real Etsy favorite right now.

It was such a wonderful crisp autumn day when I added this beautiful artwork to my collection. I also love love love the way the light just bounces through the fall leaves. There is just enough space within the branches to allow it to dance across the sky.  I always wished to protray that splendor and came pretty close with this next shot

All in all I'm pretty excited for Fall to get here. I know it was offical as of yesturday but, in my opintion, until the trees start their transformations it's not legitimate.

In addition to these great views of fall I also came across an excellant recipe to celebrate this time of year

 

Mini Apple Crostatas

 

Just 5 ingredients! Turn an apple into a personal pie with easy-to-use Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust.

Prep Time: 15 Min

Total Time: 35 Min

Makes: 4

INGREDIENTS:

1

Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box

1

large baking apple, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)

2

tablespoons sugar

1/4

teaspoon ground cinnamon

8

teaspoons caramel flavored topping

 

 

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Unroll crust on work surface. Roll crust out slightly; cut into 4 (5-inch) rounds. Place rounds on parchment lined cookie sheet.
• In medium bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon; toss apple slices into sugar mixture. Divide apple slices evenly onto center of each pie crust round. Fold 1/2-inch of crust over filling, pinching slightly so that crust lays flat on apples.
• Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples slices are tender. Drizzle 2 teaspoons caramel topping over each crostata. If desired, serve warm with ice cream.

I can't wait to try this out hopefully this weekend. Nothing celebrates the Fall like gooey yummy, bake goods and color photos. *sigh* I hope you are able to enjoy this time of year as well.  Stop and smell the hay bales and the rest should fall into place ; )

 

I get all my recipes at Betty Crocker

Last night I was drawn into the beauty of the evening. The moon was so bright and there was a gentle breeze that swept through my balcony. It was so relaxing and romantic and it made me immediately think it would be a great theme for a treasury. So here it is. Feel free to give these are sellers your love : )

'The Kiss of a Gentle Breeze on a Moonlight Night' by RaeoLight

Just feel the breeze as it sweeps through your hair.

Goodnight, Moon - autumn pho... Raceytay $27.00	black bird in a moonlight tr... Lana0Crystal $30.00
Mon Petit Monde 25/50 TheNebulousKin... $30.00	Large White Porcelain Carved... SuiteOneStudio $120.00
Scrabble Tile Art Pendant Mo... bluefingerstud... $6.95	Moonlight Over Pemberley Arm... ZenAndCoffee $30.00
Real Full Moon Maple Leaf Pe... Jeunebugs $26.00	Make a Wish aliherrmann $40.00
Goth Folk Neck Cuff--Choker shipwreckdandy $30.00	Love Letters Written by Moon... hybridhandmade $423.00
1886 Fine Art Etching Cedars... vintagehomerec... $39.00	SNOW WHITE Cut Out BABYDOLL ... violetfolklore $40.00
MOON SISTER - Tea-Stained M... DreamALittleDe... $16.00	Sheer White FORAL Scarf - FR... andemonster $13.00
Windy Shadow DeemWave $55.00	Scrapbooking Fibers Pack Moo... chrystelle $8.95

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

More Photos from Friday

I wanted to post some more shots I just finished of my trip to Red Oak II I hope you enjoy.  Some of them are for sale in Etsy store. Some are just for fun

This car seemed a bit out of place but I loved it all the same

This is a cool shot of some of the artistic touches around Red Oak

One of the cool old houses that have been brought back to life.

