My Little Princess

We try not to call her a princess but she is 4 and in that "stage". Everything is princess and everything is pink! I took her out on Sunday afternoon for a photo shoot in her Hallowe'en costume. She was gung-ho until we got there (of course)! Any that did show her face had a pout or a scowl. Here is one that I did some photo editing on. I kinda like the outcome.

Until next time...D.

My 2nd Wedding Shoot

Yes--you read that right. My 2nd wedding shoot. My friend Jen, step-mom to the previous bride, contacted me about stepping in and taking photos. She is sister to the groom. These photos were taken last Sunday at the Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll. Here are some of my faves. Isn't the bride's fascinator great? I've got two possible family shoots and a newborn photo shoot coming down the pipes. Yahoo!!

Until next time...
D.

Wedding photos

Saturday was the civil ceremony of a friend's step-daughter in Toronto. It was very low-key; the perfect environment for my first wedding shoot. They haven't all been edited yet but here's a peek.

Until next time,
D.

Lately...

Our deck took almost all summer to reconstruct. That's OK, it was definitely worth it. I'm so happy with the results. Check out these photos.

And tomorrow I FINALLY get to shoot a wedding! My friend's step-daughter is getting married. Her husband is an amateur photographer but they would rather that someone else took the pics. So they asked me. I'm so glad I finally get to do it. As you know, two of my friends got married and decided to go with a professional so I haven't had my "first time" yet. I can't wait!

Until next time,
D.

First day at JK

First-day jitters don't belong in my daughter's vocabulary. She is only 4 but she was all smiles on her first day of "big school"! It was interesting trying to find out what she did today but what was the most fun was listening to her "play school" and becoming her teacher. At age 4. After only one day. I remember "playing school" when I was little. We had a desk and a chalkboard and everything. But I was much older than 4. Does that mean I'm in trouble with a very mature kid?? Good luck to all of my friends whose kids have their first day tomorrow.

Until next time...
D.

No more daycare

Well, today was the last day. She is so excited to be going to "big school". Her teacher at daycare says there are going to be a lot of sad friends in about 2 weeks when they realize she won't be back. Apparently my little girl is well-liked! Onward and upward. Boy, we'll be able to do a lot with that $600-$700 we'll be saving every month! Now to find a parent who can pick her up after school.

D.

My daughter has one week of daycare left and then she starts JK, or in her world "big school". She got a new backpack yesterday and she's been playing with it all afternoon. She's been playing school and taking snacks and lunch in her lunch bag. Mommy & Daddy had to pretend to drop her off and pick her up at school. She's used to going 4 days a week to daycare so let's hope this "all day every day" thing is an easy adjustment!
D.

Thanks, Coach!

Tomorrow is officially my daughter's last soccer game of the season. I thought we'd make cards for her coaches. She found the goal net and soccer ball and we added the background, grass & letters. These are the first cards I've made in a long time. Not bad if I do say so myself. Thanks Cricut!
Until next time......
D.

A bug's life

Here are two photos from a recent Camera Club road rally. We had to follow directions to a number of locations just outside of Woodstock. It was hot, interesting but best of all--fun! Can't wait to see what's in store for us this coming year with the club.

Until next time,
D.

What a week!

Busy week. My daughter had a friend over tonight. Tomorrow night I'm working. Wednesday we are visiting friends for a BBQ at their trailer. Thursday is soccer. And then I'm on VACATION!!! Bring it on! I don't think I've wanted or needed a break so badly in all my life. Can't wait! Let the good times roll!!

D.

Soccer star

Avery isn't much of a scorer but she's a great goal tender. Two weeks ago she had her first go at minding net. She loved it--the goalie can use their hands you know! Last week she asked to go in net so she played the whole 2nd half. She's doing better at going after the ball and gets a couple of good kicks in but I think she's found that she likes being goalie. Thank God it's not hockey!

Until next time...
D.

Fisheye fun

Here is the first picture I've taken with my LensBaby Fisheye lens, taken in St. Mary's, Ontario by the Quarry. It's pretty fun!! I need to get out and do more with my LensBaby gear. In fact, I need to get out and take more pics in general.

D.

Excitement!

I got my LensBaby fisheye lens! I've been playing with it but can't wait to actually take it out for a real test-drive. Maybe this weekend?

My daughter played her first soccer game tonight. She has the skills already but is far too passive. How do you undo everything you've taught about taking turns and sharing?? Don't be fooled. This was taken AFTER the game when she was running around with friends on another team. No signs of tears and "I want to go home" in this photo! Hoping next week will be easier, at least for Mommy.

Until next time,
D.

What is wrong with me??

My blog has been seriously ignored! Not only that, my creative side just doesn't have the juices flowing. I have been working on my NYC scrapbook but haven't posted anything. Maybe after the crop weekend next week I'll have something interesting and worthwhile. Hoping to play with my LensBaby and post some of those creative pics soon. Oh, how I wish to have a new "toy"...maybe the LensBaby Fisheye. (sigh)

Spring is in the air!

