by Amy | Mar 10, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
In January I was contacted by a very sweet “senior mom.” You know, a mom of a high school senior. She had a request that was unique for me–unique for January in Practically Canada. Her son, Jordan needed senior portraits. He will be graduating in 2015. He’d like his photos outdoors. He’d like them in the snow. And so I started on a quest to create the perfect winter senior portrait session, just for him.
In other parts of the country, this request might not have been such a tall order. But here, where the wind howls with temps that could make a penguin shiver {okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit}, where the wind blows hard and strong, where snow can blow away over night, and snow might not even be in the forecast despite the cold air–it was a tricky request. But you know me. I like a challenge.
So I agreed. I explained that we may need to schedule and reschedule. And they were okay with that. And that’s just what we did. Take #1–unseasonably warm {40˚ F} weather melted our snow leaving brown, muddy terrain. Take #2–winds of 30 mph, and a windchill advisory kept us inside. Take #3–the high was -8˚, again, we cancelled. Take #4–27˚, snow on the ground, snow in the forecast, no wind–jackpot.
We were still pretty chilly–but it really was a magical afternoon and I love the effect. I’m simply smitten with the images in this first group–especially the one on the left where you can see the snow falling!
I’d say the scheduling and rescheduling was worth it. Eeek!! I just love these!
Jordan loves reading, so at the end of our chilly session we headed to one of my very favorite places in town–the library. The staff at the Minot Public Library are amazing. They’ve let me shoot inside several times now, and I am so grateful. I think these images stuffed with books are just the coolest. This was my favorite part of the session because I learned that Jordan and I have similar taste in books–and similar pet peeves when book and movie don’t line up like we think they should.
Congratulations on your senior year! I had an amazing time working with you–and meeting your amazing mom. I’m so grateful that you let me share this special snowy afternoon with you.
Amy
by Amy | Feb 27, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Art
Over the next week I’ll be teaching six Artists in the Schools session at elementary schools across town. Today, I kicked off the marathon with a Water and Wax session with a group of first grade students.
The idea behind this session is to teach students a little science in with the art project–and to make something cool. We discussed the absorption property of water–how it sometimes soaks in to things, and other times rolls off a surface. Then I covered the fact that crayons, made of wax, repel water and led in to the project.
As you may imagine–if you’ve ever worked with elementary school kids–that getting the instructions out to a group of first graders was much more challenging in person than typing the words here on the blog. There was a lot of restlessness while the teacher and I tag-teamed to get papers taped to desks. Once they were down there was peeling of tape…and retaping…and a few threats of revoked participation rights.
Once the paper was out I heard this:
“Once we have a paper can we start?”
I hadn’t even shown them the example.
I explained our first step–find a light colored crayon. Not white–because we need to see our lines. Any other light color: yellow, light green, peach, light pink. Little did I know this would be such a hard step to follow. There were about four students sharing a table and caddy of crayons, so they needed to share their table’s supply amongst themselves. Once I told them to find their crayon, this is what I heard.
“Um, we don’t have a white crayon.”
“Okay. You don’t need one right now.”
“My favorite color is purple, so I’m using that.”
“Is purple a light color–something closer to white than black?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Okay. Pick another color…yellow, light green, peach, or light pink.”
“What about dark blue?”
“What about it?”
“Aaaammmmyyy! Our table doesn’t have light green!”
“Okay. Do you have one of the other colors?”
“Yeah.”
“So….the problem is….?”
“We don’t have any of the colors you told us to use. Can I use green instead?”
I look in the caddy. All the colors are there. I pass one to each child.
Once the color situation was mostly resolved we moved on. I told them to draw the first letter of their first name on their paper. Then I explained how they could add the “dragon scales” to one side of the letter to make it look a little more fancy. “If you understand what to do, you may begin.” Then things took an awkward turn.
“Uh, Amy…I did mine this way.” Dark purple crayon is on the paper. The teacher swoops in, asking why she used that crayon when only moments before, we’d given her a peach color to use. Paper is flipped, crisis averted.
