Clare Davis Etheridge

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Paint Swatch Poetry for Halloween

I first saw paint swatch poetry on two fab blogs I follow, Leaf and Petal and The Magpie Diaries. I thought it was a great idea and couldn’t wait to get to the DIY store to grab a handful of paint swatches. They must have thought I was painting a whole building once I had gathered my pile!

I did a couple of random ‘poem’s and it is super fun, I thought I would have to have lots of attempts, but I just went for it and discarded the less successful.

I arranged the cards by colour rather than the crazy names, so that I wouldn’t get distracted by the words. I find random very difficult, so I let myself sort colours.

Cards with three colours were easier because all the ‘organising’ is already done.

I started with these.

From the Tree

Apple Cider

From the Field

Brown Bread

From Pure Joy

Gingersnap.

Oh my goodness, those Pinking Shears have gone Completely Bananas at my expense.

There is no more Hibiscus Tea thanks to next door’s giant Gecko.

Hand over the bowl of Mac and Cheese please.

The hollow Gourd rolled across the floor of the empty Tea Room, just like a stray line from Poetry in the Park.

At the Corner Bakery, nineteen children chew on Fried Dough like they were bears in a Fish Market.

Outside across the fields and down the lane with the Glacier Ice fountain,

The setting sun turns our Bungalow Gold.

Then I remembered I wanted to do Halloween ones and these were super super fun and I could imagine a class of kids having a blast with this.

Fancy making some paint swatch poetry? Go for it! See what the kids can come up with too.

Through The Lens Thursday #43. Sweet.

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

Sweet. These teeny tiny dolls are the sweetest thing ever. Getting them to stand up was quite a task though, one stands up, two stand up then I get the third one to stand up and number one falls. It took a few minutes! I have a whole tub of these cuties but I couldn’t persuade more than three to stand nicely at the same time.

I am really pleased with the way the sunlight just catches the blonde doll’s hair and gives it a little sparkle.

Thanks as always to the creators of Through the Lens Thursday, Greta of Gfunkified and Alison of Writing Wishing who is back after having gorgeous twins. Welcome back Alison!

Stylish Layers for Autumn

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

Long top / Animal print top / Embellished top / Striped jeans / Tall leather boots / Boho purse / Sports jewelry / Fringe scarve / Grey glove / ModCloth Rustic Writer’s Block / Bear bottle opener / Chronicle Books Boho Thoughts on Flying Journal

We are that funny time of year when the mornings are chilly and your breath floats out in foggy puffs and scarves and gloves are on. By the afternoon we are in single layers with the sun is shining down, but those cool new boots are still working it!

I had a little play over on Polyvore using ModCloth clothes and accessories to create a lovely style board for a day out in nature in this fabulous weather. The critters are getting ready to hibernate and the leaves are turning into their glowing Autumnal colours while drifting to the ground.

What we need is a good layered look to allow crunching in the leaves, making inspired notes, taking a few snazzy snaps and staying warm in that gorgeous looking scarf paired with a casual cardi and some classic denim. With a cute deer for that extra layer of warmth and to show off when the afternoon warms up. Don’t you love those gloves which are also mittens so that you can make lots of notes (keep track of all of those ideas, even the shopping list!) and keep warm.

I must admit that I do like to keep a notebook with me as I really do get ideas at any time, walking back from school or running through the park, so a natty little journal is a must, and a pen or pencil of course!

Do you love to wear layers? Are they essential where you live? Layering is one of my favourite styles, get a cozy cardigan, add a scarf and a bag and you are good to go!

This post is not sponsored, ModCloth asked if I would like to create a board and I had a great time doing so.

Weekly Photos 42/52 2014

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

1 & 2 The raindrops look so amazing on these pink leaves, I had to snap them.

3 & 4 Lots of metal pumpkins and vintage letters and signs, what great colours.

5 One of the local Black Walnut trees has lost all of it’s leaves and is just left with walnuts for decoration.

6. We went to the pumpkin patch this weekend and there were some duck shaped gourds!

7. The sky changed colour and cloud density all afternoon, I took this last photo (and all of the others come to think of it) and used no filter. More wonderful colour and light.

