Which leads me to wonder about affordable framing options for a piece this size (about 20X28 inches) or larger…any ideas/sources for big frames on the cheap?

(image: Banquet)

I love these bold, graphic prints – just the sort of thing that would appeal equally to guys & gals, no? Oh and how much do I love the pink wall in this picture? Although I didn’t end up using pink as a wall color in my home, you may recall I was considering it.

This is my favorite print in the shop. Want to see it up close?

So. Cute. And pink!

(images: Bread + Butter)

I am so in love with the colors she has chosen for these pieces, the cute European scenes (Laura is from England, but is currently based in Amsterdam), and the way the houses pop against the crisp white background. Like to see more?

Isn’t she adorable?

Or what about a textile canvas like this one of the Latin Quarter in Paris?

Or an Amsterdam bridge?

I could imagine hanging any one of these in my home! What do you think? Which is your favorite?

{images: Laura Amiss}

Through the Viewfinder (TtV)

This style is a blend of two worlds, vintage and digital. To create TtV images, the photographer uses a digital camera to shoot the image seen in the viewfinder of a vintage camera. The result – a digital image with the mood and character of a vintage camera.

Clockwise from top left:
Some Things Last Forever – by Squidart
Oh So Pink – by Integrity Studio
A Place for Us – by PocoLoco Creativo
Lemon – by Hilary Upton

Instant Film

Instant film photographs, especially Polaroids, have definitely found a place in my heart. The soft focus and muted colors have an incredible nostalgic quality.

Clockwise from top left:
She Wore Butterflies in Her Hair – by Susannah Tucker
Summer Swim Polaroid – by Anna Dykema
A Piece of Heaven – by Pocket Memories
Santa Monica in a Polaroid – by Urban Pink Photograph (this example is a digital faux Polaroid)

Black & White

My first photographic love was black and white photography. When color is removed, you notice lines, textures, and the play of shadow and light.

Clockwise from top left:
This is my home, the little girl told me. – by Labyrinthine Nature
The Way to Hope – by Zhaolin
Tragic – by Madelaine
Blossoms – by Alina Smith

Do you find yourself drawn to a particular photographic style? There are so many to choose from – I’ve barely scratched the surface here. Whether you prefer vibrant colors or layered textures, I hope you enjoy your meanderings through the world of photography.

{images: linked to sources above}

“My mother taught me at a very young age that any dream is possible if you put your heart and soul into it. I didn’t take that advice lightly, and have been living in my dreams ever since! I grew up on a fairytale, picturesque farm in Lindenwood, Illinois – home to less than 500 people. I spent most every day of my childhood outside collecting things and wandering the banks of the Kilbuck creek. So much of my artwork is inspired by my country upbringing and the serene landscape that surrounded me. I believe there is a certain magic cloud that surrounds the town of Lindenwood, and I strive to recreate that magic in my artwork”

“When I paint, I consciously put love and optimism into each piece. I hope that this way, I’m sending a higher vibration to anyone who sees my work. My main goal in life is to make art that helps others realize their dreams and their “soul” purposes. Life is too short to put our dreams on hold… the time is now! Do what you love :)”

Isn’t that a beautiful message? Katie’s work really touches a chord for me because the love and respect for nature reminds me of growing up in California – even though I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I spent a lot of my time outside in nature as a child, and those experiences are very important to me to this day.

Thank you so much, Katie, for sharing a bit of your story here with us today! You can find out more about Katie and her work on her website, and purchase gorgeous prints and cards in her Etsy shop, The Wheatfield.

{all images: The Wheatfield by Katie Daisy}

There are certain people in this world that have such an amazing personal style that is stamped on every little thing they do, and Ez is certainly one of these people! Do you know what I mean? I am so inspired by everything she creates, from the design, style, and DIY projects on Creature Comforts, to her more personal blog Carrying On, to the gorgeous original photography sold in her Etsy shop, Wren & Chickadee.

As I have mentioned, I am finally feeling like we’ve got the “basics” done in our home – all of the rooms have been repainted, and most of the main furniture pieces are in place – and now I am looking to add those special little finishing touches that really make a house feel like a home…like, oh, perhaps a few of these lovely prints framed and hung in my living room!

Are you a fan of Wren & Chickadee, too? Do you have a favorite print in the shop? I am having such trouble narrowing down my favorites! I would really like to order three or four and string them along an art wire above my desk…and perhaps a few postcards as well to send to far-away friends?

When you need to sneak off and take a little mental break today, why don’t you visit the shop – the colors and sweet subjects are sure to lift your spirits!

