many muses musing - WONDER

reflecting on the season by brooke@myreal.everyday.life

For me the delight of the holiday season is best seen through the wonder of a child’s eyes. As adults we become busy and harried with plans and preparations at this time of year and often our delight is lost, or temporarily misplaced. My wish for you is that you may find time to slow down and open up to the wonder of the season. No matter how you celebrate, it truly is a magical time of year.

Today I'm giving away a handmade necklace from my Etsy shop.  The necklace includes a  "Keep Calm and Snap On" soldered charm and a camera charm strung on a 24" shiney silver ball chain.

Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (maximum 2 entries per person)

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt WONDER.

Your creative prompt for tomorrow is HOPE.

How nice to be back again musing with the Muses. And I have so enjoyed seeing your holiday preparations and activities through your images in the flickr pool!

Have a lovely holiday season,
xoxo maureen of Cottage 960

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a year of inspiration

Inspiration.
That's what I think of when I think about this wonderful wild ride of a year. One year of inspiring Muse posts, one year of inspired companion photos. One year of amazing and inspired photos in the Mortal Muses flickr pool, one year of lovely inspired views of your Everyday Beauty and over six months of inspired photos of your Life in B&W. Collectively that's over 53,000 inspired views of your world. I can't thank you enough for participating and sharing that with all of us.

I mentioned in one of my early posts, how much I enjoyed surfing the MM flickr pool, glass of wine in hand, Dave Matthews Band playing in the background and I still enjoy doing just that. The Mortal Muses flickr pool is my favorite source of inspiration, admiration and downright awe.

inspire 264/365 by jan@twoscoopz

But inspiration alone wasn't the initial reason we came together as the Mortal Muses. We wanted to create a collaborative blog, a place to support and encourage other photographers. Hopefully a welcoming place where you can make connections, new friends. I sincerely hope that you have made those connections, found new friends. That's the part I treasure the most. The sweet friends I've made this year. From the Muses, to many of you who join us week after week, sharing photos in the flickr groups and commenting on the posts, and photos in the flickr groups. My life is so much richer for having met all of you. And hopefully, through the different themes you have been challenged to learn and grow with your photography as we often were. (Heh, the behind the scene discussions we've had about some of those themes. Often they were just as challenging to us.)

158/365 Waiting for the dawn… by Tina M89

I will also admit that when Tammy first contacted me about becoming a Muse, I was excited beyond measure. And then a little terrified. However, not surprisingly, it was simply an answer to a dream of mine. I had written down a list of dreams just a few weeks before, and one of them was to participate in a collaborative photography blog, even though I had no idea what that would look like. I'm grateful that Tammy did. Thank you Tammy, for making a dream of mine a reality and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Mortal Muses. Thank you fellow Muses for making this such a fun ride. {Oh. My. Goodness. the fun we have had.} And thank you to our followers for your participation, without you, it simply would not have worked. I love that so many of you embraced the idea and have joined us along the way. It has been an amazing year full of so much fun and beauty and I can't wait to see what the second year of Mortal Muses brings.

happiness by life stories photography

As you have probably concluded, some of us founding Muses are stepping out, making room for new Muses, new visions, new inspiration. After much thought and consideration, I have also decided to hand off  my muse spot.

Untitled by soulaperture

I couldn't be happier to welcome Christina of Soul Aperture as one of the newest Muses. Like me, she is a midwest girl, she has a love of vintage, textures, still lifes, a nice glass of wine, and she's also been featured in Artful Blogging magazine. But she is so much more than that. Christina has an amazing eye for details and her blog and photostream are full of beautiful,  slice-of-life everydayness photos.  Her photos inspire me to pick up my camera and look at my world a bit more thoughtfully, seeing the beauty in the simplest things. I'm sure she will continue to inspire as one of the newest Muses. Welcome Christina.

{i wanna drink with you all night until we both fall down...} by tumbleweed.in.eden

I won't say goodbye, as I plan to continue to participate with this wonderful group. I look forward to challenging myself with the new themes, contributing to the flickr groups, and continuing to support and promote the Muses as they move forward into an exciting second year. I also plan to enjoy all of the inspired photos added each day to the Mortal Muses flickr groups and I look forward to staying in touch with all of you as I enjoy the everyday beauty in your photostreams. And, of course you can also find me irregularly posting to my own blog, joyfully continuing my collaboration with fellow Muse Michel on our blog Mo&Mi, continuing my 365 project on flickr (perhaps now I'll get it all organized and posted) sharing my purple finds in the Happy PurpleTuesday group, and you can follow along with my newest obsession documenting my daily life on Instagram.

champagne by 2 peas and a blueberry

Waiter! Champagne for everyone! Cheers to another inspired year!

much love *sniff*
xo
maureen

summer reading

1. Summer Read, 2. Under the covers, 3. Still Summer Vintage Love, 4. Day 79 Reading in the Backyard, 5. ~102/365~, 6. Untitled, 7. reading, 8. 172:365 Summer Reading, 9. The Botticelli Secret 194/365, 10. Serenity, 11. pig under book, 12. Taking it easy., 13. Me & My Book


The lazy days of summer are the perfect the time to savor a good book. No matter your age, no matter your preferred position, there is no better time to get comfortable and get lost with a good read.

