Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sunday Sanctuary


With Spring just around the corner for some of us, I think the thought of flowers is on everyone's minds.  I've visited several blogs this weekend where talk of flowers and gardens was top on their list.  Brenda from Cozy Little House posted about a beautiful bouquet of flowers she picked up to help boost her spirits while she waits for her own garden to be in bloom.




When I read Brenda's post, I could relate.  After having been sick with the flu this past week, which was the weirdest flu virus I've ever had by the way, I ventured out yesterday and ran errands.  The usual suspects...the grocery store, the post office, the pet store, etc., and while I was at the grocery store I picked up some flowers.  I was going to be a good girl and walk right past the flowers to help save money, but Mr. Tide was with me and he insisted...who was I to argue?!




They actually had a lovely assortment to choose from, and I was really torn between buying an orchid, which I knew would last a while, or picking up some cut flowers that I knew would only be around for a week or so.  In the end price won out, and I grabbed a small bunch of Dutch Iris.  I love iris, they are so delicate and have an Asian feel to them, and at only $4.50 I thought they were very reasonable.  They are also a nice departure from the tulips and roses I have purchased recently.




When I purchased them, they were all furled up and barely showing much color.  I cut the stems and arranged them in a cream colored vase and set them on my bucket bench where I can enjoy them while I'm working or surfing the net.  This morning when I woke up bright and early, the iris had also begun to open and come out of a deep sleep.




I grabbed my camera and began snapping away.  I think it's my way of preserving them well beyond their life span.  Then I played around with actions and textures, and I was so busy that I don't even remember what I used on these.  I know I used a few Flora Bella actions and textures plus a few Kim Klassen Textures, but I honestly was so in to what I was doing that I forgot to write them down.  I love how these turned out, they are all the same flowers, but by playing around in PS Elements you can completely change the look from photo to photo, my favorites are the 2nd picture from the top and then the one above.

I hope each of you had a good weekend and that you are enjoying a bit of rest and personal sanctuary if it's still Sunday where you live.  I also had a visitor show up on my doorstep on Friday...a roaming Gnome who has been quite the house guest.  I'll be posting about his adventures in the near future so stay tuned!

Spread the Love... (oops sorry I forgot to add this before)


Isabella and Max Rooms

Relatively Unique

In The Country

27 comments:

  1. YOu have captured the beauty and glory of the iris! I love them too!
    Yvonne

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  2. The Iris are beautiful. Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos. Love the colours ~ ;-) Stop by for my giveaway

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  3. these shots are pure art... i adore iris and i always think natural is perfection, but you made these extra appealing~

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  4. That colour - I year for it!
    A gnome? Now you've piqued my curiosity....

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  5. .....errrr....maybe I yearn for that colour.

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  6. Looooooove these photos, Kat - great texture action and soft hues -

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  7. Your iris and the textures are gorgeous! And Brenda's flowers are beautiful!

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  8. I've always loved purple flowers since childhood when we had purple pansies in the garden. The smiling flower. :-) Can't wait to see what Roamy is up to. Karen has a button on his blog if you want it on your sidebar. Just a suggestion.

    Soooo glad you are feeling better. It's a glorious sunny, warm day here.

    Di

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  9. Flowers are such a wonderful pick-me-up and those blue iris are truly gorgeous. So glad you're on the mend again Kat.

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  10. These Iris are beautiful. What lovely colors. I am so ready for Spring.

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  11. Kat I am so glad you purchased the iris bouquet. We are the lucky recipients of your beautiful photography, truly amazing shots. KS

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  12. besides Zinna's Iris are my other favorite flower.....these pictures are just fabulous Kat....hoping you have a safe and great week coming

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  13. Such a beautiful breath of spring, Kat! Awesome photography, too! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  14. Gorgeous, Kat. I love how you used the textures.

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  15. Irises are beautiful, and come in such lovely colours. They're easy to grow too which is great for someone like me. Love your photo's.

    Cheers,
    Lisa x

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  16. Oh, how beautiful. I often work on photos and then forget everything I did. Maddening when you want to explain it and cannot.

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  17. Beautiful flowers and pictures Kat! I love Brenda's blog and her garden is beautiful and I can't wait to see it in bloom this year. A Gnome huh? Can't wait to hear about his adventures! :)

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  18. Iris's are a favoite springtime bulb. Kat, just beautiful!

    Come and enter my Artful Offering and read a great Interview!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  19. Oh, these are gorgeous! I love iris -- Siberian iris are about the only things in my garden that the deer leave alone...

    Such beautiful processing on these -- love the textures!

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  20. Gotta love a man who tells you to buy flowers! Love your photos and the color of the Iris. Some flowers were born to be ballerinas...Iris is one of them.
    Debbie

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  21. Flowers do boost our spirits. Take care. That virus is indeed a strange one. David and I have each had it and we have both relapsed. It seems that the viruses keep evolving in ways that make them tough to conquer.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  22. Glad you are feeling
    better! And, if these
    pics are any judge, you
    are dancing and singing
    and have thrown off that
    bug!
    xx Suzanne

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  23. Oh how gorgeous, you've turned your $4.50 investment into an exquisite piece of art! I'm thinking notecards are in order for these captures! xo ~Lili

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  24. Hi fellow photog---I love your work! I have been blog jumping for an hour and landed here after seeing a rave on Cottage & Vine. Your site has inspired me to incorporate more than just portraiture on my blog. Thank you! xoxo
    Kris
    www.krisstanfield.com/blog

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