Happy Friday!

Images by Me

So how was your week? Ready for the weekend? I work from home, so one day can kind of blurr into the next and by the time the weekend comes I'm ready to get out of the house and do something. Our Saturday's looking pretty quiet, but on Sunday we're going to Seattle for a volunteer appreciation event. As always, I'll take my camera along and hopefully find a few interesting things to photograph.

There's a few things I wanted to tell you about today! Next Wednesday I'll be posting an interview with One Love Photo. I had the honor of driving to her home and talking to her "in person". Really sweet and genuine lady.

Also, I'll be having a surprise guest post...I haven't done that in a while and I'm really looking forward to it.

And, lastly, I wanted to share some good news with you. My photos have been accepted into Getty Images, Echo Images, and Arcangel! I feel so inadequate and not sure they're good enough to be in an online stock library. At the same time, I'm thankful and humbled because it's a huge honor. Anyways, I just wanted to share my good news with you. :)

Have a great weekend! Do something just for YOU...you deserve it. xo

What's YOUR Style?

Good morning! How's your week going so far? I hope it hasn't had too many challenges and that the one's that have come your way, haven't been too overwhelming. It's been a good week for me so far. I've been feeling better (more energy) and I even had some good news that I'll share with you on Friday. ;)

As you might already know, we live in an old Craftsman Style home (1918) in the Seattle area. We've been slooooowly refurbishing it over the last 12 years, but we still have a long way to go. Anyways, we're planning on painting the interior soon and I've decided to go with white and cream, which is surprising, because I'm a big fan of COLOR. Through the process of choosing paint color, I've been thinking alot about what my decorating style is and I think I've finally narrowed it down to two styles!

~ Farmstyle Cottage
~ Elegant Vintage Style

These styles seem so opposite in ways, but they do have similarities. The first photo above is from Pottery Barns Farmstyle Collection. I love the rustic, homey feel of this room. I also like the RICH WARM COLORS against the OFF-WHITE walls. I'm a real fan of ORANGE in an earthy tone like the orange you see in the bedding. I would actually add a little more of it to the room through toss pillows and accessories, though.

The second bedroom (via Gathering Spriggs) is much more glamourous and feminine and would be my "dream room" or a place I would love to visit and spend lots of time daydreaming and relaxing in. I love the vintage touches, the WHITE wood floors, and the SOFT PASTELS.

There are two common factors in my two dream bedrooms:

1. Wood everything(wood floors, wood furniture, etc)! Even though the second room is much more elegant, both rooms have a natural feel because of all of the wood surfaces.

2. Colorful bedding/accessories against white walls. Sigh....I just love this combination.

What about YOU? What is your decorating style? Do you have more than one?

"All the Beautiful Things"

Well, if you hadn't noticed, I've been MIA for the last week. ;) We had a problem with our cable and our Internet was only working intermittently, so I wasn't able to blog, edit photos, comment on your blogs, etc. I'm really thankful we were able to make it through the Spotlight on Photographers the week before at least! Anyways, I never realized how much I depended on the computer and it was actually very refreshing (most of the time) to not have as much access to it. I've even decided I'm going to try to have a couple computer-free days each week from now on. One thing for sure, my house looked a lot cleaner last week!

Today I wanted to introduce you to a beautiful blog I found the other day via one of my new Flickr contacts. It's called All the Beautiful Things and it's the blog of the amazingly talented photographer, Loreta J. Her photography is breathtaking, and if you're like me, you'll get completely absorbed in her blog....so many beautiful, dreamy photographs to drool over.

Well, have a great new week, friends. :) My goal is to blog on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays so, barring any technical issues, I should see you here on Wednesday! xo

Giveaway Winners!!!

Image by Me

Good morning! Just stopping in to let you know the winners of the Spotlights from last week. :) Here goes:

Winner of a Cassia Beck print ~ "Loveable Style"

Winner of a 74 Lime Lane Print ~ Dottie From "Let's Go Ride A Bike"

Winner of a Georgianna Lane Print ~ Vivi from "Hiving Out"

Winner of a Shannon Blue Print ~ Nicole from "Powertools and Thread"

Winner of an Angie Muldowney Print ~ Hannah from "Aspire"

CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!!! I appreciate the comments each all of you left for the photographers last week. If your name is listed above, I've sent you a message via your email or your blog, and all you need to do is contact the photographer via their Etsy Shop (included in their feature).