Well, the clocks went forward and the weather man is predicting temps above 10 degrees Celsius this week. A friend of mine saw a robin last week, but I've only heard the chickadees and cardinals. It must be around the corner. Here's hoping.

I decided to keep the Gypsy and have been playing with it. I think it will be a handy tool to have, especially on crop nights. I'll be able to carry all of my cartridges with me in one little machine.

And with spring comes a few 4-year-old birthday parties and more picture taking. I'm hoping that bug bites me again soon!

Until next time...
D.

New "toy"

Well, I bought the Gypsy for my Cricut Expression the other day. I'm trying to figure it out without making a commitment (no registration, no linking just yet)--in case I decide to return it. I've only talked to 2 people that have one and they both love theirs, although a co-worker today told me she didn't have the time to sit down and "play" with it. I printed off the 47-page online manual and it seems to have helped in going through it page by page. I actually cut something tonight as a test using the 2 cartridges that come with it. Things seems to be looking up! Maybe I'll keep it after all. It will certainly make for less stuff to take to crop nights! Any comments from users would be appreciated. :)

Until next time,
D.

Weekend Scrapbooking

After going to Toronto last Friday on the train (6:49am) and returning around 6:30pm...YAWN...I went to a midnight crop with my gal pal Sharon. I decided to take a break from doing my little sweetheart and started an 8x8 from my NYC trip. I had pre-printed my photos before I decided to do an 8x8 album which was a mistake, but I'm making it work. The crop was another 12 hours on Saturday and I was able to get 11 pages done (some embellishments needed). I hope I'm able to make it to a local crop soon!

Until next time...
D.

Valentine cards

Here is a pic of my daughter with the Valentines she made for her friends in daycare and her "home" friends. How cute are these Aces? Some have yet to be delivered. but they'll get there. She was all about the pink, red & hearts!

Until next time...
D.

Arrrgh!

I got a Gary Fong light diffuser for Christmas. I haven't used it much and was hoping to try it out. Well, I tried it out today taking a few pictures of my daughter with her Valentine's cards. It didn't work like I thought it should. Or rather, to be more accurate, I wasn't happy with the results. Need to take more photos and practice, practice, practice!

D.

Fun weekend but minimal crafts

Avery and I went swimming on Friday morning and then made cookies in the afternoon. We tried to go to London on Saturday but turned around due to the blizzard (the one that everyone is joking was supposed to have come last Wednesday). We spent a good portion of Sunday digging out, and had a visit from my Mom & Dad. Apparently more snow is coming tomorrow with temps dropping to -22C with the wind chill. Let's hear it for crunchy snow!

I have been searching and searching for valentines for Avery to make. She did such a good job last year making lollipop flowers (thanks to my Cricut Expression). I finally found these cute cards--literally playing cards. Of course, using my Cricut Expression, P-Touch label maker and an 'A' letter stamp I was able to assemble all the necessary pieces for Avery to make these cute greetings. We just started gluing tonight; tomorrow more gluing and stamping. Pics to follow!

Until next time...
D.

I did it!

Here is my completed layout. I used the following Cricut cartridges: Lyrical Letters (font), the caterpillar from Stretch Your Imagination (bookworm), and Everyday Paper Dolls (book). Thank goodness I was able to find something from cartridges that I had at home!! I'm happy with the way it turned out. Stay tuned for more.

Until next time...
D.

Scrapbooking...

Yes, I've been scrapbooking. I am trying to finish up a page from last Friday by making my own bookworm. Found a caterpillar that will work...now all I need is a book. I'm not giving up! I'm so excited that myself and a friend signed up for a Friday & all day Saturday crop in February. 19 hours of bliss!!!

Until next time...
D.

Feeling rejuvenated

I've been wanting to get back to my scrapbooking but my craft table has been a mess! Tuesday is my day and I'm going to spend most of it in my local scrapbook store in their crop room. Yes, I have my own space but there are less distractions if I leave the house. This is probably why I could never work from home, although I've contemplated it! Before Christmas I bought a new Cricut cartridge (Everyday Paper Dolls) and I just got another cartridge (Paisley) for my birthday. My daughter has already requested some things for her paper dolls. I'm off to settle down on the couch with a cup of tea, my new Cricut cartridges and a few photography magazines. What a wonderful way to end the day!

Wednesday's Camera Club guest spoke on the Tao of Photography. Very interesting. We were given a challenge to use a 50mm lens for the next month and only f8. Maybe I'll get creative with my photography too!

Until next time,
D.

Happy New Year's!

1.1.11 - I like that date, whether or not it has anything to do with luck or not. My birthday is coming up, on 1.11.11 to be exact. And my anniversary is 10.10. Guess I like double numbers.

The weather is crappy. New Year's Day and we have absolutely no snow left--except for a little ball from the snowman! My daughter has been keeping us and herself busy with games and her wild imagination. It would be so much nicer to be outside.

Until next time,
D.