Major Massive Out Of This WORLD announcments!

Hello hello have I missed all of you!

I hate hate hate hate that I haven't been around in sooo long but my life has been turned upside down inside out and every which way but relaxing. But with all that I haven't forgotten about any of you and although I don't have much time for commenting I have been around lurking in the shadows. I have two MAJOR life changing announcements and I absolutely must share them with all of you before everyone else ... The first..

***Stephanie Mannuci Photography*** is officially equipted with a website. Oh yes finally operational. I will tell you this wasn't easy at all. The market for photography websites is very very very expensive. The maintenence is even more so! So I simply went to blogger, fashion (with the help of online instructions) what I think is a very business looking layout. I desinged some banners, added some links and I think it came out pretty nice! Now it is all about building my portfolio. My photography is really starting to take form to the point where people recognize my work. Even as far as many people saying it is Twilight-esque. This is off becuase I have not read the books and only saw a fraction of the film.

So here is a snip-it below. You can redirect there by clicking the link above or typing in http://www.stephaniemannuciphotography.com/

Please enjoy and visit often for updates!

The second announcement is huge it is massive it is out of this world AMAZING... Are you ready!?!?!?!?! Here is a hint... Do you get it?!?!?!?!?



http://www.flippin58knightstreet.blogspot.com/

I AM GOING TO BE A HOME OWNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is right on Nov. 20th with the good graces we will be closing!!!!!!!!!!! And what a better way of sharing this expirence than blogging about it. This is 100% a flip house. It is run down uninhabitable and Adam and I will be flipping EVERY room in it and the outside as well. This will be an amazing journey and one that I want to document and share with all of you. I want to hear your opinions, I will be taking photos along the way of the house, color pallets, and vintage finds, I will be looking to all of your for support. I am sure I will need it. Before all the fun decorating stuff we much finalize the mortgage.. NOW that is stressful!

The sad news, but not sad forever. While we are tending to the houses needs and my growing photography business my art will be taking a back seat until the house is in liveable condition. BUT BUT BUT.. this isn't forever. My art supplies has been packed away and it will eventually find a new home in a MUCH bigger space. So I ask all of you to hang in there with me. Stay with me, follow and join my new blog: http://www.flippin58knightstreet.blogspot.com/ .... Just like I needed your support here I need it there as well. And oh yes there will be plenty of art. I am calling this my art house from the decorating to the decorations. And I will need your input. Please join us!

So THANK all of you in advance. Thank you for the past and what I am sure will be an amazing future. Thank you for all the help and support you have all given me and for never giving up on me. This new journey isn't going to be easy but..... it is my journey

SMOOOOOOOCHES,
Steph

Hello all my lovely friends in blog land. Sorry it has been so long.. Wow times flies no matter what I am doing. So let's see… What have I been up to? For the last week I have been making my swiftest effort in catching up with old friends. Since for the last year I have been consumed with art, blogging, and Etsy. Although I love all of these things I had to step back and smell the roses. This last weekend Emily and I went to NYC were we met up with Jo Anne. It was a sister-in-law weekend so to speak. We had a great time and even got to do a little shopping. PIcture of Emily and I below



My photography business seems to be getting a lot of positive feedback and below I posted some photos from my latest shot. I have been spending a lot of time reading and understanding this very diverse art form (photography). I really think I like it and I might even try to pursue it on more of a full time level once Adam lands a job. That is right we are still looking for an engineering job any help is appreciated!

With the photography in the picture it has given me little time for art, that plus most of my art stuff had to be packed away because it simply doesn't fit in the apartment anymore… BOOOOO I really am heart broken but we can't afford to move. That and with Halloween, my favorite holiday fast approaching it makes me long for my paint brush. Alas, I do have my camera and I plan on getting out there and getting all the photos I can at the wonderful Autumn that I predict will be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. For this I am excited. That and I can't wait for HalloWEEENENENEN! YIPPY

Anyway. I am off for now. I will talk to you all soon and wishing you all happy crafting SMOOCHES!

Steph

Stephanie Mannuci Photography Special

Hi All!
Super quick post to just let everyone know about a special I am running!

