Where I've been

I've been absent from the internet posting world yet again. This time for a really good reason. THe reason being that I've finally started moving forward full speed with my photog business. I have a new blog for it here--->Laura Keeton Photography Yup! Check it out!
Also I'm back in school and that is taking some serious hours out of my day and serious energy out of my body. By the end of the days I really just wanna curl up and snooooooze!

On an awesome note, I just printed my first two prints in digi-photography tonight. It feels great seeing my prints huge again. Too long, man, too long!

I hope you all are doing well.
I am now off to do some of the curling and snoozing I mentioned before! tata, loves!

yeeeouch!!

I burned my finger in a hot spoon earlier today and just a bit ago while trying to write I realised that my cursive looks like that of a 5 year old tyrannosaurus-Rex. Yeah, it hurts and is going to cause problems during my work day tomorrow. *RARRRRR*

directional push

I'm going to be going back to school in a couple of weeks. I'm finally going to move forward with my Photography degree. I have spent countless years complaining about how long it would take all the while not taking ANY classes to get there. Had I been taking just two classes a term I would have been done a long time ago.
So, yes, it is time to get off my duff and get back in the game. I will be taking Digital photography and a sadly needed math course this term as well as a weekend course that is a Field Workshop on the Monterey Peninsula. Basically one long weekend filled with photographers and picture-taking (and the BEACH).
I have been shopping around online for studio lighting. Something simple to start off with. Maybe a couple umbrellas/stands and some strobes. I want to be able to do some higher quality portraits.

Here's a bit of something to look at:


Love to you! Hopefully soon I'll be able to move over to my proper photography blog and get everything going in the right direction.

The final decison:

So, I wound up with a lovely Black Saturn ION instead of the other cars I mentioned.
Here name is Chloe and she has already made her first roadtrip to Portland, Oregon.





I couldn't wait to get her out on the road. I have been itching for some nice quiet "ME" time for a while now and what better way to get that than to drive for 10 hours (each way. uphill, in the snow :] lol)
Here are a few photos of the highlights:














It was beautiful! Exactly what I needed.

Time waster in recover

I am a waster of time to an epic degree but I'm getting better. I've actually not been online much the past few weeks so that has been a heeyoog help. What have I been doing instead, you ask? Well, let's see: -Taking oodles of photos that I have yet to have the time to edit. -Prepping myself mentally and physically for The Master Cleanse.
-Prepping myself for big changes at work.

-Saving money for a car. (I've decided against the VW Beetle and am now leaning toward a Mazda3

-Watching the entire 1st Season of "The Big Bang Theory"



















-Enjoying my life.


Yup, times are good and getting better. I've learned how to bring my own fun wherever I go instead of hoping someone/thing else does. I've learned that it's not necessarily about finding what you are "good" at but it is definitely about finding what you are "happy" at.
xoxo

Carpe Diem

I'm finding big pleasures in the tiniest of things lately. Maybe it's because I've stopped forcing action to please others. I've got to do what is right for ME!
It's a great time to be me. I love my job, I'm making new friends that really share interests with me, I'm making plans and I'm currently shopping for a new(er)car.
Yup! I'm looking to buy a VW Beetle! I'm so psyched! I want it to be black and have less than 70,000 miles on it. So yeah, not NEW exactly but a quality pre-owned vehicle. Seriously, this is huge for me. The newest car I've owned was a 1997 Ford Escort with 126,000 miles on it. I'm just shopping around for the primo deal.

Also, I'm getting prepped for my next tattoo. It's going to be the words "Carpe Diem" on my shoulders. In the front. My boss has a tattoo guy that he is going to talk to about cutting me a deal. It's going to be simple. Just black lettering, not too large. I'm in the process of drawing up the perfect lettering. I can't wait.

and just so this isn't totally a word-filled post, here are some lovelies to peer at:
Here are some recent faves from Flickr. I could not make it through a day w/out flickr.


1. Asparagus Beef Roll-Ups, 2. Carpe diem, 3. One night at Carpe Diem, 4. Robert S. Leonard, 5. quote/poetry/art book, 6. Andy Samberg, 7. Custom Made LadyBird print - Wizard of Oz theme, 8. под небом....., 9. bedroom, 10. blackboard wall., 11. dog curtains., 12. simple & colorful.

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

I'm going to be adding some new pendant on my ebay soon.
Here's a sneak peek!

You can find my listings HERE

Thanks for looking! Share with your friends!

Button Maker for Sale

I've decided to sell my 1" button maker. It's like this style here . I'm selling it for $175 plus $20 shipping in the US. If you are interested and are outside the US, please contact me at onesmallflicker at gmail dot com for a quote.
Thanks! Tell your friends!

Holy absence, Batman!

