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  • Hello, friend! Thank you for being here.

    OH my goodness, are we excited you stopped by!
    <------That's my oldest little bit over there. She's excitable, like her mama. The apple doesn't fall far. Except she's blonde and has that rockin' dimple on her chin, she got from the Mister. My dimples are in other places and on good days I have only one chin, but yeah. We're a lot a like. We love to have fun, be together with the fam, take pictures, CREATE (we're crafty like that), be dorks, have dance parties, Matilda Jane Clothing, laugh, laugh at ourselves, cook, eat, LOVE, pray, SHARE, and make new friends. And a lot of the time we're doing all of those at the same time! I am a Jane of all trades, master of none. I am always looking for sunshine and easily amused. I am usually unpredictable, mostly energetic to a fault, quirky and sometimes a bit eclectic, and darn right fun to be around... so I've been told.

    Old friends, new friends, friends we have yet to meet-we like them! So come hang out here for some gettin' real, gettin' personal, maybe a little gettin' real personal. We'll play games, talk some shop, kick up our feet, and have a generally good time. You'll definitely get to know more about me in my REM-deprived ramblings. {I can't be held responsible for how those ramblings look on any given day} And I hope I get to know a LOT more about you by YOU chatting and maybe getting to know your heart and soul by making pictures together. Wouldn't that be a blast? Then you can see what happens when we take what makes you OH-so-unique, add me bustin' a move with my camera, "Beast", and have fun capturing what makes YOU SHINE! This is NOT yo' mama's photography. We could leave a mark on this world- yours, mine, ours... together. Happy day.
    This is me. I can't be anything different than who I am.
    Making pictures... making friends.
    LET IT SHINE! ;)

May 15 2012

She’s the SWEDEst {Maybemej Photography Giveaway}

Annemaj Sporrong of Maybemej Photography is surely the sweetest Swede I’ve ever met!

Okay, so maybe she’s the only Swede I’ve ever met, but I’m positive if you lined her up next to all of the rest,

she’d take the cake… the icing if you please!

I met Annemaj one day after an image of hers popped up during a search on Pinterest.

I RAN to her blog and was instantly smitten by all of the beauty!

Her design aesthetic and beautiful photos are so very lovely!!!

It is a breath of fresh air, unique, playful, authentic, and good enough to eat… you know, all that SWEET Swede it’s infused with.

Not only that, I was taken back to find that ALL of her beautiful work she posts on her blog, she gives away!

Yep!  Freebies for all… I think I ate up (downloaded) all I could that very day.

{This is one of my favorites!  I love the curly frames and birds never go out of style! You can see her designs also on flickr here.}

So because of her generosity and talent,  I decided to tell her so and sent her an email.

We have chatted back and forth for a few months, before it became clear some of her elements

would be perfect for the S.O.S. article I helped with for The Sandbucket Volume 2.

{she speaks great English to boot!}

She, again, graciously allowed us to use her designs.

{This is an excerpt from the magazine.  I used elements from her fun “Summer Breeze Card Kit”}

So, here she is being so generous again and giving away her gorgeous “In the Garden” printable  to one of my lucky readers!

All you have to do is go “like” maybemej on Facebook and come tell me you did.

Bonus entry for sharing on your blog or Facebook!

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to go say hello to Annemaj, as she is giving away a digi copy of The Sandbcuket magazine Volume 2!!!

Yep!  Lots of goodies to be had!

*Giveaway open until Friday, May 18th 11:59 pm PST.  Winner will be announced Monday, May 20th.*

Besides, you will instantly get sucked in by all of the gorgeous images and designs.

In addition to the eye candy, she has a smorgasbord of frames, templates, printables, Photoshop actions, and free resources for personal use!

She really has some serious talent and style!

I would like to thank Annemaj for being such a lovely and giving person.

Not only is she a gifted designer and photographer, but her heart is a gift.

She is as sweet as can be and loves making new friends.

It’s just one of those things you can feel even from miles and miles away.

Be SWEET to one another!!!

Smiles,

Dana

Let it shine,

Dana

Posted in Inspiration, Mamas, Product Love, S.O.S, The Sandbucket, Uncategorized

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May 15, 2012 - 8:16 pm

Kari S - Already like her on FB. Love her blog too!

May 10 2012

The artist also known as…

Stephanie Corfee.

or as I am now glad to call her… friend.

She had me at hello with her inviting voice…

and then at her love for cookies…

and then at her love for Anne of Green Gables…

and then at her big, giving heart…

and then at her mad skillz in gangsta talk.

The stimulating, witty, creative and intelligent conversation that oozes from this girls mouth is

enough to wish she was your best friend.

Not to mention she has more talent oozing from her pinky toe than most I know.

Even at my ripe old age of 37, my concern for finding kindred spirits in my life, like Anne Shirley, doesn’t stop.