So far, I've managed to enjoy two books this summer. One, by my favorite summer-read author, Mary Kay Andrews, titled Summer Rental. What about you? Have you found a good book recently? Do you have a favorite title you go back to each summer? Please share with us the title of your favorite summer read in the comments, there's still time to finish another book or two.

Thanks to all photographers listed above for submitting your awesome photos to the Mortal Muses flickr group.I also would like to say a huge thank you to all of the photographers who continue to submit photos to each of the Mortal Muses flickr groups week after week. You are a constant source of amazement and inspiration for me.

xo

maureen @ Cottage 960

parks and recreation

I've written about it here before. I come alive in the summertime. I'm a warm weather girl, and I like nothing better than to get outside and get active when the temperatures rise. Some of my favorite summer-time fun is riding my bike, running or hiking. And some of my favorite places to go for those activities are state and national parks. Americans are so very lucky to have so many parks to visit. Parks that offer a dizzying array of activities and scenery. Literally from 'sea to shining sea.' I love the idea of seeing views of our country that can only be seen after a bit of a hike or ride.

Both of these photos are from Mt Hood Mama. I am in love with that stunning view. And I love that the only way to see it, is to lace up your boots and put one foot in front of the other.

I hope you are finding time to get out and get active this summer.

xo
Maureen of Cottage 960

(L) Summit (R) On The Side Of The World

through the viewfinder

Well, here we are at the end of a month of square format. As you have seen here on the blog, and in the flickr pool, there are many ways to shoot square format. After seeing Muse Mosey's post about TtV (through the viewfinder) last fall, I was intrigued by the idea of using a vintage camera and went in search of my very own twin lens reflex. It's an old crusty, rusty Kodak Duaflex IV. It's not a beauty, but it's perfect for TtV shooting. I love that it is square format and I love the vintage looking texture it adds to the photos {all without that pesky Photoshop-ing}.

I love the way Brandy was able to capture this fun shot full of lovely bokeh with an old Duaflex II twin lens reflex. Brandy has a very inspiring photostream full of square format photos, some using a vintage TtV and others using iPhone apps. If you are interested in this technique, I encourage you to visit her photostream.

See you soon for some summer-time fun!
xo

maureen of Cottage 960

~HBW~ by bford13

thinking outside the box

 

I have really enjoyed the idea of shooting in square format this month. I have found myself thinking about framing shots differently as I've looked for the 'square.' I'm so accustomed to composing a shot with the rule of thirds in mind, it has felt quite freeing to throw that idea out, and try something different.

How about you? Have you been challenged to 'think outside the box' this month as you look for the square? How has this theme changed the way you look for the shot, the way you compose an image? Will you continue to shoot square? Do you feel like you've gotten better at square shooting during the month? Do you find it easier to shoot square with a camera phone? Share with us in the comments what your experience has been this month.

Please don't quit shooting those squares, we still have a little over a week left (and I have one more square post to do) so keep submitting your images.

xo
maureen of Cottage 960

329/365 by Rivendell♥Photography

inspiration squared

right now I'm inspired by . . .
spring flowers . . . white . . . old rusty repurposed items . . . warm weather . . . textures . . . longer days full of sunshine . . .  the Mortal Muses flickr group . . .  vintage collections . . . fresh blueberries

What about you? Tell us what inspires you right now.

xo maureen from Cottage 960

blueberries by ~ania♥

hiding in the light

I have totally loved seeing all of the self portraits in the Mortal Muse flickr pool, seeing the lovely faces behind the lens. This self portrait theme was a struggle for me. I tried taking shots inside and outside, by myself, with my dog, smiling, not smiling, day light, evening light, crappy indoor light. I studied the submissions to the pool again and again as I tried to decide how I wanted to approach this. I found I was most inspired by the unique ways lighting was used. Often used to only reveal part of the whole, still hiding, still holding back.

