Jordyn....sneak peek!

Here is a -sneak peek- of Jordyn, my unofficial Sr. Pix Rep. B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. She won't be paying a penny for her pix. contact me at designedbyemily@cox.net to find out how.

i {heart} faces challenge... VrOOm vRooM!

This week's challenge at i {heart} faces is all about cars. I could not resist entering this photo. Such effort and time into stacking these 3 cars and then just sit back and dream about them. I wish I could have heard his thoughts!

Okay, here we go. Focus. Speed. I am speed. One winner, forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast. Breakfast? Maybe I should have had breakfast? Brekkie could be good for me. No, no, no, focus. Speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am Lightning.

checkered flag here I come!

feel the need? the need for speed? then check out the other entries at i {heart} faces.

i {heart} faces challenge... B E A C H

this week's challenge from i{heart}faces is beach.

B E A C H. sand in my toes. sun on my skin. salt in the air. wind in my hair.

'EMBRACE the ocean with OPEN arms and SANDY feet.'

C'mon, take a mental & visual vacation with the amazing photographers at

i {heart} faces challenge...sunglasses

i {heart} faces challenge of the week? sunglasses.... you would think living in Arizona would provide a pluthera of photos with faces adorned in sunglasses, and while I did have a few to choose from, most of the time you ask people to remove them before taking the shot.

I myself have a love hate relationship with sunglasses. I love that they protect us from the harmful rays of the sun. But I have struggled since a little girl when it comes to finding a pair that 'fit' me. Don't be surprised if you see me in the kids section. Not kidding! But I do love the many different styles of sunglasses...something for every personality...for every season (maybe only in Arizona) ...or every mood. Sunglasses can turn you into a rockstar, a pro athlete. They can transform you into a diva or just give you class. Go get some and express yourself today!

I chose this shot because even though you can't see behind the sunglasses at this little man's eyes you can still feel what he is thinking.

Check out more amazing pix at

Summer Vacation

Just a little collage to share some of the things I've been hunting & gathering over my summer break. We have been in our house for just over 2 years now and it is reeeeeally beginning to feel like ours. I am inspired by the contrast of shiney & new married with vintage & used. Blank walls and cabinet tops are slowly being filled, creating a story of things renewed and things yet to be used. I crave raw, organic textures. Metal, wood, paint, linens....things that once served a family....things that are fresh from the store in need of a family to serve. And I am often inspired to make something myself.... and find great joy & satisfaction when I can step back and L O V E what I see, knowing that God blessed me with hands to do such work.

i {heart} face challenge - pets

'LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD'

Pets. I am not a pet owner right now, but my 4 year old is sure anxious to get one. Just last week we were praying over our breakfast and he requests, '...and God, would you please help Sparks bark for real?' Sparks is his stuffed puppy dog. TOO CUTE right? A few more of these moments and Daddy is sure to cave. So for this challenge I borrowed a pet from my friend. I just love this picture and how this little one is soaking up the sun & wind.

For more stunning PET pix go to I heart Faces.

i {heart} faces challenge - 'Celebrating Teens'

I love this weeks i{heart}faces challenge. You may recognize this beautiful teenager from her Senior Pix post. Kaydee brought her sister along on our shoot and we had SO much fun - it felt more like hangin' out with friends. Honestly as a mother of 2 young boys, I really look forward to the moments I share with adults, however few & far between they are. And this time I was treated to even more than grown-up conversation...THIS TIME I got to feel like a teenager again. Thanks Kaydee & Taylor for your contagious laughter and free spirits!

Do some more 'celebrating' & check out the other entries at...