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Kickstarter Project – Once Upon A Time… I was loved

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Kickstarter Project, Creepy Dolls, Kickstarter
Once Upon A Time… I was loved – Kickstarter Project

I just finished shooting in New Orleans last week, and am now editing the rest of the “Once Upon A Time… The Creepy Dolls Deck ” for my Kickstarter Project.

The Creepy Dolls Deck of playing cards is part of a much bigger art project I am working on, so I have given them their own website… More to come later!  I have been working more with mixed media for this project, and wanted it to have it’s own space!

As I was photographing the original  Creepy Doll project, I started thinking about how all of the dolls were once loved, cared for, and played with by someone.  Some were in really good shape, others not so much… All castaways, outgrown by their former owners.  They all seemed rather creepy just sitting on the shelves, as if they were waiting for someone to rescue them!  Plus, most porcelain dolls freak the bejeebers out of me anyway!  I blame the movie with the”Chucky” doll!  Clowns do too, but that’s another story!

I decided that they all had a story to share… and currently, it didn’t end with a “Happily Ever After”!   I wanted them to be played with once again, and that’s how the “Once Upon A Time… Creepy Doll Deck” was born.  It gives them a “Happily Ever After”!  They get to be played with over and over again!

If you are not familiar with Kickstarter, check them out!  A Kickstarter Project can help bring an artist’s dreams to life!  You can be a part of it, by pledging to the project, and supporting the artist.  The cool thing is, that YOU make it happen, and you get awesome rewards from the artist for helping support their dream!

If you like my Creepy Doll Project, help support it by:

Donate & Receive some really cool stuff!!!

Tweet About It!

Blog It

Like It On Facebook!

Tell You Friends!

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Filed Under: Gallery Tagged With: Art, artists, Kickstarter, Kickstarter Project, Once Upon A TIme... The Creepy Doll Deck, Photography, The Creepy Dolls

Monarch Butterfly Migration – Goleta, CA

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Monarch Butterfly Migration – Coronado Butterfly Preserve
 
It’s that magical time of year at the Coronado Butterfly Preserve in Goleta, California. It is  just a short drive from Santa Barbara, and is a great day trip.
 
The Monarch butterfly migration has begun, and it is spectacular!  Thousands of butterflies hang in clumps among the leaves of eucalyptus trees.  Others flutter about everywhere.  It’s one of the most amazing things to witness in nature.  There are approximately 30,000  Monarch butterflies gathered in the grove, with more arriving daily.  It seemed like a good reason to go for a hike, and a good excuse to play with my new Lensbaby.
 
 
Monarch Butterflies Migration, coronado butterfly preserve, Goleta CA, Santa Barbara travel, day trips,travel
Ready For Flight
 
Monarch Butterflies Migration ,Monarch Butterfly Migration, coronado butterfly preserve, Goleta CA, Santa Barbara travel, day trips, travel
Monarch Butterly
travel, Monarch Butterflies Migration, Monarch Butterfly Migration, coronado butterfly preserve, Goleta CA, Santa Barbara travel, day trips, beach, hiking trail, hikes
Trail To The Beach
 
travel, Monarch Butterflies Migration, Monarch Butterfly Migration, coronado butterfly preserve, Goleta CA, Santa Barbara travel, day trips, shoreline, ocean, big waves, surf
Big Waves
 
seagulls, Monarch Butterflies Migration, Monarch Butterfly Migration, coronado butterfly preserve, Goleta CA, Santa Barbara travel, day trips, travel
Flock Of Seagulls
 
 

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Filed Under: Lensbaby, Santa Barbara Tagged With: Beach, Beach Bluffs, CA, Coronado Butterfly Preserve, Day trips from Santa Barbara, eucalyptus grove, Goleta CA, Hike, hiking trails, nature, ocean, Santa Barbara, travel

Anderson Japanese Gardens

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Day Trip to the Japanese Gardens

While visiting family in the Chicago area, they recommended I visit  Anderson Japanese Gardens. It is a hidden gem in the middle of Rockford, IL.  If you are looking for a place to get away from it all, this is it.  It is such a tranquil, zenlike place to spend a couple of hours.

There are waterfalls, bridges, benches and multiple areas to relax. You have the option of joining a guided tour, or wandering about on your own.  I chose to wander!

Such great care has been taken in creating an authentic Japanese Garden.  They even have Koi fish in the ponds.  Everything was so green, including the the water. It reminded me of split pea soup!

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Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature, travel
Garden Bridge
Travel, Day Trip, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Nature, Rockford IL, Chicago
Peaceful Garden
Travel, Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature, Koi fish
Koi Kiss
Travel, Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature
Ducks Eating
Trave, Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature
Ducks and Koi Fish

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Filed Under: Chicago Tagged With: Japanese Gardens

It’s Solstice Time!

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Celebrating Solstice in Santa Barbara, CA

Solstice is one of my favorite times of  the year in Santa Barbara.  It’s the official launch of summer, and the Solstice celebration goes on for three days.   Alameda Park is where most of the action is.  There’s live music, drum circles, dj’s, dancing, performers, food and all kinds of fun vendors there.  The whole town gets in on the celebration, with both kids and adults dressing up!

