Snowman & snowball fights

We had a little fun today before the RAIN washes away all of our snow. :(
D.

LensBaby

I've been waiting to use my LensBaby Creative Kit and the Christmas tree is the perfect lighting! I need more practice but what a fun camera "toy" to play with!
Happy Holidays,
D.

Cookies for Santa (and us)!

My 3-year-old wanted to make cookies for Santa about 3 weeks ago. Finally I couldn't put her off anymore since all of the other preparations had begun. We finally made cookies this week--for Santa and Us. She is a great little helper with almost anything, but I was so amazed (and proud) at the great job she did with the cookies. She even rolled the dough by herself. We made cut-out cookies and some that you cut & stamp at the same time. The next batch will be decorated & iced. Oh, there will be another batch because these won't last until the 24th! Here's a picture of the "official taste test" and some of the finished cookies.

SNOW!

It's finally here. I can now really get in a Christmasy mood. Started on addressing cards tonight, Christmas CD's strategically placed in the car, at work and at home. Hopefully I'll be able to knock off some of the items on the shopping list in one fell swoop sometime this week. After that it's baking cookies for Santa. Wish me luck!

New layouts

I've finished 3 layouts in the past few weeks. OK...not quite finished. I need some help coming up with titles. One is my daughter taking her doll tobogganing in the house. The other is of my husband and daughter on the couch giggling & laughing. Any suggestions?

This post is of my completed page. It was finished 2 weeks ago but needed some embellishment. I stamped three shoes, cut them out by hand and added some "bling" with Stickles. Then it was suggested that I add some "fluff" to the black shoe. I bought some feathers and glued some pink ones on the toe. This is what it looks like close up. (Thanks Dana!)

Send any title suggestions my way.
D.

A wedding photo

OK...the bride got her photos this week and gave me permission to post. Here is one of my favourites.

Something old, something new?

I started tweeting as of last night. Not sure about it, but I only have two posts. Anybody know how to get rid of a follower on twitter?

Boring Blogger

I'm such a boring blogger! No wonder I don't have more than two followers. No pictures to post. Nothing to say. Well, perhaps an update.

Results Night was last Wednesday. I didn't do that well. I chose a photo from 2 years ago (taken while I was doing my course). It was a photo that I liked but it wasn't striking enough to hold anyone's attention. I actually knew I wasn't going to do well but entered for the sake of entering. The judges comments are always good to hear. And without the critique you don't know how to improve.

On Friday night I went to a midnight crop for the first time in a long time. I'm usually the one agonizing over my layouts but I was able to put together some fairly simple layouts. Almost 4 were completed with just the titles to add. Not bad! I'm looking forward to going again this Friday night. Sarah, if you see this, I miss you!!

On Saturday we went to the big Woodstock Craft Show & Sale. The plan was to start Christmas shopping. I guess technically we did. Avery is getting a bath mitt, a Barbie tent and a hat. She also got a Barbie bathing suit and two outfits for her 'real' baby. Later in the day we went to friends' for supper before the Santa Claus Parade and then back to their house for some munchies and socializing. Just as I was going to round up my family to leave, the ladies started talking about family photos and Christmas cards. My friend, Katrina (the hostess), got on her laptop and proceeded to show the ladies their family pics that I took. I got the warm fuzzies--everyone loved them. And Katrina used about 5 for her photo Christmas card!

And, last but not least, my daughter got a booster seat and is quite proud of it too! She's only 3 1/2 and over 40" tall. She was in a 3-in-1 but they're just so big and bulky.

Well, that's it. My boring life in a nutshell. OH...I forgot one thing. I bought myself a guitar Christmas songbook. Can't be distracted. Must continue practising for my weekly lessons. Yeah, right!

D.

Camera Club on Wednesday

My daughter went with me to the last Club meeting. This week is Results Night for Contest #1. I need a babysitter--usual one is on surgical leave! Freaky child won't go to someone's house. Something to do with a fear of me leaving her there? (She's 3, what can I say?)

2 Sunday Shoots

Two shoots down...the biggest one of my life coming up on November 6th. My first wedding shoot.
I have two friends who asked if I would take some photos for them. On Sunday my daughter & I went to our friend's house and took some pics along a trail with her daughter and the dogs. In the afternoon I met up with a friend & her family. Here's just a taste. My friend's daughter didn't want to turn around so I leaned over the log and got this great pic looking down the log and both dogs on either side. #2: My daughter and her friend.

So excited!

I'm reviewing the material I picked up at the Photographic Show last weekend. While in London today I stopped in at Henry's to see the LensBaby products and started my Christmas list!! Praying for good weather tomorrow as I'm photographing some family pics for a few friends. Hoping the outdoor shots turn out as the wind/rain this week has pretty much killed the autumn leaves on the trees.

Family Photos

Ahhh....we finally got it right! It was quite windy today but I'm happy with the way they turned out. This is at the park just down the road from us.

