Collections by Carol/ summervp

Collections by Carol/ summervp
a/k/a Prints As Art

Friday, April 13, 2012

Cedar Waxwing Day!





No one can tell me that Friday the 13th is bad luck anymore.  I had the best luck today capturing these friendly and very colorful Cedar Waxwings.  They arrived at around 4:30 in the afternoon and hopped back and forth from branch to branch like jumping beans on one of my blooming Crab Apple trees.  They were very social with each other, but I never heard a peep out of them.  They attacked the tree like a swarm of bees. As a matter of fact, they competed with quite a few yellow jackets. I think it was because they were thoroughly enjoying themselves so much, that they didn't seem to mind me observing them.  It was hard to got them in focus with all the scurrying.  And they almost looked like they took turns as Centuries at watching for trouble.  They stuck around for about an hour, a very interesting new group of friends! Hope they return soon!  Enjoy!  Will have cards and prints available in a  couple of weeks!       CollectionsByCarol.com                                                            
etsy.com/shop/cardsasart                                           







Saturday, April 7, 2012

Green Green Grass and Blue Blue Skies



Happy Easter Everyone!  A sure sign of Spring is green green grass and blue blue skies.   Its been a beautiful spring here in Central Wisconsin and to celebrate, I dragged my husband to the Parks in the Neenah-Menasha area yesterday.  It seems we always want to travel great distances....to "get away from it all"....when we really don't have to.  Beauty is right out our back door.  So today's Blog is about local parks from two communities within 20 minutes of us.  (And don't worry....the order is in for pictures)   For more information go to:  http://www.recreationparks.net/


"Jefferson Park" in Menasha, WI.  The park is situated on the Menasha Channel and views spill out onto Lake Winnebago.  Inlets and islands make a perfectly beautiful escape for the walker, biker, canoe or kayak enthusiast....but also commonly include photographers and fisherman...as you'll see most of the parks in the area kindly tolerate.


"Smith Park"...again along the Menasha Channel however deeper implanted into the Community. Located on Doty Island between Cleveland and Park Streets with its Island of Valor and three bridges beautifully landscaped and colorfully dotted with springs offerings.
 
"Doty Park" on Doty Island,  in the Town of Neenah on the Neenah Channel, which also leads out to Lake Winnebago.  The park has two absolutely beautiful stone bridges and a gazebo...today the reflections off the inlet were astoundingly clear.





"Kimberly Point Park" in Neenah, was our last stop of the day.  And I love lighthouses, I must say it was a very quick stop....we were hungry and the place was crawling with fishermen, so taking pictures was difficult.  But I did happen to snap a shot or two.  


Finally, if you want pictures, here are my sites:
http://www.collectionsbycarol.com
https://www.facebook.com/caroltoepke
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CardsAsArt
PS...it will take me a couple of weeks to get these ordered, created and up on the site.  If you are anxious you might miss a release date give me a call or email me through the connection on the .com.  Thanks and have a beautiful Easter Weekend!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Best Kept Secret in the Fox Cities

Good afternoon fellow photo enthusiasts and followers:  I'm so excited to let you know about two things today:


First see: "Best Kept Little Secret-in the Fox River Valley"
http://www.gardensfoxcities.org/
I visited the "Gardens" yesterday for the first time ever.....OMG....I can't believe I live so close to something so beautiful, and have never even know it existed, until about a week ago.  I took some great shots, see them at the link below and YES!   I already have some photos ordered for great new photo cards which will be on etsy .com and included at the next Farm Market or Gallery Walk I attend!.  I also talked with Lynn VanVreede the Executive Director and took a quick tour around the facilities Its truly amazing the things that are right in front of us, if we open our eyes!

Second: 
I just downloaded 20 pictures as entries to a Photo Contest for Wisconsin Trails Magazine
Please click the link below and join to:   VOTE....VOTE....VOTE...its only with your help in votes and vote counts that I can WIN!

HINT:  If you want a sneak peak at some photos that will be available from the visit to the "Gardens" click on through to see them at: http://www.capturewisconsin.com/users/caroltoepke

Sunday, April 1, 2012

April 1rst, 2012 No Fooling Around!

No fooling...the new website should be ready to launch by May 1st, 2012, just in time for May Day! Sign-up now at http://www.CollectionsbyCarol.com


NAMING AND NUMBERING:  This month I have been busy naming and numbering all photos on the http://www. etsy.com/shop/cardsasart site.  In addition, I have added over 250 cards this past month - so now close to 600 cards are available. Once the .com site is up you will be able to order larger prints in 5 x 7's and 8 x 10's. 





FARM MARKET:  This past month we attended two more Downtown Appleton Indoor Farm Markets (see the attached pictures). We met a lot of new people and made a lot of new friends.  We even started to recognize people from week to week and several stopped by to give us encouragement or to make additional purchases.  It is so rewarding when people start to recognize what you are trying to do or say with your art. So thank you to all of you who support us in our new venture.
http://www.appletondowntown.org/events/event-highlights/farm-market






CALENDAR:  I will be adding a calendar with my next update, posting all the Farm Markets, Art and Craft Shows, or Gallery Walks we plan to attend from May 1st through October 31st.  We've also been asked to attend several events as exhibitors and this has been a real honor and a blessing.  You all know how much I love to take pictures....and since I've only been "out there" for about 4 months  this encourages and inspires me to take even more. As the calendar moves forward so does the change in seasons and with it the change in photos and prints.  So get what you love now, as they are limited and they will be replaced with new pictures in the coming seasons.
http://www.oshkoshgallerywalk.com/links/
http://www.appletondowntown.org/appleton/artsgalleries

SEASONS:  With the changing of the seasons, I am also looking forward to the abundant travel opportunities here in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest that really seem to blossom.  Signs of new color, hope and renewal are everywhere.  And with it my enthusiasm to capture all of it on film.  Wish me luck, as the luckier I am the luckier you will be when searching for the perfect print, prints or "Collections".
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CardsAsArt







COLLECTIONS:  I'm still very inspired to create "Collections" so all my new offerings on the .com site and on etsy.com.  Art in "Collections" are easily put together in groupings or galleries, which can easily fill an entire wall.  Two "Collections" can easily be grouped together to add variation or  texture, or to compliment and bring together groupings, or to add contrast and drama. Its fun to create your own gallery and to be able to swap the art out on a seasonal basis, and its as easy as swapping out candles or pillow,s if you use standard sizes in photos, prints, mats and frames.
http://www.collectionsbycarol.com/



"HAPPY SPRING!"  The next time I talk to all of you I will be announcing the launch of the new .com site!