Something to say

Free Valentines - personal use only

2011-01-17T21:07:00.001-08:00

Free Valentines - personal use only, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

hello how did you get through the holiday season. got a a new years resolution?

2011-01-05T12:09:00.001-08:00

I don't believe in making New Year's resolutions just because it's the new year. If that helps motivate you, great, but if you want to change something change it. Why wait for an arbitrary date on a calendar based on arbitrary and ficticious events.

When asked, I often quip "yes, I resolve to do less with more."

Ask me anything

Does your past make you part of who you are today? Blast Form The Past, Brenda

2011-01-05T12:06:00.001-08:00

Good question. I think it certainly contributes, but if you have a mind to change, it doesn't HAVE to influence everything. You are in control of how you live your life, your life is not set in stone as it goes along.

Ask me anything

Blackberry pancakes

2010-08-17T11:54:00.001-07:00

Blackberry pancakes, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

remember this: no. 31

2010-08-17T11:53:00.001-07:00

remember this: no. 31, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Peachy keen

2010-07-17T01:01:00.001-07:00

Peachy keen, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Homemade peach frozen yogurt for a hot summer night. SO easy: 2 cups frozen fruit, 1 6 oz. container yogurt. Chop/blend in food processor. I used peaches and peach, also good are strawberries and vanilla yogurt. I did have to add about 1/2 cup of soymilk to thin it a bit as my food processor isn't the strongest.

10 things (I like) that are orange

2010-07-17T00:59:00.001-07:00

10 things (I like) that are orange, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Check out this great MSN Video: Little girl gives herself a pep talk

2010-05-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

I love this! So going to start my day out this way!

Check out this great MSN Video: Little girl gives herself a pep talk

In whose shade we shall never sit

2010-03-26T15:07:00.001-07:00

In whose shade we shall never sit, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

remember this: no. 12

2010-03-26T15:06:00.001-07:00

remember this: no. 12, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Two birds, one stone

2010-03-23T22:25:00.001-07:00

Two birds, one stone, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Got a really awesome, totally unexpected email today. Our local phonebook company wanted to use one of my photos for the cover of next year's phone book! It was a photo I took last year for my 365 project (a photo everyday for a year.) It served that purpose and now it gets added to my list of published photos. Bonus! Two birds, so to speak, which is funny because I dreamed this image two nights ago and started it the day before I got the email. I'm not an "everything is a sign" kinda' person, I pretty much think everything is just a coincidence. But I digress...

Ctrl+z

2010-03-20T22:42:00.001-07:00

Ctrl+z, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

I woke up dreaming this statement and tried to make this match what I remember it looking like.

Rainbow

2010-03-20T00:13:00.001-07:00

Cross your fingers for me, I may or may not have some exciting goings-on in the near future. That's all I can say for now. Don't you hate when people do that?

Also, recently saw a fabulous quote and knew I had to illustrate it. It suits how I feel so perfectly. This is also available in my print shop at many different, and very affordable, sizes. I highly suggest the 18x12, which is the size I designed it. Art this colorful just says it better big. I have been ordering and framing copies of my own stuff lately, the design stuff, and I am loving how cheerful it makes me. Looks fabulous on the wall and this one would be so sweet in a child's bedroom. Such good words of wisdom because so much of who we are is determined by how we handle the situations we find ourselves in. Another thing I would love my daughters to remember.

Have a great weekend!

remember this: no. 11

2010-03-18T15:38:00.001-07:00

remember this: no. 11, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

No. 11 in a series of things I want to pass onto my daughters, but often don't get around to saying.

The series is here.

Happy home

2010-03-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

Do you have a happy home? I'm not asking about a clean home, or a well furnished home. But a happy one? I do. It's something that struck me today, out of the blue. More messy than clean, more run-down than new and fancy, but the one thing you are guaranteed to get at our home is laughter. I don't have an exotic life by any means, but I am happy most of the time, most every day. Decided to make a little illustration of a happy house and loved how it turned out so thought I'd offer prints. It's printed on 12"x18" metallic paper and is so happy and cheerful looking!

Chocolate orange cupcakes

2010-03-14T16:25:00.001-07:00

Chocolate orange cupcakes, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

My attempt at this recipe. I often use parchment paper for lining because I'm always out of cupcake liners. Seeing someone else use it like this made me do a double-take at the recipe (plus the photo was beautiful.) It sounded good and I had all the ingredients so I made them last night and they were so, so good!

remember this: no. 10 and 5/5 art challenge: day 2

2010-03-10T20:51:00.003-08:00

remember this: no. 10 and 5/5 art challenge: day 2, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

5/5 art challenge: day 1

2010-03-10T20:51:00.001-08:00

5/5 art challenge: day 1, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

remember this: no. 9

2010-03-07T23:09:00.005-08:00

remember this: no. 9, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

FREE: Acorn graphic

2010-03-07T23:09:00.003-08:00

FREE: Acorn graphic, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Oct. 2009 monthly wrap-up

2010-03-07T23:09:00.001-08:00

Oct. 2009 monthly wrap-up, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

formspring.me

2010-03-05T23:13:00.001-08:00

What is your biggest inspiration (and it can't be something like LOVE or your awesome kids it has to be your biggest tangible inspiration for your design!)

The visual world all around me, meaning the internet and magazines and seeing the work of other amazing artists. I am very much the "one-step further" person. ("This is great, but what if I...") And when an idea does come to me I HAVE to write it down right that second or I'll forget. And, I just recently realized I only enjoy creating something just to see if I CAN do it. I'm a one-hit wonder. Once I've done that one thing, I rarely repeat it because it's boring. It makes selling a "product" a bit of a problem.

Ask me anything

formspring.me

2010-02-28T10:45:00.001-08:00

If you had access to a time machine, where and when would be the first place you travel to?

