I Heart Macro 8-6-11

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying your Sunday. I sure am, the weather here is gorgeous, warm and sunny. For today's I Heart Macro entries I present a series of photos I call "The underside of life". Since I started participating in the I Heart Macro challenge, I have been taking lots more pictures than I usually did. I discovered a love of taking a picture of the undersides of things. Some of my favorite pictures were taken this way. Above, I have included some I took this past week. Sure, the subjects are pretty in their own right, but somehow with the blue sky silhouetting the subject matter they just look amazing. Don't you agree with me? Have a wonderful and blessed week.
*Added the Dragonfly in just because he was cute! Sorry no underside for him :)

I Heart Macro 7-31-11

Wow! Almost the 1st of August already, where has the month gone? I was able to get out and about a little this past week. My Hubby and I went for a long walk down by the Rock River near home. There was lots to see, we had some fun even though the temperatures were in the upper 90's. Most of the pictures I am posting were from that walk. To view the other entries, click on the "I Heart Macro" button on the sidebar of my blog.
On a personal note: This past week has been a very hard one for me. I learned my beloved Maddux is in Renal Failure and was given between 3-6 months to live. I am going to keep him here with me as long as I can, until his quality of life is not what it should be. Many of you know the struggles he has had with Shar Pei Fever Syndrome, which has led to this point. He will be 7 August 11th. To say my heart is broken is an understatement. He is absolutely my best friend.

I Heart Macro 7-24-11

Happy Sunday! I have a few photos for today's I Heart Macro post. I went on a bit of a Nature walk this week and found some pretty neat things to take pictures of. I actually had a hard time deciding which pictures to post! I have gone walking 3 times this week all by myself despite the 90+ degree weather. I am really enjoying the time outside and by myself. Time just flies when I am out and about with nature. I love the sounds of the birds singing, the buzzing of insects and the warm sun. I think I will be spending much more time this way. I found my way to a little creek and the sounds of all the birds and the rushing water were music to my ears. Have a fantastic week, I know I will!
*Question - I tried to rotate the picture of the Queen Anns Lace and saved it the correct way, but when I uploaded it to my blog it didnt stay rotated! Anyone know how I can post it the correct way?
** Well, I managed to get the photo turned the correct way (Thanks Kimmer) BUT, it deleted the whole post! Then the photo was added to the post before. SO all my comments are no longer here on this post :( So frustrating!

I Heart Macro 7-17-11

Happy Sunday everyone! Its once again time for another I Heart Macro post. I wasn't able to get out and about much this week, so I decided to take some pictures at home as well as my Daughter Jessica's house. Her house backs up to a Greenbelt, so there are some pretty wildflowers growing there. I took some pictures of the lillies growing there, but didn't notice I had a smudge on my lens until I got home and looked at the pictures on my computer. I did get the hornet nest picture there though! The Hosta picture was taken at home along with the purple wildflower that I think is Chicory. I hope you like my photos! Have a wonderful week.

Actually a Bead Post!

Yes, it's true! I am finally posting a bead-related post on my blog. I have finished my February (GULP) Bead Journal Piece. As some of you know, this years bead Journal Project pieces are honoring an important person(s) in my life. I chose to do this one in honor of my husband, Chuck. We have been married for almost 15 years. My husband is an avid deer hunter, I am an animal lover. We are opposites in many ways. This picture was taken of him by his sister Kim, and of course, he is climbing a tree to hang a deer he just shot. It is an older picture of him, but it represents him in a way no other photo could. He looks so happy and excited, so even though it represents something unpleasant to me, I had to use it!
For this piece, I used a new bead backing, called Nicoles BeadBacking. I have to tell you, I am in LOVE with this product. It is nice and stiff, but the needle goes through it like butter! No shredding, distorting or fuzzing. I love that it comes in some really pretty colors too. This one is called "Hawk Wing" but to me it looks like Buckskin. I thought it made a great background color for a deer hunting inspired piece. I found it was nice to have a background color that compliments the beads I was using, because I didn't like it when I would have white showing between my beads when I was using my other bead backing. I used a bead mix for the background (once again added 1 bead at a time) along with some diamond shaped glass beads, 3mm aqua colored druks, and some turquoise picasso seed beads. I also used letters to spell out "Husband". I am having a lot of fun using some new colors for me, like the turquoise and many shades of brown in the seed bead mix. WHEW! On to the next one!

I Heart Macro 7-10-11

Another picture in the I Heart Macro series! I couldn't think of anything that represents Summer for my Granddaughter better than bubbles! We were out in the yard and I thought I would try to snap a picture of a bubble. I didn't have any luck with the bubbles in the air, but when Kileigh captured one on her wand, I took a picture and this is what I saw! I love how you can see all the iridescent colors in the bubble. Thanks for looking!

*Click on the "I heart macro" button on the right to see the other entries!

I Heart Macro 7-3-11

My second entry in the I heart Macro series. I found this Japanese Beetle on my Geraniums, and even thought I am aware it is a pest, I think the iridescent colors of the bug are beautiful! I think the detail on the bug is incredible, something I didn't notice with my naked eye. I am loving my new camera. I believe I took this picture from around an inch away. Look at the detail on the leaf itself. Head on over to Studio Waterstone to see the other entries. While you are there, take a peek at all the lovely things Lori creates.