*** As a reminder I only shoot in natural light ***

Stephanie Mannuci Photography is offering a $50 special on (choose one of the following) baby, child, or family portraits. For your money you will receive up to one hour of photography time with me, one outfit change, one location change, and a post edited CD of your photos ready to print. ** Family protraits are up to 4 people, each additional person is a $5 dollar charge**Book two sessions and get 20% off the second session!! Contact me for details and if you have any questions.

I look forward to capturing your special moments!

Smooches,
Steph

For all the Twilighters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay so I promised everyone a Twilight photo shoot and I don't like going back on my promises so here is a teaser... Here we are again with my favorite model Emily, she is just amazing at what she does. We know each other so well that we anticipate the next shot and we just know what the other is thinking.

So as I mentioned before I am not a Twilight guru but I know SOOOO many people who are, but one thing is for certain I love the aesthetic! The cinematography was amazing so that is my inspiration! Smoooches, Steph




And if you haven't PLEASE check out my new and improved webiste at www.fantasticfigments.com !

Have a Great Weekend!

Hello everyone and HAPPY Tuesday! Or as happy as a Tuesday can be!

Here is a photo shoot that I did over the weekend in a cemetery. I think there are some strong ones! I have reached a dilemma…. I am in trouble….You see; I am working on a computer that is 10 years old. I know I know.. With that, it doesn't have a high def. screen and you can imagine my camera is pretty high def. So while I am doing my editing in Photoshop on my antique computer screen everything looks great, but when I look at it on Adam's high def. screen I say OOOOOOMMMMMMGGGGGG. Everything looks different (and I can see mistakes) and although I save my files as workable I never want to go allll the way back and retouch them. This leads me to believe I am going to have to make another HUGE investment.

I work on a PC but I know the industry standard is a MAC. I am torn. I really don't have the money for a MAC but down the road I know I am going to have to get one BUUUTTT all my softwear is for PC. UGH!

Anyway. I hope everyone is doing well. I am sure people are busy with their kids being home from school and taking family vacations. I just want to say I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to stop in and look at my blog and comment. It is true when people say that comments feed the blog. I wouldn't have come this far without them!

Sorry for the short post…. but I will say this… keep an eye out for a twilight inspired photoshoot!

Smooches,
Steph

HUGE SALE = HUGE SAVINGS

Please stop by my Plumes Ami Shop on Etsy were I am offer 20% off your entire purchase. Not just one item ALLL items! The more you buy the more you save. These fine threads make fine gifts and this offer is for a limited time!

COPPPY CAT ALERT!!!!!! MUST READ !!!!!!!

Howdy Folks,
I am just dropping in with a quick post as we all have to band together. Danita of Danita art has been copied and the scum is selling her work. Please stop over and read her post -----> Copy Cat Post. Let us send a message to the thief that what has been done is NOT OKAY with any of us!
The good Samaritan who discovered the fraud did the right thing. Let us all keep that in mind if ever we see a reproduction outside of an artists key selling sites/shops.

SAY NO TO ART FRAUD

Tuuuuuuesday.

Wishing it was Friiiiiiiiiiday. HAHA. I know I keep saying I wish it was the end of the week but……..if you did what I do you would wish it were Friday too. On top of it all it has been very slow at work. I mean slow like watching 'paint dry'. Not an once of work amongst the 15 of us. Which means by the time I get home I AM EXHAUSTED. I mean more exhausted than if I were to run a marathon. So forgive me if my productivity seems to be waning but it is hard to do nothing but stare at a computer all day and then go out and be ambitious without falling sleep during the attempt.

I did manage to finish editing the remaining photos from last week's photo shoot with Alissa. Take a look and tell me what you think.

So this weekend we went out to Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY to see about having our wedding out there. Seems like a front runner! I really like how there were so many options and they had plenty of room in the halls so no one would feel cramped or smothered. I am big on having plenty of room to breath. The biggest bummer is that Oct. 30th might not be the best time to have a wedding because the week before they rip out all their foliage. L This saddens me because I soooooo badly wanted my masquerade wedding near Halloween. If we are to use Turning Stone we are looking at Columbus Day. I like the thought of the Sunday wedding since many people will have the Monday off, and they will travel in on Saturday and we can all have a rehearsal dinner. Now I run into a dilemma. Since I am not going to be doing the masquerade what theme can I do???????????????????? The Fall harvest thing is so overdone. I mean it is BEAUTIFUL but I wanted to be unique. And I really didn't want flower centerpieces. I already went out and bought candelabras but they don't match with the whole Fall thing. I want something crafty and something I can make myself. I want people to see it and say… "now that is different". I am sooo confused. And my colors had to change because black doesn't go with Fall. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH….. Decisions…..

