Thursday, April 19, 2012

Busy Weekend...

Here we are at the end (almost) of another week...does time fly by for you especially fast now? I think it is speeding up more and more, the older I get!



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I've just been all over the place with projects this week, but haven't really completed a single one ~ (the pinecone-scale roofing job on the fairy house is going a little slower than I'd planned!)...now, tomorrow and the weekend will be spent at the Charleston, Missouri, Dogwood Azalea Festival, hopefully painting lots of little faces...:^) ~ Here (above) is our booth set-up; we invested in airbrush "tattoo" supplies because the fellows that usually accompany me (namely Jonathan and Mr.B) would get so bored sitting there all day watching me paint... That went well for a little while, but now Jonathan is too busy to really want to do it ~ so it is left to Mr. B and me.


♥ ♥ ♥


At least I can use the airbrush for other art projects...

(My older children said they knew I was a Carnie at heart!)


♥ ♥ ♥


I would not want to do this full -time, that's for sure. But, for the occasional local festival, it is a lot of fun. Children are so funny in their reactions to the face painting...some are really shy about it, but you can tell they're pleased...for others, you know the whole business is Mom's or Dad's idea...most are happy with whatever I've done, though.

But then, I get the occasional one who just absolutely lights up ~ magically transformed, you would think ~ when they see their face...(come to think of it, this is pretty often) ~ and that makes it really worthwhile ~ their joy is absolutely contagious!


More from the Carnie-front tomorrow...
Happy Friday!

♥ ♥ ♥
Anne

P.S ~ I was going to whine about change (and how I always resist it), concerning Blogger, Photobucket, Picnik (sniff), but that won't do me or you any good (though I fail to see a reason for the Blogger changes...is it better? Or just "different"?) ~ So, I'll just ask ~ what photo-editing site are you using for your blog (for those that have them) now? I have checked out so many, it's made my head spin! And trying to remember which ones had which features....yikes! Tonight I used PicMonkey, as it seems to be really user-friendly, and they've added a font I really like (the one I used above). I've also used Befunky (I like this one, too, but I can't seem to get it to re-size my photos, even though it says it has)...LunaPic has too much of a delay between editing features (I want instantaneous results, darn it!) ~ Photobucket has changed their editing tool from Foto-Flexer to Pixlr Express, so if you liked the features they had, you now have to go directly to Foto-Flexer. (But then you still have to go back to Photobucket for hosting...). Eeek!

Then there's that little Sumo-Paint guy...

However, I do like the fact that the regular Pixlr Editor (not Express) lets you use any font you've downloaded on your computer...it's just not quite as easy ~ more like Photoshop ~ than the others I've mentioned. (I'm just an "old dog", I guess!)

Oh, dear, I guess I've whined anyway...but I really would like to know what everyone else has discovered in the way of editing sites!

22 comments:

  1. I totaly LOVE picnic too and am very sad it is gone....I know how you feel. I recently saw "Aviary" (i think it is called)..it was similar to it! I love your blog and enjoy visiting..thanks for this lovely post!
    Wishing you a magical wkd!
    Victoria

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  2. But it would be nice to be there! ♥ ♥ ♥
    :-)

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  3. Anne: Have fun this weekend. How cute to see those little kids. I worked in the school system with K-3 grades and they are so cute at that age. Before they get attitudes!! When I started blogging (February) I was told Picnic was the best but then heard about shutting down so I use Picasa. I am so technically challanged (can't figure how to link up for the life of me yet), but Picasa is easy for me and I really like it. That's all I know. I didn't even know that the blogger had changes??!! DUH!!Happy Friday..Judy

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  4. Hello Anne, Many thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind comment.
    I've just started reading some of your posts, I have a lot of catching up to do!
    I like the photographs on your side bar, especially that first one of your mother, she looks stunning.

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  5. Thank you for stopping by at my blog. I really appreciated it.
    It looks as if you had a fun time here!