I haven't updated this fandangled blog thing in YEARS!
I've been a busy bee over the past few months. I started a new job in December so that has been taking a lot of energy. I'm now working for a company called "Pathways", which is the local DUI school. Basically it's where the courts send people who have been convicted of a DUI charge and are court-ordered to take courses in DUI education/groups. I'm a Client Account Assistant. I'm the one that notifies the courts and DMV that they have enrolled and I also give them their schedule. Good times. I quite like it. It's still M-F 8-5. The best part of it is that I get benefits now. Medical/Dental/Life. That's a great thing. I don't remember the last time I had bennies!

In other news...I haven't been scrapping much lately because I've been crazy in love with resin! I've been making pendants and such. Here are a few examples:I'm in LOVE with the stuff! So fun! I do miss me some scrapping though. Gotta do some more stuff soon.
How are all of you!?

It's Friday which means I'm 100% alone, by myself, going solo at the ole office. Yup! I'm the only one that works Fridays but that's fine by me. There usually is no 'real' work to do, I'm merely here to answer questions, answer phones and be a body if someone comes by to pay a bill, etc. My bosses are cool with me bringing in my own stuff to work on. So, yes, it's Friday and I'm getting paid an hourly rate to sit and solder. You can't beat that with a stick. Plus, I got another raise that went into effect on my last paycheque so now I'm at $9ph. Not the best wage on the planet but there are, of course, still the perks I talked about before. You know, coffee, lunch ummmm getting paid to solder!! I'm working on new products for my shop. I also plan to do some late summer cleanout of my craft stuff. Over the years I've hoarded a bunch of things with the intentions of trying to art forms. Some of them stuck but most of them just GOT stuck in boxes. If you're looking for some new craft items/supplies be on the lookout in my etsy shop soon. Also if any of you are looking for something specific, just let me know and I'll see if I can accomodate the request.
In other news, I've been a busy little beaver (note to self:find the oregon shirt that says "proud to be the beaver state"...buy said shirt) as of late. The Yuba-Sutter Fair was last Wednesday through Sunday so I was busy photographing that. I have to photograph the sponsor signs with people around them, the pageants, livestock, exhibits, corndogs...you get the idea. It's not a high paying gig by any means but I get into the fair for free, usually get a bunch of free food and get some experience/exposure. Last year my photos made it onto the cover of the AT&T Yellow Pages! I'M ON THE PHONEBOOK! I AM SOMEBODY!!! (50 points for Gryffindor if you get that reference.)
Here are a few of the better photos
Fair Brat Ahoy!




You can see a few more over at my flickr. I took well over 1500 photos. I have, by no mean, even begun to really truly edit them. It's gonna take a while.
Other than that, life has been fine. My car is still dead but Jamie has a motorcycle and a jeep so I've been driving the jeep. Her best friend is getting married on September 6th and I'm doing the photography so I'm gathering ideas for that as well. If you see any really awesome wedding pics, definitely show me, I need some ideas. I've only done one wedding in my life.
Well, back to the soldering gun.Have a nice weekend lovelies!

2nd Verse different than the 1st!

After seeing the awesomeness of Kim's papers I decided to doodle around in photoshop and see what I could manage on my own. It's pretty fun stuff!

What do you think of what I've come up with so far?

The first one is my personal fave. :)

Flickr Friday Faves!

1. love target, 2. Bosie and his mod target wear, 3. Vampire Season, 4. En t'attendant..., 5. Paris Old Metro Signboard, 6. Winter Wonderland, 7. Soft hale in the heart of Amsterdam, 8. Sticky fingers, 9. Peg Pops, 10. her happy place, 11. owly, 12. snails and my pet owl, 13. Owly Goodness, 14. The famous Fly Mushroom, 15. making some time, 16. puccho (japanese candy) cupcakes!!!, 17. Ho-ho-hoots, 18. Glasgow Cathedral - Radiant, 19. brother and sister., 20. *CaPTuReD FaiRy* oRiGiNaL aLTeReD aRt PaPeR DoLL CoLLaGe JaR, 21. Pirate's Creek, 22. Pinky Skull locket, 23. Sweet Stash locket, 24. A is for Alex, K is for Karma, 25. SCP_31, 26. I'm Just A Girl hoop earrings, 27. pauley_perrette_03, 28. Son je est mon autre, 29. Cheese Shop, 30. Leonard & I, 31. Zonk *Red Velvet May Kit*, 32. Heart Shadow, 33. Untitled, 34. hasselblad summer rain, 35. old*studio, 36. ♥~Sweet Kawaii Cameos~♥

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Vespa-pa-pa-pa!

If you're looking for some hot new scrapping papers, go check out Kim's Etsy Pow Papers! All your lasses and lads will look ace with these! She designed and printed them herself because she's rad like that! NOW GO!

workin' class hero

HELLO LOVES!