Thanks again, wonderful photographers!!! :)

Spotlight on Photographers ~ Final Day

Image by Cassia Beck

Happy Friday, Everyone! Well, this it.....the final day of the Spotlight on Photographers. I can't believe how the week just flew by! It was a huge honor for me to be able to post so many beautiful photos from such talented photographers. A big "thankyou" to all of you for participating.

Today's GIVEAWAY is being offered by Angie Muldowney! I love her work and envy the winner of one of her prints. ;) All you need to do to enter is to leave a comment(s) under the work of the featured photographers. I'll be announcing the winners of the 5 GIVEAWAYS on Monday!

Thanks again for all of YOUR kind comments and for sharing such a fun and special week with me. xoxo

Photographer ~ Angie from Angie Muldowney Photography

Her Blog ~ Lemon Light, Her Shop ~ Angie Muldowney Photography

"Angie Muldowney trained at art college and has always worked in the field of art and design. Photography is a huge passion and she loves creating new images and products in new and exciting ways.

She was born, bred and currently resides in Southampton, England – home of the Titanic, Mr Kipling Cakes and Benny Hill! The seaside of the south coast influences a lot of her work.

Angie Muldowney uses a range of photographic equipment, from vintage TLR's and toy plastic camera's to the latest digital SLR cameras."

Photographer ~ Jennifer from Jennifer Jones Photography

Her Website ~ Jennifer Jones Photography, Photographer and Webmaster for this site, too! Her Blog ~ Jennifer Jones Photography Blog

"I love to hang out with my family, husband of 19 years and my 25 year old stepdaughter(hate that term) and my 14 year old son. You will also find me with my dog, ella. I am super family oriented and love having my folks living near by now. My dad and I even took a trip to europe together. I am self taught, (not the best way to go) but none the less that is the way I did it. My partner Barbara and I created and syndicated an international parenting show that now has 104 episodes. You may be able to catch it overseas these days. Parenting Life was something that she and I really felt passionate about.

Photography was a hobby, now I do that full time. I am equally passionate about both. When I am home, I am always on the internet, and always have the news on, yes I am a news junkie... I love learning about different business's and try to cross promote as much as I can. I have tons of friends and family that I highly recommend, such as Stacy claire boyd stationery line, Art of the bead, Great bridal jewelry, dorothy mcdanial flower shop the best in the south east. I also think of myself as very patriotic and try to pass that on to my kids."

Photographer ~ Shanon from My Fine Garden

Her Shop ~ My Fine Garden, Her Blog ~ My Fine Garden Blogspot

"I'm drawn to cotton candy colors.
I love light and a good diptych.
My photography is like playing dress up. Sweet, imperfect sophistication.
I hope to bring back memories and make you feel at home."

THANKYOU FOR A WONDERFUL WEEK, EVERYONE!!! ~ Vicki xo

Spotlight on Photographers ~ Day 4

Image by Cassia Beck

Good morning! How has your week been so far? Mine's been pretty low-key and I'm glad, because I've been able to focus my efforts on this spotlight and have taken a few new photos myself. ;)

Thanks again for your encouraging comments for the photographers. I really enjoy reading through them! Today's GIVEAWAY is from Shannon from Shannon Blue Photography. She's offering one 8"x8" or 8"x10" printto the winner! Be sure and visit her shop to see all the beauty and then come back to Simply Hue and leave comments for the featured photographers. Each comment you leave will enter your name in a drawing. There are 5 GIVEAWAYS from 5 different photographers this week, so it's very possible you could win. :)

Enjoy today's spotlight and have a great Thursday!

Photographer ~ Shannon from Shannon Blue Photography

Her Shop ~ Shannon Blue Photography

"I'm obsessed finding the beauty in everything around me and capturing that in my photographs. My favorite subject is my children, but a close second is nature. I'm the one you see laying on the ground with my camera taking a picture of what may just look to you like a weed or maybe a rain puddle. But to me it's art. I'd love to share my images with you."

