i like dreamin'

Although I've been personally pretty geared up for April, I know I am going to really miss March's word for our One Word Project. With so many dreamy images in the pool and encouragement from our sponsor Mondo Beyondo, there was just something about this month that helped me keep me grounded AND at the same time kept my head in the clouds.

I think that's the perfect scenario.

This shot by Sarah of Image Bearers pretty much expresses how I feel perfectly.

As we bid farewell to dream, and we awaken a new word for our project tomorrow, may we never stop dreaming. Share your dreamest shot today or link to a favorite from our pool. There's just nothing like dreaming big together.

girl seeking adventure

Although I haven't seen the new Alice in Wonderland movie yet, I still feel like I have indirectly gotten Wonderland fever! And I know I'm not the only one.

Since I know that this community loves a good photo challenge I was thrilled to discover a fantastic (and fun) ideas for a photo challenge inspired by the fine folks of Shoot Experience. Everything they do over there is photography driven (yay!) and it all seems so cool but this particular project felt perfect for all of us. It's called Shoot Portobello and it's what they call a photo "story event" this time based on Alice in Wonderland. How cool is that??

Since many of us are waaaay too far to take a day trip to London, we're going to play along from here in our own sisterly way. The big eventis happening on March 28th which will give you some time to muse on capturing your own images on this theme. Since we're making up our own rules, there are no rules! Just shoot something, or a series of something, that is inspired by the classic (and trippy) tale of Alice in Wonderland and on March 28th we'll all reveal our shots of our grand adventures! The event itself is geared toward teams working together so if you want to pair up or gather a team to play together (albeit virtually) we encourage you to go for it! The sky is the limit (just ask Alice). Something tells me this is going to fit in perfectly with our OWP theme dream too, don't you think??

And if those of you that are close enough to attend (Xanthe...you out there?) can make it to the event, that would be amazing. How fun to be represented by a Sister! Let us know.

Feel free to pop over the the Shoot Experience facebook page and become a fan if you'd like to give them a sisterly pat on the back for doing such creative things with photography. I just did!

As for today, share with us any kind of adventure shot...anything goes and/or just let us know if you're up for the photo challenge. We're excited to get your feedback. And don't forget to have your Alice in Wonderland shot(s) ready for March 28th. Don't be late!

Our participation in Shoot Portobello is not officially affiliated with the event. We're just kind of tagging along. But the folks over there are happy to have us so we thank them for that.

One Word Project: DREAM

 

Lots of little birds have told us how eager you are for the new word for March's One Word Project. Yay! Without further delay, the word of the month is DREAM. 

There's no time like spring to unearth our truest longings, take a new look at an old possibility or let yourself hope for something exciting and new.  Fill our OWP Flickr pool with what you're dreaming of this spring--let your eye fill the frame with whatever it is that's reminding you anything is possible.  Our one word sponsor is Mondo Beyondo, the online class about dreaming big.  Next class starts March 8!

Tell us what you're dreaming of in the comments below.

the beauty of backbone: nurturing for Haiti

It doesn't unfurl like silk, release a scent, flutter in breeze. A stem draws moisture, a channel of nourishment as well as fortitude. A stem feeds something beautiful. A stem is a backbone.

Nurturing isn't just about hope or prayer, as welcome as those gestures are. It's about resources and food and water and shelter. Literal, tangible, everyday caring -- the very same we do as mothers. Picking up and putting away. Wiping and lifting and stirring supper with one hand while tussling a scruffy, three-foot head with the other. This is the nurturing that keeps souls safe, keeps bellies from rumbling. It is plain and often unseen and unrecorded and yet it keeps whole families straight up and down, growing taller.

For a while, until we need not be, we can be Haiti's stem.

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Bright and early this morning, the virtual doors opened at To Haiti with Love, an auction and gathering of creative spirits and many of our own beloved shutter sisters.

René came up with the idea about a week ago -- literally. She emailed me, and responded by cannonballing into it, landing on top of her head. Within hours, emails were fast and furious and our community of artistic friends responded without hesitation.

With all proceeds going to the St. Joseph's family of homes for children in Port au Prince, Haiti, we're selling a Mondo Beyondo pass from the lovely Jen Lemen and Andrea Scher, a parade of beautiful (and many familiar, in these parts) photographic prints, original artwork, clothing, a coveted Shutter Sisters flash bulb necklace, my mother's unspeakably wonderful bird mobile, homemade maple marshmallows, and a weekend ski getaway in a historic cabin in Telluride, Colorado that comes complete with a small, blonde, Maritime female hobo-skier camped out on your front porch. And that's just to name just a few of the treasures up for bidding. More items will be added every day, so visit often throughout the week -- we've got such fabulous items waiting in the wings I can hardly keep my grinning mouth shut.

As photographers and authors and painters and toymakers and quilters, we offer what we know. Useful things, beautiful things. All tangible. Perhaps it's not the same as being able to pick up, dust off, offer embraces and warmth as motherhood would compel us. Perhaps it's much, much better. It's the means and the resources from which self-nurturing springs.

St. Joseph's nurtures Haiti's future innovators and artists and leaders. It creates family where there was none. Let's nurture them in the endeavour.

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At the heart of all things good, there is a stem of love and caring, support and nurturing. Whether it's over the miles, giving to perfect strangers or to our own children, we outstretch our arms and hold those who need to be held. We are women. It's what we do.

This month we're celebrating how we love with our One Word Project for the month: Nurture. If you're new to the One Word Project we invite you to read more about it on our OWP about page.

What does the act of nurturing look like in your everyday? What does nurturing look like when it's an extraordinary act?

Creating a Happy New Year

Happy New Year Sisters!

Beginning a whole new decade is exciting albeit a tad bit overwhelming. Taking it down a notch and just focusing on 2010 can help keep it more manageable. We're loving the idea of the talented and ever-creative Ali Edward's choosing just One Little Word for the year ahead; personally, it makes me giddy to start fresh. Did you pick your word yet?

Beyond the big picture of 2009, we are going to keep up with our One Word Project where we give you a word for the month to shoot toward. Ali Edwards inspired the whole thing last year, after all and we are thrilled to have her as a partner this month to kick off our first OWP for the year.

Because we're such a creatively inventive community here, we are eager to encourage you to create the year you envision for yourself. It's just a little twist on making traditional resolutions. Instead it's about being more mindful in creating the life you want this year; one day, one step, or even one photo at a time.

Is it to take a photo a day? To start a business? To travel more? To paint? To tell stories? To celebrate your super-powers? Bake cookies? Color in the lines? Or out of them? Anything goes!

Only you can create the life you want...so...what will it be? Our guess is it's going to be wonderful.

You guessed it, to get this whole year started on the right foot, our One Word for January 2010 is create. We simply cannot wait to see the photos you create in the OWP flickr pool.

Today, we toast our sisterhood and the year we will create together! Cheers!