Textures on the Prairie...

you know i *adore* florabella right?!?...

i have "stalked" her blog for awhile now waiting breathlessly for any news on another set of actions or textures...

guess what...

yep she is close to releasing her third set of textures....and she needs testers...

wouldn't that be fabulous?!?

to be a tester for her textures!! sigh...*bliss*...

so here is my entry...

i processed the prairie barbwire with florabella's reverie adjusted to soft light with an 82% opacity, then added her antique texture which was adjusted to overlay with a 32% opacity...

crossing fingers.... :0)

{hope everyone has a safe and wonderful halloween! i wonder who's idea it was that we needed to celebrate it for 4 days?!? sheesh...}

Let's Talk...

textures shall we??....

i haven't applied textures to my photos for awhile, not because i don't *love* them...

they simply take a little longer to get "right" than i have time for right now...

and by "right" i don't mean i'm doing them "right" just that they look "right" to me...

"right"...

okay then...

i thought i would show you a photo with different textures and opacities applied...

so here we go...

pumpkin photo no. 1...

sooc...

a little too something or other going on there...not great...

let's apply a couple textures...

pumpkin photo with textures no 1....

i applied a texture called leaves on metal {don't you *adore* the name} adjusted the layer to soft light with a 39% opacity...

another texture was added {i rarely use just one layer...i'm a multi layered kind of girl! ;0) } this layer was kim's autumn texture adjusted to vivid light opacity 42%

that's it...super easy, and makes a big difference...

pumpkin photo with textures no. 2...

i wanted something a little warmer....something with a hint of pumpkin orange in it...

first texture was kim's mustard seed texture adjusted to soft light with 95% opacity...

vintage autumn from florabella was applied next, adjusted to color with 48% opacity...

*love* how this one turned out...

i absolutely *adore* florabella's actions and textures...{check out her website for information about the up and coming release of her new set of textures...cannot wait!!}

pumpkin photo with textures no. 3....

i wanted to show you a heavily applied, grunged texture...

first i applied a worn and thin texture adjusted to overlay with 79% opacity...

kim's walnut texture was added next adjusted to soft light with a 38% opacity...

here are a few things to think about when applying textures...

*play around with what layer you adjust your texture to...i always like to try different layers, especially the hard light, color, or hue...it really penetrates your photo and gives you something you never would have thought of...

*opacity...can make all the difference...if you don't adjust the texture will definitely take over your photo and block out all the beauty you captured with your lens...

*add multiple layers of textures...mix and match...you never know what you will get...

*textures can be anything, not just what you buy and download...step outside, take a close-up of that rusty goodness, that beautifully aged barnwood...a brick wall with ivy...prairie wheat...where ever there is texture in your world you can apply it to a photo and make a one of a kind piece of artwork...

so there you have an afternoon full of prairie pumpkins with textures...

what about you? are you a texture girl...an action girl...neither?!?

i really spend WAY too much time messing around with BOTH... ;0)

Industrial Goods...

this past week the post man delivered some much anticipated goods...

yep...some industrial goods...

before we headed out to gather cattle this past weekend, i was able to find a home for them...

not sure if they will stay here but for now...

*bliss*...

this wonderful barn pulley came from the lovely debi with ormolulu...

who read about me not coming home with one from a local estate sale...

she contacted me and...well how could i say no twice to a barn pulley??!!...

this vintage barn vent caused a friend much stress...

sorry sue....

i really do *love* it and *thank you* again dear girl for shipping it to me...

it found a home on top of the fridge...

the only place it would fit!! ;0)

this thing is *huge*...

*thank you* girls for feeding an industrial obsession...

and for being willing to make 10,000 trips to the post office lugging a barn vent... ;0)

Calling Coyotes...

when this little wild prairie child...

decides to climb out of the truck...

leaving his comfortable lounge chair behind...

eagerly climbs upon his horse and is told to chase cattle through the thick oak...

he worries a little about getting left behind so naturally lets out a couple cries of despair...

and what should answer his cries on this autumn evening...

a lone coyote...

yep, my little five year old's cries called in a coyote...

much to the delight of his dad, uncle and brother...

not so much his mom...

who wasn't sure if the coyote thought he heard a friend on the wind or the cries of a small injured deer?!?...

this child constantly amazes me...

