Alley Space

Time for a Clean Up

2009-08-16T23:19:00.002+10:00

Since moving I have had to change my internet provider, therefore I have had to change my email address etc. I felt it was time to clean things up around here. Do you ever find that you start all these things (like numerous blogs etc) and it ends up very very messy and you can never remember how to 'sign in' etc.

So I have had a little clean up. I will no longer be posting here but will continue this blog over here at www.alexhughescraft.blogspot.com

Come on over and have a look around. If you have me saved to your favourites (maybe that is just my Mum and my friend :) then please delete this web address and save my new one. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come see me at the my new blog.

Bye

Alex

A need to scrapbook....

2009-08-13T14:11:00.003+10:00

I feel the need, the need to record more memories.

My scrapbooking has taken a backseat to just about everything lately and I miss it so much. So now that we are getting settled and life is not so chaotic I want to concentrate on getting more photos onto pages. Here is my attempt last night:

I used some Teresa Collins paper, Tim Holtz tags and lots of bits-n-pieces that I have lying around. Amazing how much craft stuff you can accumulate :) While downsizing my craft area I have had to have a major clean out. I am yet to decide how to get rid of the excess?????

Thanks for stopping by,

Alex

Hello Ian

2009-08-07T22:36:00.004+10:00

....he's my DT submission for The Stamp Spot blog this week.

I have to be honest and stay that I found him a challenge as it is not my normal 'style', if I really have a style. But it was fun to watercolour him in and I really enjoyed working on this card. He comes from The Greeting Farm stamps (will show you some more over the coming weeks). He can be purchased from The Stamp Spot along with Anya.

I found it amusing this week to see that the other girls from the DT picked Anya to feature on their cards and I picked Ian. (You can see the others at The Stamp Spot Blog.) Does that say something about me with my three boys, I just gravitated towards the boy image? Weird, considering I love all things girly I looked at the girl images I was sent and didn't know where to start with them. There in lies my next challenge, watercolouring girl images. Will get on to that this week and see what I can come up with. Keep watching..................

Bye,

Alex

PS. Message from The Stamp Spot "All orders made in August go into the draw for the chance to win 20% off your next order. Each order made during the month gets one entry into the draw. Enter as many times as you like, with a valid purchase. Good luck!"

Design Team Submission

2009-07-30T22:18:00.003+10:00

I thought I would share with you the card I submitted for the Design Team at The Stamp Spot.

I love, love, love this Teresa Collins stamp. And that little mirror and the pom poms make me smile.

Thanks for stopping by,

Alex

Design Team Member

2009-07-24T14:15:00.003+10:00

....for The Stamp Spot. Woohoo!

I am really excited to be joining Marcia and her team of designers for The Stamp Spot. I always love a reason to create and this should give me the perfect opportunity to do so.

So keep an eye out here and on The Stamp Spot blog for my creations using goodies from Marcia's store.

We have finally finished up at our old house and are happily living amoung what feels like a million boxes. I got to create a little last night and that was nice. But I can't wait to be all organised and back at my craft table every day. Unfortunately I don't have internet at the new house yet, I have had to come to McDonalds to update here and check my emails. So I wasn't prepared with any photos of creations, so sorry for no picture today. But will hopefully be connected up late next week and I will be back to share some crafty goodness then.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bye

Alex

Bitter Sweet

2009-07-13T22:05:00.003+10:00

With all the excitement of moving to our new property I completely overlooked how I would feel about leaving this place. Tonight will be Jackson's last night of sleeping at this home. Tomorrow he is off on a holiday to Tasmania with Nanny (scary for me in it's own right) and I realised as he got ready for bed that when he returns he will not be coming back here. Sob!

This is what my little boy looked liked when we moved in back in 2003.

He was three and a half years old and already a big brother to one. And this is when I put him to bed tonight for the last time here, in this house.

Nearly six years between the two photos. Man, that has gone soooo fast. Sigh! Such an emotional time. I am sure I will go through it all again in a few days when the rest of us spend our last night here.