A Trip Back in Time

As I began my small road trip to Red Oak II my anticipation of adding new photos to my portfolio starting growing.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect but as I round the corner towards the end of a long country road I was not disappointed.  Though I waited a little too long to get a lot of great light I was still able to capture some fantastic shots.  Like this one

Here's a little background to what Red Oak is.  A local artist named Lowell Davis grew up in small town America.  When he came back to the town after traveling as a youth he returned to a sad sight.  So he decided to purchase some land near a town called Carthage.  He then moved some of the old buildings from his home town and also found some other great buildings throughout the mid west and added those to his collection.  The result is a cute town set in 1940's Americana with a little bit of modern thrown in.  It's a miniature city complete with a one room school house, old church and boathouse (pictured above) They are slowly renovating the old buildings to be fully functional and hope to have more up and running soon.  Each building is owned by different people who are then in charge of the up keep.  Not only do you have wonderful structures restored to previous grander but, because Mr. Davis is an artist, there are wacky little sculptures and jokes everywhere if you have a keen eye. While I was there they were setting up for their annual Farm Girl Days.  Completely free it consists of crafts, food and fun for the whole family. If you are ever in this area I would most defiantly make a trip to this little diamond in the rough.

To go back to my inital discoveries.  It was great to also find some fun old cars situated in picturesque spots.

I really loved this next one too.  Notice the bullet holes in the rear window. I'm not sure if those are kinda of a joke (Joplin area is known for it's run in with Bonnie and Clyde) or just what happens when you get bored in a small country town



Well that's all I have for now.  I'll have some more shots as more get developed.  I do have a couple of plugs to make if at all possible.  I was recently featured in a blog of a fellow etsian and would love for you to check it out and comment.  I also have some friends who are trying to win a poll to be featured on the front page of a new photography website.  So if you have time in your day please visit the following links.

Thebeachcomber631

And

Vote for Alex and Beth

And here is your freebie for the day.  If you have a RedBox in the area don't forget to sign-up for the newsletters.  I'm not 100% sure that they are still doing this but I haven't heard otherwise.  If you sign up in exchange, you are sent an email for a free movie rental for after your first purchase.  You still have to have it back the next day by 9 but its totally worth it. Only a dollar a day!  Good luck and thanks for reading!

Coming into Focus

Well it's Friday, which means time to get ready for the weekend. There's a lot I would love to do but for lack of time I might have to par down my schedule.  One of the top items on my to do list is to visit my recently discovered gem.  A new location that a lot of midwest photographers have gone but I myself have yet to venture,  Red Oak II. 

Recently I have been slacking in my photographic production because I just haven't found any inspiration.  I had heard rumors of this place for the past couple of years but wasn't sure if it was a place of reality.  Needless to say I am very excited to add more photos to my portfolio. 

Speaking of which, I had someone ask me about what photos were currently in my collection and the stories behind them.  I'm somewhat apprehensive about revealing the stories because I don't really have much to tell.  I basically look at life like I'm looking through a view finder; finding treasures and then capturing them in a different way so as to build on the beauty that is yet to be seen.  Sometimes my stories are just simply as follows.  " I was walking towards my Aunt and Uncle's house, looked up, saw the light shining through the trees, grabbed my camera, snapped a few shots and viola.

Others really do have a small story to them.  One of my favorite shots that pushed me closer to thinking that maybe I had some talent after all was my next shot.  

The story is as follows:  I was in my backyard one day tending to my tulips. Suddenly I saw this beautiful creature land on some ivy growing on my neighbors fence.  I had left my 35 mm in my car that was parked in the front of the house. I knew I had to take a chance and go grab it.  I slowly made my way through thw back door, dashed through the house, fumbled with the car door, and snatched my camera finally making my way back to the location of my desire.  I was very pleased to find it still perched on the leaf that I had left it moments ago.  I took this shot and one other one with it's wings open (featured below) and as soon as I got all of the photos I had wanted, it flew away.   I love it when shots like that happen.  It was almost like it knew I wanted to capture it's beauty forever in my lens.  And it will remain one of my signature shots.

Well that's all my stories today.  If you want a freebie here is one I think you'll love if you're near an IHop.  If you join the Ihop revolution you'll get a free meal on your birthday and a free meal right when you sign up.  Enjoy and thanks so much for the new followers!!!