Finding My Way Back

Hello friends, how are you? I hope well.

It's been so long since I've shared anything here….. other than my regular TT postings. My oh my, I've missed you.

I'm not sure how life got so out of control…. everything building up around me….one thing leading to the next… so many deadlines…. so little time….. John's been under the weather, fighting insomnia that came out of nowhere...... a few family bumps in the road.... Oh my.... Top all that off with some tech troubles....and BAM....

Here I am...writing this post....

I know this is the story of most at one time or another….. it can happen so easily…. life gets off track…..and before you know it.... you aren't sure what the heck happened?

But thankfully Ben remains my constant... makes me walk...twice a day... no matter the weather.... (as I type this the wind is howling and flakes are swirling....sigh)....but he will not take no for an answer....which is a good thing.

I find the more I have on my plate… the quieter I become...…stillness... silence....  just BE-ing …. 

I can go days without connecting with anyone other than John and the boys. I'm pretty sure I could manage quite nicely on a mountain top….. provided I had a good internet connection…. 

'smile'

It goes back to the whole I am an Introvert thing……  So comfortable just being with myself…. I put up unintentional walls….it just seems to happen….. I pull back....find myself so out of touch.....

Looking back.... I see this is a pattern in my life... just who I am.. I suppose...

I'm slowly finding my way back.... feelng a need to connect....longing for real-life creative connections right now.... sooooo desperate.

Anyhow, I'm babbling... I really just wanted to pop in and say hello…..  share a little random happenings.... 

Picture Pro-cess is heading into the final week….. Oh my... this course was big for me...  doing both the cs6 and elements 11 version was a big load.... But it's been good.

The Texturize class is going well….a few bumps along the way...but it's all good….. I have hopes for big stuff at the Test Kitchen….some new classes and a new site name…. soon to be revealed.

On the home front....I've been doing the Paleo thing…. up until this past week I was 100% following the plan…for almost a month.... this past weeks been a little hit and miss with all the busy-ness…. I hope to get back on track…it works well for me. All of my carb cravings just disappeared....

I found this yummy recipe for a muffin in a cup (cooked in the microwave)... just flax, an egg, coconut oil, baking powder, maple syrup (sweetener of choice) and cinnamon.... seriously it's such a treat.... When I'm in need of a little extra special something I add bits of dark chocolate….. I will always need chocolate. I should be caught up in another week.... I know this will help.... you need to be prepared when doing this plan... cupboards and fridge stocked.... 

Brett just finished his first year of university...He's so relieved... Woo hoo. Bryce just moved into a new place.... it's much nicer..... John is finally getting some sleep.... and Ben..... the only thing that changes with him...is his coat..it's long and curly again...ready for a trim.... before the mud season begins....

I mentioned some technical trouble....  sigh.... My iMac was giving me major trouble last week....  so frustrating.... I'm not sure if it's the fact that I was running so much at once..... or what... but I didn't have time to trouble shoot. So, I ended up purchasing a thunderbolt display to go with my Macbook Pro Retina. I just bought it back in September....loaded up .... so it's newer and faster than my iMac. Wow... the change has been a treat... so fast... zippity zip... it's nice because everythings all together now.... I just eject the macbook and take it into my room or whatever as needed. It can even sit at the desk with the top closed....and still run on the thunderbolt display.... It's great!! Honestly it feels like I'm on a iMac...the screen is pretty much identical. Definite thumbs up.

Oh and while we are on the subject of techy stuff, did you know Lightroom 5 Beta was released. If you've been considering lightroom, I would say download the beta and play with it..... Because it's Beta you can use it until the updated version is officially released..... FREE. If you are running 4, you can install 5 and play with it.... just start a new catalog and give it a go. There's some great new features.... but no major interface changes... so it would be easy to move into..... I LOVE the new radial blur option.

I fall more and more in love with Lightroom everyday. :)

Okay friends....I've babbled on long enough......I'd love to hear whats new in your world..... Please do tell...