I'd just like to relive my own life. I have amazing kids and to spend more time with them would be the only thing really worthwhile.

Ask me anything

lait noir

2010-02-17T13:26:00.001-08:00

via feedproxy.google.com

Love this! Things this clever restore my faith in humanity.

Posted via web by Posterous for Tonya Doughty.

remember this: no. 1

2010-01-30T22:37:00.001-08:00

remember this: no. 1, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

No. 1 in a series of things I want to pass onto my daughters, but often don't get around to saying.

The series is here.

Wenatchee design: Love is in the air

2010-01-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

I love all the pink and red and hearts and love and goodness that starts to show up around Valentines Day. Maybe it's the color combination? The sentiment, of course, but there is something else that draws me to it. I wanted to offer a few designs as prints, as well as on other merchandise, (t-shirts, cards, postcards, magnets, etc.), so have uploaded a couple of my recent illustrations where I normally sell prints. I'll continue to add to them as I create things. There are many options, sizes and products available, and most of them allow for customization of the text and color as well, to make it truly personal.
Also available is one of my earlier illustrations from last year, the "Just be you" butterfly print. More about it here.

Leavenworth photography sneek peak: Adrian + Angela elope on Christmas

2010-01-02T15:52:00.000-08:00

I had the honor of spending part of Christmas afternoon sharing something magical with two new friends. Adrian and Angela eloped on Christmas day to the winter wonderland village of Leavenworth, WA. Amidst the fairy-tale backdrop that was the Run of the River Inn, they exchanged vows in a very intimate setting, so small that I was the witness! It was sweet and romantic and perfectly suited these two relaxed and very in-love people. A vintage typewriter sat on the quaint desk in the suite and on it I spied a wonderful story penned (typed!) by Adrian about the day's activities. A wonderful momento from the perfect setting for the perfect start to their married life together. Thank you Angela for seeking me out to share this part of your life together!

A Wenatchee photographer's old-fashioned, lazy, do-it yourself holiday greeting

2009-12-23T13:00:00.001-08:00

This is the holiday "card" I sent out this season. I think it might be my favorite one so far.

Also, in case you're wondering why I haven't announced a winner in the 2009 "Giving is Awesome" giveaway, it's because I didn't get a single nomination. Maybe you're thinking "I won't win so why bother?" Well, so far, you would have had a 100% chance of winning. I'm extending the deadline to Dec. 31, so please, if you know a family (or person) who really deserves the gift of custom photography, do not be shy about letting me know!

“God” Tales Of Mere Existence

2009-12-16T10:47:00.001-08:00

via unreasonablefaith.com

My favorite part: "It's not OK to ask god for a bicycle, but it is OK to steal one and then ask for forgiveness." This is the essence of the problem I have with organized religion. Great little video!!

Posted via web by Posterous for Tonya Doughty.

Origin of Christmas

2009-12-14T16:02:00.001-08:00

Great column, linked below, on the origin of Christmas (and Easter.) But, if one more person says "Jesus is the reason for the season" to me, I may print this out and staple it to his/her forehead. I have NO PROBLEM with anyone's desire to feel closer to their god this time of year (or anytime) but please refrain from the unsubtle and sanctimonious remarks that Christmas is a christian holiday and no one else is allowed to enjoy it. Just because you claim it as such, that "don't make it so."

http://www.strike-the-root.com/4/wasdin/wasdin30.html

Posted via web by Posterous for Tonya Doughty.

Why Evolution Is True

2009-12-05T14:30:00.001-08:00

via unreasonablefaith.com

Great lecture!!

Posted via web by Posterous for Tonya Doughty.

Dawkins on Darwinism

2009-11-24T14:08:00.001-08:00

Evolution is almost universally accepted among those who understand it, almost universally rejected by those who don’t.

—Richard Dawkins, in an interview with CNN on November 24, 2009

via unreasonablefaith.com

Posted via web by Posterous for Tonya Doughty.

Untitled

2009-11-17T14:09:00.001-08:00

One of the most beautiful letters ever written: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11/thousands-of-other-daddies-went-too.html

Posted via email by Posterous for Tonya Doughty.

Wenatchee pet photography: Ali from the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society

2009-11-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

We adopted a new baby this week. Ali (who was called Sable) and her sister had been abandoned by their previous owners when they moved and left the animals to fend for themselves. Whenever I write something like this a part of me hopes the offenders will see this and feel guilty. Shame on you. These are living, breathing animals that were suffering because you couldn't, at the very least, drop them off at the humane society. OK, off my soapbox. They were discovered when Ali got into a tangle with a porcupine and neighbors found and brought them in. We were wanting another dog and found Ali at the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society through their Petfinder page. Such a sweet girl. A little timid still, but totally understandable, I think. Yesterday, the first time she was left alone for an hour, she busted out our front window and escaped. She didn't go far, just stayed on our front lawn with the neighbor kids. Definitely has abandonment issues from her previous owners/treatment, but we will get through them.

I know pet ownership isn't for everyone, but please remember your local animal shelter when considering adoption and especially when deciding which organizations to help or donate to. They totally appreciate, and really, really NEED, donations of just about anything: time, money, pet food, blankets, pet toys, animal walkers. Even photography and graphic design services, I hope, as that's what I'm going to offer. And kids can help walk pets at our local shelter with a parent's supervision. My 10 year old wants to help so we'll be headed that way soon.

As far as photo post-processing I really just did basic adjustments to contrast and color saturation. Shows that just a little helps a lot. Here's a tip when photographing your pets: get down low, on their level. Makes a huge difference over the typical "shot from above" look of most home pet snaps. I like all three shots below, but notice how much stronger the first one is over the other two. The camera at her eye level creates a much more intimate, personable feel.

Happy Wednesday! My daughter has another WVC volleyball home game tonight and I'm so excited to watch them play. Sad there are only 2 more after this one though and then we'll have to wait till next season.

