DDCC #66 : COLOUR INSPIRATION

• {Basic Grey Challenges: Week 9}
• {Everybody Art Challenge: #68 - Stitching}
• {Papertake Weekly: Sketch #29}
• {Cute Card Thursday: #89 Swirly Girly}
• {Paper Cutz Challenge: #19 Anything Goes}
• {Allsorts Challenge: Week 29 - Buttons}

  If you have a moment, it would be great if you could pop over to these challenge blogs and have a peep at the design teams' gorgeous creations.

I just loved this colour inspiration put to the Design Team over at Dutch Dare Card Challenge. The colours work so well together and are easy to be creative with.

In Style Stamps are the sponsors for this challenge and were so generous in giving the design team some gorgeous digi stamps to create with.

I have printed the digi stamp with my Canon Inkjet printer and once again coloured it with my H2O's. The flowers were stamped with acrylic stamps from a Making Memories flower stamp set. The sentiment was also stamped and punched out with a Paper Shapers scalloped 3" circle punch. Some faux stitching was done around the scalloped circle, the stamped flowers and the main image.

Basic Grey Challenges: Week 9 - A Sketch by Tara G as well as Papertake Weekly's Sketch #29 got me going with this creation. This is really a fabulous sketch to work with and it will definitely put to good use again. I have used the following BG Patterned Cardstock:

• Two Scoops: non-fat yogurt tsc-1048
• Lilykate: Queen Ann LIK559

All the embellies are from my stash.

The Inside:

Thank you all for taking the time to stop by once again. Apologies for not frequenting your lovely little creative spaces in blog land as regularly of late. Been a bit down with flu. Promise to spread some love soon.

Oh yes on a last note, me and hubby have been married for 25 years on Monday, 30 November. Can't believe how the years just seem to disappear in thin air. It feels like yesterday when I was walking down the isle with a shaking bouquet. Judged by the first 25, I am looking so forward to the next 25 ... life can only get better. The photos below were taken on the farm 'Skuilhoek' in the Elands River Valley, Eastern Cape, South Africa where I grew up. My Mom Phoebe Walters made my wedding dress. The confetti girls are my nieces, Liesl Schmidt on the left and Heidi Nel on the right.

ALL IN YOUR POCKET with INDIGO BLUE

Design Team Project for:

• ABC Card Challenge: I is for INDIGO BLUE
• Dutch Dare Card Challenge: ALL IN YOUR POCKET

I had so much fun working with this blue colour palette. The focus flowers were stamped with my Chiswick acrylic stamp set. I have created the flower watermark background behind the main flowers on the front of the pocket as well as on the pull out card, with the same flower stamp. The blue buckle was created with a Paper Shapers buckle punch and then punched out with a Paper Shapers circle punch. The dotty ribbon is from my stash.

Loved this watermark technique and I've got a feeling that this technique is going to solve my addiction to iris folding.

Your visit here is truly treasured and I trust that it was pleasurable for you.

WEDDING BLISS and FLEDGELINGS

At last I have completed Enrico and Angelique Nells' wedding album with this front page to the album. The sketch of the Anglican Church in Uitenhage has been downloaded from the internet, resized and printed onto white cardstock with an inkjet printer. The hearts were stamped with a Chiswick acrylic hearts stamp set. The Greatest Love circle was also stamped with acrylic stamps. The cardstock are Basic Grey (for the background) and FabScraps for the various mounting. Also used some Scrapbook King white rub-ons here and there. Now I just have to mosaic an album box with lid for the album.

I am also entering this layout for the following challenges:

• Creative Card Crew #37: Strings Attached
• Paper Cutz Challenge #17: Stamped Image {the hearts are stamped with acrylic stamps}
• Polycraft Monday Challenge #28: No Cards Allowed
• Quixotic Challenge #2: Stitching {Faux stitching around hearts and church image}

Feeling quite sad as the little wagtails have both fledged the nest on Tuesday, 10 November. These photos were taken the Monday afternoon, just before they settled in for their final night in the nest.

