Calendar Giveaway

In order to make someone's new year it's time to giveaway a smallroots calendar!
To qualify for the calendar giveaway simply leave a comment below and tell me what your new year's resolution is (I won't hold you to it). You don't have to leave your full name just make sure there is some way I can identify you if you should win. (Please one comment per person.) You have until this Friday January 1 at midnight to enter.
The winner will be selected by random drawing and will be announced Saturday (January 2). Check back then to see if you are the lucky winner. Cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

smallroots resolution is: To put things back where they belong (sounds simple but the cereal box never seems to put itself back in the cupboard) and to get my shop in order (lots of new prints and note cards are in the works!).

What is your new year's resolution? Click on COMMENTS below.

lone star state

Here is the door to my home away from home. I am happy to be here celebrating the holidays. Happy Holidays to everyone! - xxoo

character marks

I like looking at the unique markings on leaves who are settling into old age.

it snowed!?

Today I woke up and was shocked to see that it had snowed! (what?!) It very rarely snows in my neck of the woods.
While most of it was melted by noon, it was nice to have it stop by for a short visit.

reasons to smile

1. Just had my first holiday gathering last night (very fun filled)
2. Just sold my first calendar (to someone I wasn't related to - yay!).
Thank you to the special someone in Oregon, hope you enjoy!

(p.s. - cookies above were created by me. Fancy, right?)

smallroots 2010 desk calendar

yes, you heard right I created a calendar!

As I say in my calendar description...
"My resolution for 2009 was to get out and take as many photos as I could. During my photo sessions I became drawn to taking "portraits of nature". This calendar is made from some of my favorite shots. I hope it inspires you in 2010 as much as nature inspired me to create it. Happy New Year."

See more pics of the calendar here at my smallroots etsy shop ».

leaf portrait

I love these colors together, red and blue-gray. (This was shot in its natural environment, the background really was this shade.) I love to find interesting palettes while out and about.

sweet surprise

While searching for the perfect pumpkin at the pumpkin patch we discovered a pomegrante tree. Who knew?

colors of the season...

It was about time that I paid tribute to some of fall's beautiful colors. love this season.

tahoe piers...

all of these piers were very cooperative while getting their pictures taken.
(oh how calm and peaceful our getaway was.)

assignment

Our first assignment was to shoot a black and white image. I like the photo but I don't think it was what the instructor expected.

wishes

i am so fortunate. this birthday i wish...

into the trees

For our weekend getaway we decided to head to the mountains and into the trees, stay tuned for images of what we found on the other side...
Below are a few snapshots from our trip (all taken from inside the car). Thanks to rollip.com for the "polaroids".

road trip. we're on our way...

semi-hit

Today I was out experimenting with my camera. There were lots of "misses" and not very many "hits". This is a "semi-hit" since I like the colors in the background.

photo class: day 3

Black and white photography was on the agenda today. We viewed slides by Edward Weston and his son Brett Weston.
Visit the Weston family photography website - it goes beyond just these two members, so much talent in one family!

lovely light

oh sometimes magic happens, when the light is just right and the subject is looking their best. i love the colors on this plant, the soft pinks and purples mixed with the greens and hints of yellow.

photo class

I've decided to get serious and take a photography class.
It is my first photo class ever. It's about time to see what my little camera can do (apparently it does more than I knew, and yet not enough as everyone else's).
Today's lesson? Aperture - old school style.

sunshine on a gloomy day

woke up to gray skies and rain today. needed this happy flower to brighten the day.

left the cap off...

I love that each leaf has its own distinct markings that remind me of a marker that has gone dry.

zoo plants

I love finding interesting plants while out and about. This week while at the zoo I came across this one. The red and green contrast caught my eye as well as the horizontal lines in the leaves.

nature inspired no. 4

This is one of my absolute favorite patterns in nature.
I found the little guy on left hiding behind a tree stump and was happy to take his picture. To the right of him are two interpretations of his simple shape.
The middle image is of a canvas piece titled "Leaves 2" created by Katja Ollendorff. View more of her work here. The leaf tea towel on the far right is for sale at elisabeth bentz's shop (she's got lots of other color combos to choose from!).

i wasn't kidding...

This time in the Presidio, I AGAIN found lots of purple in bloom.

pretty in purple

I love taking walks in Berkeley because I always capture so many interesting plants. Today was no exception. Out of the many photos I took I realized there was a common theme, purple! Purples are currently in bloom, here's a little sample.

bells of summer

pretzel plant