Photography & Lettering Archives

A Small Gift of Thanks | Thanksgiving Printable

November 5, 2012 By Laura 3 Comments

(2012) We’ve had this blog going for over four and a half years now. Some of you have been following from the beginning, some of you joined us somewhere in the middle along the way, and some of you are new friends. It’s been slow-growing! The number of our readers have probably grown more than ever this year, and that’s likely because I (Laura) have put more time into it.

No matter when you happened to join us, we want you to know we truly appreciate every one of you. For your friendships, your visits, your comments, your sharing, and your encouragement. We just love creating, all kinds of things as you know. It’s in our blood. But being able to share it with you all, adds a whole new element of joy to it, for us. Especially when any one of you find your own self inspired, and get doing some creating of your own!

With the Thanksgiving season upon us, we just thought it was another fine opportunity to say thank you. And to offer you just a little token of our thanks. It really is just a little thing, today. Still, we hope you love it. I designed this printable with my photography, and a Scripture quite fitting for the season of gratitude. There are two sizes, and many ways you are welcome to use it. I’ll share some ideas below.

*Please note that to PRINT these, either with your high quality printer or at your photo printer’s, you’ll need to download the full resolution file from the links I provide you with below. To use the images for any web purposes, you can simply save the images below, right from the post. The image IN this post cannot be printed, as they are not sized accordingly. (In other words, they would be very poor quality printed.) And if you don’t know these things and didn’t read this, you’ll be wondering why it came out so bad, and probably blame your printer. ; )

To Use on Web: You can save the image above to your computer, for use on your Facebook to share, as your computer screen saver, to send to others as a Thanksgiving Card wish, or any other web use you can think of.
To PRINT or have printed as a 5×7 photo, download the high-quality image at the following link, and be sure to print at best quality as well: 5×7 Link for Full Resolution Image
(Use Download Button there, after clicking through the link.)
You can have it printed as 5×7 photo, frame, and place on your Thanksgiving table, or around your home as a Thanksgiving decor accent. You can also use the photos to mount onto 5×7 blank cards, and send them as beautiful custom Thanksgiving cards in the mail, with your message written inside. Or get crafty with it!

To Use on Web: You can save the small image above to your computer, for use as your phone background, to put in the sidebar of your blog as a Thanksgiving greeting/decor, or any other web use as this small image that you can think of.
To PRINT or have printed as a 3″ x 2.143″ photo, download the high-quality image at the following link, and be sure to print at best quality as well: 3 x 2.143 Link for Full Resolution Image
(Use Download Button there, after clicking through the link.)
You can have several of these small versions printed on one sheet, if you’d like. Or print as a single small image, to create a magnet, or make tags to attach to Thanksgiving (host?) gifts such as baskets, or a bottle of wine. Just punch a hole in the corner, and tie on with ribbon. Or come up with something crafty and creative with this small version.

Again, please go to the links provided to use the image for any printing purposes.
For web uses, you are welcome to save the images above to your computer.

They are all yours! Hope they help you spread the love and thankfulness in your hearts, this Thanksgiving season.

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Ferris Wheel Photography

October 22, 2012 By Laura 12 Comments

Ever since I can remember, I have been captivated by the vision of ferris wheels. In my adult years as a photographer, it has been a little heart’s desire of mine to get an amazing shot, of a ferris wheel.

So, in the third week of September when the kids and I were driving along the highway towards Buzzards Bay one beautiful day, and spotted a grand ferris wheel over the trees, we went on a mission to find our way to it! And that we did. As it turns out, they were setting up for the annual Scallop Festival that weekend. We hadn’t been in years, so we promptly put that on our agenda! Come that Sunday after church, it was another beautiful day, and a wonderful family time together. Not only is this (annual) Festival an event in and of itself, it’s on Main Street, which is lined with a multitude of antique shops. The owners put many of their items out on the sidewalk in front of their stores too, so it’s fun to stroll by, and pop in one or six. Added to this particular weekend on that street, was also a huge church craft fair going on. It’s just a charming area to walk around anyway, and certainly the place to be on that weekend. However, in the midst of all of the wonderful things to enjoy, there was one thing I was most excited about:
photographing the grand ferris wheel.