I love the way Sarah used light to retain some mystery in her self portrait, to hide in the light.

xo maureen from Cottage 960

Untitled by Sarah Huck

the beauty of shapes

It's no secret that I love old things. I've a soft spot for everyday items handcrafted generations ago, that have been cherished and cared for, and handed on. Often crafted with an eye for beauty, using what few materials that were found on hand. These utilitarian items brought a bright spot of art to an otherwise dreary existence. I have a collection of vintage quilts, all of them beautiful in different ways. They may be crafted with simple materials, but they provided an opportunity for women to express their artistic and creative self, at a time when those opportunities were nearly nonexistent. Using geometric shapes, color and repeating patterns they created masterpieces. A truly beautiful quilt is not an accident. Once the fabric was saved, the pattern carefully determined and planned, the pieces were cut, and then the work began. Most often by hand. Tiny stitches, endless tiny perfectly spaced stitches. What an amazing labor of love. To create a thing of such beauty to wrap a loved one in warmth and love.

Geometric shapes are the basis of so much of what we find beautiful. It's often the way we bring our creativity to our everyday environments. In bunte-knete's photo I love the way someone thought to use shapes and pattern and color and light to bring beauty to the everyday for those who pass by.

I'll see you next time, with a *gulp* self portrait. I really love seeing all of you in the flickr group, so much inspiration.

xo maureen of Cottage 960

Infinity and Beyond #3 by bunte-knete

the star of the shot

I am always looking for the light with my lens, and still learning ways to shoot it. Most of the time I look for ways to capture the light so that it will enhance the subject. On occasion, I find an opportunity to make the sun the star of the shot. Sometimes it is a planned shot, but just as often, it is luck and seizing the moment. I shot this statue previously, with lights illuminating it at night. But when I found myself walking around the same park in the daylight, I decided I wanted to get a fun shot. I moved around and around it until I got it just right. It looks to me as if Pinocchio caught sunshine in his hand.

I love the way Kristine chose to use the light, to catch the warm rays of sunshine between a pair of hands and turned the light into the star of her photo.

maureen of Cottage 960

the heart by blue elephant photography

ready for spring

I'm not a girly girl. I'd rather spend the day at a country auction in a pair of worn and faded blue jeans than hanging at the mall searching for the current season's must-have fashion accessories. {As if I'd even know what that would be.} However, when spring finally arrives, I can't wait to pull out my flip flops and indulge my feminine side. It's time for a pedicure, and girly pink polish.

I love Eileen's photo of toes freshly painted and ready for spring. Aren't those the cutest little pink toes you've ever seen?

xo maureen at Cottage 960

sandals by 2 peas and a blueberry

patterns of patriotism

Recently while enjoying my lunch outside on a breezy day, I took notice of the U.S. flag snapping in the breeze. As I watched it wave and studied the patterns of the stars and stripes I thought about what those patterns represent.

From I am the Flag by Ruth Apperson Rous

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind. . . .
Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.  . . .
As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less. . . .

Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In Ann's photo I see the patterns of crosses and am reminded of the men and women who have throughout our history and continue today to protect and defend our flag and all that it stands for. And I am proud to be an American.

xo maureen from Cottage 960

normandy american cemetery by ann mcleod images

disappearing railroad blues

When I didn't have any thing in mind to shoot for this prompt a friend commented that the best transportation photo is a train, and they are plentiful in my area. Off I went in search of a train.

As I walked along the tracks, looking for a shot, an old song began to play in my head. Many of you are probably too young to have heard it, written by Steve Goodman, recorded in 1972 by Arlo Guthrie, it's considered by many to be the best train song ever written.

Good morning, America, how are you

Don't you know me, I'm your native son

I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans

I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done

. . . And the steel rails still ain't heard the news

The conductor sings his song again

The passengers will please refrain

This train's got the disappearing railroad blues

And it's been in my head all week. You can join me and listen to it here.

I love Deirdre's photo, so full of the motion and power of a train. And as she commented, it's not an easy moment to capture. I think she did a wonderful job of it.

xo maureen from Cottage 960

snow train by SuperDewa

the other side

Doors. Do you ever see a door that looks so intriguing, so different than what you are accustomed to, and wish you could peek inside. Just a peek, to see what life on the other side of that door is like? While 'on holiday' ten years, ago I became fascinated by the windows and doors of Europe. I took, what was for me (I was shooting film at the time), quite a few photos of them all along our trip. I don't see many doors like the one above in my daily life in the Midwestern small town where I live. This a favorite from my trip. I love the texture of the plaster around the doors and the warm beauty of the wood, and what looks to be a pull for some type of bell next to the door. I study this photo and wonder. I wonder who lives there, behind such imposing doors. I wonder what it looks like inside this home. I try to imagine what it is like at the end of the day to walk up the cobble-stone street to arrive home, unlock this door and slip inside. And I wish I had reason to pull that handle, to hear the ring of the bell and get a glimpse of what lies behind these doors.

