I’m Back To Stay…Hopefully?

I haven’t been the best blogger – I know. Very sorry. I haven’t had a good long photo post in…well, too long. Life has been crazy (and continues to be. ) and I just haven’t had the time to sit down and write a good long post. I’m back again to make up for all that. =)

Want to start with some photos? Okay, good. In the fall I did our family’s school/family photos at Laurel Hill – the birthplace of Jeb Stuart. (Southern General of the Cavalry – amazing, funny, brilliant guy who did wonders for the CSA) Laurel Hill is absolutely gorgeous and we had a blast.















Notice the photo in the bottom right-hand corner just above? Well folks, that is my sister in the civil war dress I made – in a “Gone With the Wind – Literally” pose. =D I’m going to try to sell the dress, and I needed her to model it. Needless to say, we had some fun. =)


Ready for more words? Okay.
This week I’ve been doing double my normal work load – mostly in terms of homework. Because I’m taking my college classes online I have the ability to complete and turn in homework on my own schedule – and this week I did twice as much as required. Why? Well, next week has been designated sewing week. I’m entering the JoAnn Prom Dress contest again, and all of next week will be dedicated to planning, cutting, and sewing the dress! I am very excited because I will be designing a very special dress.

Hint: it’s a pretty girly color; has lots of flounces, beads, and tulle; and is celebrity inspired!
 (Hint #2: the celebrity may just be Carrie Underwood. ;)  )

Try to figure it out if you like. =D I don’t want to post a photo of my “inspiration” because I’m afraid my idea might be stolen. ;) But I will most surely post photos of the dress once it’s finished!
In other news – my reading stack is frighteningly tall. It’s actually taller than it is here in the photo.

Notice any common theme? Yep, you got it – the Civil War. *sheepish grin* I’ve been delving back into my novel, which means much reading and researching. And seriously – the biography I just finished about Jeb Stuart? Amazing. From start to finish. The author did the most amazing job portraying who Jeb was through his letters, battle reports, and other first hand accounts. (Bit of trivia: he called himself “The Knight of the Golden Spurs.” Research that one and tell me why that was. ;) )
In connection with my book – I’ve been going back and actually getting to know my characters. You can read my blog posts here about the subject. It’s been amazing, but I’m finding that much of my book will have to be re-written. I mean, come on – if you start writing a whole book before you really know your characters, of course you’ll have to re-write most of it! Not very cheerful. But I will be able to keep the structure of my scenes – it’s just the interaction that’s all wrong.
We spent our Valentine’s Day eating heart-shaped doughnuts and drinking coffee at Starbucks. ;)


So…has this post made up for my long absence? =D

Welcome to the New and Improved hannah.rose.photography!

Well hello everyone! Yay, the blog design and website are complete and up!!! I've made some changes, too. While trying to figure out what kind of a logo to design for myself, I finally decided to just use text - hannah.rose.photography - and no image. Nothing seemed to work until I figured that out - and as soon as that was decided things went quickly! =)

The blog design was a bit different for me. It looks a very different from the normal blog designs I do...but I think it works. So yes, new logo, new blog, new website...check 'em out!

I'm very excited - and I'd love to know your thoughts! Do you like the new sites? What's your opinion? (Are you gonna miss the old ones?? ;)  )

{hannah rose photography} RELAUNCHING

Like the black curtain?? He he...I do. =D It adds some drama.

Some of you know that I have been planning on re-doing my blog, website, and logo. Well, that's what I've been working on this week! =D Actually, this week really has been design week - I've had so much fun working on my sites as well as some other girl's blogs! ;) (Inspiration has been very high)

Yep, this is gonna be one big relaunch. I'm planning on releasing the new website and blog in about a week - so keep your eyes open! (Want a sneak peek of the new blog? It's hidden behind the lettering in the banner below!! =D  )

Also, I never did the last post for the 30 Day Challenge. =P (I've been a very bad girl) So here it is - 

Day 30 {a motto or philosophy}

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Handwriting Tag

This is my sixth post today - so very sorry for hogging all the space in Blogger home! =D I've been more than a little behind with the 30 day challenge.

1. What is your name/your Blogger name?
2. What is your blog name/URL?
3. Write "The quick brown fox jump's over the lazy dog"
4. Favorite quote
5. Your favorite song
6. Your favorite bands/singers.
7. Anything else you want to say?
8. Tag 3-5 other people.

Thanks for tagging me, May Amelia! Here are my answers! =)

Last night I posted about the characters in my book, With a War Between Them. Check it out here!

Day 27 {a physical feature you love}

I love people's eyes. So much expression is conveyed by them - and you know how you always read about people smiling, but not with their eyes? Or how the phrase "sparkling eyes" adds so much to a description? Yeah - I love eyes. =D

Day 23 {way in which i want to be remembered}

I want to be remembered as someone who loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and strength; someone who enjoyed life, was an amazing photographer, and had the most wonderful and precious husband and children.

