Click & Crop

Wow, so here it is....

The first of SIX Click & Crop articles for Scrapbooking Memories. I feel so honoured to have been asked to do these. The article is in SM Vol 9 No 10.

To add to this, I also have two pages of examples in the current Scrapbook Creations, for Leenie's Hybrid article, as well as a layout. The current For Keeps has a layout of mine in also. The scrapbooking world has been very nice to me.

Thank you.

xx S.

South Brisbane

A while back, I took myself to the Queensland Art Gallery and had a walk around South Brisbane. I thought I'd share a few of my favourite photos.

"Bathers" ~ my all time favourite painting. This photo doesn't take in the whole painting, only part of it. I studied at the Art Gallery in my senior year and based my main assignment on this painting. I just love it. It was the main reason for me to go looking through the Gallery.

The painting is one of the largest in the Gallery's collection and, from memory, is painted by a Queensland artist. His wife was the main model.

My favourite part of the painting is the child's hands stretching out for the little yellow butterflies. Beautiful.

This building was Brisbane's original town hall. It is now owned by my old high school and is used for the students.


Yeah, I don't know why I photographed the parking meter. I just like the photo.


Thanks for dropping by my ol' blog. Have a good weekend!!
xx S.

Word to the Wise

If you play Lotto enough to know your regular numbers off by heart..... then don't bother putting those numbers on..... DON'T watch the draw!!!

Last night, in Powerball, FOUR of my numbers PLUS the Powerball came up!! Division 3 paying just over $5,200!!!

No, I didn't put my numbers on.

lol - why, oh why, did I watch the draw????!!!!
xx S.

Sydney for the Day

I flew to Sydney on Saturday just gone, for one busy and very fun day. The clouds flying in, then back home again were awesome. Photographing them through double layers of window, with the sun shining at me was a challenge, but I ended up with some fun shots. Here are a couple of 'Cloudscapes' at just after 6am from Brisbane:



I met a lady on the plane named Lisa (hope I've spelt the name correctly). Lisa is planning her wedding and we had a chat about wedding photographers and people in general. Best of luck, Lisa, if you read this!

The skies were grey, landing in Sydney, and there was basic cloud cover over entire city. Storms predicted, I was looking forward to playing the day 'by ear' and hoping we didn't get dumped on.

My gorgeous cousin Allyson picked me up at the airport and off we went to look at bridesmaids dresses. Ally's getting married in September.


With the shop not open yet, we headed to Gloria Jean's for a drink. We didn't eat any of these yummy treats... I just wanted to photograph them. ;)


I tried a beautiful dress on, then we headed to Shellharbour to meet the other bridesmaid. I saw Allyson's wedding dress and we decided on the bridesmaid dresses.... you'll have to wait until September to see them!! Here are some fluffy dresses at the boutique.


Back to Sydney after a beautiful lunch with my family. I wish I had have photographed the seafood pizza I had for lunch... it was scrumptious!!

We met up with Ally's fiance and son and headed off to the Harbour, so I could play with my Lensbaby. I took stacks of photos with it, but haven't had time to play with them yet. I'll bring those to the blog in a couple of days. ;)

On the opposite side of the Harbour to Circular Quay (where the Opera House is), is one of my favourite places in Sydney ~ Luna Park.

The texture of the tiles on the Opera House is interesing and you can see that the clouds disappeared for a while for me.

One of three Rollers dressed up for a wedding (drove past).


...and finally two more 'Cloudscapes' on the way home, just after 8pm. The sunset was amazing above the first set of clouds. None of my photos do it any justice.



The only question I have left after this amazing day is, why doesn't the Airtrain run at 8.30pm on a Saturday night?? The taxi fair home cost me almost as much as the plane fair from Sydney!!!

xx S.

Point Shoot Play update

Have you ever wanted to learn all the tips and tricks of how to use your photoimaging software? Whether you use PaintShop, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, etc all programs have similarities, so it doesn't really matter which program you start learning with. Come along to a Point Shoot Play class and start learning the basics in Photoshop Elements.


We have been very busy teaching Photoshop Basics 101 and Permission to Play classes through Brisbane scrapbooking stores. Click on the logo above for the Point Shoot Play blog, for further class details.

Many of our current classes are fully booked. We do, however, have some vacancies at:
The Craft Attic
Shop 1, 651 Wynnum Rd
Morningside , Qld 4170
Phone: 07 3399 2903
debra@craftattic.com.au
Contact Debra to book into our class with Peta Stokes on Saturday 16th February or Saturday 8th March, both at 9.30am.

We have been training a new tutor (wait 'til you hear who she is!) and writing new classes!! Our current classes are listed on the Point Shoot Play blog and will soon be accessible via our new website - going life within weeks.

PHOTOGRAPHY Classes - this year, we will also be teaching basic photography! Book into one of our Photography Classes to learn the basics of your camera, how to capture great photographs and also look at the Lensbaby lenses I have been blogging about!!

If your local Scrapbooking shop isn't hosting classes by us, but you would like them to, please contact Mel to see if she can organise classes there. Alternatively, you may have a large space at home and may like to organise your own group to learn. We have private lesson rates for Photoimaging classes as well as Photography classes. We also teach one-on-one, in your own home, if you prefer!



Come and see us at the Brisbane Paper Crafts Festival! We will be teaching classes throughout the three days, plus have other exciting things to show you. Click the banner above to sign up for the Paper Crafts emailed newsletter. Be the first to sign up to our Photoimaging Classes.




....AND HERE'S MORE EXCITING NEWS!! All classes from now on will be taught using the Wacom Bamboo Fun graphics tablets! Learn how to use these tablets with the pen, or they can be used with the mouse if you are more comfortable. EVERY student learns in each class with a supplied laptop and Wacom tablet. No more sharing with the student next to you!!

I've been playing with these tablets and they are a lot of fun and so easy to use. Keep an eye on the Point Shoot Play blog for further details!!

Take care!!
xx S.

Photo Continental

Check this out:

Photo Continental Gallery

The first three are mine and the last three are Peta's. Enjoy.
xx S.

Southbank Markets

I'd forgotten all about the Southbank Markets until we dropped by there on my last photo shoot. I used to love walking around the markets.

These next few photos were taken at the same stand. I just fell in love with their products... all very bright and hand made of leather... keyrings, coin purses, handbags, shoulder bags, more keyrings and backpacks (amongst other things).

Of course, we finished the walk off by stopping at the Streets Vendor. Yummy Calipos! Thanks Vonnie. ;)

These photos were all taken on my Canon 20D with the Lensbaby Original. Stay tuned for more information!! ;)

xx S.

Did I Mention I'm Offline??

I can't believe it.... my computer STILL has problems and has gone back to the computer hospital again. :( I MISS it!! I'm back on laptop and am temporarily unable to process my most recent photo shoot efficiently. I'm looking forward to sharing some of those shots with you.

Before my computer went, I did manage to process a few Lensbaby shots. Stay tuned to my blog for more exciting information regarding the Lensbabies, too!! ;)

Lensbabies & Lolly Shops:

Hopefully I'll be back online officially soon. I've been advised it may be anything up to three weeks before my computer returns to me.

Take care.

xx S.