did i do that?

Sometimes...

...you have to do what you have to do.  So I am taking the week off to update my website and blog with images from recent sessions that I just haven't had the time to post, clean my house, make a few phone calls and pay a few bills.  

Scrapbook and Papercraft Convention 12-14 June  2010

I am teaching 3 classes over 3 days for Scrapbooking Memories.  We'll be making a vintage style gift bag and a layout.  When I get permission from the powers that be, I will post sneaks of the projects.  I can't wait! What a hoot!

Here are a few pics of what I got up to on the weekend...

Shezza and I drove up to Hervey Bay to meet a bunch of lovely ladies for a photography workshop. About 1 hour into it and I'm starting to get antsy.  I'm no traveller by any stretch of the imagination and I need some form of stimulation whether that be Sherryn's compilation CD of 90s music or fiddling with the settings on my camera.  So I start snapping...  Smile, Luvey...

And this...

It looked like my hubby's truck coming from the opposite direction... Well, it kind of looked like his.  It totally could have been his except he was in Sydney.  And he didn't take his truck. Airplanes don't look like trucks.  And they're faster. And this truck was clean. And it had weird compartments on the back. And it was ISUZU. And white... It totally could have been his. 

We stayed at Eden on the Bay, the Esplanade, Hervey Bay.  Great service.  Fabulous rooms and excellent catering.  Thanks, Chris!!! You made our stay there memorable!!!

I LOVED these outdoor light covers around the pool.  So pretty... couldn't resist... 

I think the small details in the decor from the glass tiles in the kitchen, the louvred window between the entry and the bedroom, for example,  really added to the experience.

I finally got to meet this awesome chicka!!! Say "Hi!" to Ann Lederhose.

She doesn't usually sit around in long grass but she does look happy!  And here is her partner in crime... Petrina McDonald.  Great company!! Totally needed to spend more time with these two! You were both a constant source of comfort and relaxation.

This chicka here would be my long term partner in crime,  Sherryn.

She's not in the habit of standing amongst weeds either but she does take a lovely photo.

Then it came to time fiddle with apertures.  Here is a cute little pepper all on its wee lonesome...  

Oops!!! No it's not!  Love me a good depth of field...

It was about this time when Janine decided to take our portraits.  I don't like being at the other end of the lens, so I hid around the corner.  It was around this time that I was sprung! 

I'm a big girl and this here was a little plant.  It was never going to work...

We then took photos on the jetty.  It had been a long, hot day and we were all a bit pooped but I did manage to take this...

"NO DIVING"  Well, OK then.  Why not? 

I'd like to thank Janine for taking the time to come up to Hervey Bay and for being a constant source of inspiration.

Yay me!

I was just looking at my avatar up here on the top LHS.  I thought, "Oh lookie!!! I DID have a neck!" Gone is it now along with my ribs and the daylight between my upper thighs.  HELLO! to a whole lot more of me.  Ugh... I hate this feeling.

Anyway, I'm so happy my mojo is returning!!!  The constant pressure of having to be creative during my waking hours certainly took its toll but now that I've taken a break, I'M BACK, BABY!!!!

I did this layout last weekend during a crop at Scrapbooks etc. I got down and dirty with the clients and did this!  I did only this.  Still, it was did and here it is done!  Woot! Yay me! Thank you.

On the photography front, I'm attending another workshop this weekend so hopefully, I'll be all juiced up to photog in the next coupla.

I've been snapping a lot lately but that doesn't mean that Project 365 is anywhere near where it should be! I'm old and forgetful so if the photo hasn't been posted on here don't be surprised if I tell you that it hasn't been taken at all or I act like I have no idea what you are talking about!

Here are some pics of the very lovely Sarah-May.  I do believe that the day of the shoot was the hottest, most steamiest day this summer.  I had sweat pouring off me and when Sarah-May turned up all gorgeous and freshly made up, it wasn't long before she too was melting and her beautiful red hair was sticking to her forehead.   We changed locations to an old gate that I had been eyeing off for weeks.  I had envisioned her with the beautiful afternoon sun setting behind her but it wasn't to be!  The rain clouds were forming and instead we got some beautiful shots in anyway.  I wish I could post all the photos but what would a surprise be for Sarah-May if blogland got to see them all first?

Thanks, Sarah-May!  Bewdiful!!!

NOTE:  

OMG!!!! What is up with the colours?????? Sarah-May is not really this pink!  In fact, she is perfectly normal in colouring. Please bear with me while I try to sort this problem out so just click on the photo and the real colours will appear.  Weird... WHY??? Facebook is doing the same... What have I fiddled with that needs to be fixed???? Anybody???  It only happens with posts to the internet.  I thought I had the old sRGB and RGB thing figured... Obviously, I've done something I shouldn't have in either Lightroom or CS4. HELP!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I had a lot of fun with you, Sarah-May!!!! Hopefully, the next shoot we have won't be so sticky!!!

Can it be????

I think it is!!! The scrapbooking mojo has made a comeback!!!! I have scrapped 3 layouts this week but I am limited to what I can show you!  So you will just have to make do with some sneaks.

I think my favourite paper companies ever are Graphic 45 and Prima and I just LOVE the direction Prima are moving in with their flowers.  Such a shabby, eclectic look to them all.  Their papers are also devine with deep rich colours and florals on backgrounds of text.  

It was nice to get in amongst my stash.  Liberating, even. Anything goes. Happy, happy.  Get the picture?

I even completed my March layout for Dimensional Pop at Scrapbooks etc.  This is a boy layout (although it could be a girl's layout too) using Crate Paper.  Here is the sneak...

This was January's Dimensional Pop for Scrapbooks etc.  A Christmas layout using the awesome "Christmas Past" from Graphic 45. 

I've also had the privilege of designing a layout for Chelley Bean Designs.  The very talented Michelle Jamieson, a fellow Scrapbooking Memories Master  2008 is designing her own embellishments.   These absolutely gorgeous handmade sequinned denim flowers and music sheet butterflies are her creations.  Be sure to check out her Etsy store here.  There are flowers in all sizes and colours and the cutest little felt birds. I  LOVE them!  

Although I can't post the layout until it has been officially posted on the Chelley Bean Blog tomorrow, here is a sneak peek at what is to come.

On the photography front, I find myself getting freaked out constantly!  It is so nice getting positive feedback and the number of referrals are amazing.  Thanks, peoples!!

I will post some samples of the latest shoots soon.  

SO many balls in the air!  OR Sooooo many hats to wear.  I'm constantly going into quick change mode.

Anyway, on a more serious note - my friend Nic Finlayson posted this on her blog.  It is a raw reality that I think should be played in every high school, movie theatre and home.  WARNING:  Viewing is not for the faint hearted.

The causes and costs of road trauma is something that taps into one of my greatest fears.  Being the mother of three boys and one girl, watching this brings me to sobs and tears.  It is something that no one should ever have to experience and I never EVER want to go there.  I made my kids watch it to hopefully reiterate the importance of responsibility and awareness of consequences and also that the victims of these terrible events are not just the people who are hurt or killed.

And another pic from one of my fave shoots.