biscuit's space | The blog of photographer Katherine Carver

Jun 26

Finding Inspiration

I like to have inspiration in my life. However, sometimes, I do not always feel inspired. Therefore, I must wait.

I read an article explaining how inspiration and/or flashes of genius are actually rooted in science. Because of this, we can create a system and life that allows ourselves to have better ideas more often.

The article stated everything you have read, tasted, viewed, experienced and learned over the years is stored in your brain as unrelated connections. A section of your brain called the superior anterior temporal gyrus (right side, just behind your ear) helps connect the dots and puts them together into a cohesive idea.

However, if you are stressed all the time or have created a crazy and busy schedule with little to no down time, your brain has a harder time looking for those dots because it is so focused on what you have going on. When your body can relax, your creativity can shine as your creativity is really your brain connecting the dots and presenting solutions.

This is why many people get their best ideas in the shower. They are completely disconnected — no phones, no email, no computers — which allows the brain to get to work.

As a result, if you want better ideas, set the intention to regularly do something out of your norm. Read better books and read them more often. Go to museums. Watch well-made films. Go to a comedy show. Go for a walk. Go for a swim. Learn to cook. Take up knitting.

You can do it alone or make it a date with your spouse, kids, or friends. The trick is to get out of your usual routine and allow yourself to have fun and relax.

Making time to take care of yourself is better for yourself in the long run. I am working on simply being.

Jun 25

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Biscuit — A Fighter

Biscuit made it through his surgery this morning. We are anxious to visit our little Biscuit tomorrow (we are not permitted to visit him today). We are so grateful that he made it through this surgery. Each day with our little Biscuit is truly a gift.

Jun 24

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Update: Biscuit

We took Biscuit to the new house this past weekend! We now have drywall! Things seem to be coming together quite well. Biscuit was quite happy as we perused the new house! A few photographs of Biscuit are shown below! The builder is still anticipating our house to be completed in mid to late August!

In other news, after recently meeting with the surgeon, pending blood work results, Biscuit will be having surgery, a total ear ablation, tomorrow, Tuesday. His chest x-rays were clear this morning; and after speaking with the surgeon, the ear ablation surgery is in Biscuit’s best interest. Biscuit is currently in the hospital on IV fluids in preparation for tomorrow’s surgery. Please hold Biscuit in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Jun 21

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Our Little Felt Family!

This past spring I had the opportunity of interviewing Helen Greenstein, an artist living in Atlanta, Georgia, and the owner of Eleni Creative. Helen makes custom creations out of felt and everything is hand-stitched-to-order! You name it, and Helen can felt-ify it! Please visit Helen’s website to view more of Helen’s wonderful work!

I love custom creations because they are unique and one-of-a-kind! I knew when I saw Helen’s work, a few months ago, that I wanted her to make some felt creations representing our little family! Helen made felt dolls, pictured below, representing our family while simultaneously commemorating this time in our lives with Biscuit! The two dolls are just over 12″ long; and Biscuit is 6″ long from snout to tail! Isn’t Biscuit just adorable down to his little custom collar?!

It was a great pleasure working with Helen — she is wonderful to work with! We exchanged e-mails with each other and decided to pursue the doll creation route after I explained my idea and vision. Helen brought my vision to life! Helen involved me in each step of her felt-making process; and she provided me with sketches; photographs; and asked for my feedback during each step of the process — which I loved! Helen is truly talented and I cannot say enough good things about her! If you are looking for a special custom-made creation, you should contact Helen — I am sure that she can make your vision a reality! I cannot wait for these little felt doll creations to arrive! I am excited to display these dolls in our new home! Helen recently sent me these photographs, shown below, representing the final creation — our little felt family! Thank you Helen — I love these felt creations you made for us! I hope that we can work together again on another project in the future!

You can view a few other custom creations I had made here and here!

Happy Friday!

Jun 19

Product Review – moo.com

Product Review: I have been really happy with the products I have ordered from Moo. I have ordered many items, including business cards and stickers, from Moo. Some recent custom stickers from Moo are shown below, which I am using for my custom packaging for my completed print orders and client correspondence! You can view custom stamps and stickers that I had made here! I really enjoy creating custom cards! These details really add a nice custom touch.

If there are others who are really happy with certain vendors for paper/packaging products, please let me know!

Happy Wednesday!

Jun 18

A Handy Device: A Pill Crusher

Ever since we adopted Biscuit, he has been on medicine and supplements. Biscuit was eating a chewable Glycoflex III, an arthritis supplement; however, he got tired of it and he was constantly spitting it out! As a result, we then purchased the pill form of the Glycoflex III in order for Biscuit to continue with his arthritis supplement. However, this pill is large — close to the size of a quarter coin. Because Biscuit is missing many teeth in the back portion of his mouth, the Glycoflex pill supplement is difficult for Biscuit to chew even when cut the pill into quarters, which we cover in Greenies Pill Pockets! As a result, Doug recently ordered a pill crusher, pictured below, to help crush the Glycoflex so that we could mix the crushed Glycofllex supplement with Biscuit’s prescription wet food in order to make little “meatballs!” So far, it is really working well!

If anyone is in need of a pill crusher, this pill crusher works really well and it comes with these cute cups!

Jun 17

Biscuit Met Another Sheltie!