Alex

New Home & a New Baby

2009-07-13T15:56:00.003+10:00

The new home is ours.................not the baby :)

Today we received the keys to our new home and permission to move in early. Yay!!!! I am sooooo excited.

We pottered around up there a little bit and the kids ran around having a great time. Tomorrow I will start cleaning and this weekend coming we will begin the heavy work. I can't wait to start the next chapter of our lives here.

Now, the new baby is my cousins. She had a baby boy this week and my Mum is off to see her and ordered a special baby card.

Hope she likes it.

Loving these Jillibean Soup Journalling Sprouts (spots). They are so cute. And the Tim Holtz adage tickest. Mmmmm.

Off to pack some more boxes.

Bye

Alex

Cardmaking in the Chaos

2009-07-08T20:15:00.003+10:00

The chaos of moving house that is!

I have packed up most of my crafting supplies (gasp!!) and only have a select few things out that I couldn't bear to pack yet. After all I still have just under 2 weeks to go - I couldn't go without any supplies.

Here are some cards made with some new goodies I have picked up lately:

Simple, quick cards and I hope they bring you some 'Delight'.

Thanks for stopping by.

Alex

Some cards

2009-07-03T19:16:00.003+10:00

Published!

2009-05-31T09:54:00.004+10:00

I always get so excited when I open a magazine and see my work in there. Here is my contribution to the newest Cardmaking, Stamping & Papercraft magazine.

I bought these stamps last year when we went on a trip to Bowral. I just love them.

And the chipboard shapes on the cards were a present from a special friend for Christmas. She knows me well obviously! Thanks Debbie.

Alex

Some Paper Therapy

2009-05-30T20:27:00.004+10:00

Yep,

raining all day

soccer called off

photo shoot postponed

boys on playstation (big one included)

equals scrapbooking time for me!!! Yay!!!

And I finally, finally finished Nathan's birthday book from when he turned three (yep, over twelve months ago).

The bug has bitten and I can't wait to be able to do some more.

Photo Shoot

2009-05-29T21:26:00.003+10:00

My friend Liz has been doing a photography course online over the last few weeks and asked me to 'model' for her to practice. While I don't usually like having my photo taken, I jumped at the chance because in all honesty I have very few photos of myself.

I love how they turned out. Here are a few of my favs:

And tomorrow she will practice on the family. Can't wait.

Yippee....scrappin'!

2009-05-28T22:27:00.003+10:00

Two posts in one day and the reason is because I scrapped.

I had given up on digi scrapping for quite a while now and tonight I decided that I needed to go back to it. My scrapping studio is outside in a cold metal shed where I don't desire to spend cold near-winter evenings so therefore, I don't go out there. And therefore, I don't get any scrapping done. Hopefully, this will all change one day but in the meantime I think I need to get some digital scrapbooking done.

I was looking through my photos and came across this one. I took it a couple of days ago and felt the need to record the moment straight away before I forgot the feelings this picture evoked. It's a cold night and I am sitting in a warm lounge room in front of my favourite show and the computer is the best way to scrap it. So here it is, my first digi page in quite a while.

Love these boys.

Alex

Just a little therapy.....

2009-05-28T16:00:00.002+10:00

.....is all anyone needs.

Card making and papercrafting is my therapy. Scrapbooking is taking a backseat at the moment, so I need to do something about that. I miss it and there are stories & memories that need recording.

Anyway, here are some more cards I have been creating:

Alex

Busy, busy, busy

2009-05-19T23:27:00.004+10:00

Life has been super busy lately with exciting things going on at the Hughes household. Squeezing in a little cardmaking when I can as I am getting ready for a Craft Expo this weekend. Find details here.

Love this little Stampin' Up set called Crazy for Cupcakes. Used it with some paper scraps to whip up this cutie.

Hope to see you at the Central Coast Craft and Quilt Expo.

Bye,

Alex

Catch Up

2009-05-07T22:15:00.003+10:00

Life has been very busy and I'm lovin' it. Was going through (and sorting out) some photos tonight and found these projects:

I created this for Mum to give someone for their 21st Birthday a while ago. I love these colours together.