While half the students are still working, the other half has finished and are now leaving their seats one by one and coming to my side {as I’m trying to help someone with a legit question} to tell me they’ve finished. Meanwhile, one little guy comes up and says,
“Well…I did an A.”
“Okay. That’s good. We’ll move on in just a second.”
“My name doesn’t start with an A. I did it because that’s what you said you were doing.”
A whole table–who was pretty chatty during instruction time–all drew the letter A, as in Amy, instead of their own letters. Untape, flip, retape.
Next direction. Trace your letter using that same color, or a white crayon. Go over it at least eight times. Make your marks nice and heavy, we want lots of wax on the paper.
This part went pretty smoothly…with the exception of a few who finished in about 60 seconds and immediately came to tell me that they were done. I just told them to keep tracing. When everyone seemed to have their letter traced enough times–one kid told me he traced his 38 times–we moved on to the paint portion of the class.
Paint is always scary to me, but these guys did great. Even the one who used so much that it was as much on the table as on the paper {see top middle photo above…} My very favorite part was hearing them gasp and get excited when their letter appeared after repelling the water color. “Its. Working!” I love when they think they’ve made something really cool. I love it when they are proud of their work.
All in all a good class, all in all, great work. I really love doing these sessions in the schools. Despite the weird questions and the faulty listening and the short attention spans, I really do think they try their best. And…Boy, oh, boy do they make me laugh.
by Amy | Feb 11, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Living
you might not know too much about singing telegrams. Maybe you are picturing something late and outdated. So let me clear the air here. Kaite’s Singing Telegrams is different than what you might imagine. It’s fresh, funky and fun.
We talk about a lot of awesome things here. Am I right? Projects, books, faith, awesome photo sessions, cool designs…lots and lots of awesome things make their way across these pages. But today I’m going to tell you about one of my most favorite awesome things I’ve come across lately: Katie’s Singing Telegrams.
Total disclosure: Katie is my real life friend. She is awesome. But even if she wasn’t…I’d still probably be telling you about KST, because it’s really that great.
Now, you might be thinking that you should stop reading–because you aren’t into the whole singing telegram thing. But please, read on. Maybe, just maybe I can make a believer out of you yet. First, let’s meet Katie. I could tell you all about her…but the bio on her site pretty much says it all.
Katie has loved singing, making music and making people smile most of her life. She has spent the last ten years writing songs and making music with some of her favorite people. Katie and her husband moved up to the lovely land of Minot, ND the summer of 2013 and have absolutely loved getting to know the fantastic people up here. It wasn’t until May 0f 2014 that Katie began thinking of a Singing Telegram Business.
After searching relentlessly for a company to send a singing telegram to a family member for his birthday, Katie was discouraged at the high priced telegrams-reluctantly opting to send him a cookie bouquet instead. It was at this time that Katie and her husband began wondering if there was any sort of affordable Singing Telegram Business in Minot. Failing to find anything, they knew the moment had come for them to offer something to this Magic City- something that had brought both of them a ridiculous amount of joy and laughter.
Both Katie and her husband have full time jobs working with youth and their families. Seeing day to day how discouraging and challenging life can be, Katie cannot wait to spread a little joy combined with ridiculous-ness and music to those around her! YOU are invited to experience some of this joy in the form of a character of your choice, a ukulele or mandolin, a mug with treats and your own personalized song- what better way to spread some laughter and joy than having one of your favorite people be serenaded with songs and smiles!
Over coffee yesterday she told me that most affordable telegram she could find while trying to send one to her brother in law was over $100. At the end of the search she decided a fun memory wasn’t worth that much money…that he’d probably rather just have the $100 than a stranger in costume singing him a song. When she told me she was going to open her own singing telegram operation I declared her to be Minot’s Premiere Singing Telegram provider.
