Baby gifts revealed - at last!

I've been working on some gifts and cards for Mel, Eva and her family for a while and now that she's here I can show my handiwork.

I'm quite proud of myself - I used my newly aquired sewing machine and actually made something pretty - baby bunting!!!








I also made a couple of cards - one for the very important BIG BROTHER and another for Mel and Darren with Eva's name written in bling. I was really pleased with the way these turned out too!

She's Here!!!!

I'm extremely pleased to report that baby Eva Frances was born yesterday morning at 11.12am following a dramatic and exciting morning trying desperately to get the hospital in a blizzard!

Mel and Darren had to abandon their car at the foot of a hill in the snow to call an ambulance so that baby could be delivered safely - it was that or the back of the Vauxhall Astra!

Trying hard to get the hospital in time, their 8 year old son and I travelled in every which direction to get through and were blocked by cars and snow at every turn. Luckily we made it through eventually when a passer-by gave us a new route. The ambulance raced past us on the way to the hospital. We made it!!!

Both mum and baby are doing amazingly well and should be at home later today.
I took almost 300 photos of the awesome event and we will post the best few once Mum has actually had a chance to see them!

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Beautiful icicles have formed on our conservatory window ledge and look amazing so I popped out into the snow and ice with the dog this morning to take a few snaps - forgot my coat, scarf and gloves in the excitement. BBBbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRR

Snow in MK

Snow landed in MK on Saturday afternoon and had us all in a panic what with baby still not trying to put in an appearance. Luckily she decided not to make plans on Saturday night and here we are Monday morning still (im)patiently waiting.

Well, the snow certainly does make everything look pretty but I wish it was warmer!!!!

WOYWW - Christmas Tags

Only 10 days to go til the big day then!!!! Ahhhhhh

Mel is still HUGE and the baby is now well and truly oven baked and ready. Shame she's decided to stay in there - I dont blame her - apparently there is snow on the way again!

On WOYWW today, I have some tags for the Christmas tag swap on UKS. I decided not to go with the traditional luggage tag look, but create my own little tree tags using my scalloped circle punch, some bling and glitter glue. I have dithered for ages over buying the scalloped circle punch - but what a great investment its been so far - especially for making cards etc!

If you would like to nose around on other people's workdesks for inspiration (and to make yourself feel better cos yours is soooo much tidier/messier) drop by Julia's blog http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com to join in the mayhem!

Karate Kids

My two went for grading again on Sunday - this time it was for their Green belts! They were brilliant and passed with flying colours!





Well done kids - only 4 more til black!

Reflecting

A lovely assignment set on the course - reflecting.
I used a mirror and Christmas baubles (finally unpacked from the loft) and a few tealights that were needed to brighten and soften the shots.

I really struggled not to get the rest of the room reflected in the mirror so I used a macro for close up. I'm very pleased with the results.

2 of my favourite things

The assignment today was to take photos of two objects - one in and one out of focus- I didnt even know my camera (or I) was capable!

The shots aren't brilliant - a bit grainy but I finally got the idea and got some snaps that captured that depth of field. Very proud I was too!

I guess my ISO setting was wrong and I'm not sure I got the right white balance either but, I am quite pleased with the result AND the fact I can actually manage it. Now off for more practice!

Blinded by the Light

My favourite assignment so far - photographing candles!

Triptych

I am still following Cheryl Johnsons 12 Days of Christmas photography course and have learnt quite a lot about camera settings and ways of making photos more interesting. I really need more practice and a couple of the assignments I havent been able to do due to not having any Christmas lights around.




Yesterday she asked us to produce a Triptych (I think thats right)! It is a montage of 3 photos (or art generally) that complement each other. As our Christmas tree went up in the office, I had a rummage through the decorations to produce something that was a little festive with my macro shooting. I'm quite pleased with the results and can see how three pics together can be more interesting.
Some of the other ladies on the course produced amazingly beautiful shots of ice and satsumas - awesome!

WOYWW - Christmas gift tags

Gift tags on my desk this week!

One of my colleagues has commissioned 20 tags for Christmas and left the design and style to me - so here's the first few!

Go and take a look at WOYWW with Julia at Stamping Groud - http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com