We are off to John's moms for a family dinner..... I should get ready and take Ben out before the winds get any stronger... Yeesh........

I will be back soon with some new textures and perhaps a few other goodies I've been working on.....

Until then...  be well ....

gratitude always...

xo,

p.s. are you waiting for an email response from me? It's possible it was lost in the shuffle....feel free to resend and I will do my best to get back to you asap.... thank you so much....xo

serious Benny. :)

Inside-Outside, 2 New Textures & a Few Updates

Hello, 

How are you? Happy Easter my friends. 

I picked up the sweetest pink tulips the other day at the grocery. I haven't had the best luck with tulips lately.... but these are keepers.... really perky.... they seem to have a lovely helter scelter way about them. 

This is a triptych of my world inside.... hopeful...spring like...and light filled....

I went for a walk with Ben... the sun was shining bright yesterday......snow was melting...it really was a treat. So I decided to take my camera on our evening walk... the light the previous few evenings along the river had been amazing..... But gosh darn it...the sun took a hike....and here's what we found. 

Quite the contrast.... from up top..... don't you think? :)

Ben's okay with it though... The deer our thick... coming out to find food... he never catches up to them (wonder what he'd do if he did)... But he loves chasing after them..... 

Here he is...looking out on 'his world'. 

So tell me... what's your world looking like these days? I know we aren't the only ones waiting for green grass. :)

On another note.... I put together the BEST of my 2012 textures...ones I shared here at the Café, in Beyond Layers and a few of my other classes.... 90 textures in all.

If you are interested in filling your texture stash...check it out .... TK members get them free... along with lots of other textures and tutorials...

Also, my crash class, Texturize starts soon.... a Test Kitchen member exclusive.... details HERE.

And last, but not least.... Picture Pro-cess starts on Tuesday. There's still time to dive in.... 2 separate classes...one for Elements 11 and one for CS6. 

Oh and if you are an earlier version elements or cs users.... The Essentials eCourse is now self-paced, on sale.... and access is available for one full year.

Finally... how 'bout a few textures to play with?

Click HERE to download the 3003 set.

Let's end with a give away.... Shall we? 2 offerings.

One - 8 week spot in Picture Pro-cess.

One - 4 month membership at the Test Kitchen.

To enter.... share your favourite  thing about spring....  it's always good to celebrate our blessings.

For me... Spring is a miracle..... It amazes me...the green grass, trees coming to life... tulips, daffodils....always such a gift after our winters.

I will announce the winners here on Tuesday.

I'm off for now.... John's in the kitchen making gluten-free pumpkin pancakes..... I can smell the spice up here...

Have a wonderful weekend.... 

xo, 

{Texture Tuesday} The Word eDition

LR preset weathered & worn (by me) textured with ECRU from the cloth & paper collection. this is your life card by holstee. 

Hello friends,

Welcome to TT.... the WORD eDition.

This week's TT challenge details are...

Your photo must contain at least one layer of any of my textures, and it must contain words... The words can be in your photo....or you can add them in post..... 

To share, simply add your link below using the inlinkz gadget down at the bottom of today's post.   

It's time we had an official IG hashtag. If you are interested in sharing your TT photos via IG feel free to use the hashtag, #kktexturetuesday.

Before we start linking up, let's talk next weeks TT Theme.

Tuesday, March 26th's theme is flower power.

What does this mean? I'm sure you already know.

Your photo must contain at least one layer of any of my textures, and it must have a little 'flower power'......  No need for more information... take it away friends.... 

Sound good?

Okie doke, let's get this week's TT started.

New to Texture Tuesday? 

To share your photo in the link up you must first post the image on your blog, flickr or a photo sharing site. Once you upload your image you can then add the direct url of the photo to the link up below.

