Team-Up Thursday- Panning

Cara and I are panning this week along with the rest of the Team-Thursday crew. I have to admit that I googled panning just to make sure I knew exactly what we were supposed to do for the theme this week. I read a quick article on it and I was off. I set my shutterspeed to 1/30 and tried to follow my kids with the camera as they scootered around the driveway. There were lots of blurry ones. There were also a few cool ones, but half of the kids heads were cut off. So I settled on this one.

I love all the motion in Cara's shot. I can't look at it too long though because it starts making me dizzy.

Head over to Mental Inventory for more Team-Up Thursday.

Team-Up Thursday- Everyday Beauty

This week's theme for Team-Up Thursday is Everyday Beauty. Cara really nailed it this week. What a beautiful shot and the lighting is absolutely perfect. Make sure to visit her blog to hear the story behind the photo.

I am not sure why, but I immediately thought about flowers when the theme was announced. Since we have some sprouting up in the year now, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to snap a few shots. I feel like Spring is right around the corner, which is a beautiful thing.

To see more Everyday Beauty visit Mental Inventory.

Valentine's 2011

I did a little sewing last week, but I will have to wait to show you. Today is my mother in law's birthday. (Happy Birthday Grammie!!!) I don't want to ruin any surprises, you know?

So instead I will show you what I did this year for the kid's valentines. It really isn't that crafty, but it's all I have to show. It was cheap, easy, and I thought they turned out cute.

I found the design on Eighteen 25. They have such cute ideas.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. My Valentine surprised me with a date night Saturday night. We went to a swanky wine bar and then a very nice restaurant. It was the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's day.

Team-Up Thursday- Stacked

Cara and I are all stacked up today. It looks like there has been lots of laundry folding going on at her house. My shot has no real significance. When I thought of stacked, bright, vivid, wooden blocks came to mind.

Join in on the fun over at Mental Inventory.

Team-Up Thursday- Black & White

This week's theme is Black & White. Cara is on the left I am on the right. I had a very similar photo picked out from our snow storm last week, but decided against it at the last minute. I am drawn to the line of trees in the background of Cara's shot. It is such a beautiful and serene shot.

My photo is of a church that my dad carved for me. He used a photo that I took in Colorado as inspiration.

The inspiration shot is here.

Fore more Team-Up Thursday click on over to Mental Inventory.

Team-Up Thursday- New

Cara and I are playing along with the group with the theme New. I wish my photo was the one on the left, but it is the one on the right. I am guessing that Cara was good last year. I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful photos she captures with her new camera.

Join in on the fun over at Team Up Thursday hosted my Megan and Melody.

Team-Up Thursday- December

Cara and I went with the group this week and did December as our theme. My shot is on the left. Cara's is on the right. I love how both shots have bokeh, greenery, and a pop of red. They work perfectly together. If I do say so myself.

If you look closely, you can see me in the red ball. Hello.

For more Team-Up Thursday hosted by Megan and Melody visit Mental Inventory.

Team-Up Thursday- Busy

Cara and I chose busy as our theme this week. It is a very appropriate theme for this time of year. I feel like I barely have time to breather some days.

Cara's shot is genius. I absolutely love it. I tried and tried to come up with a creative idea for busy, but was not successful. Cara on the other hand nailed it. It would be so nice to have some clones to put to work wouldn't it?

Since I have been so busy, my shot is a little lame. It shows you a glimpse of what has been keeping us busy at our house.

Join in on the fun over at Mental Inventory.

Team-Up Thursday- End of the Day

This week Cara and I chose end of the day as our theme. Originally I planned on photographing a steaming cup of tea. Now that it is cold outside I like to enjoy a hot cup of tea after the kids have gone to bed. I could not get the vision of one of my grandma's wine glasses sparkling in the christmas lights. So I took one for the team and had a glass of wine last night. I was really happy how my photo turned out. For once it came out exactly how I envisioned it.

Cara's shot is so sweet. He looks so snuggly and ready for bed. My kids don't wear those footed PJs anymore, which makes me a little sad.

Join in on the fun over at Mental Inventory.

Team-Up Thursday- Siblings

This week Cara and I chose siblings as our theme. Once again I waited until the absolute last minute to get my shot. I kept waiting for the perfect sibling oment to present itself. Before bed last night the kids watched a few minutes of a movie and I was able to capture a sweet sibling moment.

I really like how Cara cropped her shot. It leaves a lot to the imagination. It seems like an innocent exchange of toys, but according to Cara it was not.

Here are a couple of outtakes because they are just too funny not to include. These were taken during an inpromptu dance party.

The posed shot on the couch.

Visit Megan for more Team-Up Thursday.

Team-Up Thursday- Curves

This week Cara and I chose curves as our theme. My husband and I had a date night on Saturday night. So we visited the Chihuly Exhibit at Cheekwood. It was amazing.

I am impressed that Cara was able to drive and take a shot of the curve in the road. She timed it perfectly. Her shot makes me feel like we are on a road trip. If only that was the case.