Now I am just praying that the next door cat won't be on the prowl whilst they build up their strength.

Thanks again for all your lovely comments and taking the time to stop by.

THOSE WERE THE DAYS ...

{Dutch Dare Card Challenge DT Project: #65 All in your Pocket}

I have also entered this card for the following challenges:

• Crafty Cardmakers: Stamp Something
• Creative Inspirations: New or Neglected {a new digi stamp}
• Pile It On: Fall Challenge - Use a leaf on your card
• Stamp Something: Sketch Something
• Quixotic Challenge: #2 Stitching
• Paper Cutz Challenge: #17 Hand Stamped or Digi Image

For our next challenge (#65: all in your pocket) over at the DDCC we have the Ai Factory as our sponsor. They gave the DT a free image to work with. Its the first time I have used a digi stamp and it worked perfectly. I printed the cute image with my Canon i475D Inkjet printer on white ColorMates Cardstock and then coloured the image with H2O's. I know I am a total novice when it comes to colouring images, so I bow my head in shame.

The black flower arrangements are Making Memories rub-ons which were sitting in my stash feeling very neglected. And of course all the yummy cardstock are from Basic Grey.

Thanks again for taking the time out of your busy life, to stop by here. It is truly appreciated.

THANKS SO MUCH ...

{Design Team Project: ABC Challenge - H is for Hidden Messages}

I am also entering this card for the following challenges:

• My Time to Craft Challenge: Tags so much
• Charisma Cardz - #44 A sketch
• Crafty Cardmakers: Stamp Something
• Creative Inspirations: #35 New or Neglected {It was the first time that I inked up my Chiswick acrylic text stamp which I used for the rectangle on the right.}

I have used one of my Making Memories flower acrylic stamp sets for the flowers and the Chiswick text stamp for the background layer on the right. The pull-out tag was created with the Creative Memories Jumbo Tag Punch. Friend was created with Basic Grey Alphabet Stickers from my stash.

Leaving you once again with another snapshot of our indigenous garden. Mr & Mrs Wagtail's two little chicks are in their nest between the leaves of the Aloe tree in the front on the right of the photo. As you can see the aloe has quite a bit of white scale on its leaves (a common occurrence on aloes). Usually spraying some water under pressure onto the leaves removes the scale, but of course, with the Wagtail family in it, we will have to wait until the chicks have fledged.

Your visit here is much appreciated.

XMAS JOY

Here's a second card I created with my yummy Monthly Card Kit Club's November Kit . Two of the trees have been created with the iris folding technique {yes, I admit, I am adicted} ... love the happy and bright colour combo of this kit ... and doesn't those stars look like they are twinkling ... definitely puts one in a festive mood. Joy was created with a stamp from one of my acrylic stamp sets.

I have also entered this card for The Pixie Cottage's Celebrate challenge. Please visit the Pixies to have a look at the DT's gorgeous creations.

I am leaving you with a quick snapshot of a section of our indigenous garden. Can't believe how much everything has grown since the landscaping was completed at the beginning of April 2008.

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend. May you all find time to unwind with some creativity on the side. Thanks again for taking time to have a peep here and for all your much appreciated kind comments.

CHRISTMAS ... The Best of Times

This creation has been entered for the following challenges:

• 2 Sketches 4 You: Laura's Sketch 38
• Papertake Weekly Challenge: Sketch 27
• Daring Cardmakers: Getting Punchy With It
• The Pixie Cottage: Celebration

I was so excited when the Postman delivered my gorgeous November Kit all the way from the Netherlands to me here in Johannesburg, South Africa. Having seen my fellow design team members' gorgeous creations over at the Monthly Card Kit Club, I was just itching to receive my design team goodies. Thank you so much Karin. So, no time was wasted creating with all the yummy goodies in this month's kit.

