I am really enjoying this challenge and having lots of fun with it. Check out who else had the blues for day 11 over here.
Friday, June 17, 2011
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 11
Day 11 of White Peach photo challenge. I left this one to the last light of the day. I try to remember to know a few days in advance so that I am planning things in my head and I can catch the moment of the day right. So in my madness of being unplanned I took some shots of my blue handbag - I love coloured bags and my blue on is my favourite at the moment. But as I was shooting I noticed two boys watching me both dressed in blue. And there was my perfect, unplanned, shot.
I am really enjoying this challenge and having lots of fun with it. Check out who else had the blues for day 11 over here.
I am really enjoying this challenge and having lots of fun with it. Check out who else had the blues for day 11 over here.
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 10
A day late but here it is, day 10 of the White Peach photography challenge. I had so many ideas for memories but trying to find things to photography wasn't happening. Then I found this right under my nose, my own childhood love that I have imposed on my daughter.
I had SO MANY Barbie dolls as a girl. I remember being unimpressed if I didn't get a least two new ones a year (birthday and Christmas). Coming from a household of four girls there was bound to be Barbies, lots of Barbies. I remember one of my sisters had a thing for cutting off all our Barbies hair and there being lots and lots of tears over these moments.
It wasn't until I actually looked at how many Barbies Jaybug has I started to wonder whether it was her thing or mine? I have insisted on buying them for Christmas and her birthdays as this was what I always wanted as a girl. Maybe I need to stop and see if she asks for more or whether it has just been a projection of my own childhood memories.
Although there did seem to be lots of fun had once I pulled out the Barbies for there photo shoot.....
Joining in here for day 10. I'm off to see what everyone else has for childhood memories too.
I had SO MANY Barbie dolls as a girl. I remember being unimpressed if I didn't get a least two new ones a year (birthday and Christmas). Coming from a household of four girls there was bound to be Barbies, lots of Barbies. I remember one of my sisters had a thing for cutting off all our Barbies hair and there being lots and lots of tears over these moments.
It wasn't until I actually looked at how many Barbies Jaybug has I started to wonder whether it was her thing or mine? I have insisted on buying them for Christmas and her birthdays as this was what I always wanted as a girl. Maybe I need to stop and see if she asks for more or whether it has just been a projection of my own childhood memories.
Although there did seem to be lots of fun had once I pulled out the Barbies for there photo shoot.....
Joining in here for day 10. I'm off to see what everyone else has for childhood memories too.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 9
Day 9 and the stakes are high in this topic of the White Peach Photography Challenge. With my birthday just around the corner I need to play my cards right.
As I can technically only choose one person I am opting not to love any of my immediate family - husband or children - any more than each other. I love them all so much that they have a separate piece of my heart each. So instead I have picked someone who means so much to me and I'm not sure they know how much. I thought this might be a good way to show her how much I love her.
My youngest sister. She is like an extension of myself. She values everything I do and she knows just the way I like things.
Mo spent the last three years of her high school years living with us. She was here from the time that Jaybug was born and she has a big role in the children's lives. She is like the kids second Mum and is very similar to me in the way she is with them. If anything was to happen to me and the Hubby she would be the one landed with the gift of our lovely toads, knowing she would bring them up the way we would.
The children are so attached to her and it was very hard for all of us when she moved 18 months ago to go to University. We love when we get to spend some time with her, when she can get away from her study. Jaybug does miss her the most. I'm sure this is to do with the fact Mo was with us from her birth right up until she was 2 & 3/4's. Thats a huge part of her small life where she was able to act as if she had two Mum's. Jaybug cries whenever Mo has to go back to Uni and this reminds me that I need to make sure I am giving the kids enough attention. In the past Mo and I juggled the Mummying and now that she isn't here I have to remember the kids are used to that extra attention she was able to give them. She even taught Quack to read and write by the time he was 3!
