tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65582589923235039382024-03-20T12:48:58.244-07:00Simple Life, Simple ArtLiving a creative life while attempting to live minimallySimple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-7046356016198919462020-02-23T21:38:00.001-08:002020-02-23T21:38:41.066-08:00The Season of our Discontent<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jJsRPTkeAIdbw5xvNdhwG2ZVmlAACI-rRp1kilROHNLYkVVm8-tq1MAPL44REriG6Gz8Pw7dkWIyN8e9HlsgQt_2jHFNAN0H0z76Hr6tTI8DveQjL2kpq1PSk072rlhiQLAnSUh54TY/s1600/5+Arwen+2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="633" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jJsRPTkeAIdbw5xvNdhwG2ZVmlAACI-rRp1kilROHNLYkVVm8-tq1MAPL44REriG6Gz8Pw7dkWIyN8e9HlsgQt_2jHFNAN0H0z76Hr6tTI8DveQjL2kpq1PSk072rlhiQLAnSUh54TY/s320/5+Arwen+2_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>There is no escaping from ourselves. The human dilemma is as it has always been, and we solve nothing fundamental by cloaking ourselves in technological glory. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Neil Postman</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every day, on the internet, in group forums, Youtube and Facebook comments, gear reviews and photography groups I see people over and over again complaining about some new camera or lens that isn't perfect for them. It hasn't got a new sensor or there's not enough megapixels or why would a company bring out another lens of a certain length when they already have others covering that length? Or why isn't this lens faster and have better bokeh? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Constant discontent. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It seems that no one online is ever happy about anything. I can imagine that if you were to spend any time reading comments anywhere you would soon become quite depressed and possibly end up adding your own depressing comments to everyone else's. I find it all incredibly sad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm an old school photographer. I started in film and switched to digital in 2004. I remember this because my daughter was born that year and her baby photos switch from film to digital part way through her first year. Back then digital cameras were nothing like what they are now. Very low megapixels and the sensor technology has vastly improved since then. They weren't great cameras but we appreciated the new found benefits we got from going digital. No film processing fees and being able to shoot as much as we wanted to as long as we had memory cards and battery power. Everything was new and exciting and people seemed very happy with their camera gear. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fast forward a few years though and even with the growth of technology and the internet and how much more powerful and capable our cameras are, no one seems to appreciate just how far that technology has progressed. How much cleaner our images are at higher ISOs and how easy it is to share images with family around the world. Even with the pocket and bridge cameras and smart phones. I would even say that nowadays there no bad cameras being made.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This seems to be the season of our discontent. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't think people have always been this discontented with things or their lives. I think when new technology like automatic washers came along people were very happy to have them and appreciated the extra time they gained and the hard work this machine saved them from. No, I think the internet and advertisers have bred our discontent by constantly bombarding us with images and information about new things we don't have and places we haven't been. Advertisers have latched on to our fears of not fitting in, of not being good enough and have monetized our struggles to find purpose and meaning in life. All of this is what is creating our discontent with our new modern camera gear. We must be seen to have the latest full frame camera, with the highest pixel count and be seen to be traveling the world taking images for a living to be worth anything. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All this of course, is not good for the planet. I still think that in years to come we will be mining our rubbish tips to find the things we threw away so carelessly. To reuse those metals and alloys that will one day no longer be found naturally.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another downside to this constant need for better is the image perfection that everyone now seems to be seeking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Portraits must be taken with razor thin focus and wonderful creamy bokeh. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Landscapes must be perfectly sharp from front to back. From the tiny flowers in the foreground to the mountains in the background. Landscapes must of course also have epic light or there's no point in taking the images. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shadows are a huge no no. There must not be any areas in your image where you cannot see any detail because of shadows. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Noise of any kind is also not allowed. Images must be crisp and sharp and noise free. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So many rules to follow or your images aren't good enough and you fail as a photographer. This I find particularly sad for a number of reasons.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Beginners have been given a huge mountain to climb. They must first have the latest, greatest, expensive camera and they must take perfect pictures straight away. Expectations are too high on them before they've even had a chance to learn about light, composition or what subjects they might want to shoot. So many learners want to learn how to use their cameras but are too afraid to ask questions or share images for fear of being attacked/ridiculed. I think this also has a lot to do with the decline of camera purchases. People expect too much from beginners so they stick with their phones or hide their work and learn slowly on their own. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another reason this saddens me is the narrowing of variety we see in images shared online now. Instagram even has pages dedicated to showing the similar images that are shared on there. Pages of pretty girls in front of the same mountain. Or sunsets all taken from the same place. Even our morning coffee is repeated in images all over the internet. Just like we need diversity in our flora and fauna we also need diversity in our images. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lastly we are seeking images that are technically perfect and in a lot of ways, sterile. Not only is the variety of images we are taking reducing but with all of the above rules the images are becoming technically perfect clones of each other with no allowance for any extra grain, atmosphere or personality. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is not the world I want for my children. I want a world where originality and creativity are encouraged. A world where tech spec talk is replaced by talk of happy adventures and sharing ideas and photo techniques. A world where our beginners are allowed to buy a cheap second hand camera and learn the way I did. By trying things and sharing things and by people encouraging them. They should be allowed to advance at their own pace and be able to choose for themselves when or if they want to upgrade their gear, not be told their gear is crap so they will never be able to take any decent images. That is just rubbish spouted by a lot of insecure people that have themselves, been pushed into the same thing they are trying to push you into. Don't fall for it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Be original!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Go back to works by the old masters of the past. See what excites you from their work and then take what you like from everywhere and find your own style. Don't be afraid of deeper depth of field in portraits, people can have in focus ears too. Don't be afraid to have out of focus foreground elements in your landscapes. Embrace shadows! Shadows shape the light on your subject. No shadows means no shape. No contrast and flat images. Embrace noise! A lot of digital cameras have quite nice looking noise, almost like film grain. I love noise in my black and white images. I also like noise in my gritty urban images and my moody landscape images. Most of all</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have Fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Find like-minded people to shoot with or find a good online group to share images and techniques with. They are out there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is one group I've discovered on Facebook. It's for women only as a lot of women have shared tales of being ridiculed by men in online groups. This is a great group of women of all ages and photographic abilities. They shoot all different subjects and are very encouraging. They also offer a mentoring program. I've posted a link to the group below. If you know of other good groups please feel free to add their links in the comments section below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/sheclicksnet/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/sheclicksnet/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have a great week and keep creating! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-61747022358342817752018-04-07T17:23:00.000-07:002018-04-07T17:23:41.663-07:00Bags as decor and storage <div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDLtvUtHGPwnlbe5wBYDIfnIAdKhrvkHTPfV4fGoIxAAoNZHrn16O0trnpL-p05eqqtznqMSnB3wPg5Q0k4vn9AzPdOZAQpOJV5b8t_bOUs5ZWfou7khAB6p54dcKvyP-g781tDQNkCw/s1600/Bags+for+storage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDLtvUtHGPwnlbe5wBYDIfnIAdKhrvkHTPfV4fGoIxAAoNZHrn16O0trnpL-p05eqqtznqMSnB3wPg5Q0k4vn9AzPdOZAQpOJV5b8t_bOUs5ZWfou7khAB6p54dcKvyP-g781tDQNkCw/s320/Bags+for+storage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi, my name is Carol and I'm a bag collector. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Phew, there it's out in the open, my weakness is for bags. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not shoes or dresses or cars or one of many, many other things I could collect. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's bags. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure when my fascination with bags first started. I wasn't interested in them in high school and I lugged a backpack to work when I first started working. Nothing flash, just a plain old backpack. It kept my stuff dry as I cycled to work. Job done. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess the first time I can really remember thinking about bags was when I was looking for a decent camera bag after I bought my first slr. I wasn't happy with the cheaply made bag that came with my camera and I started looking at better quality waterproof bags. Especially Lowepro bags. At that stage back in the late 80's, Lowepro was the only bag type I really knew about and knew I could buy here in New Zealand. I first spotted them mentioned in an American photography magazine. I looked at British Photography magazines too but couldn't find a lot of the brands they mentioned there, over here. Anyway over the years I've owned many different camera bags as my equipment has grown and changed and then shrunk again. (Over the years I've owned a Minolta film camera and large lenses and huge flash unit and correspondingly large bag. Then a couple of Canon dslrs and lenses plus a large backpack and then I downsized drastically to a Canon G11 that could nearly fit in my pocket, while I saved up for the gear I now have. My Olympus OMD EM5 and lenses that I carry in a Golla Riley Pro shoulder bag. A much smaller and lighter kit than my Minolta and Canon gear.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over those years I tried out numerous backpacks for my heavier gear and since buying my Olympus gear in 2014 I've tried out 3 or 4 shoulder bags too. I have to say here, that I think most photographers are on the lookout for the perfect bag but I don't think it exists. The perfect bag is really a couple of bags. One larger one to fit all your gear in when you need it and one smaller one to carry only what you need when you need to travel light. The one perfect bag is a myth. Which is a shame really. (I really like Hermione's bag in Harry Potter. Could carry everything including the kitchen sink and still be light to carry. I think that could almost be the perfect bag.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Somewhere during that time I started to get interested in other shoulder bags. Not purely women's handbags per se but a mixture of messenger bags, handbags, cross-over camera bags and bags for your electronic devices.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I must say here that I've never been interested in designer or high-end handbags. They clash with my hiking boots and I find them a bit gaudy and sparkly for the places I like to hang out. Most birds would be scared off by shiny sparkly bits on a bag except perhaps the Magpies and after having been dive-bombed by a nesting Magpie in the past, I'm not too keen to attract them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, that brings me to my current collection of bags which I had stashed in my wardrobe. I pulled them all out to go through them and donated three handbags to the local Hospice shop. This has left me with five bags left. One handbag, one colorful bag my sister brought me back from Thailand and three messenger type bags. I didn't really want to stash them all back in the wardrobe and I was sick of shifting my currently used bag around the house as it didn't have a set home. So I came up with the idea of hanging my current bag on the wall where I could easily get it when needed. Then I put the handbag I wasn't using in the larger messenger bag along with a smaller messenger bag and hung that and my Thai bag on the wall too. (see the picture above) (My current passion is for army style canvas bags. Soft and moldable to your body whilst being tough and hard wearing.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've found the bags on the wall have added a bit of color to my bedroom whilst also adding some extra storage space. (Storage space is sadly lacking in our home. No hallway cupboards and no linen cupboard either so any small places I can add storage is good.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what do you think? Do you have some bags or baskets tucked away in a cupboard that might look good displayed and provide some extra storage?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-81088173601258187752018-02-28T19:46:00.001-08:002018-05-02T19:40:49.738-07:00How easy is it really, to walk away empty handed?<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RKYeDUo7lOL3NZnWN1MeR4gz6qL6FrX0IeaxlU52gw3Qdme9Dvwp06DK62frHTjIeBUivN1gy35YXOlZX4DnNKciELYslmIw1Q-wuUNZ4twamqhy8YNAiz7ByN6YL37TySAJmdV01pI/s1600/Lone+swan+copyright+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RKYeDUo7lOL3NZnWN1MeR4gz6qL6FrX0IeaxlU52gw3Qdme9Dvwp06DK62frHTjIeBUivN1gy35YXOlZX4DnNKciELYslmIw1Q-wuUNZ4twamqhy8YNAiz7ByN6YL37TySAJmdV01pI/s320/Lone+swan+copyright+web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"It is desirable that a man... live in all respects so compactly and preparedly that if an enemy take the town, he can, like the old philosopher, walk out the gate empty-handed without anxiety."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>David Henry Thoreau</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love the idea of the above quote. To be so unattached to my things that I'm able to walk away after a fire, flood or war and miss nothing. To have nothing that can't be replaced. It sounds so freeing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This quote is from Thoreau's book 'Walden' published in 1854 and the paragraph this was taken from was discussing the merits of quality clothing versus cheap thin clothing. Taken out of it's context though, it sounds like everything should be easily walked away from and that's how I am taking it for this blog post.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess in 1854 it was a lot easier to walk away from everything. I'm not sure it's so simple now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I asked myself, what things in 2018 would I have difficulty leaving behind and can I find a way around losing them? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After a bit of thought I decided there are three main things that I would have difficulty leaving behind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;">Important documents</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Photographs</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Artwork</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Important documents</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know from experience how hard it can be trying to prove your identity in a modern world without the correct paperwork. The modern fixation with red tape and bureaucracy have made it extremely frustrating, costly and time consuming to get anything done and if you don't have proper identification you pretty much don't exist in the eyes of some places.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A possible way around losing these documents could be keeping them in a fireproof safe or a safe deposit box at the bank. This wouldn't save them from everything that could possibly happen to them but it would sure take a load off your mind knowing they were as safe as you could make them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Photographs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In a modern world where everyone shares their breakfast lunch and dinner with you online it can seem like there's too many family photos to keep safe but if you look hard at the images you have and only keep the very best photos, discarding multiples, blurry images, over or under-exposed images and the weird images (you know the ones where someone makes a face, or shuts their eyes or sneezes), you'll find that you have very few to store. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I noticed a while back, on a news report about the Syrian refugees, that quite a few of them had packed photos on mobile phones and usb sticks in their belongings. I have a usb stick with important photos on it too, just in case, but in reality I know I might not have it with me if a disaster struck so I also have them online in cloud storage. As long as I can remember my passwords I can access them from anywhere. I also share some images on Instagram and Facebook so I can see them there too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Artwork</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I was a child and some of my artwork got damaged I used to get upset about it but nowadays I work small, take photos or scans of my work and sell it printed on items online. The original images stay with me but if they were lost or destroyed I'd still be able to see them online so I'm not really too worried about this either. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It seems to me that anything I may be worried about losing in 2018 is in fact safely backed up or can be safely stored with a bit of forward planning. Maybe it's easier for me to walk away from home empty handed than I thought because everything I care about is backed up safely.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"But wait", I hear you say, "What about jewelry, or trinkets handed down?" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, I don't associate things with people. I love photos because they can remind you of the people you love and places you've been, which I think would be very useful in later life if I had dementia but I don't get those sorts of feelings from things. They're just things to me. I have no interest in glittery things either. I don't wear rings. I only wear sleepers in my ears and own no other earrings. My only necklace is a Maori carving in green-stone on a piece of leather that my husband and children bought me one year for Mother's day and if that got destroyed in a fire I'd still know my family loves me. It wouldn't be the end of the world for me to lose any of it. It's just stuff. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess at the end of the day, it is possible for me to walk out and leave everything I care about behind, as long as technology is backing me up. I mean really, if the world was ending and the cloud disappeared I think I'd have more to worry about than a few photos and drawings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is that cheating? Yep, I think so, we have so many more ways to access what is important to us now than they did in 1854, but, to be fair, I think nowadays we have become much more bogged down in red tape and bureaucracy as individuals and somehow we have now also become the keeper of our family histories. As we now document every little everyday thing thing that we do, I think we have created a huge load/responsibility for ourselves to preserve things that I'm not even sure should matter that much.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess as individuals we each have to decide what matters to us and what doesn't and that's what minimalism is all about really. Sifting through your stuff, your commitments, your life and decluttering the rest, so that we can all live as freely as possible.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I hope it goes without saying that the most important things in my life aren't the above things. My family and our newest family member Bayley, a black Labrador are way more important than papers, photos or art.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll leave you with a pic of Bayley.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a great week!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5a4ErN7MLznZZ1S2aSwGh469XEcvBVqoH4Hbh8vZvyAMgXEcwStMMKaY1dkf8bGdSZbjojEvI6DVpaEp5qqmLZKpY-wxtd1tFizdPSaLadNvD3AMlIV-isaFm30APAfeXL-qv56jLCw/s1600/27858622_1528536813930681_4836656709910617633_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5a4ErN7MLznZZ1S2aSwGh469XEcvBVqoH4Hbh8vZvyAMgXEcwStMMKaY1dkf8bGdSZbjojEvI6DVpaEp5qqmLZKpY-wxtd1tFizdPSaLadNvD3AMlIV-isaFm30APAfeXL-qv56jLCw/s320/27858622_1528536813930681_4836656709910617633_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0yQBvyBmafY9CNRfNPjigET-fO0xcDbC8Uc9zIrjVoljl2PwButcCIgjsswKLIPeDkdmggX66YTmvte0iVQJYi-rBGq4HGGrir7np2gsfrw5Sojnb-LnekgIUO8grOtp8jN-mGo4ksM/s1600/27858945_1528295607288135_8751115683327879337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0yQBvyBmafY9CNRfNPjigET-fO0xcDbC8Uc9zIrjVoljl2PwButcCIgjsswKLIPeDkdmggX66YTmvte0iVQJYi-rBGq4HGGrir7np2gsfrw5Sojnb-LnekgIUO8grOtp8jN-mGo4ksM/s320/27858945_1528295607288135_8751115683327879337_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9JQhdeJgTKr6GNuoPnLkdgEaiyKmiGRR0GYdQpTemtqWyJkn3tv4u2u7-Vd0w1cykVdcRqij-YbqIn-Aizlcky9zBjrDbOaaJB9w-XEm9pL7h-5Lc0jhxJZymaOmVjIyH3sQG1N0Y8I/s1600/28059264_1528541657263530_6519134732389990578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9JQhdeJgTKr6GNuoPnLkdgEaiyKmiGRR0GYdQpTemtqWyJkn3tv4u2u7-Vd0w1cykVdcRqij-YbqIn-Aizlcky9zBjrDbOaaJB9w-XEm9pL7h-5Lc0jhxJZymaOmVjIyH3sQG1N0Y8I/s320/28059264_1528541657263530_6519134732389990578_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay maybe three because she's so gorgeous!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-35167969470211542032017-05-28T15:04:00.000-07:002017-05-28T15:04:43.228-07:00Week 8 Black and White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihF_Uff28tQs3FESrIgZYUOI4u1df-9B7WB_lfZ5cJ6jx_ikImuQ79NqRnJ5eVfw_bEaP18gD7PoZMrxwEDUG92SsfMoK0OMv-2RKaPS-7T6K6VAy_0RpiyTYTReNXWI1y_XqxcurYPM/s1600/50+Steep+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihF_Uff28tQs3FESrIgZYUOI4u1df-9B7WB_lfZ5cJ6jx_ikImuQ79NqRnJ5eVfw_bEaP18gD7PoZMrxwEDUG92SsfMoK0OMv-2RKaPS-7T6K6VAy_0RpiyTYTReNXWI1y_XqxcurYPM/s320/50+Steep+stairs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
50 Steep stairs</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISe1G6NSn0rwlnnDms4keQbq3GBPHSxIu0pdVJ-t-Hors4qX7ZfWVmFMHVUFHqYCS8NFk29O0PLFySQpYMG5ivhyphenhyphenI_zcbNSbNfsCEJ4GF5-XVxn5sxatCeUJZTNSgYAF9q3Q_rwFhmYU/s1600/51+Shelving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISe1G6NSn0rwlnnDms4keQbq3GBPHSxIu0pdVJ-t-Hors4qX7ZfWVmFMHVUFHqYCS8NFk29O0PLFySQpYMG5ivhyphenhyphenI_zcbNSbNfsCEJ4GF5-XVxn5sxatCeUJZTNSgYAF9q3Q_rwFhmYU/s320/51+Shelving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
51 Workshop shelving</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfINHoOiuKOvjazabcM8LvwXA7IMwq1B3IsSqQ-Hmj-9oPHxnEaHhPhqDXhro7ZZbH2CNxdDwjLKA4W5ImHXcRN0g4WCbj-NUVyMx3IiS2GBBv7Wd5sRpIMD2xrmZf0dF74sIN5aUxoU/s1600/52+Fallen+soldiers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfINHoOiuKOvjazabcM8LvwXA7IMwq1B3IsSqQ-Hmj-9oPHxnEaHhPhqDXhro7ZZbH2CNxdDwjLKA4W5ImHXcRN0g4WCbj-NUVyMx3IiS2GBBv7Wd5sRpIMD2xrmZf0dF74sIN5aUxoU/s320/52+Fallen+soldiers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
52 Fallen toy soldiers</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1Sun_juw1lnjiroL2CmLlm9euV_yu11RwBZuWrmRRQVfCCQwx69mTAgVGInZPAdtIiupW1jMczdGGM8lcHtXgwwQ0XeYnlgZE1xUt29v13fPu8kOLCD-Fp4WdUzNKxAIkRJHD2FU0y0/s1600/53+Gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1Sun_juw1lnjiroL2CmLlm9euV_yu11RwBZuWrmRRQVfCCQwx69mTAgVGInZPAdtIiupW1jMczdGGM8lcHtXgwwQ0XeYnlgZE1xUt29v13fPu8kOLCD-Fp4WdUzNKxAIkRJHD2FU0y0/s320/53+Gloves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
53 Gloves</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S-iBzP633MWeyooGO-ioPPA1cFxFLYRTy5egu1rvov6YBIPElNpkDuGfjwhlZRU1jQYXF2RWHXKqvjAndMysKkiIrRswMS9QACWgTW2RxPvLb3Qzar-t2f6ko9_FkMlDD_HJAnLlzGI/s1600/54+Stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S-iBzP633MWeyooGO-ioPPA1cFxFLYRTy5egu1rvov6YBIPElNpkDuGfjwhlZRU1jQYXF2RWHXKqvjAndMysKkiIrRswMS9QACWgTW2RxPvLb3Qzar-t2f6ko9_FkMlDD_HJAnLlzGI/s320/54+Stairs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
54 Stairs</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMULiG451fiPZt-sNvBomYbeOaJ57b1NA8k5IQUrg94CyrhU2OyuC9RPExPqgzvijWHChROBA77yQWBZTpIVlVb6PcOdGIRViIy9lyKOQ5SlFqN98ERvKzlFZg0NKBISSvQWX8POgubjY/s1600/55+Wire+netting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMULiG451fiPZt-sNvBomYbeOaJ57b1NA8k5IQUrg94CyrhU2OyuC9RPExPqgzvijWHChROBA77yQWBZTpIVlVb6PcOdGIRViIy9lyKOQ5SlFqN98ERvKzlFZg0NKBISSvQWX8POgubjY/s320/55+Wire+netting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
55 Wire netting</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2DuJzS6PtqznGt49R2EVDK9t3f6sZzGLvD1RTX2FG1vKn8Lv8klgRowkGF5byJ-lDz55IVIJVtHhcUOmFAydR4E-oe37PRysIp40a1mqTbvwmqyoptTKcgdSransDSb9PyZ-sJNMOw8/s1600/56+Barbering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2DuJzS6PtqznGt49R2EVDK9t3f6sZzGLvD1RTX2FG1vKn8Lv8klgRowkGF5byJ-lDz55IVIJVtHhcUOmFAydR4E-oe37PRysIp40a1mqTbvwmqyoptTKcgdSransDSb9PyZ-sJNMOw8/s320/56+Barbering.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
56 Barbering</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another rainy week so I spent it mostly back in the workshop again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The highlight of my week was when my husband and I went in as models for my son in his barbering course. That was a lot of fun. The barbering photo was shot with my cell phone (a Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime) as I didn't take my camera out with me that day. All the rest were shot with my camera as usual.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm going to be taking a little break from shooting for a week or two while I have other house related projects going on. There just aren't enough daylight hours in the day at the moment, especially as it's winter here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-12426509103813767202017-05-28T14:38:00.001-07:002017-05-28T14:38:55.473-07:00Week 7 Black and White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CFlF1_MxpzSwm900hdk5lewTZB7DWu_s35xHlkNZCv7McVAux0KRUoYNGMCSPtZ1_4VIQtpBUEDtYjXIJIYZhrUrA_6iUyd3t3tLHO23PlJybu7T2cNeHdewJiTUUVkAkjOfptFh2Y0/s1600/43+Basketweave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CFlF1_MxpzSwm900hdk5lewTZB7DWu_s35xHlkNZCv7McVAux0KRUoYNGMCSPtZ1_4VIQtpBUEDtYjXIJIYZhrUrA_6iUyd3t3tLHO23PlJybu7T2cNeHdewJiTUUVkAkjOfptFh2Y0/s320/43+Basketweave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
43 Basket weave</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWESYMkoCU43Nj8cs-Umn7FXBvUBDVYQVx2DT4uqIDiitswGydPzs08cKEZ8f6SrQ3Na3r8gzqF4pTbyW52hivFTg5LUT4r8H95UZuNYp6S_gJNY8Qdlv6G0DYg8TGnVmSS1oRNA3laM/s1600/44+Camelia+Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWESYMkoCU43Nj8cs-Umn7FXBvUBDVYQVx2DT4uqIDiitswGydPzs08cKEZ8f6SrQ3Na3r8gzqF4pTbyW52hivFTg5LUT4r8H95UZuNYp6S_gJNY8Qdlv6G0DYg8TGnVmSS1oRNA3laM/s320/44+Camelia+Flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
44 Camelia flower</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This bush was severely pruned (practically to a stump) by the previous owners of our house. It's started to regrow in the couple of years we've lived here and this year we have been rewarded with</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
some lovely pale pink flowers.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGojS_N6gi8v2pL1YG_A2WuEpA0KDhWOd6ymwS_S6g_U7xs8T-NqqiyzVfWquOIEHkqe8oePZElaAtzWT8WRB12gATcZxbfJSUi-QnIL75XRE9IkrXt_pk_MYR0LtbedlsPdYlMa1ses/s1600/45+Fruit+Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGojS_N6gi8v2pL1YG_A2WuEpA0KDhWOd6ymwS_S6g_U7xs8T-NqqiyzVfWquOIEHkqe8oePZElaAtzWT8WRB12gATcZxbfJSUi-QnIL75XRE9IkrXt_pk_MYR0LtbedlsPdYlMa1ses/s320/45+Fruit+Bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
45 Homegrown Feijoas and some Passionfruit a friend grew.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfQkMLkujQB6YlYU7mc9Al0a4mnOhArkysUj8ncYNrewObPIiZH66I1CdU9loOkHUyTZx1CqavpYOeW3F7yltyDxZlbG0lsU7PK2iBPYeQ9ipgrw8TH3XgS3u6w45niVhwgJlg7IHH1g/s1600/46+Toolbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfQkMLkujQB6YlYU7mc9Al0a4mnOhArkysUj8ncYNrewObPIiZH66I1CdU9loOkHUyTZx1CqavpYOeW3F7yltyDxZlbG0lsU7PK2iBPYeQ9ipgrw8TH3XgS3u6w45niVhwgJlg7IHH1g/s320/46+Toolbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
46 Toolbox.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3clLszq703RxZPfK5BvRM5klp9LILZP6FSyHnaPWKDOwWUmiPkCyw07-v5QY0TJmkSGP0PUs5YHxMGv_xHKjC5PGszhD4mY7hR4jj_dST0qVrdwGto01l22Zrjf0Og7sGhgQXoAleo8/s1600/47+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3clLszq703RxZPfK5BvRM5klp9LILZP6FSyHnaPWKDOwWUmiPkCyw07-v5QY0TJmkSGP0PUs5YHxMGv_xHKjC5PGszhD4mY7hR4jj_dST0qVrdwGto01l22Zrjf0Og7sGhgQXoAleo8/s320/47+Light.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
47 Industrial light fitting</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_mLGI9xr7EKDd3CEJyEVljiy6f-k-y-xrfvRvu1aZ0_OZF9k_K6P0FBfwhlyJnTzMS1wIZSL0vXRX1IIQTD21FyteGd-gy8R3fiN7NeN1gMheb275eGOCBkaqli73HPdGQeFzAefdzk/s1600/48+3+phase+socket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_mLGI9xr7EKDd3CEJyEVljiy6f-k-y-xrfvRvu1aZ0_OZF9k_K6P0FBfwhlyJnTzMS1wIZSL0vXRX1IIQTD21FyteGd-gy8R3fiN7NeN1gMheb275eGOCBkaqli73HPdGQeFzAefdzk/s320/48+3+phase+socket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
48 Three phase powerpoint</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_fAUBEI0hWqCpezseOrVq24Gt14kD4ThIne4o5PuigtGpMzON0ed03A3mgTUgFzSrodESEnRDuY_JB7DLS_yd1-e2Viu45h5K1bsPDhf8sXon9-ghcPehDzxUhJS-mqP1cYEqZf1Juw/s1600/49+Saw+blade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_fAUBEI0hWqCpezseOrVq24Gt14kD4ThIne4o5PuigtGpMzON0ed03A3mgTUgFzSrodESEnRDuY_JB7DLS_yd1-e2Viu45h5K1bsPDhf8sXon9-ghcPehDzxUhJS-mqP1cYEqZf1Juw/s320/49+Saw+blade.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
49 Saw blade</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week the weather was cold and rainy and miserable so I spent some time in my husband's workshop looking for inspiration.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-21410146666739639192017-05-28T14:29:00.000-07:002017-05-28T14:29:12.868-07:00Week 6 Black and White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8z4xjB9FKUjFbXeU1-XykDxZ8EvhT_AGxYp9JJT2lsn3heDgsxqDQ3BWmgZp1GeZBWrPhIZgqeaFJSAzcJ0LBQuyjHZsQqC93N5nzR3UXcLe4JlbEXDYGCsfrcR2gcle6pnooT6Zhqs/s1600/36+Basketweave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8z4xjB9FKUjFbXeU1-XykDxZ8EvhT_AGxYp9JJT2lsn3heDgsxqDQ3BWmgZp1GeZBWrPhIZgqeaFJSAzcJ0LBQuyjHZsQqC93N5nzR3UXcLe4JlbEXDYGCsfrcR2gcle6pnooT6Zhqs/s320/36+Basketweave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
36 Basket weave</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEj33LSs5wqPsn_JdPsVzHQqo6nCzHLCj9XCIpGW9h1mrDuCucKj-7hc_ilgc35VlXywIpSUCwMro2NGTZBcrKQaIhlf8zQuY9SZuj7_qSmbtwzxInh5DqVHyLFCiRC10GSsRV39TyOI/s1600/37+Buddha+Eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEj33LSs5wqPsn_JdPsVzHQqo6nCzHLCj9XCIpGW9h1mrDuCucKj-7hc_ilgc35VlXywIpSUCwMro2NGTZBcrKQaIhlf8zQuY9SZuj7_qSmbtwzxInh5DqVHyLFCiRC10GSsRV39TyOI/s320/37+Buddha+Eye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
37 Buddha eye</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlewAiE-qmXkQRqGX5kjTUWixsvWwgQcChjIF3wqClaQJvkrFrGwWJ3vlQogiC7C6Me-E5KPniyNbU-nIuYBh93ccHQrDItbBe1BYLbdxXe4-lWMqXWL8qQ_RzN1ooIaMNngHKcsiQ2VE/s1600/38+Elephant+Fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlewAiE-qmXkQRqGX5kjTUWixsvWwgQcChjIF3wqClaQJvkrFrGwWJ3vlQogiC7C6Me-E5KPniyNbU-nIuYBh93ccHQrDItbBe1BYLbdxXe4-lWMqXWL8qQ_RzN1ooIaMNngHKcsiQ2VE/s320/38+Elephant+Fabric.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
38 Thai elephant fabric texture</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSWHu2ozJqINTsKK_ud3Od0gYxYq7wrf7NDo0a1N943bFGVYIoJ_mpFxVde71nrUhUP_bpJ7NDWSPTSDjw_3uL0jaSoMtMjOWa7yoBtmVPFk9NRlGhPuJzrDH4QEr04BD8UlHmSAYmUE/s1600/39+Metallic+Pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSWHu2ozJqINTsKK_ud3Od0gYxYq7wrf7NDo0a1N943bFGVYIoJ_mpFxVde71nrUhUP_bpJ7NDWSPTSDjw_3uL0jaSoMtMjOWa7yoBtmVPFk9NRlGhPuJzrDH4QEr04BD8UlHmSAYmUE/s320/39+Metallic+Pattern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
39 Metal texture</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ajyt36CKLIcrb9JzLbDGeTQAUGhEIcb4rc2OwIfPOrmHDRlNM9ODtYoBpFgZBVu3mtcrIrFTCngnUKR_yhtCDNjgbqtAMYl_dlPkXGPQR8y2lXMEqE1DkeuEDa1MZ7dX2jb-96Z52Io/s1600/40+Crosstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ajyt36CKLIcrb9JzLbDGeTQAUGhEIcb4rc2OwIfPOrmHDRlNM9ODtYoBpFgZBVu3mtcrIrFTCngnUKR_yhtCDNjgbqtAMYl_dlPkXGPQR8y2lXMEqE1DkeuEDa1MZ7dX2jb-96Z52Io/s320/40+Crosstitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
40 Crosstitch texture</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf2A8ZMOQmPJP_U8RyL8r4m9EbEnBz7rliKYBjKIgTpe_pw_odiPbVs_w6CGMjNh687dGNR6b9vVTqXwNgn4DHDQ_7XtuxpqnzDdjVo8p0jBSIC9V3wLzPan-RUGWNrua6kGBPn5YEUY/s1600/41+Dreary+Roadtrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf2A8ZMOQmPJP_U8RyL8r4m9EbEnBz7rliKYBjKIgTpe_pw_odiPbVs_w6CGMjNh687dGNR6b9vVTqXwNgn4DHDQ_7XtuxpqnzDdjVo8p0jBSIC9V3wLzPan-RUGWNrua6kGBPn5YEUY/s320/41+Dreary+Roadtrip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
41 Dreary weather</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXztA4jm-Qq-CcdBOwGjCYbqwie3G7nIGwmPZyWgBdtiaF-rdlAnPvSwW8IcJ8zAg8TgbGgfzFgQ7Nbws7kzwLqflPRYro0a4Ly2ewsI6aZR3aTdmCQgJufMxnHroVv79Jc1fy5HSJi4c/s1600/42+Fabric+Pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXztA4jm-Qq-CcdBOwGjCYbqwie3G7nIGwmPZyWgBdtiaF-rdlAnPvSwW8IcJ8zAg8TgbGgfzFgQ7Nbws7kzwLqflPRYro0a4Ly2ewsI6aZR3aTdmCQgJufMxnHroVv79Jc1fy5HSJi4c/s320/42+Fabric+Pattern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