If you are like me…you might not know too much about singing telegrams. Maybe you are picturing something late and outdated. So let me clear the air here. Kaite’s Singing Telegrams is different than what you might imagine. It’s fresh, funky and fun. Even her website, designed by yours truly…looks fresh. It’s chock full of fun graphics and fresh-feeling pages that will make you love ordering from her boutique site.
Buying a telegram from Katie gets you a lot of bang for your buck. Katie will deliver a custom song to the recipient of your choice, at the location of your choice {work is usually a good place, but she can surprise them in any public space}, the recipient will get a framed copy of their song’s lyrics, and an adorable coffee mug filled with chocolates. Valentine’s Day deliveries also include a single rose, thanks to a blooming {pun intended} partnership with The Flower Box. All for $35! That’s less than a bouquet of flowers!!
My favorite part of KST is the songs. Katie has told me that she enjoys writing songs that are not “overly serious.” You’ll hear that in every line of her songs. Most are laid back originals that combine fun lyrics and a coffee house sound that I find to be charming and them some. Oh, and did I mention she accompanies herself with a ukelele. Yep! I think it’s one of her biggest selling points. Listen to all her songs here.
Now, if you are sitting at home starting to become a telegram believer…but are feeling a little bummed because you don’t live in Minot–don’t fret. {That’s another music pun. I’m two for two.} In addition to traditional deliveries…
Katie also offers videograms. She’ll customize a song, record it and send it to the person of your choice. It’s only $15! That’s a steal.
If you need a few more reasons to book your singing telegram…try one of these on for size.
**It’s super convenient. Just order online at her super-cute website and she’ll do all the leg work.
**It’s affordable. A gift they’ll never forget for less than a flower delivery. Katie warns that it can be awkward…but awkward or not–it’s always memorable.
**Your song can be delivered by Katie wearing a gorilla costume. I’m serious.
**A customized song is a unique gift, created just for them.
**It’s laid back, easy to do and completely fun.
In her own words, “I really do like to see people smile.” She is sincere. She writes songs and delivers them because she likes to spread a little fun and joy. Her very first delivery was to a teenager being treated at the local cancer center. Since then she’s sent videograms to multiple states and even one to a music teacher in a local school.
She loves learning the stories behind the songs she writes–especially at Valentine’s Day. Each one is special and unique. So whether you are looking for a special Valentine to send to someone you love in a romantic-mushy way–or just someone you love: a parent, child, bestie, or sibling–look no further than Katie’s Singing Telegrams: Minot’s premeire singing telegram provider.
Check out her website for more details. Like her Facebook page. Order Valentine-grams through Saturday morning!! {For all the procrastinators out there.} I pinky promise they’ll never forget it.
xo
Amy
by Amy | Feb 9, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
A couple weeks back I got to hang out with this guy. Color me lucky, because even though I possess the super power of putting him on the verge of tears with a simple look {forget any physical contact!} he still stole my heart. Maybe it’s that whole hard-to-get thing that draws me in. So, while I wasn’t his favorite person in the world {or maybe it was just the camera that made him wary} I still had a blast. There is something classically comical about a child who starts fussing every time the camera goes up to the face. His antics generated some pretty good laughs for me and his daddy who accompanied him to his portrait session.
At the end of it all–the grumpy, the fussy, a few rounds of “You are my sunshine,” and a few other songs sung by his dad–we ended up with some pretty good stuff. Honestly, every smile and every expression was worth the work. So, without further delay, here are some highlights from Carter’s 12 month photo session.
Happiest of birthdays {belated…} to Carter! I hope this year is filled with lots of walking, running and all the pickles, oranges and raisins your tummy can stomach! {Or at least as many as your parents will allow.}
–Amy
by Amy | Jan 27, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Art
If you follow the Facebook page {which you should…} you might have seen this image that I posted last night. That’s right. Although I just got back to Practically Canada {I’ll tell you all about our amazing road trip tomorrow}, I’m already running full speed. Maybe even double time. I stayed up late last night putting the finishing touches on these two “Classroom Canvases.” And I really, really like them.