As we walked around with the kids, I kept looking for another angle that was better than the last.
In the end, I’m not sure I got that one amazing shot I’ve been after for years, but I’ll take them for now, because I do love the ones I did get. And it sure was fun taking them, and editing them with my own flair, as well.

I think this last one after dark fell, is my favorite . . . . . .(although I really love the first one as well…..)

Which one is your favorite?
Please tell me in the comments.
. . . . . . .
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Part II: A Day of Celebration Fun! | Our Triplets’ 10th Birthday

September 10, 2012 By Laura 1 Comment

I told you Part II was coming! There could be a Part III but, I can let it go. It was a big day though, and I took a lot of photos of so many special moments. (If you missed it, you can find Part I here.) But listen, here’s the truth of it all: You know I (we) love to share with you our crafting ideas, house projects, decor, recipes, and all of that. But our kids . . . . . . They are our greatest creation of all! Well, God’s creation, of course, of ours. They are the reason we celebrate, every day. And they really love to see and read the posts on our blog! Especially the ones about them. It’s their childhood memories recorded, for them to hold onto. So if you want to skip it, we won’t hold it against you. : )

So, after their big water balloon fight at the park, we came straight to the beach for just a couple of hours, before dinner and their birthday surprise. Of course they had already been in the sun for some time, so birthdays or not, it was time for sunscreen! Confession time: Over the past 15 years of raising my 4 kids, I have realized there are only 2 ‘mom jobs’ I have really hated: 1) When they were very little, putting on and tying all of their shoes! Uuu-Gh. 2) And the other is putting sunscreen on them. (OH! And the wiping in the bathroom while potty training too! But gosh, that one’s a given. Isn’t it?) Sometimes, Michael and I can still hear in our heads, the little voices yelling from the bathroom, “I’M DONE!!”

What you should know about me is, when I really hate doing something, I’m going to find a way out of it! So all of the shoes and boots thing got to a point with the triplets where I just announced one day “OK! That’s it. Today, we are going to spend the whole day just learning how to put on and tie your very own shoes, all by yourself! Isn’t that exciting, Guys? I don’t really care if you are only 9 months old.” (Kidding.)

For the sunscreen applying, here’s my trick. First I just spray them, and then I line them up like a train . . . . . .

Am I a mean Mama, or what? Turns out, they don’t like putting sunscreen on any more than I do! Imagine that. They just had no idea the fun they were missing out on. For the rest of their bodies, I spray it where it needs to go, and the rub it in themselves. But for their backs, they need each other. What do you think of that?

Personally, I think I’m a genius.

Something had to be done. We practically live on the beach.

The ocean is like our backyard.

They are all serious water babies. Probably most of all Olivia, who is difficult to get out of the water. She even asks to take a shower at really odd times; and I know she just wants/needs to get into the water.

Probably least of all, is Shane. The boy cannot take the cold water! Look at him! Its like . . . . . . excruciating for him! They were trying to all put their feet up together and next to each other, but he just couldn’t stand it any longer, and bailed.

But Olivia and JackMichael managed. And that got me pondering one of those little weird life questions . . . . . .

How can the bottom of 2 little people’s feet, be such different colors? They are siblings. ‘Super-twins’, even. I do know that JM’s feet sweat and stink more. Maybe that is some kind of clue to this mystery. But I’m not sure what to do with it, to figure this out.

Oh; this one. I’ve got to catch you all up on her. She’s got a lot of exciting things happening in her life. Especially for a just-turned-15 year old. And I’ll tell you what else: I think I’ve been warned 1,000 times over in life, about what a nightmare being a parent of a teen is. I’m here to say, if this is as bad as it gets with any of our kids, we’ll be getting off easy! I’m thanking God she’s our ‘trail-blazer’. (That’s what I call her. ; ) That’s my little hot reminder to her, that she is setting an example, every day! Hoping the littles are taking notes!

Not to say she is perfect, by any means . . . . . .

( Taunting her sister with seaweed. )

Remember doing this as a kid? There’s a sure way to get sand in your shorts.

