What I've Learned in 2012!

Thanks to the Project 12: A Year in the Life of You, I've learned about two different types of photography. The first required layout for January was to do a layout using the "triptych" style. The definition of triptych, as presented in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary is as follows: something composed or presented in three parts or sections.  When I first read the description of a 'triptych' which has three elements to a photo, ie head, torso, feet, all I thought was that there was no wide-angle lens wide enough for my torso. Not wanting to really have myself photographed and taken apart like that, I decided to 'ham it up' as I usually do when I'm uncomfortable. Then I remembered my son's iPad takes photos and distorts them so much that they become hilarious. We had tears running down our cheeks on Christmas as each of the family was photographed that way. So, here is my assignment. I will do others, but they won't be of me, that's a certainty! For your personal enjoyment, may I present "Myself" to you.

Journalling:
In order to get a narrow waist, something totally foreign to me at any given stage of my life, save between ages 0 - 4 years, it was necessary for me to have my photograph taken using my son’s “iPad”. Now that amazing tablet can do strange things to a face; it can make it thinner, fatter, longer and all mushed up . Having always wanted to have an 18-inch waist, I forced my son to keep taking pics until I was satisfied with my torso. Only then did I realize what it did to my face! Who cares, I look skinny in the middle of my body. Unfortunately, this Beautiful, Magical Princess will have to get used to having a face like an alien, at least for this brief moment in time.

The second assignment was to use the "diptych". Definition: the art of putting two photos side by side to make a captivating composition. Typically, the photos when paired, will support each other and when combined create an entirely new feeling.

Here is my take on the diptych style of photography!

Journalling:
Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking Jackson and Ava to a terrific kid-space called Funmazing. They could run, jump, climb, slide and have a wonderful time. As is usually the case when kids are enjoying themselves, going to the bathroom is on the list of things-to-do. While watching Ava dance around while trying to tell me something, it occurred to me that a trip to the Necessary Room was now at the top of the list. After completing the task, Ava washed her hands and while drying them at the dryer (see photos) I wondered what the view of the dryer was like for a 3-year old. With January’s assignment 2 in mind, I whipped out my cell phone and snapped these two photos. Now that is one dedicated scrapper to take photos of the hand dryer in the ladies’ room! I hope whoever sees this page in the year 2050 will appreciate my efforts to leave a pictorial legacy for my family.

I'll just bet you can't wait to see what February's assignments will be, can you?

Hello, remember me?

The Christmas season has been busy this year, but it has come and gone and a New Year has begun. Since my last post, I've been sick and a little lax in scrapping. Here is one of Ava decorating the tree at our house. Truly, if it wasn't for her help, the only thing on the tree would have been the lights as it's a pre-lit tree. Watching her little face as she examined the ornaments as I unwrapped them was absolute inspiration to carry on.

Some of my most recent projects

I'm slowly getting back into stamping, crafting and digital creations. I haven't felt very inspired lately, but with Christmas approaching fast and all the goodies I'm seeing on other blogs....well, I'm trying. Here are some of the things I've made in recent weeks. Some have a purpose, some are things I did during a class and one very special card for my granddaughter.

Here is the frame created during the Mouse, Paper, Scissors - Give class by Jessica Sprague and Heidi Swapp.

 Next is a card and a bucket of golf balls for my brother. I really enjoyed making these as a surprise. I used my Silhouette for both Ava's card and Bob's golf balls.
 

This is Ava's birthday card. She was 3 years old on November 10th.

A Long Ago Barbara

It's funny how when I look at old photos of myself  I refer to myself as Barbara, yet when I see a current photo, I'm just Barb. I wonder why that is? Well, I'm sure I don't have enough money for therapy to find out, so I'll just accept that's the way it is!

Journalling reads:

This photo was in a box of photos that I’ve had since my Mom passed away in 2003. I was shocked, amazed and pleasantly surprised to find this photo of me taken at Christmas 1970. Today, at age 62, I can’t believe I was this pretty way back when. I suppose I’m finally seeing what other people in my family kept telling me, "Barbara, you’re a very pretty girl." Why was I unable to believe them at that time. I don’t know. Is it the plight of all young women to constantly be so critical of themselves that they can’t see what others see? Unfortunately, I believe it is the same today for young women as it has always been, we don’t believe in ourselves enough and that’s sad. I think of my daughters and wonder if they suffered the same insecurities as I did all those many years ago. My mother wasn’t an affectionate mother with hugs and verbal endearments and the like. I grew to understand that she also suffered from a lack of physical affection in her childhood. I tried really hard to change that. I allowed my house to gather dust bunnies under the couch, fingerprints on the fridge and beds to go unmade in favour of playing with my kids. I remember teaching my first born to say "I love you" because I was desparate to hear it. Finally, she said it to my Mom one day and it went like this, "I lub boo, Gramma". My mom actually had tears in her eyes and repeated it to Tiffany. It seemed that from then on, she was able to tell her grandkids she loved them. It wasn’t until she was in her 80s that she could say it to her children. But, better late than never, I say!



It's been a while, hasn't it?

Now that the weather is a little colder I want to scrap again. My creative mojo was definitely on summer vacation. I stopped by Jessica Sprague's site and saw the Scrapground challenge and decided it was just what I needed to get back into the swing of things.

Tiffany, this one is for you!

Kit:
Aussie Christmas - Digiridoo

Owen & James at Play

Kirsten sent me some photos taken recently of the boys with Shrek taken while they were on vacation in Majorca. The other photo was taken at Hampstead Heath at the playground and splashpad. Just think, 60 years ago their Granddad Collier played at the same park, but without all the fancy playground equipment that's available nowadays.

Hey, remember me!

I haven't done any scrapping for quite a while, but when I saw Kristyn's profile picture I just had to use it on a layout, so I filched it from Facebook.

So, you who know Ava -- am I right?

My new toy!

I received a Silhouette SD electronic cutting tool for my birthday and here is my first creation with it.

It's a very basic card using Stampin' Up cardstock and a bit of spare ribbon I had laying around. I love that it cut that beautiful, intricate design so sharply. I can see many uses for this great cutting tool.

Swimming in the Garden with Owen & James

Here are more photos from my trip to the UK. It was a gloriously warm day so out came the kiddie pool so that the boys, including Daddy, could cool off.

I really love how oblivious James is to Owen kicking a ball around. James just wants to play in the water. Now that's focus!

Back to scrapping!

It's been quite a while since I scrapped a page and there are several reasons.

1. Mojo has been missing.
2. It's been too hot.
3. Started chatting again with cardmaking friends and was distracted making digital cards.
4. I need new glasses. It's been three years since my last eye exam and I believe I'm going to skip bi-focals and go straight to tri-focals...
5. My eye exam is August 16th, so it may be a while before I do any more of anything. I'm tired of sitting hunched over to see the screen through scrunched up eyes.....who needs more lines, I ask you!

Anyway, before I take a break, here's a page from my visit with grandchildren in England earlier this year.

Okay, this is Grandma signing out for a short break from scrapping. I'll return when I get new glasses in a couple of weeks.