42 Fabric texture</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week the weather was lousy but I did get a guy out to quote on replacing our upstairs heatpump and installing a completely new system downstairs. It'll be great to get some proper more economical heating throughout this house.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-30303229777990920232017-05-28T14:21:00.000-07:002017-05-28T14:21:50.781-07:00Week 5 Black and White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8CfmOFN1hh2Yf2lWBNbeHFsSOYBvcExg6uYDWsi_CrgiRb88BYm7KJY0_FCnXOvCK3OCDRsP_H6lnATRKIKLMQHOQGZ5xRw2onaTkNvRgo6H9k24YzPLxnRBfXYZXQBVG82xSe2JEZQ/s1600/29+Budgie+Through+Wire+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8CfmOFN1hh2Yf2lWBNbeHFsSOYBvcExg6uYDWsi_CrgiRb88BYm7KJY0_FCnXOvCK3OCDRsP_H6lnATRKIKLMQHOQGZ5xRw2onaTkNvRgo6H9k24YzPLxnRBfXYZXQBVG82xSe2JEZQ/s320/29+Budgie+Through+Wire+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
29 Budgie</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTKDlywDRD3srM9Y1QvMGc2qutqzMqz8ov-Qn8KunqiZIUWn0ZFOmXwIjjjwTnSoRZOz7gI3B_a1MDnmZACqekbaxYQYVa7vkamXBWAwKyspl2N5jEboMPN6sa2KY0jQktCv_b0UVlAE/s1600/30+Sunny+Day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTKDlywDRD3srM9Y1QvMGc2qutqzMqz8ov-Qn8KunqiZIUWn0ZFOmXwIjjjwTnSoRZOz7gI3B_a1MDnmZACqekbaxYQYVa7vkamXBWAwKyspl2N5jEboMPN6sa2KY0jQktCv_b0UVlAE/s320/30+Sunny+Day+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
30 Sunny Day</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeze9_e9cRNcczsxgg7lzvmNnCx038n9Mc-F0yMvqheAcfpehFgWZ5CRiR9ly-fopWlS4LuVulqAfambP7K5BwV00ai6biHunmM314kYZwN0ybJ6aP73hF7VVxbz7qXCZP96ZWRRJlb4/s1600/31+Rhodrhi+Texting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeze9_e9cRNcczsxgg7lzvmNnCx038n9Mc-F0yMvqheAcfpehFgWZ5CRiR9ly-fopWlS4LuVulqAfambP7K5BwV00ai6biHunmM314kYZwN0ybJ6aP73hF7VVxbz7qXCZP96ZWRRJlb4/s320/31+Rhodrhi+Texting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
31 My son texting</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrJIL75Or_zzAW_RMWfftroSKIaY3WlRf6eqJuxD6saEhO_Y3OYdiU32ka4t65EFpotMR2FhWUb_ksJbnDW_EmvXG7P3FjOkfMfDJpa9N5b64BgGPLgTwVOBGLRVsgzDE4aCwKxLvQEQ/s1600/32+Paint+texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrJIL75Or_zzAW_RMWfftroSKIaY3WlRf6eqJuxD6saEhO_Y3OYdiU32ka4t65EFpotMR2FhWUb_ksJbnDW_EmvXG7P3FjOkfMfDJpa9N5b64BgGPLgTwVOBGLRVsgzDE4aCwKxLvQEQ/s320/32+Paint+texture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
32 Paint texture</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHRPOs6S-BAlGbw9bogKOCR0s8krJdpBaV-Vc-Fq9G_2FyzghiDmWJKu1igKL_I3ySMeRLULn9jyxYPruxMgsaw2UJyq4zkMWsSxs6v7pMDKuziMTeuFg-UD8lojr6_5jSBNBwZwl9Ps/s1600/33+Fabric+Texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHRPOs6S-BAlGbw9bogKOCR0s8krJdpBaV-Vc-Fq9G_2FyzghiDmWJKu1igKL_I3ySMeRLULn9jyxYPruxMgsaw2UJyq4zkMWsSxs6v7pMDKuziMTeuFg-UD8lojr6_5jSBNBwZwl9Ps/s320/33+Fabric+Texture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
33 Fabric texture</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJijrC0QzzPoPDPIVgwzm7ibzd9y4Mt2w1RrKO23Wi5KGuocdZ6sixM4YqPhdfdcwbKovZ9SAJimiPT3BJI-PJkmgOOvJXRNoNeQTBicj0Y8mLh8_jvjriiJw7hzM_CfJmI5RMFECfh2o/s1600/34+Ceramic+Texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJijrC0QzzPoPDPIVgwzm7ibzd9y4Mt2w1RrKO23Wi5KGuocdZ6sixM4YqPhdfdcwbKovZ9SAJimiPT3BJI-PJkmgOOvJXRNoNeQTBicj0Y8mLh8_jvjriiJw7hzM_CfJmI5RMFECfh2o/s320/34+Ceramic+Texture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
34 Ceramic texture</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLB8wVgiT_1qc6DwKJ4BhVgF7hcl3u1WpsN80GbDzCIeMHQ_mdJQBRO6LTbvm5hDQZNqNWnVlNYAJFMv6vd77ot1Wie3_soPyaJiWp1o9OibrO7ha_4YhQ8FVKIZHEiZ-RLHIOLpen8s/s1600/35+Blurred+Trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLB8wVgiT_1qc6DwKJ4BhVgF7hcl3u1WpsN80GbDzCIeMHQ_mdJQBRO6LTbvm5hDQZNqNWnVlNYAJFMv6vd77ot1Wie3_soPyaJiWp1o9OibrO7ha_4YhQ8FVKIZHEiZ-RLHIOLpen8s/s320/35+Blurred+Trees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
35 Blurred trees</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm a few weeks behind in posting these images as I've been a bit busy with the renovations and having a massive declutter so I can't remember what I was thinking when I shot some of these images. Sorry about that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week I processed some of my images using an Instagram filter that made the images a bluish color for a bit of a change.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-11550704631290110452017-04-26T20:46:00.001-07:002017-04-26T20:46:08.210-07:00The Way We Use Our Spaces<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsPmwR2GxeWhs9uaAJVeM-BwFwDohMRzcoeRCLVlq9FEJyzyobTyxgqqb7DS7sMLJnYy54yC3F243PSTyhrTCb9XroyCO6_wPq1uTet7GFY-MgxuxZ6ShS-_D0b2LgyFNVKQYVCp8Mmk/s1600/12115605_817726701678366_1173834728175409690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsPmwR2GxeWhs9uaAJVeM-BwFwDohMRzcoeRCLVlq9FEJyzyobTyxgqqb7DS7sMLJnYy54yC3F243PSTyhrTCb9XroyCO6_wPq1uTet7GFY-MgxuxZ6ShS-_D0b2LgyFNVKQYVCp8Mmk/s320/12115605_817726701678366_1173834728175409690_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Recently I've been wondering whether we really still have too much stuff or whether some of the cluttered feeling in our house comes more from a misuse of our available space and a lack of storage where it's needed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hubby, when he's home, spends most of his time between his workshop and his office off the lounge. Which to be honest is a bit of an eyesore with not enough storage space.(see pic below) . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tjZo1VkGQwpDpqxyg3iAfD4XltCUqyrpJe2gbTHhNeqAi82rInY-awftCfrsHZeHTGu7p67JUXKAwIwXUB_WM0xY0Lz7G1F8zh-zsXHO1GGze9Va7tkaIBXgF27nTEuHciyM4gKkt-8/s1600/20170427_143612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tjZo1VkGQwpDpqxyg3iAfD4XltCUqyrpJe2gbTHhNeqAi82rInY-awftCfrsHZeHTGu7p67JUXKAwIwXUB_WM0xY0Lz7G1F8zh-zsXHO1GGze9Va7tkaIBXgF27nTEuHciyM4gKkt-8/s320/20170427_143612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Did I say, ' a bit of an eyesore?'</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spend my daytime hours when I'm at home either at my desk, which is also in the lounge, or in the kitchen, laundry, or garden. Our current office spaces don't have any real storage. Hubby has a few drawers, otherwise everything's all over his desk and I have files stuck in boxes in a cupboard off the lounge that are a pain to get into when you need something in a hurry and a few art supplies stashed in a drawer in the spare room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The picture below is of the office space we built for me in a corner of the dining room just after we moved here. Hubby built my desk for me. It had lots of positives like great lighting, lots of space and close to the kitchen for working while keeping an eye on things cooking but unfortunately the cold draft from people going in and out the back door (out of sight to the right of this picture) and the constant disturbances from everyone coming and going decided the fate of this office space. So I ended up moving into a dark, out of the way corner of the lounge for the last year or so. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugfgjLPTXuS_bD-_I98hUVS0M7T6vBgfn__SYl3erz9Xg3rYH20yFZNOeS5LPe0iF9SgP-GJW-ZS2A64W8PACAQB9RhXyuU9OVmLR82QmioCarfmZ4qwlpa2sr6l5gitzmwMsbloOrS4/s1600/20150603_143322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugfgjLPTXuS_bD-_I98hUVS0M7T6vBgfn__SYl3erz9Xg3rYH20yFZNOeS5LPe0iF9SgP-GJW-ZS2A64W8PACAQB9RhXyuU9OVmLR82QmioCarfmZ4qwlpa2sr6l5gitzmwMsbloOrS4/s320/20150603_143322.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looks great but has too much through traffic and cold drafts in winter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another problem has been a lack of linen storage. The previous owners of our house had removed the linen cupboard from the hallway and extended the bathroom into the space. They had then created a cupboard in a corner of the dining room, I suppose to replace the missing linen cupboard, but it's in a really silly place and the door opens over the doorway into the lounge. Blocking traffic flow through and around the main hub of the house. It turns out that they must have built the whole wall between the lounge and dining area as it doesn't show on the original house plans at all and after removing the wallpaper from the wall you can see that that whole section of wall has all new wall linings. Effectively they took an open plan house and partitioned it all off. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our problems; </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>We had a cluttered lounge filled with office stuff and overflow from my daughter's room. </li>
<li>A large master bedroom space with more floor space and storage than we needed and all the best but unused light.</li>
<li>My daughter's room with not enough closet space or floor space to play and so her things were spilling into other areas of our house. </li>
<li>We also had no linen cupboard as the people that lived here before us thought it was a good idea to take it out and extend the bathroom and then partition up the lounge and dining areas and squeeze a cupboard into a random corner. </li>
<li>No proper storage for office related things and a messy office just by the front door and my desk in a dark corner.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our solutions;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Hubby and I decided to swap bedrooms with our daughter. We gave up the master bedroom to her as she has far more need of the storage and floor space in her room for playing and dancing with her friends than we needed just for sleeping. We had the largest room with the best natural light streaming though huge windows and yet the room remained empty most of the day. All that light and space was wasted on us. Now she has storage for all her books and toys/board games. She has plenty of floor space to spread out with her friends and the low winter sunlight in the room makes it a sun filled, warm, pleasant place to be for her. She loves it!</li>
<li>We moved our bed into the spare room. It has ample space for us and a great large wardrobe so we haven't lost any space. It's on the South West side of the house so we don't get much sunlight until the late afternoon but that's fine because we're rarely in there during the day.</li>
<li>Our daughter's bedroom we've turned into an office, it only has a single wardrobe so we've converted that into the linen cupboard. All the towels and spare sheets are in there and it's close to all the bedrooms and the bathroom where we need it.</li>
<li>The office space is large enough to fit two desks and some shelving with room to spare, so all the files I have stashed in boxes will have homes as soon as I pick up another shelf unit. That also means that Hubby's desk can be cleaned up.</li>
<li>Which leaves the lounge. I haven't taken a picture in there yet as I've got a large pile of things to be donated growing in there at the moment. I can also say that we've moved our home library in there too (it was in the spare room before) and it's so much better having the books near a comfy, well lit, place to read them.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So it looks like we had a mixture of problems. Some of it was due to too much stuff but a good bit more of it was due to us not thinking about how we could better make use of our available space.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The master bedroom doesn't have to be used just for the adults. I'm not sure where the idea came from that we have to have the largest bedroom in the house but it seems a waste of space to me. If I want some quiet time I can go to my room, lie on the bed and read or listen to music. I don't need loads of space for that. I've also discovered that if the kids have a nice space of their own to be in, they're more likely to spend their time in it. So the lounge is then quiet anyway. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have a spare room you can turn into your office, do it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This removes all the work thoughts to that room, where you can walk out, shut the door and leave them when you need a break. Having the office in the lounge just encourages working at stupid o'clock or when you should be having family time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Storage is best placed where you need it. Linens and towels near the rooms you use them in. Files and office stuff in the office. Your home library is best placed near a comfy chair and a window for good light to read by.</div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-39104810442475081792017-04-26T18:46:00.000-07:002017-04-26T18:46:07.140-07:00Week 4 Black And White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWAjkaYfvVoDUOwPgWkq8G3aQLMXYvOAiD6zSJNNQqltE9B-JGaWYNHw3thAQd5Vx9tusVUH-ABg7ORU_O5bqFntPCodBMt0vM44jpCgzOBUdiA80z-Nne_1dd4CkwEIVwfake_olVDI/s1600/22+Fern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWAjkaYfvVoDUOwPgWkq8G3aQLMXYvOAiD6zSJNNQqltE9B-JGaWYNHw3thAQd5Vx9tusVUH-ABg7ORU_O5bqFntPCodBMt0vM44jpCgzOBUdiA80z-Nne_1dd4CkwEIVwfake_olVDI/s320/22+Fern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 22 Tree Fern</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtzA2c6yYioyKrU1XbWILE3JBOe4ZYCiXJTLI1gE9YpB7o76Aayw_jsDOphIoQrEazLZgfo3dC8SnDt4ZjowbiaraFP0emMmD0v8EEHCaZSEBprGmVVBrJjZZ4JOoV56YjwCaDMjvDFs/s1600/23+Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtzA2c6yYioyKrU1XbWILE3JBOe4ZYCiXJTLI1gE9YpB7o76Aayw_jsDOphIoQrEazLZgfo3dC8SnDt4ZjowbiaraFP0emMmD0v8EEHCaZSEBprGmVVBrJjZZ4JOoV56YjwCaDMjvDFs/s320/23+Painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 23 Interior Painting</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The undercoat is on the walls and I thought I'd shoot it while waiting for the paint to dry. Better than watching it I guess :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hubby and I decided to go against the norm this week. We moved out of our 'master bedroom' (above pic) and once we had finished painting we moved our daughter in there instead. Our daughter's room always seemed cluttered and messy and her stuff was in all the rooms all over the house. She only had a single wardrobe in her room so there was never much room to store more than her clothes in there. Moving her into the largest bedroom with the best storage seemed like a good idea. It's not like hubby and I were holding regular gymnastics competitions and dance parties in there with lots of other friends like she does. Now all of her toys and things have a space in her room and she has room to move. We also have a much clearer idea of what things she has now that everything's in one place. Which is making things easier to sort through. The room also has lots of natural light and lovely winter sunshine. Perfect for someone that spends a lot of daylight hours in their room, not so much for those of us that only see it in the dark as we stumble to bed lol.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This has had a flow on effect throughout the house. The lounge is now less cluttered. The messy office that was just off the lounge is now moving into my daughter's old room. Which gives us plenty of space for two desks and I'll even have room for some shelving for files that I didn't have before. So that's sorted out another storage problem too. There's also the added bonus of being able to close the door on the office and know we've finished for the day. No more sneaking in a bit more work before bed because we can see the work beckoning us from across the lounge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hubby and I are happy with the smaller room, all our stuff fits fine and we still have a large wardrobe space so we haven't really lost anything out of the move, though to be fair, all the upstairs bedrooms can comfortably fit a kingsize bed so it's not like we moved into a closet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been a win, win, win all round!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KOAXZR5YwvnvZuqGZ2XQAM1zUMg78nt-Az7__ZFpMl0_ezyZnjyc8qgCyhPUXUzO8ruLH7kJ5Yuvjle6xm5aO_KzQypdC1SVzA5ygxU1Mp71b5dD2JKwyWbTCy4mkGHNxEXGjcEHfwY/s1600/24+Wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KOAXZR5YwvnvZuqGZ2XQAM1zUMg78nt-Az7__ZFpMl0_ezyZnjyc8qgCyhPUXUzO8ruLH7kJ5Yuvjle6xm5aO_KzQypdC1SVzA5ygxU1Mp71b5dD2JKwyWbTCy4mkGHNxEXGjcEHfwY/s320/24+Wood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 24 Wood Texture</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6Nm8i3-6Nz6Iq9Vshpr7vFstEEEuGy7OXBvzvT9K4smaRtrfnMln8drZT4-tU-yfzYcsOdQGWOwYUNqAWDLJqall0wHe0vrxppeEVmg0OA0-9Ps1nCGWs24mQewYZy916gJB5ZQlko4/s1600/25+Butterfly_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6Nm8i3-6Nz6Iq9Vshpr7vFstEEEuGy7OXBvzvT9K4smaRtrfnMln8drZT4-tU-yfzYcsOdQGWOwYUNqAWDLJqall0wHe0vrxppeEVmg0OA0-9Ps1nCGWs24mQewYZy916gJB5ZQlko4/s320/25+Butterfly_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 25 Monarch Butterfly</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQxp62mZSYpqOX222zI48u1x0lYw4aEDBEfqy5GJDQem9lADgtzhNkMgFAEB4ZNG2Y-amqwVbnIiB0P8loGUVJkXC0Q9AnP1U7GLle2o5xgRqfgD8hSTRBZnJnn7HZnUEzxH7zhFOPKo/s1600/26+Sparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQxp62mZSYpqOX222zI48u1x0lYw4aEDBEfqy5GJDQem9lADgtzhNkMgFAEB4ZNG2Y-amqwVbnIiB0P8loGUVJkXC0Q9AnP1U7GLle2o5xgRqfgD8hSTRBZnJnn7HZnUEzxH7zhFOPKo/s320/26+Sparrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 26 Sparrow</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo1HcYG_aJZUxgjKcAlkPcXysJ-HOIXK_xuaAsaTvDmUjl8f1hbG8l6JkU7NUhAlZk59f7KG0whyphenhyphenVNraRCtNCaukzeFXqbnyyx4MzBNhLbIWP2x1v4JJYRjgN2e_qh9Gsq2ejy9VUT9s/s1600/27+Shadows+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo1HcYG_aJZUxgjKcAlkPcXysJ-HOIXK_xuaAsaTvDmUjl8f1hbG8l6JkU7NUhAlZk59f7KG0whyphenhyphenVNraRCtNCaukzeFXqbnyyx4MzBNhLbIWP2x1v4JJYRjgN2e_qh9Gsq2ejy9VUT9s/s320/27+Shadows+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 27 Palm Shadows</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlvgQZ_Nwx4Erp9t1MxsUgEiSQ15R8TM_ZYOGL1gbXnTzcq5AenLhdrKLdLnCpmzjEEQVEMBwP1Xxfh4nVRNESRY2VedVKXhV1ORA8Gd4de9Swwmls7PsixRjqvaKs3Xv1QUQQLTiS9E/s1600/28+Bee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlvgQZ_Nwx4Erp9t1MxsUgEiSQ15R8TM_ZYOGL1gbXnTzcq5AenLhdrKLdLnCpmzjEEQVEMBwP1Xxfh4nVRNESRY2VedVKXhV1ORA8Gd4de9Swwmls7PsixRjqvaKs3Xv1QUQQLTiS9E/s320/28+Bee+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 28 Busy Bee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
