Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // rainbow and flowers card using Top Dog Dies, rainbow explosion,

You Make Me Happy {Top Dog Dies}

August 24, 2015August 29, 201510 Comments

Welcome to another Make it Monday! I’m loving being part of the Top Dog Dies team and creating something fun every week!. The dies are adorable, they’re sized perfectly for so many projects – from cards to scrapbook layouts to itty bitty lunch box love notes!

For today’s post, I really wanted to use the Rainbow Die Set, along with the Pretty Petals #2 Die Set. I had the idea of a rainbow spilling out into an explosive rainbow of flowers! Both of these dies were perfect for the card and made it a breeze to create!

I used 6×6″ paper pads – the small patterns on small pads are perfect for cards! Avery Elle Happy Collection, Lawn Fawn Happy Day Collection, and a few pieces of scrap paper brought this all together beautifully!

I stamped the Avery Elle sentiment using Versamark and embossing powder, and heat set it for a pretty glossy look.

Before I glued everything down, I laid it out so I could figure out spacing. I definitely recommend doing that and starting from one corner and working your way in. Trust me 🙂

Thanks for popping in to see today’s Make It Monday post! Don’t forget today is the final day to get on the Early Bird list for True Scrap PlannerLove! Have you jumped on the planner craze? Or are you intrigued to find out more? Well then this is the must-attend-event for you! You can find out more by checking out my post all about it here if you missed it! But really, just get on the early bird list before you miss it! For a limited time, you can add yourself to the Early Bird list and get all 6 classes, plus all the extras, for only $29. That’s $70 off the regular price of $99! But it expires soon, so register for your discount here: http://www.truescrap.com/connieplanner

UPDATE: Early bird list is closed, but you can still save $50 using discount code PLANNERPARTY through 9/2 – don’t miss it this time!

And you see what my photo is saying in the graphic below?! YES, I’m TEACHING at PlannerLove! So I will definitely be there! You’ve gotta join me for all the fun!

Thanks again for stopping by! Hope to see you at PlannerLove on September 19th – it’s gonna an amazingly fun crafty time!

Live (and plan) creatively!
xoxo,
/c

P.S. This is lowest price I’ve ever seen for a True Scrap event, and it will be worth every penny, especially since it includes the full replays and a goody bag! Get your discount here: www.truescrap.com/connieplanner

PPS. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is focusing on Back to School. How perfect is this card to remind a loved one how much they’re loved on their first day back?!

P R O D U C T S U S E D // AFFILIATE LINKS

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // Family Photography, mother, daughter, rustic, park, train tracks, train car, coordinated family, oranges, purples, colorful, lovely

C-n-B Sneak Peek {Photo Session}

November 13, 2014October 14, 20155 Comments

I love photographing families. I think that’s pretty well established here at Clicky Chick Creates! But when a friend of 20+ years reaches out and books me for a session? Well, I’m BEYOND honored and flattered!

My sweet friend C and I met in college. We were sorority sisters (go ADPi!) and had some fabulous times – both during and after college! For years, we would meet up with about a dozen of our sorority sisters and celebrate New Year’s Eve’s, traveling all over California for our annual meet ups! Let me just say… they were always a blast and still are some of my favorite memories!

Since becoming mama’s, we haven’t seen each other as much, mostly because we were on opposite ends of the state. Luckily, she and her daughter moved recently, so now they’re just a few hours away, and we hope to get together much more often! I was ecstatic when C reached out, wanting to get our girls together for a playdate and squeezing in a photo shoot. I can’t get over how gorgeous these girls are in every way!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day! Make sure not to miss any future posts by signing up for the Clicky Chick Creates email list here! You’ll get a great little freebie download as my thank you!

Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

PS. Have you heard of Society6? You can sell your photos as prints and tons of other products like phone skins, tote bags, pillows and more! Check out my shop here – I’m adding more goodies to it everyday! What’s your favorite item so far?

E Q U I P M E N T U S E D (Affiliate Links)
Canon 60D
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
Photo edits in Lightroom and Photoshop
Check out all my camera bag goodies here!

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // Sunny & Colorful scrapbook layout using The Crafter's Workshop stencils, Gelatos, wood veneers, home made enamel dots

Sunny & Colorful Layout using Stencils and Gelatos {Feeling Crafty}

April 11, 2014July 19, 201419 Comments

Check out this layout I created highlighting a recent Crazy Hair Day photo! Any guesses who inspired the look?! My girls have such colorful personalities, I wanted to make the page bright and bold to match them… and of course getting creative time is always a pleasure : )

Do you like creating your own backgrounds for your layouts? I definitely do! Usually I use templates or stencils (like these from The Crafter’s Workshop) with Dylusions Spray Inks or Tim Holtz Distress Inks or Tim Holtz Distress Stains to create my own papers like here, here and here. For this layout I went with stencils and gelatos. It was a first for me to use gelatos on a layout. What do you think?

I actually filmed my process and created this video showing how it all came together… Enjoy!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day!
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

P R O D U C T S U S E D (Affiliate Links)

The Crafter’s Workshop, Trendy Bracket
The Crafter’s Workshop, Fancy Frames
The Crafter’s Workshop, Cosmic Swirl
Faber-Castell Gelatos in Grape
Faber-Castell Gelatos in Lavender
Faber-Castell Gelatos in Bubble Gum
Faber-Castell Gelatos in Mango
Faber-Castell Gelatos in Tangerine
Faber-Castell Gelatos in Lemon
Faber-Castell Gelatos in Buttercream
Fiskars SureCut Personal 12″ Paper Trimmer
Bo Bunny 12″ Pink Punch Stripe
Thickers – Glitter Foam Doll – Black
Sew Easy Bakers Twine, Primary
Perler Beads

PS. This Sunny & Colorful layout is being added to the following challenges! Join in the fun : )

Keep It Simple

A Blog Named Hero

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // engagement couple session, Rosarito, Mexico beach, pony, flower head wreath

Rey & Gina Beach Engagement {Photo Session}

April 10, 2014April 9, 201414 Comments

What’s the best thing about being a photographer? All the special occasions and moments I’m able to capture for lifelong memories, like this engagement session of this gorgeous couple…

So this adorable couple is beyond special to me… that handsome dude? That’s my baby brother! And that beautiful girl? That’s his adorable fiancé who is my crafty-sister, from-another-mister! I don’t wanna get all mushy, but Oh-My-Goodness, I sure do love these two!

