Photos with meaning.

I really enjoy taking real-life photos with my iPhone.

I love the freedom and spontaneity of capturing a moment on the fly. No fancy photo shoot, props or coiffed hair, just something I want to remember, poised in time just as it is. So when browsing through my photo gallery looking for a photo for my next page, I was instantly drawn to this one and the explosion of emotion that accompanied it. It spoke to that special place in my heart brimming with gratitude. Living in 3rd world Africa with poverty as my neighbor, I find myself increasing grateful for the life although not fancy, it privileged.

Collection used: Fancy Pants Designs- As You Wish

Serendipity by Kim Watson

Serendipity by Kim Watson | Supplies: Serendipity by Kim Watson | Supplies: Cardstock by +Stampin' Up!; Patterned paper, Corrugated card, Die cuts, Stickers, Buttons, Cork arrow, Chipboard, Decorative bag by +FancyPantsDesigns, Wood veneer, Enamel dots, Sequins, Cork chevrons by +Studio Calico, Adhesive by +TombowUSA , +Thermoweb, & +Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L , Sewing machine, Font: Veteran Typewriter

Amazingly I didn’t have to edit this photo taken into the early morning sun. The usual blue silhouette effect beautifully catches the drama of Max and Luma (our Schnauser cross Staffie pup) running free, on the endless stretch of wet sand, against the mountain backdrop. 
I wanted to ensure it remained the focal point of the page so paid special attention to the placement of the title and page accents. Maximizing ‘white space’ within the photograph was my solution, keeping the page design uncluttered. 

Blending the journaling directly onto the photograph and using asymmetrical placement, simplified the design perfectly.  The repetitive use of double cork chevrons, creates directional anchors and visual symmetry. 

For a more in depth look at my creative process behind the page, check out the Masterful Scrapbooking class. Remember you have to be a subscriber in order to see the full class. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Win a spot on one of Maggie Holmes Photography Workshops!!

 Maggie Holmes is one of the most inspiring photographers I know. Not only does she inspire me as a scrapbooker with her sophisticated colorful style but she makes me want to improve my photography skills beyond my current skill. Maggie is super talented  I especially  love that her photos are always so crisp and vibrant!

Here is an example of her fabulous work:

Which is why I am excited to announce that she has created two NEW online workshops in which she will share with you all of her trade secrets, tips and tricks on how to take kick-ass photographs. Her 'class' format is always well laid out and easy to use. I have heard from very reliable sources that her workshops more than pay for themselves because the amount of invaluable info you'll learn along the way.

The dates for the workshops are:

Photography 101: July 9th - August 18th, 2012

Advanced Photography: August 20th - September 29th, 2012

These will be the last workshops she'll be having for 2012 and class sizes are limited, so to guarantee a spot, I suggest you grab a seat register early to avoid disappointment.

Now because you are so darn cute, Maggie is allowing a $50 discount for all those early birds who sign up quickly, it expires on the 31st May so you'd better hurry if you want to take advantage of it. A great discount like this can't be ignored :)

 It that isn't enough, I have some more FABULOUS news in that sweet Maggie is giving away ONE SPOT in EACH class on her blog for FREE:)

PLUS - Maggie is also giving away a surprise BONUS spot in the Photography 101 class too and the winner for this will be drawn at random from one of the blogs below! LEAVE A COMMENT here, visit each blog below and leave a comment there too to better your chance of having your name randomly drawn for the prize!

Maggie Holmes
Susan Weinroth 
Dawn McVey
Davinie Fiero
Geralyn Sy 
Kelly Noel  
Veronica Jennings
Lisa Truesdell 
Mou Saha  
Piradee Talvanna 
Stacy Cohen 
Megan Hoeppner  


Giveaways are open until Wednesday the 23rd May!
Winners will be announced on Maggie's blog and here as well on the 24th May.
Good luck everyone!!
 
(Please note:If you register for a class and later win a spot, your tuition will be refunded. This does not apply for purchases made for previous classes.)   

Happy day.

Spring is almost around the corner for us here in Cape Town, which means the city is on the brink of an explosion of color & wild flowers. We have a unique, natural phenomenon that happens every September.....the fields & nature reserves in the Western Cape get covered with the most amazing wild fynbos, proteas & flowers. Our family like the rest of the city head out to surrounding areas to get our visual full of the flowers.
Even though a little early in the season, we went in search of flowers this weekend, & weren't disappointed.

Aren't they gorgeous!!