The only items on this creation that was not in the kit, are the 4 orange brads and the plain pink and teal cardstock forming the outside border of the card. The 'best of times' circle was stamped with an acrylic stamp from my personal stash. The circle embellishments were created with 3 circle punches and it was a joy to sand the edges of the various double sided patterned cardstock in this kit.

Once again two sketch inspirations got me started with this card i.e. Laura's Sketch #38 over at 2 Sketches 4 You and this week's sketch #27 challenge over at Papertake Weekly.

Must say, it was quite strange creating a winter themed Xmas card as we celebrate Xmas here in South Africa, right in the middle of a sizzling summer.

... And I am sure you will all be glad to hear that Mr & Mrs Wagtail are excellent parents. They have been feeding and caring for their two bambinos round the clock and the chicks' eyes has opened Sunday afternoon and today (Thursday) they are very aware of what's going on around them and moving around in the nest all the time. It is just so difficult to get decent photos of the chicks due to the nest perching up high between thorny aloe leaves. Loads of scratch marks on my hands are proof of this. Its an absolute miracle that the chicks are in such a healthy state as they have already survived numerous electric thunder storms combined with pouring rain and gusty winds. I think us humans can learn a great deal from the Wagtails when it comes to selecting the perfect location for building our homes.

I got a really nice award from the lovely Tesa!

The rules are - I need to pass this award to five people, post on their blog that I left this award, and then I need to answer a list of questions in one word. Here goes:

1. Where is your cell phone? Next to me
2. Your hair? Washed yesterday
3. Your mother? Passed away in 1999
4. Your father? Passed away in 1997
5. Your favorite food? Fillet with mushroom sauce
6. Your dream last night? DH going for a nose job
7. Your dream/goal? Becoming a sought after photographer
8. Your favorite drink? Cuppocino
9. What room are you in? My Creative Studio
10. Your hobby? Gardening
11. Your fear? Motor Car Accident
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Loving the space I am in right now
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren't? Fashion conscious
15. Muffins? Fat Free
16. Wish list item? 35cm Digital Photo Frame
17. Where did you grow up? On a farm in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
18. Last thing you did? Baked Fat Free Muffins
19. What are you wearing? Tracksuit
20. Your TV? Not a Plasma
21. Your Pets? My Darling Husband
22. Friends? A few for life
23. Your life? Perfect
24. Your mood? Very Positive and Optimistic
25. Missing Someone? Parents
26. Vehicle? Toyota Auris
27. Something your not wearing? High heel shoes
28. Your favorite store? Local Craft Shop
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? This morning
31. Last time you cried? Sunday
32. Your best friend? A few
33. One place that I go to over and over? Cathedral peak in the Drakensberg
34. Facebook? Not a huge fan

Favorite place to eat? Europa

And here are five lovely people I want to pass it on to:

1. Michelle
2. Lynette
3. Cathy
4. Helen
5. Sophia

   Thanks again for the love you are all spreading here at Doing Life. Every comment is truly appreciated.

THE GREATEST LOVE for PURPLE RAIN

.... and the joys of Mother Nature

This week's challenge over at ABC Challenge is G for Green. So here is my 2nd design team creation for ABC. Hope its green enough though ... well it started giving me the 'green with envy' feeling.

Once again my yummy BG cardstock came in very handy to achieve the Green Factor here. And of course, yet again, another iris folding design. This time its a heart. This design, the same as the previous circle design, is quite quick with less layers. The hearts and sentiment have been stamped with a Pesto Adirondack acid free raised felt dye ink pad. Please take some time and visit the ABC Challenge to feast your eyes on my fellow design team members' creations.