Thanksgiving

What a GORGEOUS weekend! I went to Mary Maxim in Paris, Ontario with my daughter, mom and two sisters. Mom took my daughter home for a sleepover. My husband and I went out for dinner to celebrate our 18th anniversary. Sunday everyone was at my parents for turkey dinner (yum) and I took some family photos. However, our daughter didn't want to cooperate when it was "our" turn. Thankfully she was in the group photo. We drove around today trying to outrun the rain. Unfortunately I got some great shots but they are ALL out of focus. arrrr*!*@** So, we will try again next weekend. My goal is to have an updated family photo for Christmas cards. We have some from March but I really wanted some nice autumn ones to choose from. Until later...
D.

Downtown Walkabout

Here are some photos of the Woodstock Court House, Woodstock Public Library and one from inside Knox Church.
Edit: The photos are in reverse order. Who knew??

Just Back from Camera Club

What a meeting! In fact, it wasn't a meeting at all but a Downtown Walkabout. We were instructed to bring our tripods because of the low light conditions (shooting at dusk) and to meet at the Courthouse. Then we just clicked away. When we were finished the Courthouse we went to the Library, the Art Gallery, Knox Presbyterian Church (and allowed to go inside), the old Armouries and some of us shot the Public Health Building. It was the best way to practise using your manual setting in low light. Pictures will be posted later.

NYC Trip

It was a whirlwind bus trip: 3 nights/4 days. We actually stayed in New Jersey and with travelling time it was only 2 days in NYC but what a blast! I saw everything I wanted to see (well almost), even if it was through the bus window. We were hot and exhausted. Would I do it again? You bet!

We were treated to a beautiful night view of Manhattan from across the river, the views of Central Park from The Top of the Rock are stunning, and of course I had to visit some Sex and the City sites, namely Carrie's front stoop. Enjoy this little teaser--I printed 122 photos in all.

Yay me!

I was able to figure out two things that had me baffled this week. One was putting a copyright or name/year (or whatever I want) as a watermark using Photoshop. The other was getting my hot shoe flash to reset after setting my camera on 'Command' mode. Ureka! I figured it out just in time for a family wedding reception on Friday night, family BBQ on Saturday and a family baby shower on Sunday.

Marineland x2

Yes, Marineland x2. Our three-year-old is in LOVE with the entire experience (and she's pretty good at singing the theme song). We think she might become a marine biologist. Every parent has high hopes! Here are 3 pics from last week's visit. She was tickled pink that the dolphin was painting, just like in her book about dolphins. She even had a go on some of the rides.

More pics...

We were in St. Jacob's today and I got a few more "letter" pics. Tomorrow is Marineland. Hoping on more summer vacation photos. Wish me luck!

Vacation, here I come!

One more day and I'm off for a week (well, a little over a week if you count Saturday's & Sunday's). I'm looking forward to spending some time behind the lens. Maybe I can get some shots for the Camera Club contests for the upcoming year.

Followers

Woohoo! I have a 2nd follower and it isn't a family member. Thanks, Sarah.

My newest photography obsession

What is it? Alphabet photography. I am searching for just the right 'N' in my name and started working on my daughter's name while on holidays in July. It's amazing at how many letters you can find in nature or manmade when you really look. You start seeing letters everywhere and then you see something so awesome and inspiring that you keep clicking. This 'D' is part of a playground structure.

Try, try again

It has been so long since I uploaded photos that I've forgotten how to do it. Still on a learning curve with my iMAC. Hoping to post some vacation photos sooner or later (would prefer with this post).

Ahhh....it finally worked. But what is all that gobble-dee-gook where my photos should be in my draft? And how can I change the layout once it's in draft? Oh, well, don't ask!! It would be lovely if I could get out and do some clicking this weekend. We shall see where I end up.

Zip. Zero. Zilch.

Has it really been almost a month since my last post? Vacation took priority as did a weekend visit with my sister. Must post photos soon!

Seeing things in a different light

Before Camera Club finished for the year we were given a sneak peek at a challenge: alphabet photography. I went out on Wednesday evening and started shooting letters for my name. I'm finding letters in almost everything I look at now! It's a challenge that lots of fun. Two more letters and I'm done!

First Portrait Session

Well, here it is--a sneak peek at my first engagement session. I had so much fun and they went along with all my suggestions, poses and crazy props! So glad it didn't rain. Now it's time for editing. I hope they like them.

My new equipment

Ooops! I forgot to mention the most exciting news. I got a lighting kit. It's basis BUT I can use my flash on the stand, so I don't need additional lights. Nikon is the only one you can do that with. :p I also got a wireless remote. Works great! Still playing with the lighting kit.

Engagement photo shoot was rescheduled from last Sunday to this Sunday. Hoping that the weather holds out and we don't get the rain/thunderstorms they're calling for.

