Spring Special / Adoption Fundraiser

SPRING SPECIAL Announcement!! :) Once again, someone close to me has chosen to pursue the path of adoption. If you don't know, I am kind of a little obsessed with the idea of adoption, and I can't think of a better way to add to your family and example the love of God in the life of a Christian. It's a perfect picture of his love for us, as He made us His children in the same way! Nick & Whitney Weaver have chosen to adopt from Ethiopia (another thing close to my heart), and I want to do what I can to help them raise a little money! So, I will be doing another Adoption Fund Raiser!! Woo Hoo!! Get Excited!!

The Deal: A Mini Session (can be multiple people) and a disc of high resolution images (20-25) with printing rights.

The Price: $100 donation to the Weaver adoption fund (this package is normally a $190 value, so you are saving almost 50%!)

The Details: There are only 15 spots available. A spot/date will not be saved for you until I get confirmation of your payment. Sessions can be used any time during the 2013 calendar year - so if you want to buy now for a session in the fall for Christmas card pics - perfect! :) Shoots must take place in the general Conway area.

How to Donate: Please visit their PayPal account to make your $100 donation. CLICK HERE TO DONATE!!
In the "Purpose" line, write "lindseyfaith photography deal" so they know you want to book a photo session. They will then notify me that you donated, and you will be ready to book your session!

Help me get the news out about this amazing deal!!  You can see and share it on Facebook too!!

***** As of 8:00am on Tuesday, January 29th, there are only 2 spots still available!*****

*****As of 10:00am on Tuesday, January 29th, all of the specials have been claimed!!!  Thanks so much for donating!!*****

Overdue craft time.....

I love a good DIY project.  However, it's been a while since I've done one, so a couple weekends ago I found myself with nothing to do - crazy, i know - so I dug out all my supplies and got to working!    I've had this shelf for years.  My very sweet uncle built it for me a long time ago, and it has lived in LOTS of houses!  I finally broke down and decided to refinish it since I've been on the fence about it for so long.  So, step one was painting it black.  I used regular craft paint, but you could use any kind of paint that works on wood in any color you like!

After the paint dried, I applied scrapbook paper to the tops of each shelf.  I love this because you can get all kinds of cool, fun patterns w/o having to hand paint it all.  I used a cheapy foam paint brush and mod podge (a crafter's best friend).  On the very top shelf, I put my first sheet of paper down in the center and worked outwards.  I didn't bother cutting the paper down to size (that will be taken care of in another step).  I just glued it down, then painted back over the top with more mod podge.  I didn't even bother trying to line up the paper so it would look seamless.  I just laid it down edge to edge.  (I also recently did an "L" door hanger, and did match up the edges to make it look seamless because it was smaller and people would see it more closely.)  I let that dry really well before moving on to the next step.

Next step after glue dries - distressing it!  This is the most fun part!  I have a sander, but you can always do this by hand as well.  This step is going to all depend on how distressed you want your piece to look.  I sanded over the edges of the paper to detach the excess, then sanded the edges of the shelf and over the top of the paper as well.  In some places, it's just a light going-over.  In other places, I sanded more, so there are holes or tears in the paper or places where the paint is gone and the wood is showing through.  (You could also use some wood stain to make it look aged.)  I then took a little more of my black paint, squirted it into my hand and rubbed it in several places on the paper.  I rubbed it enough so that the pattern of the paper still showed through.  I also tried to make sure the edges of the black stains weren't too uniform or "planned."

Final step is sealing!  I purchased a spray on finisher, but you could also just paint back over everything again with another coat of mod podge.  Just be sure to get any places where the paper may be torn or really rough - especially if this is something that might ever get wet.

Below is a final picture once I got it moved back into my living room and stuff put back on the shelf.  This is a VERY fun technique, and could be used on ANYTHING that will take glue and paper.  Shelves, wooden letters, wooden serving trays, etc.....Hope this inspires one person to go out and DIY!!!  Let me know if you try it out on anything!  I'd love to see a picture of your project!

Jasper

I'm not sure if I've ever posted about my boy on here.  :)  This is him.  He is a 2 year old Australian Shepherd, and is a ball of energy!  One of his favorite things to do is play fetch.  So, this is what we were doing when I took these pics.  Just about the only way I can get him to sit still for very long is make him sit while I throw the ball.  Enjoy a few of my sweet boy!  :)

To Beach? Or Not To Beach?