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  6. Hi Anne, I can't help you on the photo thing, but I know I always enjoy visiting!! Have fun with the kids!!

    P.S. It's okay to whine a little!! I don't appreciate changes either - if it ain't broke don't fix it!!

    Blessings

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  7. Have a great weekend!

    I think we've all whined at one time or other about the loss of Picnik. I've been using PicMonkey and have been quite happy with it so far.

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  8. Your face painting booth looks wonderful. I'm sure you'll have a happy weekend! Hugs xx

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  9. Wow-you are into a lot of different things! I love that!

    I still use my Photoshop Elements, but I haven't gotten to the end of all of it yet-there's so much, and sometimes it's not easy to figure it out. I didn't know about Blogger changes- 'cept it doesn't work for me all the time.
    Say hello to the kitties for me!
    Love, Debra

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  10. Thank you so much for visiting me the other day...your blog is lovely! You are a very busy creative gal! Happy weekend. xoxo

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  11. Good luck with the face-painting Anne. That light-up-magically-transformed face sounds like it's worth everything. I'd love to see some of your creations after the festival :)

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  12. When I discovered Picnik was closing, I decided to take the plunge and download Lightroom 4 beta 3 month trial, which was then replaced when Lightroom 4 was released (I also downloaded that as a 1 month trial). After using Lightroom for 4 months, I had a good grasp of the program and I am about to purchase the full version (thanks to a gift from my son).

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  13. I use PICASA, PIXLR, and PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS. With a bit of PhotoMonkey thrown in for good measure.

    I usually start in PHOTOSHOP and send it to PICASA to re-size and text. Then depending on the look I want, I like PIXLR for the funky overlays and borders.

    So, I don't use ONE but many. And I'm still mad at PICNIK for leaving. They were my fav.

    You face-paint! I learned something new about you! How fun!

    Have a great weekend and I'm sure you're going to make a lot of kiddos happy with their new 'face art'.

    Hugs
    Jan

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  14. Have a wonderful weekend...and best of luck with the booth.

    I haven't ever used an editing site.. so I'm no help... sorry :)

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  15. Dearest Anne,
    I am still chuckling from reading your post! It's so funny how our kids can come up with such funny statements! I'd say it was quite the compliment to be considered a "Carnie at Heart"! How hilarious!
    I hope your face painting is a huge success! My five year old granddaughter, Lilly, can't go anywhere without coming home with her face painted. My favorite was a beautiful butterfly featuring Lilly's brilliant blue eyes.
    Thank you for your delightful blog, my friend! You have put a big smile on my face and a bit of laughter to accompany me through my day!
    Blessings,
    Carolynn..."Chenille Cottage"

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  16. Thanks for visiting my blog and following me at the Cottage on the Corner. Your blog is wonderful! As for photo editing I use Elements 10, not a free program. I loved Picnik and have checked out several online programs. In my humble opinion PicMonkey wins hands down. the ability to add textures from your files with a few mode options is huge for me and it's user friendly.

    I don't get the blogger changes either. Have fun painting kiddies faces this weekend!

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  17. Have fun painting faces!
    Always, Queenie

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  18. Anne i Like your blog and that banner! I use Picassa.

    I'll be back.

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  19. Hello,and thank you for your visit and for following.I've just got back from holiday so I've got some blog catching up to do!
    Just going to have a read through yours..bye for now!
    Bellaboo X

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  20. Your booth looks really neat! I must be fun to face paint the little kids! I hope you had a great weekend!

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  21. It isn't difficult to tell that I don't do much of anything to my pictures.:) In fact, I have considered just leaving pictures off, but sometimes I am able to take one that is a little pretty.:)
    My husband says he is always a little nervous when something is labeled as being "new and improved.":)

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  22. Pretty mom you have
    ... love the gourd /pinecone craft so fun..
    your pictures are just beautiful on here..
    hugs,Patty

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!