I have also entered this creation for the following challenges:

• Daring Cardmakers: Favourite things {my favourite five products I've used on this creation are: clear jewel stones, iris folding, Basic Grey cardstock, acrylic stamps for hearts and circle punches}
• PaperPlay Challenge Week 39: Favourite embellishment {clear jewel stones are definitely my favourite way of adding bling to my designs}

Sunday me and hubby left for Pretoria at 5am to see whether we could capture the Jakaranda trees in soft early morning light. This is truly nature at its best. Just love how the interesting dark branches are offset with these beautiful purple blossoms. It really makes one feel as if you are in purple heaven. These photos we took in the Brooklyn and Nieu Muckleneuk suburbs. This is proof that Jakaranda deserve the status of the Jakaranda city here in South Africa.

We also took a drive up Fort Klapperkop to enjoy some vistas of the city. The Telkom 2010 Soccer Tower below, is a true beacon reminding us of South Africa hosting the 2010 Soccer World cup. During our 10 year stay in Pretoria we often did training runs around this tower and its surrounding suburbs and the endless hills will never be forgotten.

Then of course there is the EXCITING news that Mrs Wagtail has hatched her two eggs Friday afternoon, excactly 12 days from when she started sitting on the eggs. The chicks are doing well and has gained some weight and more feathers/fluff. It seems that Dad is on 24 hour watch and is always in close proximity, should an emergency arise i.e. Bull Bulls perching too close on neighbouring aloe trees. The pics aren't very clear as I did not want to be a too great disturbance. Will however take same more pics as they are growing.

Thanks again for all your heartfelt comments and taking some time to pop in here. Your ever loyal following is truly appreciated.

MRS WAGTAIL ... YOU'RE AMAZING

1. Dutch Dare DT Project: Use Felt on your Project
2. The Pixie Cottage: The First Challenge - A Sketch
3. Paperplay: Week 39 - Favourite Embellishment
4. Basic Grey: Colour Challenge - Green/Red/Blue
5. Stamp Something: Bling It Somethings
6. Daring Cardmakers: I Can See Clearly Now
7. If The Shoe Fits: #7 Bling It On
8. Everybody Art: #61 Shapes/Punches

I suppose you are getting bored by this time, seeing one iris fold creation after the other. But, hey I am having loads of fun with this technique and am discovering new shapes all the time. This is the first circle design I created and has surprisingly been the easiest shape thus far to work work with.

The Pixie Cottage's first ever challenge which is a great sketch got me out of the blocks for this creation and then Basic Grey's colour challenge for this week took the stress out of selecting the colour combo. The red flowers are from felt and the circles behind them are punched circles that I created with one of my EK Success circle punches. The bling is of course represented by the clear jewel stones which has come one of my favourite embellishments.

And its been quite a while since I managed to combine more than 3 challenges with one creation, it seems like lady luck has been on my side this week.

I mentioned in a previous post that Mrs Wagtail has made her nest in an aloe tree in our garden. She has been sitting on two eggs for just over 7 days now and I can't wait to see whether she will manage to hatch the eggs. Do any of you perhaps know how long a wagtail take to hatch their eggs?Just imagine the cute little chickies that could be waiting on us.

I waited till she was away from the nest and had to use a small step ladder to be able to have a good view of the nest from above to be able to take these photos. I was afraid that she might abandon the nest if I came too close, but she is still sitting on the eggs. Sjoe, I'm quite relieved.

Wishing you all a relaxing Sunday.

FOR YOU ...

{1ST ABC DESIGN TEAM PROJECT}

I am quite nervous about my first DT project for ABC Challenge, but nevertheless had fun creating it. The theme for the current challenge is FLIGHT and I thought it fit to stamp up my butterfly. Once again the main feature is an iris folding window. All the cardstock are from my favourite BG ranges. 'For You' are some foam letters.

Please take some time and visit ABC to view all the other DT members' gorgeous interpretations of Flight.

A cute wagtail couple are sitting on two eggs in our garden. They have done this perfect little nest between some leaves in one of the aloe trees. Can't wait to see the little chicks. I have always been fascinated by these small birds whose little mannerisms truly exuberate happiness. Love watching them dancing around catching insects whilst constantly wagging their long tails. Will try and take some pics when Mom and Dad is not on the nest.