Ollie's Prairie Recipe No. 1...

finally...

the recipe for ollie's pumpkin spice cookies...

enjoy!

also...

i want to *thank* mary for sharing my prairie story on her fabulous blog

urban farmgirl...

please stop on over and say hello to mary...

she is absolutely amazing...and that barn...sigh...*dream*

Industrial Chic...

today i've decided to join a little party...

a industrial chic party...

hosted by margo and her junkin' journal...

with my vintage drafting table and a metal basket i was so lucky to find on my recent travels...

not sure if it counts as chic...

the table runner came from my favorite industrial chic girl...

sue with bella...

i was finally able to find some little white pumpkins to fill my basket...

the kids were wondering how in the world they were suppose to carve them...

why didn't i bring home any orange ones?!?

and when was i going to get with it and decorate our house freaky?!?

freaky??! really?!? according to my five year old i have no idea how to decorate for halloween...hhmmm...i guess he really doesn't want the reese's peanut butter pumpkins i brought home for him... ;0)

be sure to head over to margo's to check out all the uber fabulous industrial chic decor!...

Introducing...

hello dear girls...

i have a little lady who has been newly named...

she is eager to share with you her new name and to show the winning prairie girl her goods that will be arriving upon her farmhouse doorstep soon...

*thank you* all for entering and for your all your suggestions...

it was TOUGH...

i didn't think our little family would ever decide...

there were so many wonderful romantic prairie names...

a few i've tucked away just in case the husband ever changes his mind and thinks we need to add another wild, prairie child to help out with all the farm chores... ;0)

first up the goods...

picked carefully from monticello and barnhouse...

a prairie gathering...

all tucked inside a industrial, rusted, goodness of a bowl...

a packaged of *love* letters between elmer & olive during world war two...

a small prairie pocketbook...

an ironstone cup and saucer with the most darling photo and place marker ever...

{ this cup and saucer... oh.my. having a hard time letting this go!! ;0) }

so the lucky prairie girl this is all coming to is...

janice with curtains in my tree...

for picking the name...

ollie...

simple, strong, unique and all her own...

with her chocolate brown eyes and soft velvet nose she speaks of ways of old and searches the prairie for all those who are willing to listen to the whispers...

*thank you* again for all you entered!! it was so fun to browse through all your names and reasons...

janice contact me with your mailing info and ollie will get your goods out to you...

{on a little side note...new goods will be listed today in the shop!!}

Happenings...

~sheep herd on daylight heading home~

sheesh...a week really?!?...

fall gathering has officially begun...not just for our little prairie family but the whole county really...

we are busy sorting cattle, gathering cattle, counting cattle, herding cattle, hauling cattle and cussing cattle...

so i thought i better give you a few quick updates while i'm somewhat sane...who knows what i'll be like by the end of the month...

~recipe for pumpkin spice cookies coming soon {another batch is in order since the husband and i ate the whole batch}

~new farm finds will be showing up in the shop by the end of the week

~melissa at miss sew and so sent me a beautiful "gift" last saturday; dear melissa gave beauty to this prairie girl who just returned from elk camp and was in a desperate need...*thank you* dear melissa for your kind, kind words and for lifting this prairie girl's spirit!

~hens are not the best cattle wranglers

~the smell of mutton lingers for days...ugh

~we've finally decided on a name for faded prairie's little lady {to be announced soon...i promise!!}

~i have a weakness for reese's peanut butter pumpkins

~ i *love* fall

Filling the Senses...

today was a day spent snuggled up by the heater...

listening to the soft raindrops upon our farmhouse...

baking pumpkin spice cookies...

a pot of french onion soup simmering on the stove...

a day filling the senses with a prairie autumn...

*~*cow naming winner will be announced soon...we have it narrowed down to 10!*~*

you girls pulled out all the stops with your romantic, prairie names...i'm actually thinking i need to have another little girl just so i could use one or two of the names!!

:0)

Prairie Feature: Anne Marie...

this month on the prairie is none other than...

anne marie with na-da farm...

she is one who listens to the prairie whispers...

she is one who feels the pull of her heritage; of what once was...

she is one who this prairie girl finds a kindred spirit in, a spirit of peace, strength, and inspiration...

may i introduce anne marie...