New Before and After

2009-08-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

Today I got to play with a MUCH awaited new filter/action from Totally Rad Actions (my very favorite action company!) I'm already a big fan of adding texture to photos in post-process and this ingenious little filter makes it so much quicker. As easger as I was to get it, what sold me was the ability to also use your own textures from within the filter, just like the ones that come with it. Very forward thinking of the Boutwells, (the creators), to not limit you to just the provided textures. It was perfect timing as I wanted to post another Before and After.
We got new next door neighbors and they have 2 new puppies! I asked if I could take a few photos in exchange for prints and was welcomed into their backyard on an amazingly golden summer evening. This is Rudy, the pug pup. In this image, I burned in his fur a bit to bring out the detail and added some selective focus to emphasize Rudy. Also added a little more vibrance to bring out the color variation in the grey stone. With this photo, I actually "ended" with the middle image as my final. Then, after buying the Dirty Pictures filter, I reopened it and added the fabulous texture you see here. I liked it before, I love it now. Oh and concerning the texture. I really like adding a couple (or more) of the textures and lowering their opacity so they can really interact and be unique. One of the "textures" I used here is actually a portion of a shot from Yosemite park. I thought it brought back that warm evening color I remember from the night.

The pickup

2009-08-03T22:44:00.001-07:00

Love , love how this turned out. An almost silhouette with a bit of mystery and steamy hotness. I imagine he’s convincing her to come back to his place, and she, of course, is being coy.

Posted via email from Tonya Doughty Photography + Design

portrait: stephanie + eric

2009-08-02T23:03:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from Tonya Doughty Photography + Design

Before and After

2009-07-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

New Before and After post at TonyaDoughty.com.

portrait: stephanie

2009-07-29T23:37:00.001-07:00

Isn't she beautiful? Love this portrait of my pal Steph. So lucky to have such a willing victim, er, I mean model.

Posted via email from Tonya Doughty Photography + Design

portrait: stephanie + eric

2009-07-29T22:20:00.001-07:00

Sneak peek of a couples session I did tonight. Have to admit I was worried it would be too hot to enjoy (was supposed to still be over 100 at 8 pm) but it wasn’t as bad as I feared. So I had to settle for how HOT these two were. More sizzlin’ portraits of them to come.

Posted via email from Tonya Doughty Photography + Design

photo of Wenatchee

2009-07-29T18:09:00.001-07:00

Overlooking Wenatchee from Skyline Dr. just before sunset. Such a cool view of our little valley.

Posted via email from Tonya Doughty Photography + Design

Summertime blues (ain't no cure for the...)

2009-07-28T12:41:00.001-07:00

Lovin' the summer blues right now. Speaking about the color, of course. Those skies, fresh blueberries, cool mountain streams. So much blue -- there's practically no way you can get "the blues" this time of year.

Posted via email from Tonya Doughty Photography + Design

U-pick: fresh photography

2009-07-25T22:19:00.001-07:00

I found the coolest nursery. Called the Sleepy Hollow nursery, between Wenatchee and Cashmere, WA, and they have amazingly beautiful plants, yes, but the entire grounds are set up with bright, colorful adirondack chairs, little tables, potting sheds, etc. It looks so peaceful I can't wait to go back and sit, and enjoy, the space. Today's visit was for a different purpose however. They have rows and rows of blueberry bushes and you can pick your own for $3/pint. Dusky, sweet blues, warm from the sun, bursting with flavor. The proprietors even said the way to know if you're in a good spot is to pop one in your mouth. Well, okay, if you insist. Suffice it to say, I found myself in the right spot many, many times. What a treat to find so close to home. I'm sure I'll go back once more while the berries are in season and am sure it will become a new summer tradition.

Posted via email from Tonya Doughty Photography + Design

Rural America

2009-07-12T15:41:00.001-07:00

Back from a little road trip through eastern Washington, Montana and down into central Idaho. We make the drive often, to visit my parents, and I always look forward to the trip as much as the destination. Such a beautiful drive. Well, from here to Spokane, not as much, unless you hit it at the right time. The rolling fields of the Palouse are still pretty amazing in the golden light of dusk, but other than that, it's a whole lot of sameness for several hours. Once you leave Spokane though, and head torwards Couer d'Alene, Idaho, it's beautiful. We always stop somewhere in Montana for the night. We could go all in one day but it's a long haul with kids. Love those small town Montana truck-stop areas with nothing more than a hotel, a big giftshop full of everything huckleberry and a gas station. And seriously, Montana skies are amazing. I have never seen a boring sky in that state. On this trip we even had a front row seat to a thunder storm. My tripod was in the car and it wasn't a good idea to go out and get it so I hand-held my camera, braced against the window, used a long shutter speed and managed to capture a lightning strike that happened to catch the hill on fire across the street from us. Luckily the clouds let loose their rain right after and put it out a while later. A few pics from the drive below.

5 new posts

2009-06-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

There are 5, count 'em five new posts on my photo blog. Just sayin' - seems like that's where the action is lately. Even a new "Before and After Wednesday" (my new favorite!)
www.tonyadoughty.com and click on blog. See ya' there.

Before and After Wednesday

2009-05-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

It's "Before and After Wednesday" on my photo site. A new thing I'm doing where I show before and after and HOW I did it. Thanks to Bobby Earle for the inspiration.

Stephanie

2009-05-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

Huge photo post on my photography site of one of my closest friends. She wanted a photo shoot, from which we would also make a time-lapse video, to give to her mom and kids on mother's day. Sort of a something to always have to look back on, to show her as a well-rounded person. Mother, yes, but also daughter, photographer, friend, woman. We had such a blast shooting and the video, with music, came out awesome!

Water, water everywhere

2009-04-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

A few fun reflection shots after a hard Spring rain. More on my photo site.