Sometimes, I love to just watch them.

Olivia senses the Mamapaparrazzi is watching.

I’ve got to tell you: My most favorite photo of the day, I can’t even show you! It’s almost killing me, too. But my boy asked me not to please blog it or put on Facebook. (Actually, he said, “You better not!”) And, I would never go ahead and do it anyway. I try very hard not to embarrass my kids, or ever disrespect their privacy, online. When I think of it, I’m pretty happy my mother wasn’t blogging and all over the internet while she was raising . . . you know . . . . Cain. (Or is it…me, who was raising cane? Well, whatever.) But back to the photo of my boy – I’ll just tell you that it involved losing his bathing suit shorts a bit, on his backside. Oh my goodness. It’s just the sweetest shot. When they were little toddlers, and losing their diaper a bit, I thought it was so cute! I would have thought that my gushing over it would go away as they got older but….nope! Still wicked cute. (Ask me again when they are teens. I promise you; There will be no “lookin’ like a fool with their pants on the ground”. ; ) Not cute, and not happening, when they are older.

Anyway. This day was going by too fast. It was time to get home and take showers, before heading to dinner and their big surprise, which would be Part III. But as of this posting, those photos aren’t even processed yet. So in case I never get to it, after dinner we went to our favorite park, and gave them their gift: Razor Scooters in their own colors, and gear. (Helmets, pads, etc.) Boy were they happy! It was awesome to see them so excited, hop right on them and go racing off and racing each other, around the park.

I know most of you have your own joys and blessings, in the way of children, as well. And for those we know, we love to watch your children grow up, in various ways as we can too. It’s nice to share the special (or difficult) moments of this parenting gig, with each other. Kids. They don’t always make life easy. But gosh, they sure do make life worth it! God is so good, and we are so thankful to Him, for blessing us as He has.

Thanks for stopping by. And please say hi. Hope you didn’t get any sand in your shorts while you were here. : )

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A Day of Celebration Fun! | Our Triplets 10th Birthday: Part I

September 3, 2012 By Laura 3 Comments

We have yet another furniture refinish coming up, as well as more fun & easy crafty ideas to share with you all! However, for the sake of those who also like to follow our family’s more personal antics, for this post and a Part II coming up, we are giving a peek via (many) photos into the day of our triplet’s 10th birthday. It was a day jam packed with fun for sure, from morning until bedtime! As the Mama of these 3 babes, I just wanted to really enjoy watching them have fun all day, and casually get a lot of photos of them being 10! Here just some of them from the first part of their day. We hope you enjoy them, if only to realize what a crazy family we are. : )

Michael, their Daddy, needed to run out in the morning for a bit. He was sure he would not be home when they got up in the morning, so he left them a note. (He’s a clever one, with a pen, too.) This got the morning giggles on a roll, and the day’s chaos into 2nd gear, anyway.

He was home before we knew it, and the birthday trio were able to have their traditional birthday number pancakes.

Speaking of 10, I think that’s about how many they each usually eat. I don’t know where it goes.

We decided a great water balloon fight was in order! So we filled 180 balloons, tied them off, and collected them all in a big plastic bin.

As excited as they all were, we suddenly had a whole knew idea for the water balloons:

We wondered which would be more fun: Having the water balloon fight that we planned?…..

or……..

Putting our hedgehog, Pixel, in the bin their on top of all of the water balloons, and watch her freak out as every move she made popped another balloon, with her razor sharp quills! We got laughing pretty hysterically, just imagining the sight of witnessing that. But, we decided that was probably too mean to do to our beloved little pet, and stuck with our original idea.

Our yard is simply not the best area for a balloon fight of this manner, in terms of open wide space. So we hit the great grassy green park, just down the street. Had the whole place to ourselves too!

LET THE WATER BALLOON FIGHT BEGIN!

Alexis hit her target, alright!

But pay-back, was IMMEDIATE!

Run, O!!

JackMichael tried to re-arm himself quickly, without getting hit. But he wasn’t quite fast enough.