I'm tossing around the idea of heading down to Destin, FL this coming summer to do some beach pictures.  I need to know how many of you would be interested in that.  I am not sure of pricing yet, but the packages would include a disc of high resolution images with full printing rights.
Post a comment here or head on over to my Facebook page and leave a comment.  Thanks!!!

Surgery Backstory/Update: Part 1

http://www.bucket5.blogspot.com/

Click the above link to view part one of "My Tumor Story."  :)  Or not.....whatever.

I will be updating/completing it as I can over the next day or two.


I am also not currently booking yet.  i am still recovering - doing well - but want to see how the week goes before I dive back in.  I should start booking again soon, though!!  :)  Thanks for your patience!!!

Lindsey

New Phone Number!

Beginning Monday, December 27, 2010, lindseyfaith photography will have a new phone number!!  Please use the following number if you would like to book a shoot or have any questions about your proofs, ordering, or any other services. 

Thanks, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

501.283.2491

Calypso - 2001-2010

I'm not really sure there is a good way, an easy way, a nice way to say goodbye to a friend.  Because to me, just the word "goodbye" implies bad, difficult, and rough.  I have never been good at saying goodbye, and yesterday was no different.  

Calypso was 6 weeks old when I picked her up for the first time. I took her home to my parents and sat with her on my mom's front porch swing waiting for my parents to get home so I could show them their new granddog.  That hour in the swing was the beginning of a habit - Calypso's most favorite thing in the world.  That dog would swing for hours if I let her!  Not only did she love a swing, she loved riding in cars, laying around while being doted on by me or anyone near by, belly rubs, and the snow.  She even rolled up her own snowball once - no lie.  I have a picture of it.  She was a genius.  :)

After finding out she had cancer, I had to make a wretched decision - one that would be the best for her, but break my heart as well.  So, this past weekend, I fed her grilled pork chops, grilled hot dogs, oreos, and ice cream.  I sat on the patio and let her lean on me like she liked to do as you were petting her - to the point that she would push you over if you didn't brace yourself.  Yesterday, I kissed her goodbye and sat in my car and cried.  It wasn't pretty.  It was pleasant.  It wasn't easy, but it was best for her.  

HUGE thanks to Kelli Stuart of Kelli M Photography for these sweet pictures of my and my girl.  

Win an iPad!!!!!!!

Click here:

http://johnandchristinaanderson.blogspot.com/2010/09/win-ipad-help-bring-nora-home.html

to donate to the Anderson Family adoption fund AND.....

to enter to win an iPad!!!!!!!

If you don't want to pay online, and live in the Central AR area, you can contact me, and I will get you entered to win.

Thanks!!
Lindsey

Thank You!

http://johnandchristinaanderson.blogspot.com/2010/08/you-know-that-last-piece-of-paperwork.html

A BIG "Thank You" to all who purchased Adoption Deal Packages!!!!  Click the link above and read the latest news.  YOU helped make this happen.  We are so excited, and cannot express enough gratitude to those of you who have donated or prayed for this Ethiopian Adoption!!!

Please continue to pray for the Andersons as they continue this process, and for Nora as she waits for her forever family to come get her!

Life is good.

I just wanted to share this.....LOVE it!!! :)

GREAT Deal for a Donation

For those of you who follow me on facebook, you may have read that, some time in the next year to 18 months, I will be getting a new niece.....from Ethiopia! SO EXCITING!!!!!! My sister and brother-in-law shared the news with the family last week, and finally made it public a couple days later. They have prayed over this situation for a very long time now, and are certain that God is leading them in this direction.

Christina hasn't had much time to blog about it yet, but I am sure several blog posts are cooking in her head. She will be sharing all about it as soon as she gets the chance. If you would like to follow the story, you can check out the Anderson Family blog here.

I have always had a huge heart for adoption, and have great admiration for those who adopt - whether it be domestic or foreign. Because of this, and because I can't wait to meet our new little family member, I am offering a deal to you to help raise money for them! :) So.......

If you make a $80 donation to the Anderson Family adoption fund, you will get a mini-session (30 minutes, one outfit) and 5 high resolution digital images on CD - a $150 value.

