Shutter Sisters Turns One!

It's our very first bloggy birthday at Shutter Sisters today. I am such a proud mama. And it happened to fall on the day I wrote my 101st post over there. How cool is that?

Pop over and offer your birthday wishes and be entered int he drawing for a new HP Printer! Woot!

Let's party!

44

Awaking with the assurance that that today would be both historic and glorious, I stumbled down stairs, children still sleeping, and was greeted by this sight. The rising sun, circled by halo of hope; a symbol of what this day and our future holds.

Join us as we blog this moment in time. 1 photo, 44 words. History in the making.

Thank you Melissa and Alice.

Giveaway City

-photo taken with my Lensbaby (pretty, ain't it?)

Not only is Shutter Sisters giving away a Lensbaby today (omg!) but Design Mom is hosting a 12 Days of Christmas at her blog where there's a Shutter Sisters necklace up for grabs as well as an HP All in One Printer. Among 11 other yum yum items.

Go. Click. And. Comment. Now.

Click

You are not going to want to miss a single day of this action!

Happy Holidays!

things change

As the holiday for the giving of thanks comes to an end and we slip back into our daily routines I am melancholy. The air has been crisp and cool, light is soft and days seem to pass quickly this time of year. Family and friends are near and memories are made.

I had a little wake-up call this weekend and it's reminded me to savor every single minute of my life. Right now. As it is today. It's been the of the kind of perspective you need every once in a while to get you surefooted; to bring you back to what matters most.

When the leaves float from their branches with each puff of the autumn breeze I remember that nothing is forever. Everything changes. It's a state of mind that makes me appreciate the moments as they are and as they pass; leaving memories and of course in my case, photographs. I know that goes for you too.

What kind of memory making did you do as Thanksgiving came and went? Share your Best Shots!

Celebrate the Click

A Purrrrrfect BSM

From pumpkin carver to Cheetah is no time flat. Meeeeeow.

I cannot wait to see this weeks Best Shots. Something tells me they are going to more festive than any other week to date (except for maybe last year or the year before that).

Go ahead, show us the Halloween goods!

And you are welcome to share more homespun goodness over at The Sundays at Home post at Shutter Sisters for a chance to win a copy of America at Home.

Every Night

Shooting everyday moments also means shooting every night moments too. Ours usually revolves around bedtime snacks. Since last night was watermelon, I took the time to snap a few shots.

Shooting indoors can be tricky. Shooting indoors at night can be near impossible. But, since I'm a tenacious gal, I have come up with a few tried and true techniques I use to get the job done. A few of which I am sharing today at Shutter Sisters.

This first shot came straight out of the camera.

This second version is my idea of a small tweak that makes for a much better shot all around.

All I had to do was dial out a little yellow/add a little blue, dial out a smidge of red/add a little green and boost the contrast a tad. A 10 second fix that improves the shot and makes it a keeper. Don't ya think?

In Celebration of Today

OK, so I might be skipping ahead (considering this is only supposed to be the gathering phase and I'm already in playing with my photos mode) but the idea of honoring our daily life is a cool exercise. Plus, I finally figured out how to install my new fonts which is just like the coolest thing ever! It's so fun to play with new fonts!

Or maybe I'm trying to be the teacher's pet (even though Ali swears this is not a class). In case you didn't know by now, people consider me a Type A personality. *cough, cough*

Anyhow, here's to celebrating this weekend, in grand mundane fashion.




And don't forget to add your comment on the post at Shutter Sisters to get in the drawing to win a copy of one of Ali's books. You have until midnight tonight to comment.

You are Invited

Image today in honor of Flare Friday.

Taking a moment to extend a few invitations...

First, Ali Edwards is beginning an irresistible 'week in the life' project over on her blog which will start next week. I RSVP to her invite to join in the creative fun at Shutter Sisters today. And what's even more fun is that we have copies of her books that we are giving away to our readers. Be sure to comment on the post to be included in the random drawing.

Also, mark your calendars for next week (Tuesday 9/30 @ 5pm) as I am cordially inviting you to an event at The Attic Door in Burbank (So Cal). I will be sharing tips and tricks on taking awesome holiday photos and incorporating those shots into the perfect holiday cards. It's never too early to muster up some inspiration and get a jump start on these sorts of things. Won't you join us?

It's Nice to be Noticed

Sometimes in our day to day work we get lost in the job. Rushed and distracted we go about our business taking care of tasks if only to check one more to-do off our list. The days go quickly and there's not much time to really reflect on our successes and yet, every day is an accomplishment, a reason to applaud ourselves.

As mothers, we wipe noses, hands and bottoms. We tote, juggle and shuffle 10-20 pounders and their gear. We manage to get kids up and out to school clothed, fed, homeworked, and back again for more food, baths, books and bed. We get through laundry, dishes and bills. And somewhere in there we hopefully eek out time for ourselves. For many of you reading this, that time often consists of blogging; about family, motherhood, our feelings. Or we turn toward something other than that. We write about gardening or politics. We cook or paint or take photographs to keep our autonomy. We create communities so that we may be seen and heard and understood. And yet, sometimes through all of it, we don't notice or acknowledge how much we are doing and how well we are doing it.