To access the direct url, click on the photo in your flickr stream or the title of your blog post that you uploaded your photo to, then copy the url from the top of your browser address bar by highlighting it, then using the keyboard shortcut command c (mac) control c (pc). Pop back to the link up and click on the blue inlinkz icon at the bottom of the posting. Place your cursor in the image address box and add the copied url using the keyboard shortcut command v (mac) or control v (pc). Complete the rest of the form, then hit next step. Next choose the thumbnail photo you wish to appear in the link up, hit select. You will then have the option to tweet or facebook your link up. Feel free to skip this step if you like. And that's it. Scroll to the link up and your link should be there in just a few moments.

Please note, the link up will remain open until Saturday, March 23rd...  plenty of time to link up.

Holstee card quote - 'this is your life...do what you LOVE and do it often.'  

love....

Holstee Manifesto note cards - up close..... perfect card for almost any occasion.... beautiful framed....

also love.....

Love & gratitude.....

xo,

  

p.s. before I go.... had to share my recent fav photo of Ben..... such a baby..... 'sigh'

Just Because.....Happy Friday

Here's to the weekend....lovelies....

I'm just running out the door...will be back tomorrow to announce the winner of the Kinfolk Giveaway.... still time to enter... HERE.

Hoping it's warmer in your world....another storm has 'blown' in.... 'sigh'.....Winter just keeps.... keeping on...

with gratitude... always.....

xo, Kim

p.s. Ben says hi too....

Lightroom Tips, New Textures & a Give Away

Benny got his haircut.... a little shorter than usual... I think he looks more puppy-ish.... 

Hello friends, 

How are you? It's almost Monday here... not quite.... How was your weekend?

I just could not let the weekend pass without a new post. I spent most of the weekend finalizing a new texture set... The Cloth & Paper Collection...I'm wondering if I should call it the Soft & Subtle collection. Oh my, I'm pretty close to bursting about this new collection. I hope to release it Wednesday. 

In other news, my new class, Picture Process is open for registration.  CS6 users, click HERE for all the details. Elements Users click HERE. Can not wait to dive in!

Okay  I know I say this … a lot… but I gotta say it again… I love lightroom….I often wonder… what on earth I ever did pre-lightroom. I'm so excited about my photos and editing…. It's good stuff. As much as I love Lightroom... I will always love photoshop. I honestly NEED them both.  

I know there are many lightroom and photoshop lovers out there….. which means there are many fabulous tips & tricks we could share with one another. 

I thought I would start with a few of mine and invite you all to join in. 

Need a little incentive to share….. How 'bout a give away?

Today I'm giving away a spot in my upcoming Lightroom class, Round Trip to one lucky commenter or a spot in Picture Process (8 weeks access) (winner picks...)

Round Trip begins on March 5th. Click HERE for class details....go quick...there's still time to save on registration.

To enter the give away, simply share a favourite Lightroom or Photoshop tip, trick or shortcut.

Before I dive into a few of my favourite Lighroom tips & tricks…. I do have a little texture-love to share….. 

Click HERE to download the 1402 set. 

New to the black speckled textures (I call them magic textures)? Simply add the texture to your photo and change the blend mode to screen. It can be a subtle effect…. almost like drybrushing… Give it a go.

Textured with 1402 at Soft Light.

Okie doke…. here's few of my favourite LR TIPS.

• In any of the Lightroom modules hit the keyboard shortcut command / or control / to see a list of shortcuts for that module. To close the shortcut list click inside the page.
• Hit the tab key to toggle the side panels on and off and shift tab to toggle the side and top and bottom panels on and off.
• In the develop module hit the \ key to see a before and after of your photo.
• In the library module hit \ key will show/hide the top filter bar. and the T key will show hide the bottom tool bar.
• Hit J to turn clipping warning on and off.
• There are 6 different crop overlays in Lightroom. To access the different overlays hit the R key to activate the crop tool then hit the O key to toggle through the 6 overlays. To rotate your crop, hit the X key.

Okay, must sign off..... 

