Photo Play...

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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I love playing with photo editing software! I must admit...I am just an amateur! There is sooo much "out there" in the way of photo editing software and different techniques that the entire process can be a little daunting, but I usually just jump in with both feet and play...experiment...etc.! Really...there is nothing lost if you make a mistake!

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Today I thought I would join Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for the Monday Metamorphosis party. I know that I am probaby taking a few liberties sharing photo editing for this Met Monday party...but...this is still a process that involves a metamorphosis of sort! Hopefully Susan won't mind too much that I am participating.
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Photo Play...

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The photos that you are about to see were all photographed and edited by little ol' me. On each photo, I will leave a brief description about which photo editing technique that I used, however I'm not going to get into all the "nitty-gritty" or the "how to's" in this post. I'm still just learning and primarily wish to share a few of my "edited" photos. Bottom line...I really don't know what I'm doing! Hehe! I hope that you enjoy! Maybe an interest in "Photo Play" will be sparked in you! If not...at least I hope that you'll enjoy the photos!
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Original photo.

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This sweet little cherub holding the leaf is part of a vignette that is in my living room.
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By the way, last October I purchased a new camera. I am using a Pentax K-5. I love, love, LOVE this camera. Ohhh boy...there is sooo much to learn about it though!

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Photo #1...with an added texture.

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With the Picassa photo editing software, I added a "texture" to this photo. As implied, a texture is basically a photo that adds texture. This process required a "marrying" or meshing of the two photos. The texture photo is laid on top of the original photo...producing an interesting effect.

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I used a "texture" photo of french graphics and wording to lay over the original photo. Texture credits...Sophie G textures.
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Photo #2...same photo...same texture...just different coloring. (photo #1 has more natural color...I added blue coloring to Photo #2)

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Original photo...a close-up of the cherub's leaf.

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I love how the vintage brooch and strands of pearls look in this photo! Ohhh...and just look at that sweet little bird resting upon the cherub's leaf...one of my favorite statues!
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Photo #1...using a french postcard texture over the original photo.
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Photo #2...a different texture used for this effect. No wording or graphics...just texture.
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Photo #3...Photobucket's "Heart" photo effect.

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This is a new photo effect that Photobucket is offering...called "heart". I didn't do anything special to the original photo...no textures...just used the "heart" effect and added the text "heart treasures".
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I really do like this photo effect and will be using it again!
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Original photo.

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This vignette can be found on top of a cabinet in my master bedroom.
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Photo #1...added a texture.

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Adding textures to photos have become quite popular. In fact, it has become quite an "art form" in and of itself! Honestly, I do not know much about this process...I have just begun to play around with it. The texture effect that I added to this photo gives it and aged...antique appearance! It would make a beautiful print to frame, etc.
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Original photo.

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Another vignette from my master bedroom.
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Photo #1...another texture was added.

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I would like to give credit to Kat from Low Tide High Style blog for the beautiful texture called "Nature's Beauty" that I used on this last photo. Kat is an extremely talented photographer and artist. If you would like to learn more about how to use this photo effect...adding textures to photos...please pay her lovely blog a visit!
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Well my friends...I am interested to hear what you think! Do you like the different photo effects? Do you have a favorite? I would love to hear your ideas! Do you enjoy playing with photo effects?

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I'm so glad that you stopped by for a visit today! I really do hope that you enjoyed seeing the different types of photos. I certainly can see how this process could be considered an "art form". The edited photos could be made into prints...cards, etc...and bottom line...it really does provide me many hours of enjoyment!
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I am joining Metamorphosis Monday...
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hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Thank you, Susan...for hosting this fun filled Monday Metamorphosis party for us!
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Thank you so much, my friends...for coming by today! Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Wishes!

Sunday Favorites...No. 93

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Welcome to the 93rd "Sunday Favorites"

"Sunday Favorites" is a Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!! For more information on how to republish a past post just click HERE.

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Hello my friends!!!

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Welcome to the 93rd run of "Sunday Favorites"

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I hope that you're having a wonderful weekend! Boy...ohhh boy...it's another one of those "lazy-dazy" weekends for me. I haven't done a thing and I feel like such a bum! Hehe! In "my" defence though...I have been fighting a terrible sinus infection...plus both of my ears are infected as well. I ended up on the Drs. front door step this past week and finally have some good meds to help me get over this crud. There really is sooo much that I want to be doing....and need to be doing!

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Today for Sunday Favorites, I am revisiting a post entitled, "Tea in the Tea Rose Bedroom"...originally posted on March 1, 2010...about this same time last year. I can see that I was already in the "springtime" frame of mind when I posted this. We are still experiencing winter weather here in colorful Colorado....with a blanket of snow on the ground even as I type. I am sooo ready for warmer weather...and some of that beautiful spring green! Soon...hopefully soon!