OR

If you make a $135 donation to the Anderson Family adoption fund, you will get a mini-session (30 minutes, one outfit) and 10 high resolution digital images on CD - a $275 value.

This is a great deal! I very rarely offer full rights to my digital images, so you should take advantage of this offer! Mini-sessions are usually only for one person per shoot, but for this offer, I am opening it up to multiple people per shoot. This would be great for babies, kiddos, families, seniors, or just plain ole' anytime photos! I have a feeling these spots will fill up fast, so book soon!

How to book: Click on this link: www.johnandchristinaanderson.blogspot.com. Under the header, there is a Anderson Ethiopia Fund "Donate" Button. Click the button, pay via credit card or pay pal, and in the memo space, write "lindseyfaith photography adoption deal." After donating, please call or e-mail me to book. Once I get a copy of your recipt of payment from Christina & John, I will book the session!

Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions.

Thanks! Lindsey

Granny Pete

This is my Granny Pete. :) Yes, I said Pete. No, Pete is not her real name. However, I think I was 13 or something before I ever even knew her real name. A couple weeks ago, I took these pictures while a bunch of family was at her house to play cards and visit. She LOVES cards! She is the queen of Rook. I have no idea how to play, but love watching her. We always joke and say she cheats, but sometimes I don't think that is too far from the truth. ;) She wins a lot.

I love watching her play, because inevitably, she will do something and get so tickled at herself - and laugh. hard. for a long time. SO CUTE!!! Here are just a few pictures I got of her laughing at herself. Be ready for the cuteness. . . .

She is a precious, precious lady to me and my whole family. She is a hard worker, an AMAZING cook, a great card player, a wonderful mom, grandmother, aunt, great grandmother - so many things! I love her so much! So does everyone who knows her. :)

My New Favorite Christmas Song

Hanging of the Green

I have always wanted to be one of those people who decorated their entire home for Christmas. One of those people who puts a tree in every room. One of those people who puts garland and lights on mantles and tables and shelves. One of those people who has richly colored Christmas hand towels in the guest bathroom. Do you know any of those people? I am not one of those people. :) I always start out with the best of intentions, and lose my momentum somewhere along the way. However, I DO put up a tree every year. This year, it's a little later than usual, but it's up! I may just leave it up later since it took me so long to finally finish it! :)

I love putting up my tree. Partly because I LOVE twinkle lights and think they make any room look fabulous. Partly because I love to sip hot cocoa and listen to Josh Groban sing "O Holy Night", and tree decorating goes perfectly with those activities. MOSTLY because I love getting out every ornament and reliving the moment I got that ornament or remembering the person who gave me the ornament or just enjoying the cuteness of the ornament. I know this probably sounds like the dorkiest thing you have ever heard, but it's my favorite. I love, love, love my ornaments. In fact, sometimes I don't like putting them on the tree because I worry they will get "lost" in the whole mass of lights and limbs and garland. And I want each of mine to stand out. I want people to notice them when they come into my home. I want them to marvel at how lovely each one is, then ask me how I came to acquire it, thus giving me a chance to share with them my wonderful memories. Yes, yes, among other kinds of nerdiness I possess, you can now add "Crazy Ornament Lover" to the list. :)

I love them so much, I am sharing some of them with you. This is not all of them, by any means. But, it's a few (very few) of my favorites. Enjoy!

This is my tree - I got a new one this year. Skinner than my old one, but taller too. It's pre-lit - God bless the man who thought of that! :) My tree skirt is new too. I love it. I think it looks like something from Who-ville. :) And yes, that is a red feather boa atop that tree!

This poinsettia has no special meaning - I just like them because they are very sparkly and I got them on sale at Hobby Lobby today. :)

This ornament is probably the one I have had for the longest. I got it from my high school Student Council Sponsor. We had a Christmas party at her house one year, and she had made us all Santa icesicle ornaments. He's been around a while!

This one below is the cutest thing! I love it! My friends Christina, Cari and Beka and I used to have monthly girls' nights. For our December one a couple years ago, we had a progressive dinner and ornament exchange. We bought each girl an ornament that represented us. Christina got this one because she used to own a pot bellied pig! :) I mean, who doesn't love a fat little piggie in boots and a scarf?? :)

The one below is from my friend Abby. She get me an ornament every year, and I love all of them. But this little Santa-sicle is probably my favorite - I love the shape of him!!!