{images: Wren & Chickadee}

I am a sucker for soft light and ever-so-slightly faded vintagey colors, are you drawn to this kind of work too? And I can hardly resist a vintage typewriter! The print above is one of my favorites, but it’s impossible to choose just one…

I adore the candy colors of the top two prints, and the girl with the pigtail braids and big juicy wedge of watermelon makes me smile – doesn’t she remind you of those long, lazy summer afternoons when you were a kid? Sigh…

Or how about a nice vintage suitcase cram-packed with favorite books? I have to chuckle because this reminds me of me packing to go on a trip (both when I was a kid and, ahem, now) – a little overzealous packing of books ;) Just seeing that cover of Charlotte’s Web makes my heart go pitter-pat!

There are more gorgeous prints to choose from in the shop, and Kristi will also make any of the images you like from her flickr into a print for you! Nice work, Kristi!

{all images: Life Through The Lens}

The faded, sun-bleached tones of old Polaroids, listening to vinyl, lemonade stands, carnivals with cotton candy, road trips and lazy afternoons…

1. “Records in field” Polaroid transfer, She Hit Pause Studios
2. “Pink Sugar” fine art print, RiciS
3. “The Lone Surfer” fine art photo, Enamor Photography

Bright and bold to stand out against white walls. Modern, fresh, and fun.

1. Yuichi Yokoyama Poster (c)
2. “Cave Diver” fine art print, Paper Whistle
3. “Near You” limited edition archival print, Leah Giberson

Natural. No fuss. Seashells and driftwood, big waves, cold beer, good friends, endless summer.

1. “Creating Voids” surf print, Tina Crespo
2. Moon chimes, mudpuppy
3. “Happiness”, Alysia Cotter
4. “House on Stilts” limited edition archival print, Leah Giberson

Art inspired by the natural forms of sea creatures and plants, at home with your own finds from beach walks. Beachy with a modern twist.

1. “Forever and Ever” archival print, shopA
2. Urchin Bowls, Heather Knight @ Element Clay Studio
3. Marine mobile, Pukapuka mobiles
4. Round digital print, Polymorphia

Picnics with Victoria sponge cake and fresh strawberry jam, seagulls and whitewashed cottages, sandcastle building contests and sailing boats bobbing off the shore…

1. Classic English Pups, Middleburg
2. “Fish and Chips” screenprint, Mr.PS
3. “Boat No. 16″ original art collage on canvas, Tailor-made

Which is your favorite look? And if you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would love to hear! And oh, if you are looking for new art, don’t forget to enter the Davina + Daniel contest below!

{images: linked to individual sources above}

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment below with a link to your favorite print from the Davina + Daniel Etsy shop between now and Thursday, May 13.

And remember…

• Include your first name and last initial, along with a valid email address (only I will see your email address); no anonymous entries will be accepted.
• If you have won a giveaway on Lolalina in the past year, you are not eligible.
• Get a BONUS ENTRY if you blog or tweet about this contest (and link back to this post) – to do this, leave one comment as your regular entry, then come back and leave a SECOND comment with a link to your post or the caption of your tweet and your twitter username.
• Only one entry per person, unless you have tweeted or posted about the contest!
• I will announce the winner in a new post on Friday, May 14.

Isn’t this a nice way to start the week? :) Good luck everyone!!!

{images: Davina + Daniel}

I was super excited when I saw this shot of Ingrid’s home (that’s Ingrid, above), on their press page – I love seeing how creatives live at home, don’t you? And Ingrid and Tonje both look so friendly and warm, I would love to sit down with the two of them in Ingrid’s home with a pot of tea and a tray of treats :) Here is a small sampling of their design work…

Ingrid and Tonje designed this CD cover and liner for Norwegian record label Dbut Records – and this makes me want to track down the album simply because the artwork is so cute!

A yummy little stack of notebooks with fresh, graphic animal designs, made especially for 1973, and available for purchase there as well. Oh, and would you like to see a few things currently available in the Darling Clementine Etsy shop? Well, let’s see…

J’aime beaucoup Darling Clementine’s Paris cards, pictured above. They are meant to be note cards, but I think they would be adorable in little frames, or clipped to an art wire three in a row.

Check out their Etsy shop for more goodies (like the Camping cards above), and do visit the Darling Clementine website as well to learn more about their work, or to contact Ingrid & Tonje about custom design work.

I hope you enjoyed today’s feature, and I will see you back here tomorrow, hopefully with some of my own photos to share – although the light has been giving me trouble, so we’ll see! Have a lovely afternoon, friends!!

{images: Darling Clementine}