I had to create a special sized envelope for the card.

And of course I had to co-ordinate the gift.

Off to see what else I can find.

Alex

Some Card Goodness

2009-04-19T19:27:00.007+10:00

School holidays is such a busy time around here. Kids going here and there to visit Grandparents and keeping them occupied in between visits. Heaps of fun.

During all this I have found some time to create some cards. It truely makes me happy to create and I love that sometimes cards can come together so quickly.

This one is for my Mum to give to Nan for Mothers Day.

And this one is 'just because' (I LOVE this card)

And a bit of cupcake yummy.

Thanks for stopping by

Alex

Fascintating

2009-04-13T17:03:00.002+10:00

Found this on Ruby Claire's blog (very talented young girl) and thought it was so clever.

House of 3

2009-04-12T21:44:00.002+10:00

I stumbled across this place tonight and just love it. It inspired the new blog look, however I did purchase a blog background that is gorgeous with a chandelier and everything but I can't work out how to use it (thus the clean white look I quite like ATM). Am not too sure about the header, let me know what you think.

But I did purchase some png quotes and I can't wait to use them.

I love the inspiration and fun goodies you can find online.

Alex

Love This Quote

2009-04-09T22:35:00.000+10:00

"Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people do that,but the really great make you feel that you too,can become great" Mark Twain.

Cards for Inspiration

2009-04-09T21:27:00.002+10:00

Some insirational cards to share.

Have a fabulous Easter.

Alex

You're the Best

2009-04-06T23:16:00.002+10:00

Ooops, haven't shared anything for a little while. I have been busy with the new Stampin' Up catalogue over the last couple of weeks, you can check it all out here. But realised that I have neglected to share here.

So here is a little card eye candy:

So cute and fresh. Thanks for stopping by, you ARE the best.

Bye

Alex

More to share

2009-03-24T20:14:00.006+11:00

This last couple of weeks have been so full of birthdays. Here is the card and gift box I created for my Mum's birthday last week.

I used crepe paper to create the ruffled pendant on the card and box.

The bottom was made in the new In Color from Stampin' Up called Pink Pirouette. It's gorgeous and as a pure pink girl I am lovin' it.

The top was created from acetate and I added brown ric-rac around the sides.

Here I used my favourite SU set for the heart. I embossed it in white embossing powder on the Pink Pirouette cardstock. The background paper is from DCWV paper pad called "The Sweet Stack". Gorgeous papers with cupcakes etc.

Thanks for stopping by.

Alex

Baby Cards

2009-03-23T10:46:00.002+11:00

I bought the cheapest little set of acrylic stamps from Target recently, convinced that they would be no good (I mean $3.99 - how cheap!!). But they are great. Here is the result:

I love that little vintage pram. So cute.

Alex

Mr Bot

2009-03-15T22:37:00.004+11:00

Samuel had a birthday party to go to today and I had to whip up a card in a hurry. After sending him to the wrapping paper drawer to pick some paper for the present, I was inspired to create this:

I don't normally like doing paper piecing, but this came together really fast and seemed to be appropriate. See the wrapping paper and the little red guy up in the top corner and on the right hand side. He's my inspiration.

I shall name him "Mr Bot" :)

Happy Birthday

2009-03-15T08:14:00.005+11:00

I created this signature album for my girl friends birthday last week from some of the newest Kaiser papers. Here is her matching card:

I just love black and grey together. Very sophisticated don't you think? While I was in the swing of it I decided to create a whole set. I just couldn't stop.

Enjoy!

A little love....

2009-03-05T22:00:00.003+11:00

......for my Mum. Thought I would share my Mum's Valentines Day present with you.

I love my Bind-It-All.

And I love vintage tickets.

Alex

Favourite Photo.....