Today I taught in two third grade classes. Tomorrow I’ll do two more canvases in the other third grade classes at the school. Originally I was going to hold off and show you all the canvases and tell you all the silly remarks in one big post. But after the things I heard today…well–I just couldn’t wait.
If you don’t know what a classroom canvas is, read this post.
I pull about three kids at a time to paint with me. So these conversations usually took place in small groups. Without further ado…here are exchanges I had today with third graders.
Kid: You smell like a janitor.
Me: What? What does that even mean?
Kid: It just means…you smell like a janitor smells.
Me: Like a vacuum?
Kid: No. It’s a good thing. You smell good. But…like a good smelling janitor.
Kid: Who do you root for?
Me: I don’t really watch football. But I’m mostly a Colts fan.
Kid: Yuck. I only like Green Bay. Why would you root for the Colts? {sounding disgusted.}
Me: Because I’m from Indiana. I just said that like one minute ago. {the class asked where I was originally from}
Kid: Yeah, but the Colts aren’t from Indiana.
Me: Uhhh, yes they are. The Indianapolis Colts.
Kid: Uhhh, what does that have to do with anything?
Me: Indianapolis. As in Indiana…
Kid: Indianapolis isn’t even a real city. I think you’re confused. I can tell you don’t watch much football.
Kid: You look just like that girl in the Transformers movie.
Me: That’s because I do this for fun…but my real job is making movies.
Kid: WHAT? For real? I knew that was you.
Me: Oh, my…that got out of hand. I’ve never even seen that movie. And this is my real job. Sorry.
Kid: WAIT. You’re married?
Me: Yeah.
Kid: You’re too young to be married. What are you like, 18?
Kid 2: You’re too pretty to be married.
Me: No, I’m much older than that. And why are pretty people not married?
Kid 2: She’s probably like….about 49 or something.
Kid: I bet you have a whole room in your house just for painting….
{In my wildest dreams this is true.}
Kid: One time a boy just walked past my desk and dropped a note there. Like it was no big deal. But I read it and it said, “I love you.” Weird, right?
{While I was cleaning brushes at the sink}
Kid: Do you want me to help you?
Me: Oh, that’s really sweet, but I’m almost done. I’ll just finish up myself.
Kid: Okay. I’m just going to stand here. I love watching people.
Kid: Do you have a dog?
Me: No, but I love dogs.
Kid: Okay, well I have one you can have. She’s like two years old. She’s really bad.
Me: Thanks, but I’m not really in the market for a dog right now. Especially not a bad one.
Kid: Okay, well really…you should have her. We need to find a new owner for her. Like she chews up everything and pees in the house and…
Me: Well, my argument still stands. I don’t really want a dog. Especially not a bad one.
{Upon squirting paint out of an almost empty tube.}
Kid: That sounds like my mom when she poops.
I just love those kids. So stinkin’ funny. So here are the almost-finished products. I’ll retrace the black lines before returning them to the school. And I’ll be sure to post a photo of them so you can see how awesome they look. All in all both classes did an amazing job! I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
by Amy | Dec 31, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
We are down to the last few hours of 2014. Before the “holiday season” officially comes to a close–and we all get out the label makers, gym shoes and cleaning supplies…as we vow to be more organized, more faithful to our workout routine, and more tidy–I simply must squeeze in one more holiday portrait session.
Meet the Burnside duo…soon to be a trio. We lucked out when as portrait session fell on one of those magical Minot days when December temps are in the 30’s. Snow is still sticking to the ground, but you can feel your fingers and the air doesn’t give you a brain freeze. It was a gorgeous day and this is a gorgeous couple. I’m so happy to have had the chance to get to know them and capture the art of this special season in their lives.
As we ventured around downtown Minot, I noticed the adorable window display at Minot’s most adorable baby boutique–Lulu Lane. Seriously, if you live in Minot and haven’t been, you really need to stop in. It’s precious times a thousand. I thought since we were working with a holiday theme, a little candy land sparkle in the background would be a nice touch.