If the park isn’t your thing, you can find Solstice Events at many of the bars in town.  There are plenty of private celebrations too.  What better excuse to throw a party?

The highlight of the celebration is the Solstice Parade.  It’s somewhat of a miniature Mardi Gras atmosphere, with floats, giant puppets, and incredible costumes.  Every year there is a different theme.  It starts downtown on State Street, and ends at Alameda Park.  If you want to see it up close, get there early.  A lot of people actually stake out spots along the route the night before.

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Travel, Solstice Celebration,Parade, Santa Barbara CA, Day Trip
Santa Chillaxin’ In Santa Barbara
Here are a few from the Solstice Celebration in Santa Barbara.
Travel, Solstice Celebration,Parade, Santa Barbara CA, Day Trip
People In A Bubble
 
Travel, Solstice Celebration,Parade, Santa Barbara CA, Day Trip
Do you like my mustache?
 
Travel, Solstice Celebration,Parade, Santa Barbara CA, Day Trip
Dancer

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Filed Under: Santa Barbara Tagged With: Julie Plevak, Santa Barbara Photographer, Solstice

Last Piece of I Madonnari Festival

By Julie Miche 2 Comments

I Madonnari… One last Piece

When I Madonnari Festival is over, I usually like to take one last walk up to the Mission to see all the finished artwork.  I was surprised to find one artist still working, and one piece that was left unfinished.

I Madonnari Festival, Santa Barbara CA, The Mission, Chalk Art, Travel
“What Happened?”

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Filed Under: Santa Barbara Tagged With: 365 Photography Challenge, California Tourism, I Madonnari Festival, Julie Miche, Santa Barbara California, Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Photographer, Tourism in California, Traveling in California

I Madonnari Festival – Day 2

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Day 2 –  I Madonnari Festival

I had to go back to the I Madonnari Festival for day 2 and check on the progress of the art. I usually make a couple trips up to The Mission during the festival. The artists are incredibly talented and the pieces they create are amazing.

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Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, Travel, Day Trip, Art,  I Madonnari
“Taking Form”
Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, Travel, Day Trip, Art,  I Madonnari
“First Kiss”
Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, Travel, Day Trip, Art,  I Madonnari
“Right Here”
Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, Travel, Day Trip, Art,  I Madonnari
“Almost Finished”
Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, Travel, Day Trip, Art I Madonnari,
“Working”
Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, Travel, Day Trip, Art,  I Madonnari
“Finished”
Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, Travel, Day Trip, Art,  I Madonnari
“Kung Fu”

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Filed Under: Santa Barbara Tagged With: 365 Photography Challenge, Art, artists, California Tourism, chalk art, chalk artists, I Madonnari Festival, Julie Miche, Santa Barbara California, Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Photographer, Tourism in California, Traveling in California

I Madonnari Festival

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Day One – I Madonnari Street Painting Festival

I just got back from the I Madonnari Festival.  Wow, there are some amazing artists participating!  If you are ever traveling in Santa Barbara during the festival, it is worth checking out!  It’s held annually at the Santa Barbara Mission.  Hundreds of artists create large scale chalk images.

I Madonnari Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, travel, Day Trip, Mission
“Street Painters”
I Madonnari Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, travel, Day Trip, Mission
“Bits & Pieces”
I Madonnari Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, travel, Day Trip, Mission
“Touching The Artist”
I Madonnari Street Painting Festival, Santa Barbara CA, travel, Day Trip, Mission
“Work In Progress”

Manipulated Reality is supported by readers. Product links on Manipulated Reality are referral links for things I like & believe you will too! Read more here.

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Filed Under: Santa Barbara Tagged With: 365 Photography Challenge, Art, artists, California Tourism, chalk art, chalk artists, I Madonnari Festival, Julie Miche, Santa Barbara California, Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Photographer, Street Painting, Tourism in California, Traveling in California

Vintage Truck at the Museum

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Vintage Truck Under The Trees

I went over to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History this evening in search of my photo of the day, and found this wonderful vintage truck.

Vintage Truck, Santa Barbara California, Travel, Museum of Natural History

“Old Truck”



















Filed Under: 365 Photography Challenge Tagged With: 365 Photography Challenge, Julie Plevak, Santa Barbara California, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Photographer

Santa Barbara Mission

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Cross At The Santa Barbara Mission Sometimes you just have to have faith…

Santa Barbara Mission, Faith, Religion, Travel, vacation

“Believe”



















Filed Under: 365 Photography Challenge, Santa Barbara Tagged With: 365 Photography Challenge, Faith, Julie Plevak, Santa Barbara California, Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Photographer

Santa Barbara Sunset

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Sunset

A beautiful sunset down by the harbor in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Sunset, Harbor, Palm trees, Vacation in Santa Barbara, travel

“Golden Sky”

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Filed Under: 365 Photography Challenge Tagged With: 365 Photography Challenge, Julie Plevak, Santa Barbara Photographer, Sunset

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