2009-02-20T10:53:00.004+11:00

this is one of mine! I read Jessica Sprague's blog today and she asked the question "What is your FAVOURITE photo and why?" As you all would know, that is a seriously HARD question for a scrapbooker and lover of photography. But I have to say, this photo is THE one that immediately came to mind. I have always loved this photo and it was taken back in 2006 when my last little boy was just a toddler.

This photo is a favourite because it represents what scrapbooking is to me. I didn't growl about my baby playing in the mud and getting dirty (I am not terribly fond of dirty children - Mmmm, and I have three boys! I am in trouble aren't I!!!) but I immediately went and got my camera and proceeded to take approx. 180 photos of this very moment. Because that is what it is all about, remembering the moments! Even if they are dirty ones :D

And this photo is pretty cute too! Look at that twinkle in the eyes.

Bye

Alex

My lovable boy

2009-02-18T21:29:00.003+11:00

Just a quick share today.

Bye,

Alex

Spreading the love.....

2009-02-13T22:08:00.005+11:00

This week has been a major creative high. The ideas just keep coming and coming and I can't seem to get my hands going as fast as my head. Ever felt like that?

Here are some cards to share with you:

Will share some more over the weekend.

Bye

Alex

Venturing into Etsy

2009-02-08T22:29:00.003+11:00

Do you know about Etsy?

It is a wonderful place where people like me and you can buy and sell all things handcrafted. Different to Ebay in that everything needs to be craft related or vintage craft related. Mmm, kinda like heaven!

Well, I have ventured into the world of Etsy with my own Etsy Store. I am making so many cards lately because my creative spark has gone into overdrive and I need to off load some - hence the market this weekend. This is a way for me to get my papercrafts out there to the big wide world. Gulp! Here are the first cards I have put in my 'shop':

Head on over HERE to take a look at my store and maybe venture into some others. If you click on my Favourites under my profile and then Favourite Sellers, you can see who I like and am inspired by. It's a fun place, give it a go. And if you happen to like any of mine, be sure to snap them up - it sure would make my day!! :)

Bye for now,

Alex Hughes

All you need is.......

2009-02-06T20:40:00.003+11:00

and I love this little frame. I have made it for the market next week but I am not so sure it will make it out the door!

And here is a card I made for my Mum to give to her friends daughter. Love making girlie things.

Bye for now

Alex Hughes

Terrigal Markets

2009-02-05T15:36:00.007+11:00

I have decided to hold a stall at the Terrigal Markets this month. It is on Valentines day, so that is less than two weeks to create a stall full of papercrafted goodies to sell. Now the kids are back to school I am finding more time to do so. And loving it!! Here are some of the cards I have been making:

Phew, I have been rather busy :)

Will be back to show you some more later. These are all available for purchase at the Terrigal Markets on February 14th if you are local (they are held at the Terrigal Primary School). Or if you would like to purchase any before then please email me at scrapalley@aapt.net.au and let me know.

Bye

Alex

Take up the Challenge

2009-02-03T14:04:00.006+11:00

I have always wanted to try out sketch challenges and colour challenges that people put up on their blogs but never seem to get around to it. I did do a couple of Kristina Werners and had fun doing them. But NEVER have I been sooo inspired as I am with the challenge on my favourite blog - Lilybean's Paperie. Melissa Phillips is giving away the most GORGEOUS bag and asking for you to post cards inspired by the bag. Honestly, it is taking me far longer to get this on my blog than it took to create it. Immediate inspiration! Here is the bag from Jillie Willie:

And here is my full card:

Really, really bright I know. But I like it. The pattern and colours of the bag just seem to work really well.

Thanks for stopping by, don't be shy and leave a comment if you like (I'd love to come and visit your blog!).

Bye

Alex

Happy Australia Day

2009-01-27T16:13:00.005+11:00

A day late I know, but I hope you all had a great Australia Day.

Just a couple of pages to show.

These snow cone photos were taken last year on Australia Day. They were HUGE.

Bye

Alex

Lots of crafting

2009-01-20T22:07:00.005+11:00

The kids have been with Mum for the last few days and I acutally got a fair bit of craft done. Some cards I can't show (going in for publication - woo hoo!) and also some scrapbook pages. I don't seem to do many of these lately, so it was really nice to get back into them.

