Friday, July 31, 2009

Friday Favorites - Golden Treasures

Remember the childhood stories of Aladdin and his treasure? I think I stumbled upon his golden treasure when I found these gorgeous handmade gifts on Etsy. Be sure to check out their items by clicking on the links. Enjoy!















Etsy
Buy Handmade
JulieMagersSoulen

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Favicon. La vostra identità fra i bookmarks.

Ecco apportata qualche altra piccola modifica grafica al blog che forse in dettaglio non si nota ma che rende l'insieme più ordinato.
La favicon.
Potrebbe sembrare una stupidaggine ma ciò che nel mucchio dei bookmark preferiti renderà il vostro link diverso da quello di qualcun altro è proprio quella piccolissima immagine 16 x 16 pixel.
Crearla è semplicissimo.

1 - Aprite un qualsiasi editor grafico, dal più sofisticato Photoshop se ci tenete al più elementare tool online e, limitandovi al formato suddetto, create una immagine semplice ma rappresentativa.
2 - Per poterci lavorare su sarà necessario uno zoom molto elevato ma ricordate di riportare l'immagine alla dimensione effettiva prima di salvare per vedere che effetto fa considerandone la piccolezza.
3 - Ricordate di evitare ombre ed effetti e di essere quanto più possibile semplici. L'immagine sarà veramente piccola e usare molte linee avrebbe il solo risultato di renderla una macchia indistinta.
4 - Naturalmente l'immagine deve essere rappresentativa, un concentrato del vostro sito o blog. Usatene la palette di colori, le iniziali, il logo se iconico.
5 - Salvate l'immagine come .gif o .png e trasformatela se necessario in un .ico a seconda dell'uso o della piattaforma che deve accoglierla. Per farlo basta usare qualche utile tool online che trasforma le immagini appunto in favicon.ico.
6 - Per come fare ad utilizzarla sul vostro account Blogger vi rimando a questo interessante e semplice link che spiega come fare, tratto dal blog Creare Blog.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Finalmente la nuova grafica!

Ce l'ho fatta! Dopo un paio di sere di smanettamenti ecco che sono riuscita ad adattare (parzialmente) la grafica dell blog a quello che sarà a breve il mio nuovo sito web personale.
Ringrazio per alcune preziose dritte su come modificare la grafica del tuo blog su BLOGGER il sito Blogger Buster ed in particolare questo post:
http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2008/01/your-free-ebook-cheats-guide-to.html

Pink Blossom Fine Art Greeting Card

This is the second in my flower series for blank greeting cards. As I mentioned before I am very open to comments and suggestions! Tell me what you think of my new one.




Pink Blossom Fine Art Greeting Card



Etsy
Buy Handmade
JulieMagersSoulen

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sunday Morning Gallery - Birds of a Feather

Although I have no interest in owning a caged bird, I have always enjoyed watching wild birds. Nothing is quite as fun as seeing a new species at the bird feeder and rushing to get my Audubon field guide to identify and learn about a new neighbor in the forest. Although these photos are not of any rare bird species, I enjoyed photographing them and think they are all quite beautiful birds even if they are considered "common."



The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a bird of open country which normally uses man-made structures to breed and consequently has spread with human expansion. It builds a cup nest from mud pellets in barns or similar structures and feeds on insects caught in flight.



The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most common and one of the largest members of the genus Buteo in North America, typically weighing from 690 to 1600 grams (1.5 to 3.5 pounds) and measuring 45–65 cm (18 to 26 in) in length, with a wingspan from 110 to 145 cm (43 to 57 in). Because they are so common and easily trained, the majority of hawks captured for falconry in the United States are Red-tails. The Red-tailed Hawk also has significance in Native American culture and is sometimes called Red Eagle. Its feathers are considered sacred by some tribes, and are used in religious ceremonies.



