Light Play

I am in no way a seasoned photographer.  Oh, I would love to learn how to capture with a camera

what my eyes see and my creative mind perceives…

such as, the woodland stick people frolicking through the snow–beneath the towering oaks

of our forest.  What?!  You don't see them you say?!  Here...take a closer look.

Alas…studying photography is yet one more want-to that has been overun by the have-tos of my life.

There are so many fascinating aspects of photography–such as the manipulation of light–that a trained professional can employ, to produce an end product that truly delights the eye.

Case in point...the very first image, at the beginning of the post, and these last two were taken at different times of day, from the same general spot on my front porch, looking out into my front yard.

Isn't it amazing how the varying degrees

of natural light affected the shots.

The first image was taken just before sunrise,

the fourth, as the sun began its morning ascent, and the last,

when the sun was directly overhead.

The part that is so amazing to me–all I did was point and shoot.
 

What more could have been achieved...if only I possessed the know-how of a real photographer?

Who knows…

perhaps this might just be the year that photography classes go to the top of my will-do list!

Fourteen Days of Love

I'm having a party at the Brambleberry Cottage–my very first blogger's bash!

And…you're all invited!

Beginning Feb. 1st –14th, I will be hosting a two-week-long party in celebration of love and the holiday dedicated to it–Valentine's Day!

On each of those fourteen days, I will be publishing a post having something to do with love in general or Valentine's Day specifically.

To join in on the fun, you will need to link a similar post from your blog to mine.

But…there’s a catch. Your post must fit the topic of the day you choose to link to. It can be an older post that you recently republished, as long as it fits the specific topic category of that day.

Up for a challenge? Link a post to each of the fourteen days. But, each day you link to must involve a different, unique post from you.

And…

to add to the festivities, there will be a wonderful giveaway for this special event (details in an upcoming post)!

If you would like to join the party, here is all you need to do:

• Copy and paste the Fourteen Days of Love button below to your sidebar, so others know you will be participating in the event. 

Unfortunately, I have not been able to get the button image to display with the code.

So...a dear fellow blogger, BJ, suggested to add it this way:

Save my button image to your computer, then under

Layout–Add a gadget,

click on the Picture gadget. Browse your computer for my image to upload it, and then

in the Link area, copy and paste

thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/01/fourteen-days-of-love.html 

In the title, copy and paste

 VALENTINE'S PARTY @ THE COTTAGE Feb.1st-14th

and in the caption Grab the Button–Share the Fun! save it, and when it uploads, you should be able to click on it to send you back to the Valentine's Party instructions.                             

• Create your post for that day's topic. Please mention the Brambleberry Cottage in your post and provide a link back here to the host blog.

• Mr. Linky will be set up shortly after I've published the day's post–which will vary daily–by 9pm.
• Please be sure to use the Permalink to your specific post, rather than your general blog address. (That is the direct link to the exact post you will be linking for that day's topic of the Fourteen Days of Love.) Your Permalink takes your visitors right to your target post.

Here's how you get your Permalink:

Right click on your title for the specific post you are linking from, click on "copy shortcut" and paste that direct link into the field of Mr. Linky that asks for Your URL.

Please be sure that you have published the post before linking back to the party here.

 

Here are the 

Fourteen Days of Love

Day 1   

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
You demonstrate your love every day to the special people in your life. So how do you make this day–February 14th–stand out in comparison to the other 364?

Day 2

On Angels' Wings

Cherubs, angels, Cupid–all familiar iconic figures of this particular holiday. Show us how you use them in your holiday–or everyday–decorating.

Day 3

Pretty in Pink

We all know how popular this color is during the month of February, but, does it prevail in your home's décor all year long? Share your pink pretties–for decorating, crafting, colecting, gardening–or just share something pink that warms your heart!

Day 4

Straight to the Heart
What is Valentine's without hearts? Come on–give us your heart(s)!

Day 5
Seeing Red
Even more so than pink, this color rules the month and especially this particular day. On Feb. 14th, where will we be seeing red around your place?

Day 6
Oh…You're so Crafty!
There is no shortage of creativity out in the Blogosphere–so give us a glimpse of those special crafts dedicated to L-O-V-E!

Day 7
Kid Central–Crafts, Projects, and Games
Need some ideas to draw from to make this holiday special for your kids or have some ideas you would like to share? Here's your chance.

Day 8
Must Love Pets!
There is no question that they are a very special part of our families. Share your cutest, sweetest, most endearing, or entertaining pictures and stories of your pets.

Day 9
Sweets for the Sweet
If ever there was a holiday directed at those particular taste buds, this one's it! Share your favorite sweet recipe(s)–cookies, cakes, candy, beverages–ones that will satisfy the sweet tooth in all of us. (Step by step photos are great, but a simple text-only recipe is fine.)

Day 10
Flower Power
Who doesn't love flowers? Do you have an idea for that special floral gift or perhaps the perfect centerpiece for our Valentine's Day tablescapes?

Day11
The Perfect Gift
What would the ideal Valentine's gift be–if you were the recipient? Be specific! You never know if that special someone might read your post.  ; )

Day 12
Romancing the Palate 
Do you have a favorite place to dine for special occasions–or the menu for a romantic banquet to serve at home?  What makes it romantic? 

Day 13 
Plan Your Escape  
We all dream of escaping to some sweet retreat.  What is the most romantic getaway you've ever been on–or dreamed of? 

Day 14 
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing 
Who is the love of your life?  Who makes your heart sing?  Make this post a tribute to the love, or loves, of your life.  

Now...let's get this party started !  ; )

A special thank you to Karen–The Graphics Fairy–for all her beautiful vintage Valentine's images.