This photo was taken on Mothers Day last year. And so was this one.

It's nice to sometimes have photos of myself, especially with the kids.

Alex

365 Challenge

2009-01-15T22:41:00.007+11:00

Taking the challenge.

Hoping for more photos this year.

Hoping to better my photography skills.

Hoping to look back on 2009 at a daily glance.

Hoping to complete the challenge. {LOL}

13-01-09

14-01-09

15-01-09

Scrapbooking pages......

2009-01-10T22:17:00.003+11:00

Finally got around to taking a couple of photographs.

Happy New Year....

2009-01-07T10:17:00.007+11:00

Bought these gorgeous Paris stamps on our trip to Bowral last year. It has taken me some time to get to playing with them. But I finally did and came up with a few cards that I can use 'just because'.

Alex

Edited to add: Hi Parischic, am hoping you check back here again as I cannot email you. The stamps that I used for the removed cards were by Cavallini & Co

Merry Christmas

2008-12-29T22:04:00.001+11:00

Had a fabulous Christmas, hope you did too!

Cover Girl

2008-12-19T21:38:00.001+11:00

Yippee!!! Best birthday present a girl could receive.

That's my card up in the top corner. Can't quite believe it actually!

It's been a while.....

2008-12-12T16:46:00.003+11:00

and here is a couple of things I have been up to:

Sam's birthday was this week. He is a kid who loves to put little bits and pieces in a box, so I made him this sparkly special box for his birthday.

And these are my little goodie bags for my craft friends. It is our Christmas dinner tonight so I whipped these up this afternoon. They house some of the most delectable jubes I have ever tasted (from Darrell Lea - DIVINE!), so I just had to get some to share.

Bye for now,

Alex

Digi Scrappin'

2008-11-22T22:17:00.001+11:00

Playing with some digital lately:

It's just around the corner

2008-10-31T21:48:00.002+11:00

Christmas is fast approaching and I am getting into the decorating spirit.

I have made a few items for display in the store. It was fun looking back over the old Christmas hat photos. Seems to be a tradition every year and I can't wait to get the hats out and take this years pics.

Nearly time for Christmas music.......sigh!

A day out

2008-09-01T22:22:00.003+10:00

On the weekend we ventured out to the country and had a little play. Yep, the kids (& Ant) kicked a football around a park, climbed on equipment and I took photos. Perfect, although a very difficult job.....

getting a nice photo of all three of them that is!! See that grumpy little face in the middle, gotta love that kid! He wasn't actually grumpy, I had told them before this to look serious and that's his SERIOUS face.

At the playground they had these HUGE cement pipes which just begged to have the kids pose in them. (and I BEGGED them to do it for me!)

I love these boys.

A little somethin'....

2008-08-28T22:03:00.008+10:00

Here is another Manila Folder Album to share with you. This one is so pretty, I think I have found my new favourite paint - Making Memories Shimmer paint. Mmmm, delicious.

It is decorated but blank on the inside. I am thinking that it might be a nice little album for quotes.

Got myself some new Heather Bailey products to play with over the last couple of weeks. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! Pinks and Greens, swirls and birds. Gorgeous.
This photo was taken on Mother's Day this year at Newcastle Foreshore. I also created a few cute cards with the products. Here is one using the felt - isn't the felt adorable?
Thanks for dropping by,

Scrappin' the Boys Sneak Peek!

2008-08-23T15:06:00.003+10:00

Coming up at Papercrafts Mailbox in September is a Scrappin' the Boys class. Here's a sneak peek:
* Grunge
* Acrylic Stamps
* Bling
* Embossing

Sound good? Can't wait to do this class!!

Check out this baby!!

2008-08-23T15:02:00.002+10:00

It's Pink, it plays Music and it's for Scrapbooking................................ = HEAVEN!

This is a new release from Fiskars and isn't it gorgeous!

Can't wait for these to be available, might just need me a new trimmer!

