Animoto

I saw this on Sharon's blog and had to give it a try! It's so cool! I think I may yet have to sign up for a full subscription cos I can see me making these all the time. Just so much fun.

Here's my vid: I-Snaps 2

More Actions

I couldn't resist it, I had to go and buy more actions and now I want even more! lol.

So I got the Pro Black & White which is just so much better than the Demo Black & White. I love the contrast but again like all the Pro versions you can control the contrast and tones etc.

Also got Goldenrod which is a lovely almost sepia-like black and white and my new favourite is Midnight Colour - lovely warm tones to it. Check it out:

Actions

Finally bought some actions yesterday - have been meaning to for ages! These are EZActions but are also available from Digi Scrap Shak which is where i got them as they had a 50% off sale. I'm not quite sure but i think the standard actions are just a one-click action but the Pro versions give a lot more flexibility and control so I got those versions. The cool thing is these work in Photoshop Elements - yay! The Demo black and white I don't really like - i find it a bit flat. I like my black and white photos to have quite a bit of contrast so I may buy the Pro version of that one too. I really like the Vivid Color one and I like the look of the Acid Wash too. Some of the photos I've darkened up the backgrounds as well with the Paint with Light feature - which is very cool Here's some examples:

Home again

Back home again after being away most of the past week in Mt Maunganui with a daytrip to Rotorua too. We had a wonderful relaxing time. Was just really nice to spend all that time with Daryl and Isla and of course the grandparents got to see Isla again which they loved. Here are some pics:



Her first visit to a big swimming pool which went really well - she pretty much just walked straight in and later we took her into the big pool, walked her in right up to her neck. Must start considering swimming lessons now.


We also went to a petting zoo. Her first closeup encounter with animals apart from the zoo. Was really funny because we kept getting hounded by chickens for food i guess. Isla had the death-grip on daddy's hand! Lol.
On Saturday we went and visited some good friends of ours in Rotorua. Went for a lovely walk through the Redwoods Forest and then later drove up to Lake Tarawera. Good times.

Today's artwork.

Today we went to Playcentre for the first time. Was sooo much fun, so much to do and play with. I have been thinking about some form of Early Childhood Education for Isla but don't really know what yet so its good to go and try some out. We've been to 2 different playgroups as well recently but I did really like the Playcentre best i think. And we would most likely enrol her at kindy or a preschool as well for when she's a bit older. I know there is a lot more parent involvement but I'm probably ok with that - wouldn't really want to leave her at this age anyway. So things to think on.


So here is the artwork she did today:

News!

So the news is out: http://nzscrapbook.blogspot.com/

I've been asked to be on the NZ Scrapbook DT. I'm really excited about this as they were the first scrapbook store I ever went to and I also took my first class there. They're not that far away (about a 10min drive) from where I live and I might even get to teach some classes as well. The other 4 team members are Jo Kneller, Megan Renfree, Ilka Adam and Sarah Groen who are all just fab scrapbookers. Just too cool!!!

And can't have a post without a photo can we? Bit of a crap photo but anyway. So here is Miss I yesterday sitting in her doll's pram. First time I've seen her do this, good to know it can take her weight! Tho for how much longer I wonder!

New dare

The latest dare is up over at No 8 Wired and its mine this week. All about the numbers. Use 1 patterned paper, 2 rubons, 3 pieces of fabric or ribbon and 4 embellishments. So here's my take on it. I actually found it quite hard to restrict myself like this but I really love the result. I always enjoy when I do layouts of me and Daryl because most of the time they're all about Isla.



Also found this cute kit club site:http://qteakits.blogspot.com/

And this is cool too - a charity digikit for the environment with challenges and a competition attached to it. I think I'll definitely get the kit - not sure about the comp yet though.

http://standupandscrap.blogspot.com/
And I have some news coming soon ;-)