Latest Camera Club News

Well, Results Night was a few weeks ago. I didn't get a ribbon. Disappointed? Yes. I wasn't thrilled with the judges' comments about the background (the dated wallpaper that I live with on a daily basis) and a comment about my daughter's red Spiderman slippers competing with the rest of the photo. She's three!! If I tried to get her to take them off for the sake of composition I wouldn't have been able to capture the beautiful smile or catch-light in her eyes. And based on the judges' comments about a professional photographer's contest photo, mine was much more clear. Oh, well. Next time there will be different judges. And I have learned to pay more attention. Maybe it should have been B&W.

The contests for 2010-2011 were announced on Wednesday night. I'm not too keen on the themes. I didn't find them overly exciting but I'll give it my best. I'm only competing with myself and my goal is to become a better photographer!

Portraits

I just realized that I don't have any "people" portraits and since I'm going to be doing some engagement photos (yes, another friends has asked me--yay!) I thought I'd post a few. These are of my sister, taken in the fall. The daytime ones are in my parents' backyard and the evening ones were taken at the Old Court House in London, Ontario. I love the one where she is standing in front of one of the flood lights. It illuminates her beautiful red hair.

Hopeful

I'm going to a conference in Orillia tomorrow. Am taking my camera, hopeful that the rain will stop and I can get some shooting done on the trails. Have also asked my sexy sister to model for me on the weekend. Portrait practice--yahoo!!

Mmmmm...lilacs

Spring is in the air, or at least we thought until this past weekend. It was COLD! But the leaves are green, people have mowed their lawns and are planting their gardens. The thing I like best about spring are the flowers in the month of May. But not just any flowers--the particularly fragrant ones like lily of the valley and lilacs. Purple lilacs are my favourite but they smell so heavenly I'll take a bouquet of any colour! These are the white ones in our backyard just coming into bloom about a week ago.

Out and about

I've been trying to get out more this week to take photos in my community. I took a photo of one of my favourite old homes and was invited to go on the grounds but I didn't have time. The Camera Club contest #3 theme was "reflections". I took this photo of the Woodstock Court House reflected in my bicycle mirror. I didn't submit it because I decided on a reflection of my daughter sitting in front of a full-length mirror.

Very boring

Nothing has been happening. I'm so boring! I wanted to get out last weekend and do some photography but that didn't work. This weekend will be taken up with a 3-year-old's birthday party. Maybe one of these days?

Maple Syrup Festival

It's that time of year in Southwestern Ontario! We went to a local maple syrup farm (?) on Saturday to have a pancake breakfast. It was cold and wet--such bad weather that we couldn't even partake in a horse-drawn wagon ride because they sent the horses home. Took some pics but not many.

Having Fun

I've really been into the Olympics--addicted is more like it! On Sunday we're going to a "mini Olympics" for kids. Should be fun and lots of opportunity for taking pics.

Yay! I finally had some time to play with Paint Shop Pro Photo X2. (It's only been since Christmas!) I was inspired by the presentation on Lightroom at Camera Club on Wednesday. Tonight I made a custom print layout from photos taken this winter of my daughter doing silly things. Also did some pretty cool photo adjustments with white balance and filters.

My first photo shoot booking

Thanks to my husband, I have my first "booking". His best friend is getting married next year. They've agreed to me doing their engagement photos (date TBA) and if they like them they want me to do the wedding photos too! I haven't developed my own style yet but I like the photojournalistic style of late (which pretty much everyone is doing). I hope they like it too! Excited...and a bit nervous. My husband is going to be the best man so that poses the first problem for me: what to do with our daughter, who will be 3 at the time? We have lots of time to plan. Also hoping to do outdoor family portraits for a friend in the spring as well. Everyone says to start out with friends & family, so here we go!!

Here is my entry for the next WCC photo contest. The theme is Abandoned. My title is "Where have all the flowers gone?" The photo is looking through the window of a door to an old greenhouse. It has since been torn down. I'm not 100% happy with the way the photo turned out when it was printed. I'm entering it anyway. You never know...I may get enough points to get a ribbon.

What's your geekness?

While travelling to a meeting today with two of my colleagues, we were discussing the concept of how everyone with a hobby is a geek. Think about it: Are Trekkie and Star Wars fans weird? Am I weird because I sit around a table and cut & paste photos, creating scrapbooking layouts until 12:00 midnight with a group of other women doing the same thing? Are my camera club friends weird because they get up before sunrise to capture the best light of day? Heck no! We're geeks, plain and simple. I bet you're a geek too.

The early bird can have the worm

I'm going to bed at 9:10 p.m. VERY unlike me but I have to get up at (gasp) 6:00 a.m.!!

Help Haiti

The Red Cross is the largest preparedness and relief effort worldwide. You can make a donation to the Haiti Earthquake Relief at your local branch, by telephone, mail or online. Go to www.redcross.ca to find out how you can help.

Just Because...

This is my first post ever on my own blog! I created it just because. In fact, that was what I was going to title it as. I don't care if it never gets read. I'm doing it for fun!