Daffodils

this year spring came pretty early with all the flowers and greens... One of my favorites in spring are daffodills.
Too bad they are done blooming already!

Spring time

This is it! This is the time to finally take all that summer clothes out of the boxes (they actually went there not too long ago...)
Forget about boring gray and black winter clothing and just jump into something bright, something that will make you smile!
Time to enjoy nice breeze in the park and get warm in the sunshine! I love spring! I love to open up windows in my house and feel that fresh air coming in. I love to watch trees becoming green and see flowers bloom. There is just something about spring that doesn't let you be the same. Something that makes you change for better, be different, try something new...

Bunny

Except for squirrels, we also have some bunnies here, especially in spring and summer.
They either looking for food at the backyard or sit on the grass in front yard, or just hopping by)

Last summer one of the bunnies was always sitting in front of the steps every time we came back home. We so got used to our bunny. We always watched him from the car, because even if he was  here all the time, he still didn't let us to close to him. Andrew kept on trying to chase him yelling "Bunny!!!"

With the spring coming I can't wait to see our friend again. At least I hope for it.

Pretty Rose

My little niece Julia

My little niece is going to turn 2 next week! It's amazing how fast all those kids grow...
I wish I could give her a big hug and a big-big kiss, but all I can is blow my kisses in Skype.
It is hard to be so far apart, but I am so thankful for all the technology that helps me be in contact with my family, to chat with my mom, to see my little niece grow.

My sister took pictures of her daughter some time ago, but they turned out a little dark (she probably didn't check the settings) and not that great, so I was really excited to spend some time in Photoshop and fix the pictures for her.

Here is what I got. Some are just simple edits, some are more creative one.

Cupcake Birthday Card

Happy Birthday Card made for my sister-in-law

Nothing complicated, just clean and simple card.

i am entering the next challenges with this card

Scrapbookaholic by Abby - Birthday

Clean and simple stamping - sketch 178

Card makin' mamas - challenge 39 Birthday

Mema's Craft - february anything goes

Crafter's companion - anything goes

Shelly's Images blog - anything goes

Digi Doodles Shop Challenges - anything goes

Use it tuesday - birthday

Stamp and doodle - food/drinks

My time to craft - Bring on the cake

Penny's paper-crafty challenges - #73 anything goes

One stitch at a time - #100 anything goes

Stamps R Us - Anything goes

Stamps&Fun=creativity - Birthday

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything goes 

The cheerful stamp pad - Happy birthday

My photoLOVE to animals

I just love playing with photoshop actions and see how not-so-good shot getting better. I don't think I would have time and patience to figure out how to edit everything by myself, but the more I use actions, the more I actually learn about the programm and how it works.

These are two shots that were taken from pretty far away. That's probably the only way to take a shot without disturbing an animal.
The one with the cat was taken in march 2011 and the one with the squirrel  in november of 2011.

The expression on the cat's face is so adorable. I can actually feel that warm evening sun that cat is enjoying just looking in it's eyes. I think I'm missing having cats a little. They are just so furry and cozy and fun to snuggle with if they let you.

Squirrels...I see them every day jumping from tree to tree and digging for food in our yard. So it's no more a surprise for me to see one (it WAS when I first came here. Don't think there were any squirrels near my apartment in Russia).

Even though I got used to them it's still fun trying to capture them. Boy, they are quick! 

So here I am, girl who likes to take pictures of animals...any kind...

Hope you are enjoying them as much as I do.

For those who is interested I tried to use the Rule of Third while cropping the second image. Originally squirrel was just a little more closer to center and I felt that the branch was drawing all the attention instead of the little furry creature.  Now it looks much better!

By the way, I have tons of other shots with squirrel. I will share couple of my favorites some time soon.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day/evening/night etc.