Golden Dahlia watercolor desktop background

2009-03-31T15:17:00.001-07:00

Golden Dahlia watercolor desktop, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

A desktop background I made and uploaded to Flickr. Free to use for personal, non-commercial purposes. Fine art prints of this image are also available in my Etsy shop.

Welcome Chloe

2009-03-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

Hop over to my Baby Gallery and say hi to a brand new sweet little soul. Welcome Chloe!

Feb. 09 wrap-up

2009-03-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

Also traveled a bit for a maternity shoot this weekend. Fun, adorable couple that I was honored to photograph. Photos on my website: Thanks Libby and Aaron!

Just be [you]

2009-02-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

Just added this poster to my Etsy shop. Created with love for my oldest daughter who is heading off to college soon. I wanted to have a way to remind her that who she is is exactly who she is supposed to be. Loved how it came out and thought there were lots of people out there needing this reminder. This can be customized with any name you like, (my daughter's name in the sample is Shade), or only say "Just be," or "Just be you." Size for framing is 11"x14". Printed on either glossy or matte premium photo paper. Just be you on Etsy.

JPG magazine: Zen

2009-02-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

Jan. '09 monthly wrap-up

2009-02-01T20:21:00.000-08:00

My 2-page wrap-up for January. Used this adorable little birdie background paper from the fab Gina Cabrera at Digital Design Essentials and a few other goodies from Designer Digitals, pretty much my go-to source for everything I don't want to take time to make myself.

I have a couple photo sessions this month that I'm really looking forward to. A maternity session with an ice hockey player, later her sweet new baby girl and another with a young, very high-risk mamma-to-be who wants nothing more than to hold her sweet baby. So touched to get to be part of this time for them.

Vintage Bingo cards to print

2009-01-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

I made a couple more Valentines Day related goodies and have them up on Flickr. They're 5x7 and you can print them yourself or use them digitally. Personal use only.
Love vintage Bingo card
Heart vintage Bingo card

(free) Valentines Day cards

2009-01-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

I made a couple sets of Valentines Day cards for my kids with the request that they not be "too stupid" or "all lovey". I have them up at Flickr and you are free to download and use them for your own personal use (ie: you can't make money with them.They will, of course, SAVE you money though.) Two of the 8 are shown here.

geared towards girls

geared towards boys

Enjoy! xo, t

Welcome 2009. Proceed to rocking!

2009-01-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

December '08 wrap-up

2008-12-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

A wee bit ahead of the game on this one. I know I'll be busy for the last week of the month and I had enough photos to sum the month up quite nicely so went ahead and did this now. It's been 16 months in a row I've done this project and probably the longest continuous running project I've ever done. Really love them, like mini time capsules we can reflect on later. My grand plan is to have each 5-year group bound into hardback books. Quite a ways off still, but I think I'll make it.
I hope everyone has their very favorite kind of holiday, leaving you refreshed and renewed to start 2009!

November '08 wrap-up

2008-12-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

Is everyone ready for the holiday season? We did all our shopping on one day, this past Saturday, and it's nice to know there is no more running around needed. Of course, I say that and immediately remember I need stocking stuff...

We have a ton of snow right now and as pretty as it is, the valley looks so magical, I'll be glad when it's gone. Not so much fun as I remember when I was little. If I knew then what I know now, I would have made my home somewhere warm and with less seasonal extreme. DJ said it wouldn't be right, to not have snow (or cold) at Christmas, and while I agree with him now, if all we knew was warm Christmases, than they wouldn't seem odd, right? Any of you who live in warm climates, do you wish you had bigger seasonal weather changes?

Giving is awesome

2008-12-12T13:26:00.001-08:00

I am giving away $700 worth of my photography service to someone deserving in the greater Wenatchee valley area. If you know someone, please visit my photography site for how to nominate them (and maybe score a little goodie for yourself!) And if you're not in my area (or the person you want to nominate isn't), please check givingisawesome.com for complete listing of the over 300 photographers also participating. Our goal is to donate $1,000,000 in free photography to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford this type of service. Giving IS awesome!

Thingamabob

2008-12-12T11:05:00.001-08:00

, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Another 12x12 digital paper / pattern of my own design. Feel free to download and use if desired, but please credit me if used commercially.

Two trees

2008-12-11T19:00:00.001-08:00

Two trees, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Another 12x12 digital paper / pattern of my own design for scrapbooking or crafts or whatever. Feel free to download and use if desired, but please credit me if used commercially.

Olive branch

2008-12-10T11:07:00.001-08:00

Olive branch, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

Created this 12x12 digital paper/pattern for another project I was working on and thought I might pass it on if anyone else wants it. You can download the original size in Flickr using the "All sizes" link (above the image in Flickr.)
If it's used commercially, just please credit me.

Advent (posted via Flickr)

2008-12-09T21:17:00.001-08:00

8 - 365v2, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

The advent "calendar" I made. It's 25 of those acrylic, magnet-backed frames (in sizes 3.5x5 and 5x7, so they always fit, no matter how I arrange them.) Made an insert for each one, dated 1-25, obviously, and in the back of each one there is a goodie - something like "good for ice cream at dessert" and "let's go to the movies." Each day is removed and what's left can be re-arranged if desired. They're on the fridge and my youngest likes to move them around. When not being used for Advent, I fill them with photos and patterned papers to make sort of a moveable collage.

Indianaalabamapapoosecaboosejellybeanprincesspunkinbuttleedoughty

2008-12-06T22:35:00.000-08:00

...is her nickname. So much for quicker to say, eh? Happy birthday baby! Love you to the moon.

