Free Download

Lis asked me the other day to create a any month calendar for a 12x12 page like this one....

So I did but I thought I would also share it with you.  It measures about 10" (25cm) square but you should be able to adjust the size without losing quality.

You can download the original size file from Flickr here -

1. Just right click on the image in flickr
2. Choose "View original size"
3. Click on the "Download the original size of this photo"
4. Save the file to your own system

There is a grey version and a turquoise version to choose from.  I might even add some other colours too, if I get any requests.

I have been busy with print orders from clients for Xmas and I am slowly getting on top of those, but the other day I managed to get some me time at the Dome cafe while waiting for my daughter Gemma to finish rehearsals for Awards Night at school.  Whilst relaxing and reading for about 45 mins I was also playing with my iPhone and Hipstamatic and managed to snap this one.

At the awards night that evening Gemma received the Academic Achievement Award for Dance Stage 1 and was also named the Arts (Dance) Captain for next year - so we were all very proud of our girl and all her achievements this year with her dancing competitions, exams, teaching and of course school.  Well done chicken!

Right, I need to get off here and have a nice cuppa before Gemma's friends arrive for a photo session.....I'm afraid, very afraid - just kidding, I'm actually looking forward to it!

Lola la la la Lola

Sorry, I couldn't resist singing cause I'm kinda happy.
After a few rough weeks I have started to feel better and today my Epiphanie Lola Bag arrived to make me pretty darned happy indeed......

I didn't want to open it up in the Post Office carpark like I normally do. I restrained myself until I got home so I could take some photos.

There really is heaps of room in here, can't wait to pack it up and see how it travels.

Things are starting to get back to normal around here. I'm on the mend health wise although I still have a way to go before I feel 100%. Gemma's Dance Competitions are over - 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 bronze from 6 performances was an amazing effort. Here she is with her boyfriend who also competed in the Acrobatic Troupe on finals night......Gemma is on the right!

Renae is settling into working fulltime and Steve is as busy as ever although he has promised me a week off very soon!

My "Get your camera off Auto" workshop commences on 9th August at Tomorrow's Memories and the class is nearly full, so if you are sitting on the fence then perhaps now is the time to book in! If you are attending and you are a Facebook member then you can get to know the other students by RSVP'g here. I am really looking forward to meeting some new friends and also catching up with some "old" ones!

I'm hoping I will be back here sooner rather than later....until then take care.

Stepping Away

It's a long weekend here in WA and I have tried not to sit on the computer this weekend and get back to doing the things I love. Baking and Sewing have been on the agenda today....Steve's favourite....

Gemma has been competing in the Dance Quest competition this weekend too and whilst she didn't place in her Modern Solo on Thursday she did get a Honourable Mention with Medal, on Friday for her Slow Modern Solo....she danced beautifully and even made her old Mum cry. Very proud of you Gemma - well done, the competition was fierce!

That's it for today, I might be back tomorrow with some more photos of my sewing projects!
Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe on the roads.

She Won!

So proud of our Gemma! She came first last night after performing her Modern Solo in the Intermediate section for the first time. Now comes the Open Section in the June Competitions. We are not allowed to take photos at the Competitions and she won't pose with her trophies for me, so all I have are her two trophies from this week!

Break

Yes I know I have been missing around here - I really needed a break from everything and Easter proved to be the time to do just that. I slept in, I read books, watched movies, caught up on some me time and generally relaxed (so did Steve for 1 day - that's good for him), Oh and I devoured some chocolate too of course.

The first week of the school holidays is over and Gemma is competing in the West Coast Dance Festival at St Mary's twice this week., On Tuesday night she placed 2nd in the Slow Modern section out of a group of 18! I cried the first time she did this routine back in October last year because I hadn't seen it before, this time I was really good and controlled myself. Another trophy to add to the shelf - Steve is going to have to build a new shelf soon I think. We are off there again tonight for her Modern Solo section, she won this one last October so she has moved up to the Intermediate section, wishing her luck!