Our entire family was thrilled when they got engaged a few months ago and the couple and I have been discussing photos since then. We finally had the opportunity to get together for these shots last week. Gina had a great vision of what she wanted, so off we went to the beach in search of a ~~donkey~~ pony. We actually planned for a few more shots with a second setting, but a storm was rolling in quickly, we were freezing and decided to call it done! And the floral head wreath she’s wearing? She made it! Yup, we stopped at a little flower shop on our way home earlier in the day to get some props and she had the idea to make the head wreath. Isn’t it beautiful? Told you she’s crafty!

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // engagement couple session, Rosarito, Mexico beach, flower head wreath, Mexican blanket

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // engagement couple session, Rosarito, Mexico beach, flower head wreath, silhouette

So we actually had two photo sessions, but you’ll have to wait until April 15th to see my post about the other session : ) Be sure to come back and see what fun we had during our morning Mercado session!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day!
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // Chasing Rainbows - natures colors in plants, landscapes, flowers, sky, bark

10 on 10 – March // Chasing Rainbows

March 15, 2014July 19, 201426 Comments

Time for another 10 on 10! Starting in January, I joined an amazing group of women photographers who share a passion for photography and a passion for sharing! On or around the 10th of the month we focus our lenses on capturing beauty around us. It might be our family, an adventure, nature, life, or anything that tickles our fancy. Each of us posts our 10 or more photos on the 15th of the month, and leads each reader to the next woman in the photography circle. So no matter where you start, you end up making a full circle and visiting each of us. This month, I decided to go on my own mini-adventure…

As every month changes and holidays approach, my mind turns to the different themes and decor pieces I can decorate our home with or paper projects I can create in my craft room (like the projects here, here and here). So with St. Patrick’s Day coming along, I couldn’t help but think of leprechauns, clovers, and beer, none of which are much my style. Then my mind went to pots of gold… which led to rainbows… which led my train of thought to all the wonderful colors I get to use in my crafts. But then I thought how lucky we are to have such amazing and beautiful colors given to us through nature…

Being in San Diego, we’re pretty lucky to have so many beautiful photographic locations. One of my favorites is Balboa Park – I’ve written many blog posts and shared photos of Balboa Park that you can find here. So considering I had a narrow window of time open earlier this week where both my girls were in school, I decided to head to the park and go on my very own photo walk, seeking out the colors of the rainbow. I headed to the cactus garden and the rose garden, neither of which disappointed!

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // Chasing Rainbows in Balboa Park cactus and rose gardens - natures colors in plants, landscapes, flowers, sky, bark, red, rose

RED

ORANGE

ORANGE-YELLOW

YELLOW

YELLOW-GREEN

GREEN

GREEN-BLUE

BLUE

PURPLE

It’s amazing what we see in the world around us when we’re intentional in our observations. Although I was hoping to fill the frame with a single color for most of the shots, I’ll admit I became quite smitten with the color combos provided by the surrounding plants and landscape. And next time I go chasing rainbows (colors), I’ll be sure to take my daughters with me – I think they’ll enjoy the hunt and sights immensely!

I really loved all the colors, even the non-colors! It was high-noon when I was photographing all these beauties, but even the strong sun and harsh light couldn’t detract from the colors and awesome beauty!

Are there any favorite color combos you use in your home decor or clothing that you regularly see in nature? I’d love to see and hear, so share in the comments below!

You may have come to me from Michelle Kirnan Photography as part of the 10 on 10 circle, and even if you didn’t, follow the circle and head on over to Kathleen Ries – you won’t be disappointed!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day!
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

E Q U I P M E N T U S E D (Affiliate Links)
Canon 60D
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Check out all my camera bag goodies here!

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // doors of Balboa Park, Spanish Village, International Cottages, Junior Theater

10 on 10 – January // Doors of Balboa Park

January 15, 2014July 18, 201442 Comments

My dear friend and amazing photographer, Kim Bajorek, invited me to join her with a few other photographers in a 10 on 10 monthly blog posting circle, showcasing 10 (or more!) photos taken on the 10th of the month, and linking to the next photographer in the circle. This month, I’m linking to the fabulous Micah Hewett Images – definitely check it out!

Seeing that the 10th of January landed on a Friday, I had a chance to sneak away as both my girls were in school! I chose to head to Balboa Park and photograph the beautiful and different doors of the park. Spanish Village for the colorful doors, International Cottages for some more color and iron, Junior Theater for wood and iron and Sculpture Court Cafe for beautiful iron. I really love being at the park – there is always something to see, something to photograph, something I hadn’t noticed before.

And I’m totally serious that I always discover something new…

I had no idea there were so many caterpillars on some of the different trees around the park! I really wished I had a macro lens to get closer and better details as I grabbed these shots. Without a doubt, I was fascinated with these ravenous leaf-eaters and colorful creatures!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day! Don’t forget to check out the next photographer in the 10 on 10 circle – Micah Hewett Images – lovely images and I hope her little man is all better now!
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c