I hope you had a lovely week and are looking forward to this week. I have lots of jewelry to make and a 4th grade Halloween party to organise.

Happy Monday!

Through The Lens Thursday #42. From the Ground.

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

For this week’s Through The Lens Thursday prompt I decided to take some photos ‘From the Ground’ looking up and ‘From the Ground’ looking along the aforementioned ground.

This tree has been gradually getting more and more yellow for the past couple of weeks and as it is the only tree which is changing colour so dramatically in it’s area, it is positively glowing. As we pop out of the woods on our way to school, it almost creates it’s own light as we walk under it.

So, I got down to the ground and rested my camera in the leaves pointing up, and snapped a few pictures of our lovely glowing tree. The sun came out today after a week’s absence, so that helped too.

I took this photo on the way back to the Metro Link train station after picking up some magazines from the international newsagent. ‘Frankie’ issue 61 (yes we are two behind, it’s a scandal!) and ‘Kerrang!’ magazine for my teen, in case you are interested in my magazine choice.

There was no-one about, so I had a quick kneel down and again put my camera ‘On the ground’ and got a pretty cool picture of the shadows, railings and roof thingy all heading off into the distance. This photo makes me want to get out my ruler and a sheet of paper and draw a picture full of perspective and angles and lines.

I hope the sun is shining on you and that you are having a great week!

What I am wearing on this Autumn day.

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

I bought a new long cardigan this week, so I thought I would share it with you! Boots and socks are favourite and long cardigans are too.

Long cardi’s are just right for the cooler but not freezing weather and I am sure I can add a scarf, a hat and some gloves when it gets cold.

Did someone say scarf?

I got this scarf because it makes me think of old fashioned travel blankets like the ones my Grandma and Grandad kept in their red Mini. It could also be worn as a lovely shawl as it is pretty big, but it is lightweight, soft and warm and I love it. In order to make it look less like a blanket, I grabbed a corner to make it diagonal before putting it on. This gives a cascade effect rather than a solid look.

What are your Autumn favourites? Can you believe how grey my hair is? Honestly, I can’t, I don’t hate it, but I was a little taken aback at my own hair!!

Cardigan – Nordstrom Rack (worst styling ever, what are they thinking with this photo?!), Boots – Timberland (a couple of seasons old), Socks – Zappos, Scarf – Eye Candy Boutique, Pendant – CatsEatDogs

Through the Lens Thursday #41 Deception

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

Well this was a hard one. Deception. Not really sure what to photo for it. So I took myself out in the gloom and the rain to see what I could see.

I decided that the arrows on the trail could be deceptive. I mean, which way to go? Follow or not? Why so many arrows?

The reflections on the black path looked a little eerie and dark, invoking the idea of possible deception. Sometimes reflections of the trees in puddles make it look like they go on forever, downwards. Deceptive. Be careful not to step in those puddles…

I put some film into my Minolta 35mm camera this week and I am planning to use that on manual too, so I will continue to learn as I shoot some film. There are a couple of lenses with it too, so I am looking forward to using them. The first thing I will learn is to plan the photo and not take a bazillion photos to get one shot. I see note taking as well as photo taking in my future.

Do you still use film camera? Would you consider it? At least you don’t have to worry about printing, it is the only option to see what you have! I am looking forward to that part, collecting the prints and checking out my successes (hopefully!).

Happy end of the week, I hope you have a fab weekend planned!

Weekly Photos 40/52

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

1. At last the chili peppers are growing! I only planted them in April…. Now I just hope I get a little crop before the frost comes.

2. I am happy to be harvesting lavender still.

3. Three long or short necklaces, soon to be added to my Etsy shop. I made me one too (of course) and they are super casual and full of good energies.

4. Woodland floor, Autumn edition.

5. Art at the Metro-Link.

6. Flowers in bloom at the St Louis Zoo.

7. Elephant fountain at the Zoo all ready for Halloween!

8. I spotted a new favourite at the St Louis Art Museum.

I hope you had a fab week and that the week ahead will be wonderful for you!