Mo I love you and I think you are doing an amazing job at Uni. You blow me away with how hard you work at your studies and how dedicated you are. A lot of young women your age wouldn't be as hardworking and studious are you are. I am always so proud to hear of the amazing marks you are achieving at Uni. I know you will be brilliant at whatever you choose to do in your life. Looking forward to your holidays soon and spending some time with you away from the stress of the books. I know one day you will make an amazing Mum, as you are every bit of one to my children. I thank you for all the hard work and time you have put into them.
Love you,
Your big Sister xoxo
P.s. remember this when you think about my birthday present for next Monday......... hehehe
Linking up with day 9 here. Can't wait to see who you all love!
As I can technically only choose one person I am opting not to love any of my immediate family - husband or children - any more than each other. I love them all so much that they have a separate piece of my heart each. So instead I have picked someone who means so much to me and I'm not sure they know how much. I thought this might be a good way to show her how much I love her.
My youngest sister. She is like an extension of myself. She values everything I do and she knows just the way I like things.
Mo spent the last three years of her high school years living with us. She was here from the time that Jaybug was born and she has a big role in the children's lives. She is like the kids second Mum and is very similar to me in the way she is with them. If anything was to happen to me and the Hubby she would be the one landed with the gift of our lovely toads, knowing she would bring them up the way we would.
The children are so attached to her and it was very hard for all of us when she moved 18 months ago to go to University. We love when we get to spend some time with her, when she can get away from her study. Jaybug does miss her the most. I'm sure this is to do with the fact Mo was with us from her birth right up until she was 2 & 3/4's. Thats a huge part of her small life where she was able to act as if she had two Mum's. Jaybug cries whenever Mo has to go back to Uni and this reminds me that I need to make sure I am giving the kids enough attention. In the past Mo and I juggled the Mummying and now that she isn't here I have to remember the kids are used to that extra attention she was able to give them. She even taught Quack to read and write by the time he was 3!
Mo I love you and I think you are doing an amazing job at Uni. You blow me away with how hard you work at your studies and how dedicated you are. A lot of young women your age wouldn't be as hardworking and studious are you are. I am always so proud to hear of the amazing marks you are achieving at Uni. I know you will be brilliant at whatever you choose to do in your life. Looking forward to your holidays soon and spending some time with you away from the stress of the books. I know one day you will make an amazing Mum, as you are every bit of one to my children. I thank you for all the hard work and time you have put into them.
Love you,
Your big Sister xoxo
P.s. remember this when you think about my birthday present for next Monday......... hehehe
Linking up with day 9 here. Can't wait to see who you all love!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Mad Hatter?
With sickness hanging around still I have had some time to sit and crochet. I love how quick crochet is compared with knitting. I think I am a little addicted.....
Here are two hats I made for little people we know this weekend.
Blue and brown bear ears made for friends little boy as we never got around to getting them a congrats baby present. Plus I think its cool to still be getting present two months later.
Modified bear ears pattern to make a straight beanie for a present for niece that was baptised on Sunday. I love this one so much I am seriously thinking of making them to sell somewhere like Felt. Just don't know if I have enough time to make enough things to add to a store? Or if my items are really up to scratch!
Here are two hats I made for little people we know this weekend.
Blue and brown bear ears made for friends little boy as we never got around to getting them a congrats baby present. Plus I think its cool to still be getting present two months later.
Modified bear ears pattern to make a straight beanie for a present for niece that was baptised on Sunday. I love this one so much I am seriously thinking of making them to sell somewhere like Felt. Just don't know if I have enough time to make enough things to add to a store? Or if my items are really up to scratch!
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 8
So now for my day 8 of the White Peach Photo challenge. I have been think about this one for a few days. How much do I expose myself or how little? So I have gone with halfway. Something that I have to have almost everyday but it doesn't tell too many secrets.