Processing is what "makes" a picture a photograph

2008-12-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

There are photographers who love to shoot and hate to process, but I am one who loves both parts equally. Before there was digital, there was film and I loved my time in the darkroom as much as my time behind the lens. To this day, the smell of a darkroom makes my mouth water. No kidding (and no clue why!) With the advent of digital photography, darkrooms are no longer part of the process. As a graphic designer and photographer, I was one of those in the forefront of personal computers and design software that led to photo-enhancing software. In fact, I used to be on the Adobe Photoshop (software) tech support team and was later made the manager of that team back when it was a fledgling little software. That experience combined with my more than 20 years photography and design background means I have a lot of knowledge to share.

So what this leads to is I like to make photos look their best as much as take them and time spent at the computer is fun for me! I've decided that in addition to my photography, I would like to offer my "processing" services to those that take their own photos. You would send me your photos and I would re-touch and process them with the same attention to detail as I would my own photos of clients. If you've seen the samples in my galleries, you'll have a good idea of my style. I've created an Etsy account (http://gauchogirl.etsy.com) where you can buy those services.

Those of you who read this blog for my crafts will be glad to know that I will also use Etsy as a place to sell my knitting, crochet, paper goods, quilting, etc. A one-stop-shop for everything under my umbrella!

October '08 monthly wrapup

2008-11-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

One more little toot. I got an email from Scrapbooking.com saying my blog was "Blog of the Week." Thanks guys! Forgot I never posted my October monthly wrap-up layout so here it is too. OK, now I need to start packing!

Orlando-bound

2008-11-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

Made up a little journal/scrapbook ahead of time (wow, ahead of time??) so I (and Indy, she got her own copy) can have a place to record our thoughts in the moment, while we are on vacation. We're taking the whole fam-damily to Orlando to visit the most magical place on earth, DisneyWorld. Ali Edwards is always planning ahead with her travel journals and it seems like such a SMART thing to do, I thought I'd give it a go. A page for each day and then I'll work them in among the photos in a 3-ring binder with photo pocket pages of various sizes. Will let you know how it goes! Enjoy your week everyone, when next we meet I will have been properly mouse-ified :) with many photos to prove it, of course.

Also, a little toot for me. One of my photos was chosen as one of the featured photos for JPG magazine's "Pumpkin" challenge and is featured on their blog as well. Love me some pumpkiny Fall pics. Thanks JPG mag!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T09:07:00.000-07:00

Such a strange day, is Halloween. Seems you either love it or hate it. I love the idea of it, and love the quirkiness of it (how the heck is this mish-mash of costumes and candy and pumpkins actually significant of anything?) But I do not go all out. I don't really go all out for any holiday decoration, though I do love white lights at Christmas. But when it starts to become one more thing "to do" then it crosses over to the chore list, ugh.

For my scrapbook readers, I thought I'd pass this on: http://debwisker.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/sunshine-albums-for-children.html

It seems like such an easy way to help a child and family using the stuff, and abilities, we already have in abundance.

TGIF

2008-10-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

A fun photo and little post on my photo site blog. Enjoy the weekend!

Commit to life

2008-10-20T08:05:00.001-07:00

One of the most beautiful, truly AWESOME posts I have ever read:
Commit to life by Jesh de Rox

My favorite part, "...at what point in growing up do we learn to do things so halfheartedly? when do we forget to move, breathe and live with our whole body? when do we start practicing saying things we don't mean? when did we settle for being so much less powerful than we really are,,, for using such a small percentage of our natural potential?..."

Man, amazing words, so true it almost made me cry. Please, please take a minute to read this.

Footloose

2008-10-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

We had homecoming in our town this weekend and my kids opted not to go. The school has made some ridiculous changes for dances (like all lights all the way on, and, if rumor has it, something like a foot space between dancers at all times - so no slow dancing), so they decided to "hang out" instead. Reminds me of the movie "Footloose!" I think the changes have the opposite effect they intended as now kids will just go somewhere else when they could have been at the school with adult chaperones. Anyway, these are my two daughters and their boyfriends, who are essentially brothers themselves as one's parents are also the guardians of the other. We had a little impromptu photoshoot and they did dinner and a movie. No puritanical school "dance" necessary.

Wenatchee Wild

2008-10-17T20:20:00.000-07:00

Last night was the season opener, and very first game ever, for our new semi-pro hockey team, the Wenatchee Wild. Also a brand new arena, The Town Toyota Center, built for the team. (Sorry, but I hate sports complexes and contests named after for-profit businesses! Tostito Bowl? Pu-leese!) Anyway, I was one of the photogs covering the event and it was a pretty fun, if tiring, night! I have now been awake for over 30 hours and I think it's nap time!

Random 7

2008-10-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Tagged by Melissa, who I think is one of the most in-the-moment people I know. It shows in her photography, that she is present.

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 7 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag.

1. If I could, I would totally be a vigilante/assasin/Lara Croft-style kick-ass chick. Like I really wish I was.
2. I wish someone would just come in and take all my scrapbook stuff. Mentally, I think all that crap is weighing me down. But I can't part with it. It's beautiful. Its a problem. Like a burglar could just come take it all and I wouldn't have to deal with it. But I don't think I could hand it over though, if someone just asked.
3. I hate power cords. Hate them. My biggest housing dream is everything being cordless. Vacuums, TVs, lamps, every single thing.
4. I love vampires. Always have. I have a ginormous book about vamp lore called "The encyclopedia of the dead" and I used to carry it around everywhere and read from it constantly, Used to get strange looks on an airplane.
5. I don't know if it means I'm getting old, but I hate noise. Like the constant drone of the TV in our house. I don't feel like I can get away from it. We have 1 main room, family room kinda thing, and it is the only room you can be in unless you are in the bedroom or bathroom and my husband is one of those people that likes the TV on all the time. I often wear my iPod headphones without it on, just to hear nothing. If I'm home alone, even if its for days (like when hubby is out of town) the TV never comes on.
6. I love everything banana flavored, love the smell, things made with them, but I don't eat bananas. They're just so-so.
7. I never have a hard time with this sort of list but this one was really difficult. I had to really sit here and try to think of some stuff. I actually have a headache now. I think it's from the TV in the background, LOL.

