BSM: Waiting

I was out trying to capture a photograph for our Team-Up Thursday project when I decided to experiment with these newspaper boxes. I had a little fun with some new free textures I found as well as an action from the generous Rita at CoffeeShop Photography. I kinda like how it turned out.

Still haven't found my Team-Up Thursday photo yet, though :).

Team-Up Thursday Update: Week Two

Melody and I are thrilled with the response to Team-Up Thursday. Looking at all the diptychs was really inspiring and so much fun, so thanks to all who participated our first week!

This week, Melody and I are working with "DARK" as our theme. If you'd like to play along using this theme as well, please do. If you and your partner pick your own theme, we can't wait to see it!

Two items of business:

1. If you haven't yet joined the Team-Up Thursday flickr pool, please do. We'd love to have all the diptychs archived there, even if you are blogging them (and we love reading everyone's blogs). It's nice to have a central location for all the creations.

2. If you don't have a partner or know someone who is interested but doesn't have anyone to team up with, I am busy pairing up singles. No, I'm not running that kind of service ;). Just drop me a line at monamegs@hotmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's work next Thursday, and thanks again for making our first week a big success!

Crazy Hair Day

Went all "Vidal Sassoon" on the kids today:



Yeah, kidding...It was crazy hair day -- as if you couldn't figure that one out.

Team-Up Thursday: Week One

I have been waiting anxiously all week for Thursday to roll around again -- funny how the days of the week always seem to do that. I'm dying to see what everyone has created for this week, the themes you chose, and the pictures you captured.

Melody and I decided on "Movement" as our theme:




I love that we both chose less obvious arenas of movement: not sports or kids on bikes, but more quiet, domestic scenes. Maybe that's indicative of the season; it's winter, so we're indoors more. The viewer has to look closely for the movement in both pictures, but it's there, and worth the look.

What do you have to share today? Please post a link to your blog or the flickr photo pool so that we can see your diptychs. Even if you do have a blog, please join the pool and upload your diptychs there as well so that we can have them all in one place for easy perusal.

If you are still looking for a partner for future weeks, email me at monamegs@hotmail.com.

Owen: Cultural Attache

It's a big culture week here at our house. First, visiting China (see previous post), and now a mysterious assembly at school.

Owen came home yesterday and told me they had an assembly with music from another country. I had to ask a lot of questions to get an idea of what this was about. He could tell me it was people playing music. How many? Two. A man and a woman? Yes. Did they play instruments? Yes ( a drum, harp, and whistle were mentioned). Did they sing? Yes. And danced a little.

I'm still mystified until he says, "They came from a country where they dance with their arms straight down the sides of their bodies."

Ireland, perhaps?

YES!

I'm telling you, this kid definitely has a future in international relations.

Another Conversation With Owen

Owen: We went to China today at school, Mom.

Me: Oh really? What did you do?

O: Did you know that they write with paintbrushes there?

M: You mean calligraphy? Yeah, that's pretty neat, huh?

O: I really want to go to China. I would definitely see the Great Wall of China.

M: That would be a great trip; maybe we can do that someday.

O: Except we'd have to learn Spanish.

M: Uhhh?

O: That's what they speak in China, you know, Mom.

Note to any travellers: Owen will be writing a "How to Travel Around the World" book -- be sure and reserve your copy today.

BSM: Younger Brothers

Isn't it always the fate of younger siblings to have to hang around at older ones' activities? During Harrison's basketball game, I caught these three -- Owen and his buddies -- occupying themselves with my phone playing Doodlejump. Every time the phone changed hands, the three of them would switch positions so they could all see. I was really glad I had my big zoom lens with me, otherwise I never would have caught this:

Team-Up Thursday Update

Thanks to all for the great response to Team-Up Thursday. Melody and I can't wait to see what you guys come up with for next week. A few questions were asked in comments, so I'll try to answer them here:

1. Most weeks, there will be no official theme. I will go ahead and post the theme that Melody and I are using, but you do not need to follow it. We thought it would allow for greater collaboration between partners to develop your own theme, but feel free to use ours if that's too much pressure :). This week, we are photographing MOVEMENT.

