Disney Photos

We came back from Disney with over 3000 photos. I've been sifting through, deleting repetitive shots and those that weren't well composed, blurry, or otherwise "less than." I've managed to trim the collection down to about 2700 so far. I imagine (hope) that I can trim out some more.

Thanks to using Adobe's Lightroom, the process of culling and organizing the photos has been easier than one might think. Am I finished with the task? Nope. I treat it as a fluid process. If I didn't it would become this huge and overwhelming task. What exactly do I mean by fluid process? I pull open the catalog of all stuff Disney. Sometimes I randomly choose or create a keyword, flip through the catalog and apply it to whatever photos fit it. Other times I pick a batch of photos from a certain activity or time period and delete the ones I know I won't miss or use for any purpose. Whatever task I feel like tackling is the one I work on for as long as I want.

What am I going to do with all of these photos? Create a photobook for starters! Here are some of the pages I've done with photos taken in Hollywood Studios:

Layout design inspired by Sketch-N-Scrap Sketch #102. Digital elements came mostly from KellyBell Designs' The Studios kit.

Credits: JWH_MagicVacation (Scrapgirls)
KellyBell_TheStudios
Sketch N Scrap sketch #56

Credits: lpritchett_fromeartoear
LaurieAnnHGD-Magic World
TangieBaxter_splattergraffitti and  YouAreMagnificent
ScrapGirls_STI_JIF6_Magical
lth_cu_paperblenders
noreimerreason_rtm_mouse

Ten Days Until Disney!

After five years of saving, dreaming, and learning the ins and outs of Disney World, "D" day is fast approaching. I can't believe I've managed to plan this trip in just 60 days! So what did I get done this evening? I designed an American history scavenger hunt for my 9 year old. Why? Lots of reasons. Here are the top 5:

1. I needed to come up with an educational plan to get my son's days away from school excused.
2. Liberty Square is often overlooked or passed right on through without a glance as you head to the Haunted Mansion. It could be boring for a 9 year old.
3. Liberty Square is one of the few places left in WDW that truly represents some of the vision of Walt himself.
4. I plan on taking lots of photos. This little list will help me capture some of the cool details that Imagineers have created.
5. Liberty Square is the starting point for the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game that C is so keen on playing--he'll have to do the educational stuff before he finds that first portal.

I still have two more days of touring plans to put together. My husband thinks I'm crazy...maybe I just have Disney Fever!

Listen up!

I stumbled across this article and found it to be something with which I wholeheartedly agree:

How to Listen: Expect Nothing

As I have been exploring creating my own art, that inner critic has thrown up roadblocks and challenges more often than I can count. I have to tune her out and keep on moving forward. At some point soon, I may find the courage to post so of my creations hear and obliterate the silence that has existed for so many months.

[INSTAGRAM] Crystal's Update "#Hirshhorn"

http://instagram.com/p/cR7i9qlrhV/

[INSTAGRAM] Crystal's Update "Freshwater Ray Pretty polka dots!"

http://instagram.com/p/cRsJdZlrlt/