Here's Harper!

My friends Diana & Josh just had their little daughter, Harper, and I was lucky enough to take some photos of her yesterday (at the tender age of 17 days old!) Here are some of my favorite pics that I took of her--isn't she precious?!?!?

First of all, here are a few digital photos that I took using my Olympus e-300 DSLR and a beautiful Zuiko 50mm lens.







And of course I had to take some SX-70 Polaroids as well! (The film is expired 600):





I'm so excited to watch Harper grow and discover the world around her--and of course, I've already explained to her parents that I'll be watching with a camera in my hands! :)

Learning to Sew

I've been teaching myself how to sew, and I really enjoy it!


Learning to Sew (2010)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired), no ND filter
signed print at my etsy

With help from a variety of books (including those by Amy Karol, Amy Butler, and Martha Stewart), as well as the rad online sewing class from Freckled Nest, Home Ec, some trial and error and a very easy-to-use sewing machine from Brother, I've found that it's a fun, easy, and rewarding hobby!

Do you sew? If "sew" (lol!), share your best sewing story or advice, please!

Daisy-Baby!

I had such a fun time taking photos last Sunday of my friend (and former student) Amy and her beautiful baby daughter, Daisy. Isn't Daisy a little darling? Here are some of my favorite photos (so far--I still have film to process!)

SX-70+expired600 film (no ND filter):





Olympus e-300 camera with 50mm f2.0 Zuiko macro lens:









I'm honing my portrait-taking skills, so any advice you may have, please pass it on!

Cupcake Time

Sometimes, cupcakes are in order...


Cupcake Time (2010)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired)

There's a signed print available in my Etsy shop.

These cupcakes come from A&J Bakery in Dallas, Texas.

The Banality of Banality

I've been so busy with work over the last couple of months that I've barely had a chance to share a large backlog of photos I've taken! This is a quickie: two Polaroids I shot this past Friday while I was in Fort Worth.


Metro Food Outlet
This place is in Lake Worth, and it reminds me of something that may be in Martin Parr's Boring Postcards. It's simply insanely perfect, banners and all!


Cleaning Supplies at the 99¢ only store
I've been in love with the displays at the 99¢ Only Stores since I visited my first one on Wilshire in LA. This one is in Fort Worth, Texas. Love those nearly-invisible Care Bear fabric softeners!

Both of these photos were taken using my Polaroid Sx-70 camera, expired 600 Polaroid film, and no ND filter. I hope to have more time to share more photos soon!

Also, if you're so inclined, please check out this interview with me at Morgana Wilborn's great blog!

'Roid Week, Day 3 = Laika Day!

Today is Day 3 of 'Roid Week, and I decided to share a couple of instant photos of Laika, my whippet, today!


A Laika Holgaroid in the Backyard, 24 March 2010
This was taken using my Holgaroid and expired Type 89 film


Rainy Day Whippet
This is a moody, arty photo that few people seem to like on Flickr, but I love it! This is Laika, doing what she does on rainy days!
I took this using my Polaroid SX-70 and expired 600 B&W film that Anne gave me (thank you!)

Only two more days of 'Roid Week! See you tomorrow :)

Two Environments, Five Photos

Last month, I was in Santa Barbara for a few nights, then came home for four nights, and then sped off to Boston for five nights. My coast-to-coast shuffling placed me in three very different environments within a week, and the contrast between the salty-air of early winter speckled with the brilliant sunshine of Santa Barbara and the late-autumn/last-gasp-before-winter mood of Boston made for fun Polaroiding.


Birds of Paradise in Santa Babara


Late Autumn in Boston

Both images were taken using my Polaroid SX-70 camera and expired 600 film, using an ND Pack filter. Click on the photos to see them larger.

Persimmons!

Do you like persimmons? I was in Santa Barbara this past weekend, and I was suddenly reminded that it's persimmon season in my home state of California! Everywhere I looked, persimmons were ripening on trees and sitting in fruit bowls, waiting to be eaten!

