Details Minibook :: Kellie Stamps

I was SO excited when Kellie announced she was bringing back clear stamps, and this AM to PM set was SO much fun to use. I was inspired by Brandi and her new Details mini book that I decided to restart my VERY unfinished one from last year.

I used pretty much only what was left out on my desk, printed my photos directly from my phone, added SO. MANY. STAMPS and a bit of watercolour and by working on it a little bit at a time, whenever I sat at my desk, within a week I was done. Love this fat little beauty!

Here's a little walk-through ...

Details Minibook :: Foundation

I finally found some time to put together the foundation pages for my Details minibook for this amazing class. And apart from watching all the videos and putting together these pages, I haven't gone much further!

But I can't wait to start putting together some pages using the prompts from class and watching this little beauty grow.

I'm hoping to continue this little mini for a few months over winter to try to celebrate the beautiful little details of this most dreaded season that I tend to overlook in my longing for sunshine and summer. I promise next time there will be less empty pages!

30-Day Self-Portrait Challenge :: Halfway

I've been playing along with A Beautiful Mess' 30-Day Self-Portrait Challenge and I've just passed the halfway mark.

Its been ages since I've done any sort of photo challenge and this has been the perfect little reminder of how fun it is. All these photos are taken on my iPhone, edited with VSCO CAM app, had borders added with the A Beautiful Mess app and then posted to Instagram.

Are you playing along?

Complete

The month is over. On one hand I can't believe how quickly it went and on the other, it seemed to take a long time at some points.

Looking back at my intentions:

I intend to blog everyday. And I did, some were scheduled but such is life.

I intend to not drink soda everyday. I didn't. And it was hard, very hard.

I intend to take a self-portrait everyday. I did. They are above in all their glory.

I learnt that time goes quickly and there is a lot of stuff that I try and pack into that time. Its not necessarily a bad thing, but I don't leave myself much time for doing nothing. I learnt that I really like soda. I'm not going to be diving back into my habit full-tilt but I'll be happy to indulge when I want to. And I remembered to be kind to myself again. Taking photos and really seeing yourself is hard, and doesn't need to be made harder with criticism and self-loathing.

Thanks Blogtober, and all the lovely people who visited me throughout. Its been a blast and I can't wait for next year!

More of myself

Instant Self

I love my Mini Instax camera and its been a fun challenge to find interesting backdrops this week.

More of me

I'm still keeping up with a self-portrait a day. Some days are easier than others. Some days are simply the truth, not glossed over or fancied up. Hard and real.

Self

I have still been taking a self-portrait everyday, I just haven't been loading them on here. It has taken me a while to start to feel comfortable in front of the camera again, but I am slowly easing into it. 

For a long time I tried very hard not to have my picture taken, it might even be the reason I took up photography in the first place! 

But a couple of years ago I took a few classes with Vivienne McMaster and I slowly learned that it was okay to take photos of myself and that sometimes I could even love the photos I took.

After feeling so badly about myself, those photos allowed me to see some beauty in myself and I learned that not every photo was a great one but that didn't make me any less worthy.

So I am slowly getting back to that place, I'm even trying to push myself to pull that camera back and not just capture my face.

How do you feel in front of the camera?

Nice nails

Sometimes it's okay to spend an hour doing your nails, even if you SHOULD be doing school assignments, laundry, cleaning the house, finishing projects ...

... if it makes you feel good, then do it I say!

Sunday

After all my stressing, it's turned out to be a very productive weekend. I'm crossing things off my infernal to-do list left, right and centre. I even managed to squeeze in a little journalling time in the (very early) quiet of this morning.

That being said, it is now 1 o'clock and I am exhausted. One more coat of paint on the kitchen and I am going to take a nice little nap!

What have you been up to this weekend? Whether it was busy or quiet, I hope it was lovely!

Opps

Almost missed one.

Today

Today was early morning, cold boots, sore head, hot tea, fancy glasses, wet hair, tired body, blurry mind, more painting, yummy meatballs, huddled by the heater, warm bed.

Unconnecting to connect

I had a bit of extra time on my hands this morning and instead of frittering it away on the net, I grabbed a fresh canvas and some brushes and started painting.

It felt good, really good. My mind stopped buzzing and I felt real, solid. Happy even.

I find it easy at the end of a long day to come home and spend hours in front of the computer. It numbs my busy mind but it doesn't fulfil me in any real way. I read blogs and see images of other peoples lives and projects, think about all the things I could do (if I had the time!) and nearly always end up feel discontented with my life.

This weekend I am going to spend some real time away from the screen, unconnect so I can start to feel connected to my own life again.

I'm still going to blog everyday though!

Patience and a very long list

I made a list. And it was long, really long. Both sides of the paper long. And I've realised that it is pretty unrealistic to expect myself to get even a quarter of it done in the next few weeks.

I have to have patience. With myself, with others, with time, the weather and just in general. I'm going to stop rushing through each day and try to be present instead. I'm going to stop planning so much and just focus on what I'm doing. I'm going to be kinder to myself and not expect so much. I'm going to be proud of the things I accomplish and let go of the things I don't.

All over the place

My mind is all over the place lately. I blame the return of the sun. During the winter my brain tends to hibernate but now I have large stretches of daylight to enjoy, I can't help but think about all the things I want to do. And sadly, since I have no patience, I want to do them all now. 

So this is how I feel, all over the place and spread too thin. Actually it would be great if there were a few more of me around. I'd probably get through my list in no time!

Intentions

So here we are. The beginning of October and the start of another Blogtoberfest.

When I think about my intentions for this month, my mind is instantly buzzing. I have so many things I want do / try / finish / accomplish. I've been feeling so overwhelmed with the never-ending to-do list in my head. So I'm going to make it easy on myself.

This month... 
I intend to blog everyday.
I intend to not drink soda everyday.
I intend to take a self-portrait everyday.

Three things, not hard, not (too) time consuming and not too overwhelming. Wish me luck, or at least persistence!

The insanity is almost over.

Only five more days to go!

The truth is...

The truth is that it has been a hard few weeks.

The truth is that today is the first day in 12 that I have felt even remotely good. 

The truth is that I am relieved to be out of the fog I was in. I was starting to think it was never ending.

Through the Lens: Possibility

Seems I can't even resist taking my camera to work now...

Lately I am filled with anxiety and excitement and sadness and the most profound sense of possibility. I can't wait to see what this year brings.

The last day of 2010...

...was grey and wet and wild and wonderful.