Sparkle. Through The Lens Thursday #40.

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

Today I had lost my sparkle big time. You know when you just can’t be bothered? Wonder why you are bothering? Why am I doing this why am I doing that? What should I be doing? Blah blah blah.

I took a few photos for the sparkle prompt and they were all a bit rubbish. Why bother? Actually, I did think ‘why am I doing this project?’ I am at week 40 and I have not missed a single Through The Lens Thursday, but why? I might be getting a bit better at using my camera but I am really not understanding all those numbers. What do they all mean and how is it that they can create a sharp, wonderful shot or destroy it by adding a distinctly non artistic blur.

So, I took myself off to Pilates which is one of the toughest exercise classes I take and believe me, I don’t bother with easy workouts. The weather looked like it might produce something biblical and I almost turned around and went home for fear or getting drenched, blown away or struck by lightning, or heck, the way today is going, all three.
I didn’t go home and the class was great and I saw some friends there, things were starting to look a lot more sparkly.

My friend asked me to help her upcycle some old jewelry to auction for charity which sounds like super cool fun and just what I like to do. Outside, the sun was shining and the streets were steaming under the heat as I left the gym.

I came home, made lunch, retook my photos and made full use of the direct sunlight to rock that sparkle. Would you look at that, I even managed to get an actual sparkle on the bracelet, which I didn’t add in an app! A genuine bling which I am pretty sure I could not reproduce if I tried!

Here are the numbers, which I understood a little bit this time. ISO 800, 18.00mm, f/22.00, 1/160s.

I am pretty happy with the sparkle on this photo and I have claimed some to add to my day, please feel free to grab some sparkle for your day!

This is a bracelet which I used to wear all the time in the 80’s, I loved diamante and wore as much as I could pile on!

So, the day turned around nicely and I have a lovely sparkle picture, my enthusiasm has returned and my legs are aching already!

Photo a Day September 2014

Published by Clare at CatsEatDogs

1. In my cup. Soft serve and sprinkles, the best!

2. Stripes. My phone case is a toddler mitten! It works very well.

3. Button. Lucky Day pearl button.

4. DIY. I bought this necklace from Goodwill to DIY into something else, but decided to keep it as it is, I like it so much.

5. Upside Down. I am sure I thought this was a very good idea at the time. #worstselfieideaever

6. I need…. the weather to cool down so that I can wear my boots!

7. Father.

8. Broken.

9. Orange. First Autumn leaves are falling.

10. Repetition. Mushroom gills.

11. How I Feel Today. Like a reflection in a dark window. Nice buttons though!

12. Spring/Fall. Autumn treasures.

13. Out of Place. The cookie was supposed to be the ‘out of place’ object, but I think my shoes are more out of place!

14. Healthy. Farm stand watermelons for sale.

15. Remember. The lovely sunflower is now turning to birdseed. Still cool.

16. I don’t like. Trying to figure out how much thread I will need and I keep getting it wrong!

17. Key.

18. Person. I am the type of person who pulls a Target cart out of the creek. It was very heavy!

19. Even. Trying to get the pretzel rolls even in size never works!

20. Beginning. The start of the parade.

21. Fave Word.

22. Crisp.

23. Triangle.

24. Loud. This vintage travel case is pretty loud!

25. Angle. Some good angles on the YMCA.

26. Best. The best mushrooms I have seen in a while.

27. Celebration. A celebration of colour. Gathered from yard sales and estate sales this weekend.

28. Game. I picked up these vintage jacks at an estate sale. Do you know how to play? I don’t! I intend to find out though.

29. Wish. I wished for the boots I ordered with these smashing socks. I love the socks, but returned the boots. The hunt continues for a new pair of boots.

30. Where I’m From. This photo is from a village gala fancy dress parade in the village I grew up in. 1981 in all it’s slightly out of focus glory. I am the tomato! Ha.

October is here and Photo a Day continues on it’s merry way. Pop over to Fat Mum Slim for the October list and tips, if you fancy joining in.