I guess that's it for another busy week.<br />
<br />
Have a great week :)</div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-36393503557331917472017-04-17T20:21:00.001-07:002017-04-17T20:21:44.370-07:00Week 3 Black And White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySJzHqHQTBSYU_WLkofKIpDo1v2tyV3Vg63UKWRiO_d-1Tbpiq6l0Z0-FXsXodaF1j2SuMju0bam4Hata-3sYNx84XnUG1w1ogzLGqVZnMyvl_kMHmoexUarDI0aEBvOnzPIMZ1J9y_s/s1600/15+Flaking+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySJzHqHQTBSYU_WLkofKIpDo1v2tyV3Vg63UKWRiO_d-1Tbpiq6l0Z0-FXsXodaF1j2SuMju0bam4Hata-3sYNx84XnUG1w1ogzLGqVZnMyvl_kMHmoexUarDI0aEBvOnzPIMZ1J9y_s/s320/15+Flaking+Paint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 15 Flaking Paint</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week I decided to explore a few more textures such as the flaking paint above and the textured throw below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVhyphenhyphen-HqMjaGyyK5bEFU1Fn0PEMTeSrJF9TorJjLrkXrkx4cWnODg5wDJ76vR8V4DSX3BsInsPJCCjoWw4TZzfa14IKbiTfdsAK26KbrJ6quo8_GAXwS7yPhhLYQMxKeW4fA4A4EW0dUU/s1600/16+Throw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVhyphenhyphen-HqMjaGyyK5bEFU1Fn0PEMTeSrJF9TorJjLrkXrkx4cWnODg5wDJ76vR8V4DSX3BsInsPJCCjoWw4TZzfa14IKbiTfdsAK26KbrJ6quo8_GAXwS7yPhhLYQMxKeW4fA4A4EW0dUU/s320/16+Throw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 16 Textured Throw</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGhz1LsCXteP2lfSuMtuf7HQDaEFm7T5zryI5v05n7qq5yHNVPufdZh_SnDyghtExS5YQLSgpG44zTFY66sJCZsLRxcX26oleQw8k6H37rAZIsyjv05jdaeB0brbqJwplZaXzy0cvJig/s1600/17+Steampunk+Hat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGhz1LsCXteP2lfSuMtuf7HQDaEFm7T5zryI5v05n7qq5yHNVPufdZh_SnDyghtExS5YQLSgpG44zTFY66sJCZsLRxcX26oleQw8k6H37rAZIsyjv05jdaeB0brbqJwplZaXzy0cvJig/s320/17+Steampunk+Hat+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 17 Steampunk Hat</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My son wearing a Steampunk hat he created for a fun day at his barbering course. It's made out of a cheap $2 shop hat and old cotton reels and broken swim goggles and other bits and pieces that he spray painted gold to pull it all together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfmeumiiesM2Qrh64mEOw47Wn5j2HF1okzDI5L3snJ9j1LQ2Ob50wfo49mHXZBp9ZFAaz6MPRDVEbxs64WhtYcAMP8nBMMhkDHSxBfW7bA9odQTRKf2bkjk7R-vkIbXOltFqNmf25eS8/s1600/Steampunk+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfmeumiiesM2Qrh64mEOw47Wn5j2HF1okzDI5L3snJ9j1LQ2Ob50wfo49mHXZBp9ZFAaz6MPRDVEbxs64WhtYcAMP8nBMMhkDHSxBfW7bA9odQTRKf2bkjk7R-vkIbXOltFqNmf25eS8/s320/Steampunk+hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My son's hat in color.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCxfoIiIo5osZxsbZ7-zJ2yU95vsncnsbcuTj1QwTZVJFUlKJiZHoOtPOS9hMpVnZoTjXOECaN-0PCL8b2HqePH9GSxrH6yHhFVszsO_gPOVcwrB4NM99WrbiIrxuK2hNjYsWobG-aw4/s1600/18+Quan+Yin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCxfoIiIo5osZxsbZ7-zJ2yU95vsncnsbcuTj1QwTZVJFUlKJiZHoOtPOS9hMpVnZoTjXOECaN-0PCL8b2HqePH9GSxrH6yHhFVszsO_gPOVcwrB4NM99WrbiIrxuK2hNjYsWobG-aw4/s320/18+Quan+Yin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 18 Quan Yin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB__rOv3meYlm6HoNnEIaLuLuHzal0niI-X3FXr1lWaJTldqdxwZfOU_jJoMOBycsxpNvIkGfla3OZsZIUvkgcE24_BOOHuhI8OKIKTmpbWAWK3opu2pEePbp-3tbtKdf_mia8m_KgNg/s1600/19+Drawers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB__rOv3meYlm6HoNnEIaLuLuHzal0niI-X3FXr1lWaJTldqdxwZfOU_jJoMOBycsxpNvIkGfla3OZsZIUvkgcE24_BOOHuhI8OKIKTmpbWAWK3opu2pEePbp-3tbtKdf_mia8m_KgNg/s320/19+Drawers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 19 Bits and bobs drawers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmgjzwv2rZsSWya22BztFLDg_uT3x06eE3ujB_HqTXckh1X_dqLA8J-FJsDG35XmX8hJDPFYTV1dTkurx44zy4dTmpo3YIofRZ7I_vMMPy7AzBSWnPmJoM0nRkuzd1R4dhvx07i4xd7U/s1600/20+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmgjzwv2rZsSWya22BztFLDg_uT3x06eE3ujB_HqTXckh1X_dqLA8J-FJsDG35XmX8hJDPFYTV1dTkurx44zy4dTmpo3YIofRZ7I_vMMPy7AzBSWnPmJoM0nRkuzd1R4dhvx07i4xd7U/s320/20+Night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 20 Our neighbors at night</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFwrsi3CrNWmjdnikcS9u11HwafWp12ZeOQABECmDXQ29USwKUrXAeGA9wWyWVnbbtD-l1SrVINt-_NzMq4IAYjrp2g4xhfSFS2Jw4DfKi3FEVumWFc7NU32lFFRGfDIBnpCGR5mkJQ4/s1600/21+Texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFwrsi3CrNWmjdnikcS9u11HwafWp12ZeOQABECmDXQ29USwKUrXAeGA9wWyWVnbbtD-l1SrVINt-_NzMq4IAYjrp2g4xhfSFS2Jw4DfKi3FEVumWFc7NU32lFFRGfDIBnpCGR5mkJQ4/s320/21+Texture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 21 Scratched paintwork</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As I post this I'm already four days into the next week and I feel absolutely knackered after spending the last couple of days painting our master bedroom from top to bottom. It looks great now that it's done though, and it was the last bedroom needing to be done so, Yay! That just leaves the big jobs left. The kitchen/lounge/dining and bathroom. Also a lick of paint in the office off the lounge too maybe, but that's a small job compared to the rest and I'm not sure what I want to do in there yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-26884937409048478772017-04-08T19:41:00.000-07:002017-04-08T19:41:59.726-07:00Week 2 Black And White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiB6OtLYfVvNIJSUdZ7qqYmahi8XQkl-wWSGnztSjpSTL_7LXT2ghQw4gyjsorwvxrm8I76VCopwbGWeNoBE5vj-cyRMVHTDkGScWZj0pXdhOAvqtIfjwTfi98EkImL1_vbTgOqzuwZs/s1600/8+Buddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiB6OtLYfVvNIJSUdZ7qqYmahi8XQkl-wWSGnztSjpSTL_7LXT2ghQw4gyjsorwvxrm8I76VCopwbGWeNoBE5vj-cyRMVHTDkGScWZj0pXdhOAvqtIfjwTfi98EkImL1_vbTgOqzuwZs/s320/8+Buddha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 8 Buddha. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week I've explored the dark background some more, which I'm really liking the look of and tried a couple of close ups. A macro lens is still top of my personal wishlist for this year but it comes behind house renovations again, unfortunately. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHtdOg1kaQ7fTrqpFNcDH2dG3wA-KaSi0WZNw-KWs3LV3KTdaxBEmF_uRzo0WJp9nEkdA3O0HjTlaSjIyOSusPVI-0V0hXIq_TWdzQJ0DBGclhMPkZ1-tE6uddD6tfkggjC2JeFKGhQE/s1600/9+Panda+Toy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHtdOg1kaQ7fTrqpFNcDH2dG3wA-KaSi0WZNw-KWs3LV3KTdaxBEmF_uRzo0WJp9nEkdA3O0HjTlaSjIyOSusPVI-0V0hXIq_TWdzQJ0DBGclhMPkZ1-tE6uddD6tfkggjC2JeFKGhQE/s320/9+Panda+Toy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 9 Toy Panda.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My daughter collects little animal toys that are quite realistic looking and have a nice texture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15taCE7N1uVF1eUxlHaSKOxe55uzCNUmaLCnl6oD-Pi_-cxC-EUWYfYirkpNdBBKWyh8lFOTPAIIonEA3RtteXMwbVAdDj_rQN9agIqXTZH94Qu5uqr3w94AVE1uKzq0rOoRgD6vMlbw/s1600/10+Dahlia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15taCE7N1uVF1eUxlHaSKOxe55uzCNUmaLCnl6oD-Pi_-cxC-EUWYfYirkpNdBBKWyh8lFOTPAIIonEA3RtteXMwbVAdDj_rQN9agIqXTZH94Qu5uqr3w94AVE1uKzq0rOoRgD6vMlbw/s320/10+Dahlia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 10 Dahlia Flower</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spotted this beautiful bloom just after the rain had stopped when I was seeing my daughter off to school.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-rda9qOOVo5VIhnkMgXo-TnKjj8uVM6uNS1lACGex6EvUaCT9LkvQqZl5377BUO_uOMXXV2Ve7KXPQHnwP_Is-4lchGdaqwqdg8TcDt3gFFRcbMviCIkVXAQ1lwPJXfrZ3u4GneF63o/s1600/11+Brass+Vase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-rda9qOOVo5VIhnkMgXo-TnKjj8uVM6uNS1lACGex6EvUaCT9LkvQqZl5377BUO_uOMXXV2Ve7KXPQHnwP_Is-4lchGdaqwqdg8TcDt3gFFRcbMviCIkVXAQ1lwPJXfrZ3u4GneF63o/s320/11+Brass+Vase.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 11 Brass Vase</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Unfortunately it poured with rain this day so I stayed in and shot a vase in my window.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eZgporKmLp4kjc2_wA4ZYx__DC6h3zP5vhW23vCW74E0UaSUV5MEIkOS3esHAo2PyzaR4t4GRRYzFYA7y5Z24SeFjR3Qrq1b5vneajmIJ1V9ByK2cDvSJO0KLaGnJSkGHB7Paqp4i8Y/s1600/12+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eZgporKmLp4kjc2_wA4ZYx__DC6h3zP5vhW23vCW74E0UaSUV5MEIkOS3esHAo2PyzaR4t4GRRYzFYA7y5Z24SeFjR3Qrq1b5vneajmIJ1V9ByK2cDvSJO0KLaGnJSkGHB7Paqp4i8Y/s320/12+Rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 12 Rain</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This day the weather was even worse and I shot this through the bathroom window at 6am when I found the roof gutters overflowing with too much water. Other places in New Zealand had severe flooding so we were lucky that it was only overflowing gutters we had to worry about.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2O2xH4P1-LkMzJ-KMg8-0Pnchq6og2myXEkwYWFILL0DlnSVGw4hUpxqq-CWhKQ0wWCdKT2qGKUYoVoWlvvRgfI2ywpjI2o7VxasqvZELR8KbQxHIa6Otmyk0gr3gvGvofxRxylEqV4/s1600/13+Arwen+Loves+School.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2O2xH4P1-LkMzJ-KMg8-0Pnchq6og2myXEkwYWFILL0DlnSVGw4hUpxqq-CWhKQ0wWCdKT2qGKUYoVoWlvvRgfI2ywpjI2o7VxasqvZELR8KbQxHIa6Otmyk0gr3gvGvofxRxylEqV4/s320/13+Arwen+Loves+School.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 13 Grouchy Face</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My daughter was in a funny mood this morning and although we shot happier looking images this day, she decided that this was the one that most suited the day. Monday-itis on a Thursday school day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhcAZv2C1n1sft0sFPEjKk4jTEUvGPXGGps5nQ641mRYI3oEbzrQtw49OA-MXmNSdiHigg6YnON4JlcUUuEKGd_XdoKtUl7eslN6Jv0qKRLzL7vs0EQ-_yg-4WKJpwm402LmrobUU5dU/s1600/14+Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhcAZv2C1n1sft0sFPEjKk4jTEUvGPXGGps5nQ641mRYI3oEbzrQtw49OA-MXmNSdiHigg6YnON4JlcUUuEKGd_XdoKtUl7eslN6Jv0qKRLzL7vs0EQ-_yg-4WKJpwm402LmrobUU5dU/s320/14+Rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 14 Rose</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spotted this lovely new bloom in my garden and loved the rain drops on it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It rained most of this week and a couple of days it was really heavy which put me off going out with my camera. Although my camera body is rainproof my kit lens unfortunately isn't. The macro lens I yearn for however is, so hopefully once I can get it I'll be more confident about taking my camera out in the rain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-51324301133538802162017-03-31T16:58:00.002-07:002017-03-31T16:58:37.827-07:00Creating An Inconspicuous Camera Bag<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ySJctanEa5kMgt4xhTsROsLmismsRgy6apae9d5mEfJN0-6ltVG4lAd3I6MEwocL9Bo6XCMl1OGsVV714ATDkw5GSjvveI7C0kTP5_pYpEUyok3Ojc_zL8DhzibiVuxcl8wXeK7kzV0/s1600/Pic+1+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ySJctanEa5kMgt4xhTsROsLmismsRgy6apae9d5mEfJN0-6ltVG4lAd3I6MEwocL9Bo6XCMl1OGsVV714ATDkw5GSjvveI7C0kTP5_pYpEUyok3Ojc_zL8DhzibiVuxcl8wXeK7kzV0/s320/Pic+1+bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b>Warning:</b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b>I must say here before I start, that I shoot with an Olympus OMD EM5 camera and Olympus and Panasonic lenses. These are all much smaller and lighter than a full sized DSLR from Canon or Nikon so this idea may not work for you if that's the gear you use.</b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now I've got that out of the way,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been looking for a non-camera looking camera bag for a while now. Something that doesn't scream "grab me I've got expensive camera gear in me!" but at the same time I want something that gives some padding and protection to my gear. I want this bag mainly for street photography and shooting at fairs etc and I've seen online that it's quite a common wish for street photographers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of the bags I've looked at recently have been rather expensive though and having a family and a life outside photography means that I really want my money to work for me and I couldn't really justify the cost of a new bag when I have a couple of great ones already. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(I have a large bag that holds everything, including my charger, for long trips and my smaller everyday bag that I use to carry only what I need for that day. After all there's no point in carrying large birding lenses and every other piece of equipment you own around if you're only shooting wide with one lens in town)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So that brings me to my messenger bag. I like canvas messenger bags. They're roomy enough inside to carry a jersey, or lunch and a drink, or whatever the kids don't want to carry while you're out at the park or shopping. It's a great mum's do everything type of bag. It's light and soft and hugs the shape of your body when it's emptier and yet can still be large enough to carry some library books if needed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5m5FW7-m2Pf8mG_vhnbriB2gRdImrYXS5684eamgk7f6_OpkPqoIDEimRrm_ux992HdGy_zBeLrXWow9EDidINcyfwUiVlGOFrNxk23uJG5Bw3XP_YGeuJgFlzRMBQYyOUoaG49S1cY/s1600/Pic+3+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5m5FW7-m2Pf8mG_vhnbriB2gRdImrYXS5684eamgk7f6_OpkPqoIDEimRrm_ux992HdGy_zBeLrXWow9EDidINcyfwUiVlGOFrNxk23uJG5Bw3XP_YGeuJgFlzRMBQYyOUoaG49S1cY/s320/Pic+3+bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my current messenger bag. I've blacked out the name, but I bought it locally from a Chinese store for $19. I'm guessing it was made in China but it's a very sturdy bag. I've used it in the rain and it seems to repel the water okay. If it stops then I'll spray it with some of that waterproofing spray you can buy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEPgj1m9FxBIRTzSH1v7ugopOP12N-8-PY5pMcXp5ehTe9twU0STcLj7AAsQGxEPZH3oV2n6Gi3gadofzGC8HuDmjdxdJnscY9mdZ4tJGZmoUbsnMgvOqL_PUHkHQ538XVk5MLtb_QwI/s1600/Pic+2+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEPgj1m9FxBIRTzSH1v7ugopOP12N-8-PY5pMcXp5ehTe9twU0STcLj7AAsQGxEPZH3oV2n6Gi3gadofzGC8HuDmjdxdJnscY9mdZ4tJGZmoUbsnMgvOqL_PUHkHQ538XVk5MLtb_QwI/s320/Pic+2+bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now this is where I made a discovery. I have an old camera bag with a removable padded liner (see above) that I thought I'd try out in this bag and it fit very nicely with a bit of extra space to slip in a small water bottle next to the liner if I push it to one side. Perfect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJx5ijfoQYi1uwcwBM5Gw8ICCHd1ZqK8H_aYe9K_8_ZC7rID77pRy1-VkXH7lu-iffLOxt9kPXVKbuh1ko17ntmEuFnRTBX30JGmODp4HwV1-eFgsuCcgNCq4PwhrDoIi-29oiocMCaI/s1600/Pic+4+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJx5ijfoQYi1uwcwBM5Gw8ICCHd1ZqK8H_aYe9K_8_ZC7rID77pRy1-VkXH7lu-iffLOxt9kPXVKbuh1ko17ntmEuFnRTBX30JGmODp4HwV1-eFgsuCcgNCq4PwhrDoIi-29oiocMCaI/s320/Pic+4+bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This padded insert can hold my camera and a couple of lenses if needed, while I can still carry my phone and purse in the regular pockets in the bag.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfZysjVZUH7qvZBzqn_dWgmN0dSYyMAQYs_hycnz8xFdWnlzNMRcsDVAVEaPjAwOxnkEoAL3018dIC-9nbQnUDrwUy6yWP8c-5HUSfYjuiznERDeEexOH7jFGgmA9Ntn91yJx8zouVj4/s1600/Pic+1+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfZysjVZUH7qvZBzqn_dWgmN0dSYyMAQYs_hycnz8xFdWnlzNMRcsDVAVEaPjAwOxnkEoAL3018dIC-9nbQnUDrwUy6yWP8c-5HUSfYjuiznERDeEexOH7jFGgmA9Ntn91yJx8zouVj4/s320/Pic+1+bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