I always have a block on hand. I actually have found since changing to dark chocolate that I only need a small amount but the benefits are huge. I use it when I have a down moment or a lacking that little extra energy. I also heard recently that research had been down with links to 25g of dark chocolate - at least 70% Cocoa - and weight loss. I don't seem to have any outstanding results from this but at least it makes me feel less guilty when popping another block into my shopping cart at the groceries.
Linking in to day 8 here. So what bad habits do you all have? I'm coming to see.....
I always have a block on hand. I actually have found since changing to dark chocolate that I only need a small amount but the benefits are huge. I use it when I have a down moment or a lacking that little extra energy. I also heard recently that research had been down with links to 25g of dark chocolate - at least 70% Cocoa - and weight loss. I don't seem to have any outstanding results from this but at least it makes me feel less guilty when popping another block into my shopping cart at the groceries.
Linking in to day 8 here. So what bad habits do you all have? I'm coming to see.....
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 7
Day 7 for me of white peach photo challenge. A day late thanks to my horrid flu! When I think of fruit in our house I always think of our biggest fruit lover, Squeak. So here is my take on fruit at our place.
Linking in to day 7 here. Looking forward to checking out your day 7's too.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 6
Day 6 of White Peach photo challenge for me. Today I have two shots. An inside shot at my husbands niece's baptism at their local Catholic church in Waitara. The second is one I took yesterday at Pukekura Park and I totally love but seeing I took it yesterday I challenged myself to get something else today. So you get both!
I'm not sure I like this picture as my image of Jesus is as a whole man seated at the right hand of the Father. But it was what was in the Catholic church and I know it is a big part of their faith. Instead I look at it in celebration that Jesus died for me that I may have the gift of salvation when He exchanged His perfect life for my broken, sinful, raw and painful life. That through Him I have life and have it more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you Jesus.
I love this shot! But as I said in being true to the challenge I did get another as much as I liked this one and who knows maybe there was a reason for the first one that I might not see but God does.
I am loving all the 30 day photo love and its fantastic to get to know a new circle of bloggers. Day 6 links up here.
I'm not sure I like this picture as my image of Jesus is as a whole man seated at the right hand of the Father. But it was what was in the Catholic church and I know it is a big part of their faith. Instead I look at it in celebration that Jesus died for me that I may have the gift of salvation when He exchanged His perfect life for my broken, sinful, raw and painful life. That through Him I have life and have it more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you Jesus.
I love this shot! But as I said in being true to the challenge I did get another as much as I liked this one and who knows maybe there was a reason for the first one that I might not see but God does.
I am loving all the 30 day photo love and its fantastic to get to know a new circle of bloggers. Day 6 links up here.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 5
Today is the 5th day for me of White peach photography challenge. While I still feel awful I am committed to this as a daily challenge. It is also giving me the ability to form a habit to blog more often. So its a win win so long as I follow through - flu and all.
Today I just about passed out while forcing myself out for fresh air and photo's but I got some great shots and now I am home back with my blanket and couch, head spinning, eyes glazed, no sense of smell or taste just to name a few of today's hi-lights.
Today I can't pick between two photo's so you get them both. They are both so different that I couldn't choose to like one more than the other. Let me know which you like best.
Both are taken at our local Pukekura Park, here in New Plymouth. It is probably somewhere I will return throughout the month as there is just so MANY beautiful photos waiting to be taken there - Next time I plan on not feeling like the ground is moving beneath me though!
Day 5 links up here where you can find many other great photos and bloggers joining this challenge. My favourite from day 5 was this one from vintage moonbeam.
Right now off to hide some more on my couch with blanket and crochet.....
Today I just about passed out while forcing myself out for fresh air and photo's but I got some great shots and now I am home back with my blanket and couch, head spinning, eyes glazed, no sense of smell or taste just to name a few of today's hi-lights.
Today I can't pick between two photo's so you get them both. They are both so different that I couldn't choose to like one more than the other. Let me know which you like best.
Both are taken at our local Pukekura Park, here in New Plymouth. It is probably somewhere I will return throughout the month as there is just so MANY beautiful photos waiting to be taken there - Next time I plan on not feeling like the ground is moving beneath me though!