This mask is from my friend Cari. When I lived with her a few years ago, she used to go visit her brother and sister-in-law in New Orleans a lot. She would always bring me back a boa or mardi-gras mask. So, this little ornament is a memory of that.

My friend Beka got me this Willow Tree angel. I don't have any other Willow Tree things, so I love this a lot!

Below is one of my newest ornaments. I got it this summer on my trip to Destin, FL. So much fun!

Over the years, I have had lots of roommates, and at Christmas, we would always fill each others' stockings. A few years ago, I lost my roommate to a horrible car accident. I was especially sad that holiday season and my sister new that. So, she had all of my friends get me an ornament in memory of Lauren - these were my "stocking stuffers", and they have remained some of my most precious ornaments. The one below is from Michael and Christie Treat - they were good friends of Lauren and Matt and got me this picture ornament of them. I love, love, love it. I don't have lots of pictures of them.

The bell below is from my sister and brother-in-law, Christina and John. It's a "Lauren ornament" too. I love it. I love the snowflake top, and I can't help but ring it every time I get it out of the box. You know....just helping an angel get its wings. ;)

The little snowman below is my "Lauren ornament" from my nephews and niece, Ethan, Cerra Cathryn, and Brantley. Cerra and Brantley probably don't remember Lauren, but Ethan does. Every time someone talks about Heaven or someone passes away, Ethan always asks about Lauren. So sweet. :)

This one below is the "Lauren ornament" that my parents got me. It's so pretty - one of the few purple ones I have.

This is just a handful of my favorites, but I hope you enjoyed reading about them as much as I enjoyed sharing them. I love my tree because it's not just pretty - it's a standing scrapbook in my living room. I can look at it and realize that I am loved and surrounded by a host of wonderful friends and family.

I would love to hear about your special ornaments! If you blog, I encourage you to write a blog just like this. If you just blog stalk, please leave a comment and share your favorite ornament memory with me!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

What's on Your Nightstand? 2nd installment

It's been a while since I've had a "What's on Your Nightstand" post, so I thought since I was enjoying a couple days off , I would squeeze one in. You will notice, as I post more and more of this type of post, that I enjoy a lot of fiction books. Very seldom will I ready anything besides fiction. I will, occasionally, read non-fiction, but most of time, fiction is my friend. :)

I have actually been trying to read this book for a couple months now. I started reading it in the middle of busy season, so there are days/weeks when I will only read a few pages or none at all. However, this is probably the 20th time I've read this book. No joke. That is not an exaggeration. I LOVE this book. My friend, Jill, bought it for me for my 14th birthday. :) The pages and cover of my copy are very tattered. The spine is cracked and coming apart from the pages. That is a sign of a great book. That doesn't mean the book has been mistreated - it has been loved - several times. :)

"Christy" is a classic that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story. It is fiction, but based on true events. Christy Huddleston grows up in a privileged home in a fairly big city, but after one year of college, she decides to move to a remote cove in the Smokey Mountains to teach the children of the cove. The people are very "backwoods" and behind the times, modern conveniences are unheard of, and most of the people don't even own shoes. Christy moves to Cutter Gap to help improve the educational conditions of the children there, but in turn learns very much about herself, God, and how to love the "unlovable."

I can't even totally explain how great the book is! :) Just read it!

And, I've also been skimming through the pages of the New Moon Illustrated Movie Companion. LOL! :) I just saw the movie last week - loved it, by the way. But this book goes through how the movie was made, which contrary to what it sounds like, is actually pretty interesting. :)

Friday Night Lights

Friday night, I went home to my alma mater for the big homecoming game! I really do love high school football, and this unseasonably cool weather we've been having just added to the football atmosphere I LOVE!!! Bald Knob was 6-0, and hoping to be Heber Springs who is also really good this year. I took my camera along to try to snap some fun shots. Here are just a few of the ones I took. Below - Zeek the Bulldog. How cute is that face??!!

Here they come!!

Go Dogs!!!!!!!!

Congrats to the Bald Knob Bulldogs for their 26-22 win over Heber! They are now 7-0!!! Tons of fun!

Confession

I have a confession.