From the outside it just looks like the original messenger bag. No markings to say there's a camera in there. Just what I wanted and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg to get it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes it pays to think outside the box and see if you can find a way to make what you really want in a bag because sometimes what you really want isn't made commercially. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-7893366601791582092017-03-30T12:59:00.000-07:002017-03-30T12:59:46.718-07:00Week 1 Black and White 365 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_Pz-rD6FDUEBHfgkmI4c55wR0q8hvWiWtI8QWdxQvERPJmvnx4wFsUxy_w-Sxbamz9cc5c-0jhxbhv3DPvXSZDnNIb7UjxfD5qnPJESOzqNKdVF0na8blD19XT1qNu1lkIZjKeqohgA/s1600/1+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_Pz-rD6FDUEBHfgkmI4c55wR0q8hvWiWtI8QWdxQvERPJmvnx4wFsUxy_w-Sxbamz9cc5c-0jhxbhv3DPvXSZDnNIb7UjxfD5qnPJESOzqNKdVF0na8blD19XT1qNu1lkIZjKeqohgA/s320/1+Light.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 1 Light Fitting</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Welcome to a brand new 365 challenge!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year I've decided to go more in depth in black and white photography. It's something I've been thinking about doing for a while now as I think it helps you to pay more attention to the light, textures and composition of an image instead of being distracted by the colors. I find today's world can be rather overwhelming with all the gaudy colors on buildings, toys, billboards, cars, even houses all clashing for attention. It's nice to be able to simplify a scene down to it's composition, it's light, patterns and textures too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've also decided to embrace the dark side of photography to try to loosen up and shoot more emotionally instead of the more rigid by the book, follow all the rules type shooting I've been finding myself doing recently. By the dark side I mean allowing loads of noise and grain in my images by shooting at extremely high ISOs, by shooting in very low light, by underexposing my images and any other way I can think of to add a bit of grain to my images. I'm also embracing the flaws that I've been taught not to shoot such as, purposely tilting my horizons instead of keeping them level, allowing images that are blurred or a bit out of focus if it creates more feeling or mystery in an image. I've also boosted the contrast in camera and I'm not sharpening my images.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In other words I'm having a year of breaking the rules I've been taught in the past.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think this year is going to be a lot of fun and a very good learning exercise. For example I've never really shot in black and white before so I've never had to process these types of images. I'd heard of dodging and burning but had never tried it before and so on day five's image I had to search help in photoshop to find out what the tools looked like and where to find them. I'm quite pleased with the resulting image.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-iby3RDdEqL4q7RY3Tv98YHTj6BHDoBROi1mt4BJsmj8-98Lysp3inSNOh5wvUYB-z5ULLa130J2C5qRv6US7CDBlDZCigRUsuNBa-ckaCDZREclm9i9xKKAOdtw6PPTrtIfodBHbRM/s1600/2+Feathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-iby3RDdEqL4q7RY3Tv98YHTj6BHDoBROi1mt4BJsmj8-98Lysp3inSNOh5wvUYB-z5ULLa130J2C5qRv6US7CDBlDZCigRUsuNBa-ckaCDZREclm9i9xKKAOdtw6PPTrtIfodBHbRM/s320/2+Feathers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 2 Feathers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0id70c-EOuTDxcBdwbXb-WW2Frg3LHDrOsrxN5lM7tbs0XZlHVcgZOx7nvaIMfs1ieFzVhwyxXSz38Z68qnESd22hIRAwY63S_JEVwZnFLMZrFfPfPNzUOaQd8KtrcOA2h3q359svxpI/s1600/3+Glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0id70c-EOuTDxcBdwbXb-WW2Frg3LHDrOsrxN5lM7tbs0XZlHVcgZOx7nvaIMfs1ieFzVhwyxXSz38Z68qnESd22hIRAwY63S_JEVwZnFLMZrFfPfPNzUOaQd8KtrcOA2h3q359svxpI/s320/3+Glass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 3 Glass Jar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutjE1XcLzsVD73r1VZmvBLrElEyasWghC3P5lwiAoS-LE7qvQzl1kqexgyPgz-hhdoI0emivEBKrWoBOsj7TAkOxD1WL96dByzd9sxjh3-QJrM0I1vlYPo15moAtX0gfXErcJoOynwxM/s1600/4+Leaf+and+Shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutjE1XcLzsVD73r1VZmvBLrElEyasWghC3P5lwiAoS-LE7qvQzl1kqexgyPgz-hhdoI0emivEBKrWoBOsj7TAkOxD1WL96dByzd9sxjh3-QJrM0I1vlYPo15moAtX0gfXErcJoOynwxM/s320/4+Leaf+and+Shadows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 4 Shadows through a leaf</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwUbt-BeSGjYCAYxF9eH_t35h4m3nBAAyhPNVgFczTlUygi7EUJ4SyzFRDwyJrZgfMuTVvpgw0gaR-GRHziDodQAxhZlU4kDyI6z8LsfyjQgOoEj7JfiAGCvM9Q9xvG0XVpkSjZ9QKpQ/s1600/5+Arwen+2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwUbt-BeSGjYCAYxF9eH_t35h4m3nBAAyhPNVgFczTlUygi7EUJ4SyzFRDwyJrZgfMuTVvpgw0gaR-GRHziDodQAxhZlU4kDyI6z8LsfyjQgOoEj7JfiAGCvM9Q9xvG0XVpkSjZ9QKpQ/s320/5+Arwen+2_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 5 My gorgeous daughter and my first attempt with the burn tool</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFlL8lf8G7NKKMA8RC6XQhC2ewS4R0ico85Xp0q5DAttoV3V4cPd45uUJFIRVqr0m36h0tH3ARi7srO9YD-PryRjd1_qgyVGmLsyEzWDWAdb2C6rPq1XDyFE_Q-wWjw5uSPl1kDEP2nM/s1600/6+White+Moth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFlL8lf8G7NKKMA8RC6XQhC2ewS4R0ico85Xp0q5DAttoV3V4cPd45uUJFIRVqr0m36h0tH3ARi7srO9YD-PryRjd1_qgyVGmLsyEzWDWAdb2C6rPq1XDyFE_Q-wWjw5uSPl1kDEP2nM/s320/6+White+Moth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 6 A White moth </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSaiEJc7PhoTLK8FSOnMj1kF_Aa43h8GLnMx5q8B5Yz134knDNFcoF3OhPcsfRRa32Gh4NT95cLkQeLIqJCaaL_KBN2iaL3c2pWx8pIlOV3mvbXwevEOc8Vrd3-LKOdgJwmPS0dAfjvc/s1600/7+Early+Morning+Going+To+Work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSaiEJc7PhoTLK8FSOnMj1kF_Aa43h8GLnMx5q8B5Yz134knDNFcoF3OhPcsfRRa32Gh4NT95cLkQeLIqJCaaL_KBN2iaL3c2pWx8pIlOV3mvbXwevEOc8Vrd3-LKOdgJwmPS0dAfjvc/s320/7+Early+Morning+Going+To+Work.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 7 Early morning drive to work</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you'll join me on this learning adventure and maybe even try it for yourself. I think having a project of some kind helps you grow as a photographer and it's certainly a lot of fun. It's also good to have a project to focus on when you don't feel like picking up your camera, it helps to reinvigorate you. Good luck!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-72569464964594571402017-03-29T16:23:00.001-07:002017-03-29T16:23:34.112-07:00New Year Brings New Challenges<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv78PBSiopNEC9_R6qLrm9U1Qqf6mLPKFGp2Few8QY6es53J-dpgo5SP3RyECETy241Dx131_H8lfzZ3G_STcwlhfEGmm-enWTODml0ypfHqLQz3VHw1kI7rm6ADRGtm4JE_N6Shvn4I/s1600/5+Arwen+2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv78PBSiopNEC9_R6qLrm9U1Qqf6mLPKFGp2Few8QY6es53J-dpgo5SP3RyECETy241Dx131_H8lfzZ3G_STcwlhfEGmm-enWTODml0ypfHqLQz3VHw1kI7rm6ADRGtm4JE_N6Shvn4I/s320/5+Arwen+2_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hi, I'm back after a longer break than I expected. I just haven't felt like blogging recently. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Life has happened since I was working on my last photo challenge. Mum got cancer, had surgery and is now undergoing chemotherapy. She's not in the clear yet but we're keeping positive.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I kind of never finished my last week of pics in my last challenge. I say kind of because I did take pics for the night theme but hated them all when I went through them later. I deleted them all in a fit of disgust, probably prematurely, and so they were never posted. It's not the first time I've dumped a load of photos or drawings I've thought were beyond help but hopefully I'm learning to be a bit more patient with myself as I grow older, if not wiser. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Something that <a href="http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2017/02/28/how-to-be-more-productive-artist/" target="_blank">Eric Kim</a> wrote in one of his blog posts (click on his name to see the post) resonated with me and I felt that now was the time to re-enter the world of blogging. He said; </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"In life, there are generally 'satisficers' (mix of the word satisfy and suffice) and 'maximizers'. Satisficers do things 80% 'good enough' and move on. Maximizers are perfectionists and try to get things 100% perfect.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Generally satisficers are a lot happier in life, and also more productive. Maximizers are generally 'idea' people and never get anything done, because their obsession with perfection prevents them from finishing anything."</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I used to be lot more of the maximizer when I was younger, before I had children. Having children helped me to unclench my grip on the idea of perfection and embrace more of the satisficer's contentment with 'enough' and up until my Mum got sick I thought I'd left the maximizer behind me. I've since discovered though that at times of stress my inner maximizer likes to jump in and try to over-control parts of my life. Next thing you know, I'm throwing out my artwork and photos, and obsessing over the housework and other minor things that I wouldn't even give a second thought about usually. I mean if you come to my house I would think that you've come to see me and not the crumbs on my kitchen floor but maximizer mind sees it differently.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So this brings me to my current 365 challenge. I've fancied doing a black and white challenge for a while as I've never really done much black and white photography and because of recent maximizer issues I decided to go completely against the technically 'perfect' image and embrace the 'noise', the 'grain', the slightly out of focus', the strange composition, and the 'blurred' image. This and black and white seemed the perfect pairing to keep me interested for a year. Something new with something flawed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So from now on my camera is set to extremely high ISO, with boosted contrast, no sharpening, and I'm also shooting with the camera set to black and white to better help me visualize the light and textures. The RAW files still come out color but it helps that the JPEGS are as I shot them, then I can remember what I was seeing at the time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The picture above of my daughter was shot early morning, in near darkness with just a bit of daylight/streetlight lighting her face through the window. It wasn't as dark and grainy as I'd hoped so I worked on it a bit in Adobe Photoshop Elements 5, which is all I use (yes I know they are up to version 12 now but why upgrade when I already have something that works ok, right? Satisficer's mind at work here) This was a whole new learning experience for me as I'd never used the dodge and burn tools before and had to use the help menu to find them. It's not perfect but I'm happy and so is she.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top left- this is the original image. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top right-this is the image cropped.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bottom left-this is the image darkened a little.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bottom right-this is the finished image after I found the burn tool and tried it out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDHOqhjPFSoSQ08vixET4lC2Pqgf9wtpDOPIEnVhO5l6p63e4ZA8othi4ZOJ11vFIEMZN_-tBjLisC1u1rihTCusO3iu1gTPNRnyl5Ke_4zjU_-WJHGySna8yQ5j55Jf2V-yOGoh1vi8/s1600/Steps+until+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDHOqhjPFSoSQ08vixET4lC2Pqgf9wtpDOPIEnVhO5l6p63e4ZA8othi4ZOJ11vFIEMZN_-tBjLisC1u1rihTCusO3iu1gTPNRnyl5Ke_4zjU_-WJHGySna8yQ5j55Jf2V-yOGoh1vi8/s320/Steps+until+finished.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just shot day 6 of the challenge today so I'll post the first week's pics after I shoot day 7 tomorrow. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully this challenge will help me to learn more about myself and my photography as it progresses. I can't wait.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take care :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-47715077486862628382016-08-31T19:22:00.001-07:002016-08-31T19:22:48.167-07:00Major changes at Zazzle<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3lh7ikRTuQOjMoaMNQDH-IM9IcbYDSHCDLI38d8_eYhXG8ACqu6kZmxa5fT82Dd-8FoZ4zqH5ZH9tT0nGcutJ6_qLIqsMskBmZljEHNzPLwgF7ZmJy8Mywp9Lc6uimuCYSRv0GHPB4U/s1600/abstract_design_wrapping_paper-r957a749a747545adaee96a79af53d0c7_zkknt_8byvr_540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3lh7ikRTuQOjMoaMNQDH-IM9IcbYDSHCDLI38d8_eYhXG8ACqu6kZmxa5fT82Dd-8FoZ4zqH5ZH9tT0nGcutJ6_qLIqsMskBmZljEHNzPLwgF7ZmJy8Mywp9Lc6uimuCYSRv0GHPB4U/s400/abstract_design_wrapping_paper-r957a749a747545adaee96a79af53d0c7_zkknt_8byvr_540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, I've been very busy working on my three Zazzle stores.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My main store <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/wildmacnz" target="_blank">Wildmacnz</a> which houses my clothing, household goods, greeting cards and poster designs etc. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My business store <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/wildmacnzbusiness" target="_blank">Wildmacnzbusiness</a> which is where I house all my business card, flexi magnets and other business related designs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And lastly my Electronics store <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/wildmacnzelectronics" target="_blank">Wildmacnzelectronics</a> which houses all my phone, laptop and tablet case designs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hadn't looked at any of these stores in nearly three years. With all the stuff going on in my personal life with my husband being laid off and then us moving house and town, I just ignored them and as is usually the way, life kept happening and things changed without me realizing. One of the major changes being that Zazzle had hidden a lot of my designs that hadn't sold, so they are no longer visible to the public. I never noticed anything as my sales were getting better over time so I just thought everything was as I left it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What a big surprise! But actually it was a good surprise. It took some of the pressure off me. How you ask?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, for a long while before my personal life took a sudden left turn, I was creating designs and then putting them on as many products as I could, that suited the design. I never used quick create, I didn't like the idea of my designs going on everything at once especially when not every image is suitable for every product. When new products were released I put all the existing images on the new products if they suited, however this didn't leave me much time for creating new designs. Just keeping up with the old ones was becoming a full time job! I started to slip further and further behind. It felt like I was trying to run up a downwards traveling escalator that was speeding up. In short I put too much pressure on myself to create a large store, thinking that this was what I needed to do to get seen in the marketplace and get sales. I was wrong. My sales picked up even though a lot of my products were no longer visible for sale in the marketplace. I was focusing on the wrong things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This reshuffle from Zazzle eased the pressure off me to create more and more and made me look at fine tuning what I already have. It allowed me to take a step back and really think about:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;">What I really wanted to sell in my stores. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">What I wanted my stores to look and feel like to a customer</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">What I enjoyed creating. I hate making some products so why am I making them?</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Why have some of my products not sold? Wrong design for the product? Have I aimed at the wrong audience for a certain design? Is the design just old and outdated now, especially designs with the date on them?</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Keywording and descriptions. Are they letting me down?</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">What have I sold? This was an eye opener. Some of the designs that hadn't sold were on on products I hated making. Could this be related? </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Do I really need three stores or should I condense down into just one or two?</li>
</ol>
These are all questions I've been slowly working through for the last few weeks as I delete crap/outdated designs and products I hate making, that haven't sold anyway, and rework my keywords and descriptions on designs I want to keep. It's a painstaking process, but one I'm very happy to do. I can see light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a lightweight streamlined store filled only with designs and products that I'm happy to make and are more likely to sell well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPgyVSEwV2em7f-UvjOoLKttpUl4_iKYENMee8q_TOjGBOALfynqxGnr9q32uJOaSX8k109C-1dIpK7YwPzkOhCFLqJv-_rXOcFvSq529RvGjRHbRPWWl3G6OSNpcT3Y2SVsEe0wLnTY/s1600/yellow_scooter_tie-r82b42feaaa464d7baa5a31ebe4500763_z5ndj_512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPgyVSEwV2em7f-UvjOoLKttpUl4_iKYENMee8q_TOjGBOALfynqxGnr9q32uJOaSX8k109C-1dIpK7YwPzkOhCFLqJv-_rXOcFvSq529RvGjRHbRPWWl3G6OSNpcT3Y2SVsEe0wLnTY/s400/yellow_scooter_tie-r82b42feaaa464d7baa5a31ebe4500763_z5ndj_512.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my most popular <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/yellow_scooter_tie-151785459104326807" target="_blank">tie</a>. My watercolor painted scooter design on a yellow background. This scooter is also available on other colored backgrounds. My scooter sells well on multiple products so it makes the cut and will stay in my newly designed store.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The top picture is of a new <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/abstract_design_wrapping_paper-256589007648719764" target="_blank">wrapping paper design</a> I created last week. Now I have time to create new designs which is the part I really enjoy doing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMHyVn-rI07j2ZZ4PvtMK07JTerHjHN1H8FAOvdk5Cw4j4S18yN-X1YmKkUkPjOySkRtsdWd0SRcozAJJOef7S8cIu9eYiJhcwwTq_ujB2x6-UaX_e6g2zmgBEmkrVY1qA-aCPKf4eh8/s1600/Collections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMHyVn-rI07j2ZZ4PvtMK07JTerHjHN1H8FAOvdk5Cw4j4S18yN-X1YmKkUkPjOySkRtsdWd0SRcozAJJOef7S8cIu9eYiJhcwwTq_ujB2x6-UaX_e6g2zmgBEmkrVY1qA-aCPKf4eh8/s640/Collections.