Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Katrina Laflin!  Winner of Clicks by Karen's May Giveaway!

Katrina chose From Above; an awesome choice I might add! (Without the watermark of course!)

The Meaning of Memorial Day as written on heraldonline.com

Memorial Day has come to represent many things, from the unofficial beginning of summer to a day for a trip to the mall in search of sales. But we, as a nation, never should forget the true meaning of Memorial Day and why we observe it as a holiday each year.

The three-day weekend is an occasion for cookouts, trips to visit friends and relatives, time at the beach and an extra day off from work. With gas prices dropping, hundreds of thousands of Americans are on the move.

That’s fitting in a way. We, as a nation, are enjoying the fruits of democracy and freedom, the uniquely American way of life.

But as we celebrate, we also need to reflect on the sacrifice required to preserve those values. We need to remember those who died to keep us free and to allow successive generations to live and prosper in a land of plenty.

The Memorial Day observance began humbly in 1868 as a day for the families of Civil War dead to take flowers to their graves. The holiday first was known as Decoration Day.

But after World War I, Memorial Day was expanded to honor not only those who died in the Civil War but also in every conflict that claimed the lives of Americans. In 1971, it was made an official national holiday to be held each year on the last Monday in May.

Sadly, Americans still are dying in a war on the other side of the world. While we now can see the beginning of the end of the decade-long war in Afghanistan, our troops are committed to remain for nearly two more years, to continue to remain in harm’s way in the name of national security.

We look forward to the day when we can celebrate a Memorial Day on which no American troops are involved in combat.

But Memorial Day, as its name implies, comprises a long roster of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Today, in particular, we honor those who died in World War II, whose comrades now are nearing the end of their lives.

We also honor the thousands of Americans who died in the Iraq War, now officially ended but still fresh in the nation’s memory. For so many, the grief of losing loved ones in these recent wars still is raw and ever-present.

So, as we enjoy this three-day weekend and the fun of being with family and friends, let us stop at least for a moment to remember the sacrifice of so many over the course of our history and the debt we owe them. Let us also reach out to those who are grieving over the loss of a loved one.

Let’s enjoy the holiday but not forget why we are privileged to do so.

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/05/27/4003047/the-meaning-of-memorial-day.html#storylink=cpy

September Sunset 5 x 7 Fine Art Original Photograph, other sizes available - $8.00

This beautiful sunset was from the shore of Jekyl island in Georgia. The bright colors of the sky contrast with the dark shadowy image of the pier.

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

HANDY FREE SERVICES

Often I stumble upon a service or item that I think makes my websites and/or operations of my store just a little easier or a little more snazzy.  One of the items I found is called PicMonkey.  Having an online store, I have discovered that pictures to display stock are extremely important.  I have tried several programs and found that PicMonkey is so easy and FREE that I wanted to share.  Some of the features it offers are resizing, color saturation, text inlays, sharpener and special effects; just to name a few.  Below I have used some of the services on my own photos just to show you what it does.

This is the original photo from my library called "Charlotte's Skull.

Applied "Dusk" and "Focal Soften".

This image has been altered with "Overlay" and "Text".

Focus Zoom was used on this image. These techniques would probably not help me sell my photos but perhaps you could draw more attention to your wares by using this nifty (and best of all - FREE) photo editing program.

Just a Reminder...

Tomorrow Clicks launches its newest feature "Wandering Wednesday"! Meet Chelsea P. and learn about her aspirations and inspirations right here on the tab labeled "Where I've Been". It is in the draft bin waiting to be published so stop back in and meet Chelsea! Oh, and if you haven't already, enter the May Giveaway! (Scroll up - *smiling*)

Click ya tomorrow!
Karen

Wandering Wednesdays!

On Wednesday a new feature will be launched here on Clicks About Clicks: The Blog!

Wandering Wednesday will introduce you to online artisans and interesting finds while I search various marketplaces. You will find all this information, links, pics, interviews, etc. on the new tab above "Where I've Been". I am very excited about this new weekly feature and look forward to discovering new and intriguing things to share with you!

Our first adventure will begin with Tales of Winey, owned by Chelsea P and will include product pictures and a question and answer interview. Please visit this beautiful and unique shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TalesofWiney 

Click, click!

Karen 

Off Topic

My puppy, Jasper, is in a pet close up photo contest!  Please vote for him at this link!

http://photobucket.com/ibeatyou?comp=158464

Updating the Shop(s)

Wow, do I have a lot going on right now.  My photos are listed in 6 stores now and the item displays are in various stages of disarray.  You may have noticed that I am using PicMonkey to mat my photos, to give everyone an idea of how gorgeous my photos can be with black matting added.  I have also added a view of my photos as they would appear on a wall; a rustic wall.  My thinking is that I needed to expand a little to show my photos off a little more.  Here is a looksey at one photo done 3 ways.  Tell me what you think!  I would love the feedback!

Graffiti Tab

With the number of followers of this blog being shop owners, I would like to extend the invitation to all of you fellow vendors to promote yourself on this blog.  I would love to be able to keep track of your coupon codes, your specials, your sales, etc. and promote you myself, but I can not.

There is a new tab here called "Graffiti" and you may post your deals and promos here any time you wish.  All you need to do is click on the tab, fill out a comment, hit "Publish" and you are good to go!

We all know how strange it is to self-promote but trust me... it really is okay; especially here.  Love thy self, people!

Click then Publish!
Karen

Hello May!

May is my favorite month and I am excited to announce that Clicks is having a Giveaway!  That's right, a Giveaway!  On my blog page you will find an "Enter to Win" Link (powered by Rafflecopter). You can enter as many as 4 times by choosing certain tasks. On June 1st, I will randomly draw the winner from all entrants. What will you win? A free 5x7 glossy photo (not matted, not framed) from my shop!  Which one?  Anyone you want! Sound good?  Then hop on over! Here's the link...   http://clicksbykaren.blogspot.com/ (OR YOU COULD JUST SCROLL UP!  **SMILING**)
Click on. my friends, click on!
Karen