Sunday, January 1, 2012

Mosaic Monday: 2011 in Pictures



Because of the holiday, I'm not sure how many of you will want to play along today. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday week. It's been lovely having my daughter home, and my son was here for a few days before Christmas. My husband has taken the week off, which has been great. My father-in-law is back in the hospital, which has been not so great. But it is what it is.

I have made a mosaic of some of my favorite photos from the past year. When I was young, I always wanted to be an artist. I drew and painted and used pastels constantly. I dreamed of having an attic studio with fabulous north light. But life happened, and I never did become the artist I dreamed of being. Blogging got me into photography, though, and now I cannot imagine my life without it.


As many of you probably know, I love to take nature photos, and I love to play in Photoshop. Having gathered these images, one from every month, I can finally see a personal style evolving. I'm not sure why this should be so important to me, but it is. For the past several years, I have been inspired by and learned from some fabulous photographers, professional and amateurs both. I have always envied the fact that they each had a very beautiful personal style. Now finally, seeing these photos from 2011, I'm starting to feel as though they really represent me. So no matter how depressing this past year has been (and it has had it's low points) I must say that I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to take pictures and make art. :)

To all my wonderful blogging friends, I wish you much love and joy in the new year! xoxo

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

40 comments:

  1. Happy New Year Mary...I love these pictures...especially the melting icicles...beautiful. I hope the new year brings you much happiness and good health!
    ♥, Susan

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  2. Hi Mary, I love your recap of 2011. Your photos are beautiful. Thanks for hosting Mosaic Monday throughout the year. I wish you and your family all the best in 2012. Happy New Year!

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  3. You are an artist, you have such a wonderful way with photography, stunning shots all year. Looking forward to many more in 2012. Happy New Year!

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  4. Beautiful photos in a beautiful mosaic! Thanks for sharing your talent with us this past year and for hosting Mondays! Happy New Year!

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  5. Your photos are beautiful Mary. Happy New Year. V

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  6. As always, you share such beautiful treasures!!! Happy New Year! Cathy

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  7. I love your nature photos and it's fun to look back over the year and find favorites! Happy New Year! ♥

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  8. Happy New Year. I think you have one of the most beautiful series of photos I've seen in blogland. You've inspired me (along with my new camera!!)

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  9. That is so cool.. Winter/Holidays Festivities photos.. Have a great NEw Year!
    Nancy

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  10. What a great idea! I still am not able to figure out a mosaic. There must be an easy way to do it??? hugs, Linda

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  11. Oh how funny, I just saw that you have a tutorial on your sidebar! I'm going to give it a try!

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  12. I'm surprised and impressed that you were able to select your favorites. All of your photos must be very special to you. You've done so beautifully with photography...I'm pretty sure that you are an artist.

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  13. Beautiful set of images.
    Wish you Happy and Prosperous New Year.

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  14. I am going to join in the week.
    Happy New Year..
    Nancy

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  15. Mary, I have always admired your style of photography and your editing and special effects skills with photoshop. Your work is extraordinary! Thanks for all your inspiration with Mosaic Monday.

    Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2012.

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  16. Your nature shots always inspire me. Oh to have such skill with my camera. You have a gift.

    Wishing you a happy 2012.

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  17. Such beauty Mary. Have a most wonderful year. The icicles are my favorite this time.
    QMM

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  18. HaPpy NeW yEaR, Mary! I hope the year ahead brings your heart's desires. I agree you have found your "camera voice"... one I am still striving to find. And it is a lovely one. Keep shooting.

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  19. Beautiful pictures! Happy New Year :)

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  20. What a wonderful mosaic to start the year!
    Happy New Year!
    Markus

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  21. Mary, yes you definately have an artistic ability with your photograpy. I really would love how to make gorgeous photos like these. I need to check out photoshop. Hope your FIL recovers quickly. Wishing you the best for 2012.

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  22. Love your photography - your year looks amazing :-) Thanks for hosting this beautiful event every week.

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  23. Yes, you are making art. As for your style, you like your pictures to look soft. My style is not apparent yet. While I love the soft look, I also love the sharpness and crispness of the fine details. I can't make myself loose that by softening the picture. Nancy

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  24. Happy New Year Mary! Thanks for always Hosting such a Fun Blog Party... the Photo Mosaics are always captivating and Inspiring... not to mention so much fun to make.

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  25. oh Mary your photography and this mosaic is pure beauty. I love the soft style you have. You are a true artist. When I was young I always drew and painted, but it was not until I had a camera, and more so with the advent of digital, that art through photography became my passion.
    Thank you for Mosaic Monday, for sharing, and allowing us to contribute and inspire each other across the world. Thank you, and have a wonderful 2012.

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  26. Happy new year and thank you for the beautifull photos....

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  27. Mary,
    I adore your photos! The misty fog with the trees and the icicles draw me in! It is your writing style that keeps me coming back to your blog. Straight, forward, direct...with a bit of humor in the blend. I'll be visiting often, dear friend!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  28. Your photographs are art, Mary and you've achieved your childhood dream. thanks you once again for inspiring so many of us who link together at your Dear Little Red House. Happy New Year!

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  29. A beautiful mosaic, and I think your photos are lovely. I'm still learning and love to come to blogs such as yours to see really well done photos. I'm so glad you found an artistic outlet!

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  30. Mary I knew I would find beautiful inspiration this morning through your photos! Happy New Year!

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  31. I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law, and do wish him a speedy recovery.
    Your photos are amazing!! I LOVE your style! It's wonderful that you have so many amazing places and things that catch your attention. I hope to "develop" myself this year...
    I am just getting back on track after the holidays and have not had time to post for Mosaic Monday, but I wish for you a VERY GOOD YEAR!
    Here's to your heath!
    Brenda

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  32. That is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I love your style of photography. Happy New Year.

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  33. How fun! I'd never heard of Mosaic Monday until I was visiting 'Welcome to Lavender Dreams.' My 2011 in Review is all mosaic, so I thought I would add it to the list. Thanks for this linky party. :-)

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  34. Oh my - lovely!
    I didn't think there'd be a link today - I'll have to make sure I join up right away!

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  35. Very pretty mosaic with such lovely surprises tucked into each block. Happy New Year Blessings~

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  36. Dear Mary, I saw this post within minutes of your putting it up but, for some reason - I just couldn't get the comment box to appear (probably our internet which has been beyond weird for a week, now.) I want so much, though, to tell you how moving this post was. I just appreciate your thoughts and sentiments - from start to finish. The funny thing is, my sister (the artist=]) and I have talked often about how an artist is always the last one to see their style emerge. Then, they don't always like it but they can recognize that it's 'them'. I'm glad you're happy to see yours! (and think that you *should* love it - I do!!! ;))

    Now, I'm quite inspired to do something similar but don't have my old library (from the summer and back) attached to the new computer, yet.

    Mary, thank you for sharing your images with us. They are such a gift! They are such an inspiration and motivation for me - you just are - to me!!!!!! It's just like that - you don't have to do anything special - just be you - and it happens. Isn't that amazing? I'm so grateful for it - for you! =D

    So, thanks a million and happy New Year! =]

    xxo

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  37. Love your mosaic. I had the same dream as a kid to be an artist. Did drawings and charcoals all the time. But career took another path and has taken all these years to find another outlet in photography. Still developing my style but loving the journey!

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  38. It may have been difficult for you to see your own style Mary but it has not been difficult for me to see your style...and it is something that still inspires me! This mosaic is wonderful and the words you wrote with it are so meaningful to me too...May you have another wonderfully creative and beautiful year! I don't think it is too late to say Happy New Year!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!