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love another new feature that Zazzle introduced whilst I wasn't looking, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Collections. (see pic above)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Collections are a great way to showcase groups of products either by theme, product or by grouping useful things together, such as, matching birthday cards, gift wrap and envelopes for example, or matching designed cups and plates. I've only just started using this feature but I can see loads of possibilities with it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All in all, although Zazzle has created lots of new work for me, I welcome the changes as a new beginning for my stores. As I try to simplify other areas of my life, be it creative or home life, it makes perfect sense for me to simplify my stores too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you may find this post useful if you have a Zazzle store that you haven't looked at in a while. You may be surprised with the changes. It can be a shock, but I think it's good to take a step back from time to time and reassess what it is you really want to accomplish. Sometimes it's hard to see the wood for the trees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-52028392727966291022016-08-11T17:24:00.000-07:002016-08-11T17:24:40.677-07:00Week 51 of 365 Challenge Shopfront Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKEMP66ypK1IC9QhVJT4y-V5I_-npTRzbHUIjVeqy7BrgXRL8WszCm8U7wfhU4LnoyYoV67mREGQW9yCsCzH45h_u0z5tkoTejIA6a8LXUmKjLUeNMum3l9FVxCy926kuC5kXUDPPIrQ/s1600/13895247_986474341470267_178678050347525426_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKEMP66ypK1IC9QhVJT4y-V5I_-npTRzbHUIjVeqy7BrgXRL8WszCm8U7wfhU4LnoyYoV67mREGQW9yCsCzH45h_u0z5tkoTejIA6a8LXUmKjLUeNMum3l9FVxCy926kuC5kXUDPPIrQ/s320/13895247_986474341470267_178678050347525426_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk2gQBErcHSy3K1BRrtEgOk_E9atDkKoVoiCEWJ1SDHApMbH-M8HDwah-SkKTBeSJ5I8jT-mGrFfSQQu97Bs7jc6ubEIGjgq02-FTt7MsCt4YuRUH4UMLgMH3ru-nEq14KTC8NY-U1rA/s1600/13882566_986476751470026_5480290806464766515_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk2gQBErcHSy3K1BRrtEgOk_E9atDkKoVoiCEWJ1SDHApMbH-M8HDwah-SkKTBeSJ5I8jT-mGrFfSQQu97Bs7jc6ubEIGjgq02-FTt7MsCt4YuRUH4UMLgMH3ru-nEq14KTC8NY-U1rA/s320/13882566_986476751470026_5480290806464766515_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrxmuIeblzmQ-g6BCQpen-pgBMTF0DRP0i98eGaWe_YvNh8xxvNAp5v1bEtyeFODbkP_ptyysX5EX9LfQm6go4mhyphenhyphen3rmCVhsmKiD3QUOxI_zUsjRcXCkxrQwO06Rjmc5KfvrWgUAQuwc/s1600/13873245_986480134803021_8006029201258101130_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrxmuIeblzmQ-g6BCQpen-pgBMTF0DRP0i98eGaWe_YvNh8xxvNAp5v1bEtyeFODbkP_ptyysX5EX9LfQm6go4mhyphenhyphen3rmCVhsmKiD3QUOxI_zUsjRcXCkxrQwO06Rjmc5KfvrWgUAQuwc/s320/13873245_986480134803021_8006029201258101130_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtwFpyR6gJD3O9UMZ6sXO8pC-Ni3ItHORX0f_PQUudK7CQw0m5lQY_AO7tbdrVrhKWWLIXSONcZm-mYFdvnXo-X3Gje81NLaZjlkinlny_xXBKtaj9ORoE5Y8DaY64_tfUw5PpPI_MP0/s1600/13912711_991788490938852_1252632533507357037_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtwFpyR6gJD3O9UMZ6sXO8pC-Ni3ItHORX0f_PQUudK7CQw0m5lQY_AO7tbdrVrhKWWLIXSONcZm-mYFdvnXo-X3Gje81NLaZjlkinlny_xXBKtaj9ORoE5Y8DaY64_tfUw5PpPI_MP0/s320/13912711_991788490938852_1252632533507357037_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EvHxcYu7MTeMctSccz63rlLnREK7qCkC6DPNm3eDL63v0Iv6ZyOuKh7Tc5gw4n96mRyBxQ5ComFt1u65esuHcl82lA9k7ZO15w4fKhrI4E3dzRHpI3evUbd9P_3Xx6csh4YZrvg4qZQ/s1600/13903341_991790097605358_516934827589142474_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EvHxcYu7MTeMctSccz63rlLnREK7qCkC6DPNm3eDL63v0Iv6ZyOuKh7Tc5gw4n96mRyBxQ5ComFt1u65esuHcl82lA9k7ZO15w4fKhrI4E3dzRHpI3evUbd9P_3Xx6csh4YZrvg4qZQ/s320/13903341_991790097605358_516934827589142474_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-jL5bP6BWZirdiZlaq6gYnMoyHEPPJy1N4PIgFQf-OAxfVAiDSf_EdayM2A4xWuhHJuBmKXLCKMxNNkb8PDIOaAvPFEQ4rJumd-GnooZFtYO5VH_xJ_UjFNElPKzPAUJhYmYXpBtHjs/s1600/13891812_991791427605225_3197019112461346240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-jL5bP6BWZirdiZlaq6gYnMoyHEPPJy1N4PIgFQf-OAxfVAiDSf_EdayM2A4xWuhHJuBmKXLCKMxNNkb8PDIOaAvPFEQ4rJumd-GnooZFtYO5VH_xJ_UjFNElPKzPAUJhYmYXpBtHjs/s320/13891812_991791427605225_3197019112461346240_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEDN_Szmto0WW12mks-A0jTsUxfJDF79gkPVcxuztinmoTmA4-PnKkK-UVa4NDBCI0Zt6NQL1Qf_CauPCDHoD75XGZjy4VbGA6QMWfHW4857marokkGLERSp3KiIncLZldD2Bgl-Ln3g/s1600/13903184_991793420938359_4491203248057355457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEDN_Szmto0WW12mks-A0jTsUxfJDF79gkPVcxuztinmoTmA4-PnKkK-UVa4NDBCI0Zt6NQL1Qf_CauPCDHoD75XGZjy4VbGA6QMWfHW4857marokkGLERSp3KiIncLZldD2Bgl-Ln3g/s320/13903184_991793420938359_4491203248057355457_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wow my second to last week already, time has really flown this year!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week's images were taken both in my small town and in the nearby city so hopefully I have some variety.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My two favorite images this week are the third and fourth shown here. The third was taken in the city early one Saturday morning before people had started to move much. The umbrellas are still down and I like the early morning light.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The fourth image was taken in my town one evening when it was dark and the window dressings were lit. I liked the color of these two dresses and accessories in the window. I had a lot of outside reflections to contend with but I still like the colors and feel of this image. It's quite grainy but I'm pleased I took it anyway. I didn't have my camera with me for any of these shots this week so they were all shot with my phone.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next week's challenge is my last for this project and it's one that I swapped earlier due to bad weather. Night week. Hopefully I can get some shots I like.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-5365862845961492752016-07-26T17:01:00.000-07:002016-07-26T17:01:38.621-07:00Week 50 of 365 Challenge Red Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX-8jaKwHyju2EqvrsP8d6JM_YkvWC2Bi6ckbMU2mquXCISO6UPHcvY2ipUFTHLrCbqAhhvRkYHjo4YxKGD5toW0XQCjUn9craomb3jrDFbXq4ojRVOUYeuvA07Zt27Yxtmo_oYICh1Q/s1600/13690575_980446358739732_1993328970529950106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX-8jaKwHyju2EqvrsP8d6JM_YkvWC2Bi6ckbMU2mquXCISO6UPHcvY2ipUFTHLrCbqAhhvRkYHjo4YxKGD5toW0XQCjUn9craomb3jrDFbXq4ojRVOUYeuvA07Zt27Yxtmo_oYICh1Q/s320/13690575_980446358739732_1993328970529950106_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IEM3e2SpiHkNTovysTXbvVDxaXOcPaZkfJcFnT-kOGA7-f0sfwT1DxMlzL6L5Nza_QO56e10CvEnfZKEVEVOuNoUnn4CTQkDpctCLVuqG2S9VezdF5NDkxdtmAfyAtCX1plareggGPU/s1600/13770489_980449665406068_102159626637879560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IEM3e2SpiHkNTovysTXbvVDxaXOcPaZkfJcFnT-kOGA7-f0sfwT1DxMlzL6L5Nza_QO56e10CvEnfZKEVEVOuNoUnn4CTQkDpctCLVuqG2S9VezdF5NDkxdtmAfyAtCX1plareggGPU/s320/13770489_980449665406068_102159626637879560_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8AcskQiWUpcmqYVGdKRELLSYsx-lZNwBx0QaDNVdy08X99bWv6UYrZgEYN8WBbwUzwQn2OLzNXUrgbq-vtEY5-8KWES5ndAe4hprdEXfzcztexfKj0u3aKXrwoD26hjhNLoIet2X02s/s1600/13700007_980450618739306_284917733410944226_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8AcskQiWUpcmqYVGdKRELLSYsx-lZNwBx0QaDNVdy08X99bWv6UYrZgEYN8WBbwUzwQn2OLzNXUrgbq-vtEY5-8KWES5ndAe4hprdEXfzcztexfKj0u3aKXrwoD26hjhNLoIet2X02s/s320/13700007_980450618739306_284917733410944226_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPqP2TdhoH5-uVwr_xvJClMS6f23LpjoLEcN3t5NnCIWcf_biwWUD7L_4co3Krj_M0_zPqL8YxiQwm82YzxfaeX8xFtBVcG_bIn4GOd425kUal-c0FAvhZ2xWULloKGeOAxNBesgiQzU/s1600/13726789_980452075405827_1575731539145598870_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPqP2TdhoH5-uVwr_xvJClMS6f23LpjoLEcN3t5NnCIWcf_biwWUD7L_4co3Krj_M0_zPqL8YxiQwm82YzxfaeX8xFtBVcG_bIn4GOd425kUal-c0FAvhZ2xWULloKGeOAxNBesgiQzU/s320/13726789_980452075405827_1575731539145598870_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zEx0_k2mAY1oF4YBmdHf_kH9Do5G508V5z8DNVaZDwpk_jd4cCtWyG692bgIIL9cQdpL_P-zzvb9NJKdcIEbluTb_p3qPXUmOmIAdMI5qOD2kI4aZWBB8YW_4ME2Jd07sn8E_wMfAsk/s1600/13754633_980453215405713_2113715318013091487_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zEx0_k2mAY1oF4YBmdHf_kH9Do5G508V5z8DNVaZDwpk_jd4cCtWyG692bgIIL9cQdpL_P-zzvb9NJKdcIEbluTb_p3qPXUmOmIAdMI5qOD2kI4aZWBB8YW_4ME2Jd07sn8E_wMfAsk/s320/13754633_980453215405713_2113715318013091487_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3oKxuuQ7lFX6u6s2hX-seKa13m_t5xiQ0gcwH8KyOsNqZjb2FkAy7wmRkmwQSKMy1v_Z9j56MN7vr6aXXbLOQDvz_SPcf7qGwjsiU3Dnhm4br-aKhiU9EwFcvxD5U8MzMuVKCdsmimk/s1600/13726801_980454175405617_6967603801385673948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3oKxuuQ7lFX6u6s2hX-seKa13m_t5xiQ0gcwH8KyOsNqZjb2FkAy7wmRkmwQSKMy1v_Z9j56MN7vr6aXXbLOQDvz_SPcf7qGwjsiU3Dnhm4br-aKhiU9EwFcvxD5U8MzMuVKCdsmimk/s320/13726801_980454175405617_6967603801385673948_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva1H-U9Qsh9jqZO6a7Yasxk1Tx1-8O5WovhHx6Wbjn0Agw2d38IbRGiGH7b248tnwS44E_ZCUAqHgUNUclvyoEYt76qOvpnTIqwWHax0r2G2A_NK5WFwnMS_d64s-4HnnQHn4OeK9SmM/s1600/13709894_980455388738829_962680940361708716_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva1H-U9Qsh9jqZO6a7Yasxk1Tx1-8O5WovhHx6Wbjn0Agw2d38IbRGiGH7b248tnwS44E_ZCUAqHgUNUclvyoEYt76qOvpnTIqwWHax0r2G2A_NK5WFwnMS_d64s-4HnnQHn4OeK9SmM/s320/13709894_980455388738829_962680940361708716_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Red week flew past. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It felt like I'd just started it and then it was all over and so were the school holidays. Despite being sick for part of the holiday we all had fun. We chased Pokemon, took red photos, did a bit of shopping, played card games, journaled, watched movies and went for walks when the weather wasn't too bad. This week seems too quiet now my kids have gone back to school.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next week is Shopfront week. I can't believe I only have two more weeks to go until I'm finished this challenge! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-85290428393185569152016-07-18T17:52:00.000-07:002016-07-18T17:52:08.321-07:00Week 49 of 365 Challenge Pen Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8aIxwdbCIDlMGrjWVD7qYV5jeEfPNxQDNumE16BUWowRKOULC77mDUxLDjotT4d4e5y5D5bRYwuzaIOI61ZEe_vxwi7DefnITzfUEyUybOEL3tZe3vXzlHK_vbat-rz__khLv1RMHMA/s1600/13697019_975541845896850_1278068414218249356_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8aIxwdbCIDlMGrjWVD7qYV5jeEfPNxQDNumE16BUWowRKOULC77mDUxLDjotT4d4e5y5D5bRYwuzaIOI61ZEe_vxwi7DefnITzfUEyUybOEL3tZe3vXzlHK_vbat-rz__khLv1RMHMA/s320/13697019_975541845896850_1278068414218249356_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3NpG-hrN9fjpG5TgPxFOfc29QToAsQntYqWgKCDcrI_ulIgqYWWZVjtdiSO14UmoFdDYlsSJbJBxBT0J9xENsdIYb3M7wHtxPLM8LFkJApB5y7n3OOimPJT6iC9kAsIJOig1SIepMXo/s1600/13726827_975544069229961_8231126705199821058_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3NpG-hrN9fjpG5TgPxFOfc29QToAsQntYqWgKCDcrI_ulIgqYWWZVjtdiSO14UmoFdDYlsSJbJBxBT0J9xENsdIYb3M7wHtxPLM8LFkJApB5y7n3OOimPJT6iC9kAsIJOig1SIepMXo/s320/13726827_975544069229961_8231126705199821058_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhO-fo3vwPCNR9OpSlyAVmSCYMlh_-fIYAujw9B3rB0j2jGpMBndXucTOOYuJYIgfytk01EgaJExooQO2dc8aTv59_gl9LWIsAn5lW5-z2_JtFFriASWYcPi6VsnrQi5iee7ilkpZ5q4/s1600/13700047_975546215896413_5670027885916321578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhO-fo3vwPCNR9OpSlyAVmSCYMlh_-fIYAujw9B3rB0j2jGpMBndXucTOOYuJYIgfytk01EgaJExooQO2dc8aTv59_gl9LWIsAn5lW5-z2_JtFFriASWYcPi6VsnrQi5iee7ilkpZ5q4/s320/13700047_975546215896413_5670027885916321578_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7rZqphaHixsaRLuyI_3sF4HRAquc1mHlmm1xfgzof6ATa_qeozoNQcgHe4rbzOLPrXZDL58kGctA68mbTW8_6uH5UlpYw1Gl49zy0dXSXeWemQ03L_HtUA6_Z-JS8qi90pUEgWSF1mQ/s1600/13707561_975547742562927_6606608412713727275_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7rZqphaHixsaRLuyI_3sF4HRAquc1mHlmm1xfgzof6ATa_qeozoNQcgHe4rbzOLPrXZDL58kGctA68mbTW8_6uH5UlpYw1Gl49zy0dXSXeWemQ03L_HtUA6_Z-JS8qi90pUEgWSF1mQ/s320/13707561_975547742562927_6606608412713727275_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeRGz2KHE8Q_67M8H-3iExFL62_MFjsl9yRMpdd1nXH0qECfY9ZMYPfR1cYNqbSaj9tN0Is3HJpff3Zpin0bGvnLORLKvM1F6xuLAnbRXUqmCmveT-tMvt-5qFck86n0wqEDxnXU1LQU/s1600/13686762_975549759229392_8150966237640691811_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeRGz2KHE8Q_67M8H-3iExFL62_MFjsl9yRMpdd1nXH0qECfY9ZMYPfR1cYNqbSaj9tN0Is3HJpff3Zpin0bGvnLORLKvM1F6xuLAnbRXUqmCmveT-tMvt-5qFck86n0wqEDxnXU1LQU/s320/13686762_975549759229392_8150966237640691811_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR_iHREzuXkm7_jGkQMTYvh0U5ZivPYx5NgCnZ6-tcZoWV-_A7VVaTB-N1N5KyhW1WHZmnqzH0mTB9XRjCHrhz499zasWaSA8ims4SQUPr2djQQ-ZZzfxgsnUihnDkjMAZW2dOdzbtQA/s1600/13680902_975550739229294_1916396190410813561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR_iHREzuXkm7_jGkQMTYvh0U5ZivPYx5NgCnZ6-tcZoWV-_A7VVaTB-N1N5KyhW1WHZmnqzH0mTB9XRjCHrhz499zasWaSA8ims4SQUPr2djQQ-ZZzfxgsnUihnDkjMAZW2dOdzbtQA/s320/13680902_975550739229294_1916396190410813561_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKxzpD_ls2DrJyx27XrWUczxgDJpEgYYrTwNNqmoCNMcD_f2SMcEfnmxYEfopRftyL3O8JX_zOHAD56R5irtgnKBlIYNCb7m9bc_oArFmcZmerSDNHOuNOTuHOxPAbYM3uUcWaMsimrQ/s1600/13754291_975551419229226_1990035325322612649_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKxzpD_ls2DrJyx27XrWUczxgDJpEgYYrTwNNqmoCNMcD_f2SMcEfnmxYEfopRftyL3O8JX_zOHAD56R5irtgnKBlIYNCb7m9bc_oArFmcZmerSDNHOuNOTuHOxPAbYM3uUcWaMsimrQ/s320/13754291_975551419229226_1990035325322612649_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pen week mmm, when I realized last week what this weeks theme was, I groaned out loud. I'm surprised you didn't hear me lol. This week turned out to be a good week though. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My kids are home from school for two weeks holiday and we've spent a fun week watching movies and playing games together. Even catching my son's head cold hasn't bothered me too much. Hopefully they will chase away the winter blues completely before they go back to school. My kids are great like that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic one is of my gel pens that I use for journaling. I have two sets of seven colors that I bought just before we moved house a year ago. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't think I've used them this year at all though. I'm happy writing in my journal with a blue or black pen at the moment but I have no urge to sketch anything in there with the writing. I've just discovered that over the years I have either painted/sketched or taken photos. I don't seem to do both together. So if I'm working on a painting project I don't touch my camera and if like now I'm working on a photography project my art muse disappears. If I have no set projects on the go, I swing easily between the two without a thought. I have no idea why.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic two is of my daughter's pen that her Grandma brought her back from her last trip to Scotland to visit Great Grandma.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic three is of some of my Pitt Artist's pens. I like the sepia color and have this color pen in both fine and brush tips.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic four is of a group of pens that I have sketched with in the past. I did trials with various pens in my art journal to see which pens are water resistant, fade resistant etc. I like keeping a mixture of water resistant and non-water resistant pens around. Sometimes it's nice to 'paint' with water over a non-water resistant pen to add shading to a sketch and other times I prefer to use water color paints over the pen so don't want the pen to bleed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic five is of my daughter's pen cup with her favorite four color pen sitting above the rest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic six is of a pen I bought from Avon to fund-raise for breast cancer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic seven is of my daughter's connector felt tip pens.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next week is Red week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-78856310521882243082016-07-18T17:16:00.001-07:002016-07-18T17:53:38.052-07:00Week 48 of 365 Challenge Music Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyY66XPuyU_EtTIZUTqDd844DJ8n844vAuMjyLrE34fDTEC3qz4d2X6FgY4JNA3qnqEVVVzG1MNYpPaSL498qL-u3MEZhHesWyXCl7hd5td87bsKbl4BIG4GZoT9eJmn3gdhWh71r4Uk/s1600/13592257_971246372993064_7168148204622858752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyY66XPuyU_EtTIZUTqDd844DJ8n844vAuMjyLrE34fDTEC3qz4d2X6FgY4JNA3qnqEVVVzG1MNYpPaSL498qL-u3MEZhHesWyXCl7hd5td87bsKbl4BIG4GZoT9eJmn3gdhWh71r4Uk/s320/13592257_971246372993064_7168148204622858752_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DhmI0_67_TDHTyXwLLVVVgnyoa0AQcSIPQSQKUA5Y9nukn-5C9IWHJgglIu6fn_y0WU7dZrZh7MkrxliIVKzjdqD39gKodOk0p6WctnbiWZwLpRA_sRZpHSm242u2GvlWTeiUw9KIMM/s1600/13606629_971247286326306_6433971062766911385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DhmI0_67_TDHTyXwLLVVVgnyoa0AQcSIPQSQKUA5Y9nukn-5C9IWHJgglIu6fn_y0WU7dZrZh7MkrxliIVKzjdqD39gKodOk0p6WctnbiWZwLpRA_sRZpHSm242u2GvlWTeiUw9KIMM/s320/13606629_971247286326306_6433971062766911385_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9EsOVFmgCFgRcx_VLk9zVlUawc6AJZ2GsnzYSbAh5USz5dSna1lf8QLeoCaYCIoaewgtOita2HRj7VAY0m3D5QMuq9MRU8GBcpHRclV51u-D0yhIlsBQUrJK4N3Gzh0K9zLCAoVCzkQ/s1600/13659077_971248476326187_2145840639268277704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9EsOVFmgCFgRcx_VLk9zVlUawc6AJZ2GsnzYSbAh5USz5dSna1lf8QLeoCaYCIoaewgtOita2HRj7VAY0m3D5QMuq9MRU8GBcpHRclV51u-D0yhIlsBQUrJK4N3Gzh0K9zLCAoVCzkQ/s320/13659077_971248476326187_2145840639268277704_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrPa_oKypGGxkcoQWdfOyhjWewEWLmdJ2YtxgJyDg8u13puImyJD8g1EE2dDBvzV8tvo6baVdoE88QnP-2X-E5lJY7ym8Van8fMC7iPqTMhSnlYxX482MwVtXEz_J11tkrbqkIMSUAQM/s1600/13654250_971255636325471_2361608924331539231_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrPa_oKypGGxkcoQWdfOyhjWewEWLmdJ2YtxgJyDg8u13puImyJD8g1EE2dDBvzV8tvo6baVdoE88QnP-2X-E5lJY7ym8Van8fMC7iPqTMhSnlYxX482MwVtXEz_J11tkrbqkIMSUAQM/s320/13654250_971255636325471_2361608924331539231_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7axnHrndir5PNLvgQhhx2vBmHigpdsbFcNZfmoEV0b23wPolA6uj2PeLTshF5FXN8HnETZsT0XNNl4DlmZpwIWPvr559UPPPieW2qklkV0JD2Neyc33E4ESgJ3-aeYyg3zF-YlA4Bp8/s1600/13654417_971256962992005_4568615001706605244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7axnHrndir5PNLvgQhhx2vBmHigpdsbFcNZfmoEV0b23wPolA6uj2PeLTshF5FXN8HnETZsT0XNNl4DlmZpwIWPvr559UPPPieW2qklkV0JD2Neyc33E4ESgJ3-aeYyg3zF-YlA4Bp8/s320/13654417_971256962992005_4568615001706605244_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V-H1PxlLfCw-uZic4KCL2vEQjtSySuZHNaiGYLvWHlJjVx_owaZabJEEvZbWaCh722trF-ZEv-Eg7Lc5ZdYCUpOtIEZxz_ALsT1dyM7VQ9IABO4MkpYD2MsZs3AoUlW7QwSs_ZEGD20/s1600/13620701_971257809658587_4001068772071323924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V-H1PxlLfCw-uZic4KCL2vEQjtSySuZHNaiGYLvWHlJjVx_owaZabJEEvZbWaCh722trF-ZEv-Eg7Lc5ZdYCUpOtIEZxz_ALsT1dyM7VQ9IABO4MkpYD2MsZs3AoUlW7QwSs_ZEGD20/s320/13620701_971257809658587_4001068772071323924_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_luJJ7hnaaD1gbIhQYqcJMT0PJSKtwnvCLyguZRi5Hu4Gu5UNeQ_mzU_1MKlAoT1LEgxDO96haAAVz4IiQka-3geoo25t-RmWSTTb7Bzq-LylZWvK-_ygF0PiwBbqMKUItdxWIrPvVk/s1600/13612243_971259172991784_7133738123935084721_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_luJJ7hnaaD1gbIhQYqcJMT0PJSKtwnvCLyguZRi5Hu4Gu5UNeQ_mzU_1MKlAoT1LEgxDO96haAAVz4IiQka-3geoo25t-RmWSTTb7Bzq-LylZWvK-_ygF0PiwBbqMKUItdxWIrPvVk/s320/13612243_971259172991784_7133738123935084721_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Music week perked me up a bit after my winter blues week last week. The first pic is of my penny whistle which I played a bit after I dug it out to photograph it. Playing it improved my mood a lot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The 2nd pic is of my daughter's flute. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic 3 is of some of the sheet music my daughter is learning to play at school.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic 4 is my daughter's ukelele that she got for her birthday a couple of years ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic 5 is of my daughter practicing her flute.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic 6 is of a thumb piano I bought years ago from a pop up shop selling tribal goods.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic 7 is of my daughter playing the flute again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If the weather had been nicer I would have gone out looking for buskers but it wasn't so everyone decided to stay warm and dry inside this week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next week is Pen week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-66043531455333074322016-07-02T17:36:00.000-07:002016-07-18T17:52:35.215-07:00Week 47 of 365 Challenge Rust Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7ODRyKH9HLkhUWAvmb3_iCH63NeSz5cZAuI06sEmIDxtzAf_6whhlrxuR4E_j50Cg5nsnqoMmr8PYJJQrBZZ3STFth3sjZFKMBEoRIpenTa8rh0gNejMWsjp4iK_swEDGaHGCsLAp3w/s1600/13466174_960603297390705_4746891231785289601_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7ODRyKH9HLkhUWAvmb3_iCH63NeSz5cZAuI06sEmIDxtzAf_6whhlrxuR4E_j50Cg5nsnqoMmr8PYJJQrBZZ3STFth3sjZFKMBEoRIpenTa8rh0gNejMWsjp4iK_swEDGaHGCsLAp3w/s320/13466174_960603297390705_4746891231785289601_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUfxHr58SLiUCg8dyQm6u8IjVPCLTnKXXlZzqENdl6yAUmUIzvHjauvCfy0SfN-GFOzq4LJQndLFZvWk0bpnTD4yt2Niyxzz5-9pAclH6e-2Gem7F2phdwIAT0ceNAiOY9D9S58GfPvk/s1600/13494986_960604257390609_6632783858367796136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUfxHr58SLiUCg8dyQm6u8IjVPCLTnKXXlZzqENdl6yAUmUIzvHjauvCfy0SfN-GFOzq4LJQndLFZvWk0bpnTD4yt2Niyxzz5-9pAclH6e-2Gem7F2phdwIAT0ceNAiOY9D9S58GfPvk/s320/13494986_960604257390609_6632783858367796136_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmK1VncWyRyjwPisKJPyyd74HPTfuSuE2yWYC2Xm-ujGL6A6b5dbDpuGh-rHv7Ge8RjP4lJ4ru6PqHu6OaRDE6UqOegHgD2F15NRsVnXdiZcIYN77m3AlvyjXyFW48wenJm6-gTgKoiM/s1600/13501951_960606634057038_2923346440997827776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmK1VncWyRyjwPisKJPyyd74HPTfuSuE2yWYC2Xm-ujGL6A6b5dbDpuGh-rHv7Ge8RjP4lJ4ru6PqHu6OaRDE6UqOegHgD2F15NRsVnXdiZcIYN77m3AlvyjXyFW48wenJm6-gTgKoiM/s320/13501951_960606634057038_2923346440997827776_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwgxNAKBFSlXA4YZHqwQR11pVG2Jf4cgcfuCKviE5FXJKtxsSUwj4d3cucTqRoBvplMDdllboNMEmUcvDyjMr8yZFWRJgDLAX9zjsb9fpAKqueR6WaOr00IxELgPX6_TbIF41ppniowA/s1600/13592724_966566506794384_3847698765891716743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwgxNAKBFSlXA4YZHqwQR11pVG2Jf4cgcfuCKviE5FXJKtxsSUwj4d3cucTqRoBvplMDdllboNMEmUcvDyjMr8yZFWRJgDLAX9zjsb9fpAKqueR6WaOr00IxELgPX6_TbIF41ppniowA/s320/13592724_966566506794384_3847698765891716743_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7zxGl6grRSjd0L24pUqsAwfGyU42oJ9MgHq535w6pNo31k3FYnQaJo4gQ96-HIz7OuyvpbFiKia4Xl4OKCTUyciBezazcWuqZbYFxPNfj-w9jXrFPL1mc9C-_hofZBV_eWkp5ZH1qFw/s1600/13439028_966567400127628_1919866700491482460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7zxGl6grRSjd0L24pUqsAwfGyU42oJ9MgHq535w6pNo31k3FYnQaJo4gQ96-HIz7OuyvpbFiKia4Xl4OKCTUyciBezazcWuqZbYFxPNfj-w9jXrFPL1mc9C-_hofZBV_eWkp5ZH1qFw/s320/13439028_966567400127628_1919866700491482460_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJiQctcKOnEANoM3_EiSWrr1vUpAjYQf6abps74aJXWwtRwhAz_zB-z_A18q52TBK8iDfkSI1mfGpzCRu_LFo6G-3SNPq1CjDgL9FKqpCu8AK4ECYzVVOI9-Nm0sUdkoUqQ_Q49nITIY/s1600/13567527_966571253460576_6435529913746525539_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJiQctcKOnEANoM3_EiSWrr1vUpAjYQf6abps74aJXWwtRwhAz_zB-z_A18q52TBK8iDfkSI1mfGpzCRu_LFo6G-3SNPq1CjDgL9FKqpCu8AK4ECYzVVOI9-Nm0sUdkoUqQ_Q49nITIY/s320/13567527_966571253460576_6435529913746525539_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkJ1kqgTAkRAYZ_oM7jsqGkl6Q_YyKf0Jv89X47ay_vnnKofoCOXWUDyqur6YXbwXBuHiZN4DYd4WdJ1WuQYQ8ltI0YXbhp7AFhRAXoKmf3EGQs5_eo9nzmx87Dzb7jpP9qSFkHSYkFw/s1600/13524276_966574066793628_3328213662102074071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkJ1kqgTAkRAYZ_oM7jsqGkl6Q_YyKf0Jv89X47ay_vnnKofoCOXWUDyqur6YXbwXBuHiZN4DYd4WdJ1WuQYQ8ltI0YXbhp7AFhRAXoKmf3EGQs5_eo9nzmx87Dzb7jpP9qSFkHSYkFw/s320/13524276_966574066793628_3328213662102074071_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This has probably been one of my worst weeks during this challenge. Not because of the subject matter but because I seem to have come down with a dose of the winter blues this week. It's been one of those weeks where you just want to pull the blankets over your head and stay snug and warm in bed, but of course I couldn't do that. I have children and a hubby that need me, so I soldiered on with a distinct lack of enthusiasm for this week's challenge and most other things too if I'm honest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Even my decluttering became a halfhearted, 'move stuff from here to there but accomplish nothing', chore this week. So all in all I can sum this week up in one word, "Meh". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hopefully next week will see an improvement in both the weather and my mood. The theme is music and music used to cheer me up when I was a teen so hopefully I can can find some music to lift my spirits and get my groove back on. Wish me luck.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week :)</div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-55320005760070619112016-06-23T16:57:00.002-07:002016-06-23T16:57:47.621-07:00The trials and tribulations of undies<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DtYVZwr1KeIvAtLOz9bfBoykRoT_u-53EHGdRKkHhRtRva_lpgJNqk8XSAubqJK8CQryi4m8RV-5ULa3O5pdHif2CL2a8dDZLZFCLNhBJADMvQplAmrHntMa7CRIiA9UjMmQBZiwX5w/s1600/5+running+ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DtYVZwr1KeIvAtLOz9bfBoykRoT_u-53EHGdRKkHhRtRva_lpgJNqk8XSAubqJK8CQryi4m8RV-5ULa3O5pdHif2CL2a8dDZLZFCLNhBJADMvQplAmrHntMa7CRIiA9UjMmQBZiwX5w/s320/5+running+ducks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Trial "test(something, especially a new product) to assess its suitability or performance"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tribulation "a cause of great trouble or suffering"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Undies are both a gift and a curse although lately I've had cause to curse them more often than usual. In fact I've gotten so fed up that I finally decided to clear out my undie drawer today. Something I should have done ages ago that would have saved me a lot of hassles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know about anyone else but when I find a brand of underwear that I like I stick to it. The particular brand I've been wearing I've been buying and using for around the last twelve years. In various sizes cos you know pregnancy and weight stuff happens. Lately though they've been needing to be replaced again and as usual I went to my favorite brand and bought a week's worth to replace all my others. You can imagine my disappointment when I discovered that they'd changed the sewing pattern or style or something. They weren't comfortable at all. They rode up in the wrong places, usually at the wrong time and slipped down in other places usually also at the wrong time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In frustration I continued wearing my old ones while trying to find something similar from a different brand. Now this is where it started to get annoying, although now when I look back on it, it makes me laugh. One pair of my old undies started to lose it's elasticity and slip down inside my jeans. I don't know if you've ever had your undies fall down inside your jeans but it's uncomfortable and difficult to fix without drawing attention to yourself. The first time it happened I was out in public in a store looking for new undies, funnily enough. Needless to say I didn't hang around there long and so didn't purchase any replacements that day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That should have been an easy fix right? Get home take them off and throw them out right? Wrong. I thought maybe I could reuse them as a rag so I dumped them in the wash basket for a wash. I had good intentions you know, saving the planet sort of intentions. <i>"The road to hell is paved with good intentions" </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I forgot about them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They went through the wash and back into my drawer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The next time I encountered them I was in the city doing some shopping and looking for.... you know.... new undies. The trip started out fine but ended with me walking around with my hands in my pockets holding my undies up. Not a good look. On the plus side though I did find some new undies I liked that day and so had already bought some before I left the store. I binned the offending pair when I got home and put on another pair that I discovered were stuffed too. Looks like there was more than one pair that had expired. You would think that after all the hassle I would have binned the rest and moved on but I didn't, to my shame, I just moved them to the back of the drawer just in case I needed them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is a new day though and feeling like having a little decluttering session, I started with that drawer. Bye bye old useless undies, hello nice spacious drawer full of new favorites. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess what I've learned from this is:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li> Not to wait until things are completely worn out before looking for replacements. </li>
<li>Minimalism and frugality can be taken too far.</li>
<li>Brands can change their products without warning. </li>
<li>Your morning dressing time is much shorter when you don't have to search through things you don't wear to find the things you do and</li>
<li>People look at you funny when you fiddle with your underwear in public.</li>
</ul>
<br />Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-10330717935064043712016-06-23T15:52:00.000-07:002016-07-02T17:10:51.389-07:00Week 46 of 365 Challenge Boxes Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQchYTojCix7wUb4mhGzxXdBgKtbFDqHfJfcz32xxlnxkgu-pRL3v-dkLWD6JhaC-LdkoEF_FSRWscYNgS8ZyDVzq7fQzvsnnzVoNkzFIWjiU7R1b90Bl2My0MayApDjhMdJqxon5wok/s1600/13494915_960590444058657_6194766337974980724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQchYTojCix7wUb4mhGzxXdBgKtbFDqHfJfcz32xxlnxkgu-pRL3v-dkLWD6JhaC-LdkoEF_FSRWscYNgS8ZyDVzq7fQzvsnnzVoNkzFIWjiU7R1b90Bl2My0MayApDjhMdJqxon5wok/s320/13494915_960590444058657_6194766337974980724_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CyTonXU3ximOfAJ2XAJCqYTPJCavNmTbaOQAjQA9cgJ4kVWuKh7Lh3jem4zV4NNHxjEFOENbK9dNrddPhQBJiioIGJTsN5MSSkkDC0noNI185YQ6KBQ1TQCcsgFtNtw2hngrI1uitWU/s1600/13466138_960592664058435_5675666231542472035_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CyTonXU3ximOfAJ2XAJCqYTPJCavNmTbaOQAjQA9cgJ4kVWuKh7Lh3jem4zV4NNHxjEFOENbK9dNrddPhQBJiioIGJTsN5MSSkkDC0noNI185YQ6KBQ1TQCcsgFtNtw2hngrI1uitWU/s320/13466138_960592664058435_5675666231542472035_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2exa0ZyaWmy5c6rMsQqn3UWn_0zWRpzOkOSZUhkYeAyXjRFgXNxhFVk7gTJ2_pg5f26_pdQJH-JgB0hJcEfU9G7Tp6uOzO-mItQYiKktG5v0CTzEVQ1o1ZkAUGC6wl1OkERTH3QtEgHY/s1600/13501927_960593714058330_5956496287178422578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2exa0ZyaWmy5c6rMsQqn3UWn_0zWRpzOkOSZUhkYeAyXjRFgXNxhFVk7gTJ2_pg5f26_pdQJH-JgB0hJcEfU9G7Tp6uOzO-mItQYiKktG5v0CTzEVQ1o1ZkAUGC6wl1OkERTH3QtEgHY/s320/13501927_960593714058330_5956496287178422578_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZm9Kgx-6CmWlNLpWnbLARyIwVir_fqUJDgFg9f4dhUb7miUx66qUHubfAT-cS2GYK0SELqrMnCazekVWhkNqNSTxcmy9AP9d98pIpFLLU2l7vXSAnMc_l08gsEqGBLvZDbJ_l-RLlEg/s1600/13494941_960595370724831_7103064052045093283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZm9Kgx-6CmWlNLpWnbLARyIwVir_fqUJDgFg9f4dhUb7miUx66qUHubfAT-cS2GYK0SELqrMnCazekVWhkNqNSTxcmy9AP9d98pIpFLLU2l7vXSAnMc_l08gsEqGBLvZDbJ_l-RLlEg/s320/13494941_960595370724831_7103064052045093283_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlAO6bePQD-Pus4WARPabGnWaaG1M6oguYP1bWyScMYKud3IyPNTypOyGvEH6YuVe1NuBuJmJlF0eiIPwKgBcIxUOMo_lBrVsswpx3KKl1z8iXckiI4GvAHOAdz33K8p7QdrDpRzmCs0/s1600/13516201_960596567391378_3968496379488247287_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlAO6bePQD-Pus4WARPabGnWaaG1M6oguYP1bWyScMYKud3IyPNTypOyGvEH6YuVe1NuBuJmJlF0eiIPwKgBcIxUOMo_lBrVsswpx3KKl1z8iXckiI4GvAHOAdz33K8p7QdrDpRzmCs0/s320/13516201_960596567391378_3968496379488247287_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-jhYUJ-Mw9gFN7rPffJIzWXN2vIAoaYRmITkB5hbFTIgZkjSiuPeaJ2QQWBfJLbos8EcHTJ0WQW5MflvGWVZV1woy6GJq9vObVcoTK_OZ-x0wxGqMe3Y1Dr0FL2Zv0QFFeoesTnaDG0/s1600/13439118_960598137391221_2343823310293205570_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-jhYUJ-Mw9gFN7rPffJIzWXN2vIAoaYRmITkB5hbFTIgZkjSiuPeaJ2QQWBfJLbos8EcHTJ0WQW5MflvGWVZV1woy6GJq9vObVcoTK_OZ-x0wxGqMe3Y1Dr0FL2Zv0QFFeoesTnaDG0/s320/13439118_960598137391221_2343823310293205570_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jKl248srx2L_r5PyDu8KlVS1-3oAzvjDOJxKgTN0U6nGmCxoc2_9SPN8o9NoXVMTkrCw1bMo57ck6IU5tQ6vCX_8clFMsGI8DLOt8zgPzAQD1OiEJWum2RtCX6b4KAhPRuYOfl7Vgco/s1600/13529002_960602374057464_6586609667150139973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jKl248srx2L_r5PyDu8KlVS1-3oAzvjDOJxKgTN0U6nGmCxoc2_9SPN8o9NoXVMTkrCw1bMo57ck6IU5tQ6vCX_8clFMsGI8DLOt8zgPzAQD1OiEJWum2RtCX6b4KAhPRuYOfl7Vgco/s320/13529002_960602374057464_6586609667150139973_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In boxes week I started out kicking myself for having used some of my carved wooden boxes and the wooden box shaped like a turtle, in previous week's themes but once I started looking around I realized how often I am surrounded by boxes of varying kinds. It turned out to be a productive week in more ways than one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first pic was taken sneakily at the supermarket. Sneakily because they don't like you taking pictures in their store. Naughty me. The supermarket I go to is a sort of food warehouse where pallets of food are stacked above the shelves with the regular food boxes on shelves below. The butchery, bakery, deli and produce areas are just like a normal supermarket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Picture number two is of my husbands computing, workworking and modelrailway books that we removed from the bookshelf we sold. The woodwork and railway books are moving to cupboards in the workshop where he can easily access them while he's working but they won't get too dusty. It'll save him a few trips up and down the stairs with his bad knee. We're just finishing lining the workshop walls before the books can move to their new home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The computer books are moving nearer his computer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Picture number 3 is of some plastic storage boxes I was checking out for using in the garage. Somewhere to keep the pool, pump and hoses safe and together before next season.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Picture 4 is of my daughter's spiral art set. It is all kept in a round cardboard box with a gear shape on the top.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Picture number 5 is of some dungeon and dragon figures I found when clearing the shelves in the spare room the other week. I'd like to get rid of them all but my daughter is keen to keep them. I guess because they are new and interesting to her. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Picture number 6 is of some storage boxes I was looking at the other day. I love the varying shades of blue and green in the different boxes. It's a color scheme I'm keen on. A sort of beachy/natural look. The boxes themselves look great but I have no idea what I would keep in them. I'm trying to get rid of clutter not introduce color-coordinated organized hoarding. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Picture 7 is of my mum's carved wooden box. I bought it for her birthday from the Trade Aid shop a few years back and I'd forgotten she had it until she suggested it as a subject for this week's theme.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So all in all boxes week occurred at just the right time to catch me having a clear out and looking at storage ideas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next week is Rust week. I'm sure there's a lot of rusty things around here somewhere.