Karin's photo of a bright yellow door gave me the same feeling. Oh how I would love to ring the bell, push open that fabulous yellow door and step inside a fairy-tale cottage.

dreaming . . . maureen of Cottage 960

Yellow Door (to fairy tale land?) by Karin van D

textures to go

I came to camera phone photography reluctantly. I am currently deep into a love affair with my DSLR and my 50mm lens with some textures thrown in to keep things fresh. I saw no need to complicate that relationship. However, with a camera phone post looming in my future, I went to the Mortal Muse Flickr pool for some inspiration. Once I saw JoGo's photo I had an epiphany. Textures? You can do textures on an iphone? I did a bit of research on apps, down loaded three - 100 Cameras, Iris and Bad-Camera - and proceeded to use up half a day of my spring break playing with photos and apps (and had to charge my phone twice). Well this just rocks my world, I can take textures mobile! Shhhhh, don't tell my big-girl camera, but I have a new boyfriend.

Thanks JoGo and thanks to all of you who have contributed your camera phone photos to the Flickr group. I have been inspired to travel light and sneak out with my new love more often.

xo

maureen of cottage 960

yesterdays blooms by jogo

my shadow

"I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me"

 Robert Lewis Stevenson

I've written before about my devoted fur baby. I often refer to him as my shadow, he is always there, always waiting, always ready to 'go in and out with me.' I couldn't resist this opportunity to capture our shadow portraits out on a walk together.

I immediately loved the way Marji's fur baby looks as though he is her shadow with the same devotion, patiently waiting for their walk together.

xo
maureen of Cottage 960

walkies by rain city girl

vintage cream

It will come as no surprise to most of you that I love vintage things, almost anything vintage. When I have a bit of free time, I love to go through my house, gather up some of my favorite finds and create a still life. Sometimes I imagine how the items were originally used, other times I try to think of new ways to reuse well-loved treasures. But I always enjoy finding a lovely combination, taking a few photos and then taking my time processing them, perhaps adding layers of texture to give a timeless feel to the final image.

I am especially drawn to creamy white vintage items. When I saw Claire's simple, but lovely cup of cream photo, I was inspired to gather up some of my treasures for my own creamy still life.

I have really enjoyed your still life photos, seeing what items you gather together to share your creativity and style. Thanks for inspiring us.

xo maureen from Cottage 960

cup of cream by ImagesByClaire

night time in the city

I live in a small town, but I'm located very close to a 'big' city. Not that St Louis compares to the 24/7 hustle and bustle of New York or other large cities. But St. Louis does offer world class music and theater performances. The Fabulous Fox Theater and Powell Symphony Hall are on the same street just a block apart. I always get excited when I have tickets to a performance at either venue and look forward to the energy of the evening; the marquees and the streets lit up at night, theater goers dressed up for the special occasion rushing through the traffic, the buzz of excited patrons inside the lobby as they grab a playbill and make their way to their seats.

When I saw Lenore's photo it reminded me of that little rush of excitement in anticipation of an evening's performance.

xo maureen from Cottage 960
 

downtown by alphabet soup studio

sharing the love with . . . jan

l-o-v-e by jan@twoscoopz

A daughter is a gift of love. ~ unknown

It's not like any love you've known before. Not like the love you first felt from your parents when you were little, or the puppy love in sixth grade. It's not the butterflies in your stomach when you're a young girl or the deep and lasting kind you're lucky to find as a woman.

No, this love comes along and blindsides you. This love turns your world upside down, grabs hold of
your heart, and never, ever lets it go. And from the moment you set eyes on her, you're inspired to be a better person, a better woman. For her.

There's a quote about how having a child is like choosing to have your heart go walking around outside of your body. I love Geneil's photo of her own daughter, holding her heart in her hands.

Be Mine.
There was never any doubt.

Please visit tomorrow as Kirstin shares the love with her muse . . . Justine.

~ much love jan at twoscoopz
 

be mine by team.breeze

vintage texture

It's no secret that I love textures. I also have a love of vintage keepsakes. I am drawn to the texture of vintage things, the more worn, rusty, crazed, faded, and loved the better. For me, it's a perfect marriage, that of textures applied to photographs of old, well used treasures.

I instantly fell in love with this photo of well worn, well loved baby shoes. And how sweet that these belonged to Kelly, that her Mother had saved them all these years.

{Just for fun, hover your mouse over the photo above to see the before photo. I love seeing the difference applied textures can make on a simple photograph.} Both photos use textures by lenoirrr.

xo maureen at Cottage 960

vintage... by kellyk09