New Scrapbooking Class - North Wyong

2008-08-17T21:02:00.004+10:00

This is the Manila Folder Album I created for a class at Papercrafts Mailbox.
It features pockets for photos or journaling and uses gorgeous Kaisercraft papers.
If you want to come along it is on Saturday 23rd August at 9.30am. That's this Saturday! (You must contact the store to book in). Where I here you ask?

Papercrafts Mailbox
Lifestyle Central
3C Amy Close
North Wyong NSW
Ph: 4353 3873

If you are local I would love to see you there.
Bye,

Kristina Werners Colour Challenge

2008-08-07T20:54:00.002+10:00

I love whipping out a card in a few minutes flat. And a colour challenge is a great place to start.

This card uses my fav. Pink Paislee stamps (both skull and alpha) plus some Stampin' Up also.

Papercrafts Mailbox Display Work

2008-08-06T16:59:00.005+10:00

Here is the first display album I worked on for my new job. It uses one of the new Kaisercraft albums which are fantastic fun to use. And the new papers are great too.
The new 'bling' elements are great.

Rubons.I used up the last bits of paper on a couple of Boy Cards.
So much fun!

New Job...Woo Hoo!

2008-08-04T22:54:00.003+10:00

A couple of weeks ago I went for my first job interview in approx. 10 years. Yep! it would be about ten years since I was interveiwed for my last job before having Jackson.

Although just slightly nerve racking, it was rather casual and I was more relaxed once I got there and the process started. After all it didn't really matter if I didn't get it, I just kind of went on a whim. But, at the end of the interview I was offered the job and am now employed again for the first time in 8 years...................in a Papercrafts store. Woo Hoo!

I can fit teaching around my kidlets and I can create the projects that I want to teach. Seems a little bit perfect to me. Another interesting journey for my life, can't wait to see where it takes me.

Here is a sample of my first class. It is called CARD BAKERY #1 and will be the first of a series of card making classes. To display with my cards I created these cute little cupcakes that were inspired by the Linda Albrecht Cupcake Pattern and altered for size.

Arn't they just adorable!? It was late last night (or should I say early this morning!) when I finished them so I didn't go ahead with the glitter coating....but have decided that the next lot cannot be finished without some 'Frosting'.

Three Little Monkeys

2008-07-14T16:32:00.004+10:00

I finally got my camera out again in the last week. It has been ages since I have taken photos and I really miss it.

The boys were playing in the backyard on the weekend while Mum & I watched. Then I got the camera out and was really happy to caputure a nice photo of all three of them together. I have applied NicholeV 's Sepia action and textured background to the photo and then used Veronica Ponce's Black Vignette. This one I used the BMC PhotoArt Watercolour action plus added a Gaussian Blur filter {3.5}.

I took heaps, so just need some time now to play with them.

Just wanted to say.......

2008-06-28T22:07:00.003+10:00

Thankful for you!

2008-06-28T15:00:00.003+10:00

Thanks again.

2008-06-28T11:05:00.001+10:00

Another Thank you card.

Thanks

2008-05-26T23:14:00.006+10:00

A little Thank You card I created for someone at school. Uses K&Co Wild Saffron goodies.
This picture was taken on Mothers Day and I had to fiddle with it to lighten it up a bit. (Used fill flash action by Katrin Eismann) Then added the gorgeous frame from Sande Krieger's French Laundry set.
And here is my gorgeous Mum with Nathan on Mothers Day.

So Swirly!

2008-05-26T18:52:00.004+10:00

Love this wheel! On this scrapbooking page I have used the So Swirly Stampin' Around wheel with the large flower from the 'Scribble This' stamp set. Cherish is from the 'Baroque Motifs' set. And I also love the jumbo eyelets, I seem to be using them on everything lately.

Images copyright Stampin' Up 1990-2008

If you have any questions about anything used on this project, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Bye,

More Playing....

2008-02-22T11:41:00.005+11:00

Found this great site that is not only good reading but she inspires me to play more with my photos. This first one was a really washed out photo to begin with and it didn't turn out as great as I would have liked, but it's all part of the learning process.