Be sure to check out the wonderful talented ladies over at Mental Inventory.

Team-Up Thursday- Morning

This week Cara and I chose morning as our theme. Cara's shot is the gorgeous one on the left. Mine is the last minute, out of ideas, I sure do love coffee in the morning shot on the right. I think I could stare at Cara's shot for days. I love the blueish-green color in the background and the softness of the photo. It is perfect in every way.

Visit Mental Inventory for more Team-Up Thursday.

Team-Up Thursday-Books

This week Cara and I chose books as our theme. Despite the fact that we both waited until the last minute to get our shots together, I love how the diptych turned out. I think it is so interesting to see what books people are reading.

For more Team-Up Thursday, visit Mental Inventory.

More Fall Photos

It may not really feel like fall yet here in Tennessee, but there are signs that it really is Fall.

Happy Monday everyone.

Team-Up Thursday- Fall

Cara and I played along with the group this week and took fall shots. I was a little worried that I would that I might not be able to find a good fall shot, but as I walked around the yard I saw a few glimpses of fall. I grabbed my 35 mm lens in hopes of getting some good bokeh. The light outside was magnificent and I wanted to take adavantage of it. I saw this pinecone and decided it would make the perfect fall photo.

Cara's shot is screaming fall to me. I love mums. What a wonderful shot. I also think the two photos looks very good together. I was actually surprised that neither one of us decided to go with a foliage shot.

I hope everyone is enjoying fall so far. To see more fall photos make sure to visit Mental Inventory.

Technology- Team Up Thursday

This week Cara and I chose Technology as our theme. I carried my camera around all week hoping that something cool would jump out at me, but that didn't happen. Instead I took a shot of my ipod. I have been running for a few months now and have actually grown to enjoy it. I did not think I would ever utter those words. I use Nike + to track my runs. There is a sensor that attaches to your shoe and then you can use the app on your ipod to see how far you have gone, your pace, etc. It is a very cool piece of technology. Eventhough I know it is not 100% accurate, it helps to be able to see my progress. I am a lot slower than I would like to be, but I am making progress.

I guess Cara and I were on the same wavelength this week because she took a photo of her ipod too. Those ipod shuffles are amazing pieces of technology. That is for sure.

Join in on the fun over at Mental Inventory.

More Dreams of Flying

First of all I must admit that my husband did all of the work for these shots. He came up with the idea and location. I merely took the photos. As we were getting ready to go out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant, we were brainstorming about ideas for the Dreams of Flying photo. Then my husband had a brilliant idea. Right beside the restaurant is a bridge that overlooks a street. The street is rarely used. It leads to an old movie theater. He suggested that I stand on the bridge and take the photo of the kids below on the street. Perfect! Next I had to decide what to do. I really wanted to take a photo with a bunch of balloons giving the illusion that the balloons were carrying the kids away. Well, that was going to be too labor intensive. So Mitch suggested the scooters and when ran with it. I did yell down some suggestions, but really he did all the hard work.

Here are some of the other shots.

The kids really got into it and so did Mitch. Thanks for all your help Mitch. You are the best.

Dreams of Flying

This week Megan and Melody challenged us take "flying" photos inspired Jan Von Holleben's Dreams of Flying series. Initially I was excited about the challenge, but after a couple of attempts to take photos I realized this was going to be tougher than I thought it would be.

Cara is out of town this week so she was not sure if she would be able to get her shot. I was secretly hoping that she wouldn't get hers done so that I would be off the hook. Being the good partner that she is, she sent me her photo this weekend before she left. As soon as I opened her shot, I got excited. I am so glad we decided to give this a go. I had so much fun.

Come back tomorrow for some of my outtakes and I will tell you the details about how I got my shot.

Join in on the fun over at Mental Inventory.

Team-Up Thursday-Faceless Portrait

This week Cara and I chose Faceless Portrait as our theme for Team-Up Thursday. Cara always comes up with the best ideas for themes. I knew this theme would be a little more challenging, but fun. I waited to the absolute last minute to take my picture. I thought about a dozen different ideas, but since I waited until the last minute I had to be subject. I propped the camera on the deck railing, set up the self timer and ran to my spot. I only took a few shots and this was the best one. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it works.

I love the perspective in Cara's shot. She looks like she is on the go. The shot leaves me wondering where she is going, especially since she is wearing running shoes. I think it is pretty cool that we both ended up with shots of ourseleves.

Check out more Team-Up Thursday over at Megan's blog.

Team Up Thursday- Play

This week Cara and I chose the theme play. On Monday we had to drop off some books at the library, which is right next to an old school. So there is a little playground and a ball field. Mitch brought the tee and some balls so Miller could hit the balls in a wide open space.
Miller has been asking to play baseball. He doesn't have any interest any soccer, which he is old enough to play. He should be able to play baseball next year though.

Can't you feel the love in Cara's shot. I love the carefree feel of the photo. She captured the moment perfectly.

If you want to play along with Team-Up Thursday head on over to Mental Inventory.