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-89901258469559346982016-06-15T17:25:00.001-07:002016-06-15T17:25:44.352-07:00Week 45 of 365 Challenge Shells Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN1FTgAxiIDrPKOLLMy7DaIxjAVtWkzEny9OewDRd192pFfmp0GZzZLJnHj84dtp2iidxFPdN8pr_B9CTV3dmSKSXFgkBRL5PEju2ZuiOA5jp58kt4HpJHRLmScstfiOJnVbuLjwgQSk/s1600/13394020_954901007960934_751667319613755990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN1FTgAxiIDrPKOLLMy7DaIxjAVtWkzEny9OewDRd192pFfmp0GZzZLJnHj84dtp2iidxFPdN8pr_B9CTV3dmSKSXFgkBRL5PEju2ZuiOA5jp58kt4HpJHRLmScstfiOJnVbuLjwgQSk/s320/13394020_954901007960934_751667319613755990_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH4vejYBhzYd6OVXkrWmg2dNsZ0riMmLgDh7WTGV8jGfSeE9n4hl4igSsRoywflaJPYxbmD6myNB_47YGjXACub9WcXsUpMFKuIw52D580Si2OhqQaYdOJoDH0PBImbPEZgNHCfFN4UM/s1600/13406936_954902794627422_2197378166554811365_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH4vejYBhzYd6OVXkrWmg2dNsZ0riMmLgDh7WTGV8jGfSeE9n4hl4igSsRoywflaJPYxbmD6myNB_47YGjXACub9WcXsUpMFKuIw52D580Si2OhqQaYdOJoDH0PBImbPEZgNHCfFN4UM/s320/13406936_954902794627422_2197378166554811365_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5ZxSKgWwqax0eVZ_BRHT27HEwqi24i-_Out_XAO0f0u6SfXZrPsY4krFk14PaQnQY5aLbdTUeNdHyzm_o6-DXvBV__EtUEHAvQYEwJpcCUcS14EvT8wwfBRMsc1yrwnW2MpCfqY1yzQ/s1600/13423884_954904301293938_6420423620359089020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5ZxSKgWwqax0eVZ_BRHT27HEwqi24i-_Out_XAO0f0u6SfXZrPsY4krFk14PaQnQY5aLbdTUeNdHyzm_o6-DXvBV__EtUEHAvQYEwJpcCUcS14EvT8wwfBRMsc1yrwnW2MpCfqY1yzQ/s320/13423884_954904301293938_6420423620359089020_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawmt1Fbf2vi0X6UgzxKpgFMmEqShGx7gdDQFVemg-F_jn2vcilA0uLNIPqJz5YN16qQ1aD5Sfi4KWAD3-DePo2Jfu0Vo0jTXbz7Nj4lL1YdGqoURMhAaS8Lk8vXgU2DI7iAvUjlQRU0c/s1600/13428593_954908641293504_5509503956730493193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawmt1Fbf2vi0X6UgzxKpgFMmEqShGx7gdDQFVemg-F_jn2vcilA0uLNIPqJz5YN16qQ1aD5Sfi4KWAD3-DePo2Jfu0Vo0jTXbz7Nj4lL1YdGqoURMhAaS8Lk8vXgU2DI7iAvUjlQRU0c/s320/13428593_954908641293504_5509503956730493193_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEEibp7qFPgkV00braEQ_dy7PapGKPUpDLVN-gfZpQHAjXq1y0YCahXaXe4pBe3_hzuk1xgZopMp4uWa5rZqWqB1GaH9d1uRJ6uraWHkQlWA-KS-Ch5A4qKjU2xRxWNu3-d4bhhTrLw0/s1600/13427897_954909844626717_6419354679299278511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEEibp7qFPgkV00braEQ_dy7PapGKPUpDLVN-gfZpQHAjXq1y0YCahXaXe4pBe3_hzuk1xgZopMp4uWa5rZqWqB1GaH9d1uRJ6uraWHkQlWA-KS-Ch5A4qKjU2xRxWNu3-d4bhhTrLw0/s320/13427897_954909844626717_6419354679299278511_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Zb3FLHwsCgpEUBrZY7liYfdcGr6QtMeomOJXGVUOBJY0RU_xTSV-8W_DAP3yYulpS39rkOHxEKVsIeki8EufEORwXQIaonBeLb078rkuGjZ2GOpQPzGlwwmJy5CJjNFXroKvfC8nfQ/s1600/13413096_954909854626716_2214614468309748884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Zb3FLHwsCgpEUBrZY7liYfdcGr6QtMeomOJXGVUOBJY0RU_xTSV-8W_DAP3yYulpS39rkOHxEKVsIeki8EufEORwXQIaonBeLb078rkuGjZ2GOpQPzGlwwmJy5CJjNFXroKvfC8nfQ/s320/13413096_954909854626716_2214614468309748884_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqUWTI9ezwDSAZvBDGiMdTUfRInMpWNT8ym8VHKIuMDbiRJeyLPpDRUv0SRZOf1IeQxSI4drOynnZ_HG84XzF-WMGjGIMSEWy5AheWySgISJHfkCh3ABwi6laryd1rbsDHRd1X_BJkUM/s1600/13428006_954912107959824_3863061140246114341_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqUWTI9ezwDSAZvBDGiMdTUfRInMpWNT8ym8VHKIuMDbiRJeyLPpDRUv0SRZOf1IeQxSI4drOynnZ_HG84XzF-WMGjGIMSEWy5AheWySgISJHfkCh3ABwi6laryd1rbsDHRd1X_BJkUM/s320/13428006_954912107959824_3863061140246114341_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you can see above I was spoiled for choice with the seashells. There seems to be quite a wide variety around New Zealand beaches, though not all the beaches have the same shells. It depends on which coast you're on as to which types of shells are more common. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have some very tiny but beautifully patterned shells that were unfortunately too small for me to photograph clearly. I took all of these with my cell phone as I could focus much closer than with my camera. If there's one thing that this 365 challenge has shown me, it's that I should really invest in a macro lens for my camera. I would get loads of use out of it for not only macro use but also portraits.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wish we could have gone to the beach this week and taken some pics there but work and weather stopped that idea before it could take hold. Bummer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next week is Boxes week. I have no idea what I'm doing with that one lol.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-80893112776479306222016-06-15T17:10:00.000-07:002016-06-15T17:10:00.573-07:00Week 44 of 365 Challenge Fantasy Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgqkIBj_uglg4UwQDNSYrhVtb5G81rp5arIpLMqpVzQ7WFjTOoORW4oTSIOjAvecooKz5rwzG7q-RDznZbTvv2ZMH9lHUACys4aZQ6z1Drpfdrv_y__deM_7nyZf2xCBP3wlxwPc56x8/s1600/13407329_952972321487136_5130791829577662418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgqkIBj_uglg4UwQDNSYrhVtb5G81rp5arIpLMqpVzQ7WFjTOoORW4oTSIOjAvecooKz5rwzG7q-RDznZbTvv2ZMH9lHUACys4aZQ6z1Drpfdrv_y__deM_7nyZf2xCBP3wlxwPc56x8/s320/13407329_952972321487136_5130791829577662418_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKJI23XMh4ZEUwK7flhIrIEL7LUZFQIPLUGXxP9CdsupBQut49B92A0FBSu0gNtJzdL308v0VRsp-rRPm7e5xvQ9dHgo2UGC3h_-A4iVWnBHRy1pzsIp90nIWpTLehdATuW5lNJ6wsBQ/s1600/13445223_952975661486802_3287248617777506994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKJI23XMh4ZEUwK7flhIrIEL7LUZFQIPLUGXxP9CdsupBQut49B92A0FBSu0gNtJzdL308v0VRsp-rRPm7e5xvQ9dHgo2UGC3h_-A4iVWnBHRy1pzsIp90nIWpTLehdATuW5lNJ6wsBQ/s320/13445223_952975661486802_3287248617777506994_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbqbJbmWdsa1cVNoyR2eJlkdmj6xKFGoH_Nx2bJbMhXLXR0YKFvQ4ZhPng7fi84KnN5pkLacQzjHRp1TS1gf1hIbUu6mhBq5E3lSfzHeqdOMtuR2h-kSI1gW9YtZQFG3opi9NgQV90XU/s1600/13406927_952976721486696_3780439097361009424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbqbJbmWdsa1cVNoyR2eJlkdmj6xKFGoH_Nx2bJbMhXLXR0YKFvQ4ZhPng7fi84KnN5pkLacQzjHRp1TS1gf1hIbUu6mhBq5E3lSfzHeqdOMtuR2h-kSI1gW9YtZQFG3opi9NgQV90XU/s320/13406927_952976721486696_3780439097361009424_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodipi4RbBrh-g0QrbcEndMXdy9rfsugQd-CIcyHGMiwXpXoECi5N_2HSwcE9YYLGeQxvQAr7im-1H9hIWkeRrp3KKDKILIGsHcbwAu0NmD25R57faUwd6otFCAJbpencn2zdrmtOjmfY/s1600/13393953_952977118153323_5258214540191307404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodipi4RbBrh-g0QrbcEndMXdy9rfsugQd-CIcyHGMiwXpXoECi5N_2HSwcE9YYLGeQxvQAr7im-1H9hIWkeRrp3KKDKILIGsHcbwAu0NmD25R57faUwd6otFCAJbpencn2zdrmtOjmfY/s320/13393953_952977118153323_5258214540191307404_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhq5SdChRJcDBc1_JfXCHNZZa61cCjrVPHzZ8MHaQieZMe5luGfTGPhndGB9SiS5i_1Q6xJJCJ5YfCbWRlJjITrXDf-S0xoJjyCi8WCyl0EO8E37o_K-dw1U01tyXdPcjFa_SkDDzX-w/s1600/13413083_952979034819798_4636122336400712446_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhq5SdChRJcDBc1_JfXCHNZZa61cCjrVPHzZ8MHaQieZMe5luGfTGPhndGB9SiS5i_1Q6xJJCJ5YfCbWRlJjITrXDf-S0xoJjyCi8WCyl0EO8E37o_K-dw1U01tyXdPcjFa_SkDDzX-w/s320/13413083_952979034819798_4636122336400712446_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M_f7hnoyQwT_UHGKfPTeiIsDA5EQdSuJxXlMFd9-Kzas5u0-ypWpSdG6RDQwIOZd5n05gwE9PQTg5VAwwapX6iERnIT3WjQzgJYTeYbS-36Fv_Q7mY0F66TJq2jmARQSj9f7bAqCafM/s1600/13394093_952979918153043_5098473458072257867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M_f7hnoyQwT_UHGKfPTeiIsDA5EQdSuJxXlMFd9-Kzas5u0-ypWpSdG6RDQwIOZd5n05gwE9PQTg5VAwwapX6iERnIT3WjQzgJYTeYbS-36Fv_Q7mY0F66TJq2jmARQSj9f7bAqCafM/s320/13394093_952979918153043_5098473458072257867_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLf2z_V1_pGhVW0EMEoEqF3Z8IkxsqPva1_ky3PY4fYdwRBXNdkPCqiRAhVwp5rLHsV5fBuI6Y_RFB_GgpuQjq4ooDl4UpYNPuo9jjo_q8U-SO8y9IL7KjLmKDMfrHj0NT4ceNdVYD_o/s1600/13346566_952981114819590_4676213712562820347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLf2z_V1_pGhVW0EMEoEqF3Z8IkxsqPva1_ky3PY4fYdwRBXNdkPCqiRAhVwp5rLHsV5fBuI6Y_RFB_GgpuQjq4ooDl4UpYNPuo9jjo_q8U-SO8y9IL7KjLmKDMfrHj0NT4ceNdVYD_o/s320/13346566_952981114819590_4676213712562820347_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fantasy week was a pretty easy theme for me. I used to collect dragons a long time ago and although I sold most of them my daughter has kept a few that she liked. The hardest part was picking which ones to use and which to leave out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Big Ears figure in the middle is my husbands. He's had it for at least as long as I've known him, (30 years, eek I'm getting old!) I have no idea where he got it, it's just always been around. He must have liked Noddy as a child maybe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next week is Shells week. My kids and I love picking up shells at the beach so I have lots to choose from.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great week! :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558258992323503938.post-8706785480687323502016-06-09T17:25:00.000-07:002016-06-09T17:25:10.487-07:00Finding Peace in the Mayhem Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAPBAIE3k5bannZHOEYBLpguJBUMGeUzl7kbb6rTbaPppHfzGwpAbl1C_MMLZaF6XCrP_V7vtIId7jNV3sgn7sm4UWFNKWnDWma8ijUESFH4XPzZDVxqf54QuTcr-1h1oS2fxykgBNPs/s1600/Peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAPBAIE3k5bannZHOEYBLpguJBUMGeUzl7kbb6rTbaPppHfzGwpAbl1C_MMLZaF6XCrP_V7vtIId7jNV3sgn7sm4UWFNKWnDWma8ijUESFH4XPzZDVxqf54QuTcr-1h1oS2fxykgBNPs/s320/Peace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"The easiest way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it" ~ The Minimalists</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Way back in <a href="http://wildmacnz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/finding-peace-in-mayhem.html" target="_blank">October</a> last year I posted about trying to keep my art and craft supplies under control without being "an organized hoarder". It's taken me eight months of steadily going through things, assessing and reassessing them, to finally feel like I have it all at a level I am comfortable with. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJ1z0sEdu3FyjB75k_CgFJIx7xPA87FJzBpTny-_JgM3ybih7sTZsr0n5Q-oQVXtU_c_GGvi3Y2ik2vOpBh60wJNcVYksAqpFBuDguRrD-j7PiVNdAX2ryOWVvG7itGqZGiQMFCrwqR8/s1600/12142557_1632666313675201_137164850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJ1z0sEdu3FyjB75k_CgFJIx7xPA87FJzBpTny-_JgM3ybih7sTZsr0n5Q-oQVXtU_c_GGvi3Y2ik2vOpBh60wJNcVYksAqpFBuDguRrD-j7PiVNdAX2ryOWVvG7itGqZGiQMFCrwqR8/s320/12142557_1632666313675201_137164850_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In fact we sold the bookcase in the picture above along with another large pine bookcase and a pine sideboard this week and I love the extra space we have without them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The picture below is of the same wall minus the white bookcase. I've started a family photo wall there to display some of the pics that would otherwise rarely see the light of day. I still have some other photos to add but I haven't picked up frames for them yet. The small three drawer storage unit doubles as a charging station for our mobiles as well as storing place-mats, tablecloths, etc for the dining table. It's small but efficient.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3K2NbisHc6n2gHisAzzTYHxTjfhjXr9aptLv3ExMfBGmLvzE7mwAtfuzrqzHA9NmXjzdhFCusFQBbrIXEGsCIWJxsWnRjgh72aRKwmdU2TaRlBMPyGhJj8bH0Q3nJztWv6ybhM43Tj4/s1600/Wall+without+bookcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3K2NbisHc6n2gHisAzzTYHxTjfhjXr9aptLv3ExMfBGmLvzE7mwAtfuzrqzHA9NmXjzdhFCusFQBbrIXEGsCIWJxsWnRjgh72aRKwmdU2TaRlBMPyGhJj8bH0Q3nJztWv6ybhM43Tj4/s320/Wall+without+bookcase.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The cookbooks that used to live on the white bookcase now live in a new space I created in the kitchen when I donated a few kitchen appliances and things we no longer used.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went through all the box files and shredded a lot of the unnecessary paperwork and just kept the essentials. This took longer than I expected but I can now store the two box files that are left in a cupboard in a different room.They're still easily accessible but now live out of sight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The photography magazines are no longer a problem. I put some into the collage box for cutting up (my daughter and her friends love the animal pictures in them) and I no longer purchase photography magazines unless there's a really, really, interesting article in them that I can't find online. I discovered that I could find a lot of really great information online and some of the magazines share their articles online too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I still accept the home and garden magazines that mum gives me and I sometimes buy one if I see something I like. I've created a series of mood boards for our house in a hard-covered exercise book. I cut tabs down the side and made separate areas for the different rooms that I'm going to be working on. I then glue in any pictures, paint samples or articles that appeal to me for those rooms. See images below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnXh_z4PVrvXa_vbtLICrifXE3-f6o9rve8jwPDHXXCSIdoMaZevXhyphenhyphenQBUomuGBPVAkfF8u81uEnn3brYca3Ks-_P6h9F-2b133yXixRRPSA16kQVKQxYwrFu0w0fGQyXBLJgZTA600k/s1600/Mood+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnXh_z4PVrvXa_vbtLICrifXE3-f6o9rve8jwPDHXXCSIdoMaZevXhyphenhyphenQBUomuGBPVAkfF8u81uEnn3brYca3Ks-_P6h9F-2b133yXixRRPSA16kQVKQxYwrFu0w0fGQyXBLJgZTA600k/s320/Mood+book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUCzQSRVyaLazfpfxbQopVj5lmh2o3PbHv5nRayasmhC0zZyBgkWNDfAN_X42tpUI0hSVkrQ4EF1rR0CKRszkLuSrlw1-8WpBeiVMMRYuzpV2aFOTuruD5soVhvGh4mKEifdvEWQhhw8/s1600/Mood+book+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUCzQSRVyaLazfpfxbQopVj5lmh2o3PbHv5nRayasmhC0zZyBgkWNDfAN_X42tpUI0hSVkrQ4EF1rR0CKRszkLuSrlw1-8WpBeiVMMRYuzpV2aFOTuruD5soVhvGh4mKEifdvEWQhhw8/s320/Mood+book+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This has made it so much easier for me to pin down a style that I like and I don't have to wade through stacks of magazines trying to find an idea I liked a few weeks ago. The rest of the magazines go into the collage box.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As for the art supplies that were all on the shelves. I've really pared back on them. I only kept the paints, pens and pencils etc that I used regularly and I gave my daughter the felt tip pens and some gel pens that I didn't use much if at all. My daughter and her friends color in their adult coloring books with them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Most of my art supplies now fit in a secret compartment I had my hubby build into my desk. (see pic below) Clockwise from the top we have my back up external drive for my photos, my phone charger cord, 3 pencil cases all inside 1 yellow one. I use these when I'm going away somewhere and want to take art supplies with me. I can build 3 different kits for travel. The yellow pencil case holds my small watercolor kit, brushes, watercolor pencils and a pencil for sketching. The tartan case (not visible) holds my sketching stuff and normal colored pencils. The blue case (not visible) holds my gel pens and whatever else appeals to me for working in my journals. Under the pencil cases is some bluetack, then comes my watercolor paints, below that is a small tin with business cards in it, below that is my gel pens, next to that are some markers and pens I sketch with, then a cluttered box of miscellaneous office supplies, some envelopes and supermarket sellers cards on top, then above we have my mini camera flash and a box of mints, above that is a box of memory cards, my headphones, a charger cable for my Sony Walkman and some usb drives, then we're back to the hard drive. In the centre are 3 lettering stencils that my daughter uses for school projects and a couple of bookmarks, also my compass set. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHktqJdZ9ZKvek_w0g8s0w0IsmNWh6x_XJKYzb74G3y4lBzldpR7xQ75F7Pz0keCNjkgTX-ubBIg4ieYN3qXGrcxFzxUSAduieh_4iFY4Mhsb2YmRysT7FBfsObrgmQBbbJ7IfKvaFbCs/s1600/Drawer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHktqJdZ9ZKvek_w0g8s0w0IsmNWh6x_XJKYzb74G3y4lBzldpR7xQ75F7Pz0keCNjkgTX-ubBIg4ieYN3qXGrcxFzxUSAduieh_4iFY4Mhsb2YmRysT7FBfsObrgmQBbbJ7IfKvaFbCs/s320/Drawer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When my desk top is down you wouldn't even know that compartment was there. (see pic below) On my desk top lives the phone, a pencil cup and pad for messages etc. My camera lives here mostly and in the right hand corner I have my colored pencils, paintbrushes and watercolor pencils. I also usually keep my work diary here but I had it in my bag when this pic was taken. My tablet doesn't usually live here but it was charging at the time of the photo. I also have a small statue of Guanyin near my pencils. (not sure if you can see it in the photo) Also not shown in these photos are my acrylic paints, art paper and journals storage. They're still a work in progress and I'll show you that some other time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPVj8sh2GxnQyI1drjGuYgsw8J9t7JGixQEuqzzFxhSTnWtRKDd6SsteTiIuGmIpxP6Gn80lbHo6whHgrV7vq4k2X0cPM7Q_wey5nJH3anR_Sfe9uumwV1uIVuraLJIgJKtAXCijdaMU/s1600/Desk+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPVj8sh2GxnQyI1drjGuYgsw8J9t7JGixQEuqzzFxhSTnWtRKDd6SsteTiIuGmIpxP6Gn80lbHo6whHgrV7vq4k2X0cPM7Q_wey5nJH3anR_Sfe9uumwV1uIVuraLJIgJKtAXCijdaMU/s320/Desk+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have also pared down all my art books. I cheated a little in this though. I gave them all to my mother-in-law. She has a large studio and a large collection of art books that she regularly lends out to friends and family. I figured if they lived there they would be used and appreciated more than if they lived on my shelf gathering dust in between occasional uses. I also make frequent use of our local library which saves me having to purchase art books.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So as you can see I've really had a good clean out of my art supplies, books, magazines, and old bills and have a much cleaner and clearer space to work in. I could probably still pare down the stuff in the miscellaneous office supply box but it's not bothering me and I do use what's in there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Simple Life, Simple Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148093411666045818noreply@blogger.com0