Alright I have bored you all enough. Enjoy your Tuesday and I hope that you are more productive than me!

Smooches
Steph

TGIF! And some portraits

Happy Friday All,
Well haven't I been a busy bee. This photography thing has really taken off, I have been busy busy busy. I think that this could become a business. We will see. Here are some portrait photos I took yesterday. I have a lot more so these might not even be the best, but I think they are worth a peak. I really want to find a baby to photograph.
This weekend is the big trip to Turning Stone Casino to see if that is where we will be having our wedding!!!! Scary thought. We still have a year :) I need to start making arrangements for our engagement photos…. EIK…. Of course I want them to be super artistic and special but in my neck of the woods there aren't many resources.
I am going to head out. Sorry I have been so busy that I haven't been able to make the rounds to say hi this week. Between the camera and editing I have been non-stop!

Big Weekend Smooches,
Steph

Dark Days

I just wanted to give everyone a little taste of what NY has been looking like lately. I LOOOVVEEEE it. Although I am not a huge Twilight fan I can imagine that the Cullen's uprooted their home in "Washington" to come live in the Adirondacks. I can't remember the last time we have seen sun. Seriously we haven't had a day that hasn't had rain forecasted in FOREVER! I just wish I could spend more time in it, I get so inspired, but alas the working 9-5 gets in the way.

I love how the clouds slink over the sun so it casts gray/blue rays everywhere. I am not surprised I don't like the sun, yellow happens to be my least favorite color and I don't like bright yellow light being cast on anything. Although, I do enjoy a brown yellow, or an orange. Everyone calls be strange but I know there are more people like that out there.

So it has been about a month and I believe I am addicted to photography. I get butterflies when I take pictures! I have another photo shoot tomorrow with a nice young lady. These are preliminary shots to see if we will be moving forward with any themed shots. I think she will do very well. Actually we are going to sneak it in between thunderstorms. I could never be so fortunate but I hope the sky stays overcast during the shoot so I don't have to deal with the fun. Although since we haven't had any sun here I haven't gotten the opportunity to use it to my advantage for really backlit artistic shots.

I NEED YOUR HELP!!!! I am trying to think of some objects to take still lifes of (you know thing people would like and potentially want to buy) I have such a sometimes odd style that I don't always know things people like to hang in their house. Any suggestions? What would you like to hang in your house? All ideas are appreciated.

Alright happen Wednesday!

Smoooochhess,
Steph

Well Slap Me and Call Me Tuesday

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend. I fear the break wasn't nearly long enough; I could have used another day! I really wish it were Wednesday but hey beggars can't be choosers at least it isn't Monday anymore.

So if you haven't noticed at the top of my screen I have FLICKR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For right now I am just using it for my photography. You know trying to get some input. I PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE beg you to stop over and let me know what you think. I am very new to Flickr and well… don't have many friend (picture the lonely kid in the corner… that is me).

This weekend I was lucky enough to get over the Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Spring, NY where I live. If you look through my Flickr pictures you will see where Emily is wearing a silk green dress, those are the gardens. This place is so special that there is a HUUUUGGGGEEE stone mansion that invites the best of the best artists from around the world to live there (painters, authors, musicians, etc..) and practice and refine their crafts. This mansion is closed to the public but is has all its original fixtures and décor. It is secluded and beautiful, something that could only be described by Shakespeare. In fact, on the grounds there are cabins and in one of those cabins is where the great Edgar Allen Poe wrote The Raven. I wish I had a telephoto lens to capture the beauty of the building. Here is one of the pictures from the shoot in the garden.