I also have x2 new pages to share:

I was asked to guest design along with a bunch of talented gals from the scrapbook industry for an Australian sketch site, Stuck?!Sketches.
This was my contribution. I used some gorgeous product by the talented, Stephanie Hunt from Bella Boulevard.

Kitty Connection by Kim Watson


This page is a bit of layered fun using some fun, happy goodies from MME.



Thanks for stopping by and have a super Monday!
KJ

Surfs up!

My bloke woke up with the sparrows this AM...& went for a surf, before work, with his long time buddy, Steve. This is a momentous day for the Watson-kind! My hunnie multitasking....play & work on the same day....it is definitely a call for celebration.

He got back seriously amped...raving about epic waves & shouting !I'm a surfer again! I think I am going to insist he does this again next week & every week there after. The look in his eyes tells me we'll all be better for it. My salty old dawg is back!!!

Kalk bay: firing, glassy & windless.....sweet!!!

~heehee{did I say it right babes?}
XXX

Spring break!

We have Max @ home for the next little while over Spring break! See... evidently the cherry tree at Maxi's play school thinks it is Spring....I beg to differ though, the weather's still freezing!!

Although it is great having Max at home, I struggle to find him things to do. On Friday we went to a movie together....Open Season 2. Max loved it but I loved it MORE! I was one of about 10 adults in the cinema...& I was the only one laughing at the top of my voice. It really tickled my funny bone....& was highly entertaining. OK I admit it I am a slap-stick kinda gal, so this movie was right up my alley.

The weekend was incredibly 'non'... we didn't do anything much, other than act as referee between Cas & Max...I ask you?...She is 10 & he is 4....what on earth could be that important, that requires squabbling over to sort out.

Admittedly he was trouble on two legs tho'....as you can clearly see here by the look on his cheeky face, he was impersonating the...

" Pharoh of Egypt....that means I am the King....and
I want juice now!!!"

The two of them got SO irritating, that at the first hint of sunshine we headed to Slangkop beach in Kommetjie, to get some fresh air & a good dose of vitamin D.

Our neighbor, Taylor, came along too...she & Cas are best buddies. It will be a very sad day when they climb onto the aeroplane in 2 months time & we have to wave them goodbye. They like 1000's of others, are ducking out of SA while they still can & heading for a new life in Australia.

We had a great time there...collecting shells & bits of broken beach glass that were washed up onto the sand. With the massive storms that have been buffeting our coast line, all sorts of treasures have been thrown up onto the beaches. Max true to form, created an awesome beach art sculpture, using everything he could lay his hands on. It was beautiful and people stopped & commented, which thrilled Max, being the social cat he is...he LOVED it!!

The girls who are at that weird tween stage..."couldn't be seen dead doll!!" without large sunnies & handbags. Although it didn't take long before all the accessories forgotten, discarded & dumped with me to 'guard' while they went climbing on the rocks....girls!!

I did catch this SUPER cute moment on camera, which made up for all their squabbling earlier...obviously their wrath was short lived.....good for them, even better for the frazzled parents :o)

Thanks to my trusty tripod, I was able to get this shot....family shots are all to few in my albums, so it will be great to have a new one.

Well guys that's all for now. I promise I will try & blog more often...I am just down right lazy!!
So have a good one.
Over & out...KJ XXX

Rough time!

We have had the biggest storm since 2001 hit our coast line this weekend it has left 100's homeless...& countless wet, cold & waterlogged. The clouds & dramatic skies were quite something...we even had an electric storm which is unusual for Cape Town.

This image I found on this site, it has live web cams all over South Africa. Seeing live images is quite cool actually.

The bonus was the surfers had GIANT surf to play in.....only downfall being they were warned to be on the look out for stray logs that were loose in the ocean after a ship lost it's cargo in the storm.

Bummer.....you pluck up the courage to paddle into a monster wave like this, only to be hit in the head by a large floating object...together with the sharks & the freezing water....I don't know about you but it doesn't seem like a whole lot of fun to me?

My kids on the other hand thought the rain, hail & freezing temperatures were great fun....& decided to experience it up front & personal....out side. You might be thinking...woman you are MAD!! but my thoughts are...what's the worst that can happen, that a hot bath can't sort out?

Anyway guys...that's all for now. I MUST get some scrappy projects finished.
Have a super day!
KJ
XXX

Weekend pic's.

We had a bit of a quiet weekend this last one, having a ton of school homework for Cas to do. She is 10years old in Grade 4 & sometimes is faced with really difficult projects & assignments to do for homework that are way beyond her capabilities unaided. Boy, with the amount of parental help needed, I wonder if they actually end up learning anything from the exercises? Needless to say I took NO photo's, so I will share a couple from the weekend before last. Get comfi...because there are quite a few.