For me that means someone you have an immediate connection with and who you can instantly feel is a good one.

I like good ones.

Mama raised her well.

I, like Diana Barry, have romantic notions for love and friendship.

So, once you’ve touched my heart, that’s just when you go straight inside of it.

One who I would let cut some of my “black tresses” for.

I could talk about Stephanie’s character all the live long day, but let’s get down to why we’re here discussing her in the first place…

the girl is an AR-TEEST!

So much so, I think paint runs through her veins.

Her aesthetic is vibrant, whimsical, bohemian, detailed and downright colorful… kind of like her!

Add in the amount of heart and soul and detail she pours into each piece, and you have success!!!

It is authentic goodness that makes it impossible not to feel joy!!!

Such a good one, in fact, that I contacted her a couple of months back to ask if she would be a part of my next article in The Sandbucket Magazine.

It just seemed like the perfect fit for the vision of my article.

And boy, did she deliver.

Her “doodles” (way too good to just be called doodles, but I have a love for that word myself) were overlayed

on some of my images and like magic, it all came to life.

Her doodles even inspired me to change some of my text, they were that perfect.

She was easy to work with and went above and beyond what was expected of her.

What a peach.

What a pal.

What a bosom friend.

I want to thank her from the bottom of my ever bloomin’ heart for her hard work!!!

But wait!  Her artistic prowess doesn’t end with doodles… oh no.

Her painting and designs can be seen on clothing of one of her bosom friends, Ashley of Li’l Blue Boo.

They can also be seen on household items like pillows, canvas, or wall art and she even has two published books.

So.  Do you want to see what she did to make my article bloom?

Head on over  to Stephanie’s blog to see how to enter to win a digital copy of  The Sandbucket Magazine Volume 2, all of the doodles you see on

first image above that she used in my article, “Raising Good Ones”, and some surprise doodles from Stephanie!!!

Told ya she was nice.  Make sure to tell her I sent you!

I’m giving a bonus digital copy away (NO Doodles here) for for liking  Stephanie Corfee-ARtist and The Sandbucket on Facebook!!!

Bonus entry for sharing on Facebook or your blog and commenting here or on my Facebook page that you did so.

Too much lovely inspiration not to share.

Two chances to win!!!

Good luck!  BUT…

If you don’t win, then go buy a copy of Volume II of The Sandbucket here  (there’s a sneak peek too) and see all of the goods in person…

including an inspirational interview from my tween daughter, another collaboration with my bestie, Kelly Stocksen, and much, much MORE!

Shine on,

Dana

Let it shine,

Dana

Posted in Bosom Friends, The Sandbucket

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May 14, 2012 - 7:43 pm

admin - Nope! You’re good!!! But I know what you mean. Goes through Wednesday. Thanks so much for the comment, my friend!!! Good luck! ;) xo

May 14, 2012 - 6:06 pm

Monika - I love Stephanie!! So of course I was already a liker of her FB page! And I’m already liking The Sandbucket FB page as well. See I’m all up do date, lol! Not sure if I’m too late though… that’s the story of my life recently!

May 13, 2012 - 4:21 pm

Lauren - I “like” it all! :) I never win anything, maybe today is my lucky day :)

May 03 2012

Pro Digital Photos Spreadin’ Some Mother’s Day Love

Hey there, friends!

So sorry for such spotty blog posting by me, but sheesh,

a lot is going on around these here parts!

Including some relocation happening way sooner than I’ll be ready for.

Remember the TV show, Bewitched?

LURVED that show.

LURVED that Mom… she was the coolest. I wanted to be Samantha.

{They don’t make TV shows like that anymore-good stuff}

When I was younger, I totally thought when I was a grown-up I would have the ability to wiggle my nose

and everything would magically happen how I wanted it to.

“WELL!”, my eyes were opened the older I got… man, was I disappointed.

HA!

So, although I can’t do a little nose twitching and have my house immediately packed,

I can have some magically delicious product show up on my doorstep before I go.

Pro Digital Photos has an awesome deal going on right now for Mother’s Day on some fan-TAS-tic product!

Take a looksie!

I have been using PDP for all of my photo and product needs for the last year and a half, and they have not disappointed me in the least.

I had so much hand holding needed in the beginning and they held it all the way!

Great customer service.  Great Results.

I am in love with these metal frames with templates… in love!

They are gorgeous and unique and perfect for a different take on displaying your photos.

As a matter of fact, I have a couple very cool tricks up my sleeve using the metal frames that I will share with you soon.

Can’t give it all away at once… you gotta come back!!!

And you gotta head on over to Pro Digital to get hooked up with this goodness.

Tell them Dana sent you! ;0)

You can even “like” them on Facebook while you’re at it… don’t be shy.

You’ll be seeing a lot of them around Dana Ohlsen Photography and The Sandbucket!