Day 22 {a website}

Well, I could do some self-promotion - I kinda like my own website. ;) (It's undergoing reconstruction right now, though) My favorite website would probably be My Designer Girl. Ara (she used to go by the name of Awel, but has recently changed that) is a sweet girl, amazing designer, and great author - I've really enjoyed her blogs. =) I've also learned so much from her website.

Day 15 {a person i admire}

Well, one of the people I admire is Jasmine Star. She's ranked one of the top ten photographers in the world and seems to be a very fun person as well as an amazing photographer. I've loved to spend hours looking at her work and reading her blog - trying to pick up tips and ideas for my own photography. ;) Her husband is her second-shooter which I think is very cute. How fun would it be to photography weddings with your husband?! Very cool. ;)

Day 11 {photo of yourself}

These are my senior photos. ;)

And I had to slip the next one in - we are major Vikings fans!!! ;)

2011 is on its Way

How weird is that? 2010 has been a very unusual year in that it has seemed to go quickly and slowly at the same time. (I know - that doesn't make much sense. Sorry. ;)  ) This year has been a hard one - but it has also been sprinkled with many blessings.

"AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US, THEN WHO CAN STAND AGAINST US?"

Most of you know that I've sewn two wedding dresses, and that I am trying to sell them both. Well, my sister and I did a photoshoot of her in both dresses on Sunday (church was cancelled due to the amount of snow we got). Here are some of the photos!

If you're in the mood for a free blog design, then head over to Iona's blog! Iona asked if I would consider providing one of my design packages for the giveaway, and of course I agreed. =) The deadline is midnight...but you can still enter until then. ;) (I know I've been a bit behind on my blogging) Happy New Year!

Blog Party! =)

Amanda from Farmgirl Writes, Stella from Inspire, and Elizabeth from Living on Literary Lane are hosting a blog party, or giveaway! Click the button below to enter!

1. If you had to choose between living on a desert island or tropical rainforest for the rest of your life,      which would you choose?

Tropical rainforest. (I'd rather not bake to death.)

2. What is your favorite music CD right now?

And If Our God is For Us - Chris Tomlin; and Beauty Will Rise - Steven Curtis Chapman

3. If you were given the choice between wildflowers or roses - which would you pick?

Roses. After all, that is my middle name. ;)

4. How much do you like notebooks? Is it mild, or are you absolutely obsessed with them?

Completely obsessed. I'd almost rather shop for notebooks than clothes. It's that bad.

5. What is your biggest goal this winter? 

Work on blog design, finish my novel, do well with homeschool and college work, catch up on emails, and do some sewing.

6. If you could change your hair however you wanted, what would you do?

Possibly make it slightly wavy instead of straight.

7. Do you think Harry Potter is bad?

I have never read the books or seen the movies - but I do think it's something that differs depending on individual families. Some parents might not want their kids to read about magic and witches, while others can take it and harvest the best from it. (And enjoy it! ;)  )

8. Why do you think pink is a girls' color?

Well, it didn't used to be. Blue used to be the girl color. I really have no idea. =D

9. Would you be up to singing a solo in front of a thousand people?

No way. I do not like performing in front of people, and I'd much rather hide behind my guitar than sing a solo. ;)

10. What colors look best on you?

Dark colors - black, brown, okay, yeah, and red...

11. If you had a different name, what would it be?

Kady. (The name of the MC of my novel - he he!)

12. Do you like...

boots or sneakers? 

Depends. I still have to find a pair of boots that I like - I normally end up going with sneakers.

flats or heels? 

Flats. I'm short and I like it that way. =D

books or movies?

Both. But sometimes movies over books. (Not very often, though!)

purple or pink? 

Pink, I guess.

long hair or short hair? 

Long with layers.

a best friend or a group of friends? 

Anything I can get. I haven't seen my best friends in six years - so I'll take anything!! ;)

ice cream or cake? 

Ice Cream - without a doubt.

plaid or polka dots?

Plaid, I guess...

I'm On Facebook!

Well, I've put it off for a while - but I just created a business page! Click here to like it, see some photos, or post me a note! =)

NaNoWriMo and Contest!

First of all, I have the privelege of being one of the top five contestants in Emily Grace's Photography contest! Head on over to her blog to vote for your favorite photo here.

Also, I decided to change what book I'm going to write for NaNo. ;) I did a lot of thinking about it, and yesterday I decided that I'd be more interested, comfortable, and satisfied writing a historical-fiction book about a southern girl and her family during the Civil War. I've always loved learning about the Civil War (I've read so many books about it! =)  ) and I personally love reading books in the genre. The other benefit is that there really isn't an epic Civil War novel like that (well, none that I care for) so I don't feel intimidated at all. If I'd gone with the Sci-Fi novel I would've had a hard time - trying not to copy books like Lord of the Rings.

So. That's what I'm doing. =D It's called "With a War Between Them," and I'll be posting excerpts from the book as I go along. I'm really excited! Last night I was working on my main characters, and it was just really coming alive for me. I can't wait to start writing it!!

Okay - here are some photos. (I think I've written three posts without photos...wow. Time for that to change. ;)  )