I have managed to pick up my camera a few times and snap some photos just for me - for no particular reason other than to try new things, new settings etc. Here's just one I have had time to edit....

A 50mm F1.4 lens in on my wishlist so perhaps it would have been a better choice than the 24-105mm that seems to be permanently attached to my camera at the moment, not so good for close up Macro shots.

I have also managed to get some layouts finished off over the last week or so and it has been quite a satisfying experience to get back into scrapping. I always forget to change my lens before photographing them so please excuse the distortion on this one.....

This one is loosely based on Lis' Millions of Photos class from the Wave Rock Retreat last month. I'm a bit rusty at the moment so I'm liking that I have a starting point like Lis' classes and then adding my own little touches - and notice that I journaled too. Journaling I have realised is an important element that I need to add more often to my pages - to tell the story and not rely on my memory, which seems to be getting worse the older I get.

I have a couple of Family Photo Sessions booked this week (one very special family of 18) so I'm looking forward to being back with some sneak peeks very soon.

Take care and enjoy your weekend!

Cassey Family Sneak Peeks & Weekend

Last Thursday I had so much fun photographing Lis and her gorgeous family - well some of them anyway. You can check out some of the photos on Lis' blog but I thought I would share a few of the boys here before I move on to editing all 93 photos I have chosen from the 400 plus that I took. We had a great time together and I haven't laughed that hard for a long time! They were such a joy to "watch" through the lens especially when Lis and her sister had a laughing fit.

and something I'm loving right now...........storyboards!

We spent last weekend in Mandurah as Gemma competed in a Dance Competition on Saturday night. Her Acro Troupe placed second - a fantastic effort from all involved. Being the last night of the comp it was Gala night and it proved to be very entertaining with Mature and Motivated sections with ladies and gents hamming it up for the audience - very funny! There was also a "Production" section which we hadn't come across before so that was also great to watch with huge numbers of performers all on stage at the same time - A wonderful evening!

I'm hoping to get some creating done this week, just for me, so with any luck I will be back with a project to share and of course more edited photos from Lis' photoshoot.

Have a great week everyone!

She's 16 today!

I'm glad I've had my first cup of tea for the day because blogging this one is not going to be easy!

My eldest daughter Renae turns 16 today! Happy Birthday sweetheart, I hope all your dreams come true.

After fighting to keep you for 5 months during my pregnancy, you were born at 23:23 on 23rd September 1992 weighing 9lb 7oz and our world changed from that moment on. You have grown into a beautiful young lady with a caring, thoughtful and all round gorgeous nature that we are extremely proud of. As you enter the next stage of your life and alot of changes are going to happen in the coming years, we wish you all the love and happiness you deserve. Love Mum, Dad and Gemma xxx.

Renae had a big 16th party with all her friends on Saturday night complete with bonfire....

I was informed after everyone went home that "it was the best party ever". Phew!

Last Friday night Gemma performed at her School Dance concert and was the star of the show with 9 appearances throughout the night and she was named Best Dancer for Year 9! Well done to my Dancing Queen! Steve got to see her solo competition routine and was blown away - he was speechless! I hope to take a photo of her with her trophy on the weekend. We have her Bullsbrook Dance Academy concert this Friday night, Competition next Tuesday at Karrinyup and then we are finished for the year! I'm looking forward to a break from dancing and I'm sure Gemma is too.

I'm working on my workshops for Hyden and should have some more sneak peaks later in the week.

We also have our Nieces wedding on Sunday which we are all looking forward to, she is going to make a stunning bride! Hopefully I can snap a few pictures and post up next week. I might even get a family shot of the four of us if I'm lucky!!!!!!!! Now that's rare.

Proud Mum Moment!

Last night was Open Night at the girls' school. We knew Gemma was performing and Renae was helping out with recording the events on Video Camera. Gemma has been on pointe for about 3-4 months now and I really didn't know what to expect as I had not seen her dance for a while, in fact I had no idea the dance included her being on pointe - she has so many routines that she is part of including Cheer Leading that I just can't keep up! Anyway here is some of what we saw............

