Week 7: Sounds

There is no absolute silence, we are constantly surrounded by sounds. From water drops dripping when icicles start to melt to airplane engines - all kinds of sounds. However, with my undying love for music I tried my best to capture some musical sounds.

I was lucky enough to go to see Glen Hansard and Lisa Hannigan play live in Madrid. I don't know what it is with the Irish, but they just know how to steal your heart away. 

This one's my favorite. It reflects all kinds of sounds created at a super amazing concert - on stage and off stage. 

Olympus E-420, 25mm

My camera is not really designed for low light photography. However, can't help but share some more photos from the night. It is the atmosphere that was so special that I can overlook the quality of the shots from a technical point of view. I am sure that's not something a pro would do, but luckily I am not one. ;)

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

The colors change alongside the sounds.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

And colors alter images, Lisa's guitar was not really red... or was it. Love this girl!

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Of course there is this whole another angle one can take on sounds - the machines that control sounds.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

And of course there are the instruments that create beautiful (and less beautiful - you should hear me learning guitar) sounds.

My guitar, tambourine and triangle - anyone wants to start a band? :) 
Olympus E-420, 25mm

In action
Olympus E-420, 25mm

In this whole shooting process my guitar became my new favorite model.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm 

I guess I wasn't thinking outside the box when shooting sounds. Music is such an obvious choice. I "blame" Glen and Lisa for making this week super extra musical for me, so it was impossible for me to think of any other sounds. Music is the ultimate sound.

 xoxo

Time-out: Art Journaling

Looks like I didn't manage to avoid the flu-season completely and therefore I am taking it slow for couple of days. Luckily there are enough things to do at home and I don't mean things like cleaning and washing (ahem, ignoring the dirty dishes in my sink, totally), but fun things like art journaling! 

I had this adorable owl-patterned A4 notebook and I needed to put it in a good use. Yes, my table is always somewhat cluttered (music sheets from 2004; and no, I can't even pull off "Be-bop-a-lula" that consists of two simple chords - so don't expect any musical entertainment when you pop over, at least not yet! ;)).

Olympus E-420, 25mm

I hadn't heard about art journaling before I read about it on A Beautiful Mess (one of my fave blogs, btw). I am a lover of all things colorful and I am also one of those people who always has pens, papers, glue and piles of inspirational(?!) stuff around. Kind of a pack-rat, yes. So I decided to purchase my first ever e-course - Art Journal All Year. Couldn't be more happier with my purchase. I am really savoring it for the "rainy days". So I can have my little crafty moments cutting and glueing. It has 52 sessions and I have gone through five first ones and I already have my own ideas on which pages I'd like to create. So I see there's a long-term potential for me and my art journal.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

What I especially love about art journaling is that now I have this (seemingly) simple rule: cute and/or sentimental stuff goes into my art journal or it gets thrown out - less clutter! Yes, please. 

One of my favorite quotes
Olympus E-420, 25mm

I am pretty sure I will talk more about my art journaling journey in the future. But now it's time for some rest, more hot tea and flipping through "The Economist" for my weekly dosage of world news. And all that shall be "washed down" with some music by Arcade Fire.

xoxo

Week 3: Love

On Monday I was convinced that this week will be challenging, because shooting love is like chasing the wind. Boy was I wrong. In the end love is all around. Am I overly optimistic and romantic? Not at all. Bare with me.

Here we go. I secretly had hoped that "love" will pop out of the tin on the week I am going to attend my friend's June wedding. However, life had other plans and the closest I got to any weddings this week was this.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Okay, so well... what else screams out love?! Well, anything heart-shaped surely.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

I was cleaning out a storage box (I am a totally pack-rat) and found this - a heart shaped box filled with snowflakes.
This is definitely love, winter love!
Makes me wish we had some snow in Madrid.
Olympus E-420, 25mm

Also found this doodling in my notebook - the sound of love. How convenient for me this week.
There's also a lovely ticket from Nomada market - a market for hand made pretty things in Madrid.
All on top of a great photo book on London - one of the cities I love.
Olympus E-420, 25mm

London - one of the cities I love. Yes, so why not take photos of things I love. It is so easy and it is at hand and it proves that love is really all around us.

Some of my CDs, I own hundreds of CDs and some vinyls and a handful of cassettes. I love music. 
Olympus E-420, 25mm

Coldplay has been with me for over ten years. This must be love.
Olympus E-420, 25mm

I love finding quirky things from thrift stores and flea markets. 
Olympus E-420, 25mm

I love the splash of spring in my kitchen.
Olympus E-420, 25mm

Apple pie and cafe con leche for breakfast - I love weekends!
Olympus E-420, 25mm

I love Scandinavian design (Marimekko mug!) and freshly brewed morning coffee.
Olympus E-420, 25mm

This challenge became an easy one the moment I realized that I shouldn't  be chasing love with capital "L" (e.g. couples, babies, puppies), but find it in daily things. Just taking a moment and feeling it, feeling the love for small things in life.

Last, but not least I would also like to share a photo by my friend Laura. She sent me this when she read that I am chasing love this week. :)

I was lucky enough also to get a slice (or two) of this delicious cake the next day.
iPhone 4S, photo by Laura

xoxo