The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) ranges from southern Alaska to the Yucatan peninsula in the south, and from the western coast of California and Canada to the east coast of the continent. The male is all black with a red shoulder and yellow wing bar, while the female is a nondescript dark brown. When migrating, the Red-winged Blackbird travels in single-sex flocks. The males usually arrive a few days before the females; once they have reached the location where they plan to breed, the males stake out territories by singing. They defend their territory aggressively, both against other male Red-winged Blackbirds and against creatures they perceive as threatening, including crows, ospreys, hawks, and even humans.



Etsy
Buy Handmade
JulieMagersSoulen

Friday, July 24, 2009

Friday Favorites - Country Charm

I spent my childhood in the farm country of Ohio. Old falling down red barns, kool aid stands, wildflowers in mason jars, and anything recycled and homemade were the norm. This collection gives me a warm fuzzy feeling as cuddly as one of those teddy bears. The only thing missing is my Uncle Russ cranking up a batch of homemade ice cream. Enjoy a day in farm country!







Teddy Bears by Linda Todd
lindabeary@yahoo.com









Etsy
Buy Handmade
JulieMagersSoulen

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Golden Seed









This is a macro shot of the Western Salsify seed head with the afternoon sun creating beautiful golden rays of light along the delicate filaments.









Etsy
Buy Handmade
JulieMagersSoulen

Monday, July 20, 2009

Thank You Swirly Girl!



I had a wonderful surprise waiting in my mailbox this weekend. I received this package of gorgeous cards from MadeBySwirlyGirl! Each one is beautifully crafted and a unique design. What I really love about each one is the originality and brilliant colors. A computer screen just does not convey the bright and clear colors! Please visit her shop on Etsy to see all of her lovingly handmade cards and photo art.



Etsy
Buy Handmade
MadeBySwirlyGirl

alacre lavoro

Ciao a tutti, lo so che ancora questo blog non lo legge nessuno ma spero che presto possano esserci tanti visitatori!
Intanto sto lavorando alacremente alla grafica del nuovo sito e conseguentemente alla grafica qui del blog. beh non avrete certo pensato che avrei tenuto uno dei layout predefiniti!?! Che designer sarei? ^_<

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Appena aperto!

Comincia così ma poi si integrerà al sito questa nuova identità online, che poi nuova non è visto che sono sempre io. ^_^

Sunday Morning Gallery - Mountain Goats of the Rockies

We had a second trip to Mount Evans, Colorado this year and we were in luck. We saw Mountain Goats! This was only the second time I have seen them in the wild and it was such a treat!

The Mountain Goat is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. Despite its name, it is not a true goat, but belongs to the genus that includes antelopes and cattle. It resides at high elevations and is a sure-footed climber, often resting on rocky cliffs that predators can not reach.



Both male and female mountain goats have beards, short tails, and black horns. They are protected from the elements by their woolly white double coats. In the winter, their coats help them to withstand temperatures as low as -50 Fahrenheit (-46 Celsius) and winds of up to 100 mph (161 km/h).



Kids are born in late spring after a six month gestation period. Nannies give birth usually to a single offspring. Kids weigh about 7 lb (a little over 3kg) at birth and begin to run and climb, or attempt to do so, within hours. Although they are mostly weaned within one month, kids follow their mothers closely for the first year of life. Nannies protect their young by leading them out of danger, standing over them when faced by predators, and positioning themselves below their kids on steep slopes to stop free falls.



I hope my photos of Mountain Goats have kept you riveted. If you are interested in purchasing any of my photos please send me an email or visit my shop on Etsy or 1000 Markets. Thank you!


Etsy
Buy Handmade
JulieMagersSoulen

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Friday Favorites - Colorado Images

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you one of my very favorite artists who just happens to be my favorite person too, my husband Ric Soulen. Ric has been an artist since we met at Ohio State University as wide-eyed kids. He started in fine arts and transferred to graphic design as a practicality. Ric is also a wonderful writer. We collaborated on the Colorado Journal, the first online blog at DenverPost.com for eight years. My guy is multi-talented!