Just a reminder this week's Texture Tuesday theme is Dream-Like.

Until next time.... big love & so much gratitude....

xo,

 

p.s. wanna see more of Ben? I added a pet section to my portfolio....which should be called a Ben section. 'smile'. Click HERE to check it out.

Update on March 1 by Kim Klassen

The Give Away is now closed. Congrats Kristeen. 

But please feel free to continue sharing your LR & PS tips in the comments if you like. While you are here have a little read... there's some great tips posted.

FAQ Friday & a Give Away

Frequent Questions Answered & a Give Away

Hello friends, how are you?

Can you believe it's February? Where did January go? I remember when it used to drag on and on.... When did that change? How?
Of course if it means warmer weather is on its way, I shall not complain. 

Today, I have a confession.
I can no longer keep up with my inbox. It's so frustrating... I wish I could, but I just can't seem to get to every message. This really makes me sad. 'sigh'

I get lots of amazing mail. People are so kind and generous and I'm so thankful for every single message. Please don't stop. I promise that I read every note and every comment posted. But often I get a lovely, whole-hearted letter and I want so badly to respond. I struggle with being too short...not giving it the time it deserves, so I set the message aside and hope to get back to it...and then before I know it.... I'm 50 emails behind....

I know you know how that goes.... Ugh.

If it's a class or a shoppe purchase question or concern I do my best to reply quickly, but if it's general questions about photography, processing, blogging.... or life stuff... I don't always find my way back to it. 

I thought I'd start sharing some of the most FAQ's here...... and log them together under one link. Perhaps it will be helpful to some....

Here's a few of the most frequently asked questions.

1. I love what you do. How did you get started? I really want to take my business to the next level. Do you offer coaching or one on one sessions? 

I get many versions of this message. To be honest I always feel a little strange about it.... like who me? You want me to coach you?

But with that said, I understand that sometimes people need specific, one on one help with things. A lot of people ask for help with setting up classes, and one on one processing assistance...Lightroom help....some want squarespace tips, others want to talk about creative business and setting goals. 

I haven't ventured into this yet, but I'm seriously considering some form of mentoring. It's like with each email, the universe is telling me ...Kim, this is next.....  and so, for now I will say, rather shyly..... stay tuned. 

2. What breed is Ben. He's so cute.

Yep, this is a very frequent email question. I love when people tell me Ben's cute.... 'smile'

Ben is a goldendoodle. And obviously more golden that doodle.

We adopted him because he was a doodle and we were hoping for a dog that didn't shed. Surprise... He's very golden and we have lots of white hair floating around the house. We do get him clipped, and that helps tons.... But when it's cold we keep it long..which is hard for him in the house, because he finds it too warm, even when I keep the thermostat down.....This means I walk around in Uggs and lots of layers. But he's worth every hair in this house. I think it's all that golden that makes him so darn sweet.... He is my beloved boy. 'smile'

If you are not a dog lover this next statement may sound strange... but this photo makes me just wanna nuzzle my nose right into his furry little head...  Please don't judge me...  hah.

3. I love your work. I'm just getting started.  Can you tell me which editing program you would recommend.

This question pops into my inbox, at least once….. almost everyday… 

I would recommend Lightroom. If you would like to add texture and/or text to your images then I would suggest purchasing Photoshop Elements as well. 

When I first started processing I used photoshop. I didn't know there were other options. Lightroom was pretty new.

I wish I began with Lightroom. Not just because it's image processing capabilities are amazing, or that I can edit video, slideshows, and make gorgeous print layouts super fast… Not because I can edit hundreds of photos in record time or that all my edits are non-destructive. 

But because I would have had a catalog system up and running from the beginning. 

Wow, what a treat that would have been.

I look back on years of images here, there and everywhere… file naming all mixed up…. 4 hard drives full of images! What a mess!

Lightroom changed all of that for me. My files are organized in a clean and easy to access file system. When I open LR my photos are all there....ready and waiting.