I have to say I am very bummed out :( My Etsy stores have dried up…. I am sure on part of me not putting in any new items, but I can't unless things sell. I am so torn... Do I put my entire Plumes Ami shop on sale and hope things sell or do I wait for Christmas to roll around. Really my funds are dried up and I can't afford to buy much more to create more art :(. Plus, I think I made a huge ambitious mistake and bit off more than I can chew. I will probably give everything a little more time to see if there is any turn around if I add some new items. Yes, it is discouraging but even more so frustrating because I spent most of my resources and efforts building some that is flopping. The only solace I have is that the economy everywhere has crashed and I am not the only one in the boat.

This has been a strange couple of months for me and I can't seem to figure out why. Maybe it is all of the transitions I have been through. Maybe because there have been times where my soul has been broken and I have had to get back up. I think this year in general has really tested my will and my full value of self will only be recognized when I see how I put all the pieces back together. I think I am becoming a new person. What a funny thing… the transition from child to adult.


I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend. I fear the break wasn't nearly long enough; I could have used another day! I really wish it were Wednesday but hey beggars can't be choosers at least it isn't Monday anymore.

So if you haven't noticed at the top of my screen I have FLICKR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For right now I am just using it for my photography. You know trying to get some input. I PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE beg you to stop over and let me know what you think. I am very new to Flickr and well… don't have many friend (picture the lonely kid in the corner… that is me).

This weekend I was lucky enough to get over the Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Spring, NY where I live. If you look through my Flickr pictures you will see where Emily is wearing a silk green dress, those are the gardens. This place is so special that there is a HUUUUGGGGEEE stone mansion that invites the best of the best artists from around the world to live there (painters, authors, musicians, etc..) and practice and refine their crafts. This mansion is closed to the public but is has all its original fixtures and décor. It is secluded and beautiful, something that could only be described by Shakespeare. In fact, on the grounds there are cabins and in one of those cabins is where the great Edgar Allen Poe wrote The Raven. I wish I had a telephoto lens to capture the beauty of the building. Here is one of the pictures from the shoot in the garden.

I have to say I am very bummed out L My Etsy stores have dried up…. I am sure on part of me not putting in any new items, but I can't unless things sell. I am so torn... Do I put my entire Plumes Ami shop on sale and hope things sell or do I wait for Christmas to roll around. Really my funds are dried up and I can't afford to buy much more to create more artL. Plus, I think I made a huge ambitious mistake and bit off more than I can chew. I will probably give everything a little more time to see if there is any turn around if I add some new items. Yes, it is discouraging but even more so frustrating because I spent most of my resources and efforts building some that is flopping. The only solace I have is that the economy everywhere has crashed and I am not the only one in the boat.

This has been a strange couple of months for me and I can't seem to figure out why. Maybe it is all of the transitions I have been through. Maybe because there have been times where my soul has been broken and I have had to get back up. I think this year in general has really tested my will and my full value of self will only be recognized when I see how I put all the pieces back together. I think I am becoming a new person. What a funny thing… the transition from child to adult.

Big Smooches To All Of You,
Steph

Thank you Rod Serling

"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone!"

Ahh that is right folks! Last night at 12midnight (just like a do every 4th of July weekend) I started to watch the Twilight Zone marathon on Sci Fi. Seriously, this time every year it feels like Christmas. I have the chance to relive my favorite episodes and a chance to watch the ones I had missed. In all honesty the Twilight Zone captured the true essence of thrill. They didn't need blood and gore they used your mind. After all it is a dimension of the mind.

So every year without fail I sit and I watch all I can while trying to not 'waste time' Luckily here in NY we have been having non-stop rain for months so I don't think outdoor activities will be at an all time high. Not only do I love the rain but it embodies the perfect atmosphere for watching the ever chilling series that good ol' Rod Serling started so many moons ago. So while I drink my Mimosa I would like to tip my hat to Rod Serling and thank him for allowing me to capture bits of my childhood and freeze them forever…. In the Twilight Zone.

On a separate note, HAPPY 4th of July. I will probably be scarce over the weekend as I try not to be on the computer too much since I am on it all week. But I hope everyone drive safe and smart, enjoys family and friends, and has fun celebrating our independence!

Oh and one last thing before I go. I made an out home lighting studio last night and photographed cupcakes. Here is a sneak peek! I will post them next week!

BIG SMOOCHES,
Steph