Ric's most recent whim is to take my photography and make a fantasy world that is only limited by his imagination. He uses 20 to 100 photos in each poster. It is really hard to get an idea of the whole poster online because it is a large 12x36 inches! Each one is filled with real places, creatures and interesting things. You can look at them for an hour and still miss something. I urge you to click on the links so that you can view more close-ups of his work. It is a visual adventure!














I'm looking for artisans to feature on my Friday Favorites. Leave me a comment with your shop URL, and if you haven't yet, please follow me (everywhere you can). Thanks!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Penstemon Fine Art Greeting Card

I warned you! I'm working on cards. As I mentioned before I am very open to comments and suggestions! Do you think I should do a series of flower cards using my photos? Tell me what you think of my new one.





Penstemon Fine Art Greeting Card

Visit my shop on Etsy today!

Monday, July 13, 2009

A New Leaf Treasury



I finally got around to doing another treasury on Etsy. I enjoy curating but have not had the time lately. Summers are so busy! I hope you enjoy this one and click on the image to visit it live. Thanks!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Sunday Morning Gallery - The Nature of Abstraction

Fine art photography has grown into a true art form of its own. One only has to look in the finest art galleries to find "photos" of fantasy worlds, surreal landscapes, or abstract art. The digital age has given powerful tools to the skilled photographer to be able to create something beyond what the lens sees in reality. Because of this creative well spring, I have become more and more fascinated with abstractions in nature photography. It seems the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.

I hope you enjoy my dabbling and let me know what you think.


A summer weed goes to seed in the golden light.



Friends in colorful summer shirts sit at a glass patio table creating an instant Monet.



A springtime tree in bud creates fractals in the blue sky.



The winter woodstove shimmers with heat.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Friday Favorites - Pearlescent

I love the iridescent quality of pearls. The light is refracted into blues, lavenders, golds, and pinks complimenting everything you are wearing. Although these products are all very different they remind me of that pearlescent luster in their soft colors and hues. I hope you will visit each one. There are some incredible bargains here!






Free lip balm with any regular purchase to any who use the code:
BLOG FEATURE












Last week a featured artisan sold their listing! If you would like to be featured in my Friday Favorites leave me a comment with your shop URL, and if you haven't yet, follow me on this blog, Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for participating!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Friday Favorites Feature Nets Sale!

Last Friday's Favorites had a sale! Congratulations to realisationcreations for selling Wintry Rose, a black spinel and sterling silver necklace designed with a delicate teardrop of a rose frozen in place. If you would like to be included in my regular Friday Favorites feature please leave me a comment with your shop URL. You may also suggest which item you would like featured. I will feature as many requests as possible!

In the meantime, here is one of my own photos for your enjoyment. Have a great day!



Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Aspen Light Fine Art Note Card Set of Four

I have had cards on my mind lately. It is fun to design cards and stationery using my own photography. I do not have a lot to offer yet but just wait. This is just the beginning! Tell me what you think and offer suggestions. Thanks!





Aspen Light Fine Art Photo Notecard Set of Four
Visit my shop at Etsy.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Sunday Morning Gallery - Mallard Duck Family

The day was sweet and gentle. After driving a steep mountain road to photograph dramatic mountain vistas with dark gray thunderheads we headed home and stopped in Evergreen, Colorado. We had lunch at our favorite spot, The Aspen Grill, and afterwards decided to walk around a small lake and wetland. We found many many birds and wildflowers to admire but the most charming was a mama duck and her little troop of ducklings. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.









Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy Fourth of July America!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Friday Favorites - Oriental Influences

I greatly admire oriental paintings and sculptures. From my early days in art history and visiting the Chinese Exhibit that was in San Francisco, I fell in love with the simplicity and beauty of the Far East. Although these artisans are not from Asia, I can see the influence to their craft in these works. Enjoy and be sure to visit them!




Teakwood Bracelet
by Mem's Pocket Palette