I ♥ Faces - Week 19 Entry!

I have recently started following a new site - -I Heart Faces. My passion for photography is encouraged here and I get to see fellow amateurs' and professionals' work as well. Each week they run a contest and this week's is "your best photo". It's hard to pick one photo that I think is the best. Jeremiah and I have voted on this one :) Hopefully it will "make the cut" for the judges! Thank you Angie and Amy for all you do on this site! I truly enjoy it!!!

I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.

I'm a Procrastinator

Well, in case you haven't noticed I am definitely struggling with staying on top of blogging. Too many other things take up my time and this just gets put on the back burner. It's frustrating, but that's just how it is. I'll give a brief update before moving on to my next task! :)

As far as the design project for the school I was talking about before - I am still waiting for them to get an estimate done by the guy who will actually DO the floor before I can get started on designing it. It's dragging out forever and driving me crazy.

~ JD had been acting a bit off, and I thought he was just teething. IF ONLY! I took him to the doctor and found out that his ear drum had burst! Poor little guy. He's on meds now and is starting to feel better I think, but he's still not himself! The doctor said the burst ear drum is likely caused by the fact that JD has a mouth full of teeth coming through, all at the same time! He said JD's body's way of dealing with the pain is internal, evidently. On top of that, JD is becoming more and more mobile. He is now climbing stairs and has even taken his first steps. It's bittersweet! I love seeing him grow into each stage, but it makes me miss my itty-bitty baby boy. With his 1 year birthday a month away it just makes me realize how fast he's growing and quickly time has flown!

~ Miah's parents are going to be coming for a visit next week and will be here for two weeks. I'm so excited that they're coming! We don't usually get to have them here for as long of a visit so it will be a nice treat! However, their visit has spurred me to get some major cleaning and "improvements" done around the house. I have been spring cleaning in a lot of areas throughout the house as I have time. I just want it to look nice for their visit. We're doing some much needed painting as well. That's the best part for me. We have lived in this house since July 2006 and still haven't painted all the rooms. Some need it more than others, so last night Miah and I painted our downstairs bath. It is a much needed - and much appreciated change! I haven't gotten to decorate yet, but the paint alone has made a HUGE difference...at least to me! Now to decide on the colors for the rest of the rooms. Hmmm!

~ I've got a photo shoot scheduled for this weekend that I am so STOKED about! I'm doing bridal portraits for Miah's cousin. I am absolutely thrilled about this opportunity. GOD truly brings these opportunities when Miah and I need them most. Photography is becoming more and more my passion. I love the chance to capture the greatest joys and moments in people's lives. It's an amazing opportunity and I'm so thankful that I get to share in those special moments!

Anyway, that is the recent happenings of my family, in a nutshell. I hope to get more recent pictures up here soon! Until next time...

Break the Silence, Break the Violence

Ok, so I joined the ranks of the Mary Kay company last week. Don't worry! I'm not planning to be running around with big hair, pink nails, too much lipstick, stiletto heels, or pink cadillacs. I am just doing this to help supplement our income during some tough financial times.
Although I am not diving in head first and immersing myself in all the promos or opportunities, I am impressed by a few key things about the MK business. Right now we have a promo going where we are asking 24 people to buy $24 of MK products, in the next 24 hours. (obviously you can order at any time!) But then a % of all my sales will go to the "Break the Silence, Break the Violence" cause to stop Domestic Violence. Also, $1 will be donated for each facial I schedule during the month of March. (The facial can be scheduled FOR any time, but I have to set the appointment during March- make sense?!) If you are interested go to my site www.marykay.com/crista.lovelace and view our products. You can place an order there or send me an order- it's up to you. This is such an amazing opportunity to be a blessing to women in need. And we get to have fun doing it :) Thanks in advance for supporting this great cause!

Old Projects Resurface

I was going through some stuff and found some old projects I've worked on. Haven't posted anything on here in a few days and don't have much time to right now, so I thought I'd just post these real quick. Some of these are from senior year of college, and some are more recent. Not necessarily my best work, but work I truly enjoyed doing. Just thought I'd share. Enjoy!

One of the options for the Playbill cover for the final fine arts of my college career. I made it to the top 3 designs choices...

This one is from freshman year--oh, the hours that went in to this, but so worth it! Not only did I get an A, but now it's framed and in JD's room.

My father in law's business card. It was quite fun to do

Thanksgiving Pics

So, I just finished editing pictures from a photo shoot I did of Jeremiah's family over Thanksgiving. See, his immediate family went from two grandkids to FIVE in just 5 months. His one brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews live (lived-they just moved to Maine) in Missouri with his parents. Needless to say, being 14 hours away we don't get to see them too often. The rest of his family live here in Greenville. So for Thanksgiving we were all together...ALL 26 OF US! I was "hired" to do a photo shoot of all of us and made good use of my time! Here is a sampling.

At the Well

Through looking at other people's blogs I have found quite an interesting array of sites. Anything from Chinese computer mumbo-jumbo, to photography sites, clothing sales, recipe share-sites, and many more. The ones that really captivate me are the ones that have meaning. Not just rambling people but soul-conscience people. I recently came across a site called, At the Well...In Pursuit of Titus 2. What an amazing site! This a site that is dedicated to bringing women "together" in effort to uplift and edify each other in Jesus' name. It's a new ministry just getting ready to launch their grand opening. It's amazing how GOD brings sites like these across people's paths- just when they need it. I am excited to see how GOD will use this ministry in the lives of women all around the world.

Amazing Opportunity

This was written last week and I thought I published it...obviously not! So here goes try #2.

Ever since I graduated from college I have wanted to do graphic design work. I mean, after all, that is what I studied, right? Well, I have done a few odds and ends jobs but nothing too big. I did some business cards for my dad and my father-in-law. I was given the opportunity to do our church's logo and bulletin- I wasn't happy with the final product at all. I've never done anything too big though- and I've never gotten paid for my design work (except by my dad- he bought me dishes!). That's about to change! I have now been asked to design the gymnasium floor of our church's school. This is huge to me. When I was approached to do this project I was stunned. I couldn't believe they were asking me to do it....and then they said that it was a paid job. THANK YOU LORD! You see, Jeremiah has been trying to find a second job for quite some time and I feel bad that I cannot really contribute to our finances, outside of my 9-5 job. I do freelance photography/graphic design, but business is really slow right now. I hate that the only extra income is from work Jeremiah has to find. This was such a hugh answer to prayer. Pray that I will have the guidance and skill it takes to complete a successful design for the school and that it will possibly open the door to more design/photography opportunities. I'll keep you posted on the progress!