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{the colour palette} Angie picked the theme this week and she even created the template for the colour palette collage. She is one talented lady. With the kids on vacation, my time was limited this week. I had a small window, and no idea what to create. I went shopping because with the kids at home, the fridge is always empty. While filling up on fruit and vegetables, I found a pomegranate. I am not a huge fan of this fruit but love the colours, and textures. As soon as I picked it up, I got that “this is it” feeling. I think the trick to this project is to run with the idea when I get this feeling. Sometimes, simple is the best.

Angie Marie Photographer

A couple of weeks ago, I asked my daughter to paint the words “Gold” and “Hope” for me. I was working on a still life project, and wanted to include the painted words. She asked me what they were for, and at first I said; “just a project”. So she happily painted, and then paused. She asked “But why these words?” So I decided to talk to her about the Gold Hope project, and she really listened. I told her about the photographer I had met in a group who had lost a daughter to cancer. I told her how Ava like gold and glitter. I told her this special lady now helps other families. She asked the smartest questions as she kept on painting. She asked why we didn’t know the cause of cancer. Why did it affect children? She asked about Ava and her family. It was unfamiliar territory for me, but I answered honestly. I wasn’t sure where the conversation was going, so I kept listening to her questions and hoping I was answering as truthfully as possible. She finished the paintings, and asked if she could keep painting. I went about making dinner, and then she called out to me, “Mum, how do you spell cancer?”. I spelt it out for her, and then went to see what she had painted. It said “stop cancer” with a big love heart in the middle. I was floored. She asked me to send it to Cynthia, and it is in the post on it’s way in the mail. I realized in that moment that we are doing a good job as parents. She is growing up to be a kind-hearted person, and I feel blessed to be part of her journey. My eyes filled with tears. I gave her a hug, and went about my routine with a full heart.

Now follow on to Sharleen N. Stuart Photography /South Florida Photographer to see her 30 minutes this month.

Cherish This Day.

{golden hues}. This week the theme is inspired by the Gold Hope Project. The Gold Hope Project provides portrait sessions to pediatric cancer patients and raises awareness to this disease. They asked photography groups who run weekly challenges to use the theme of Gold or Hope during September. Although, the wonder of the oddments project is just Angie and I, we thought a week with Gold as the theme was a great idea. Don’t forget to visit the Gold Hope website, and find out more about this beautiful project.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to capture for this theme. I walked into my girl’s room and looked around. I saw a dress, and a snowball with a merry-go-round style horse. I looked into their art box, and found glitter, paint and ribbon. The flowers, and the gold heart chocolates I added. I loved the little collection that I found, and thought it celebrated the meaning of the project. Gold and Hope.

Angie Marie Photographer

{textures in low light}.

When Angie suggested this theme, I knew instantly that I wanted to capture a cactus or succulent. I wasn’t sure how but it was a theme that I have been thinking about and it just seem to fit perfectly. We have the bird cage plant holders at our front door. They have been empty of plants for a while, and whenever I use flowers they die way too quickly. The last time I threw the dead plants into the bin, I thought about using a hardy plant rather than a pretty one. So it seemed like the perfect excuse to visit the nursery, and find the perfect plant for the bird cage. It was also the perfect excuse for a coffee, and a wander around the many trees and plants dreaming about the garden I never have time to create.

Angie Marie Photographer

It was the first day of spring in Sydney. The sun felt a bit warmer. The was a bit longer. Winter was waving  goodbye. My daughter asked to water the garden, which is code for play with the water. I said yes, but don’t wet. It was wasn’t that hot. But we all know the temptation of water is too high, and after packing some groceries into the kitchen, I went back outside with my camera. A quick lifestyle session of my daughter playing with the house was calling my name. These natural photos of my children at play are my favourite. There is no better place for a photo session then your own front yard. Of course, these were my thoughts and not my daughters. She was too wrapped up in “watering the garden” to  think about portrait sessions, and photo ideas.

When I went outside, she asked me to hold the hose so she could run. So with a hose in one hand, and a camera in the other, I shot this images of my daughter enjoying the first day of spring. Her laughter was contagious, and filled me with joy. It really was a moment to cherish.

{Pretty In Pastels}

I found these blossoms on my school run. The tree is in the front yard, and the pretty pink contrasts against the fence. The fence is an odd aqua/blue colour. It looks like an undercoat of paint, but it has been this colour since we moved here. I drive past it each day, and it is one of the beauty spots that I keep an eye out for as I go about my busy day. I love these little pauses during my crazy day, where I look for the beauty in the ordinary. They are the reminder that I need to slow down, and be in the moment. The school run is often the part of the day where the kids are cranky, I feel rushed, and the traffic is slow. I use these beauty spots to calm me, and continue along the way.

Please take the time to visit Angie’s blog. Her take on ice-cream and flowers is beautiful and oh so creative.