Photographer ~ Elizabeth from Liz Ann Photography

Her Website ~ Liz Ann Photography

"Hello, my name is Liz. I’m a contemporary child and family portrait photographer based in the North-East Atlanta metro area. I shoot on location and use 100% natural light.

Photography is one of my passions -- so much so that I wouldn’t feel like myself without making a photograph. It’s my way of expressing, reflecting, and stopping time to hold special moments vivid for a lifetime.

I have studied and practiced photography for more than 10 years. In 2005, I earned a BFA degree in photography from the College For Creative Studies, an institution recognized as a world leader in art and design education. Becoming a wife and mother inspired me to take my craft to a whole new level. My children awakened in me a sense of wonder, spontaneity, and joyful bliss. They move me to live in the moment and to cherish precious time we have together. I have taken thousands of pictures of my children, and I cannot stop.

I would love to spend time with your children or family and capture your own moments . . . your unique, treasured experiences together. Childhood is fleeting. Through photographs, we preserve images to rekindle the memories our hearts keep."

Photographer ~ Kendell (Highschool Student)

Her Blog ~ COLOR

"inspiration + ambition = creation. i shoot with a cannon rebel xsi, still new at it and learning my way around it. :) i love learning and discovering things. i like being outside and taking quiet, slow walks. i like simply thinking and seeing. listening to what I hear. really paying attention and taking notice of what I am looking at. taking pictures is something that I find relaxing and a way to see things from different angles and in different lights."

Spotlight on Photographers ~ Day 3

Image once again by the talented Cassia Beck

Good morning, Everyone! Welcome to Day 3 of the Spotlight on Photographers. I'm enjoying this so much and hope you are, too. At the beginning of the week our computer was on the blink and I thought I was going to have to postpone the spotlight again. Luckily, it decided to behave just in time. ;)

Thankyou for all of your kind comments for the featured photographers! Keep them coming for more chances to win one of their beautiful prints. By the way, if you're a photographer whose work is being featured this week, feel free to leave comments, too. You can be entered in the giveaways to win one of your fellow photographers prints. Speaking of GIVEAWAYS, today's giveaway is from Georgianna from Georgianna Fine Art Photography! She is offering the lovely 8"x8" print, "Pale Blooms for a Winter's Day". Thanks so much, Georgianna!

Have a great Wednesday, friends, and thanks for stopping by!

Photographer ~ Georgianna from Georgianna Lane Fine Art Photography

Her Blog ~ Georgianna Lane, Photography and Other Bits of Magic, Her Shop ~ Georgianna Lane, Fine Art Photography, Her Website ~ Georgianna Lane Photography

"Hello! I'm a long-time photographer, digital artist and designer who switched from corporate marketing in Hollywood to working with my husband in our own studio on a wooded wildlife habitat in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest.

My fine art photographic journey is a quest for beautiful, serene, light-filled images sprinkled with a bit of magic.

I sincerely hope you enjoy them!"

Photographer ~ Nathalie from Flowing Moments

Her Blog ~ Flowing Moments

"I am Nathalie, I am french and i live in Bordeaux, in the south west of France.

I have renewed with my first love : photography and I have created this blog to share with you my photographs and quotes or poems that I find uplifting.

I am in love with square composition.

“flowing moments” because it is exactly how i feel when I am taking photographs … I am in the flow, in the present moment, centered, connected with all that is around me, even dancing with the leaves or the trees … For me, photography is pure joy!"

Photographer ~ Sara from Sara Norris Photography

Her Blog ~ Sarah Norris Photography, Her Shop ~ Sarah Norris Photography, Fine Art Prints and Gifts, Her Website ~ Sara Norris Photography

"My name is Sara Norris and I am the owner, photographer, and Jill of all Trades behind Sara Norris Photography. Photography is my passion in life. So, just recently, I threw caution to the wind and made Sara Norris Photography my full-time job. I specialize in Fine Art photographs with a vintage or quirky touch at an affordable price. Everyone should be able to own a unique, quality piece of art without having to pay an arm and a leg for it! I have just recently added many new items to my shop: notebooks, photo blocks, gift tags, greeting cards, necklaces and new prints! My dream is to have my photography bring as much joy into other peoples' lives as it does to mine."