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!

Weekend pics!

Hiya everyone! This is a quick photo update of what we have been up to over the last couple of days, as you can clearly see; having our family around has been an absolute blast. We had an incredibly busy weekend before my Mum jetted of to Port Elizabeth to visit with her very ill sister and we really made the most of everyone being together.
SATURDAY~
My Mum...not your traditional Granny type....funky hair do, Gucci specs, designer jeans & a fiend on the trampoline. Max was in kiddie heaven.
My Pops got to fish again at a private dam near Stellenbosch....he caught a couple of huge, sweaty, bass(not that we doubted for a second that he wouldn't). His face is a picture of fisherman bliss, is it not????
Max.....went mud paddling with a border collie called Ruby....soon after this he stripped down to his skin....what is it about kids not feeling the cold, together with large quantities of mud??
Moi...caught on camera wielding a rod....caught nothing but a wet bum from the bank...but see the worry in my eye. I was fishing & that's all that mattered.
My brother Brian & Max shooting the breeze & swapping guy stories.
SUNDAY~

Mum left early for PE & Pops was with Brian, so we headed to Muizenberg beach with the kids. It was a perfect winters day....sunshine & not a breath of wind.

Tersh & the kiddlets looking adorable.

Cass posing in her new Hanna Montana kit all the way from the High Street in Southampton. She was in tween heaven & insisted on a full on photo shoot.

Another Watson family shot...Max only barely tolerates the camera, 1 second later he was off the wall & off down the beach hurling abuse at the Mamarazzi.

It is amazing to capture candid shots like this one that so clearly remind me of what the day was about. Everyone thinking their own thoughts, enjoying the sunshine & fresh air.
A family enjoying together time.

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Cass & I horsing around.

Cas being a sweet nine year old, with her beautiful smile.

Maxi being the cutest mini heart breaker I know. I look at this picture & can imagine him at 15. Oh my cat....he is growing up so fast.
Well lovelies that is it.....I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my weekend.
Have a lovely day.
XXX

Update!

Morning everyone....hope you had a relaxing weekend? We certainly did!!!! We decided to try and do something different and different it was!!!! Hence no posts this weekend....I just wasn't at home for long enough.


Sat was a freak~out for the highly strung Mama....we decided to spend the day on the beach with Brian & Landa. The guys would go surfing and the girls would hang out and watch that the kids didn't drown. I started off so worked up {do you know how much stuff I was able to convince myself we needed to pack just in case????? and I didn't have any serious food packed yet hahahaha!}. I calmed down once we were securely stationed on the beach,the kids were doing their thing and the blokes were in the water. Nothing like a bit of windless beauty, divine sunshine, snacks from heaven curticy of Landa, {GIRL YOU WERE A STAR!!!} & nothing but the quiet whisper of the waves to listen too........that is until the microlights started flying overhead and Maxi almost pee'd himself in excitement.

{Brian...Landa you guys were amazing with the kids.....thank-you sooooo much for all the effort you made. You are the BEST!!!!!}

My darling Husband as tired as he was braved the freezing atlantic and surfed his brains out!!!! He was so amped from his surf that he has been on cloud 9 ever since. Ladies if your hubbies are getting a bit frayed around the seams, send them surfing!!!!! It does wonders for their general well being.

Only problem is it takes some seriously creative reasoning to convince them that they need to leave their laptops and head to the beach.

A happy hunnie clad in tight rubber...ooooh!
Go! Snakey Go!>>>>>

Sunday was just as much fun. We spent the day up at Pinehaven {above Simons town} with an old friend of Tersh's. There was plenty of space for the kids to run and explore, the blokes yakked like girls and the Mama took 400 photographs!!!! ~no jokes! The kids befriended an amazing border collie and we had such fun throwing a variety of sticks, pine cones and anything else we could find. She was tireless and played for hours, even tho' I am sure she was poop'd. Even Maxi relaxed enough to play with her and laughed like a drain every time she piled into a mud puddle, just because she loved to wallow.




The flowers were out in full force, making an amazing backdrop for photo's >>>>>




It was good for us to do stuff together as a family. It somehow helped us bond more, laugh more, be more of a family. A great way to prepare for a crazy week of deadlines @ Redline.

Enjoy your day everyone and I will chat tomorrow.
XXXX