Have a super Sunday, my friends!

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Just a little note: Sunday Favorites Criteria

When I first started the Sunday Favorites meme, my initial thought was to offer a solution for getting a post out on the weekend without having to spend alot of time doing so...weekends are just a busy time for most of us! Copying and pasting a previous post is so quick and easy. Not only is this a quick and easy solution to the busy weekends, but it's also an opportunity to dig back into our blog archives and share a favorite "past" post once again! Many of us spend alot of time and effort creating a post and it just seems a shame that it is viewed only once and then forgotten about!

I would like to reiterate that Sunday Favorites is a meme about sharing or revisiting a post from the PAST!

Thank you!!!

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Instructions for Participating in Sunday Favorites

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If you are participating in Sunday Favorites, please be sure to add your permalink and not your general blog address.

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Please copy and paste the Sunday Favorites logo button to your Sunday Favorites post or your sidebar so your visitors will know that you are participating. Also...please link back to the host blog, Happy To Design. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful blogs that are participating.

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Please do not add your link below, until your Sunday Favorites post is actually published to your blog.

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Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

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Sunday Favorites

My favorite post from: March 1, 2010

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Hello my friends...I'm so happy that you could come by for a visit today!

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I will be serving tea today in my Tea Rose bedroom...won't you join me?

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Tea in the Tea Rose Bedroom...

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Ohhh my...it's snowing at my place today! I am so ready for Spring! I thought it would be nice to spend a little time in my Tea Rose Bedroom...it's such a sunny, cheerful room! It's the perfect room for chasing away the winter doldrums!!!
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I have prepared a tea tray...would you care for a hot cup of rose tea?
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Let me show you around the Tea Rose Bedroom while you're sipping your tea!
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The Tea Rose Bedroom

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This is the Tea Rose bedroom. It is my step-daughter's bedroom while she is here with us and it also serves as our guestroom! I took these photos very early in the morning...just as the sun was beginning to shine into the room!
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This is a fairly small room...but very cozy and comfortable! The morning sunlight always shines so sweetly into the room...spilling upon the bed! It's like getting a "good morning kiss" from the sun!!!

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We have tried to provide everything that our guests may have need of...a warm, comfortable bed...a writing desk for correspondence...and a cozy rocking chair to catch up on a little reading or maybe to just enjoy a warm cup of tea!!!
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The bed linens are called "Tea Rose"...and thus the name for this room! I purchased this beautiful Tea Rose bedding a few years ago from JC Penneys and have been very pleased with it! I love the colors...the soft pinks and buttery yellows, and the sagey greens...all on a background of creamy white! I also really like the mix of fabric patterns in this bedding...love the florals mixed with the stripes! It's very indicitive of the English Country decor style....which I love!
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A close-up of the linens...

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I just love how I was able to catch the sun shining in upon the bed...so pretty!

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I love, love, LOVE pillows! Again, a mix of floral fabric patterns can be seen on the decorative pillows!
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A small writing desk...just the place to sit and catch up on your correspondence!
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A Tea Rose Bedroom Vignette...

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I placed a frosted Victorian hanging vase filled with pink roses, yellow and white flowers on the left hand side of the desk...along with my late mother-in-law's set of three pink glass vanity jars! I think they look so pretty here! On the right hand side of the desk is my little teacup lamp that my dearest friend, Gloria from Happy To Be...made for me! It's sooo perfect for my Tea Rose room!!! Sweet little bunnies have made their way into this vignette as well!
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I just love these beautiful pink vanity jars! I have searched high and low for information concerning these...to no avail! I think that the glass is so unique with the diamond tucking design! Ohhh...and look at the handles...sparkling glass cubes! They almost look like ice cubes!
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A close-up of my beautiful teacup lamp and little bunnies!
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I thought I would show you a few details of this writing desk. I refinished it...it was a medium wood tone before I painted it a creamy off-white color. I also added these pretty garlands of "roses and bows" to the drawer fronts....and clear glass knobs. I was very pleased with how it turned out!!!
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I found this pretty chair at the antique flea market. I love the shabby chic "chippiness" of it! Love the style of the chair and the ornate carvings at the top of the back. Ohhh...and I love, love, LOVE the green and white toile fabric on the seat...sooo pretty!
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A close-up of the detailing on the chair.
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This sweet rocker was just $5 at a yard sale! Of course, I refinished it...painted it off-white and recovered it with a beautiful beige and olive green toile fabric that I found on sale.
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Ohhh boy...a few more decorative pillows! I did mention that I love pillows...didn't I? Hehe! I found this beautiful throw at Hobby Lobby on sale for just $14...the pretty pink and green matches perfectly with the bed linens!
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How about another cup of tea?
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A Tea Rose...Tea Tray