These are Erika's Persimmons


And these are Magda's Persimmons on her beautiful Moroccan tablecloth


And I am dying to visit this place to take photographs! I'm not a huge fan of persimmons, although I love them in spice breads. However, I think they are gorgeous, and I'm happy I was able to take these photos to share with you!

Both photos were taken with a Polaroid Sx-70 camera and expired 600 film with an ND pack filter.
Prints in my Etsy shop!

'Roid Week Day 4!

I've been having so much fun this 'Roid Week, checking out so many people's amazing Polaroids in the Flickr pool, and sharing some of my own. This morning, I uploaded this image to the pool:


Cows in an Ozarks Glen (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 Black and White (expired)
Location: Scenic 7 Byway, Ozarks, Arkansas
I took that photo a couple of weeks ago while I was in the Ozarks, and I love the way the white cows look so little in this vast field.

After I uploaded this shot, I went out shooting in Fort Worth, and I had a great day of Polaroid-ing! Here are my two other contributions to Day 4:


Through the Mist (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired) with an ND pack filter
Location: The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
I cannot rave enough about the beautiful Fort Worth Botanical Gardens! Last year, I went there to shoot some photos in the Japanese Garden. Today, I enjoyed the lovely greenhouse. I can't wait to return in the spring when they unleash thousands of butterflies!


Chocolate Rocket (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid Chocolate 80
I can never leave Fort Worth without taking photos of great signs! This inspection station is located in an old midcentury nightclub, complete with its decrepit neon sign and vintage pickup truck! I love Fort Worth's character; it's such an authentic city.

More tomorrow, the final day of 'Roid Week 2009 Part II!
Info on my Etsy sale here!

'Roid Week, Day Two!

It's still 'Roid Week, Day 2 at Flickr! I'd like to share my three submissions for today with you!


Burger Time in Deming (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ
I love this crazy image of that crazy New Mexican town of Deming! The sky is always a big antidote to the insanity on the streets below...


Prayer Request Drop Box (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ
I shot this last weekend in Paris, Arkansas...I could not pass this one up!


Waffle House (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 B&W (expired 2003)
Oh, Waffle House, how I adore your vision on the mighty American interstates! This old-school establishment may be found in Russellville, Arkansas.

Prints are available in my Etsy shop! And don't forget my sale this week! Click here for more info!

Simple.

Simple (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 black & white *expired 2003*

Signed print in my Etsy shop.

Fun at the Fair!

Recently, the local fair was in town, so I just HAD to go out and get some photos! I've been enjoying shooting Polaroid 600 film in my SX-70 camera, too. Although the film is too fast for the camera and an ND Filter is recommended, I've been enjoying shooting without one, just to see what comes of the colors. I really like the faded-out feeling!


SPIN!


Butterfly Fries
I wish I had a dress in these colors!


The Wave Swinger


Starship 2000

Signed prints are in my Etsy! Thanks for looking!

heirloom

This summer, I'm growing several vegetables in a little container garden I created! Along with chiles, herbs, and lettuce that I'm growing in aerogardens indoors, I'm growing three varieties of tomatoes (heirloom Beefsteak, Roma, and Heatwave), two varieties of bell peppers (sweet yellow and big boy green), and tomatillos outdoors. I'm also growing red hot cherry peppers and poblano chiles outside, as well as rosemary. It's so exciting to watch them all set fruit, and I can't wait to harvest what I hope will be a bounty!

While I wait, I've been inspired by heirloom produce from a local organic market. Recently, I got this beautiful heirloom tomato, and I just had to take a couple of photographs of it before enjoying its juicy sweetness! It was absolutely delicious with purple and green basil from my aerogarden and some ripe avocado! Simples pleasures, such as pure organic food, lend so much richness to our lives!


An Heirloom Tomato (2009)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (expired)


Heirloom (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 Black and White (expired)