Day 5 links up here where you can find many other great photos and bloggers joining this challenge. My favourite from day 5 was this one from vintage moonbeam.
Right now off to hide some more on my couch with blanket and crochet.....
Friday, June 10, 2011
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 4
Day 4 of White Peach 30 Day Photography Challenge. I have so been looking forward to todays theme - green. Green is my favourite colour and with some of the awesome shots I have seen from some fellow 30 day challengers I knew this had lots of room for creativity.
I had this vision of myself going and capturing some photo's of our beautiful lush green country side here in New Plymouth, New Zealand. But thanks to the final arrival of winter this has not happened. I woke up with the worst headache, thanks to being all blocked up. My ears feel like they are full of water and I am all dizzy (awesome winter, thanks so much). So heading out in the wonderful rain, that has presented itself today, was not going to happen.
I had all but given up hope on my green pictures, wrapped in a blanket on the couch, hiding away crocheting a new hat. When I looked outside I realised that not only was the light of day disappearing but the rain had also eased a little too. I thought to myself either I am committed to this challenge, and I will do my best to find something, or I'm not, and I might as well give up now. So I donned myself the Hubbys camo jacket (pictured below as it too was green and I thought you might want to see my styles for the shoot) and a pair of his gumboots and headed out to the backyard armed with camera.
I ended up with so many awesome shots and felt proud of myself for not giving up but making the best out of what I had - which was a backyard, some rain and lots of green around me. I just needed to look with different eyes, take off the perfect green NZ paddock glasses I had given myself for this task and look at the beauty that God has created all around me.
I love the raindrops caught on the leaves. Don't ask me what kind of plant it is as I'm not a plant/flower/tree/shrub knowledgeable person. It grows by my mailbox and it looks lush and green.
I also really liked these pictures too so I am going to add them as a bonus for today.
I am loving the challenge and learning so much. Please leave your comments if you are visiting from white peach and feel free to offer me some advice as I have no idea what I am really doing. I also enjoy seeing your 30 day photo's too. To find more day 4 photo's check over here.
I had this vision of myself going and capturing some photo's of our beautiful lush green country side here in New Plymouth, New Zealand. But thanks to the final arrival of winter this has not happened. I woke up with the worst headache, thanks to being all blocked up. My ears feel like they are full of water and I am all dizzy (awesome winter, thanks so much). So heading out in the wonderful rain, that has presented itself today, was not going to happen.
I had all but given up hope on my green pictures, wrapped in a blanket on the couch, hiding away crocheting a new hat. When I looked outside I realised that not only was the light of day disappearing but the rain had also eased a little too. I thought to myself either I am committed to this challenge, and I will do my best to find something, or I'm not, and I might as well give up now. So I donned myself the Hubbys camo jacket (pictured below as it too was green and I thought you might want to see my styles for the shoot) and a pair of his gumboots and headed out to the backyard armed with camera.
I ended up with so many awesome shots and felt proud of myself for not giving up but making the best out of what I had - which was a backyard, some rain and lots of green around me. I just needed to look with different eyes, take off the perfect green NZ paddock glasses I had given myself for this task and look at the beauty that God has created all around me.
I love the raindrops caught on the leaves. Don't ask me what kind of plant it is as I'm not a plant/flower/tree/shrub knowledgeable person. It grows by my mailbox and it looks lush and green.
I also really liked these pictures too so I am going to add them as a bonus for today.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 3
Day 3 of the White Peach Photography challenge
Today's weather wasn't looking too promising on the weather forecast on the news last night. So when I opened the dining room curtains this morning and saw a the beginning of dawn breaking through the dreary sky I thought I would get some shots just in case the weather man was right. Today the sky seems to be one yucky grey cloud with no real cloud definition. So lucky I managed to capture this earlier.