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This pretty white teapot is one of my newest treasure finds. I found it a TJ Maxx for just $9.99! I love the delicate porcelain roses that stand up off of the teapot! The white teacup and saucer is from one of my oldest sets of ironstone dishes. A lace edged napkin with a little silver teapot napkin ring sits along side the teacup. Ohhh yes...and we must have a pretty bouquet of flowers...don't you think? I used my lace charger plate to sit the teapot on...all sitting atop a silver tea tray!
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Well my friends...I'm so happy that you came by for a little chat and cup of tea today! I hope that you enjoyed the Tea Rose bedroom...I enjoyed your company!!!
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I am joining in with these fabulous parties today...
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Tuesday Tea for Two...hosted by my dear, sweet friend, Wanda over at The Plumed Pen.
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Table Top Tuesday...hosted by our very own Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life.

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Bedscapes and Beyond is a brand new Tuesday event hosted by Karen over at Nittany Inspirations! I was really excited to hear that Karen was doing this fabulous party...giving us the opportunity to showcase our bedrooms! Please go by and pay Karen a visit...I just know that she'll have something fabulous for all of us today! It's time to get your beds all "fluffed" up...and your dressers dusted off...so that you can join in with this fun filled party!!!

Please go by and see these dear ladies and all the pretties that they have prepared for us today and while you're there you can check out all of the other Tuesday party participants!

Thank you, Wanda, Marty, and Karen for hosting these fabulous parties for us today!!!

A Royal Tea...for Royalty!

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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Today, Laura over at Decor To Adore is hosting a High Tea Tablescape party. How exciting! I just can't wait to see all of the fabulous teascapes! You'll have to head over to the party and check it all out! You'll find the credits to this lovely party at the end of my post.

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An English High Tea

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Ohhh my...an English High Tea! It's a pretty "swanky" deal you know...the kind of tea that one would expect to be served in the sitting room of the Queen of England's castle! I can only imagine...a sparkling silver tea service, the finest English linens, and the robust selection of food and sweets...not to mention the tea! It makes me want to go out and buy a fine ladies' tea hat for such an occasion!

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Well...today I would like to invite you to High Tea...my style! It won't be quite as "swanky" as the Queen's...so please don't fret! No fine ladies tea hat is required...unless you would like! Hehe! I would just love to spend a leizurely afternoon visiting with you...over tea! You ARE a very special guest so I did polish up my silver tea service and I set our tea table with a few pretties...after all...you are always "Royalty" in my book! I hope that you enjoy, my sweet friend!
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A Royal Tea...for Royalty!

A High Tea set in my french country dining room.
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Yes, please do come in and have a seat! We have the entire afternoon to just enjoy a warm cup of tea or two. There is nothing like whiling away the hours with the sweet fellowship of a dear friend!
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Glimmering, shimmering silver and sparkling white is the color theme for this High Tea.
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I have always found the pairing of white and silver to be so elegant and I love how it looks against my red dining room walls!
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A tea table filled with "pretties"!
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Besides polishing the silver tea service, I wanted to decorate our table with all kinds of pretties! A tall apothecary jar, that stands a stately 22 ins. tall, is filled with mercury glass orbs. If you look closely, you will see that a few of the glass orbs are decorated with rhinestone jewels. They really do sparkle with the light shining on them!
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A jeweled mercury glass orb in your tea cup...just for you, my sweet friend! It's almost like wearing a jeweled tiara...so befitting for a royal friend!
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A beautiful white porcelain figurine of a "royal" lady.

She reminds me of a very famous french Queen...Marie Antoinette...with her long ringlets of hair and flowers for adornment!
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A mercury glass heart under glass.
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Just a bit more silver...

A hand-blown mercury glass heart ornament tied with a white organza ribbon can be seen under glass. It is sitting atop a silver beaded rope garland...so sweetly under a cloche that is resting upon a silver pedestal plate. A silver charger plate with its rim of embossed roses is paired with a white dessert plate that has a beautiful decorative silver ringed border...perfect for the sweet cakes and tea cookies that we will enjoy with our tea this afternoon.
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A silver tea service "in wait" for our pleasure.
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A white tea napkin edged in lace is dressed with a little silver teapot napkin ring. A second mercury glass heart tied up with a swirly-twirly white organza ribbon decorates the tea tray.
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" A Royal Tea...for Royalty"
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Well my sweet friend...I am sooo glad that you could come and spend a leizurely afternoon at tea with me today! I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did!

PS...This teascape is one that I did in February, 2010. For those of you who have already seen it...I really do appreciate your forbearance! I sooo wanted to join in with the High Tea Tablescape party today and maybe there are a few who have never viewed it! Thank you, friends!
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I am joining this fabulous party today...

High Tea Tablescapes...hosted by Laura over at Decor To Adore.
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Thank you, Laura for hosting this fabulous tea party for us!
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Thank you so much for coming by for a visit today, my friends! Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Wishes!