I'm thinking of taking on a second job for a short time. I hate the idea of having to be one of those two jobs and a paying hobby to pay the bills type of folks but it will help. I mean, I'm not destitute but I'm tired of living hand-to-mouth. My boss works a side job as security/maintenance at concerts. She's been doing it for a couple of years now and said she could pretty much get me on no problem because they always need people. I actually may start as soon as next Friday. Crazy! A couple hundred extra bucks a month would be pretty nice. It'll get my little credit cards gone and then I'll just worry about the normal recurring monthly bills. You know, rent, food, utilities etc. yay!

With that out of the way, on to something a little more fun!
I did a scrapbook page for my love of photobooths!


I'm in love with those letter stickers (both of them!)

I also decided to do a little painting. I'm currently addicted to ravens/crows and dark eerie imagery. I don't really paint much, it's not really my thing but every so often I get a wild hair and pick up the brushes. What do you think?

Flickr Faves

1. Oia Doors, No. 2, 2. Can we trade this bike for a horse!, 3. Nobody told me there'd be days like this!, 4. universal islands of adventure - edited, 5. june 2nd., 6. tattoo, 7. brushes, 8. a pride., 9. get extra close., 10. subtle hints from seven year olds, 11. shalpha*curtain, 12. today I turn 24..., 13. plushies made, 14. on the corner of jefferson & hauser, 15. happy birthday to my BFF and partner in crime (and/or crimefighting), 16. kawaii charms ♥, 17. BeBo in the sushi hat!, 18. buttons, 19. Space Kids, 20. Untitled, 21. Today5, 22. Kind of first wedding..., 23. *KiTTyLaND*, 24. you & me, 25. ALOHA!, 26. May, 27. this clown is gay, 28. exploring the park, 29. Pug, 30. belief 20, 31. 8-bit pop, 32. lejos, 33. foolishness, 34. Tea, Scones, and Marmalade, 35. Peter Pan, 36. typical.

missing you

I am missing little things today.
Things like:

Fall/Winter transition weather
Cider Festivals
The Holiday Season
Winter coats
Mittens
Scarves
Puppy sweaters
Fires in the fireplace

Is it obvious that I'm ready for summer to be over? I've never been much for warm weather.

Busy busy beaver!

I have pretty much accepted my status as "worst blogger on the planet". What?! You mean once a month isn't often enough.

Blargh.
Anyway. I finally managed to get some of my recent layouts and projects photographed and edited so that I can SHARE!
So, here you go!
That's a little mini book I made. I've been totally obsessed with mini books but haven't been able to decide which images to put IN the books. So I just have a bunch of blank cute minis lying around.
Here is another I made...same situation:


I also managed to throw in some regular scrapbook pages, too.
I did one for my dad who passed away in 2002. (I miss you Daddy!)

My lovely friend Jessica. This was from our trip to Portland in 2006. Man I miss that city!
Samantha


Rae

Ros
Freak
That's actually pretty prolific for me. I'm a slow scrapper. I'm still finding my style.
Tonight Jamie works until 11pm. I'd like to tell you I'll be doing something productive but the truth is, I'll likely be watching 2 1/2 Men then Family Guy while vegging out in the living room drinking Dr. Pepper. Mmmmmm Dr. Pepper!

I've been inspired to write lately, too. In fact I'm thinking a zine is in the works! It's been too long.

Yesterday I shopped for clothes. Didn't have a ton of luck. Got some knee length shorts, a black ruffle shirt and an orange v-neck. Ate some Round table, took some bathroom photos of my new hairs!

See:
Today I clean and organise and declutter and dust and all that jazz.
Tomorrow I create.

It's official

I'm no longer a 20something. I'm the big THREE OH! 30! I don't feel a dang bit of difference so either I still feel young or always felt old. I'm gonna go with the former.Forever 21, baby!

I worked my actual bday (tuesday) but went out to dinner and ice cream with Jamie afterward. I had a grilled chicken sandwich with fries and salad. I'm a pretty simple girl. For dessert it was Marble Slab Ice Cream. I chose strawberry with fresh strawberries and bits of oreo cookie mixed in. YUM!
Thursday was spent hanging out with friends for weekly "family dinner night". We ate hot dogs and drank. I had wicked horrible cramps so felt like poo, sadly.
Yesterday morning I had my hair coloured and cut. It was actually the VERY first time I've had my hair coloured professionally.
I just had some streaks put it. It wasn't quite what I wanted but I guess it's okay. What do you think?

Last night I went to Chris and Heather's for a bit more grilling (tri-tip! NOM! NOM!) and gifts. They bought me an adorable bracelet watch with a pink skull and crossbones, nail decals, a chuck taylor shoe keychain with skulls and some adorable earrings! I also got a few drink chips for the next time I make it to the bar! WOot!

Tonight I'm meeting Jamie after work (6pm) and we're heading to Sacramento to do some clothes shopping!

I'll leave you with a few random photos to look at.
my Converse Sailor Jerry shoes! I love me some Sailor Jerry!!!

The downtown fountain.

The Michael's bathroom.

Sweet thrift store finds! Two lovely abalone shells!