I'm a nerd.

And when I say nerd, I mean NERD! The target lady would even say "Classic nerd to the max!!"

For my friends, this comes as no surprise at all. For those of you who don't know me that well, it's time you knew.

I hope you can still be my friend. I hope this has no bearing on how you view me as a photographer.

I am ridiculously addicted to school supplies. I HATE Wal-Mart, but just getting to walk down the school supply aisle is enough to make me want to go. I don't know what it is - the crisp, clean look of brand new pencils that haven't been chewed on or banged up, capped my sharp edged erasers. Or maybe it's markers that are dark and heavy on the paper because they are brand new and have all their ink - or sharp crayons!!! Or maybe it's the perfectly clean white lined pages of a spiral notebook waiting to be filled with notes (from the lecture or to your best friend who sits in the desk behind you). I can't quite put my finger on it, but they are so fun to buy! So much fun that I actually bought these and didn't even need them! :) They make me smile, so I thought I'd pass that smile along to you today. Enjoy my school supplies, go buy some for yourself, or better yet, find a kid who can't afford them, and buy some for them!

Now, excuse me while I go fight the urge to doodle my first name with that cute guy's last name all over the front of one of my new notebooks. :)

Yuck-o-la!

In case you've been wondering where I've been for the past few weeks - well, summer is always a slow time of the year for photography with this crazy Arkansas heat!!! And, I've had to reschedule several shoots because last week I had a gallbladder attack and surgery on Friday! I don't know if any of you have had your gallbladder attack you, but it is NOT pleasant!! So, my next few weeks are full of rescheduled shoots, thus resulting in more eye candy for you all! :) Thanks for your patience! Oh, and I'm recovering quite nicely, in case you were wondering!

What's on Your Nightstand?

My sister, Christina, recently posted on her blog about the latest book she is reading. In that post, she started a sort of game, and challenged all her readers to post about what was on their nightstand. So, I decided to play along. Here goes.....in all of my "I read teeny-bopper books" shame.
Hello. My name is Lindsey, and I'm an Edward Cullen addict. Yes, yes...it's true. My friend Beth brought along the first two books of the Twilight saga, "Twilight" and "New Moon", to Destin with her and encouraged me to start reading them. (see, really it's all her fault) Skeptically, I started reading the first one thinking that it would take me all week to read it. (we had watched the movie a couple months before, and i wasn't impressed, so i didn't hold out much hope for the book.) Well, I started reading the first one on Sunday morning and finished it Monday afternoon. Luckily, she brought the 2nd book, and I had it read in 2 days. I went and bought the 3rd, and read it on Thursday and Friday. And Friday night, before we left, I went and bought the 4th, read it all the way home on Saturday, and finished it Sunday afternoon. :) I'm sick. I know.

"New Moon" is not my favorite of the saga - mostly because **spoiler alert** I heart Edward Cullen, and he isn't in this one very much. However, I LOVE the whole series, so I must read "New Moon" to complete the set. I decided to start reading them again a week ago. For those of you who think it's a crazy vampire book....well.....you're sort of right. However, in my defense, I don't love it because of the vampires. I am a sucker (with a capital S-U-C-K-E-R) for a good love story, and as unrealistic and full of teen angst as this book is, it's a good love story. And really, what GOOD or GREAT love story is really THAT realistic? So, if you haven't read them, I would encourage you to do so. I would NOT let my teenage daughter (if i had one) read them, however. They are written for teens, but I don't think I would let a teen read them. It's hard enough for me to separate the dreamy romance from real life and I'm almost......ahem....well, let's say, I'm well over teen age. So, knowing how teen girls can be, I'm not sure that they would really tell the unrealistic parts from the realistic ones. (i.e. Edward Cullen quite possibly is the most perfect man ever, aside from the vampire thing, or maybe because of it vs. realistic men who really are great and awesome and all that, but could never live up to a fictional perfect character.) Anyway, I'm hopelessly addicted to them. I can't wait for the "New Moon" movie to come out! :)

So, Christina, this isn't nearly as spiritual as your book, but I thought I'd share anyway. LOL!!! And please, share with me (or on your blog) what's on your nightstand.

Destin 09

My previous post was the beach last year.  This is the beach this year.  Yep - still as wonderful!  :)  I'll post more later!!!