Patchwork Photos

Ode to Domesticity

dhopkins — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:28:56 +0000

My son volunteers at our local library every Saturday, and one of my very favorite things is browsing through the books as I wait for him to complete his work. I recently picked up a gorgeous book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity, by Jane Brocket. The cover photographs were the big draw for me . . . photos of food, and books, and gardens, and quilts, and life at home.

Jane thinks that "all domestic artists should have a little pocket in their aprons where they can keep their favorite poems."

If you have have time to pocket only one, make it Pablo Neruda's Ode to Things in which he praises "every little thing," like buttons, knives, scissors, cups, hats, and thimbles that "bear the trace of someone's fingers."

I just finished sewing this sweet little reversible apron - and it just happens to have a pocket for poetry.

What a splendid idea!

Small Talk

dhopkins — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:48:57 +0000

Thank you to Kim Klassen for instruction in the Painterly Effect and two new lovely textures, finale and sienna.

We really miss having a family dog, but for now these little pocelain dogs will have to do. I've been wanting to photograph them for a while, but just couldn't decide what these two might be discussing. They sit side by side on a rustic table in our den. Despite their somewhat serious faces, they make me laugh. I double dog dare you not to giggle, too!

Happy and Healthy

dhopkins — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:21:25 +0000

The theme for Texure Tuesday is happiness. I really believe that joy is found in everyday relationships. I wanted to take a picture of people interacting – hands touching, dancing, hugging. You get the idea. I think of the components of happiness – generosity, hope, kindness, friendship, empathy, love, forgiveness, acceptance, encouragement, communication, and gratitude - and I can imagine a million photographs that convey these concepts.

But, honestly, today I am happy with myself. It’s difficult to feel and share happiness with the world when you don’t value yourself. When I beat myself up, feel guilty, and wallow in should haves, I am certainly not a ray of sunshine. For years I worked to lose weight and become my perfect size. My weight was always on my mind. I can’t explain how or why but I have finally made peace with my weight. I exercise. I make healthy food choices more often than not. My belly and I are friends these days. I am happy as a clam, almost happy-go-lucky, and a very happy medium.

This funny little picture is textured with Kim Klassen's beautiful new texture, felicity, along with another favorite, lily.

Happy Valentine's Day

dhopkins — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:15:20 +0000

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller

Photo Stories

dhopkins — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:12:42 +0000

Call them story boards, mosaics, collages, or hodgepodge. . . to me they are like story books. Remember the sweet little books we read to our children where pictures told the story?

Thanks to Kim Klassen and her Beyond Layers class for these adorable templates. My favorite is the story of our family - just a few snippets of every day life here. Wow, no better way to feel grateful than to see your life from a different vantage point. The camera is great for giving perspective . . .

Living the Sweet Life

dhopkins — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:05:36 +0000

I am mostly a face-to-face kind of gal and spending hours in front of a computer screen is not my idea of fun. But, I have to admit that the internet has introduced me to new friends and ideas with a whole new world of creative inspiration. I recently discovered Smith Magazine SMITH is the home of Six-Word Memoirs^© and a vibrant community of storytellers. Everyone has a story . . . waiting to be shared. Don't we all just want to be known? Remember the song from the classic TV show Cheers,

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

As I reflect upon my life, writing my own six-word memoir, I keep coming back to the same realization. I am - Living and Loving the Sweet Life. So what are your six words?

Find Your Way

dhopkins — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:50:59 +0000

Making pictures for Valentine's Day has been a blast! Reflecting on the people I love and how much they love me in return, even when I don't deserve their faithfulness and kindness, makes me feel so very grateful. My husband teases me about my poor sense of direction and difficulty reading maps . . . I'd be lost without him . . . in more ways than one! This picture includes his compass from his boy scout days; apparently he has ALWAYS known where he is going. I, on the other hand, mostly just wander . . .

Today's photo features a new texture from Kim Klassen, Awaken. Thanks, Kim.

Winter Pears

dhopkins — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:10:34 +0000

I miss the summer fruits - berries and melons. But in the spirit of eating well, I am trying out winter fruits. These pears are great for snacking and delicious in my new favorite salad, too. Toss some fresh greens, diced pears, toasted pecans, crumbled white cheddar, and crunchy celery with a dressing of a little oil, cider vinegar, and honey. Pears are perfectly delicious.

Rise and Shine

dhopkins — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:09:05 +0000

I have a divine New Year's resolution . . . to get a good night's rest. I am an early morning person AND a late night person who drags through the afternoon needing a nap most every day. As one friend put it, "You are just like baby. You have your days and nights mixed up!" I am guilty of working into the wee hours of the night trying to catch up on computer work and rising early before the sun to catch the best morning light for taking pictures. The old saying about "burning the candle at both ends . . ." certainly applies to me! For good reasons, mostly health related, I am setting a regular bedtime and sticking to it. Hopefully, 2012 will be the year I rise and shine! I'm watching the clock . . . setting the alarm . . . and enjoying every precious minute. Happy New Year!

Winter is for Reading

dhopkins — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:24:50 +0000

Getting ready for winter . . . stacking up my books to read. I love books! On my favorite bedside table, I have a devotional and the Bible. Piled high in my studio (aka the dining room), I have a new Photoshop CS5 book, the manual for my new camera, and loads of magazines for inspiration. In the den, near the sofa, novels and travel books await my company. Bring on the snow . . . I'm looking forward to catching up on my reading and enjoying a cup of tea. Always looking for reading ideas . . . anyone reading something wonderful? Please share!