41. Hobbies | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Spending time alone is something I do quite often now that I'm so busy with school- I'm always studying or working on assignments! My hobbies have become a safe haven of sorts. Doing something I enjoy and am passionate about in between study periods is like seeking refuge in a rain storm.

I have quite a few hobbies, mostly artistic in nature, that I rely on for peace of mind. Painting, writing, knitting, and reading are the four hobbies I fall back on more often than not. I love creating new pieces of art and losing myself in a picture, or a poem, or a pattern. I also love to dive head first into the written word of another human to experience life through different eyes. 

Another one of my hobbies is this blog. I don't write for money or followers; I write for myself, because I love it. If other people enjoy it too that's just the icing on the cake! Some of you may have noticed that I took a break this past week from posting on this blog. Unfortunately there were some unfortunate circumstances in my personal life that made it very difficult to sit and write a post. Things have worked themselves out for the most part (which I'm most grateful for) and it feels great to be sitting here writing these words to share with anyone who chooses to read them. 

My hobbies are something I'm very grateful for. Anything that can bring me just a second of bliss is worth taking the time for in my opinion. Do you have any hobbies? What are they and how often do you make time for them?

Thanks for reading & check back next time to see what KatieDidd, xo

36. Your Home & 37. Something You Created | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

36. Your Home

I'm so unbelievably blessed to have not just one, but two places I can call home. At the moment I'm in Sault Ste. Marie at my family home for winter break; I love this house and I love this city and I love that my whole family is here- it really is so homey and I hope to move back here after college (but who knows, right?). I'm also very blessed to be able to call Ottawa my home for the time being. I feel really at home in my apartment. My roommates are amazing, I have made great friends and the city has become a place where I'm very comfortable. I can't say wether or not Ottawa is a place I will call home forever, it really is such a big city, but it's home for now and I'm grateful for all it's offerings!

37. Something You Created

I spent all morning mulling over this topic (which is why this is a later blog post than most Sunday uploads haha). As an artist I create so much on a regular basis from paintings to poems to photos and so on. Without being able to put my finger on a single stand out art piece that I've created, I had to knock all art off the table. During my morning yoga it dawned on me that I have created everything about my life and that's what I'm most grateful for. I have created a beautiful life for myself at only twenty years of age and I'm very proud of that. 

I hope you are all counting your blessings as the new year begins. Where do you call home? I'm very curious about where in the world you are located! Also what are you most grateful for at the minute? I'd love to read about your gratitude in a comment.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Double Exposures | Fiddling With Photoshop

I have recently become somewhat of an addict to creating double exposure images with Adobe Photoshop. I can't stop! Double exposure images are really intriguing to look at and can really help to tell a story. I've decided today to share with you my process for creating double exposure images. It's a REALLY easy process that leaves a lot of room for creativity.

My step by step guide:

1. Open your subject image in photoshop

2. Create a duplicate layer to work on and lock the original

3. Turn off the view option for the locked original

4. Create a blank layer and rename paint

5. Select the brush tool and paint around subject(s) completely white. Use the [ and ] keys to decrease and increase brush size to get around tight areas.

6. Drag your second image onto the screen. It should automatically add as a new layer. I always rename this layer as overlay

7. Right click the overlay layer and open blending options. Set to screen and adjust opacity of base layer to achieve desired effect

8. Reposition overlay to where you want it

9. Use adjustment layers to create desired look

10. Save work and export

I hope this little tutorial helped and I hope you guys will experiment with double exposures. Please let me know if you do, I'd love to see some images!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn