Shutter Sisters

hero

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Meet Jeremy ~ AKA Jer.

Jer is sixteen. He’s incredibly smart, has received countless academic awards, he loves his vids, his iPad, movies and UFC.  He’s a guys guy. He’s super funny. He can pull a quick joke or a sarcastic line out of his hat in an instant. He says things you would never think of.  Jeremy truly is the BEST.

And, he’s our HERO. Actually, let me expand…… He’s our Super Hero…. 

Jeremy is my nephew.  He’s 16.  He lives with a genetic illness known as SMA – Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He is confined to his wheelchair. He has limited hand/arm mobility.

I asked ‘my boys’ individually to describe Jer in one word.  The first word both Brett and Bryce came up with…. instantly…was RESILIENT.  And that is just so true.  (Definition: able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions)

That’s our Jer….. and here’s a few more words that came to us:

  • brave
  • inspirational
  • smart (bordering on genuis)
  • cool…as in Cool Cat….smooth…all that
  • determined
  • amazing

As I prepared this post I hopped over to the SMA Canada site. My brother founded the organization in 2000 after Jer was diagnosed. It occurred to me…. there is more than one Hero in this story. Jeremy’s parents are the truest of true heroes and they have raised a  Super Hero.

We would love to meet your hero. Please share with us. Let’s celebrate heroes today. 

Here’s to you Jer… and to all our Super Heroes … love and gratitude….

p.s. If you have not heard of SMA, I encourage you to follow this link to learn more. And if you have just a few moments, check out this incredibly touching video.  

texture love

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mouse over to see the before texture photo

I ♥ textures.  You may already know that. 🙂 I will never forget the first time I placed a texture on a photo….changed the blend mode… and poof…  MAD LOVE! I find the process completely magical.

How bout you?  Have you been bitten by the texture bug? Have you tried? Honestly.. it’s so much fun! 

If the whole process is completely new to you…. check out these tutorials on my site. And here’s a little texture gift for you as well.  Just a little something to get your started.  Maybe today’s the day!

Share your textured fav with us… We’d love to see….

just ask

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Do you find it difficult to ask for what you want?  It may be advice, assistance, compassion, guidance, maybe even love. I’m slowly learning the power of asking.

Over the past year I’ve experienced an endless shower of blessings. Many, because I was brave enough to ask. And many of these blessings have been incredibly BIG. 

It’s not just the BIG things. Honestly, it’s the everyday things….the little gifts that can turn my world upside down…make me giddy with excitement.

A few weeks ago I was on the hunt for an antique camera.  I stopped by my local camera shop. I was buying a new lens and just when I was about to leave I noticed a collection of antique cameras on display behind the counter.  OH my goodness, it was a fabulous collection.  Anyhow, my mind was spinning.  Could I dare ask to ‘borrow’ one of the cameras?  Just before we wrapped up the sale I went for it. 

Oh, wait…. allow me to back track a little.  I had just ‘asked’ for a break on the lens.  And I’m not good at stuff like that.  Not good at it at all! But I asked and guess what…. he gave me $75.00 off the lens, simply because I asked. Anyhow, I took a deep breath and…..

‘what a beautiful collection of cameras!  I don’t suppose you would consider allowing me to borrow one?‘ stammer, stammer….  I started to jabber on about my plans for the camera. He wasn’t overly interested in my story. He was like ‘sure, no problem.’  I was like, ‘really, oh my gosh, thank you so much.  I will take good care of it.’ He was all casual. He had no idea what a gift he had given me.  

Big or small, gifts are waiting for us.  Sometimes we just have to ask.  

Sarah Ban Breathnach in her beautiful daybook, Simple Abundance writes 

‘Ask for what you need and want. Ask to be taught the right questions. Ask to be answered. Ask for the Divine Plan of your life to unfold through joy. Ask politely, Ask with passion. Ask with a grateful heart and you will be heard. Just ask.

What have you asked for and received? Share your gifts with us today……

Oh My Word

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I am a word junky. I have inspirational word art all over our home.

A few years ago, my oldest son, Brett commented ‘it’s like you have subliminal messages, everywhere, Mom!’ He went on to list a few of the signs around our home… ‘live-love-laugh, give us this day our daily bread, laughter lives here, home sweet home, be still and know that I am God’…  He kept going.  I had no idea Brett had even noticed the signs, let alone remembered what they said. I’m not sure he was overly impressed by any of it.  But I will never forget that conversation. 

I don’t think my love for words will ever fade.  They are so powerful. A simple word can truly turn your world around.  I discovered that in 2010. After reading about Ali Edward’s one little word concept, a light came on. I had to pick a word. Heck, I was all about words!  In 2010 I choose the word Soar. And Soar I did. This year I have choosen the word Build. And so far so good. Build I am!

But what about the everyday words all around us? The simple messages, just waiting to inspire us? This sweet little birdie came from my friend Elk. She has a way of turning words into soft whispers of inspiration. 

‘Giving…it’s that simple’ 

‘sigh’….truly brilliant!

I love the concept of capturing ‘words’ within a photo. 

Here’s a few little bitties to inspire. ‘Happy Birthday xo’, ‘Wish’, Ink, Live What You Love…

This month, as we continue to honor words here at Shutter Sisters, our word for the One Word Project is going to be words. In other words, since our word is words, we’ll be capturing and celebrating the images that feature words, whatever those may be!

So, what words are waiting to inspire  you? We’d love to see them. And don’t forget to share your shots with us in our OWP flickr pool!

art love

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Hello sweet shutter sister world!  I am so excited to be here!  I love this amazing community. I look forward to sharing lots of shutter love with you all. 

Happy ‘sigh’…..

Not too long ago, before I was bit by the shutter bug, my crazy passion was painting. In fact I made my living as an artist, working with a publisher, licensing my art and good stuff like that. In the fall of 2009 I found myself having to rethink my creative path. And as I sat in my studio, staring at a blank canvas, my sweet Nikon whispered my name. I picked it up and we’ve been the best of friends ever since.  I went many months without touching my art. My beloved supplies just sat there, patiently waiting for me. But I took many pictures….many….many… pictures. 

In time my art supplies called to me, at first I resisted. I didn’t need them anymore. My camera was enough. But eventually the desire to get messy won me over. We found each other again. These days, I am blessed to combine my art and photography. Most days you will find me going back and forth between my iMac and my art….taking breaks to photograph my sweet Ben or something simple that catches my eye.

Besides your beloved camera, what are your creative tools? Perhaps you write daily in your journal, love to cook, maybe you are musician, maybe you knit. 

I love photos of art supplies, there’s something about the texture of wool,  like this or this…that makes my heart sing, crafting, creative workspaces, kitchen tools …. sweet kitchen tools….. ‘sigh’….. Love…just LOVE.

Share your creative tool shots with us today. I’d love to see them.

Be sure to give the amazing Kim Klassen a big warm welcome as she is our latest regular contributor here. We know ya’ll are big fans (as are we) and we couldn’t be happier to have her here to share her awesomeness with us!