I am tagging Kim, Jen, Suzanne, Kal, Linda, Lain, ALL the girls at shutter sisters.

Molly

2008-10-13T13:00:00.001-07:00

Senior Molly has been a North Central Washington Volleyball Club (NCWVBC) teammate with my daughter for two seasons. She has been in many, many of my photos with her killer spike and awesome blocks. Was so nice to get to shoot her (Eastmont) senior photos! Such a sweet, and TALL, girl! Thanks Molly!

You're so money...

2008-10-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

...you don't even know how money you are.

Carsey being, well, Carsey.

Matt - Wenatchee Fire

2008-10-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

Got to shoot Matt, a very good friend of my daughter, during his soccer game. He plays for the Wenatchee FIre, a premier soccer league. Was so nice and Fall-ish outside and the action was fun to watch. My girls used to play soccer but its been a few years. Was totally enjoyable to get outside and watch the game. More photos are here.

Septempber 08

2008-09-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

Really, where does the time go? Did we not just start September? For that matter, did we not just start summer? The new year? Crazy how it seems to be speeding along at a increasingly exponential rate. A pretty low-key month for me. I had hernia surgery Sept. 10 and the past 3 weeks off for recovery. Am doing great now and ready to head back to work. I think what happens is we get caught in a loop of looking forward to the next thing, so we kind of mentally skip through the stuff in the middle in anticipation. And while whats next is important, so is whats right now. Our next big thing is a whole family trip to DisneyWorld in Orlando. Have been looking forward to that for almost 1-1/2 years, which, of course, means 1-1/2 years have sped by. What are you looking forward to, and what are you doing to help enjoy the here and now?

Happy Friday and a desktop image

2008-09-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

I found a really cool blog today and it made my whole Friday. Called Design is Mine, its a clean, fun read centered around design, in many forms. The author looks pretty multi-faceted, as she also authors 2 other blogs (see her site for links), and one of them centers on food. Gorgeous photography and fun commentary make even a mostly non-cooker like me want to cook.

The image is one I found spray-painted in our downtown area. There are supposed to be 10 of them, and I'm on a quest to see them all. This was the second one I found and it's sized at 1024x768, which means it will work as desktop background. On a PC, you can click on it and open it large and then right-click and chose "Set as background".

Happy Friday!

www.tonyadoughty.com

2008-09-19T14:36:00.002-07:00

Well, it took me the better part of three days, but I revamped my photography site. If you're ever so inclined, you can get there via www.tonyadoughty.com. I am also keeping a blog there, mostly only related to photography, so don't feel you need to check them both. Pretty sure I'll copy/paste the new stuff from there into this one at the same time so I have one "complete" one. Just thought I'd mention it. I think it's purty!

Shade

2008-09-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

My own (first) baby is a senior too! Here are a few of her for senior portraits. She's very particular, so I have a feeling we'll be trying again in a couple weeks after I heal up from my surgery yesterday. Right now I feel much like I'd been run over by a truck!

1. Untitled, 2. Outtake, 3. Shade, 4. Untitled, 5. Shade, 6. Shade, 7. Shade, 8. "Look natural", 9. Shade and Sassy

Alma

2008-09-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

Had fun capturing Alma for her Senior photos last weekend. She and Shade have been friends for years and I always hoped I'd get to do these for her. Here are a few, isn't she the cutest thing?

They can be seen larger on Flickr:

1. 296 / Alma, 2. Framed, 3. Have a seat

Thursday afternoon run-down of the past couple weeks

2008-09-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me that I don't blog as often as I think about blogging, which sort of implies I'm not doing anything interesting. I mean if I didn't find something interesting, why on earth would I be doing it? And since I feel like I am always doing something, I probably have plenty of stuff to be blogging about. Case in point, I made homemade blackberry cobbler two nights ago and it was amazingly good. My "secret" ingredient is to add coarsely chopped sugar cookies to the oats/sugar/butter crumbly topping. Of course I took a photo, because, honestly, I only cook if I think there might be a photo op in there somewhere. Or an eating op.

I crocheted the cutest poncho for the cutest girl. No photo yet, but I'm sure her mama will take one soon. I used these flowers from the ever-ingenious master of color, Sarah London (insert cockney British accent here, as I can't say "Sarah London" without pronouncing it "Seer-ahh Lawn-den".)

I've made velcro-attachable seatbelt strap covers for my office moms with smallish kids who say the seatbelt cuts into their wee little necks. I am making one for me too to punish hubby who threw away my sheepskin one months ago, deigning it not manly enough for when he drives my car. The punishment will come in the form of the luscious Heather Bailey or Anna Maria Horner fabrics I intend to use. He'll be wishing for plain old sheepskin by then!

I have made a boatload (OK, a small boat) of camera strap covers as well. Pics to come of the new ones. They are $20 each + shipping. Oh and the seatbelt straps are $10 each + shipping.

I've made 3 (three!) crocheted, felted bags. One has sold, the other two are just sitting in the living room at the moment.

If you're interested in visuals, check back in a couple days when I can edit this to add photos. I'm blogging from email right now and I'm sure I haven't a clue how to include photos in an email meant for a blog.

Aug. 08 monthly wrap-up

2008-09-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight is officially the last night of summer. No, not by the Gregorian calendar, but by the academic one. Back to schedules and winter coats (or pestering the girls to actually wear one.) Homework reminders and hot-lunch vs. cold-lunch arguments. And one last surgery for me, on Sept. 10, that I couldn't take care of earlier because of all the other medical hoopla I was going through. Then, then, will life get back to "normal?" Or, as I'm quickly discovering, does the truth lie in the expression "the only constant is change?"