For Pro Digital Photo’s Mother’s Day Special, they are offering you 20% off on 2 of their new products…

The shaped metal templates and their clear tumbler cup templates.

The coupon code to get 20% off is #1mom.

Sale ends Sunday, May 13th so get a move on!

Go whisper in your hubster’s ear.

 ( click on the order now buttons to view the cute designs)

Pro Digital Photos

Shaped Metal Templates

Clear Tumbler Cup Templates

Pro Digital Photos on Facebook

The Sandbucket on Facebook

 

H A P P Y   M O T H E R ‘ S   D A Y

to all you excellent mamas!!!!

We are raising the future of America!!!

Take the time this Mother’s Day to acknowledge all of the great things you do and how you are

absolutely enough, right here… right now.

Be good to yourselves.

 

So.  “WITCH” DARRIN did you prefer… Dick York or Dick Sargent???

Smiles and love,

Dana

p.s.  The pretty swirly frame templates come to you all the way from lovely Sweden, from one of my favorite designers and blog friends, Annemaj Sporrong of Maybemej Photography Blog.  She designs beautiful things and generously let’s you have them for free personal use.  Look for her designs in the S.O.S. article in the next Volume of The Sandbucket too!!!  Go say hello.

Let it shine,

Dana

Posted in Inspiration, Mamas, Product Love, The Sandbucket

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May 4, 2012 - 1:47 am

maybemej - Hi Dana. =) No worris about the mix up thing. =) Nemas problemas. =)
Thank you soooo much for posting about me. It´s really sweet of you. By the way. I love your blog and the design of it too. Hope you gonna have a great weekend.

Love.

Mar 23 2012

Just BE.

Just being.

 

What does that mean to you?

In our house it means not needing to be entertained by the television or cell phone apps.

It means watching a butterfly move it’s wings up and down while sitting on a leaf.

It means snuggling together on the couch and listening to the birds chirp outside our window.

It means holding hands.

It means playing with eachother’s hair.

It means comparing fingers and toes to see who’s more like Mommy or Daddy.

It means singing silly songs at the top of our lungs like no one is listening.

It means tickle fights with girly giggles bouncing off of the walls.

It means watching raindrops trickle down our window panes.

 

It means there’s no such thing as being “bored”.

That’s the “B” word in our house.  Not allowed.

There is always something wonderful to be explored.

Around every corner…

just waiting to be found.

This world is full of too much loveliness to waste on such a word.

And when all else fails…

Just be.

It will do you good.

 

If it’s been a busy week for you; full of technology and busy-busy life stuff…

find a moment this weekend to enjoy

JUST BEING.

Even if it’s all by yourself.

Keep sight of what matters most.

 

Smiles and happiness,

 

Dana

p.s.   If you need some help adjusting your perspective,  go here for some inspiration.  You won’t be disappointed.

Have a lovely weekend.

 

Let it shine,

Dana

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May 2, 2012 - 7:51 pm

admin - You are so sweet Ms. Pam, but what don’t you remember?!?!?! You left me hangin’! HA! I feel so bad these comments have been sitting here and I had no way to read or approve them until now. Hope you’re well my friend!!!

March 24, 2012 - 10:37 am

Pamela Bates/Mercantile Muse - happy saturday dana. is there such thing as bored? i can remember saying it as a kid, but I don’t remember the last time i was bored. i relish in ‘just being’……listening to the birds chirp at my window, getting some love from the hounddog in between his couch naps, taking a walk in the field. I ‘need’ that stuff since most days I’m tied to the computer for work. enjoy the day and your weekend. Pam

Mar 14 2012

T.A.B.L.E. Sammy

Breakfast.

My FAVORITE meal.

Last week,  The Sandbucket Blog did a daily post dedicated to foods of the early hours of the day.

There were several mouth watering, sweet recipes, with equally mouth watering photos of the goodness.

Mmmmmmm…

Then there was me.

I featured a fresh, sloppy, protein and veggie packed sandwich that warms my tummy-tum-tum.

The T.A.B.L.E. sandwich.

All while vacationing with my family at Disneyworld.  HA!

So if you want a fun twist on a BLT and a meal you can for BLD, go check it out.

Breakfast, Brunch, Brinner.

It’s good for you.

Sorry for the bad Instagram pic from my cell phone… we were at Disneyworld and I only had one corrupt memory card.

Boo.

Lesson learned… always have back up.

Smiles,

Dana

Let it shine,

Dana

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May 2, 2012 - 7:49 pm

admin - Pam!!!! Me too!!! Eggs are eggcellent any ol’ time! Don’t think I forgot about you… not only have I been crazy busy, but my wordpress account wasn’t letting me access my comments until now. “Unauthorized”… what? ;) Still can’t wait to talk to you again and get our magazine on! HA! xo

March 15, 2012 - 11:03 am

Pam/Mercantile Muse - dana, I am ALL abuot eggs…….anyway, anytime, anyhow!!!

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