Little did I know the gems who work inside Lulu Lane would invite us inside to take photos in their lovely shop, with their delightfully sparkly decor! At first I hesitated. But the giant pink tree {the Burnsides are expecting a GIRL} and the notion of warm fingers eventually got the best of me and we took them up on the offer. I am so glad we did.
I loved these super natural giggly moments with these two. How cute are they?!
And what would a winter maternity session be without a few more photos in the snow? I’ll tell you what…incomplete. I love these evergreen images from Scandinavian Heritage Park.
Thank you so much to Lulu Lane! Seriously, you guys rock. Shooting inside your shop was a joy. And a huge thanks to the Burnsides! The world will be very blessed to meet a person who has her parents’ energy and charm!
Happy New Year everyone!
xo
Amy
by Amy | Dec 30, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living
I hope you’ve all had a grand Christmas and are gearing up to celebrate in style tomorrow night as we wave “G’bye” to 2014 and usher in a brand new year.
As usual Derek and I journeyed to our home town in God’s Country {Indiana} for the holiday. It was lovely and unseasonably warm. I visited with my very dear family and some of my dearest friends…we only see each other if I traverse to California, or if we are all home for the holidays. I’m back to Practically Canada now…feeling refreshed and invigorated. Both by the restful week away and the subzero wind chill that I’ve over heard locals referring to as “brisk.”
One of these lovely friends I got to catch up with paid me a compliment that has rooted its way into my heart and made my whole soul smile. He told me that I have a gift for seeing humor in every day life. I never thought of it as a gift. I just figured everyone could look around and find comedy unfolding in every direction. From the evening news to interactions at they gym, and conversations I’ve over heard at the coffee shop…it’s true–I see hilarity happening all around me. So, if it is a gift, or a super power, I’ll claim it with pride.
While we were visiting I told him many tales from Practically Canada. But there was one he particularly liked. Today, before the holidays get too far behind us, I’ll tell you as well.
{This is what I feel like shopping at the mall at Christmas. Image via ChipChick}
The date was Thursday December 18, 2014. Because Derek and I were heading to Indiana on Friday the 19th, I had about a million errands to run before we loaded the car to leave. One such errand was to the {dreaded} mall. I don’t care how small your town is. The mall is not the place you want to be less than a week before Christmas. Especially if you have a cranky streak, like I do, and tend to get fussy when you can’t find/they don’t have/you think it’s too pricey.
I pulled in to the insane parking lot. Because the chaos was so eminent, I reverted to an old mall-going trick I learned back in high school: there’s always parking at Sear’s. It’s true. Unless you are buying an appliance or some tools…you probably won’t park at Sear’s. Think about it. Do you know anyone who parks at Sear’s because they plan to do most of their shopping there? I sure don’t.
So I park and go in to Sear’s. I’m now power walking because I have a thousand tiny things to pick up from all different stores and I have an urgent need to remove myself from the mall as quickly as possible. As I’m flying by the shoe section, I see her. She’s across a shoe rack that has been placed in the middle of the aisle, her face slightly obscured, but I see her nonetheless. Tall, perfectly done eye make up, and a cute, sparkly headband–as usual.
I’m two full days from my last shower, sporting gym clothes, touting a makeupless face {save for some mascara that had been applied days earlier}.
I’m aware of how I look. But I also want to be friendly. Normally, I force myself to “place the face” before speaking…as in–I have to know where I know them from before saying “Hi.” But for whatever reason, be it the cheer of the season, the urgency in my stride, or simply a lapse of judgement…I hear the words “Oh, hey,” come out of my lips. As soon as I said it, I regretted it.
I have no clue who this girl is.
She smiles awkwardly back at me and mutters a greeting. I’ve stopped in my tracks. Like we are going to have a conversation. I’m short and she’s tall and the ratty shoe rack is between us. I take a few weird steps forward and turn to look at her. Now on the same side of the rack. We make eye contact. I’m rolodexing my whole brain, straining to place who this person is.