2 years+

2008-08-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this post? I think it was 2 years ago! Which means I've been blogging for 2 years. I don't think I've stuck to many things for more than 2 years (with the exception of photography and craft). It's entered into the theme "Delectable" at JPG mag. If you're so inclined, a vote would be sweet.

Thanks Shutter Sisters!

2008-08-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Huyahh! I got a little shout out from the uber-talented Shutter Sisters today that totally flipped my lid! How cool is that? A million thanks - it means SO MUCH coming from such talent that it completely turned the week I've been dreading into something worth relishing. If you don't know about Shutter Sisters, and you are at ALL into photography and capturing those moments that mean so much, then please do yourself a favor and check them out!

My JPG entries for issue 19

2008-08-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Katlen

2008-08-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Had the pleasure of photographing Katlen, a gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous, senior for her senior portraits. Was so fun because she has been my daughter's volleyball team mate for two seasons and is the most genuinely nice person I have ever met. No exageration! It wasn't even a stretch when I joked that I could give my camera to a chimp and he could have taken beautiful photos of her - she is that photogenic. A few more can be seen on my Flickr site here.

Touching base

2008-07-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

Things I love: Knowing I got "the photo" and not even feeling a need to double check the viewfinder. Orange soda and french vanilla ice cream floats. Rainier cherries. Long days. Good sleep. Depth of field and bokeh that lasts for days and days. Easy schedules. Knowing I can think of a thousand other GREAT things that make the not-so-great seem insiginificant.

Not-so-great things: People that ask "what are you doing" from about 2 inches behind you. Hello, I don't owe you an explanation. Cavity fillings that turn into root canals with no warning ("you're here now, might as well take care of it.") People so misguided they believe the lies they've even told themselves.

Photos above are: 1. 256 / threesixtyfive, 2. And one meant for me, 3. 245 / threesixtyfive, 4. 248 / threesixtyfive, 5. 244 / like an orange dream in a tall glass, 6. Untitled, 7. 247 / threesixtyfive, 8. 255 / threesixtyfive, 9. Patience

FriendFeed

2008-07-10T22:25:00.001-07:00

I think this is pretty cool. We all post so many things in different places now. Flickr, Twitter, Tumbler, blogs, FaceBook, MySpace, YouTube, blahdeeblahdeeblah...that I think we might actually be making it harder to keep in the loop rather than easier. Today I stumbled upon FriendFeed which lets you link all those other things together in one place so that whenever you update them, they show up in one big list. I signed up http://friendfeed.com/tonyadoughty and thought I'd give it a try. It was free and easy. I can think of about 2 dozen people (all the blogs I read) that I would love to be this way. Think of all the time I could save. To read more blogs. LOL

Happy birthday America!

2008-07-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

Wow, now I know where the summer goes! When you're busy the days fly by and the heat makes them melt into one sticky-sweet blur. Just as it should be! We've had smores and steaks and shrimp-on-the-barbie. Tex-mex (in Dallas even), ice cream and late-night runs for slurppies. Bad airplane food and surprisingly good airport food. It's all been fun and despite the shock at how fast time goes, still looking forward to the rest of the summer, or rather, the pace, which promises to be slower.

Enjoy your weekend, America!

Public Service Announcement

2008-06-23T09:31:00.001-07:00

Here's my public service announcement for the day. Many of us have Paypal accounts, right? With Paypal, you often have it tied to bank account, or credit card, as "back up funding" to the account. Well, my tip is never tie your paypal account to your debit card (or a credit card) that has access to (pulls from) your main checking account. I did, and for 8 years, have never had any problem.

Until this weekend. Someone(s) accessed my paypal account and using my information made four purchases. Since I didn't have a paypal balance at the time (I never do), Paypal transfered the funds from my bank account to cover the purchases. So almost $4,000 was taken out of my bank account over the weekend. Since it was the weekend, I couldn't see it "hitting" my account. But this morning, whoa! I am overdrawn, bigtime, in our normal, day-to-day household account, and am having to deal with these unauthorized purchases. Perfect.

And in the background, I am getting angry emails from the people who sold stuff (to the thieves) using my email and bank account wondering why I am trying to reverse the transaction, etc, when they have already handed over the stuff. From what the emails say, it looks like the purchases are for something called "WOW" or "World of Warcraft". I have no idea what it is, but gather it's some kind of computer game? Anyway, I feel bad for all involved, myself included, but most certainly not the scumbags who did it.

Anyway, word to the wise, learn from my mistake and never set up your main bank account as the backup funding of your paypal account. It's a big, hairy mess that I think will be cleared up eventually, but in the mean time (8-10 business days as Paypal says) I am sort of in a bind.

sum-sum-summertime!

2008-06-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the first official day of summer in our house (school got out yesterday.) Today at 9:38 a.m. I got the first phone call: "I'm bored." LOL. The littlest one doesn't start summer day camp until July 7, so the next couple weeks will be tough. With two working parents, and being "baby sat" by an older sister or two, I know it can be rough. Any ideas I can give her would be greatly appreciated!

twelve thousand words

2008-06-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

1. To my beloved Tonya.., 2. Shakey's Pizza, 3. IMG_2057, 4. bed: sunday sept 17, 5. Patrick Warburton, 6. The Biggest Milkshake Ever, 7. A Sweet Bite To Eat.., 8. Do You Dare ?, 9. Eva, 10. The Shape Of My Heart, 11. couple on a tropical beach, 12. Love that started with a blast

Tagged by the ever fabulous Ms. Kim, this is a picture meme that was pretty surprising to do.