Dear Kristin, and anyone who happens to stop here today,

i hope this post finds you all in good health and happy spirits...

it is my total pleasure to be here today, and post at Kristin's fabulous place!!

okay...so we're getting deep...past the surface
(i love it when you go further than the surface of something...you find out so much!)


the only exception of having a completely fulfilled life is to not have that deep connection with where you live...

i try to keep a straight face most of the time...there is a lot to do on the farm...

there is a lot of responsibility here...a lot of work...

but when I enter into my prairie...an inner smile grows and grows until my soul soars into the clean air that surrounds me on the farm

maybe i know somewhere is better...but i am comfortable here

comfortable with my loneliness on the farm

if you are missing that deep connection to yourself, take a walk along the creek...let your skirt drag amongst the fallen leaves and feel the autumn breeze...

my life is so very busy most of the time loving my husband, raising our five children and growing one inside (yes...that makes six!...i can't believe it either - lol )

i'm on my way to believing that 37 years of age is just perfect, at least, until i turn 38...or 59...

i home school our children, raise heritage and rare chickens, garden in my certified naturally grown (equivalent to organic) potager (kitchen garden) and i absolutely have to keep my sanity

i sew

i cook

i love

i write

i love making connections with people and listening to my vinyl records i like collect

don't you just want to just be loved? and accepted?

feel that warmth??

i do......and I find it everyday feeling my husband's embrace and holding my children

what makes you...YOU??

the prairie makes me who i am...living on the farm...has made me who i am...(well, that and listening for years to my wonderful grandparent's stories of their Hungarian farm life)

you can close your eyes instantly and be miles away from that stress you have...

you can be in that prairie in spirit

and Bridgette...well, she whispered to me one day while in the prairie...

and I wrote all about her

and now, the sale in October is based on her story

if you come to the sale, you won't have read the story, but can relate to her ability to make good of what she has...and be inspired by nature and the memories that

tug at her heart and have made her the women

she has become

it's the way i think...it's the way i believe

always listen to what's not there

it will change your life

xo+blessings,

anne marie~

*thank you* dear girl for being here on the prairie this month...

for your simple, heart searching post...

i cannot tell you how much i wish i could join you and bridgette this weekend...

my heart will be there on the prairie breezes though...

listening...

Happy Birthday...

happy birthday to my cowboy of a husband...

*thank you* for all you do for your little family...

we *love* you!!

{i might get your birthday cake done by next year...i promise...} :0)

Barnhouse...

since i'm running out of days this week, i decided to get with it and post some barnhouse pictures...

barnhouse is so much more than just your typical barn/vintage sale...

it is a place where magic is created and shared...

a place that is listening...

listening to those who cherished before, listening to the work worn items that want to feel beauty...

i am still trying to take hold of my experience there...

it flits and dances with a brightness through my days, yet it wants to remain out of grasp...

for this experience doesn't want to be captured just within my heart but to be dancing among the prairie breezes...

searching for a moment it can envelope you, my dear girls...

and give you a moment of pure joy...

to give you the opportunity to listen...

beautiful lissa...

there is such a strength and calmness about this girl...

i was so humbled to have met her and to visit with her just a bit...

{even if i did ramble on like a country, star struck, bumpkin...} ;0)

ever so talented and sweet natalie of sparrow...

this girl's cow charms really have feed an addiction!! :0)

{oh, natalie...sorry about the whole threaten you if you don't pose with me in a photo kind of thing...really i was joking...never would have followed through with it...really...natalie??!...} ;0)

dear, dear sue...

not only does this girl know how to make galvanized glam, but her sewing skills are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G...

she is one of the sweetest, kindest ladies i have ever met...

{love you dear sue...in a good, not scary stalkery just met you kind of way...really....sue?!?...are we still on for some more lockers.....sue?!?} ;0)

of course i have to give a BIG,BIG *thank you* not only to the boys, a queen, and all who helped put this unbelievable show together...

but also to my amazing cowboy husband who braved the wilds of portland and washington, drove the whole 2000 miles just to make this prairie girl's dream come true...

*i love you*