Photographing quilts

I have been doing a on-line course with quilt university on photographing quilts.  It has been an excellent way to improve my skills in quilt photography.  who would have know how easy it is with just a few simple pieces of equipment to take a really good photograph.

The greatest challenge is getting the colour accurate and to get the quilting to show.  But with 2 lamps set either side of the quilt on brighter than the other a great photo is possible.

These are my best photos.  The next job is editing them

Wow 25000 blog views

I have just hit 25000 views to day. Thanks to all those people who check in and read my blog. 

 If you come here regularly and aren't a follower come on in and join us.  We'd love to have you :)

Catherine xxxxxx

Growing up and moving on

It's been an emotional weekend with one girl off to America and Canada and the other one home to see her sister off and then back down to University.  I feel like I have lost 2 babies this weekend :(  They have both arrived safely all ready for their new adventures in their lives of which I am only a very small part.  I knew this would have to happen one day but it has come around too soon.  (The same thing goes with wrinkles and greys in the hair.....just too soon.)

 Life is just moving on and sometimes I feel with out me being ready and willing for it.  But I guess whether we are ready or not it just carries on happening so the key is to keep up and keep moving on and to enjoy each new chapter my life will bring and to remember everything we do has purpose and meaning.

I loved this quote I found today on ldsprintables.com

I am grateful for a mother who taught me so much and for my children who make me a mother. I am grateful life keeps on changing and moving and that my influence in my home is so great.  I am grateful that wherever my children are in the world I know I have given them the best start in life I could and that they are reaching for the stars.

I am missing my girls so much.....love you both xxxx

Photography this week: Photos from a car

This weeks photos are taken from the car while we were travelling up to Auckland.  It was a beautiful sunset and I just couldn't resist taking photos of it.

Just put your camera to the fastest shutter speed that you can for the conditions or onto the sport setting and click away. (remember to wind the window down) You will be surprised at some of the shots that can be taken.

Be creative and grow

My little girl  (who is now 21 where does the time go)  If off to to British Columbia  Canada, on a church mission this week.  She will be gone for 18 months.  We have spent much of the last couple of weeks organising her wardrobe and all her other things she will need for 1 and 1/2 years.  It all has to fit into 2 suitcases and one carry on bag.  It has been hard going but we are nearly done!

It will be so hard to see her go but I am sure she will be well looked after and will have an amazing experience over in Canada.

Life moves so fast.  We need to take time to stop and smell the roses.  It only seems like yesterday that she was born and toddling around on her wee little legs. Now she is a grown woman ready to take on the world.

The same thing can apply to giving ourselves time to look after ourselves and to be creative, because time disappears for us and before long moments will be lost until we have no time left at all.

 Take hold of the moment now and value each second life gives us. 

Breathe it in,  use it to the best of our ability,  make it work and grow!

Being kind to yourself

Being kind to other is so important but what about ourselves.  I am not meaning in a selfish way but a kind a loving way.  When was the last time we took time to be, to think and to breathe.  Women can be their own worse enemies because they look after others so well and give and give and give but don't stop to look after themselves.  

So my aim this month is to be kinder to myself by....

1. Taking time to breathe
2. Having one massage during the month
3. Taking time each day to connect with my spirit
4. Getting to bed early 
5. Loving who I am
6. Taking time to be rather than doing all the time
7. Going for a walk
8. Being creative
9. Saying no to to many 'extra' things that aren't really important
10. Resting when I need it
11. Being true to myself 
12. Enjoying being me

So how can you be kinder to yourself this month?

Photography this week: Water

These photos were all taken at the Hamilton gardens in NZ.  They are all different views of water.  I love how water can be still and peaceful,  fun and playful or fierce and powerful.  Here I have captured the peaceful and playful moods of water.