Her little solo on pointe in the middle of the routine. I'm very proud of both our girls and their willingness to participate, both doing something that they enjoy. Renae behind the camera (like me) and Gemma in front of the camera performing!

MIA

Yes this week is nearly over thank goodness, here’s where I’ve been in bullet form:

• Wednesday – Renae’s boyfriend stayed here the night – in the office with the door locked from the outside (just kidding!).


• Thursday – Took kids to school and Gemma had her awards in the afternoon and she danced her solo routine and did a fabulous job – she was soooooo nervous doing it in front of her friends. Gemma also received an Endeavour award for Media Studies – YAY well done darlin! Why is it so hard to get good photos at School assemblies?????
  In the evening was Gemma’s Full Dress Rehearsal for Dance concert – went smoothly. Got in about 10.15pm after an hours drive home.


• Friday – Gemma had Kalamunda Water Slides for the day. Renae’s boyfriend was leaving for Melbourne with his family (he will be back at the start of the 2008 school year). So off to get luggage to the airport and see them off at 6.00pm….a few tears were shed. Steve home from a few days away at work – thank goodness. Gemma had last Acro class last night.


• Saturday – Steve has gone off to work for the day – Renae’s work rang and cancelled her shift today – apparently Woollies are cutting back on staff’s hours due to the little turnover they have been doing lately – yeah right!!!!!!!
  Off to Dance Concert about 11.00am – Matinee and Evening performance – should be home about 11.00pm.


• Sunday – sleeping!!!!!!!!!!!!! All Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In between and when I have been at home I have managed to finish another 2 bags as Chrissy gifts - can't show you though because they read my blog. One of them I want to keep myself I like it so much. Isn't that always the way?

Lis is having a give away on her blog – she has made an awesome Christmas stocking and you can win it if you guess the exact day and time she will have her baby girl! Lis is three days overdue now so head on over and take a guess! I do hope she comes soon for you Lis.

I know I have been neglecting my Messageboard over at sharonmanning.com.au but I promise I will be back posting by Monday or Tuesday. I have some exciting things planned for the New Year which need some attention now (well last week really!!!) so once I get all this “stuff” out the way I will be back. Oh and the 12x12 Acrylic Frames are now back in stock (well they will be when I can get to the manufacturer to pick them up - but they are made!).

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and catch you next week!

Royal Show

We joined the masses and braved the chill to take the kids to the Royal Show last night. We don't go every year but this year was one that we had to go (according to the girls!). Renae took Lachlan and Gemma took Emily which was great as they both had a friend to enjoy it with. I on the other hand had fun playing with the settings on my camera so here are a couple from the night.....

Gemma before riding the "Super Nova"....looking oh so confident!

Gemma whilst riding the "Super Nova".....screaming her lungs out!!!!!!!!!!

And After riding the "Super Nova"......well a picture says a thousand words!

When we got home I went to download my photos and had heart failure! It asked me to format my CF card........panic stricken, I went to bed very angry. This morning with a clear mind I searched around the net for a program to recover my precious photos. Thank goodness I found one, downloaded it and recovered 90% of them. Some were all funny colours and looked like 3 photos in one. Has this happened to anyone before? and do you know the cause of it so I can avoid it happening again in the future? Any assistance would be appreciated ;-)

Early start today, up at 6am as Gemma performed in her Star Wars Acrobatic Troupe at the West Coast Spring Dance Competition. They were the only troupe in their category but still performed as they had to score a minimum number of points to win.....win they did. A bit of an anti-climax, but their Teacher was very happy! Gemma has another Acrobatic Troupe on Saturday night in the open section which is a little more competitive......looking forward to seeing the finals on the night too.

I'll be back tomorrow with some sewing pictures.

Oh and it's your last chance to send me a Tip or Technique for my website and be in the draw to win a Fiskars Drill! See previous post.

Thanks for checking in!