I love to shop

I love to shop! Photoshop, that is. So, I thought I’d share some examples with you because it is amazing what can be done with Photoshop. Mind you, I am by no means an expert, but I have played with it for years now and I keep learning, albeit very slowly.

 

Above, an image of a boy in Poughkeepsie, NY, circa 1978. I got lucky with this shot.

As you can see from the original image, right, Photoshop helped a great deal in creating the arresting image it became.

An edited image of a  geranium, above,  and the original, at right. The edited version of an image isn’t necessarily better than the original,  but it’s always interesting to see where a little fussing with the settings may lead.

 

At left, a gorgeous little girl I spotted at a friend’s wedding. Unfortunately, there was a mess of distracting arms and legs surrounding her precious face, as you can see, below. 

Once again, Photoshop came to the rescue.

Above, another shot from the wedding celebration, this time of a charming boy named Finn. 

The original photo was okay although a little flat. I could have just popped the contrast and be done with it, but I decided I really wanted to isolate the image of Finn, which is what I did in Photoshop. 

 
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PHOTO :  ADELINE CRITES-MOORE

 

TTFN

I haven't had a drink, yet I'm weaving

 
 

I signed up for Just Considering Weave with Jude Hill (Spirit Cloth). My first attempt was with pale teal and white threads. It took only a few rows before I realized it looked mostly white and very boring.

So, I switched to a more colorful palette. For my warp thread, I chose a nice raspberry red. For the weft, I used a variegated thread, which almost feels like cheating, because it makes it so easy to weave a pattern. 

Colorful is good at this time of year ... like my geraniums. My geraniums, by the way, allow me to pretend I have a green thumb. If it weren't for virtually maintenance-free plants, I'd have to admit the truth that gardening is but one of many Martha Stewart-esque talents which I lack.

I never look at geraniums without being reminded of a favorite childhood poem, written by A.A. Milne, author of the Winnie-the-Pooh series of books. I enjoy this poem even more as an adult. 

THE DORMOUSE AND THE DOCTOR

There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),
And all the day long he’d a wonderful view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

A Doctor came hurrying round, and he said:
“Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed.
Just say ‘Ninety-nine’ while I look at your chest….
Don’t you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?”

The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied
(When he’d said “Ninety-nine”) that he’d tried and he’d tried,
And much the most answering things that he knew
Were geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head,
And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said:
“What the patient requires is a change,” and he went
To see some chrysanthemum people in Kent.

The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue),
And he knew there was nothing he wanted instead
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant,
He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent.
“Now these,” he remarked, “give a much better view
Than geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).”

They took out their spades and they dug up the bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),
And they planted chrysanthemums (yellow and white).
“And now,” said the Doctor, “we’ll soon have you right.”

The Dormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh:
“I suppose all these people know better than I.
It was silly, perhaps, but I did like the view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).”

The Doctor came round and examined his chest,
And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics, and Rest.
“How very effective,” he said, as he shook
The thermometer, “all these chrysanthemums look!”

The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sight
Of the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white).
“How lovely,” he thought, “to be back in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red.)”

The Doctor said, “Tut! It’s another attack!”
And ordered him Milk and Massage-of-the-back,
And Freedom-from-worry and Drives-in-a-car,
And murmured, “How sweet your chrysanthemums are!”

The Dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes,
And imagined himself such a pleasant surprise:
“I’ll pretend the chrysanthemums turn to a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)!”

The Doctor next morning was rubbing his hands,
And saying, “There’s nobody quite understands
These cases as I do! The cure has begun!
How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun!”

The Dormouse lay happy, his eyes were so tight
He could see no chrysanthemums, yellow or white.
And all that he felt at the back of his head
Were delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

And that is the reason (Aunt Emily said)
If a Dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed,
You will find (so Aunt Emily says) that he lies
Fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes.

 

Winnie-the-Pooh belonged to Christopher Robin, of course. I had my own bear. Here I am with my dog and my bear, circa 1952. 

My bear is still with me, in 2014. There are some things one doesn't give up.