This last photo cracks me up, when I look at Shane, on the far right. He often gets laughing so hysterically, he becomes unable to fully function. I am just like he is. I’ve almost drowned more than once, laughing too hard out in deep water. I just sink! Seeing my kids laugh makes my heart so happy. (As long as their not in deep water, of course.)

There was a lot more fun on the agenda this day, including the trio’s big surprise! We hope you enjoyed this post, and look forward to coming back again for Part II!

Have you or your kids had a good water balloon fight this summer? What are your favorite childhood memory activities? Share with us your stories. We’d love to read about them!

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Motor Vehicle License Plate Refurbishing | Before and After

August 9, 2012 By Laura 229 Comments

Many of you probably already know that my husband, Michael, letters company trucks, does vehicle graphics and makes business signs. If you’re curious to see some of the kind of work he does, you can click on ‘Photography & Lettering’ in the menu above, and look to the bottom of that drop down menu, for ‘Truck Lettering’ and ‘Vehicle Graphics.’

Well, an interesting sideline that he has gotten into over the years, is refurbishing older green Massachusetts license plates.

Our own state of Massachusetts here, is actually the very first state in the United States, to issue motor vehicle license plates. It used to be that the plates only needed to be displayed on the back of the vehicle. Over the years, the state has been proactive in enacting laws regarding the registration and inspection of motor vehicles. The vehicle’s license plate(s) are assessed as part of the required vehicle inspections, and if the plates are old and/or damaged and are deemed unreadable by at least 60 feet, the vehicle owner is required to get new plates, before it receives a passed inspection sticker.

If a motor vehicle has been issued front and rear license plates, which is typical, the vehicle must display both license plates issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles on the front and rear of the vehicle. Older plates that have the green lettering, which were the former standard and issued as a single plate, must only be displayed as that one plate on the back of the vehicles. In 1988, Massachusetts began issuing red-lettered plates, which are issued as a set of two. If the newer red-letter plates are issued to the vehicle registrar, both must be displayed on both the front and back of the vehicle. However, the single green-lettered plate is acceptable by law, for as long as it is readable.

It is for this reason, that Michael has refurbished an increasing amount of green-lettered plates. There are a host of reasons why some vehicle owners want to keep their older plate, for as long as possible. For some, it is just a somewhat sentimental reason. One 50-something year old man told Michael that he has had the same license plate since he was 18 years old, and he just doesn’t want to give it up. Others own hot rods, antique vehicles, or other show cars, and there is no place for a front plate, nor do they want it to ‘blemish’ the look of their car. Whatever the reason, if the plate is indeed salvageable, Michael is happy and capable of restoring them to their former beauty, if hired to do so.

Because it is a service he provides to aid in providing income for his family, he asked that I not show the whole step-by-step process. Still, I thought it might be an interesting little post, to share with you all the before and after of just one of his green-lettered Massachusetts license plate restoration jobs.

001_massachusetts-green-license-plate-restoring

The condition of this particular plate when he received it, was a hot mess.

So the first thing he needs to do is strip the plate to bare metal and start from scratch.

Here it is, stripped. It’s still a little beat up and whatnot, but a good new place to start.

All restored. It is 100% reflective as needed as well, just as they were originally.

What do you think?

I am aware and amused, that he is often needing to clean things up and make them look like new, while I spend some of my days working to make things look old, beaten up and quite used.

Have you ever had license plates that meant something to you? Have you ever been sad for the to need to get new ones, or was it exciting? And what I’d really love to know, is do you like the look of your state’s plates? I’m not going to name names (of states, that is), but I’ve seen some ugly ones! I can’t much complain about ours. You?
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UPDATE: Since the creation of this post, and as a direct result of it on the internet as well as constant referrals, Michael has refurbished thousands of plates to date. Every one has expressed great satisfaction with their finished plate, upon return, and of course, every one has gone on to pass inspection.

Because this unique service he provides is in very high demand,
Michael was previously booked up for months ahead. However, due to being able to increase the number of plates he restores per week, the wait is no longer that long. If you are looking to have your license plate restored to it’s former beauty, and would like to know the current booking time, please contact Michael at his e-mail address: Alphbtman@aol.com
for further details and instructions.

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LET THE WATER BALLOON FIGHT BEGIN!

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