I really liked Helen's day 3 here from Onetrickpony and thought I would play with the same idea and as I said lucky I did as today has really not offered anything else. Although I still think hers is amazing and 100 times cooler than mine is, it is where I got my inspiration for this picture.
If you are visiting from White peach please leave me a comment as I would love to check out your photo challenge too. I need all the help I can get and am enjoying having a look around at what everyone is doing. The link to everyone elses day 3 - clouds, is here.
Today's weather wasn't looking too promising on the weather forecast on the news last night. So when I opened the dining room curtains this morning and saw a the beginning of dawn breaking through the dreary sky I thought I would get some shots just in case the weather man was right. Today the sky seems to be one yucky grey cloud with no real cloud definition. So lucky I managed to capture this earlier.
I really liked Helen's day 3 here from Onetrickpony and thought I would play with the same idea and as I said lucky I did as today has really not offered anything else. Although I still think hers is amazing and 100 times cooler than mine is, it is where I got my inspiration for this picture.
If you are visiting from White peach please leave me a comment as I would love to check out your photo challenge too. I need all the help I can get and am enjoying having a look around at what everyone is doing. The link to everyone elses day 3 - clouds, is here.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Bear Ears
I found this sweet pattern online at Raverly but you can also get it from Bernat here. Squeak loves it and it fits him perfectly.
It was my second proper crochet project and I am super happy with it. I have lots planned for this pattern. I used Moda Vera Marvel Plain 8ply and a 5mm hook. The pattern is in U.S. terms but used this converter to figure it out in U.K. terms. I am starting a blue and chocolate one for a friends baby and I am going to attempt to also alter the pattern and make a straight beanie and flower. See how I go.......
If I can make this and am a very novice crocheter anyone can!
It was my second proper crochet project and I am super happy with it. I have lots planned for this pattern. I used Moda Vera Marvel Plain 8ply and a 5mm hook. The pattern is in U.S. terms but used this converter to figure it out in U.K. terms. I am starting a blue and chocolate one for a friends baby and I am going to attempt to also alter the pattern and make a straight beanie and flower. See how I go.......
If I can make this and am a very novice crocheter anyone can!
30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 2
So day two (for me) of the 30 Day Photography Challenge. I liked this one and had lots of fun playing around with shots.
So seeing today was what I wore I thought it was a good chance to have a bit of a play around with some clothes too. So what I wore today took a little more thinking than throwing on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt but I like what I came up with. Hope you do too.
Leave me a comment if you are popping over to visit from white peach so I can check out your photo's too. Day two links to here if you want to see what everyone else did.
So seeing today was what I wore I thought it was a good chance to have a bit of a play around with some clothes too. So what I wore today took a little more thinking than throwing on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt but I like what I came up with. Hope you do too.
Leave me a comment if you are popping over to visit from white peach so I can check out your photo's too. Day two links to here if you want to see what everyone else did.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
30 Day Photography Challenge
After some much loved pressure from dear friend Helen over at Onetrickpony I too am going to join in the 30 day photography challenge. I have always loved her eye for photo's and always want to get the amazing pics she manages to. So as she is challenging herself to white peach's 30 day photography challenge and has asked me to as well I thought what better time to learn some trick and do lots of practicing.
The challenge is meant to be the 30 days of June but I am starting today a week behind - hoping I might be able to get some inspiration off everyone who has gone before me!
Here are the guidelines:
You can also leave a comment in each day at white peach with your url for your pic for the day over here. White Peach also has a button to add to your page if you want to link as well. So if anyone else wants to join me - a week late and being able to get tips from other people - feel free to jump on board. I need more help than anyone I know so the more people I can ask for hints the better.
Here is day one:
The challenge is meant to be the 30 days of June but I am starting today a week behind - hoping I might be able to get some inspiration off everyone who has gone before me!
Here are the guidelines:
You can also leave a comment in each day at white peach with your url for your pic for the day over here. White Peach also has a button to add to your page if you want to link as well. So if anyone else wants to join me - a week late and being able to get tips from other people - feel free to jump on board. I need more help than anyone I know so the more people I can ask for hints the better.
