Man and Dog

I was playing in Photoshop today, experimenting with some different filters.  This one is called "Angled Strokes", and is under "Brush Strokes".  This is the first time I've tried "Angled Strokes" and really like the effect.

I'm not sure which filter(s) I used for this image, but my best guess is "Dry Brush," found under "Artistic."  Yes, really, I know I should write these things down....

This was a Texture filter called "Craquelure."  Please click on the images if you want to see them enlarged. 

With this image, I was working with three layers, and was experimenting with "Soft Light."

This isn't exactly the original photograph, but it seems to be the closest of those I have left!  The first image at the top is my favorite from the day's work.

Christmas Eve at the Beach

A bit chilly, but an absolutely beautiful day!

I knew neither dog nor man, but they walked past at just the right time.

I didn't know the fisherman either, but I totally fell in love with his chair....

M, N, O, P, Q

I have gotten seriously bored with posting about my zentangle alphabet, and decided to speed things up.  Afterall, the pages are not only done, but the book has been assembled, and shown to a few friends.  M is for Magic.  The photo was taken on Nantucket Island.

N is for Night.  The image is a picture of my art quilt, Night Sail. 

O is for Ocean, and the photo is one taken at the local beach.  You can click on the image if you want to read the quote.

P is for Peace.  The flowers are a digital image worked up from one of my photographs.

Q is for Quiet.  The photo was taken at our local community college. 

The next four letters (R, S, T, and U) will feature family photos - funny how they fell together in one part of the alphabet.  I also liked how Peace and Quiet ended up next to each other too. 

2009's Last Sunset

I went out to the beach yesterday afternoon and was treated to a beautiful sunset.


There was a good wind so there was plenty of wave action.

The sun was reflected on the wet sand.

One of these four people had been in swimming. I asked his friends if the guy was crazy (I was wearing several layers and gloves), and they explained that he was down from Minnesota.

I had a lovely walk while the show continued.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Beach Art - Playing in the Sand

Here's a photo I took of a boring bit of beach grass. After applying some filters in Photoshop, I had a more colorful image:

The next two filters I used were "emboss" and "posterize." I was surprised at the amount of color that generated!

Then I moved on to a picture of sand.

I used a Photoshop filter called Fresco, and got the following:

Last Friday I had done a blog called "What's Wrong with this Picture??" and one of the comments I had made in that post was: I never know when I might need an interesting image, like maybe a metal cover that says "Water." Well, I didn't think it would be this soon! Here's the cover:

And here's how I used it:

Fresh water at the beach? Hmm....

Frog Blog #3

Flossie & Frank

There are two earlier Frog Blogs: Le Tour de Frog, and Herbie in France.


Flossie is the quiet, contemplative type of frog. She enjoys meditation, and writing in her diary. A small chocolate torte and a sweet cup of cocoa add to the afternoon's pleasures.


Flossie also enjoys spending time with her friend, Frank. And while Frank and Flossie are happy with their lives in Lily Pond, once in a while it feels good to get away. They decided that a day at the beach was just the ticket!
(Note of interest: The quilt in the background of the picture is called Dunescape and was made by Flossie's friend, Jean.)

Another trip that Frank and Flossie took together was to Frog Rock. Frog Rock (off of old Route 44) is in Connecticut and is a landmark of natural stone that dates back to 1918. Flossie climbed to the top of Frog Rock and sat there waving while Frank prepared to take her picture. Frank and Flossie enjoyed a picnic lunch before they headed back home to Lily Pond.

Of course, things don't always go smoothly, even in a frog's world! Living on a budget these days can be a challenge for anyone. Frank was hoping to find enough spare change to take Flossie out for ice cream. In the photo, Kermit has joined the pair to help Frank make a different kind of withdrawal - getting his arm back out of the bank! (Note of interest: the quilt in the background, also made by Jean, is called Turkish Bazaar.)
After a "successful withdrawal," the three friends headed to the nearest Cold Stone Creamery for a well-deserved treat.