through my camera lens...

{weekend adventures} downtown...
> the train depot! the first shot was through the window into a train and it caught some of reflections of the other trains too! for some reason, i love this photo!!
> this was taken by my sister. she was taking pictures with my digital camera, while i was shooting film. i think it's a really good picture.

> me with my old film camera!

> we ate the yummiest hambergers & fries at gold dust!

> & we got frozen yogurt from a new place downtown. i put reese's pb cups, kit kats, turtle bites, and chocolate sauce on mine. went from being healthy... to not. but yummy! :)

> all of the trees were in bloom! love this time of year downtown! so pretty! i took some of the trees +more on film ... {praying my film turned out.}

> we went to an art gallery to see some pretty art & we went to my favorite antique store to look around!! i took pictures of all the pretty vintage treasures... :)

> & of course us having fun at the antique store... :)

> it was a beautiful weekend... lots of fun & sunshine!! i can't wait to get my film developed and share what comes out!!! that is always so exciting!

anyway, i hope everyone has a blessed monday!

♥

through my camera lens...

here is a sneak preview of some of the photos i took over the weekend. i have more editing to do and then i will post more... it was such a beautiful spring weekend! :)

weekend: film

i am so excited! the weather is supossed to be so nice this weekend! & i have been wanting to get some good film shots lately... i am not the best with film, but i am excited to put a roll in this camera and go to some of my favorite areas downtown & see what happens! :)

btw- this print is for sale in my etsy shop!
click here!

here is something so exciting about film, that you don't get with digital. there is a mystery to each picture and you have to be more patient! i love that. obviously i can't afford to shoot with film all the time, but that makes it even more fun when i do!

here are some beautiful film shots that inspire me:

1. {source: buttonmooon}

2. {source: breath of life}

3. {source: leo patrone film photography}
he shoots weddings, portraits, & more...
all with film! & they are amazing!

project: the "brightside" journal.

i went to barnes and noble today....... & i can never resist their cute journals! haha! i have three other journals, but for some reason, i still felt like i needed another one... i am not even all that good at journaling, which is sad. i would like to be. i guess maybe i figure if i get a fun new journal it will encourage me to be better. we'll see.... ha!

but anyway, i have a more specific plan for this particular journal! i loved this design because when i first saw it i felt like it represented hope and optimism & i feel like that is how i try to live my life. {i really have to try on a daily basis...} that whole idea is why i decided to use the term "brightside"!! i love the idea of always looking on the brightside. always finding hope in life, no matter the circumstances. & all of that comes from faith in my Savior & it means a lot to me. so... i decided that i wanted this to be my "brightside" journal. where, at the end of my day/week, i look back, and no matter how good or bad it has been... i write all of the beautiful things, the blessings, the gifts from God that i can think of. sometimes it may be harder than other times, but i really think that if we are searching out God, he will reveal himself to us, in amazing ways. SO, that is the plan!

here is what the journal looks like:
{it reminds me of the story of Noah's ark, too}
















& the inside looks so fun to write in... i can't wait!

new design for sale!

i just added a brand new print to my shop! it has one of my favorite quotes on it and the colors are really cute! it is an 8x8 print & only $10... click here to see more info about this print! i also updated the shop with a few more of my favorite photos! check them out too!

{click here to go to my etsy store}

good friday.

{photo is by SusannahT}

my chains are gone

i've been set free

my God, my Savior has ransomed me

and like a flood His mercy reigns

unending love, amazing grace

through my camera lens...

this week it is... colorful embroidery floss & baby tomato plants! :)

happy april to everyone! easter is this weekend! yay!

dreaming of a european vacation...

i would love to be able to say that i took all of these photos, but i didn't. haha! they were all taken by natasha, in her travels. maybe one day i will make it to each of these places & get to photograph scenes like this for myself, i hope... but even if i don't, these photos are so beautiful, that it's like a *virtual* dream european vacation! i am imagining it all right now... ahh... silly, i know! but aren't they so beautiful?? venice is my most favorite!!

venice.

tuscany.

rome.

florence.

paris.

london.

greece.

new project:

to make a pinhole camera!
























{pinhole photo by pin-apple}

a pinhole camera is a really simple, homemade camera! more info here... after looking at the process and seeing some of the photos, it definitly looks like something fun to try!! there is going to be a tutorial all about it on "a beautiful mess" blog! here is part one. these cameras can be made of so many things... the blog showed photos of cameras that were made from a coke can, legos, & even a mr. potato head. haha! and they take really fun and interesting photos!

here is a site with detailed instructions on how to make one out of a matchbox... so fun & it looks pretty easy... i think!! :)
http://www.matchboxpinhole.com/

truth.

taken from an article written by jon foreman

"Maybe truth is not something that I can possess. Maybe truth is something which possesses me."

The "truth" of loving those around me, the "truth" of seeking justice for the oppressed, the "truth" of a life of service -- these are truths to be possessed by: to be a slave in the service of the kingdom of the heavens, to be the servant of all. If the truths in this life have no owner then we are set free: free from the need to defend the truth, free to be possessed by this truth and simply live it out. Truth becomes much too large for me to possess; truth is the beauty and authenticity which possesses me.

article source


♥♥♥

God is not a small part of our story, we are a small part of His.