off the grid has gotten a huge big O' face lift

What can I say folks but it was finally time for a NEW BLOG that showed purple nickel's personality off!!!  You have to go check it out right now and re-bookmark it! Don't forget to sign up for the new RSS Feed too! I'm so excited that it's finally complete. The image sizes are outstandingly HUGE! I love the flash header and rotating images. And most importantly that my husband & I came up with the whole design concept, colors, logo, fonts... you name it we did it.  Told ya we have our hands full.

Go now...
If you wanna show your love leave a comment on the new design... it'll make our day no week!

Enjoy...

'off the grid'

We need your help! NOW...

I am urging all of you to take a few minutes out of your busy schedules to help pass Bill 1738. If you haven't done this already you need to. Help protect all children against child predators & their horible internet websites!!!
*Authorize over $320 million over the next five years in desperately needed funding for law enforcement to investigate child exploitation.
*Mandate that child rescue be a top priority for law enforcement receiving federal funding.
*Allocate funds for high-tech computer software that can track down Internet predators.



Click on the links below & act now! Oprah has a letter already complete that you can copy/paste into your local senator's office website submissions.


'Oprah'


'Arizona's Senators Site'

I planted what?

So yep... I just planted 5 Trees!  Sounds kinda crazy that I took this on with my busy schedule and all but I knew I just couldn't resist a little more greenery in our lives.  OK ok I didn't plant them personally... I just signed up with a new and oh' so chic email marketing company who plants 5 trees with every new member.  Mine got planted in California with 'Plant-it 2020' ! A non-profit organization that maintains and protects as many indigenous trees world wide.  Now I just can't wait to plant some in my backyard when that time comes.  Woo Hoo!

Our house is a very very fine house...NOT!

I can not tell you how EXCITED I am for our house to finally get the attention & lovin' care it deserves. My husband & I have been going through an extensive remodel... you name it were doing it. Though the outside has been neglected badly while we've been working hard on the interior space.  We haven't done anything to the outside since we've owned it... sad.  Our neighbors must think were lazy.  It's really bad when you can see through many layers of paint & materials and our windows have been the catcher of those flaying rocks that the local school kids throw at our dogs since they can see them through the nasty chain link fence.  Some would say that these details give our house character but I say NOPE... I want style!

Enjoy...


It's bad when you can see the getto rainbow type film on the window panes.



Awwwww... what a lovely view from the back yard.  Can't wait until we can't see out & people can't see in!

Awww man I should have left that old plastic sunburnt owl on the roof top to show you how he protects our little bungalow from the woodpeckers.  Guess there's not much to protect after all!

Can you say... 'wire city'.  What the flip is up with that 'zig zag design?  It's called 'keep things linear & maybe somewhat straight'.  Oh and the perfectly matched patch/paint job goes perfectly with them!  I think someone was doing this in the dark when they attempted to make things better!

Hopefully my mom doesn't read this post (we bought the house from her & she just didn't have the dough to fix it up).  Sorry mom!

It will get BETTER I promise!

Nothing like Tucson's sunsets

We have some of the most colorful sunsets I've ever seen. I captured these Wednesday night while I was out playing with Ashley & Brandon (our four legged kids with fur). All I gotta say is eat your heart out Lemont, Il. (that's where my family's from... and they have nothing like this... except scary tornado clouds).

Enjoy...

It's Official... I'm on Wedding Wire!

For all my past clients... take a moment to check it out. You can also write reviews on my services! This site is really clean & hip... which is a MUST. For all of those planning an event it's a great site to find all those super freakishly talented artists'.

Don't forget to pre-register with the [b] school

YAY! 1st day of school is October 1st!

Just foolin' around... sounds kinky but it's not!

So I just bought the Canon 50mm 1.2 from my friend Dave Harvey (you rock) & I immediately knew I had to do some creative shots.  I'm always keeping my eye out for nifty little trinkets that will make wickedly cool 'RING' shots.  I have some more up my sleeve and are holding out until the perfect couple & rings come along.  Any how I found these simple, clear napkin holders... yes that's right I said napkin holders.  You know when you're having a dinner party and roll up the cloth napkins and use some sort of decorative holder.  Yep these freakin cute beauties are from Z Gallery... gosh I love that place and can't wait to get all the hip accessories I've been eye ballin' for my house.  Also for the backdrop I used a textured placemat... that's it.  I collect those too just for simple details & for my shoot sac. The soft lighting is just from a near by window & shot with my 20D.

Enjoy...

Yummy Yummy In My Tummy

Banana Cream Whoopie pies.  These 2" golden-edged banana cookies stuffed with cream cheese frosting unite two favorites of mine... whoopie pie & the moistest banana cake.  An immensely satisfying revival.  Cookie of the month...get yours @ marthastewart.com or just have Brad make them for you over & over again.  I think that's what I'll do.  Brad you ROCK!  Ohh and I've probably gained 5lbs . Thanks!

Enjoy...

STRIKE... I got 2!

In the words of Mrs. Michelle Rasmussen... "Concentrate, focus on the arrows, and bend your knees."  Yes this is what lots were saying as I stepped up to the line to take my shot @ getting the next strike.  Well I was just trying to hit at least one pin since I had a mean, evil, diagonal swing...which seemed to attract my 9lb ball to the gutter.  Last night a group of us photogs got together for this month's gathering with 'The Click' . For those of you who didn't show up I expect to see you at the next month's shoot!  Which by the way according to Kadie is going to kick butt urban style.  But since you didn't go you'll just have to wait & find out... hee hee.  Ok so back to the bowling night which I scored a whopping 60 points the first round, really sad. And 114 the next, much better... guess I had to warm up.  I captured some of the nights' moments with my pocket camera (which I need to get a better one... mine sucks big time) & turned them into a sort of vintage bowling 70's feel... I guess.  Check em' out!

Enjoy...

This was our last game where Kadie & I tied.










These next two images are totally wacko... not to mention it looks like I have no arms.

Joe documenting our bowling forms.

Erin Durband of E*Kah*D Photography, Robert Wilson & Michael Chansley



My hunky husband & I... normally I don't have a lazy eye... so don't laugh!

Silly Kadie & Joe

Michelle & Owe... hee hee

Arch-E Artwork Continued

Freakin Ah-Mazing...  And you can see why!

All images taken by Mr. Fletcher aka... the love of my life.

As you can see we're a little obsessed with architecture and those yummy details.  Hope these will bring some inspiration to your next home project.  They certainly do to ours.

Enjoy...

Love it!

So my cousin got MARRIED...

*Anne & Adam*... Becker.  My crazy, wild, over the top cousin Anne got married a few weeks ago.  She's the blonde bombshell that can't get enough of everything.  I remember first meeting Adam at my own wedding and knew he would be great for her... cause he could keep up with her.  Not to mention their dancing is off the hook.  Well here's what I managed to capture while still enjoying the evening since I was a guest.  It was actually nice to not have the pressures of documenting another family milestone.

Enjoy...

The most beautiful church in little Lemont, Il.





The Pastor is Anne's Grandpa! That's so unique.  He even married her little sis two years ago and still laughed that he wouldn't get choked up all while he was tearing up!  The personal stories about Anne's childhood were so heartfelt.





I made sure that my husband had the biggest hand full of petals.



Caught this in a random moment... LOVE IT.




I couldn't resist this little detail with our name on it... oh and my cute little clutch + the yummy cake.