2. I'm still working on pairing up a few people. If you did not leave your email, I've had trouble getting in touch -- in one case I left a comment on your blog -- so please email me at monamegs@hotmail.com so that I can complete the pairings. We will probably be adding pairs as we go along, so don't worry if you miss the first week.

3. Don't have a blog to post photos? Not a problem. I've started a Flickr group for everyone to post their weekly creations. I thought it would be fun to have a pool of all the diptychs, so go to Team-Up Thursday and join the group. Even if you do post to a blog, post to our Flickr group, too. It is a public group, but as administrator, I have to approve you -- just so we don't get any nuts :).

4. Have fun!

If you have other specific questions, email me at the above address. Looking forward to seeing fantastic diptychs on Thursday!

NEW...Team-Up Thursday

It's a brand new year, and I've got a new project to spice up your Thursdays. To give credit, this idea belongs to the lovely Melody over at Hip Momma's Journal. Since Theme Thursday had run its course, I'd been thinking about trying something new, and Melody had the brilliant idea of pairing up. Every week, we'll decide on a theme or idea, each take a photograph, and then put them together in a diptych.

This week, we tried "shoes":




I love that we both ended up with fabulous red in our photos. Completely different perspectives, though, and that's what will make Team-Up Thursday so creative.

Since I am in Oregon and Melody is in Texas, this reminded me of the 3191 year of mornings blog, in which two friends, separated by 3191 miles, each take a photograph every morning and post them before 10am. Their project was actually published in 2008, and they are currently at work on a similar project, 3191 Miles Apart.

How does this work for the rest of you? Simple, if you have someone in mind, grab her and make her participate with you. If you don't, leave a comment here, and we'll hook you up with a partner. You might decide that once a week is too much. That's OK, we'll be here, so drop by and participate when you can. We are going to leave the themes up to you. Melody and I will choose one for us to use each week, but you and your partner are free to photograph whatever you'd like to do together.

I am excited about the creative possibilities of this new venture, so Team Up, and show us what you've got.

Look Ma, No Appliance!

Yesterday was a big day for Owen: the dentist took out his appliance! Owen has had a spacer in his mouth since last January and has been wearing headgear at night as well for almost nine months. All this to correct a pretty wicked underbite.

At night for the past year, he's looked like this:



OK, usually minus the ski hat, but you get the idea.

As of yesterday, the appliance and headgear are history:



Think he's a little happy??

Remember to come back tomorrow for a new Thursday venture with Melody -- you won't want to miss it!

Theme for the Week: Done?

It seems that Theme Thursday may have run its course. Maybe time for something new? Unless I get strong resistance, this will be the last week for Theme Thursday. Anyone? ;)

Theme Thursday: Spontaneous

Movie night at our house, eyes glued to the screen, mouths bulging with popcorn.



What do you have to share today?

BSM: On the Floor

Trying to be a bit more spontaneous this week (this Thursday's theme):



Hence the snap of the goofballs on the floor.

Theme for the Week: Spontaneous

In an effort to be more creative, I'm aiming for more unexpected, spontaneous photos. That might be some sort of oxymoron: can you plan spontaneous pictures???? :) Regardless, play along with me this week, and come back Thursday to show us your fabulous snaps.

Theme Thursday: The New Year

I cheated. I have taken zero pictures since we entered 2010. None. After Christmas, the camera went into the cupboard and has yet to see the new year.

I've been feeling rather uninspired over the last little while. I want to take pictures, but I feel I'm stuck in a rut, shooting the same things again and again. I need to get the creative juices flowing, so that is definitely on the list of "Things to Do in The New Year." If anyone has some suggestions to give me a good artistic kick in the pants, please share :).

So for today, you're stuck with a shot from way back in 2009:



What do you have to show today? Inspire me with your creativity!

BSM: The Road

May your journey in 2010 be full of happiness...

Theme for the Week: New Year

A new decade has begun, so show us your first shots of 2010. Hope everyone had a lovely New Year's celebration!