Life is Busy - but FUN!

Wow! - 2 weeks of March have almost passed and this is the first chance I have had, to update my blog...my apologies if you have been waiting on the next installment. Life has just been busy... every day this month has just been a whirlwind - and I wouldn't have it any other way! It started with a wonderful opportunity to be a wedding photographer's assistant - not taking any photos, only observing and carrying equipment ;-).... it was a wonderful experience. The day was pouring with rain and even from the venue we could see the river rising - our whole region had been put on flood watch. However, the photographer was very calm - he handled the conditions very well and had a wonderful rapport with the couple, this all made the day go very smoothly and I know the photos will be beautiful! I took a photography class with Ben back in January - I love his work, it is very natural and spontaneous and it has certainly changed the way I use my camera. Here are a few photos I took of my youngest daughter, on the weekend trying to put some of those new skills to use.



Next on my busy schedule was a focus on "Creative Memories" - firstly, a worskhop event sharing my latest design work, then preparing for a presentation of my new ideas... to present next month (in Queensland ) followed up, by putting the finishing touches to a Design Team assignment - can't wait to share that one with you!.. a mixture of traditional and digital layouts showcasing some gorgeous new products - yes, watch this space!! Yesterday, I attended a photographic exhibition by a local photographer that I also admire - she has been working on a project that gives a voice to women suffering from abuse - if you are in my local area please check it out - it is truly amazing, all photographed in Black & White and such powerful images...you can find more information here. I thought today, I should take some time-out and do something a little more relaxing - that of course meant reaching for those beloved Copics and doing a little bit of colouring. This year my nephew and my daughter both turn 21, as do many of their friends and birthday cards are high on my list of requests. Therefore, I thought I should simplify the card making process and it started, by limiting myself to the colours used...Copic Markers, Printed Papers and Embellishments. I waste a lot of time on decision making, but I have to admit, I found having a smaller selection of items to choose from, was just as tough.

This is Nevaeh a digital image from Krista at Saturated Canary - she is simply gorgeous!

Copics Used:

Skin- E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks/Lips R20/R42
Hair - E27, E25, E21
Dress/Shoes - R21, R22, R24
Stockings - W1, W3, W5
Sash/Petticoat - B91, B93, B95

I added some clear kindy glitz to the dress, but for some reason it photographed a bit like a gold speckle - see my photography skills have much to improve on LOL! I kept the embellishments to a minimum too, a few flowers & rhinestones, a lace doily and a computer generated sentiment. I thought I would enter it in the current challenge at Saturated Canary - there are some beautiful cards being shared over there.. using doilies as embellishments...very inspiring work.

The other card I completed today was using one of the new Mad for Markers Digital Images - this one is simply called Birthday Girl #1 - aren't her striped stockings adorable? I used the same colour combination and decorative product to make this card and despite my initial hesitation with limited choices - I am happy with the outcome - head on over to the Mad for Markers Blog for more information on this creation and the 2nd Birthday celebrations of the online store. You might also want to check out the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog - this month's challenge is all about colour limitation too...with lots of Monochromatic Fun.



If you have managed to read right to the end of this blog post I applaud you LOL!! ...and what comes next on my busy life agenda you may ask? - well stay tuned, I am off to Melbourne on Sunday to participate in the Copic Intermediate Certification. I am looking forward to learning some new techniques to share with you soon.