I used quite a few actions on this one.
* Pams Radial Blur
* Pams Vignette
* Cropped to straighten photo
* Veronica Ponce Brighten eye colour
* Veronica Ponce Bright eye whites

Then played with this one of Nathan. Love the Urban Acid Action.
And this one uses my wide angle lense, which I NEVER use because I love my 28-80 lense and use IT all the time. However, it died the other day and is waiting for a replacement (on it's way from ebay!). So I have been forced to use my 18-50 lense and this day I really enjoyed it. Amazing what you discover when you are forced to!

This photo has been altered with:

* Veronica Ponce Black Vignetting
* Thomas Neimann Tones

Australia Day

2008-01-27T23:31:00.000+11:00

Australia Day - Celebrate being lucky

New Actions

2008-01-20T10:19:00.000+11:00

Downloaded some new free actions from Action Central and had a quick play.

Uses Katerine Eismann's Fill Flash action and Jodi's MCP Free Gallery Frame.
Both these use Urban Acid Action and Jodi's Gallery Frame. Font is Georgia.

My Sweet Boy and Overlays

2008-01-20T00:58:00.001+11:00

Purchased some overlays from Pink Ink Studios today. LOVE 'EM.

Scrapbooking Pages

2008-01-19T14:46:00.000+11:00

Jackson when he lost his first tooth.

Journalling reads: Imagnation! What goes through a boys mind when he dresss up like this? Samuel went through a stage of dressing up like this to play in the yard. On went the backpack and away he would go.Nathans Curls. Just love 'em.

Long Jetty

2008-01-15T21:29:00.000+11:00

Had a day to myself today. What fun! Went shopping at the second hand stores at Long Jetty, then went in search of the actual Jetty.

Wanted to play with the ISO settings and wide angle lense on my camera but it was the middle of the day and just a bit too sunny. Therefore, I couldn't see what the images looked like on the screen so I was basically in the dark until I got home. None of the photos turned out very well exposure wise (bad time of day to take photos!) but I did like the composition of this one.
So I played with it a bit and came up with these. This one has had the brightness and contrast adjusted. Bit more moody.This one has had the Hue, Saturation and Lightness played with. Interesting.And this one has had the curves played with to extremes. I really like this one....kinda funky.

Photo Shoot Fun

2007-12-03T22:04:00.000+11:00

I had a friend come over last week to have some photos taken of her beautiful baby girl. While Kylie takes great photos herself, it is really hard to organise a baby and take the photo. So she enlisted my help (which I was stoked about) and we had some fun for several hours.
She was such a good baby. So many outfit changes and position changes and Ellie handled it beautifully. I love the fabric in these next photos.
I have five different designs in the fabric and even took photos of the boys on some of them.
I would love to do a photography course in the near future. I can't believe how much I enjoy it. It was great fun doing it with Kylie, because she 'gets it'. Having her into it as much as I was made it really easy to chop and change settings etc. Here is the beautiful Elizabeth again after we got her to sleep. Kylie really wanted one of her on her tummy, which we got eventually but it took ALOT of work....that girl doesn't like her tummy!
Can't wait until she is sitting up now. Will steal her away for another shoot!

My Pirate Sam

2007-11-11T21:44:00.000+11:00

Finished this page of Sam tonight.

Chairs with a View

2007-11-04T21:03:00.000+11:00

Thought I would try my hand at a new header for this site. I wished I had remembered sizing from last time (scrap alley blog)....would have saved me some fiddling. But eventually got the size how I wanted it and I really kinda like this photo. It was taken in Newcastle up on a cliff in front of an old terrace fenced off ready for knock down. These chairs had the best view in Newcastle.

Create

2007-11-04T17:48:00.000+11:00

Got busy last night and created this:

Freckles

2007-10-26T22:27:00.001+10:00

Papers & embellishments ~ Beautiful You by J Sprague
Hand Stamped Alpha ~ Michelle Coleman

Spring Splashin

2007-10-07T23:05:00.000+10:00

The boys had a fab time splashin' in the little wading pool last week. Always a good photo opportunity!!