“Did you think I was someone else?” She asks. Now here’s where things get weird. The correct thing to do, would be to reply, “Yes.” Then walk away. Because I’m me…that’s not what I did. I stand there and make it weird.
“No, I thought you were you.” WHY would I say that? What does that even mean? “Your affiliated with the base, right? Or your husband is?”
“Ummm, no. I’m not in the military and I’m not married.”
“Really? You don’t do anything at the base?”
“Nope.”
Silence. Then I decide to cut my losses and bail. “Okay. Sorry about that.” I walk away. But I walk away smug…because I’m sure {super sure} that I know her from somewhere. I’m confident that we are friends on Facebook. And when I get home I’m going to look her up, then send her a message. Okay, maybe not the message thing…but I’m confident I’ll find her and that I’ll prove we are indeed friendly acquaintances. Then I’ll put this awkward moment behind me for good.
I rack my brain for the rest of the shopping trip. I’m still thinking about it when I sit down at home to check email. I’m cursing Facebook for not having a search feature that will allow me to narrow my results by “tall, wears sparkly headbands, has good eyeliner.” I sit and close my eyes and try to picture her in the setting I know her from. Gym? No–you don’t wear headbands that pretty to the gym. Military? She made it clear it wasn’t that. Downtown? Maybe…
Then, all of a sudden it hits me. I see it clearly in my mind. She has a blue vest on. She’s sweeping. She’s scanning.
She works at Hobby Lobby.
{this is a generic image via World Mag}
She doesn’t know me. Not at all. We are not friends. I don’t even know her name. Smugness crushed. Looks like one too many trips to the craft store this Christmas. Awkward. So awkward. For being so friendly and for a person who talks so much, you think I’d be less weird. Nope.
So, to the girl who works at Hobby Lobby: Hi. It’s Amy. I’m awkward and I’m sorry for being so weird that time at Sear’s. I like your headbands. Thanks for being such a good cashier. You are always really quick with the coupon code and I really appreciate that. K bye.
Have you had a moment like this? I sure hope your last days of 2014 are awkwardness free. Thanks for sticking around…even though I’m so weird.
Amy
by Amy | Dec 16, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living, The Art of the Moment
When Jessica got in touch with me to ask if I’d be willing to do a photo session for her and a group of friends I was immediately excited. I know this group. I like this group. They are 100% fun.
In Jessica’s initial message asking about the session she told me that they wanted to capture this unique season in life. Young, unmarried, most of them living away from family. In a lot of ways this group of friends has become family. And that’s a magical, special thing. Maybe as you scroll through these images you’ll see a piece of yourself and your own friends looking back at you. I hope you’ll smile as you remember those good times with the family that didn’t share your DNA. Or that you’ll feel especially grateful for your own amazing friends. Or that you’ll pick up your phone and send a message {or actually place a call} to a friend from a season in your life that has come and gone. Moments are special and relationships are gifts worth cherishing…a big thanks to every single member of this group for letting me hang out and capture the art of this moment for you.
You might be wondering what it is about these people that is so dear to me. Well…let me tell you. As you can tell by that list I wrote up of things to do in-and-around Minot this winter, I like doing things. And I like people who do things. This group does things. They go out, they stay in, they are welcoming and hospitable to new-to-the-area folks and {correct me if I’m wrong} the Minot Young Adult Facebook group sprung from this very gang.
I simply adore that these antlers were worn constantly during the session.
This was a VERY windy, very snowy, very cold day. But what is a full length, Practically Canadian, Christmas photo session without a few outdoor shots? So, we watched the window carefully. And when the snow and wind had calmed enough that we could actually see more than a pure sheet of white…we bundled up and braved the cold. It was very brave.
Then they literally ran back inside for more cookie making. I’ve never seen so much raw cookie dough consumed in one sitting before. I’m not judging. I’m not even mad…I’m impressed. Oh, and please notice the amazing cookie cutter shapes they had.