Yesterday, we had a low-key Father’s Day. In celebration of Father’s Day, Biscuit made a little gift for his Daddy! Yesterday for brunch, Doug made us malted Belgian waffles and I cut up fresh fruit to top off the waffles! Doug also made us Cincinnati Chili for dinner! Doug loves to bake and cook — I am thankful!

We went to check on the status of the house yesterday. We will get more information on the status and projected completion of the house this week before the drywall goes up — we think we are over half way to completion! During our visit to the new house, Biscuit met a sheltie, Dean, who lives part-time with a family in the neighborhood. Dean is much younger, three-years-old, and full of energy — a little too much for Biscuit! We think they recognized each other as fellow shelties! Per the neighbor, Biscuit will be the only full-time sheltie resident in the new neighborhood thus far! This spring Biscuit also met a little female sheltie, Coca! It is pretty rare to run into other shelties — I am glad that I had my camera with me! Some photos are shown below!

Happy Monday!

Jun 14

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Biscuit My Teacher

For those who have been following my blog know that little Biscuit is our furbaby! He arrived to live with us on January 7, 2011, after first meeting him and adopting him on December 24, 2010. Biscuit has literally gone through a swift and wonderful transformation from a very sad and extremely timid dog living on the streets of North Carolina to a confident, loyal, and loving companion who travels with us almost every place we go! Our lives are so much richer with Biscuit!

Live in the Present

Biscuit does not regret the past or ruminate about the future. Biscuit lives here, now, and in this moment, responding to whatever is happening around him. Biscuit reminds me to live in the present and to be present for him.

How much time do we spend in the past or the future? How much ‘now time’ do we waste by going over what happened yesterday, last week, last month, last year, or by worrying about what might happen tomorrow? When we do this, we lose some of the precious moments that are happening now because we are really just in our heads most of the time. Also, the greatest gift to our animals to live in the present with them. I practice being present with Biscuit each day.

Remember to Play

As humans, I think we forget this. In our modern and fast-paced world, it seems to be all work and very little play. Some people forget how to laugh because playtime is not regular enough.

I have learned to play more — especially with Biscuit! Even though I have work to complete, I do it with a much more relaxed attitude, which is far healthier.

It is also good for the heart. Playing with a dog generates oxytocin, a hormone that helps reduce stress and promotes happiness. Overall and all the way around, dogs (animals) really help us in many ways and they enrich our lives!

Our greatest teachers are closer than we think

I now understand why some people say, ‘Did you know that Dog is God spelled backwards?’ I understand it now. It is so simple, yet profound.

I believe that I have gently and gradually grown in mindfulness and awareness; however, being with Biscuit has led to awakenings in my life during this small segment of time. Biscuit has been my/our teacher — he has opened my heart to new experiences. He has taught me to be more present, aware, and patient. He has also taught me to have more gratitude for the small things in life. To me, what seems like something very small, makes a huge difference in Biscuit’s life, impacting his happiness. Biscuit is also my muse. I likely have thousands of photos of our little man documenting our time together! Biscuit came into our lives at the perfect time. I truly believe that he is meant to be with us — he has truly captured our hearts forever. I believe animals have a way in teaching us all about ourselves if we are willing to open our hearts and invest in the experience completely.

Biscuit and me on top of Mount Equinox!

Jun 13

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Baltimore Animal Care and Rescue Shelter (BARCS) — Part II – Shelter dogs in need of furever homes

I am excited about a long-term Dog Photography Project that I am working on with the Baltimore Animal Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS) as well as some local dog rescue organizations. I hope to share further information in the future. You can view Part I here.

For now, I can share some color photographs of these doggies pictured below in the hopes that they receive furever homes! If you are interested in fostering or adopting any of these dogs pictured below, please contact BARCS for further information. Please consider dog rescue! Biscuit’s story illustrates that we can make a positive difference and impact in one dog’s life.

Brief Description of the dogs in the order they are pictured below.

1. Lux — is a male terrier-pit bull mix, approximately 7 months old. Lux is very handsome with gorgeous eyes! Lux is very calm and he has great leash manners. He loves to sun himself outside and he also likes to cuddle! Lux is very gentle and he would make a terrific family pet.

2. Argyle — is a male terrier-pit bull mix, approximately 3 years old. Argyle is very handsome, calm and relaxed, and he enjoys attention and treats! Argyle also walks well on a leash!

3. Gamma — is a female shepherd mix, approximately 1.5 years old. Good news — Gamma was adopted this week!

4. Millie — is a female terrier-pit bull mix, approximately 7 years old. Millie is a love bug. She is very sweet and gentle. She would love to have a furever home with people who adore her.

Happy Thursday!

Jun 12

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Howard County, Maryland Photography Commission: Family Photo Shoot

Recently, I had an opportunity to photograph a family who wanted current photographs documenting their family and children. This family was a pleasure to work with and we were fortunate to have wonderful weather and light!

It is funny how quickly times flies by without even realizing it! In our family, we had formal portraits taken every year around our birthdays! (The photographs taken each year at school were always lousy. Thus, my parents were diligent and hired a photographer take our portraits each year even if we were not so keen on it at the time!)

Some highlights from this photography session are shown below.

If you are interested in commissions, please contact me via e-mail at katie@katherinecarverphotography.com.

Happy Wednesday!