A giveaway......Big Smiles.....!

Some of you know...

and some don't.

I have an Etsy shop,

and

 I am an Etsy addict.....

I love to peruse the pages of Etsy

looking for inspiration,

gifts, decor ideas,

you name it...

So I was very flattered when 

Anne at magalerie

asked if I would like to participate in a 

GIVEAWAY!

Oh yeah!

you betcha......smiles

Here are some of my favorite images from magalerie

The elegant simplicity 

and simple, clean structure

grabs my attention each time.

Here's how it works.

Go to her shop

magalerie

purchase an image,

and as you make your purchase,

leave her a message

first telling her that you found out about this 

from Not Yo Mommas Handbag, 

(My shop)

and then, which 

image you would like for FREE.

That's right 

Buy One Get One for free....

(same size)

Seems to me that this is an easy way to 

get started on Christmas gifts.

Even if they are for yourself...

smiles.

I never promised you a rose garden....

but,

today, I was blessed with a visit to one 

here in my town.

It is a major attraction in the spring,

but when September sneaks into town,

the place becomes relatively quiet,

and dominated by bussing bees

preparing for winter.....

It has been very hot here...

have I mentioned that?

today it got up to 92 degrees.

So the roses are 

"given it all she's got, Captain!"

Well, I know they aren't all roses...

but they were all lovely...

smiles

A Long Hot Summer....for the birds....

It has been in the 90's for weeks.....

I live in the southeastern US,

and we are accustomed to hot.

But this is extraordinary.....

and the birds are suffering....

so when I have a moment,

I go out to make sure the birdfeeders are full and the 

water dish is wet.

Momma Cardinal is especially thankful and shows it.

She is cautious though, and checks things out carefully before diving in...

Papa Cardinal is just coming out of his "molting stage" and isn't really interested in public bathing....

So, he eats to compensate, I understand this....

The Titmouse is an exhibitionist, and loves a good splash about....

Soon, he attracts the attention of a kindred spirit...

And the Fun begins...(notice the amount of water on the pavers)

What FUN!

Soon Mamma C is anxious to join in but doesn't know if she is welcomed...

"Sure!" Says the Titmouse, "We all have a bit of hydrotherapy here..."

And so she begins her bath...with enthusiasm...

Don't we all love how it feels to be clean and refreshed!

Freedom...

to tweak...

to manipulate...

to create...

to make a mistake....

That's what I love about 

not being the photographer "on-duty"

every once in a while.....

Creativity is stifled by pressure....

there is such freedom in

doing something for fun....

without expectations...

What FUN!

smiles.

I was a guest....

and that was a good thing...

I attended a very special wedding this weekend.

I was not the photographer for this event,

but a friend of mine was....

and she was working quite hard.

It seems that the family had a friend that showed up 

to shoot the wedding too.

I am not sure which side of the family,

but let's just say that this is a huge 

"faux pas". 

(Big mistake)

When hiring a photographer for an event such as 

a wedding, it is wise to read your contract carefully,

and ask if the shooter minds someone else shooting too.

Believe me, it will already be covered in the contract.

A wedding is a very emotionally charged event.

(Duh!)

and people act strangely at times

(double Duh!)

and well.....the very last thing you want to do

is pay someone to capture the moment, and

then allow "Uncle Festus" to 

get in their way

(triple-dog Duh!)

So...

there it is...a little bit of advice for all you 

Baby Boomers, like me who have children,

who might just be getting married soon....

don't invest your money, and then sabotage

the whole process.

smiles...

NEVER.....

In my whole life...

Have I ever known someone....

who has so much talent....

and energy....

and

Beauty....

This is Amanda.

Check her out....

and bloom with her.

smiles.


intro to bloom. from amanda churchill on Vimeo.

A day that worked....

Really well....

Barkley couldn't wait to 

go outside....

He knew what that meant....

a tennis ball and bliss...

He is a focused subject...

so photographing him was not going to be

difficult.

He was more than willing to have his mom

brush his coat....

and what a coat it is....

just beautiful!

and he loves to RUN!

how could one resist focus like this?

he is intent on capturing the ball asap!

he even poses so that tennis ball would be thrown again...

I love that, too bad it doesn't work with people...

He is not a show off,

but knows how to put his best side toward the camera.

He is even willing to share the spotlight....

who says he is man's best friend?

I would argue that he is definitely a woman's best bud!

And

once tired....

he was willing to allow a bit of a 

semi-natural pose for that silly lady with the 

camera.

And finally....

the perfect shot!

I cannot tell you how excited I get

when I see images appear 

as I download my camera's images.

And

when I saw this one....

well,

I just knew I had a little help with 

this one.....isn't it perfect?

smiles