This alone would be enough for me to use Lightroom. 

Imagine a catalog system that allows you to find photos based on keywords, the camera used, lens, aperture, date, location....and more!

It really is awesome. Of course it's so much more than that….. 

I do about 90% of my processing in LR. I then move into photoshop to work with layers…add texture and type…all the extra touches.I could never live without Photoshop. If you asked me to pick one over the other, Oh my…that'd be hard. I'm so glad I don't have to choose! 

Side note: If you are not interested in Lightroom, and you own a full version of photoshop CS, then I recommend learning more about ACR and Bridge, which is a part of full photoshop's bundle.
I used to use it, but I discovered Lightroom's magic and I haven't looked back….. it's smooth and clean and the interface is just really fabulous….. (Please don't email me and tell me I'm wrong or that ACR & Bridge is better... I've tried both...and I just love Lightroom so much more... that's just my opinion....) 

There are all kinds of opinions out there. I wouldn't begin to argue them. I just know what works for me, and what I love.

::

Okie doke...that's more than enough about me for today...... 

Before I dive into the give away... I wanted to thank you for your input on a CS6 and Elements 11 class. I will be offering both.... most likely to start the end of February...early March. Registration info coming very soon.

Also if you wanna grow and stretch your photography and creativity... I'd love to see you in Beyond Beyond. It's just getting started and it's really, truly an amazing community. Click HERE for details.

Finally, registration for the next session of my Lightroom class Round Trip is now open. You can get all the details and sign up HERE. 

Give Away Time

I have another Mystery 'Something I love' Give Away today!! It's a good one.. I promise... Surprises are so much fun...What do you have to lose....  Right?

To enter, simply share a question/comment below...
I'd love to hear what you are interested in learning more about? What would you like to see more of here at the Café or maybe in an eCourse. What are your photography goals this year? Can I help in some way? Any questions that you may have...Perhaps I can post the answers in an upcoming FAQ post or on facebook. Share away.

I will announce the give away offering and the winner here on Sunday..... 

Until next time....so much gratitude...

xo,

{Weekend Texture} & Give Away Winners Announced

Hello friends,

I'm squeeking in late..... I made myself a promise to quit 'working' by 9:00 each night. I'm running a bit behind this evening...... But it's been a productive day...which is always a good thing.

I just had to share this photo of Ben. I set up my stills in the 'white room'. He's usally in the room with me....and often snoops around as I'm setting up my shot. Lately I've been using a few different white chairs, which are lower...so he can really 'nose' his way into the 'set'. So cute. I've capture him a few times with my iPhone....and my sweet IG friends are always so generous with their Ben love. Anyhow, here's a click with my Nikon.... I'm thinking perhaps this will be a print for my wall. 

Okie doke.... moving on..... 'smile'...

First, Oh my gosh...I've read every single comment below my Friday Introvert posting. Thank you for sharing so openly. I'm completely fascinated by this subject and hope to continue exploring it. It's really good stuff!

Before I announce the give away winners...I do have a texture to share with you. I call this little gem, Marabella.

I used it on my up-top image.... First I processed it in Lightroom...a simple black and white conversion...then into photoshop where I added today's texture, 'marabella' at soft light 100% opacity.... I love the warmth the texture added.... finally the quote...using a fav font..... Rough Typewriter.

Texture Lovin' Listers, the download link is coming your way. Not on the list? Be sure to sign up and start receiving your freebie textures right away. 

Okie doke..... here are Friday's give away winners.

The winner of a complimentary spot in my Lightroom class, Round Trip is: Julie H

The winner of the fabulous Susan Cain book, Quiet is: Suzie Puetz

Please send me an email ladies so I can get you 'hooked up'

I think that covers it....  

Thank you for popping by......

So much love...

xo,

p.s. I'm over at Shutter Sisters.... offering another chance to win a spot in Round Trip. Be sure to stop by.