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday.

NEL FAMILY PICS

Just a quick post with some family pics I took of Marko and his family on 20 September. Marko's Mom, Heidi was curious to see some of the photos, so here are a few shots.

We did our first 90 minute yoga class last night in which we did quite a few different poses. I am a bit stiff and sore today, but hopefully some work in the garden will ease the muscles. Thanks again for taking some time out to pop in here. Wishing you all a fab Tuesday.

MATRIC FAREWELL SHOOT & A SNEAK PEEK

As promised some time ago, here are some pics of the photo shoot I did for Marié-Louise's Matric Farewell in Rustenburg on 23 September. During April this year Marié-Louise {ML} and her family visited us and she mentioned that she has this unusual matric farewell dress in mind. The dress had to have different panels and onto each panel different embellishments had to be sewn. She mentioned that she was looking for anything thats interesting and could be sewn onto the dress. Being a scrapbooker, I immediately thought of all the different types of embellishments we scrap with and wasted no time showing ML these. After spending more than an hour scratching through all my embellishment containers, we ended up with a huge bag filled with every embellishment you can imagine ... never in my wildest dreams did I think that all these would end up on a one of a kind matric farewell dress.

I am sure you will agree that the end result is totally unique, and comes to show that even a classy dress can be jazzed up with scrapping supplies ... moral of the story ... what will the fashion industry do without us dedicated scrappers. But, I must give ML all the credit for thinking out of the box. Everyone stepped out onto the red carpet at the event wearing stunning traditional ballroom gowns, but ML and her partner definitely made the fashion statement of the night. And then of course Marié-Louise had the perfect personality to pull it of.

I have been swamped with school photo shoots this last week and am still busy with the order forms, but managed to complete my first design team project for the ABC Card Challenge blog and here's a sneak peak just to wet your appetite. Will reveal all this coming Wednesday.

Thanks for all your inspiring comments and I promise to be spreading some love in blog land soon.

ZEONé'S 4th BIRTHDAY PHOTO SHOOT

Apologies for this seriously loooong photo post, but I promised Zeoné's Mom that I will publish some of the photos from the photo shoot I did of Zeoné's 4th birthday party which took place yesterday at Plantland in Krugersdorp. Below is Zeoné with Dad Deon, Mom Lize and little brother Jacques-Pierre.

I really enjoy birthday party commissions as most of the little ones are very keen on having their photos taken and love posing, but only if I promise to show them the photo on the camera's screen .... I would say this is a little bit of blackmailing, don't you agree. So with no further ado here is a summary of the 269 photos of the party.

So wish me luck for my pre-primary photo shoot tomorrow and Tuesday. Wishing you all a fantastic week and thanks again for taking time out and stopping by.

MRS NELL for the FIRST TIME

• {Cute Card Thursday #80: A Pinch & A Punch - Celebrate a First}
• {Our Creative Corner: Monochromatic Mania}
• {Papertake Weekly Challenge: Black & White + 1}

This is another 60x30cm layout I recently completed for Enrico and Angie's wedding album I am creating with their wedding photos I took during January this year. I just love combining black with pink and think it makes such a great visual impact. It was also Angie's first time proudly becoming Mrs Nell. Working with black & white photos makes life much easier when it comes to selecting cardstock colours as one can actually put any colour with it.

Been at the specialist this morning for the discomfort I have had over the past years in my right hip and we discovered that my right leg is 1.5cm shorter than my left leg which also causes my pelvis to tilt forward ... all of this of course is putting strain on the muscles. So I have to have an inner sole made for my shoes which I must wear whilst exercising and when I wear closed shoes. Then I will have a follow on appointment with the specialist to see what the progress is, early 2010.

