Oooooh something completely new today

I've not been able to get on with my craft projects over the last couple of days, mainly because I've become addicted to reading blogs belonging to my friends on Blogfrog etc.
However, I came across an 'edit me' submission on 'My Reflection of Something' Blog and just had to give it a go because I loved the photograph so much.
The guest judge for this 'edit me' is Stephanie from 'Behind the camera and dreaming', so why not pop on over and take a look at some adorable, classy and downright fabulous work.
This is my first ever submission and from what I can gather the idea is to take the original photo and adapt it using Photo editing software in whatever way you feel.
So here's the original:

See what I mean about it being a gorgeous picture!

This is what I did to it

I struggled with this one, not just because it's my first, nor because it's a photo of someones else's child and I'm very aware that my interpretation may not be her parents' but mainly because I liked the original so much it seemed such a shame to alter it.

First I opened it in Photoshop CS2 and diddled with the exposure to make a base for the warmth I wanted to create.
Then I added a Warm filter to the image and adjusted the settings until I got the 'feeling' I was after - I wanted to create a warm, early evening feel.
I then added a Glass filter and adjusted the settings until I got the effect I have here, this took a suprisingly long time and found me also experimenting with a load of other filters.
Originally I wanted a pencil effect but I loved the Glass effect and seeing as the child is on sand - ironic!
In a separate layer I added the words 'Discovery in a grain of sand' as that is what the image says to me.

Voila! My 'edit me' submission.

UPDATE:

The winner of week 16 'Edit me' is - drum roll - Deb from 'Debduty Photgraphy'. Well done!

To brighten a crappy day!

Since the weather has been sooooo bad here over the last few days (though we have it easy compared to the States at the moment) I've not really been able to work on my current projects (Too damp, nothing dries). So, I've been looking through my photo albums and thought these bright pictures I took may just bring a smile to someones face.



I don't remember the name of this one but I took this at 'Dunrobin Castle'

I can't really decide if the bug ruins or makes the picture? Another 'Dunrobin' flower anywho.

A pond lily. We have a few different ones growing on our mini lake but I've not been brave enough to don the waders and get out to the prettier ones - yet! We do have a paddle boat but wobbles and leaky boats are not conducive to a good photo are they! Plus we only have one oar!!!!!!!
I did manage once on a blow up dinghy but that's a whole other hilarious (for others) nightmare (for me) story - maybe one day!

A Passion flower. I grew this one year but it only survived the one year, it's just too windy here next to the sea.

Here's to hoping that the weather improves just a tad so I can work on my current project - computer station morphed into a dressing table.
Keep an eye out on here for before, during and after photos - yes, I finally remembered to photograph the process - and see what you think.