Here's how it works:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.b. Pick an image you like.c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name? Tonya
2. What is your favorite food? Today its pizza
3. What high school did you go to? Hinkley High School
4. What is your favorite color? Today its aqua
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Today its Patrick Warburton
6. Favorite drink? Today its milkshakes
7. Favorite dessert? Cake
8. What you want to be when you grow up? Photographer
9. What do you love most in life? Daughters
10. One Word to describe you. I went with creative but think resourcesful is more fitting.
11. Dream vacation? Tropical beach
12. Your flickr name. Tonya Doughty (see, not too original.)

I tag you and you and you.

Trash(ing) the dress(es)

2008-06-02T13:31:00.001-07:00

We went to Goodwill yesterday and bought two wedding dresses for the purpose of "trashing." So much fun to do this type of session (see trashthedress.com) and even more so when we absolutely did not have to worry about the condition of the dresses. Will definitely do this again. Plus, since the models this time around were my two oldest daughters, we had some good old bonding time as well. As I edit these, the shots will show up on my photography site: tonyadoughty.squarespace.com.

Guardian angels

2008-05-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't call it a miracle, but I have a funny, odd, warm-n-fuzzy little story to tell you that gets cooler as it goes on. Last night on the way home from Shade's volleyball tourney, on a mountain pass, in the rain, in the nearing dark, in an area with no cell reception, we had a tire blow out. A car pulled up behind us a couple minutes later and out got a 25-30ish looking guy. I was thinking to myself "not very comfortable here alone in the darkening woods with my teenage daughter and a lone guy, wish there was a woman with him." I turn around to face his empty car and NOW there is a woman sitting in the passenger seat, who gets out of the car. She was wearing a light colored short-sleeved t-shirt. I turned my back on her for just long enough to move something out of the back of my Ford Explorer to the side of it, maybe 10-15 seconds, and when I turned back around she was wearing a dark blue BYU sweatshirt with the hood pulled up, still standing in the exact same location and position. She asked us where we were headed and I told her and then asked the same of her. She replied they had spent the day in Leavenworth and were now heading home to Seattle. What you, the readers, don't know is that we were headed TOWARDS Leavenworth and AWAY from Seattle at the time, so they were going the wrong direction. I didn't catch that right then though, but I did say to her "oh, well, you won't like the stretch between Cle Elum and Easton then because the holiday traffic is completely stopped." She replied "is there another way to get to Seattle from here" and I said "no, only back through Leavenworth and Highway 2" and she says "well, it doesn't really matter anyway, we have a GPS unit that always gets us home." I then say that I'm sorry they are so delayed in getting home because of helping us and she says "oh its no problem, we have all the time in the world." As I see the guy laying on the pavement under our car, I comment that there is no way I could have done that, having had a total hip replacement earlier in the year and not being able to get on the ground like that and she says "oh, no worries, he's the best one for this." All this is just a little odd to me, the way she phrases things, the way it seemed like the whole event was taking a long time but in reality was very quick. He finishes up with the tire, we get back on the road and they follow us for a good 5 mintues, like RIGHT behind me. I see them in the rear view mirror and half jokingly say to Shade "now its making me nervous to drive if they're following right behind me." She looks in the side mirror and says "yea, they are so close." Right at that moment, three cars pass by going the opposite direction and my gaze shifts to the side mirror to notice the three cars, now receeding, in the opposite lane. My eyes switch back to the rearview mirror, having only been diverted for maybe 5 seconds, and THEY ARE GONE. Just vanished. This is a mountain pass, only one lane each direction and I can clearly see both sides of the road, both lanes and the three cars traveling in the opposite direction, and yet, there is no one behind me any longer. They've not pulled over, turned around, passed us, nothing. Just gone. I looked at Shade, who had also been watching them in her side mirror, and she at me and she says slowly "mom, where. Did. They. Go?" Right then, as I'm admitting to myself that they really did seem to disappear into thin air, it begins to rain again. Big, fat heavy drops that make it nearly impossible to see. Shade says "DJ (my husband) will think we're crazy (he did), but I am your witness and you are mine." And I say "yea, because I'm thinking 'guardian angel'," and Shade, with perfect comic timing says "in a Civic?" LOL yes, apparently they drive Honda Civics. Isn't that a crazy weird cool story? The whole thing, start to finish, maybe 15 minutes, yet seemed so much longer.

On the volleyball front, the girls won 1st place in the Bronze division. It was hot and humid and a really rough three days of hard volleyball. Our next, and last, tournament of the season will be the Junior Olympics in Dallas June 27-July 2. It's all wrapping up for this club season and then in August it starts again with the varsity high school team...

I don't know what they are, but they grow like weeds

2008-05-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Have seen these around so many places and the last time said "enough loving, start making" so made a few to happy-up my own little home. Love them most planted in the grass just like this though. Wouldn't it be cool if life were so cool and magical? Oh wait, it is.

i ♥ flickriver

2008-05-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here comes the weekend

2008-05-22T11:25:00.001-07:00

An older photo but one I recently edited because it made me laugh. Also made a few (OK, a complete bunch of) changes to the look of this blog, just for fun. Am headed to Seattle tomorrow for the long weekend for, you guessed it, volleyball. The Emerald City Classic, to be exact, on the gorgeous University of Washington campus. Everyone enjoy your time-off, if you have it, and oh, I hope you do.

Stripes (and straps)

2008-05-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

A crocheted rug I made for the bathroom floor. Love how it turned out, so colorful it makes me happy just seeing it. Since I am NOT a morning person, every little thing I can do to make mornings happier is a good thing. All cotton and super absorbant. Next one I make will be double-thick though, with two strands held together throughout.

I have had a few requests for the camera straps and think I will be doing those. If you're interested, let me know. These will be sleeves that slide over your existing strap, so I think $20 is a fairer price, since the others you can buy come with the strap as well (hence their higher price.) I figure if someone needs a strap sleeve, they must already have the camera and thus, the strap. Can someone with a Canon strap measure it's length and width and let me know. I only have Nikon and want to make sure I get it right for both cameras. Thanks!