Here is day one:
I am hoping that this may inspire some people like me who have no idea what they are doing and see this as a great opportunity to learn.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Crochet!!! and a finally completed striped jacket.
As I said in my last post I was hoping to get Jaybugs jacket finished by the weekend. Well it's Wednesday and it was all finished Tuesday. So I think that's close enough. I'm unsure how happy I am with it.
I love the colours but as you sew it together with the reverse as the right side it's a little untidy. I am a perfectionist and things that show the flaws are something I struggle with. My control on the world is having everything in its place and clutter sends me spinning. Its just a knitted jacket, I know...... But that but is still there. Jaybug loves it so I feel special to her. I guess I need to work a little more on the letting go of silly things, like the not quite perfectness of the jacket.
I love the colours but as you sew it together with the reverse as the right side it's a little untidy. I am a perfectionist and things that show the flaws are something I struggle with. My control on the world is having everything in its place and clutter sends me spinning. Its just a knitted jacket, I know...... But that but is still there. Jaybug loves it so I feel special to her. I guess I need to work a little more on the letting go of silly things, like the not quite perfectness of the jacket.
I am up to issue 3 of the Art of Crochet series. I am unsure how long I will buy it for as at $9.99 and 120 issues - I'm sure I can do a lot of really cool things with $1200! But it is really good the way the show you how to and I am enjoying the patterns that I have collected so far.
I have made 2 of the first 3 throw squares. I'm not overly fond of the fact my squares don't seem to be square. There is something I just am not doing right yet and I can't tell you how many times I have unpulled them and remade them..... As you can see below they curl in at the edges. Is my tension too tight? I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
I also took an Youtube tutorial on making flowers.
It was quite fast and I had to keep going over it. But I managed to get the general gist (I am learning this is important, not perfection of a pattern, to making it work) of it and have been making some flowers from my head.
I have visions of myself making super amazing block blankets (that's not going too well is it!), funky headbands and hats, just to name a few. I have made 2 head bands so far and am learning how to make adjustments to get them to sit/fit better.
I have been reading lots of crochet blogs to get ideas and inspiration. One of my favs is PaisleyJade and she has just put together this awesome How to crochet here. I love the colours and fun she brings to crochet and I aspire to her coolness of crochet.
There are 2 sets of terms that crochet patterns are written in - UK and US. I knew this as I had read it somewhere, about making sure you stick to what you learn in. But then the most helpful thing I uncovered was that US terms and UK terms use the same names for stitches but they mean completely different things! This is where I had spend hours getting confused previously. I found this conversion chart here which illustrates it quite well. Yeah, ok, I might seem a little crazy but this was a super big deal in my crochet learning world!
When looking for crochet books to purchase to help with my crochet coolness, I stumbled on this blog from thornberry and she has a page for her crochet library. It is quite a good idea as I have been able to google the books and find out more about them and if any of them would suit me.
After looking into one that caught my attention I decided I must buy it. I managed to find it cheapest at The Book Depository. They have free delivery world wide and with our $NZD being at the best time to buy I got myself my very own copy of 200 Crochet Blocks. It worked out to be roughly $24 including the charge for the credit card to buy from overseas. Over half the price I have found it online in NZ! It took exactly 7 days from when it was sent to arrival. I was so SUPER EXCITED the day it arrived.
I know this will be a fab addition to my brand new crochet library. I have so many fantastic ideas as I flick through this book. The colours are great and the patterns easy to follow. I just need to master some more skill first!
There is a amazingly beautiful blanket shown in here that I am just biting at the bit to make for Jaybug. Here are my first two squares - Lots of practice still needed to get them right though, but the blanket is enough motivation to keep practicing.
After such a great experience with The Book Depository I have my second addition to the crochet library on the way. I am eagerly awaiting its arrival!
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