Women often fall prey to guilt from all the things we are not getting done. We focus what we're not doing and we hold close the notion that we aren't enough. But, the truth is, we are enough. And what we pull off every day is amazing.

Since the launch of Shutter Sisters, I have been a busy blogger on top of everything else. Getting through my to-do list has felt next to impossible and some days I am sure that it's never going to get done. All the plans I have for myself, my career, my blogs might never come to fruition. I so quickly forget that in fact everyday I have things out in the world to celebrate. My children for one who grace the world with their very beings. My photographs which fill many books and hang on many walls beyond my own and live on blogs that people visit every day. I know this is all true but sometimes I forget to enjoy it.

It took kind words from a stranger to remind me that what is happening at Shutter Sisters (or any other part of my life) doesn't rely on what I plan to do in the future with it. It's not about my looming to-do list but instead what exists right now. What IS.

Reading Scott's insightful words made me realize that the true purpose behind Shutter Sisters is being seen and understood perfectly, even by an outsider (for lack of better words) and perhaps even more surprising, a Gadget Guy. It was the little nod I needed to make me sit my action down for a few minutes to enjoy what I have accomplished, and what I do everyday.

I encourage you to do the same for yourself, over a few deep breaths. I promise, it'll be time well spent.

Following My Heart

As I was waiting at the street corner for these friends to cross and meet me for brunch, this heart was laying on the sidewalk at my feet.

Sweet serendipity.

*sigh*

There's nothing better than the love shared between our sister friends.

BlogHer Best Shot

How can I possibly choose one shot from such an incredible weekend. So much love, support, encouragement, empowerment; words could never express it. But a shot like this one does say a lot about it feels when you can bask in a big beautiful dose of soul sisterhood.



Do you have a shot that says something about what's been happening in your life? Share your joy.

Sister Symbols

Have you seen what we've got clickin' at Shutter Sisters?
Baubles , Blurb books and BlogHer!

Needless to say I guess but I'm...

See you there!

Let's Click!

You going to BlogHer this summer? Sweet. Me too. And check out what the Shutter Shutters are up to. It's the first ever BlogHer PhotoWalk!



So, who's into roaming the streets of San Fransico shooting photos with with a flock of what Pam calls BlogHer birds? I am, I am!

If you would like to join us, please let us know so we can look for you. Hee hee.

Fit Photo Contest

Do you think you've got a photo that fits? If not, then nows the time to get clickin'.




Pop over to Shutter Sisters for a chance to win the Wii and the Wii Fit!

A Gift from Rwanda

Jen has updated her blog with the most stunning photo of Odette's daughters Grace and Lillian.
I just wanted to share it with you.
Sigh.

Something About Mother's Day

One of the many perks of having preschool aged children is getting handmade Mother's Day gifts. I'm a sucker for every painted, glued, stitched, drawn, folded, pipe cleanered, popsicle sticked work of art.

On the other hand, when you've got a near middle-schooler, they are old enough to translate to your spouse your deep and desperate desire for a spa pedicure. Pedicure gift certificates are my most favorite things. Ever. Second only to macaroni jewelry.

Speaking of jewelry, you can still enter the Blue Poppy Motherhood necklace giveaway by leaving a comment on the Mother's Day Post at Shutter Sisters.

I do hope all of you moms enjoyed your Sunday and took plenty of photos to choose from for your Best Shot Monday. I bet you did, didn't you?

You're on the Air

Well, actually we're on the air.
But you could be too.

All you have to do is call in to chat with Kate and I LIVE this evening from 6-6:30pm PST to Motherhood Uncensored's Blog Talk Radio show. Want more info? Click HERE.



Yay!

Edited to write: To listen to the show, see the sidebar (over there to the right) for the play button!

In Honor of a Perfect Post

I got the reminder that the Perfect Post Awards were coming up on the same day that Jen Lemen posted this gem at Shutter Sisters. Seriously, how could I not nominate it? Everything about her post is indeed perfect.

The photo alone is brilliantly captured; the image of her father’s hands speaks volumes on its own. But then Jen, in her magical way coupled it with a story that reached down and stole my heart right out from my chest.

As she celebrates her own father, I am reminded of my own. Of what makes him unique. Of what I so deeply love and appreciate about him. I am taken back to my childhood and it seems that the uncertain times, the struggles have become somewhat of a blur however, there is clarity in how he loved me…how he still does love me. That’s all that matters. Everything that came from the past has only helped to build the foundation of mutual admiration and tenderness that we stand on today. I love him so very much.

And then I think of my husband—the father of my children and how steadfast and unwavering he is in his love for them and I melt into a big sopping puddle—part little girl, part mother, part wife and I am so grateful that Jen, through the brilliance of the written word and a single photograph coaxed me into feeling all of this intense, rich gratitude today.

Be sure to visit Suburban Turmoil and Petroville for the rest of the Awardees and lots of linky love.