Then of course I have received the fantastic news of having been selected as one of four new design team members for the ABC Challenge Blog and would like to take this opportunity to also congratulate my fellow newly appointed design team members and am looking forward to creating with them. Can't wait for our first challenge ... feel so honoured. Also thank you to all of my dedicated followers who wished me luck ... it payed off!

Thanks again for all your lovely comments ... you are all true blogging friends.

STAMP SOMETHING {Favourite Layout}

I have recently designed and completed this layout {with some of the photos I took at the wedding} which forms part of the wedding album I am scrapping for Enrico and Angelique Nell. This is definitely one of my favourite designs and I just love it in these monochromatic colours. Therefore I found it fit to enter it for this week's challenge over at Stamp Something.

I am also still very guilty of promising some photos of our recent visit to Sabini, a game farm near Warmbaths, and committing to it. So with no further ado, here are some Bushveld photos. I am sure that most of you South Africans who have spent some time in the Bushveld, will agree that its definitely good for the soul.

My Matric Farewell photo shoot of 23 September in Rustenburg went well. Marie-Louise's dress definitely made a bold statement and was surely very unique and creative ... shall I just say that us scrapbookers will definitely love this dress. Will reveal more in due course.

I am off to do a birthday party photo shoot on Saturday in Krugersdorp and am also doing a Playschool photo shoot on 5 and 6 October ... nearly 40 pupils to photograph ... this will be quite a challenge, but I am looking forward to it.

Thanks again for popping in.

SPRING 2009 MAKE-OVER

Okay, so after my horrendous hair experience in Cape Town during March this year when all of you were asking me to see some pics of the disaster, I decided not too shock you all and rather show you how a proper make-over should look like.

I got up yesterday morning and decided enough is enough I need to get with it and cut my hair short once again. I immediately phoned my hairdresser (Fashion Squared) and made an appointment with my personal hairstylist Pieter.

So whilst sitting down this morning I gave Pieter the good news that I was going for a new me and he has carte blanche with my hair (short as possible, but please don't let me look butch). I also showed him some pics of me 12 years ago with short hair. Of course I also went for a new colour and throughout the cut, Pieter and his assistant, Lynette kept on saying that they admire my guts. But my reply was ... a change is as good as a holiday.

I still can't believe that I waited so long to take the plunge and kept on trying to control my unruly long locks. Well the added benefit is that hubby is in honeymoon mode after unsuspectingly arriving home from gym this morning and discovering a strange lady at home. He thinks I have taken 15 years off my age (but quickly corrected himself in saying that I didn't need a haircut to make me look younger as I am still a 'jong bokkie' ... translated meaning a 'spring chicken' ... he quickly realised that he was on thin ice, hey) and of course he is different than most men in that he loves my hair short ... so what can I say, the long wait of 12 years was worth it for him.

So what do you all think ... do I look better with long or short hair?

HIP HIP HOORAY

{Sketch Saturday: Sketch 69 + Stamp Something: Favourite Basic Grey + Pile It On Challenge: Punches}

We had a lovely weekend and for better weather we could not have asked .... beautiful Spring sunshine days. I managed to fit in another card creation today. Sketch Saturday's latest sketch got me going with the design and of course all the patterned cardstock are my very favourite Basic Grey, which fits the bill for the current Stamp Something Challenge. I have also used various of my Ek Success circle punches as well as a square punch for the four squares in the background which fits the bill for this week's Pile It On Challenge.

The cute little froggie prince was a gift from my dear friend Michelle. Thanks Michelle, as you can see froggie finished off the creation just perfectly.

Thank you all once again for your lovely comments and for taking the time to stop by.

SOME YUMMY CANDY & DT NEWS

What a happy Saturday this is. I was going through all the crafty blogs I follow in my Google Reader, late this afternoon, after teaching this morning, and what a huge surprise waited for me when I opened Juls' blog The Glitter Chick and discovered that I have won her latest blog candy, celebrating over 100 Followers.