Heres my little one:

Heres my middle one:

And here they are having THE BEST time!!

Lights, Camera, ACTIONS!!

2007-10-02T17:20:00.000+10:00

I love ACTIONS. I love being able to do that little bit extra. Found these free actions just by googling 'free photoshop actions' and you can download them here. I have just been having the best fun playing with them. Time to go back to all those old baby photos and make them special! This one uses Gavins softly action.

This one uses Gavins infared action and I have adjusted the curves when finished. Original photo can be seen here.
This one shows before and after using A2D (Addicted 2 Digital) Sky Enhancer action.

I could play all day.

Love this....

2007-09-30T23:10:00.001+10:00

photo. Took it last year sometime and found what I had done with it tonight. (It is also featured on the page of Samuel down below). I just love playing with photos and making them something special.

I Love Being a Mum!

2007-09-23T22:38:00.000+10:00

Was inspired by a blog I was reading tonight and quickly whipped up this page of my little ones. I truely LOVE being their Mummy, it has to be the best thing I have ever done (and am doing!) in my life.

Kit ~ K Miller Designs *All Organic
Alpha ~ Michelle Coleman
Font ~ Virginie

Sew Fun!

2007-09-04T22:53:00.001+10:00

Having heaps of fun sewing this little number (maybe in another 12 months it will be finished). Also excited by using 'Brushes' on this digi scrapped page. It has taken me ages to get my head around them and I finally get it!! They are just like stamps or punches in traditional scrapping. Easy (when you get it!).

Inked Edge ~ C Smith
Card & Paper ~ F Jardine
Stamped Flourish ~ K Pertiet
Hand Stamped Alpha ~ M Coleman

Noodle Boxes

2007-08-31T21:19:00.000+10:00

Breathless

2007-08-25T22:19:00.000+10:00

These photos were taken last year down a little path near our house. Samuel has become my
'dandelion boy'. He just loves them and I created these pages over a period of time until I felt they were just right.

Kiss, Kiss

2007-08-25T22:06:00.000+10:00

Kisses from my baby!! Gotta love 'em.

Here's my Boy

2007-07-23T22:42:00.000+10:00

Achieved the impossible. My mission this weekend was to take a good photo of Jackson. 457 photos later and I really like this one. Yes, I took 457 photos in one day. Yay for digital photography.

I have applied the OptikVerve Lab 'Glamour' filter to this one.

The image is found!

2007-07-23T20:47:00.000+10:00

This would have to be my favourite place to watch. The company is The Image is Found and they are an American couple who take absolutely stunning photography. This is their blog and I just LOVE IT!! How fantastic would it be to take photos like this:

And as they take wedding photos, they have this 'trademark' you could say, where they take a photo of the rings with something quirky. Like this:This photo won gold for the ceremony category in wedding photojournalist assosciation and you can see why:
Love their work and find it inspirational.

Good idea, no motivation

2007-07-17T00:17:00.000+10:00

Well this turned out to be a bit of a dud idea. Can't seem to fit the whole idea of photographing someone else idea into my life at the moment. And over at Her Space, My Space they have gone on holidays.

So, here's my new idea. Alley Space is now going to be where I put all my photos that I have taken that I LOVE. And to journal links to places about photography that I like. And also to showcase my Scrapbooking Pages.......Alley Space is going to be all about the things that are in 'my space'.

Here are today's entries:

These were taken on the weekend when we went on our bush walk at Katandra Reserve. I am finding it really difficult to get a good photo of Jackson at the moment. That will be my photography mission this week! Go Photograph!!

Berries & Hat

2007-06-19T08:18:00.001+10:00

Berries.........

Hat......

Inspired....

2007-06-16T22:49:00.000+10:00

by a blog I found tonight called Her space: My space, I thought it might be fun to play along. So tomorrow I am off to find a hat and challenge my photography skills.