Weekly Inspiration Linky Party April 17, 2015

Happy Inspiration Linky Party Friday!!

Guess what's been inspiring me lately? My very own self!! Yeah, I know, how'd that happen? I have been so busy with ideas lately that I haven't had to look to the Universe for any inspiration at all(although I've been asking the Universe for inspiration a lot, so I guess it's the Universe after all!). I have been learning, learning, learning and apparently that is just what I needed to get my wheels turning. I had some fails,  and I would do some stuff different, but the best part is I learned from everything I tried, so really it's all a win! I've had a pretty awesome couple of weeks!

I took a workshop offered by my quilt guild, Camaco Quilter's Guild from Teresa Fusco who is a walking talking bunch of inspiration, I learned a technique for raw edge appliqué without using fusible stabilizer. She is a talented lady and great teacher, if you get the chance to learn from her jump on it!

This is still a work in progress, I have quilting to do in the background.

I went to a local florist with my photography club, The Photography Club of Cape May to take photos of flowers. Most of my photos were blurry, but I know why, I should've used a tripod and was too lazy to bother. That's a big lesson to learn, what a bunch of blurry, there's only one or two pics that were half way okay, no award winners here, but that's okay!!

My photography needs work, but I learn something every time I try, so I will keep on shooting!!

 I signed up for watercolor classes at my county library,  I am out of my element and it's a big ol' learning curve, but the teacher is good at step by step direction and I can handle that! This is my first try at a daffodil, it too needs work, but that's my specialty, trying again!!!

I drew the daffodil myself, not bad for a first try at watercolor!

So what's been inspiring you? I want to hear all about it!

Go make something! Nini~

An InLinkz Link-up

What Big Eyes You Have Grandma....Happy Halloween!

I blogged about belonging to the Photography Club of Cape May here. I am not the most talented photographer and I don't need to be, but I sure do have some talented photographer friends and family. My cousin Amanda called me a while ago and asked if I could make her a red riding hood cape for a photo shoot. I never made one before, but I gave it a try. I went to buy some beautiful luscious red wool and looked up lots of ideas on pinterest and youtube on making hooded capes. I pulled all the best tips from what I found and made the most beautiful cape! Although it doesn't look like much here, it really is a gorgeous color and has the most cozy drape to it.

I sent my creation off with Amanda of Amanda Onorato Photography. Well it's been about a year for the shoot to take place,  it sure was worth the wait! Yesterday I got photos from Amanda and my friend Susan from Susan Hoff Photography What a beautiful location, model and cape!!!

Susan Hoff Photography

As you can see, I surround myself with the most talented photographers around! I loved trying something new. This project got my imagination flowing and really boosted my confidence in sewing. I just made a black drape for Senior pictures for these lovely ladies and I look forward to many more fun costume and prop making gigs with my talented friends! If you need a costume made for a photography shoot, I would love the opportunity to sew for you too!

This beautiful model is Amaanda's daughter Alexa.

Happy Halloween! Have you made any fun costumes for photo shoots or halloween? Tell me all about it!

Go make something!

Nini~

I Never Imagined I Would Feel This Way After a Trip to France.

Our trip to France was just as I envisioned, we saw so many historical buildings, landmarks, gardens, mountains, bodies of water, churches, monuments, sculptures, and art. What I didn't envision is the impact France placed on my heart and soul. I am forever changed by France. I see the earth more clearly and have a feeling of peace and joy in my heart, it's like I see deeper into everything and everyone. I don't know if my muse was awakened like all the other artists in France or if I was ready to be awakened and it wouldn't matter where I was. It doesn't matter, it happened just how it should.

Even in the rain it's beautiful. Monet's home and gardens really inspired me. Even in a steady rain it's the best place to be!

Oh Monet, thank you for your inspiration!

I've been home for three weeks and I'm wrestling with my muse, she wants to paint with watercolors and sketch, my head is saying no, you have so many unfinished projects to sew, get to it! My muse is winning most of those battles.

The view from my back porch.

A bouquet of flowers I bought at a roadside stand.

Doodles and dangles!

Does your interest change like mine? Please tell me it does...I hope to get sewing again soon!

Tomorrow is the start of See You In September Blog Hop!! We can't wait to see what all our fellow bloggers were up to this summer! I know you won't be sorry if you stop and hop all over our blogs!! The inspiration is always astounding with Madame Samm's blog hops! Here's what's up for tomorrow!

Wednesday, September 3

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Bumbleberry Cottage

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Mad Quilter's Disease

In The Boon Docks

Go sketch something and do some blog hopping!

Nini~

Fun with The Photography Club of Cape May

I belong to The Photography Club of Cape May and we have a lot of fun while learning the ins and outs of photography. The best way to learn anything is practice, practice, practice, and there's lots of that going on with PCCM! On our Facebook page monthly challenges are posted to give us inspiration to take pictures. We can post our photos with information about the lenses and settings we used to get the shot,  it's always great to get input and positive comments from our fellow photographers. It's also a place to learn and grow our skills by posting questions, and getting a lot of opinions and help. I highly recommend joining a club involving your favorite hobbies as a way to learn and perfect your craft.

Here are some photos I've taken at meet ups we've held through the years. I enjoy the enthusiasm and encouragement our members provide when we meet. It's always a fun time. The photos below have been taken over the last 2 years with my Nikon D3100. I am enjoying learning from the good and bad photos.

Meetings are held monthly where we have photographers with experience and expertise in specific areas share their photos and techniques with us, our organizer, Dottie Rogers, is a wonder when it comes to convincing photographers and artists to share at our meetings, along with organizing meet ups and photo walks to learn by doing. We are so fortunate to have her as our leader.

 We have had a few photography exhibits hung in Cape May, NJ. If you get the chance to experience one, definitely take a look, they are inspiring and always enlightening. There's an exhibit of the club's opening  this Sunday at the Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May, with wine and cheese from 2-3:30pm. Everyone's invited...go take a peek you won't be sorry!

 I took this photo in my front yard, it's July's 2014 super moon. The club got together for the August Super Moon on the beach in Cape May Point to share tips and have some fun shots of each other and the moon. They are so inspiring and generous with their knowledge.

I really am fortunate to be a part of this creative group of photographers, it is a lot of fun to share your love of something with the like minded.

Learning is my favorite pastime! I hope I've inspired you to join a club and share your talents!

Go take a pic!!

Nini~