Contents:

• Crafty individuals - miniatures - people & places 2
• Glue dots mini
• Le Blanche - fancy brads
• Bo Bunny - bella Journee brads
• Dovecraft creative ribbon - purple
• Smirk - creative ribbon
• Le Blanche - precious moments foam backed stamp.
• I will also include some stamped images..they are not in the picture because I have not stamped them yet.

Then there were some more fantastic news today. Whilst going through my emails, I noticed an email from Karin, founder of the Monthly Card Kit Club, who informed me that I was selected as one of four new Design Team members for the Club and that my goodies will be in the post soon to create my first project for the newly launched October Kit. Thank you Karin. I can't wait to start creating with the other very talented girls on the Design Team. Once again I would like to thank all my followers for their good wishes with this DT call. This is a brand new Club and I am sure the new Design Team will help get this Club off the ground.

Off tomorrow for Sunday lunch with family. Can't wait to see Little Marko again. He has probably grown some more since we saw him more than two months ago.

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday ... make sure to rest well with some creative therapy.

DESIGN TEAM CALL FOR ABC CHALLENGE

{... and some other tit bits}

Yes, I know I am stretching myself a bit here, but the ABC Challenge blog has been one of my favourite challenge blogs featuring such versatile themes every week and suits absolutely anyone's style.

So I just cannot resist applying for their current Design Team Call. The requirements are to post three of our favourite creations which reflects our personal crafting style. So here are three creations which I really think portrays my style. An added benefit is that the ABC Challenge is posting a new challenge only every fortnight.

I would like to thank all of you who have been wishing me all the best with my previous Design Team Call entries over at the Monthly Card Kit Club ... all your lovely comments are truly appreciated.

At the moment I am quite looking forward to my next commissioned photo shoot which is on 23 September in Rustenburg. Its a shoot of hubby's nephew's daughter's matric dance. Marie-Louise has had a very unusual dress designed for her ... very much with an African Influence ... can't wait to see her dress. Marie-Louise has also been a model from very young and is seriously creative. A few months ago I gave her a whole bag full of scrapbooking/crafting embellishments which she wanted the designer to incorporate on the dress ... so now you can just imagine my curiosity. Will be shooting Marie-Louise from where she dresses right through to the function itself.

Below is a layout I did in 2004 of Marie-Louise with her parents and little brother Anrich. Marie-Louise's eldest sister, Yolandi was not with when these pics were taken in our Kloof garden. Can't believe this is more than 5 years ago ... scary.

I have been noticing of late, small fuzzy brown spots on some of the scenery shots I am shooting with my Canon EOS 20D and was quite worried about it. I got the number of Camera Tek from my local photo lab guy and visited Camera Tek in Randburg yesterday. Once again I am so thrilled to announce that there are still excellent customer care here in SA. After being received very professionally at reception a technician was called immediately to listen to my problem and said that a blow-out will probably be successful in eliminating these spots. Should the blow-out not be successful the camera will have to be opened up totally and all the parts cleaned thoroughly, with a waiting period of 8-10 work days.

Well I am pleased to say that after only waiting 15 minutes, the blow-out was successful and I have since tested it and no spots anymore. So if any of you live in Johannesburg, Camera Tek is the only qualified camera experts you should allow to work with your camera and they specialise in Canon products. Their telephone number is (011) 251-2400.

Thank you all again for taking the time to pop in here. Will be spreading some love over at your patch in blogland soon.

MONTHLY CARD KIT CLUB

{Design Team Call}

Karin Hoeve from Dutch Dare Card Challenge has started a Monthly Card Kit Club and is looking for Design Team members. I am braving it and thought it would be great receiving the products from which a sample project/card should be created on a weekly basis. To be in contention for the DT we had to submit two cards/projects that we think represent our style, so here is my two creations I think portrays my crafting style.

Wishing you all a fab week and thanks again for all the love you leave here.