Max caught on film inside the dirty washing bin....he had dragged it into the dining room & climbed into it, when I took this pic. How blue are his eyes?

My bloke got a surprise visit from the courier the other day....his birthday pressie had finally arrived. It was a 6x11 inch Wacom tab....his glee is evident on his face. This baby is an absolute must for any serious designer...(OK I don't quite qualify but maybe I'll get to play on it a little too?)

Tersh went surfing with the epic swell that hit the Cape that weekend. We went with him for an outing & had a blast. Max built sand castles & played in the sand, I took a million photographs.

He tried his hand at sand surfing...& had already informed us that as soon as he can swim properly in the sea, he wants to learn how to surf.....oh dear!

Running down sand dunes was such fun for big & little alike!!

Tersh hitting the waves....he is such a babe in black rubber heehee!

To end the weekend off perfectly I tried my hand at homemade cinnabun's. They turned out FANTASTICALLY!! & were really easy to make too. These are going to become a firm fav in our home, I just know it!

Well guys I hope you enjoyed looking at these pic's, as much as I did taking them.

(PS: if you need the recipe for the cinnabun's let me know)
Cheers for now.
KJ
XXX

Not just a tall story.

OK so it wasn't just a rumour...we did in fact go away for the weekend & I did in fact catch a couple of large sweaty bass....it was the first time in 4 years that I have gotten some serious fishing time in....& it was worth the wait.

This was the tunnel of bamboo that lead to each of our cabins....with the green glow was so hard to photograph the kiddlets without them looking like they were ill :o)

One of my bass...check out the dorky look on my face.....mild hysteria hahaha! I'm crazeee I know. My brother looking ever the part of serious fisherman, was helping remove the lure from the fish's gizzard. He swallowed it so deep you'd think he hadn't seen food in a month....NOT!! Look how fat he is (the fish, not my brother heehee!)

OK so the rule is...carefully hold them...& SMOOch, then put back. Fish slime is a bugger to get off....needless to say Tersh stayed far away from me & my ripe aroma. (Not my most flattering pic is it....had I known the paparazzi were going to be there, I'd have dollied up a bit :o)

Dawn overlooking one of the dams....flip is was cold!!

Maxi getting his fishin' groove on....he was a natural....must be in the genes.

Cas patiently waiting for a bite...she really got into it, which is unusual for a little girl crazy about fashion, accessories, shoes & the latest hip hop band.

Tersh contemplating his life with this bunch of idiotic, smelly fisher people; whilst drinking in the amazing view over the vineyards. It was a great weekend...even if short & especially great to break the monotony of home life & be out in nature.

To change the subject a bit.....I got my August CK & in it was my Juicy Fruit L.O. They have their new Beta site up & running...you should pop over & take a look. Here's the link:
It is always so cool to see things in print.

This is a digi L.O I did last night. I was so itching for a scrappy fix & had hardly any time left before I hit the sack, so I whipped this up. It is using elements from a kit created by Michelle, as well as a mishmash of bits from all over the place. Sorry, I know I am supposed to give credit to whom credit is due...but I can't for the life of me remember who all the sources are. If & when I do I will mention them at a later stage.

Well I hope this made up for my bloggy absence?? I now have to go & give my guy my undivided attention....it is his birthday after all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hunni...you are the best!!

Blog you soon.
KJ
XXXX

Photo stream #3

Hello everyone....time for It's real life #3. As requested by Jessica....here is the next photo installment:

My bed side table including hairy cow, rubber toad & two tiny cars....and the necessary regulars... bible & photo of Tersh & I on our wedding day!

There are no drawers for you to peek in but every day I chuck the hot water bottle underneath it.

Under my bed.....nothing but an electric plug point & Max's piece of kitchen counter board that he plays 'Great Sphinx' with.

My PJ's...all horribly functional....nothing even remotely interesting to hold your attention for longer than 1 second...:o)

My art for the walls.....we look all the frames down about 6 months ago to paint black. They were painted but now sit against the wall......waiting to be put back......Ho-hum!

My bedroom...I love it for the space, light & view into the yard. It is an expression of me in that it is uncluttered & uncomplicated & what you see is what you get; no mess-no fuss. The only thing I hate about it is, that it is ridiculously cold in winter....like the rest of our house.

Well that's it guys...hope you enjoyed the tour.
~Kim!
x