.8.

- Birthdays! -

So it was Richard's mother's & brother-in-law's birthdays this past Saturday! We had lunch at Olive Garden in Panama City and then we went to the Clarksville Boggin that night. Billy ran his truck, but didn't win. Its was okay, though, 'cause we had a fun time! Here are some pictures from the day!

This is Lindsey, Richard's neice. She was enjoying the scenery.

Here is everyone hanging out and having a couple of drinks! It was a hot day!

Lindsey with her mom Nicki. The trucks are pretty loud at times.

Lindsey,Ms. Paula, Brandon, Mrs. Donna, Jamie, & Richard ready to watch the trucks go through the mud!

And ofcourse it wouldn't be a normal day without getting on your mother's nerves, even if she has to pinch your facial hair! = P

.7.

 - Baby -

So, this blog is a bit late, I need to catch up on the blogs! Gave Jessica her Maternity portraits!

Yes, she is having a baby boy next month by the name of Atticus! We had a little bit of fun (as much as we possibly could) with doing these portraits. It was in the morning so that it would not be too hot, we were in a shady park too. But by the end of the 45 minutes we used we were all hot and sticky! Believe it - before 10am! Ugh, Florida I love you but I hate you!

So we started off in the sun near the end of the park by St. Andrews Bay. Got a tigg bit sandy. Then we headed over to the shady park where Jessica said she wanted to get a portrait with "that tree". Not just A tree, the "squiggly, all warped, would look scary at night" tree! I have to admit, I did not see the tree when I arrived but it was a pretty cool looking tree. So, got some of those out of the way.

Next we headed to the gazebo (sp?). Well some other photographer decided to hog the space, so we went to the park first! I know I promised we were done with the sand, but the playgroung has some too. = ( 

By the time we were done with the park the other photographer was done and we got to hog up our own space! And for a plus we got to play with blocks! How fun! We finally got Jessica up off the ground and back in the car! Success! And now you see how they turned out! Pretty good for my first prego - I mean "Maternity" - session!

.6.

- 1, 2, 3, 4 - Props! -

Yay! My number props are done!

It was an interesting process making my number props. I didn't have enough money (since I am unemployed currently) to buy the nice pre-made big number props that a lot of the photography studios seem to have. So, I made my own! My littlest sister Sierra stayed over for a couple of nights, so I had her help. When paint is involved, Sierra makes sure she has a part! I had no idea how we were going to make them, I just knew it was possible and jumped right in. Ha-ha!

Here is what we did:

Supplies -

Towel
Sunday Paper (minus the classifieds..)
1 x 3ft 2inch thick Styrofoam sheet
Sharpie

Paint Brushes

A lot of white acrylic paint (and I mean ALOT) Two 16oz bottles

Knife

Patience (about 3 days in the making)

1. I took the wonderful creation that is known as the Sharpie, and drew an outline of the numbers.

This, I found to be the easy part...

2. We took our trusty knives and began to carve. I found it to be a lot like carving a pumpkin! It is difficult to carve through, and it makes a mess all over the place. Little white pieces went everywhere! I am glad I put down a towel over our craft area (aka Richard's pool table) or I would have had a major mess. This also sounds easier than it really is. I had to be slow and precise in order to get the correct shape.

3. This is what happens when you trust your little sister with material, sharpie, and a knife. Sierra made a silly box face. Get back to work little girl...

4. Painting! We coated and coated and coated the numbers with paint. I almost thought it would be easier to dump them in a pool of paint, but that was not available unfortunately! *sigh* These pieces are like sponges, they soak up a lot of paint and because it is soaked in - it takes hours to dry a coat. So patience comes in handy! *adds patience to the list of supplies*

5. Finally a finished product. Once the numbers look solid and are completely dry they are ready for picture taking. Plus since it is with acrylic paint you are able to wipe them down with antibacterial and clean them as necessary. They are also light weight so they are easy to pick up with little hands.

 

Well, that’s it for tonight! C-ya!

.5.

- Ad Time -

Today I posted ads in both Craigslist and AdsInUSA.com.

Maybe I'll get some clients within the next few weeks. It sure would help!

Moments By Felicia Classifieds

Free Classifieds by AdsInUSA.com

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/evs/1696230810.html

.4.

 - Me Time -

Okay, I am having photography withdrawls!

So, in result, I decide to practice self-portraiture. I am not good at this at all, since my eyes are better behind the camera instead of in front of them.

Unfortunatly the only location I could do this was in the back yard, with the fence as a back-drop, my tripod, and my 2 second remote. I am kinda glad I did, since I really do not have any recent pictures of myself. It was December since I had a picture taken of me.

While I was outside, a little lady bug decided to become a spectator on my tri-pod.

It was really funny. While I was setting up my tri-pod, Maui (my puppy) came over to see what I was doing. As she went to smell the tripod, one of the legs snapped into place.

It scared her so bad she jumped and ran back into the house. Least to say I didn't have to worry about her getting in the way while I was working on this.

Anyways, since everyone liked the collages I created one of myself.

.3.

- Easter Sunday - 2010 -

Yay! What a fun day we had for Easter. Visited Richard's family in Pensacola.

Well, to start, everyone had to make a dish for lunch. I made a green bean, mushroom, & cheese side. It was pretty good for it being the first time I had made it. I am trying to make actual dishes since the move to Fort Walton. I actually have a Kitchen to cook in! Its nice. Anyway...

When we arrived, Jamie & Lindsey were ready to color eggs! The eggs turned out nice and they had plenty of fun. Then Kristin & Billy came with Brandon & Avry. We met Nicki's friend Yolanda and her husband Nick with their two girls Simone & Shayla.

While things were baking, the grown-ups hid the eggs outside. There had to be over 200 candy and toy filled eggs for 5 children to gather. Eggs were all over the back yard! It amazingly took the kids more time to find the eggs than it too to hide them!

Oh, and Kristin brought one of Lucy's puppies. This one has a cleft lip, so it has to be bottle fed. Which is why they brought her. I hope that puppy does well and makes it. As long as they keep her on the bottle and feed her pretty good she will make the transition to dry puppy food and will be fine. What a sweet puppy.

It was a fun day with egg hunting, bubble blowing & trampoline jumping. Here are some collages I made of each of the kids from that day. It was my first time making collages, so I hope they look good! = )

.2.

- Sleep? -

That I can't right now. I have been out of whack for my sleep schedule due to being sick an having a sinus infection. But, enough of the down icky stuff...

So I will be getting my tax return soon! I filed my taxes on Monday, and should be getting about a grand back. This will be enough funds for Rich and me to move to the Destin / Fort Walton area! At least enough for a deposit on a house. But there is only one thing that is keeping me from feeling 100% about it. I need a job over there.

I'm really excited about the move though! I can't wait to experience life away from Panama City, even if it is only an hour away. It will be a big change in a small way.

I am also not sure how my photography business will do. I have been trying to get it started and successful for almost a year now. Since April of 2009. It is something I am addicted to and has become my dream and my main goal. I might create a year in progress timeline with examples within the next few days and post it up.

As for now, it is time to try and sleep.

** Edit -

Here is the outcome:

To see the full view, click on the image! = )