bag 'n' trash

May Flowers!

in 2008, maritza and i "hosted" the first macro may month.   i put hosted in quotes because really we didn't do anything except for create a flickr group and then encourage people to go out and take macros.  we did it again in 2009.  and now for the 3rd year in a row, we're doing it again!  i know!  we are fantastic people!!!! 

anyway, i really like shooting macros.  i like the tiny details they uncover and how a macro shot can make the most mundane object seem fantastic.  it's almost like looking into a microscope.  i still remember the thrill i got when i first looked into a microscope's objective and saw wee beasties.  heh.

no wee beasties here though.  something more traditional for the first day.

i shot these using a macro lens.  the earlier iteration of this  Nikon 105mm f/2.8G   (i think.  i know i did not spend that kind of coin for mine.  no frickin' way.)   another great nikon macro lens is the smaller Nikon 60mm f/2.8G .  i don't remember why i went with the bigger lens, maybe it's because the 105mm also makes a great portrait lens, but i haven't regretted it. 

if you'd like to play along and don't want to get a macro lens, you can use close-up filters for your SLR.  i wrote a post about them a couple of years ago. (disclaimer:  if i'm off about the technical information, please don't drag me over the coals.  i did the best i could at the time.  thanks.).  i use them still because my macro lens is gigantic and weighs 800 lbs. finally, most P&S and many smaller DSLRs have a little flower icon on them.  check your manual if you can't find it.  anyway, you can use that setting in a pinch for the same effect.

anyway, all this to say, come and play!  we aren't exclusive.   

Ooof!

so for once i have a lot to blog about.  i've got some news to share.  and some new books to show you.  and stuff like that.  but i'm having trouble with words these days.  it could be that i'm just out of practice.  i remember there was a time when i used to blog in my head, you know in the shower, or driving.  and i'd have mini conversations in my head. BUT NOT LIKE A CRAZY PERSON.  but not so much these days.  oh well.

so i'll just show you some pictures.  my latest little obsession is the hipstamatic iphone app.  and when i use it, i take photos that look like this. 

and since i've got your attention for a bit, saturday is May 1st, and the start of another round of Macro May.  our third round!  to play along all you have to do is take one macro photo a day for the entire month of may.  and then you can post your shots to the Macro May Flickr Group. 

My 2009 Project Retrospective

before i looked at my 2009 project photos i didn't think i'd made all that much. in the spring i was obsessed with potholders and the summer was spent working on 2 secret projects so i figured that my normal yearly production numbers would be smaller than normal.  but i guess not.  i dyed more and my color palette was more subdued and varied this year than in previous years. i worked from the stash and did some test knitting/crocheting for friends.  but overall, it seems as if 2009 was the year of the hook. 

i don't have any crafty resolutions for 2010. i would like to spin more. and design more. and i'm definitely going to continue with the hooking. heh. and maybe i'll try weaving. and maybe i'll expand my crafting to sewing or embroidery. or maybe not. whatever i end up doing, i can guarantee that it'll be colorful. because in the end, that's really what inspires me. color. what inspires you?

Happy New Year!!

if i think about this past year, it's been one of transformation for me.  no, i didn't lose weight (well i did and i do weigh less today -- 6 lbs but it could have gone the other way -- than i did at this time last year) and i'm still at the same job, living in the same house with the same backhoe, and with the same husband (despite the backhoe).  but i do think i've put myself in situations that just a year earlier i may not have.  and have succeeded.  maybe not big "S" succeeded -- you know, the kind of success that you can brag about at reunions -- but certainly small "s" succeeded.  and for that i am thankful.

i need remember that big change is made up of small changes over time. thanks for showing me that 2009.

and now here's to 2010!  i wish you all a happy new year!! please stay healthy and be happy. 

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

i still have tons of stuff to do before we can properly celebrate:  gifts to wrap, provisions to buy, one last batch of cookies to bake.  but while i still have a moment, finishing up my morning coffee and avoiding the gym (I'M GOING! DO NOT WORRY!) i wanted to wish you all a merry christmas. 

it's not christmas around my house until the backhoe gets it's lights.

anyway, merry christmas everyone!  have a wonderful time and i hope santa brings you everything that you want.

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the crocheted ornament is from the november/december issue of crochet today.  i've raveled the details.  

Thankful Thursday

a few weeks ago, carole encouraged us to think about things we were thankful for.  i was going to use that theme to start blogging more regularly but of course i didn't.  heh.  HEY I'VE BEEN BUSY!

but it's December, and it's my birthday month, if you've followed me over the years, you know i get a little introspective at this time of year and start taking stock of my life and thinking about what i've accomplished or what i wanted to accomplish and didn't. 

and when i do that, i get a little anxious and sad, and maudlin.

so fuck that.

this thursday, i'm thankful for my new kick ass boots.  yep.  boots.

i rarely bother with boots because not only do i have crazy large feet, i also have crazy big legs so sometimes even ankle boots don't fit right. 

but these are perfect. 

and they make me so very happy.  i feel like i could kick some serious ass when i wear these.  

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i also got a pair in black.  shhhh. 

From a Cafe in France

Just a quick note from France to let you all know about a couple of things.

One:  The Autumn 2009 issue of Twist Collective is up!  And it's fantastic! Seriously.  And this issue is particularly awesome since it features a couple of my knitnighter buddies -- Yarnbee Cheryl and Splityarn Caro. (I can't find her ad right this second, but it's in there.  and it's gorgeous).  Go see.  I'll wait for you here.

And Two:  Dudes!  I'm the "Notebook" in this issue.  Seriously.  Can you believe it?  Fan-freakin'-tastic. 

Anyway, that's all.  It's Tuesday morning here in France and J and I are sitting in a cafe drinking our morning coffee and using the Cafe's free wifi.   We're having a great time but I have to say I'm a little homesick.  No one knits here!  WTF!

Eye Candy Friday

so one of the reasons why i haven't been blogging so much lately is because i've been a little more obsessed with flickr and by extension with photography. 

more specifically with a technique called Through the Viewfinder.   i'm having a lot of fun with it.

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don't forget about the blogiversary contest.  i'm going to close it sometime tonight.   leave a comment on the blogiversary post and you'll be eligible for a prize. 

Saturday Sky -- Well This One Was Taken on Thursday

i did not leave my house today.  i'm just pretending that i did.

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day 281 -- for those of you not from around here, the CITGO sign is a famous Boston landmark and is synonymous with the Kenmore Square/Fenway Park area.  you know, where the Boston Red Sox play.

Whatever I Want Wednesday

this week's photography class assignment was to play with shutter speed and to experiment with several techniques to show or freeze movement.  this one might be my favorite.  when i first saw it and it made me feel a little nauseous i knew i had nailed it. 

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day 278 -- i just wanted to take this moment to thank HB for picking me for a blog award.   i know i'm supposed to pick 10 blogs that i love but i'm afraid i can't pick just 10.  so i'm going to have to refrain from playing along.  but thank you so much for picking me.