March 11, 2009

spring cleaning

Today was spring cleaning day on the blog. It was my first experiment in constructing a new blog banner. Not as good as the professional ones I have seen but it was a fun exercise. I like the spring colors and though the photography probably looks better on black, I don't want to be like the hundreds of other people that do that. And white is spring-like and crisp, or I think so anyway.

I finally ventured down the basement stairs with my laundry. Big mistake, big, big mistake. After laughing hysterically when I slid down the last seven or eight steps and having the cat sit and stare, I found I lightly twisted my right ankle. Boo - all it really means is that it doesn't like pressure and that I can't carry my camera bag for a couple of days. *sigh*

I'm sure I was going somewhere in this blog but I can't quite remember as I got distracted by something sort of shiny. Is it just me or have the days started getting really short feeling???? I swear I barely get started and it's 2:30 already.

Here's a little southern goth for you....I have a love and hate affair with spanish moss. It's gorgeous and moody, but it kills trees.
gothic gardens
scribbled by

29 comments:

  1. drollgirlMarch 11, 2009 at 2:32 PM

    bring on the GOTH! WHAT A SHOT!

    and i hope your ankle is better soon. :[

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  2. GabbyMarch 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    Fabulous banner. I want one, I want one!

    I remember seeing the moss in Mobile and thought they had stolen it from the Pirates of Caribbean ride at Disney.When there are real fireflies at night in the moss it's as close to heaven as you'd want to be....

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  3. Anna RussellMarch 11, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    I love your banner - I have no idea how to do them at all.

    Another Gaiman-esque shot. I really enjoy these ones.

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  4. tangobabyMarch 11, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    The banner and redesign in general look wonderful! And I'm glad you weren't hurt too much. You need those ankles for your photowalks.

    ;-)

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  5. Indiri WoodMarch 11, 2009 at 3:42 PM

    The new banner is great! It even inspires me to use something other than the default templates on my blog. I'll be working on it tonight. Thank you!

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  6. KurtMarch 11, 2009 at 3:44 PM

    Diggin' on the banner, Char. Really well done and fancy-like. A+ for you.

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  7. Cedar ...March 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    The new banner wins my vote! I haven't tried to do backgrounds and all those fancy things yet. You are way ahead of me.

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  8. CharMarch 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM

    I'll try to make you one Gabby - let me know what you want

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  9. AnonymousMarch 11, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    Fantasic image choices for your blog banner! I like the new look. It's funny to me how you say "scribbled by". What I do is scribble - yours is totally cool art.

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  10. VioletSkyMarch 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    Love the new banner - and the black border looks great around the pics.

    That spanishmoss is amazing - none of it up our way, so it seems so exotic to me.

    Take care of your ankle, you know rest and ice and a bit of alcohol helps immensely.

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  11. sharilynMarch 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    wow! i love the banner! i have no clue how one would do that! and yes, i too, have tossed around the idea of black in back...so much prettier with photos, but everyone's doing it... plus, it's harder to read writing on it...

    nice job, though! and take care of that ankle! (the tree shot is downright edgar allen poe-ish!)

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  12. YolandaMarch 11, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    I love the banner and wish I could figure out how to do something like this . Its lovely.

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  13. MariaMarch 11, 2009 at 5:40 PM

    like the new look, it feels fresh
    hope your ankle heals quick

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  14. UnknownMarch 11, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    Fabulous new look!! I love the banner :)

    xo

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  15. ELKMarch 11, 2009 at 6:30 PM

    it looks wonderful Char ~you are so creative ...and goth is good! ELK

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  16. CharMarch 11, 2009 at 6:34 PM

    the banner is easy, if time consuming, if you have Photoshop. First, I selected several shots that I like and have processed this year. I resized them to small. Then I opened them individually in PS to frame them (I chose black). I looked at the groups and decided I wanted to go with blue as a background so I used the eyedropper to select the shade I wanted from one of the photographs. Then I opened a new PS document (7x28 inches) used the blue as the background. Then I added the photographs in, layering and playing with them until I liked the grouping. Then I flattened the layers. Then, I did the text in three separate boxes. Flattened again, and da-dah.

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  17. Laura DoyleMarch 11, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    I think the colors of your banner all coordinate quite nicely in a new and spring-like sort of way. The delicate blue brings out all the pastel shades and it's just gorgeous. : )

    ps - I once slid down an extra long flight of metal steps on my butt in the back of a supermarket, trying to navigate my way back from the restroom. Accident of course. I was also a nice, young 7. That would kill me now. I hope your ankle heals up nice and quick. Be nice to it. : )

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  18. bethMarch 11, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    love the new banner....so much !!!

    and I hope your ankle is okay...if not, you can come and use my traction and we'll just turn it the other way !!

    and those trees....we see those all the way thru the south{alabama especially} on our way to florida and I didn't really know what it all was....

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  19. CassaundraMarch 11, 2009 at 9:14 PM

    love the new banner - especially the first little picture (mulberries w/oranges) gorgeous!

    hope your ankle gets better soon, friend.

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  20. AnonymousMarch 11, 2009 at 11:52 PM

    wow wow char! i love the new banner!! such a great showcase of your photographs, so beautiful! well done :-)

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  21. julochkaMarch 12, 2009 at 5:30 AM

    i know this days feeling short thing of which you speak. it's happened to me every day this week. and i too get distracted by shiny things...

    but i love your new banner! :-)

    /j

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  22. spread your wingsMarch 12, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    nice showcase of your work in the banner.
    the spanish moss is wonderful - yet sort of spooky feeling.
    yeah i know what you mean about the days feeling short - aren't they supposed to feel longer though?

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  23. Fifi FlowersMarch 12, 2009 at 5:25 PM

    I LOVE your new banner... I think it looks GREAT! Nowwww about no Fifi in your sidebar... hmmmmmm... lol
    I hope your ankle is better today!
    Take it easy!
    Fifi

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  24. We Blog ArtistsMarch 12, 2009 at 7:36 PM

    Love the blues on your Banner Char...very pretty tones.
    Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog...am just about to post another one...
    Poor you falling down the stairs, I hope your ankle gets better soon...and love the photo of the Moss eated trees...
    Have a great evening...

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  25. MaryMarch 12, 2009 at 8:31 PM

    Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation... I'm sure chocolate probably helps, too. :) Get well soon!!!

    The Spanish Moss is an amazing photo, and I LOVE the new bloggy look! :)

    Have a great weekend. Hope you don't get TOO much rain.

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  26. Relyn LawsonMarch 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    Is that banner your new one? Because, I've got to tell you. I clicked here and the first thought I had was this: I'm bound to love this blog. Look at that banner!

    I wanted to thank you for following Beth over to my place, and for leaving a comment. I'm so glad you did as it led me to you and your gorgeous version of Goth.

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  27. e.o.w.March 13, 2009 at 6:00 AM

    I'm Lovin the new banner!

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  28. Country GirlMarch 13, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    I love the new look. Noticed it right away. And I, too, am distracted by shiny things. Can't agree more about the Spanish moss.

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  29. Lynn McGinnisMarch 13, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    Just have to share,somehow I was blessed enough today to stumble across your blog. It is wonderful & I love your work,words & how you share with all of us. It made me happy today. I hope you days our filled with all the brightness you send to others.

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i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.

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